1-41 Sri Guru Ramdas ji’s Katha/ Birbal

I bow the feet of Guru Amardas ji, that are like water for the fire of desires; they cut the pain of the servants. 

In 1581 Vikram (1534 AD), living in the city of Lahore, born in the family of Luv (son of Sri Ram Chander ji) which is great and vast like the ocean, was born Ramdas ji, the Guru, the King.  The whole city was happy all of a sudden and they didn’t know why.  The coming of the light of Akaal Purakh was felt by all.  It was like milk began to flow from the rivers.  Slowly, he grew up to be a handsome and strong young man.  He was fair-skinned, with sharp features as described in history.  Baba Hardas ji, his father, called him over and said: “you need to work now, as your days to play are over.”  Guru ji was very obedient to his parents.  He agreed to their command.  His mother boiled soaked black channas (black chick peas or gram seeds) and prepared them.  She filled a bowl with them and gave them to her son and said: “go and sell these.”  Guru Ramdas ji went to the market and began to sell them.  He spoke out in a sweet voice to everyone to buy his channas.  A saint was walking buy and came up to the young Ramdas ji and said “give me your channas.  I don’t have any money though.”  Guru ji gave him one bunch for free.  The saint was still hungry and asked for more.  He then ate another one.  He was still hungry.  Guru Ramdas ji then gave him all his channa bunches.

As he went home, his parents saw that there was no money that he made.  They got mad at the 13-year-old Ramdas ji.  Guru ji went outside of his home crying.  This was in Choonamandi, Lahore.  Sad and upset we walked a little way and reached the market.  There, he saw a group of Sikhs doing Kirtan and on their way to Goindwal Sahib.  As he heard the Gurbani, the young Ramdas ji’s heart was pulled towards the words of the Guru.  Guru ji, now mesmerized, started to follow the group.  He spent two days with the group, singing Gurbani and travelling.  He had travelled 70 km and arrived in Goindwal, without being aware of where he was going.  He didn’t realise he had left home.  He wasn’t aware of his own body.  The Sangat all came and bowed to Guru Amardas ji and spent for 4 days in Goindwal.  Guru Ramdas ji did not leave though.  He did whatever seva Guru ji or the Sikhs asked him to do.  He would do seva in the Langar.  He would do what the other sevadaars asked him to do.  He had fallen in love with Gurbani and with Goindwal.  He didn’t want to go back home.  He began to live in Goindwal and did seva all day long. 

Guru Amardas ji’s wife, Mansa Devi ji, said to Guru ji: “Maharaj ji, listen to me.  Our Bhani is now of age for marriage.  We should find a good boy for her to get married to.”  Guru ji heard her words and came to his window where he gave his darshan to the Sangat.  Guru ji would hold on to a peg and do Simran.  Guru ji called his family’s Purohit (in those times, Purohits would find marriage proposals) and said to him: “find a young boy for our Bhani, as she has now come of age.”  The Purohit looked around and saw Guru Ramdas ji.  Seeing the young boy, he said to Guru Amardas ji, as he pointed to the young Ramdas ji: “would a boy like him be good?” (In some historical texts, it says that Mata Mansa Devi ji had pointed out to Guru ji that she wanted a son-in-law like the young Ramdas ji) Guru ji said: “call this young boy to me.”  The Purohit went over to and asked Guru Ramdas ji to come over to Guru Amardas ji.  Ramdas ji came over and bowed to Guru ji.  He was full of humility and sat down beside Guru Amardas ji, with has hands folded and his heart full of love and devotion.  Guru Amardas ji said to him: “whose son are you and where are you from?”  Ramdas ji said: “Prabhoo ji, I am from the Sodhi clan and live in Lahore.  My father is Hardas ji and my name is Ramdas.”  Guru ji was happy to hear this and wrote a letter to Lahore right away.  He called his parents and did the engagement in Goindwal.  After some time, the marriage occurred there as well.  Everyone was happy with the wedding.  Guru Ramdas ji’s parents left (in some historical texts, it is written that the parents had died before this time and that it was Guru Ramdas ji’s maternal grandmother that raised him and attended the wedding) but Guru Ramdas ji stayed in Goindwal with Guru Amardas ji.  (Guru Ramdas ji had a brother named Sahari Mal, whose son’s wedding Guru Arjan Dev ji attended).  He stayed with his Guru and did seva all day long.  He served Guru ji for 22 years, day and night.  He did exactly as Guru ji would command.  He did seva with happiness and love.  In 1605 Vikram, was born the eldest son, Prithi Chand, the egotistical.  Guru Ramdas ji and Mata Bhani ji were happy and raised him with love.  After a few years, Baba Mahadev ji was born in 1608 Vikram.  Then in 1610 Vikram, Vaisakh Vaddi 7 (7 days after full moon), Tuesday, at 2:30am, in the Nakshatra (constellation) of Rohini (Aldebaran), Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji, the moon of the family was born.  His Avatar was a joyous one.  He was raised in the house of his maternal grandfather, Guru Amardas ji.  He was blessed with sitting and playing in the lap of Guru Amardas ji, as a baby.  All the weddings of the three brothers took place in Goindwal.  Prithi Chand was married to Bibi Karmo; Mahadev ji did not marry and Guru Arjan Dev ji was married to Mata Ganga ji.

Baba Mohan ji (son of Guru Amardas ji) had a son named Sans Ram ji; who scribed the Gurbani of Guru Amardas ji and Guru Ramdas ji which came to be known as the Mohan Pothi.  Baba Mohri ji (second son of Guru Amardas ji) had 3 sons: Baba Anand ji, Baba Arjani Mal ji and Baba Arth Mal ji.  Guru Amardas ji was writing Anand Sahib when Baba Anand ji was born.  He named his grandson “Anand” because he had just completed writing the Anand Bani.  Baba Arth Mal ji and Guru Arjan Dev ji were very close.  Baba Sundar ji was the son of Baba Anand ji.  Baba Sundar ji wrote the Bani: Ramkali Sadh. 

The Emperor Akbar had a minister named Birbal.  Birbal was a clever Brahman.  In the western mountains of Afghanistan, the people of that area, rebelled against Akbar.  Birbal was sent to resolve the issue, taking an army of 20,000.  Akbar was close to Birbal.  Akbar always kept him close to him but to resolve the Afghanistan rebellion, Birbal went to fight with the Pathaans.  He said: “I will defeat them all and get their tax.”  Akbar was happy and said: “only you can do this.  Nobody else is smarter than you.”  He was given a great army with canons and Nagaras.  Birbal saw his army and became proud of himself.  He started to think he could win.  Akbar said to him: “I will give you a proclamation saying: all the Kshatriyas must pay you 1 Rajitpun per household.”  Birbal had asked for that as he was not fond of Kshatriyas.  He set off to Afghanistan after his preparations.  He wanted to show the Kshatriyas that he was strong.  He collected taxes along the way from the Kshatriyas.  He collected from every household by finding all the Kshatriyas.  He eventually reached Beas and came to near Goindwal, crossing the river on boats.  He set up camp in Goindwal.  His men entered Goindwal to find the Kshatriyas.  Birbal held court in his camp to receive the money.  The Sikhs of the Guru got worried.  They wondered where they would get a Rajitpun from.  They went to Guru Amardas ji to ask.  “Guru ji, what is your command?  Should we give him money?  He has a great army.”  Guru ji said: “send two people to meet him and tell him that this is a saint’s village.  You can have all the Langar you want but you won’t get any money here.  We have no businesses here so there is no income.  We have all the Langar you need of what Akaal Purakh Parmeshwar gives us.  You will get as much Langar, for as long as you want.  Your whole army will get Langar.  The Langar won’t finish.  Don’t ask for money.  We will cook the Langar for you and send it.  We don’t take or give money.  This is the tradition of the Guru’s house.”  The two people went to Birbal.  Birbal was sitting in his seat with pride.  The two men greeted Birbal and gave him Guru ji’s message: “this is the place of Guru Nanak’s throne.  On his throne is now seated his third incarnation, Guru Amardas ji.  He gives the sermon and wisdom of the Simran of Akaal Purakh, Satnam.  There is no money here.  There is no water or money saved here overnight.  All of the pots and pans are emptied every night and turned upside-down.  Poor people live here and Guru ji takes care of everyone.  Have faith in your heart and come have Langar.  The Langer will never finish.”  Birbal heard the words of the two Sikhs and said: “I don’t know any saint.  I have a command to receive 1 Rajitpun from every Khatri household.  Bring your taxes to me tomorrow morning.  Next year you will have to pay too.  You can make all the excuses you want to but you will have to pay your tax.  You can stay your Guru’s Sikhs but I don’t believe in him.  Don’t tell me about your Guru.  This is my duty: I need to collect this tax.  Every Khatri of Hindustan must pay this tax.”  The Sikhs were upset and came back to Guru ji and said: “Guru ji he is too egotistical.  He says he doesn’t care who our Guru is and will forcefully take money from us tomorrow morning.  He has thousands of soldiers and weapons.”  Guru Amardas ji smiled and said: “when a person receives a little power, he/she forgets Akaal Purakh.  He is drunk on his own ego.  He doesn’t think anyone is better than him.  This happens because he hasn’t done any seva of a Guru.  The person then sins.  A person forgets that they will die one day.  They don’t look at the big picture that this world is temporary.  They think they will be ministers and kings forever.  He should know that money won’t go with you when the Jumms (messengers of death) come and get you.  You leave this world, empty handed and naked.  Until a person doesn’t stare death and the Jumms in their face, a person does not believe that they will die.  Some don’t understand when they grow old.  A person stuck in the attachments of money, kids and pleasure, does not become wise.”  The Sikhs then asked: “then what shall we do?  He wants money in the morning.  If we don’t pay him, he will destroy our village.  He doesn’t know the glory of Guru Nanak Dev ji.”  Guru Amardas ji said from his holy mouth, ever so casually: “have faith and don’t let your mind wander.  Watch what Kartar does.  When a fool is hit with a rod in their head, only then do they smarten up.  Go and see what he has to say.” 

The two Sikhs went back to Birbal.  They sat at his gate.  They saw Birbal talking to his servant.  The servant asked: “the tax of this village hasn’t come yet.  It is evening.  What is your command.  What shall we do?”  Birbal replied: “don’t worry.  It will come in the morning.  We will take it forcefully and arrest them.”  The Sikhs came back to Guru ji and said: “the morning will be bad.”  Guru ji said: “don’t worry, He won’t be here in the morning.”  In the meantime, Akbar sent a royal command: “don’t waste time and go to Afghanistan, quickly.  The rebellion is getting out of hand.  There is a battle going on and looting is rapidly increasing.  Our army over there needs help.  Don’t stop anywhere now.  Make great strides and reach to fight the war.  That’s why a great army was sent with you.”  At night time, he had to mobilize the army and leave.  He gave the orders to move out at night time.  His Nagaras sounded in the early hours and the horses were saddled.  Birbal got ready to leave and the servants asked him: “the people of the village didn’t bring their money yet.  No Rajitpuns were received.  You said we will collect in the morning.  This Sikhs don’t care about you.  They think they are big and don’t fear the Emperor.  Their Guru doesn’t fear you either.  Instead, they said, come and eat our food.  They should have folded their hands and given you money.  If they can have Langar, they should be able to give money.  They don’t want to give money.”  Birbal then responded with ego: “I need to go now quickly.  I will see them when I come back.  I will take ten times as much.  I will see their Guru as well.  (Birbal didn’t like the equality of castes) I will punish them all.  They didn’t see my glory and they didn’t respect me.  The Guru didn’t come to see me nor did he give me money.”  He sent a person to give Guru ji his message.  He rode away, along with his army.  He had to go very far.  To Suaat and Dheer he went in Afghanistan.  The messenger came to Guru ji and said: “Guru ji, Birbal left in anger and said he will see you when he comes back.  He said he will punish you and the Sikhs when he comes back.  Guru ji, why did you become stubborn?  You should have done what was right and give him the money.  You should have met him with respect.  He is a stubborn Brahmin.  The emperor listens to him.  You should have not caused this conflict.  If he comes back and arrests everyone, what will we do?”  Guru Amardas ji, the master of the universe spoke: “don’t worry.  Birbal won’t come back to Hindustan.  He will freeze in ice where he goes.  He is egotistical and his life is in danger.  He will die and won’t get a proper cremation.  He opposed the house of the Guru and started a conflict.  There can only be a bad result to a bad relation with the Guru’s house.  His whole army will be destroyed along with his ego.”  Guru ji then went quiet.

Birbal went to Afghanistan and fought 2 battles in Suaat and Dheer.  As they set up camp, there came a great avalanche which killed Birbal and his whole army.  Some died fighting and froze during the snow storm.  Their hands and feet froze.  The Pathaans sounded their Nagaras of victory.  It was snowing and the whole army and Birbal got buried in the snow.  The words of the Guru came to fruition.  No Devata, demon or saint could ever reverse the words of Guru Amardas ji.  Guru ji said he wouldn’t return, so it happened.

1-42 A Lady’s Son is Alive Again/ The Katha of Teeya Taap

There was a time when Guru ji was sleeping at night on his bed, when, there came a loud shriek from a woman.  She woke up the whole village with her scream.  Guru ji, the giver of peace, opened his eyes and said to his servant: “Bhai Bhalloo, who is crying at this time?  Find out why this woman is crying.”  Bhalloo inquired and came back to Guru ji and said: “Guru ji, some lady is crying and yelling: “my son, my son.”  I don’t know if her son is sick or dead.”  Guru ji said: “go and find out what happened.”  Bhai Bhalloo went to the lady and saw that the woman’s son was dead.  He inquired about what happened and came back to Guru ji.  He said: “Guru ji, there is a widow woman who had only one son.  He was sick with Teeya Taap (a fever that comes every third day.  This is a severe type of fever and slowly make a person weak) and died because of that.  The boy had become really weak.”  Guru ji responded: “when it will be morning, her son will be alive again.  Tell her not to grieve.  Tell her to do Simran.  I will capture the Teeya Taap and imprison it.”  Bhai Bhalloo went back to the woman and said: “Mai (mother), don’t cry.  Bring your son to Guru ji in the morning.  Guru ji will awaken your son.”  The lady brought her son’s body to Guru ji’s Chabarra in the morning.  Guru ji touched the boy’s body with his foot and the boy woke up, right away.  Guru ji showed everyone that everything is in the Guru’s hand.  Guru ji then summoned the form of Teeya Taap and showed everyone its face.  These illnesses are powers as well.  Guru ji made the Teeya Taap into a child.  He put a chain on his feet and a strap in its neck.  He tied his hands up and imprisoned the powerful illness.  He was put in an iron cage.  There is a place in Goindwal called the “Teeya Taap Khotri.”  The place is in Goindwal Sahib where Teeya Taap was kept.  Guru ji instructed the Sikhs and said: “keep this illness prisoned here.  He has done a great sin by coming to this village.  He killed a widow’s child and didn’t respect my determination to not let any parents’ child die while I am here.  He killed a child during my time.  If I imprison one illness, the other diseases will be afraid to come here.  Keep this illness in this cage.  He deserves to be punished.  He came into Goindwal without fear.”  Guru ji had the chained illness kept near his door.  Many months passed and the illness was chained by the Guru’s words.  The illness became weak, without any energy.  He would fold his hands and beg the Sikhs to have Guru ji let him go.  He wanted to be released by a Sikh but nobody would listen to him.  The close servants and Sikhs of Guru ji saw the disease’s state but understood that the illness would reek havoc on everyone.

Some Sikhs from Dhulla village came and brought gifts for Guru ji.  They bowed to Guru ji and sat in his court.  They made conversation with Guru ji with love.  Guru ji said: “is everyone doing good in your village?”  The Sangat responded: “everyone gets together and does Kirtan and Simran with your blessings, Guru ji.”  Guru ji said: “the Sikhs of Dhulla are beloved to me.  Paro, Lalo and others are close to me.  I have a deep connection to them.  Bhai Lalo and Paro are great.  They have given many others salvation and wisdom.  Just as one flame lights another, they have created many other saints.”  Bhai Lalo was sitting close to Guru ji and said: “Guru ji, we are your Sangat.  Please bless us.  Our praise is because of your blessing.  We are nothing.  If we wake up in the morning and do Simran and earn Sikhi, it is your will and blessing.”  In this way the Sikhs conversed with Guru ji.  They stayed for a few days and decided to go back.  Bhai Lalo would see the cage with a small child, tied up in it.  He noticed that it was weak and begging to be released.  Bhai Lalo had pity on the child and asked Bhai Bhulloo: “who is this child?”  Bhai Bhalloo said: “this is the Teeya Taap illness.  He killed a widow mother’s son and Guru ji has punished him by tying him up.”  Bhai Lalo went to Guru ji and said: “Maharaj, please release this child.  Guru ji why are you punishing him?  You have love for all.  Why has he been imprisoned?  He is asking us to request you to release him.”  Guru ji then responded: “Lalo, he is very bad but I’ll let him go if you say so.  Take him with you then and don’t let him come into our village again.  He has been punished because he killed a widow’s son.  I have resurrected the boy but I am punishing him.”  Bhai Lalo then released the child and took him along to Dhulla.

The Sangat walked a few miles towards Dhulla and it was noon.  Teeya Taap was hungry and asked Bhai Lalo: “I cannot walk anymore.  I am hungry and will die if I don’t get my food.  It has been a while since I had my food.  Please give me permission to eat.  I will return to you.”  Bhai Lalo said: “our village is close by.  You will get kheer (milk pudding) and pooray (sweet pancakes).  You will get lentils and roti, whatever you ask for.  We will feed you well.  It is only a few miles from here and will be there in an hour.  Eat to your heart’s delight once we get there.  We will walk slowly so you can keep up.  There’s nothing for you to eat here.”  The boy then said: “my food is here.  I just need permission to go.  I’ll be back in an hour.  I can’t eat without your permission.  If you give me permission, I’ll be back quick.”  Bhai Lalo said, casually: “ok, go and have your food and we will wait a half an hour for you.  Then we will go back.”  There was a pond, where the Sangat was standing.  A portion of that pond was where the dhobi Ghatt (where laundry is done) was.  There was a Dhobi (launderer) washing clothes and ringing them to hang them dry there.  As soon as Teeya Taap got his permission, he infected the Dhobi.  The Dhobi caught a fever and fell to the ground.  The Dhobi began to shiver in pain.  He was cold from the fever.  Teeya Taap soaked his blood just like the Dhobi was extracting the water from the clothes by ringing them.  He took a pot that laid nearby and filled it with the blood of the Dhobi.  He brought the pot full of blood back to Bhai Lalo and showed it to him.  Teeya Tap said to Bhai Lalo: “Look, this is my food.  I eat blood.  This is my nourishment by which I thrive.  I was hungry and now I will be satiated.  You have blessed me by releasing me.  You have done a great favor for me.  I do not eat kheer, pooray or lentils.  This is my food.”  Bhai Lalo heard Teeya Taap’s words and was shocked and surprised.  He thought: “I have done a big mistake by releasing him.  He is very dangerous.  I should not have had him released.  He drinks blood and kills people to survive.  I didn’t realise this was so bad.  Guru ji had done right by capturing him.  This is a very bad thing that I have brought him along.  Guru ji is all-powerful and all-knowing.”  Bhai Lalo said: “listen boy, I need to take you back to Guru ji.  I need to take you back to the cage in front of Guru ji’s door.  I have made a mistake.  I will take you back to where you belong.  You will kill many people if you are allowed to roam around for food.  You are a sinner.  You give people pain.  You make people crazy and give them great pain.  Guru ji will keep you in his cage.  He is great.  He can do everything.  I can’t give you blood everyday.  You don’t eat Kheer or other foods that we eat.”  Teeya Taap got scared and said: “please don’t take me back to Guru ji.  I will do as you say.  From now on, I promise you: that whoever listens to this story of what happened between Guru ji, you and I: how I came to Goindwal and killed the child; the child was resurrected; you, Bhai Lalo released me; I took the Dhobi’s blood; whoever listens to this or reads it, will be rid of the Teeya Taap.  (Bhai Mani Singh ji writes in his letter to Mata Sundri ji in 1716 AD that he was sick when he came to Amritsar and that he had listened to the “Taap Ki Katha” twice.  In olden days this story used to be printed in Gutka Sahibs).  Whoever remembers Guru Amardas ji, I will not come close to them.  I will not give them a lot of pain.  Wherever my story will be said, I will go away.  Bhai Lalo ji, please release me since you had pity on me once, please don’t go back on your sympathy.  If I infect someone, if they listen to this story, I will leave.”  Bhai Lalo ji said: “ok, if you follow your word, you will be fine.”  In this way, Teeya Taap was released from Guru ji’s imprisonment.  Teeya Taap never came back to Goindwal.  No other illness came to Goindwal, fearing Guru Amardas ji. 

1-43 The Tradition of Mela/ Brahmans and Khatris Appose

One day, Bhai Paro ji did an Ardaas do Guru ji: “the Sangat comes in small quantities to you Guru ji.  They are not able to see all of the Sangat and meet and greet with them.  They are not able to widen their Sangat circle as they come throughout the year at different times.  They don’t get to know each other as they come and go at different times.  If there was a special event, a mela, then the Sangat would meet each other and the love would grow.  They would do Bhagti together and benefit from each other’s company.  If there was a mela, the Sangat would be happy and grow in numbers.  My request is to have a mela one day so the Sangat from far away would come all at once.  If you would command, we can have a mela and the Sangat will get to meet the entire Sangat of Guru Nanak Dev ji.”  Guru Amardas ji heard Bhai Paro’s request and was extremely happy.  He said to Paro: “Paro you are great.  Gurmat is illuminating inside of you and you think of the greater good of everyone.  You want others to be happy and blissful.  You think of others before you.  The Sikhs will meet each other and they will be blessed.  What you just said right now, I was thinking of the same thing.  Vaisakhi is a good time.  Send out invitations with my command to come to Goindwal for Vaisakhi.  I give my permission.  Send out hukamnamas to come see the Guru on Vaisakhi.”  Bhai Paro got to work right away and sent out hukamnamas to far away lands.  The Sikhs got the hukamnama and became eager to go as they were called by their Guru to come.  They were excited to go to Goindwal on Vaisakhi.  They wanted to see the different Sangat.  The Sangat waited for Vaisakhi to come and started their journeys.  Their excitement and eagerness grew by the day.  The wish to see Guru ji was four times as much as before. 

The Sissur rut (also known as putt-churr or winter season) passed and Basant (spring) was here.  The flowers and perennials began to blossom in the forests and the gardens.  It wasn’t too cold or too hot.  It was the perfect weather to travel.  Wherever the Sikhs of the Satguru lived, they began to gather and started to travel in groups.  They fixed their carts and buggies, and begin their journey.  They made travel parties and came from all four directions.  They arrived in Goindwal, bringing food and gifts.  They came to see Guru ji and the mela was great.  The mela was huge.  The Sangat was like the chakors and Guru ji was like the moon.  There was a great crowd in Goindwal.  People had to line up to see Guru ji.  They came and bowed to Guru ji’s feet, bringing ghee and sugar.  Many Sikhs cooked the Langar as it was continuously distributed.  They cooked with love in their hearts.  Some Sikhs went to fetch water from the wells and the river.  Hundreds would do seva with faith and love.  There was a great celebration and everyone was happy.  They got to know each other and their love grew for one another.  They all sang the glories of Guru ji.  The Sikhs were in bliss and enjoyed the mela. 

After some time, the gracious Guru then said: “where is Sri Ramdas?  It has been while since I saw him and met him.”  Bhai Bhalloo, Guru ji’s personal attendant said: “he has been doing the Seva of the Sangat.  He prepares Langar and serves the Sangat in the Pangat.  He fills cold water from the wells and asks each and everyone to drink water.  He relieves the hunger and thirst of the Sangat.  Whatever the Sangat asks for, he provides for them.  He fans the Sangat with hand fans.  He makes sure the Sangat is happy.  He goes around the Sangat looking for seva and making sure everyone is happy and fulfilled.  He brings food and water to everyone and doesn’t rest, day or night.  He is involved in this type of Seva.  He didn’t get time to come here, as he is busy in the Langar.  There is a lot of work.  If some mothers need milk for their children, he brings them milk.”  Listening to this, Guru Amardas ji was extremely happy and said: “Ramdas Dhan Hai (Great is Ramdas).  He does seva of the Sangat and has great love for me in his heart.  He will never have any shortage of anything in life.  He will be able to posses anything he wishes.  He will have the 9 Niddhis and 18 Siddhis.  He has served my Sikhs with love and there will be no other fortunate person, more than him.  His family will grow in every direction and they will be worshiped in the world.  There will be Avatars in his family.  Whoever serves my Sangat, they will receive the fruits of both words.  The state that I am in, Ramdas has knowledge of that and will be rewarded.  He has achieved the highest level in both worlds.  He will illuminate brightly and he will bring many Sikhs to salvation.  His glory will be the highest.”  (The most Shabads written by the Bhatts in Guru Granth Sahib ji are towards the praise of Guru Ramdas ji) In this way Guru Amardas ji praised Guru Ramdas ji, greatly. 

The Sangat from different regions became very close friends.  Sikhs would serve other Sikhs, just like they would serve the Guru.  They drank the Charanamrit of other Sikhs, seeing Sikhs just like the Guru.  The sounds of Kirtan were heard everywhere in Goindwal.  Everyone did Simran of Vahiguru.  Guru ji made an announcement: “there will be a mela every year on Vaisakhi from now on.”

Seeing the grand celebration and the glory of Satguru ji growing, the ill-intentioned, slanderers were burning with jealousy.  As the celebration completed, everyone went back to their home towns.  They returned to their homes and spoke of the glory of Satguru ji.  They said: “Guru ji has started a new path in which people from all castes are welcomed.  All classes, all creeds and all castes are invited and treated equally.  All four castes sit in the Langar and eat at the same level.  They serve Langar with great love and devotion.  Guru ji gives Charanamrit, initiating them as his own Sikhs and the Mantra of Vahiguru is given to do Simran of.”  The ignorant Brahmans and Khatris heard this and thought this was wrong.  They were jealous to hear Guru ji’s glory and said: “what farce is this?”  They all met one day and had a discussion: “this is a bad tradition that has been started.  Nobody will listen to the Brahmans anymore and the Dharma of the Kshatriyas will be destroyed.  All four castes have been made into one and Dharma in the world has been maligned.  All four castes sit at the same level and eat food and intermingle with each other in the Guru’s new religion.  There is no difference between the castes now.  The ways of the Devatas and the ancestors have been disregarded.  The traditional ways have been destroyed.  There is only one solution: we must go to the Emperor to stop this new tradition.” 

In this way, the group got together and collected other people with the same mindset.  The leaders of the Brahmans and Kshatriyas from many different regions, got together and went to Lahore to meet the Emperor, Akbar.  They said to Akbar: “you must save our tradition.  You fix all spoiled ways in the world.  There is a Guru in Goindwal named Guru Amardas.  He has spoiled the tradition of all four castes.  Instead of the Ram Gayatri Mantra, he makes everyone recite a new mantra: Vahiguru.  They do not recite the Vedas or Geetas and instead, they sing their own Gurbani.  This has never happened in any of the four yugas before.  The traditions have never been spoiled like this before.  They do not follow the path of the Shrutis and Simritees and have made up their own way.  They follow one, Baba Nanak and have become independent and different from us.  We want justice.  If our Dharma is maintained, your kingdom will grow.  If the way of Guru Nanak grows, nobody will listen to us or you.  If it grows, they will take over the world.”  Akbar heard their pleas and said: “don’t worry.  Trust me.  I will give you justice.  I will call Guru Amardas to Lahore and you can come too.  You can then put forth your complaints and he will have to answer you.  I will make the decision after listening to both sides.  I will see what the truth is.  I will listen to both sides.  I will then make the correct decisions.  I see that you are the leaders from different regions; come the same day that Guru Amardas ji comes.”  The Pandits said: “we will stay in Lahore till then.”  The Kshatriyas and the Brahmans wanted to stop the Panth of Guru Amardas ji.  The fools were egotistical and proud of their castes and statuses.  They had all gathered for foolish reasons.

In a few days, Akbar wrote a Parwana (royal command) to Guru Amardas ji: “there has been a complaint raised against you by the leaders of many regions.  Come and answer their questions, otherwise follow their traditions and ways.”  The Parwana came to Guru ji.  Guru ji heard the command, that he had been called up on by Akbar for clarification. 

1-44 Sri Ram Das ji Goes to Akbar’s Court in Lahore

Satguru ji heard the Emperor’s Parwana and began to think: “who is capable to go to Akbar’s court and respond to the allegations?  The person should have a high tolerance and be intelligent.  The person must know how to listen and respond accurately, so that the person arguing should be proven wrong.”  Guru ji then came to the conclusion that Sri Ram Das ji was the most capable.  He was the trove of virtue.  He called Sri Ram Das ji to him and made him sit near him.  He began to explain everything to him: “son, the Brahmans and Khatris, seeing themselves as higher castes, went to the Emperor to complain about me.  They are ignorant and foolish-minded.  They gathered the Brahmans and Khatris of many regions and went together.  The are jealous and made false accusations.  They don’t like the equality of castes and classes in the house of the Guru.  You should go and win them in a debate.  Answer their questions as they ask them.  Go quickly, don’t waste time.”  Guru Ram Das ji stood up and made a request to Satguru ji: “Oh Satguru ji, you are the treasure of wisdom.  I know nothing besides your love.  I wouldn’t know what to say to them as I don’t even know the Gayatri Mantra, Shrutis or Simritees, let alone pondering on them.  I will speak to them with your command, even if they are in the thousands.  It will be only your greatness and blessings at work.  My name will not be praised.”  Satguru ji heard the request and glanced a divine blessing on Sri Ramdas ji.  Guru ji then said: “son, don’t be afraid of anything.  In the court, when you will look at your right arm, the correct answers will come to you.  You will have the knowledge of all four Vedas and the six Shastras.  All of the other techniques and powers will come to you.  The wisdom and knowledge of all the Puranas will come to you.  Be fearless and give your answers.  You will be victorious.  The writers of the Shastras will praise you and won’t be a smart as you.  The six Gurus of the six philosophies: Kapil (Samkhya), Kanaad (Vaisesika), Patanjali (Yog Darshan), Jaimini (Mimamsa), Badarayana (Vedanta), Gautam (Nyaya), and the other Devatas and Demons will be standing in front of you with their hands folded, waiting for your command.”  Thus, Guru Amardas ji sent Sri Ramdas ji off, giving him many powers and blessings.  He gave him great encouragement as well.  Sri Ramdas ji bowed to Satguru ji and was on his way to Lahore.

As he travelled to Lahore, Sri Ramdas ji visited his family in Choonamandi and stayed the night.  In the morning, he got ready and went to Akbar’s court.  Akbar heard that Sri Ramdas ji had arrived.  He summoned the Brahmins to come as well, along with the Khatris.  The officers, minister, viziers and Umraavs all came to spectate.  The Pandit Brahmans came with their tilaks and dhotis; the Khatris were dressed well.  Almost 200 Brahmins and Khatris sat on the left side of Akbar and on the right, Guru Ramdas ji sat on the left side, all alone, wearing a small cotton kurta.  He had a small Dastaar tied on his head.  His beard was long and went to his stomach.  He was very handsome, with fair skin and big eyes like lotus flowers.  Akbar addressed everyone: “this is Sri Ramdas ji who is the Sikh of Guru Amardas ji.  He has come to give you your answers.  First you should state what is your Dharam and then tell the court what you find wrong with Guru Amardas ji.”  The Brahmins and Khatris, filled with jealousy of Guru Nanak, then spoke: “the Guru is a Khatri and has become a Guru.  Only a Brahmin can be a Guru.  They have made their own religion and they do not follow the ways of the Vedas.  They have started their own traditions.  There are so many things to say.  Gayatri Mantra is the supreme in the Hindu religion; they do not chant the Gayatri Mantra.  Ask this person if he knows the Gayatri Mantra.  They recite their own Gurbani.”  Akbar then turned towards Sri Ramdas ji and said: “the Gayatri Mantra is known to be the highest.  Do you not recite the Gayatri?  How are you a Hindu and a Khatri if you do not recite the Gayatri?”  Guru Ramdas ji heard Akbar’s words and looked towards his right arm.  As soon as he saw his right arm, the knowledge of all the Vedas, Shastras, Puranas, Upanishads and all the Simritees and Shrutis came to him.  It was as though he had been studying the Vedas and Shastras for a very long time.  Guru Ramdas ji gave a faithful smile, realizing that the blessing of Guru Amardas ji had ripened.  He then spoke to Akbar: “I will recite the Gayatri for you.  I will tell you the meaning as well.  I will explain the wisdom of the Gayatri.  First ask the Pandits if I should openly say the Gayatri out loud, as they speak it silently.  If it is a sin to say the Gayatri openly, then they shall take the responsibility for it.”  Guru Ramdas ji then started to recite the Gayatri along with its meaning.  He first recited “Oankaar,” in a long and even pitched way.  As he recited the holy word, the wind stopped and the whole universe began to listen.  The rocks softened and the people in the court were all mesmerized by the sound of the holy word.  Their minds were purified.  The Brahmins could no longer speak and their minds were calm.  The fire of jealousy was now cold.  Love entered into their hearts.  They misjudged Sri Ramdas ji, seeing his simple clothes.  The unconscious rocks became conscious, listening to the sound of Oankaar; the conscious beings went into a deep and mesmerizing trance; they were unconscious.  So powerful was the holy “Aum” (Om/Oankaar-Akaar (Creator), Ukaar (Sustainer), Mukaar (Destroyer)) word, that it purified the coldest hearts.  Akbar felt bliss in his soul when he heard the sound echo in the whole room.  He was calm and in peace.  Akbar heard the meanings of the Gayatri as Sri Guru Ramdas ji stated them.  Akbar was in awe at the meanings that Sri Ramdas ji said.  When Guru ji finished the meanings of the word “Oankaar,” Akbar then faced the Brahmins and said: “Parmeshwar and the saints are one in the same.  I knew you were filled with jealousy but because I am the Emperor, I had to hear everyone’s complaints.  Allah’s people are not under traditions and religions.  Leave the saints of Allah alone.  Don’t enforce your traditions onto them, you are not their equals.  Fakirs and saints are Allah’s beloveds.  He was true and you are all stuck in the false.  These saints live by the message of the Vedas and the Puranas while you are only reading it.  You do not follow the Vedas.  Now give your response to Sri Ramdas ji’s meanings.  You cannot recite the meanings like him.  Now, either present a counter argument, or bow to him and be on your way.”  Akbar was angry while he spoke.  He didn’t want them to ever complain about the Satguru again.  The Brahmins and Khatris lowered their heads and couldn’t say anything.  They had all been defeated.  They all got up and went home.  Akbar folded his heads and asked Sri Ramdas ji for forgiveness for troubling Guru Amardas ji.  “I had to do this to shut the jealous people up.  All these people were jealous of you and would talk bad about the Satguru.  I had to be fair to everyone.  For this reason, please tell Guru ji that I ask for forgiveness and I will come see him myself.  Tell him that his way is the greatest and that he should keep his traditions as he pleases.  He should go and visit the holy places and make them pure.  That will shut these jealous people up.  They are nothing but fools.”  In this way he respectfully saw off Guru ji.

For one day, Sri Ramdas ji stayed in his parents’ home.  He had love for Guru Amardas ji and only thinks of him.  The next day, Sri Ramdas ji left his parents’ home and headed towards the market.  He saw many expensive cloths being sold.  They were beautiful to look at and Sri Ramdas ji thought to himself: “these clothes are good for Guru ji.  I should take this cloth for Guru ji.  A nice chola should be made with this cloth.  If only I had money, I would have bought this.  I would have got a chola made for Guru ji from it.  This is worthy for the Guru.”  He stood in the market with love and faith in his heart.  He kept looking at the nice material.  He wished he had money.  In his mind, he was buying the cloth and getting the chola made and would see himself presenting the chola to Guru Amardas ji.  He saw Guru ji wearing the chola and then fixed the chola with his hands in his mind.

In Goindwal, Guru Amardas ji was sitting in his court and sensed his Sikh, Sri Ramdas ji’s love.  Guru ji was moving his body like he was putting some clothes on.  He would raise his arms in the air; he would adjust his shoulders as if he was putting a chola on.  He would action as if he was tying the strings of a chola.  Sometimes we would look down on his chest and his arms.  The Sikhs were amazed looking at Guru ji.  They thought to themselves: “why is Guru ji acting like he is putting clothes on?  He is moving around for no reason.”   Bhai Bhalloo understood what the Sikhs were thinking and decided to ask Guru ji to remove their doubts: “Prabhoo, what are you doing sitting on the Singhasan?  Why are you moving your body and pretending to put a chola on?  We don’t understand your great play.  Everyone wants to know, Guru ji, what you are doing.”  Guru Amardas ji then responded: “Ramdas ji is making me wear a new chola.  He is in Lahore and making me wear new clothes while standing there.  He is thinking about how he would get it made and how he would make me wear it.”  The Sangat bowed their heads and said “Dhan Guru Amardas ji.  Your food is the love from the Sikhs.”  In this way, Sri Ramdas ji made a chola with his mind, without money and pictured in his mind making Guru ji wear the chola.  Guru Amardas ji accepted Sri Ramdas ji’s gift.  Guru ji only sees the love in his servant. 

Sri Ramdas ji thought: “I would have bought the chola if I had money.  It’s not in my destiny to do the Guru’s seva in this way.”  Sri Ramdas ji went on ahead and reached Nakhaas Chownk in Lahore.  There he saw the fruit market.  He saw many types of fruit there.  He also saw mangoes which were out of season at that time.  These were fruits kept for rich people and preserved for selling.  They were very beautiful.  He thought to himself: “I wish I could take this unique, out of season, Mango from Lahore and take it to Guru ji.  It would be good to not go empty handed back to Guru ji.  I should take one mango.  Guru ji would be happy.  I will bow and present the mango as it has been a few days since I’ve seen him.  Seeing him would give me peace.”  Guru Ramdas ji asked the vendor: “how much is this fruit?”  The merchant responded: “1 Rajitpun.”  Guru ji had a Rajitpun in his pocket.  He took it out and gave it to the fruit vendor.  He took the mango and headed towards Goindwal.

 Sri Ramdas ji walked to Goindwal with love in his heart for the Guru.  He wanted to go quickly and meet Guru ji.  As he walked, the sun set.  On the way, he stayed at a nearby village.  In the morning, he started off on his way again.  He soon reached a village named Bhaironval. Goindwal was now close by.  It was getting really hot and as he touched the mango, the juice of the mango began to drip out.  He noticed that it wasn’t going to make it to Goindwal.  The mango was going to spoil by the time it was going to get to the Guru.  He then focused his mind on to the Guru and said: “Guru Amardas ji, I present this out of season fruit to you.  The juice is going to be all gone by the time it gets to you.  Please do bhog (the Guru’s eating of a food and blessing it) of this fruit.  Eat this fruit Guru ji.  Please fulfil my wish and eat this mango.”  Guru Ramdas ji then ate the mango on Guru Amardas ji’s behalf after doing the Ardaas. 

Guru Amardas ji was sitting in his chabarra and making actions like he was eating a mango with a lot of juice in it.  He would swallow and make gestures of enjoying the mango.  For some time, he kept the seed in his mouth.  After a while, he took the seed out of his mouth and gave it to Bhai Bhalloo and said to him: “keep this mango pit.  I will ask for it again later.”  Bhai Bhalloo obeyed and kept the pit in a pot.  After some time, Sri Ramdas ji reached Goindwal.  He ran to Guru ji from afar.  He was excited to see Guru ji.  He blossomed like a lotus flower seeing the sun.  His eyes were like a bee and the feet of the Guru were like a bright flower.  He laid his head on the Guru’s feet.  He came running as he bowed.  Satguru ji grabbed Sri Ramdas ji by the arms and raised him up.  There was a lot of love in his heart for Guru ji.  He then hugged him and then looked at him just as a Chatrik looks towards the clouds.  Sri Ramdas ji was standing and Sri Amardas ji was looking at him.  The love for the Guru was beyond any boundary known to any human.  Guru Amardas ji said: “tell me, how was the debate?  What did they say and what did you say?  What did Akbar say to them?  How was it, when they lost?”  Guru Ramdas ji said: “Prabhoo ji, you already know everything, as it was you who was there.  I don’t know what happened.  You did everything.  They wanted me to recite the Gayatri.  I don’t know what it was.  I thought of you, Guru ji.  Akbar asked me to say the Gayatri too.  The Brahmins pushed hard for it.  I’ve never known the Gayatri but then I obeyed your command and looked to my right arm.  I then knew everything with your blessing.  I began to speak and I translated the Gayatri without me knowing how.  I first said “Oankaar” and then I don’t know what you had said, the whole court was quiet and calm.  They were all like stone.  Nobody said anything.  The Emperor then said “Dhan Guru Amardas.”  Your radiance was prevalent in the whole court.  I knew it was you.  I did not know the Gayatri but you made me say it.  After that, the Brahmins didn’t say anything.”  Satguru ji was very happy.  He then said: “what did you bring for me from Lahore?  It is a great city.  What did you buy?”  Sri Ramdas ji folded his hands and said: “you know everything.  I went to the market and saw good clothes.  I had no money but I thought about putting one on you.  In my mind, I got you a chola made and had you wear it.  After that, I figured, since I didn’t have money, I should go.  As I went on ahead, there were out of season fruits there.  They were beautiful.  I had enough money for one mango and travelled quickly.  I had to stay the night.  As I reached close by, the mango began to leak, as it was ripe.  The mango ripped when I got to Bhaironval.  I thought of you and ate it.  You exist in every body, so I fed it to you, inside of me.  You keep the faith in the faithful.  Whoever gives you gifts sitting in different parts of the world, you accept their gift.  This is true, you truly eat the food sitting in a different place.”  Guru Ramdas ji spoke with love and Guru Amardas ji listened.  Guru Amardas ji called out to Bhai Bhalloo: “did I eat the fruit that Ramdas brought for me?”  Bhai Bhalloo brought the mango pit and presented it for everyone to see.  Sri Ramdas ji and a court full of Sikhs all saw the mango pit.  Everyone was amazed.  Guru ji is enchanted by the love of the Sikhs.  The way of the Guru is unique and not understood by anyone.  Guru is Akaal Purakh and does anything the Sikhs ask for.  He is bound by love. 

1-45 The Teerath Parsangs- Pahoa

Sri Satguru ji continued to bless Sikhs by giving them the gift of Naam.  He gave them mukti.  The light of his glory spread throughout the world.  Visiting the Guru is like visiting and bathing at a Teerath (holy place) on the day of the Abhijit Nakshatra (Lyra constellation).  Those bhagats and adherers of Prema Bhagti are freed from the cycle of birth and death when they visit Sri Guru Amardas ji.  The Guru is a river of pure wisdom.  Yog and vairagya (love/devotion) are this river’s shores.  The Sikh and the Sangat are beings residing in this river.  To control one’s desires (mental and physical), truthfulness, contentment, wisdom, cleanliness, restrain from indulgence and focus are the lotus flowers living in its waters.  The impure beings, living in the time of Kaliyuga, are rid of their sins, once they bathe in this holy river (the Guru).  The calmness of the Satguru are the cooling temperatures of this river, which grant mukti.  This is achieved by good karma.  The Satguru is such a Teerath.  Satguru ji had heard the cries of the Teeraths of this earth and decided to visit them and purify them. 

Ganga and the other Teeraths had become dirty by washing away the sins of the people of Kaliyuga.  They could no longer bear this burden and cried out to the Satguru.  Ganga cried out: “come and purify us Teeraths with your holy feet.  We are in pain by bearing the sins of all the people.  The sinners come and bath in our waters to wash their sins away.  Oh Satguru ji, your feet are pure.  When you place your holy feet on our lands and waters, we will be happy and peaceful again.”  Guru ji heard the cries and got ready to travel, taking the Sikh Sangat along as well.  As soon as Sikhs living in different villages heard about Guru ji deciding to go to the holy places, they all came to Satguru ji, to join him on his travels.  Satguru ji’s family and relatives all got ready to go as well.  They all did Simran and Kirtan as they were travelling and more Sikhs joined them along the way as they departed from Goindwal.  The Sikhs got to constantly be with Guru ji and do Kirtan.  This was washing their sins and karma away.  During that time, the Mughals had imposed a tax called the Jaziyah, which was required to be paid by Hindus visiting the holy shrines.  Guru Amardas ji was exempted from this tax so everyone came along for this incentive as well.  The fortunate ones got to travel with Guru ji.  Drenched in love and devotion, they crossed the Beas River and reached Doaba.

The Sangat then reached the Sutlej and bathed in its waters.  They crossed the rivers on canoes.  On land, they travelled by horses, buggies and bull carts.  Satguru ji lead the way, sometimes in a palanquin and sometimes on horseback.  The Satguru had a crisp white beard and wore white clothes.  His soul was pure and white and his mind was white and calm.  His glories were pure and spread far and wide.  He held a walking stick and had a short height.  It looked like the Vamana Avatar of Vishnu.  The Guru was all-powerful and had unlimited abilities. 

The Vaheer (travelling party) reached Pahoa, a Teerath near Ambala where the Sarsvati River flows.  Many saints had meditated here for thousands of years along the shores.  Whoever bathed in the Sarsvati would go to Brahm Lok and was relieved from the pain of birth and death.  Satguru ji set up camp along the shores with a great gathering of the Sangat.  Seeing the many Ghats (landings along the riverside) of the Sarsvati, the Sikhs asked Guru ji a question: “we have heard that the Sarsvati River is very pure.  Please tell us the greatness of its Ghats.  Guru ji, why is this place considered holy?  Tell us Guru ji, as you are the knower of past, present and future.  We are all questioning of why this place is pure.  Oh provider of happiness, please tell us.”  Guru ji heard the request of the Sikhs and said: “this place is pure and holy.  People from the previous Yugas had greater abilities and higher tolerance levels.  Vishvamittar and countless other great saints and Rishis had performed Tapasya here.  There was a time when a huge number of saints from the South came here to perform Tapasya.  They wandered around for about 150 km but could not find a place to sit and meditate, as there were so many other people here.  As they couldn’t find a place to sit and mediate, they prayed to Sarsvati Devi, the Goddess of Education and art.  When she appeared, she asked them: “tell me, what is it that you wish for?  Don’t be shy.”  The wise Munis then said: “oh Devi, please give us a place to sit.”  This river then moved 6 km away.  They saints got a place to sit and meditate.  They meditated a very determined and difficult Tapasya.  The glory of their determination spread throughout the ages.  I can’t tell you all the Kathas but I will tell you of one Muni named Munkan, who lived about 9 km from here in Pahoa.  Munkan did a very difficult Tapasya here along the shores of Sarsvati.  He starved himself of food and water.  He tolerated extreme cold and heat.  He meditated for many years, trying to achieve the highest level a yogi could. 

One day, Munkan’s finger had a cut on it but it didn’t bleed.  Just as dew drops from a green leaf flow when it is torn, similarly, a dew-like liquid began to flow from his cut.  Munkan looked at the dew and was pleased.  He thought to himself: “I have done such a great Tapp that blood has stopped flowing from my veins.  My blood has become like the dew from a green leaf.  I have done such a determined tapp that I have become so great.”  He was so happy that he began to dance around, raising his arms up into the air.  His feet danced to a beat and his mind was senselessly in bliss.  He had become so powerful that the whole world began to dance in joy.  Everyone forgot what they were doing and began to senselessly dance in joy.  The Devatas saw all this and became very concerned.  They went to Shiva and said: “Shankar!  Please look at what’s going on in the world and do something.  Every life form has forgotten their responsibilities and are dancing without a care in the world.  They are not stopping because they are under the influence of the Muni, due to his powerful Tapasya.  Please bring stability back to the universe.”  Listening to the Devatas pleas, Shivji, the giver of joy, began to think.  He needed to bring the Muni back to his senses. 

Shivji took on a disguise and went to meet Munkan, the leader of the Munis.  He asked him: “why are you dancing around in joy?  What thought has brought so much joy to you?”  Munkan responded: “I have performed a great Tapp in this place.  One day, I got a cut on my finger.  Instead of blood, a dew-like liquid, as from a green leaf, began to flow.  I was happy to see that there was no more blood in my body anymore.  I can’t contain my happiness and I feel like dancing all the time.”  Shivji heard his words and cut his own finger.  Out of his finger came ash.  The ash come out and poured out right in front of Munkan.  Shivji said: “look, this is how a Tapp is done.  I don’t even have a dew-like liquid inside of me.  I have no other element inside me.  I only eat ash in the jungle.  That’s why I only have ashes in my body and not a single drop of blood.  I didn’t dance around in pride like you are doing though.”  When Munkan heard Shivji’s words, and saw the ash with his own eyes, he stopped dancing and stopped the joys in his mind.  The whole world came to its senses and was calm again. 

Munkan’s companions were equally as powerful as him.  They had all done their Tapasya in this area.  People come here, regarding this place as a very pure one, and bathe in the river.”  The Sangat was happy to hear the history of the place and bowed to Guru ji’s feet.  Guru ji and the whole Sangat bathed in the Sarsvati and gave donations to the Brahmans.  They stayed in that place for one night.  They woke up in the morning, bathed in the river and sang Gurbani Kirtan.  Everyone got ready and left the place to go on further.