KESHO DĀS, a tāntrika (practitioner of magical techniques) of Vārāṇasī, once came to Gurū Gobind Siṅgh at Anandpur and claimed that, if necessary facilities and provisions were made available to him, he could make the goddess Durgā manifest --- the goddess who would eliminate oppression from the world. Though Gurū Gobind Siṅgh was not impressed by Kesho Dās's claim, some in the audience were. The Gurū, in order to demonstrate the futility of tantra and other such cults, permitted Kesho Dās to carry out his experiment. For months the Brāhmaṇ continued with his incantations living meanwhile on the Gurū's bounty, but no goddess appeared. At last the Brāhmaṇ, for fear of exposure absconded. Gurū Gobind Siṅgh declared to the saṅgat that the real goddess Durgā was the sword (as symbol of armed strength) which alone could overcome oppression and injustice.