1-21 The Tappa of Khadoor

In this way a few days passed that Guru ji was in Khadoor.  He didn’t like coming outside.  He preferred to stay hidden.  For this reason, his existence wasn’t well known within Khadoor.  There was a Tappa (one who does Tapasya) that also lived in Khadoor.  The Tappa would sing his own glories and praise himself constantly.  He knew spells and mantras.  He had attracted a following and would lead them astray.  Many people would come to him and do what he would say.  They all bowed to him, wherever he went in the village.  Everyone listened to him.  He was worshiped in Khadoor and in the nearby villages.  There were Jaats from the Khera caste that lived in Khadoor and called the Tappa their Guru.  They provided grains, sweets and other offerings for him.  They gave him milk, yoghurt and ghee.  Whenever the Tappa would hold events, people would come to his home and bring food from him.  They brought him money and asked for his blessings in worldly matters.  They brought other expensive gifts for him as well.  Everyone in the village was afraid of him.  Most of the people in Khadoor were from the Khera caste of Jaats.  They were afraid of the Tappa’s curses and listened to what he said.  The people of the village weren’t very educated and didn’t know the difference between a Saint and a fraud.  They did what the Tappa said and gave him many gifts. 

In that same village lived Guru Angad Dev ji.  The people of the village didn’t know about Guru ji’s powers or glories.  They didn’t come bow to Guru ji.  They didn’t know that he was the master of the Universe.  They thought he was just another villager like them.  They saw him as just another Khatri from their village.  Guru ji dressed in commoner’s clothes, with a Kurta and a chaadra.  They saw him as one of them; being a householder.  Nobody in the village was a Satsangi.  They didn’t know the glory of the Guru or the Satsang.  After a while, there was a time when it didn’t rain when it was supposed to.  It was Bhadron (August), the heart of the monsoon season, and it didn’t rain.  The crops were dying.  In all of Punjab, there was a drought and the crops began to die.  The vegetation was going yellow before it went ripe.  If the crops all died, there would be nothing to eat.  The farmers all got scared as there was going to be nothing to eat for the whole family.  There would be nothing for the animals to eat either.  “If Bhadron is to go without rain, then we would not be able to afford life.  We would die without the food.  Without the crops we will not be able provide subsistence.  We have no money to buy from other regions either.  If we had money, we could have imported food,” in this way all the farmers met and were worried.  They discussed: “we should go to the Elders.  We should ask the Pandit.  The Pandit will find a solution to make the fields green again.”  Another spoke: “our Guru is the Tappa.  He can do miracles.  He is very powerful and is the Guru of the whole village.  He can find a solution with his powers.  Our wives take our kids to him for their cures.  He says a mantra and our kids are cured then.  He fixes other problems for us and gives us peace with his powers.  We should all go to him.  We should take sweets for him.  He should do Ardaas at his feet and tell him to make it rain.” 

All the farmers then went to the Tappa, worried and depressed.  When they got their, the Tappa was sitting on his throne.  He was filled with pride.  The farmers all placed the sweets in front of the Tappa.  The Tappa was sitting cross-legged as all the farmers bowed to him.  The elders praised the Tappa as they came to him.  They said: “Babaji, you are very powerful and fulfill everyone’s wishes.  Many people come to relieve their pain which you help them with.  Your glory is spread far and wide.  Everyone praises you.  We have come for your protection.  Please fulfil our wishes.”  The Tappa was happy to hear his own praises.  The Tappa said: “all of you have come to me.  I am very happy with your worship.  Whatever you ask for, I will grant.  All of you are my servants.  You serve my feet and for this reason I will dispel your pain.”  The farmers heard the Tappa, folded their hands and said: “Tappa ji, this is what we need: in the beginning of the season, it rained a lot and our fields and crops were green.  It grew nicely too.  Now that we are close to the crops going ripe, it is not raining.  It has been a long time since it rained and the crops are turning yellow.  They will dry up soon.  If there are no crops, our livelihood will be trouble.  Please bless us and make it rain.  Please make the clouds come so it rains.”  The Tappa heard the farmers and then thought to himself, holding jealousy in his heart for Guru Angad Dev ji: “only a few people come to me but Guru Angad Dev ji has Sikhs coming from far away.  They come and stay at his home and do his seva.”  The Tappa would see the Sikhs come and was jealous of the Guru Ghuddi.  He was worried about Guru ji’s glory.  He was quite jealous.  He was afraid that the Kheras may go to Guru Angad Dev ji.  He was insecure and always talked bad about Guru ji.  Guru ji’s glory was brightly shining life the full moon.  the Tappa was a fake, a fraud.  He wanted to have Guru ji leave the village.  The foolish Tappa wanted to make Guru ji look bad.  He cooked up a plan and said: “oh Kheras, you all know why it won’t rain, right?  You should know!  There is a Khatri that lives in your village and he commits big sins.  His name used to be Lehna but he calls himself Guru Angad now.  He changed his name.  Many people come from other regions and sing some sort of songs all day long at his home.  They bow to him; who is a householder.  He is not a Saint; he is married and has kids.  He shouldn’t have people bowing to him as he is a Ghristi (a householder).  He has people serving his feet.  He sits on a throne and people call him Guru.  If he wanted to be a Guru, he should wear pink or saffron clothes like Sadhoos.  He should have gone to another village.  He should have stayed away from his family.  He hasn’t renounced anything.  I don’t know what religion he is following but he has people worshiping his feet.  Everyone is worshiping him, even though he is married and has kids.  All of you are smart.  Tell me, is this good?  Isn’t this a sin?  I know you don’t follow him, that I am sure of, but you are smart.  It is because he lives here that it does not rain.  Now you need to think how to make him leave the village.  It will rain once he leaves.  All of you Kheras need to tell him to leave.  I will make it rain then.  Kick him out of the village.  Once he leaves, I guarantee you, it will rain.  He can go live anywhere he wants, at least you will be out of trouble.”  The Kheras believed his words to be true and said: “yes Tappa ji, what you say is true.  He is a Ghristi and makes people bow to his feet.  This is the reason why it won’t rain.  Many people come from other regions.  We people of the village don’t follow him but it must be the outsiders that ruin things for us.  We should go and kick the Khatri out.”  The Kheras got up and headed towards Guru Angad Dev ji’s place.  The Tappa was very happy that Guru ji would leave.  He was happy and thought his wish was going to be fulfilled.  What the fool didn’t know was, that his death was near. 

1-22 The Tappa

The foolish Kheras were working on their lands.  They were determined to follow the words of the sinner, the slandering Tappa.  The Kheras did not understand what was good for them.  Instead, they had decided to do something that was very bad.  They were ignorant towards the glory of the Guru.  They did not understand his greatness.  Nine or ten of these foolish Kheras got together and headed towards Satguru ji’s home.  The were doubting the Guru and came to Guru ji’s home.  They stood in front of Guru ji and began to speak harshly.  They said: “Guru ji it is not good for you to stay here.  Go somewhere else and live there.  Go to a place of your own choosing.  It hasn’t rained for many days and so the crops are dying.  Our village is in danger because of you.  We are all worried and the cause is you living here.  You are responsible for this drought.  Just as: if one village causes pain to the whole country, a wise king let’s go of that village; If one family troubles a village, then the family should be kicked out; If one person of the family causes pain to the whole family, then that person should be separated from the family; This is what wise people advise.  If you leave from our village, we will all be saved.  Listen to what we are saying, it is best for you to leave right now.  It is not good for you to stay here for even a moment.  Hurry up and pack up all your stuff.  If there is something you can’t take with you, then leave it at someone else’s house.  You can come back and get it later, but leave now.  The leaders of the village have decided to kick you out of the village.  There is nobody who will be on your side, on who you can count on to give you hope.  The wise Tappa ji told us this, that it is because of you that we are all in pain.  He has blessed the village and told us the solution by which it will rain.  You have started a new tradition: you are a Fakir but a Ghristi.  Because of this sin of yours, the clouds won’t come to our village.  The crops have dried up because of no rain.  The Sarpanches (village leaders) of the Panchayat (village council) have spoken, they want you to leave the village.”  Sri Guru Angad Dev ji listened to the Kheras’ words and said: “I have been living here for a long time now and it rained before.  The crops were fine then, so how is it now my fault?  It is the karma of human beings that causes pain or pleasure.  Sometimes you are happy and sometimes you are sad, due to your karma.  Just like night and day alternate, so does pain and pleasure.  King and pauper both experience the pain and pleasure from their karma.  This is guaranteed that the result will come.  When a person is happy, the person becomes egotistical and forgets Akaal Purakh.  The person speaks in pride.  When the person is in pain, the person becomes humble and droops.  The person complains to Akaal Purakh: “why did I receive this pain?”  The person blames Ishwar for his/her sins and becomes ignorant toward his/her own actions.  Prabhoo gives fruits according to the person’s actions, karma.  Pain and pleasure are in Akaal Purakh’s hands.  The wise person understands that: pain came because of his/her own actions.  The wise person remembers Parmatma in both situations and understands that it is their own karma that gives them their fruits.  These people are known as the intelligent and patient ones, who understand the greatness of Akaal Purakh.”  The Kheras heard Guru ji’s words and then spoke harshly, again: “nobody wants to hear your lectures.  We have all decided that we want you to leave.  If you don’t leave by yourself, we will grab you by the arm and throw you out.  The Tappa told us that you will make excuses to leave.”  Sri Guru Angad Dev ji heard the Jaats and smiled.  He called Baba Bhudda ji and said: “pick up my bed.  I have caused these people pain.  In the jungle, the southwest corner of Khadoor, there is a small hut, naturally formed by the trees.  The name of that place is Khan Rajada’s hut.  I will live there in solitude.  Saints are better off in solitude.”  The Sikhs heard Guru ji’s words and understood that this was the Tappa’s doing.  They said to each other: “the people of the village are fools and do not understand the greatness of Guru ji.  These fools don’t see the jealousy in the Tappa’s mind.  We will have to listen to Guru ji’s command though.  Let’s go and live where Guru ji wants us to go.  We should not delay the command of the Guru as these fools may disrespect Guru ji further, if we stay any longer.  All these fools deserve to live with each other.  There is no point staying here.” 

Everyone set out towards the place Guru ji talked about.  As Guru ji was leaving, he said to the Jaats: “you have suffered pain, due to me, so I am leaving to another place.  I wouldn’t want to wish bad for the village.”  The Sikhs then all followed Guru ji.  All the Brahmgyaani Sikhs, Baba Bhudda ji, Bhai Dhinga ji, Bhai Paro ji, all left with Guru ji.  The master, creator, and destroyer of the 14 dimensioned-universe, was full of forgiveness and headed out of the village.  They took his bed along with some pots and pans and set up camp in the forest.  The Sikhs sat with Guru ji.  Guru ji was in a single state of mind and in peace.  It was a jungle where they all sat.  The jungle was blessed.  The feet of the Satguru made the jungle pure.  There was happiness in the jungle now.   Wherever the Guru goes, there is happiness.  Kirtan was done in the jungle and many listened.  The ocean of knowledge sat in the middle and blessed all.  Baba Bhudda ji then said: “you are the idol of supreme forgiveness, Guru ji.  The sinner Tappa hates you for no reason and talks bad about you.  He is jealous.  The people of the village are fools and listen to the Tappa.  They don’t think for themselves.  They came and disrespected you by speaking harshly.  You are the master of the universe, but these villagers have sinned.  The Tappa will pay for this. (Any words that came out of Baba Bhudda ji’s mouth, proved to be true.  The universes listened to Baba Bhudda ji’s words.  Guru Nanak Dev ji had blessed him with this power).  He did this for no reason.  How will he be happy by making you leave the village?  Guru ji, you have the ability to tolerate the extreme, you didn’t say a word.  There is nobody that can compare to you.  You forgive all.  The water in the ocean cannot match your forgiveness.  You are all-powerful.  You can scare everyone and fear no one.  You are fearless.  Your one word can destroy the whole world and all life.  You can create and destroy by your words.  You left the village and did not show your power.  Whatever you like, that is good.  We are nothing in front of you.”  Baba Bhudda ji then went quiet and accepted the Guru’s will after seeing his disrespect.  Guru ji does not show his limitless powers and lives like commoners. 

1-23 The Tappa’s Death

The son of Baba Tejo ji, Guru Amardas ji, served Guru Angad Dev ji day and night.  His eyes were always full of love.  When Guru Angad Dev ji was asked to leave Khadoor, Guru Amardas ji was in Goindwal.  Guru Amardas ji came to Khadoor to meet Guru Angad Dev ji, only to discover that there was nobody at Guru ji’s home.  Guru ji wasn’t there, nor were there any Sikhs.  There was a person walking nearby.  Guru ji went up to him and asked him: “where did Guru ji go to?  He took all the Sikhs along with him too.  What was the reason that Guru ji left all of a sudden and taking along the Sikhs?”  The person told Guru Amardas ji the whole story: “the sinner Tappa showed his true colours.  He told all the farmers that it will only rain in the village if you get Guru Angad Dev ji to leave the village.  The foolish farmers came here, to Guru ji’s home, at the advice of the Tappa, and spoke very harsh words to Guru ji.  They told Guru ji to leave or they would grab him by the arm and throw him out.  Guru ji forgave them and left the village, but there hasn’t been any clouds or rain yet.  They insulted Guru ji.  The Tappa burns with jealousy and has committed a big sin.  Watch, he will have to pay for what he did.  Guru ji had never wished him any harm, not by his mind, words or actions.  Still, that sinner did such a bad thing without any reason.  There is no bigger sinner that him right now.  He didn’t think of right from wrong and had the Guru of the Sikhs, forced to leave the village.”  Guru Amardas ji was very hurt hearing the persons account of what had happened.  Guru ji then spoke: “look at the hate he has harboured for Guru ji.  Guru ji sees everyone as the same and is above good and bad.  The farmers and the Tappa are fools and liars.  They didn’t even deal with Guru ji; then why did they do this?  I can’t take this.  I will not tolerate this.  I will surely give them what they deserve.”  Guru Amardas ji went to the Panchayat, who were waiting for the rain to come.

Guru Amardas ji spoke to the Panchayat: “farmers, by kicking Guru ji out of the village, was your wish fulfilled?  Did the task that you set out to do, was that done?  Did it rain on your fields?”  The farmers heard Guru Amardas ji and responded: “it didn’t rain.  We did what the Tappa told us to do, but we are still without water.  Whoever makes it rain, we will listen to that person.  Our livelihood is dependent on rain.  The rain makes our crops grow, upon which our lives are dependent on.  We thought the Tappa was right and listened to what he said.  We did what he told us to do but it didn’t rain.  We are worried because of the lack of rain.  We are desperate.  We did something we didn’t want to do for our lives and it was still useless.  The saint that makes it rain, thereby making our fields green again, we farmers will follow that person.  We will obey his every word.  We will do whatever it takes and will do the unthinkable for our lives.”  Sri Guru Amardas ji heard the farmers’ words and spoke to them with great anger: “the Tappa couldn’t make it rain and you all kicked Guru ji out of the village!  The servants of Guru ji have the power to make it rain!  Listen to me now and it will rain as much as you want it to.  The Tappa was jealous of Guru ji, that’s why he got Guru ji to be forced out of the village.  The Tappa has no powers and certainly does not have the ability to make it rain.  Go to the Tappa and ask him to make it rain.”  The farmers got up and went to the Tappa’s house.

The farmers told the Tappa: “we have thrown the Guru out of the village, but the clouds have not rained yet.”  The Tappa heard the farmers and responded in anger: “I don’t have rain in my fist for you.  I can’t just pull it out whenever you want.  I am reciting my mantras to make it rain.  When I am done, it will rain for you.  I am doing this all for you.”  The farmers then returned to Guru Amardas ji and told him what happened: “when we went the first time, he was speaking nicely, but now when we asked him about the rain, he spoke to us in anger.”  Guru Amardas ji then spoke: “I will make it rain.  It will rain as much as you want it to.  It will be a lot.  The Guru’s Sikhs are not like the Tappa, I will make it rain.  Listen to what I say.”  The farmers were just looking for rain.  They were greedy for water.  They now realised that the Tappa was a fraud and said to Guru ji: “we will follow that person who will provide water for our fields.  We will do anything for water.  Whoever will make it rain, the whole village will listen to him.  We will follow that person that would give us life.  Otherwise, we will die because of this pain.  We won’t be able to tolerate hunger.  If we don’t listen to the person that gives us water, we will end our lives.  The one that will be gracious enough to gift us life, we will become his servants for the rest of our lives.  The whole village will serve him.”  Guru Amardas ji gave them hope and said: “listen farmers, the day is almost over and the sun is about to set.  We must hurry.  Before the sun sets, wherever the Tappa quickly goes, the clouds will shower rain in that area.  The fields will be filled with water and there will be an abundance of crops.  There are a lot of fields and the time is scarce.  Go and get the Tappa and take him to your fields.  Wherever any part of the Tappa’s body touches, the clouds will come roaring and shower rain in full monsoon mode.  As soon as the Tappa comes out of his house, the clouds will come in their most full density.  I want you to see this in front of your eyes so there is no room for doubt in your minds.  It will then rain when the Tappa starts walking through the fields.”  The farmers heard these words and got up with great enthusiasm.  They said to Guru ji: “yes, we want to see this!”  The farmers headed towards the Tappa’s home.

The Tappa was sitting on his Ghuddi, his bed.  The Tappa was swelled up with his ego.  He was extremely happy and proud of himself for getting Guru ji to leave the village.  He couldn’t contain his joy.  It was as though milk, sprouting out of a pot after being boiled.  The famers came to him and said: “listen Tappa ji, it hasn’t rained.  Please bless us now and walk through our fields.  You walking through our fields may fulfill our wishes.  If you have well intentions for us, then please come outside and head towards our fields.  We will all go with you too.  Please bless the village.”  The villagers sweet-talked the Tappa into coming outside of his home.  They got him to come outside.  As soon as the Tappa came outside of his home, the villagers looked up.  They saw dense, black clouds coming towards them like a vast hungry army, ready to reek havoc with their water onto the fields.  All of the villagers were now convinced that the Sikh was not lying.  They talked amongst themselves and started to walk towards the fields quickly.  The Sikh’s words were true.  They saw the signs exactly the way Guru Amardas ji had said would happen. 

As soon as the Tappa was taken through the fields, the rain began to shower like a fountain.  It would rain on to the fields when they would take the Tappa through them.  The day was almost over and the farmers got worried.  They all wanted the Tappa to go through their fields.  They began to discuss amongst them on how they can complete this task, quickly.  There were too many fields.  They counted the fields and figured out that the day was not long enough to go through all of them.  The farmers got anxious and began to pull the Tappa towards their own fields.  They were getting angry with each other.  The Tappa was getting anxious too and started to shout at them: “oy, what are you doing?  Stop pulling me.”  The Tappa yelled and screamed but nobody would listen.  All the farmers began to pull the Tappa like a tug-of-war rope.  Everyone wanted the Tappa to go to their own fields.  They made the Tappa run fast.  The Tappa got tired and couldn’t yell or walk anymore.  The Tappa fell to the ground and couldn’t go any further.  The father of Baba Mohan, Guru Amardas ji, then came and said: “wherever the Tappa’s flesh or bones go, it will rain there.”  Hearing Guru ji, the farmers began to drag the Tappa.  The Tappa was now lifeless and was no longer breathing.  The farmers were worried that their fields would be without water.  The words that they had first spoken to Guru Angad Dev ji: “sacrificing one, to save a village,” were now being applied to the Tappa.  The farmers broke off the limbs of the Tappa and took them to their fields.  Wherever his parts went, the clouds shed an abundance of rain there.  After the Tappa died, it began to rain very hard.  Everyone recognized the Tappa as a fraud.  There was no doubt of this now.  He was the one that got Guru ji to leave the village, this was evident.  He was a liar and that is why his mantras did not work.  He was the sinner and slandering the Guru, that was the real reason why it didn’t rain.  The servant of the Guru gave the farmers water.  Guru Amardas ji told the farmers to go to Guru Angad Dev ji in the morning and ask for his forgiveness. 

Guru Amardas ji headed towards Guru Angad Dev ji’s camp.  His heart was really happy now.  When he reached Guru ji’s camp, he bowed to Guru ji.  Guru Angad Dev ji sensed in his heart what happened.  Guru Angad Dev ji looked the other way and turned his body in a different direction.  Guru Angad Dev ji did not like the fact the Guru Amardas ji showed a miracle.  Guru ji teaches the wisdom of equality and wants the Sikhs to engrave that into their hearts.  He wants them to tolerate the most intolerable.  He had his back forward as he knew what had happened.  Guru Amardas ji noticed that Guru Angad Dev ji was not happy.  He went to the side that Guru ji was facing and bowed.  He sat down and lowered his eyes.  He was now worried.  Guru Angad Dev ji moved again and Guru Amardas ji turned a third time.  Guru Angad Dev ji did not look towards his servant and said: “you are guilty of showing your powers.  This is not the work of Sadhoos.”  Guru Amardas ji was very humble now and was about to speak but Guru Angad Dev ji turned a fourth time.  Guru Amardas ji turned to Guru Angad Dev ji’s face and spoke quickly after understanding what he did: “Prabhoo Guru ji!  Please forgive me.  Please give me wisdom.  You forgive the ones who err.  Oh, wise Guru, I bow to you, Namo, Namo (obeisance).  You guide us on the right path.  You are great and there is no other equal to you.”  Guru Angad Dev ji spoke after hearing Guru Amardas ji talk: “what did you do after I left?  You made it rain and got the Tappa killed.  You made yourself known as person who can do miracles.  The house of the Satguru is always in humility.  There is no place for ego here.  The Tappa had sinned and he was going to be in pain when was going to die and was going to hell for it.  Only Eshwar delivers the rewards and punishments.  People have no power.  The master of the universe is the only doer.  Akaal Purakh does everything and makes others do things.  Understand this: the wise ones do not see themselves as doing anything.  They stay patient and do actions within their own personalities.  They rely on the support of the One Akaal Purakh and surrender themselves.  They kill their own duality in this way and do not consider their own existence.”  Listening to Guru ji’s words, Guru Amardas ji bowed to Guru ji and said: “Guru ji, please forgive me, I was unaware of what I had done.  I will not do this again nor will I make my abilities known to anyone.”  Guru Angad Dev ji forgave Guru Amardas ji.  Guru Amardas ji then sat down with Guru ji in the jungle, where there was great happiness and prosperity. 

1-24 Guru ji returns to Khadoor

The farmers of Khadoor all met each other with great joy.  It rained a lot and their fields were green again.  Everyone met and said: “we disrespected Guru ji.  We have committed a grave sin.  He is very powerful.  He is full of miracles.  His servant had so much power that he made it rain to our heart’s content.  He’s been living here all along and we didn’t know of his greatness.  Now he is gone to another place.  All of us should quickly go to him and ask for forgiveness.  Otherwise, he may put a very scary curse upon us.  The curse may take all our happiness away.”  All the farmers began to prepare gourmet foods for Guru ji.  They all went to where Guru ji was camped.

They all came in humility to convince Guru ji to grant them forgiveness.  They arrived at the Theh (place) of Khan Rajada and saw Guru ji sitting there.  All of the farmers bowed to Guru ji and spoke to Guru ji with great humility: “Sri Guru ji, we were unaware of your greatness.  The Tappa had misguided us.  The sinner would always talk bad about you.  The fraud was full of nothing but greed.  He was evil-minded and did many sins.  He got what he deserved, though.  All of us farmers have come to seek your protection.  Please forgive us Guru ji, you are a Saint, worthy of the utmost respect.”  Satguru ji listened to their words and smiled.  He looked towards them and spoke: “this whole world is false and mythical.  It is vain.  I have no hatred towards anyone.  Pride and disrespect are also false; joy and sorrow, I do not adhere to.  A person receives results according to their karma.  Both good and bad do not go unnoticed and will produce fruits, accordingly.  The wise ones do not attach themselves to this falseness.  They attach themselves to their true form and remain immersed into it.  When I saw the hatred in your hearts, I left Khadoor.  I didn’t want you to be in pain.  I wanted you to live in peace.  I am in bliss, no matter where I sit.  I do not lose or gain anything.  I do not think of gain or loss.  I am happy in this jungle.”  The farmers listened to Guru ji’s words and realised that the greatness of the Guru could not be quantified.  They had not seen such greatness before.  They grabbed the feet of the Guru and spoke: “please forgive us.  You are the form of Gobind (the nurturer of the world).  Please come back to the village.  Please come to the house which you left earlier.  Please continue your gracious nature and forgive all of us.”  Guru ji then casually spoke: “I am not stubborn, nor have I even thought of being stubborn, but this jungle is the same for me as the village.  Staying inside or outside is the same to me.  If it would make you all happy, then take me with you.  I’ll live where you want me to live.  I am not into acceptance or rejections.  I am happy spending my time anywhere I sit.”  Everyone was happy to hear Guru ji’s words and picked up Guru ji’s bed, with Guru ji on top of it.

The Sikhs had picked up Guru ji’s bed along with the other items that were brought along.  Everyone then headed back to the village; the Sikhs, the farmers and Guru ji’s family.  Guru ji was in a single state of mind.  Everyone walked towards Guru ji’s home.  There was a village named Bhaironpur on the way.  A person by the name of Kheeo Bhalla lived there.  When Kheeo heard about Guru ji passing by his village, he came to meet Guru ji with great love and devotion.  He bowed and spoke in humility: “this time is blessed.  Please rest here a while and I will bring food for you.  I would be blessed if you were to accept my request.  You see both rich and poor as equals.  Sri Nanak ji went to Bhai Lalo’s house, pulled by his love, and blessed him.  He rejected the Brahmans, Khatris and Vaishyas.  Instead, he went to the Shoodra’s home and ate his food.  Ram Chander ji went to the low caste Bheelni’s home and ate her half-eaten fruit.”  He got Satguru ji to stay in his village and went home to prepare food.  He quickly prepared Langar and came back to Guru ji.  He folded his hands and said: “Guru ji, you are the treasure of virtues.  The food is ready.  Please set foot in my house and bring the whole entire Sangat as well.  Please fulfill my wish as you only come by sometimes.”  Seeing the love in the heart of Kheeo Bhalla, Guru ji went to the fortunate man’s house.  Kheeo sprinkled water to purify the space and laid out beautiful cloths.  He placed nice stools on top.  He had more mats laid out on Guru ji’s stool and had Guru ji seated there.  He placed a plate with Kheer, ghee and sugar in front of Guru Angad Dev ji.  Kheeo served Guru ji with his own hands and was happy seeing Guru ji eat the food.  He served the rest of the Sangat as well.  The Sangat was very happy to eat the delicious food.  He then brought cold water for everyone to drink which was a delight for the Sangat.  He assisted the Sangat in cleaning their hands and mouths by bringing more water.  Guru ji then got up to leave.  Guru Angad Dev ji gave Kheeo a blessing: “you will have many kids and you will live in happiness.”  Guru ji then head off to Khadoor along with the Sangat and the farmers.

Guru ji came into his home and sat on his throne.  When the rest of the villagers found out, they came to meet him.  Everyone was happy that it had rained and that Guru ji was back in his home now.  He didn’t curse anyone and forgave them.  They worshipped the feet of Guru Angad Dev ji.  Worshipping these feet releases one from the cycle of birth and death.  Guru Amardas ji then asked for permission to leave from Guru Angad Dev ji and headed towards Goindwal.  Many other Sikhs took leave as well and they all walked backwards from Guru ji’s home.  

On the way, there was a human bone on the ground.  It was unknown as to how long the bone had been there.  As Guru Amardas ji, the most powerful being, was walking backwards.  His foot touched the bone.  The sinner, whose bone it was, came out of Hell.  All of his punishments were washed away.  He became a living, breathing human again, in his original flesh.  Everybody was watching and were amazed.  The live person ran off.  Guru Amardas ji, in his carefree way, continued to Goindwal, walking backwards.  Guru Amardas ji spent the night in his home and then came back in the morning.

Guru Amardas ji bowed to Guru Angad Dev ji and sat down in the Sangat.  The Sikhs that were with Guru Amardas ji a day before, said to Guru Angad Dev ji: “Guru ji!  We saw something truly amazing yesterday as we were walking to Goindwal with Sri Amardas ji.  A human bone touched Sri Amardas ji’s foot and became a living breathing human being.  The person got up and walked into the direction of his choice.  He didn’t speak to anyone.”  Guru Angad Dev ji heard this and called his servant, Sri Amardas ji, to him.  He spoke to Sri Amardas ji: “Akaal Purkha Vidhatta has placed a Padam (lotus) mark on your foot.  On top of that, you did the seva of every kind in the house of the Guru.  Nobody can imagine the amount of power that you have.  The way of the Saints is not to show any of those powers.  You don’t wish to show any powers either.  A person came to life by touching your foot but everyone thought this was a miracle.  When you walk, you walk casually.  In this manner, you will give life to many others.  This is not good for the world.  The way of the Saints is not aligned with this.  For this reason, listen to my teachings and never forget them: when you wish to see me, I will come to you.  In this way, the miracles will not happen accidentally.  This is what I like.  You should do this.  This is the good path of the Saints.”  Sri Amardas ji listened to Guru Angad Dev ji’s words and folded his hands.  He then spoke: “oh saviour, whatever pleases your heart is good.  Whatever you do not like, a person can never be happy going against your wishes.  I am the servant of your feet and wish to see you all the time.  I am never satiated and wish to be in your presence all the time.  Whatever makes the Satguru happy, makes me happy as well.”  Guru Amardas ji took the teachings from Guru Angad Dev ji and engraved them in his heart.  He took leave in the evening and walked backwards to Goindwal.

1-25 Sri Guru Angad Dev ji comes to Goindwal

I had been many days since Sri Amardas ji had been in the holy presence of Guru Angad Dev ji.  He was used to living with Guru ji all the time and he was bound by love.  He had now been without seeing the Guru for many days.  His mind was not calm.  He couldn’t sleep at night anymore.  He wasn’t hungry during the day.  He didn’t like to eat or drink, he kept thinking of the Guru’s feet.  He didn’t speak to anyone and remained quiet.  He wanted to see the Guru and did the Guru’s Simran, in hopes of seeing the Guru.  “Guru ji will come if I remember him.  He will come if I call him; but he will have to walk from Khadoor.  I don’t wish to oblige Guru Angad Dev ji to walk.  But without seeing the Guru, I am not calm.”  Sri Amardas ji was in a dilemma.  “If I go to Khadoor, that would be disobeying Guru ji’s command.  This is not what a Sikh does,” thought Guru Amardas ji.  He thought of many things but no viable solution would come to mind.  His mind was not calm and kept thinking of the Guru: “what can I do?”  Guru Angad Dev j, the master of the universe, knew what his servant was going through.  He knew that he was longing for his presence but didn’t want to oblige the Guru.  His servant was in a dilemma.  Guru ji decided to fulfill his duty of granting his Sikh’s wishes.  Just as a chatrik (cuckoo) calls out to the clouds with thirst, the rain begins to pour, the Guru saw the love in the heart of Guru Amardas ji and started to walk from Khadoor.

As Guru Angad Dev ji reached close to Goindwal, Guru Amardas ji sensed that he was coming.  He quickly got up and ran towards Guru ji to meet and receive him.  He went to receive him with respect.  It was as though love had incarnated into a human body and ran towards the Guru.  He saw Guru Angad Dev ji from afar and ran faster.  He began to shed tears and grabbed his feet.  Guru Angad Dev ji grabbed Guru Amardas ji by the arms and hugged him.  There was love in both hearts.  Guru ji grabbed Sri Amardas ji’s hand and walked towards Goindwal.  Guru Amardas ji would stay a little behind Guru ji.  It was Gyaan (knowledge) and Vairagya (love) walking together.  Guru ji took Sri Amardas ji to the shores of the Beas.  There were two swans singing there.  It was as though they were singing the Guru’s glories.  The flow of the river gave a pleasant sound.  The water was clear and pure.  The fish and turtles were jumping up from the waves.  There was a small hill near the shore.  Both great beings sat on the hill.  Guru ji sat on a higher place.  Sri Amardas ji sat at a lower place.  He was taking in the joy of the moment; he was being satiated with the ambrosial nectar of the Guru’s visit.  It wasn’t enough though; he couldn’t get enough of the visit.  The joy was over flowing in his heart.  His heart was calming down.  Sri Amardas ji was sitting lower than Guru ji, it was as though Vasudev Krishan and Arjan were sitting together.  The moment could not be spoken about.  The words of Guru Angad Dev ji were granting life to Sri Amardas ji: “oh Purkha, you and I are one being.  You are the same as me now.  There is absolutely no difference between us now.  You live in my heart and you are my favourite in this whole world.  Understand this Aatamgyaan, the knowledge of the self: let go of duality.  You are always with me.  Only think of the Aatamgyaan and do not love the body.  Let this go.  This body did not exist before our birth and will not be there after we leave it.  The love of the body is false.  What is born, will die one day; for this reason, discard the love of my body.  If you are attached to the body, there are many troubles with this.  We can only see the world because of the Aatma, so attach yourself with the Aatma.  The Aatma is the one that feels, that senses.  The body is nothing without the Aatma.  The Aatma is not reached by death.  Death comes to the world though.  The Aatma stays the same from beginning to end within the body.  Whoever connects with the Aatma, which is radiant without a beginning and an end, that person is not touched by death and stays in oneness.  The Parmatma is the Aatma and is Sat (truly existing), Chetan (consciousness) and Anand (bliss).  The Aatma is not affected by vices or the senses and their sensory pleasures.  Don’t get stuck in meeting or separation; as once the Aatma meets Parmatma, there is no separation; the land and sky will be seen as equally existing with the self; there will no longer be birth or death; joy or sorrow.  Understand this in your heart that you are the Brahm Saroop (Akaal Purakh) but on the outside, always call yourself the servant of Akaal Purakh.  Preach the way of Bhagti.  Many will see you and follow the path of Sikhi.”  Guru Angad Dev ji gave Sri Amardas ji the supreme lesson that “I (the self) am the Brahm Saroop (the supreme form), Ahung Brahm.”  Guru ji made Guru Amardas ji just like himself.  Both were now the same spirit, just as one torch lights another, that is how Guru Angad Dev ji bestowed the Aatamgyaan onto Sri Amardas ji.  Guru Angad Dev ji then got up and grabbed Sri Amardas ji’s hand and walked.  Sri Amardas ji was now in total bliss.  Guru Angad Dev ji began to speak of the glories of Sri Amardas ji.  He said “Dhan, Dhan.”  They were now walking side by side.  Guru Angad Dev ji’s left hand, held Guru Amardas ji’s right hand.  Guru Amardas ji’s left hand was free by his left side.  They walked towards Khadoor Sahib. 

Guru Amardas ji was waiving his left arm back and forth as he walked towards Khadoor Sahib.  His arm flew a little ahead of Guru Angad Dev ji.  Guru Amardas ji noticed his arm ahead of Guru ji and found his own arm, guilty of moving ahead of Guru ji.  He got really concerned and upset at his own arm.  He found his arm guilty of the Guru’s disrespect.  He thought of cutting his own arm off for moving in front of Guru ji.  But then he thought that the Sikhs would praise him for his show of love for the Guru.  He didn’t want to be praised in any way.  He decided not to ever use his left arm ever again and pressed his arm to his chest and kept it there.  He took an oath: not to use the arm again and not to consider it as a part of his body.  The arm had disrespected the Guru.  He was no longer going to use it or be attached to it: “till my body remains on this earth, I will not use my left arm.”  He kept his hand pressed against his arm.  For the next 22 years, Guru Amardas ji did not use his arm.  He only used his right hand to dress himself or take care of his body.  Every body part of Sri Amardas ji was now doing the Bhagti of the Guru.  If someone does the Bhagti of the Guru with such deep emotion as Guru Amardas ji did, that person will receive the pleasures of the world and Brahmgyaan.  Both reached the court of the Guru and Guru Angad Dev ji left his hand and went to his throne.  Guru Angad Dev ji then thought to himself: “he will guide the Sikhs well.  Sikhs will be in his company and do the meditation of Akaal Purakh.  Thousands will be saved by the path of Sikhi.  They will meditate on the true name, Satnam.” Guru Angad Dev ji sat on his throne.  Sri Amardas ji sat beside Guru Angad Dev ji.  They continued their conversation about Bhagti.  As evening came, Guru Angad Dev ji said: “Purkha, now go and return to Goindwal.”

Guru Amardas ji took leave.  He bowed and walked backwards for 9 km.  He stood at the 9 km mark and bowed towards the Guru.  He turned around and walked another 3 km to his home.   There were always love in his heart and he constantly thought about the Guru.  He would say the name of the Guru all the time and listen to Kirtan.  He doesn’t see anything or hear anything.  He keeps his focus on to the Guru.  As he did Simran now, he was able to visit the Guru inside his heart.  The Brahmgyaan was now inside his heart of the highest level.  He would be able to connect with Guru Angad Dev ji in his mind and see what Guru ji was doing or thinking.