1-46 The Teerath Parasangs- Kurukshetra

Guru Amardas ji and the Sangat headed towards Jyotisar Teerath.  This is the main place of Kurukshetra.  (8 Gurus have visited this place).  This is the place where the battle between the Kauravs and Pandavs happened.  18 Achoohani (around 5.4 million) soldiers perished in this battle.  They faced each other with many weapons and chariots.  The Pandavs had 7 Achoohani (2.1 million) and the Kauravs had 11 Achoohani (3.3 million).  This is where the war of Mahabharat happened.  Arjan was about to face his cousins and nephews.  He began to think as to why he was ready to kill his own family and teachers.  He saw his Guru, Guru Drona and his grandfather, Bheesham Pitamah and the rest of his family members.  How could he kill his own family members?  He didn’t see any enemies.  He asked Krishan ji to separate his chariot from his army and go to the middle.  This is the place of Jyotisar.  Krishan ji understood that Arjan was in doubt and needed wisdom.  Krishan ji gave him the wisdom of the Geeta with 18 Adhyaays to remove his attachment.  Krishan ji said: “understand the relations of this body as a myth.  Sat, Chetan, and Anand are true.  The Atman is Sat Chetan Anand.  The Atman cannot be burnt by fire, drenched in water, cut by weapons or blown by the wind.  Arjan, you are not the Karta, (the doer) or the sensor.  Understand that you are really the Atman and not the body.  The bodies of your family will die one day.”  In this way, Krishan ji gave Arjan the wisdom to become a warrior and not to be a coward.  He told him to be a Kshatriya and follow his duty to protect the Dharam.  Vasudev ji (Krishan) explained the Geeta in many ways, to fight the war.  That was the place where the chariot stood and Krishan ji gave Arjan the wisdom of the Geeta.  This place is holy and pure.  Guru ji had all the Sangat take a bath in that area.  They all bathed and donated to the Brahmins and the poor.

They went to Thanesar next along with the Sangat.  They ate and rested there.  In the morning they bathed and did Keertan.  They played beautiful Raags to invoke the love within the hearts for Parmeshwar.  As the sun came up, they visited the Brahamsarover and other Teeraths along with Sidhvati where Guru Nanak Dev ji advised the Brahmins to reject their debates regarding meat and plants.  Guru Nanak Dev ji had a deer cooked here.  The Sarasvati flows here into the Brahamsarover.  Many Teeraths are visited by the Sarasvati River.  The Sikhs bathed in all of the sarovars and the river.  The poor were given donations.  The news spread that the third incarnation of Guru Nanak Dev ji had arrived.  The people of the area said: “Guru Amardas ji has come to visit the Teeraths.  Let’s all go to see him.  Guru Nanak is the light of Akaal Purakh.  His light shines within Guru Amardas ji.”  It was the solar eclipses and many people were visiting.  Sanyasis, Brahamachaaris, Jogis, Bairagis, and the wisest Pandits were visiting.  They came to see Guru Amardas ji.  Ghristi householders and other Sikhs in the area also came.   Many people came to see Guru ji.  There were already thousands of Sikhs with Guru ji and many thousands more, came to see Guru ji.  They all brought food and delicacies for the Sangat to eat.  The Sikhs brought flour, milk, vegetables, sweets and ghee.  Langar was being cooked and everyone ate.  People brought garlands of flowers and other bouquets for Guru ji.  It was their devotion, that they showed.  Some brought fruits.  All four castes came to see Guru ji.  They saw Guru ji and bowed their heads.  Many people gathered and Guru ji’s radiance made everyone happy.  His face was bright with nectar in his divine sight.  He blessed everyone.  The Pandits and Sanyasis were happy. 

The arrogant scholars sat down to see Guru ji and bowed.  They questioned Guru ji: “the Gurbani that Guru Nanak has written, what use was this because the wisdom is already there.  There are 4 Vedas and 18 Puranas.  People read and listen to them to understand wisdom.  It was written for people’s salvation.  It is the path of Moksha.  The wisdom is in different ways.  There so many Granths, why did Guru Nanak Dev ji write more?  We don’t understand this.”  Guru Amardas ji heard the Pandits and responded with a Shabad:

Mahalla 3. Gauri Bairaagan Sri Mukhvaak (Nanak III. Raag: Gauri Bairaagan, the holy words)

Just as the clouds shower on to the earth, is there no water in the earth already?  If you need to take water out of the earth, you need to dig a well.  The clouds let down the water without feet.1. 

(Guru Nanak Dev ji has showered Bani just like the clouds.  The Vedas was already there, but need to be learnt with great effort.  The knowledge may be salty by the ego or by lack of grammar.  The Gurbani is easy to understand and readily available to provide wisdom.)

Baba, let go of this doubt.  Whatever happens in this world, it is the command of Akaal Purakh. 1.Rahao.

Some are men and some are women; what do they do?  They are the many forms of Akaal Purakh and are born from Akaal Purakh.2.

Many births have passed and the doubt has accumulated.  If they reach Akaal Purakh then they are not in doubt.3.

This is Akaal Purakh’s work and only Akaal Purakh knows.  Those who are absorbed in the Guru’s word, understand this.3.

Oh Akaal Purakh, you are the Shabad and you are the Gurbani; it’s only you, there is no doubt.  Says Nanak, when the Aatma is absorbed into the Parmatma, then there are no more births.4.1.15.35

(SGGS 162)

“The wisdom of the Vedas and the Puranas cannot be achieved by everyone, everywhere.  On top of that, you don’t give this wisdom to the lower castes.  To read those Granths, a person need to understand grammar and have basic knowledge.  After that, there is a lot of effort to read those Granths.  You need to sit in solitude to remember the scriptures.  The person who understands that the Ataman will go on, can only benefit from the knowledge.  Only one from millions reach this level.  The one who believes in the afterlife, only reaches.  Just as the water of the well; to drink that water requires great effort to dig the well and then to build its walls.  The well in the fields can only provide water to a few fields.  To learn the Vedas is like digging a well.  You need to go to Kanshi to learn the Vedas.  You need to learn the Angs of the Vedas: Vyakarana, Jyotish, Nirukt, Sikhya, Kalapa, Pingala and then you can read the Vedas.  Sri Satguru ji has made Gurbani easy to understand and available for all castes.  Just as the rain showers everyone, so is the Gurbani for all; and not confined to an area like a well.  Gurbani is available in every country and any time.  Everyone can read Gurbani and destroy their doubts and pains.  Both, High class and low class can read Gurbani.  Rich and poor can sing the glories of Hari, walking around or sitting down.  You don’t need to do ritualistic bathing to read Gurbani.  You can meditate on Akaal Purakh and be blessed.  High and low are equal and can hear the wisdom of Gurbani.  The Vedas and Puranas are like a well and only some can benefit.  The Satguru’s Bani is like the cloud.  It is showered in all directions.  The birds and animals in the jungles benefit from it.  They drink it and their thirst is quenched by it.  The well is not available everywhere.  The clouds give “everyone” peace.  Every field benefits without effort.  The Satguru’s words is easily understood.  Reading it and understanding it, one gets mukti.  The well water is already there, the cloud still showers on top of it.  Oh Pandits, think about the difference between a well and a cloud.  This was the reason for Gurbani.  Listen to Gurbani and remove your doubts.  Gurbani has given mukti to millions.  High caste and low caste.  The ones who read it with love and ingest the wisdom; and live by the word, they reach salvation.”  Everyone that heard Guru ji’s words were extremely happy.  They bowed to Guru ji and praised him as they went to their homes.  The Pandits had other discussions and destroyed their egos and doubts.  Everyone ate and went to sleep.  Guru ji spent two nights there.

On the third day, everyone went to a different Teerath and bathed.  They gave donations there.  Guru ji sat in his place.  Everyone came to Guru ji after eating.  They said to Guru ji: “Guru ji, you know everything.  This Kurukshetra is 48 ko (144 km).  How is it pure?  There are thousands of Teeraths here where many have done Tapasya here.  The Kauravs and Pandavs fought a war here, seeing this as a pure place; and many people lost their lives, yet this place is still considered so pure.  By which blessing was this place made pure and holy?  Please tell us.”  Guru ji’s eyes were filled with blessings.  Guru ji was always blessing everyone and removing everyone’s doubts.  This was the reason he had taken an Avatar: to make Bhagti easier for everyone.  The history of this place was ancient.  So old, that there is no track of time.  Guru ji was about to tell the Sangat its history.  Guru ji then spoke: “Oh Sangat, listen.  When the world had not been created, Sri Narayan ji sat in this area.  Sri Narayan ji’s knees were spread up to 24 km downwards.  Towards north, was his back; and towards the south was his face.  In the diameter of 24 km was the body of Vishnu ji which is know as Thanesar.”  The Sangat listened and then further inquired: “how did Parmeshwar sit here?  What was the reason?  Please tell us.  You know the past, present and future.”  Sri Guru Amardas ji fulfilled the wishes of the Sikhs.  He was going to tell the ancient history of what the Prabhoo did when the world was made.  Kavi Santokh Singh ji says: “listen to the katha of Sri Narayan ji, by which sins are washed away.”

1-47 Medni/ The War of Madh Kaitubh

Sri Narayan ji was created from the will of Akaal Purakh ji.  When Sri Narayan ji appeared, he was seated upon Shaishnaag.  He was in the sleeping state.  He was in the yogh nindra (yog sleep).  The Jogi’s meditate on this form of Sri Narayan Prabhoo.  He stayed in that sleep for a very long time.  His radiance was great, he was the seed of creation.  The power to create and destroy was inside of him.  He had the complete powers of Param Purakh Parmeshwar.  He was the destroyer of sinners.  He was the fearless Parmatma and in full bliss.  He was the Atman of all creation, conscious and unconscious.  The praises of Sri Narayan could not be sung.  He was black like the flax seed and had a very simple smile on his face.  His eyes were closed.  His seat was embedded with gems.  There was water everywhere and nothing else. 

Karta Purakh caused a lotus to appear from the belly button of Sri Vishnu.  From the Lotus flower, Brahma came to be.  Brahma opened his eyes and saw water everywhere.  Brahma began to do Tapasya on top of the lotus flower he was sitting on.  By Akaal Purakh’s wish, Sri Vishnu ji took his finger and put it in his ear and rubbed it.  A ball of wax came out of his ear.  He took the wax and flicked it from his baby finger.  The wax fell many yojanas (1 yojana = 12.8 km) away.  From the wax, two demons appeared: Madh and Kaitubh.  Those two demons were very strong with very long arms.  Their bodies grew very fast.  They were very strong and had very scary appearances.  They began to run around in the water and were very arrogant.  Their faces were big and ferocious.  Their teeth were very big.  Their eyes were red like the blood.  They patted their arms in ego, which made noises like thunder.  They ran to the place where Brahma ji was sitting and doing Tapasya.  Brahma ji saw them coming towards him and got scared.  It looked like two black mountains approaching him.  The hair on their arms looked like trees in a jungle.  Their knees were like peaks of a mountain and their arms were long like Shaishnaag.  Their eyes were as big as the ocean.  Their eyes were red as blood.  They looked like mountains of fire.  Narayan ji was in yog Nindra. 

Brahma ji came to Narayan and praised him.  He then decided to praise Maha Maya (the Goddess, Shakti- the power of Akaal Purakh), to impress upon Narayan to do something: “oh creator of life, sustainer and destroyer; Queen of the world; you are the power upon Sri Narayan ji, in the form of sleep.  Please wake up Sri Narayan so he may protect me.  Oh Rari (warrior), Sri (Laxmi), Param Eshwari, you reside in all; you carry swords, chakras, and Trishools (trident); you are the great sound, the great sound of conches.  You are the most beautiful, I bow to thee.  You are the most knowledgeable and the wisest.  Please wake up the master of the universe.  I am in trouble.”  In this way, Brahma ji praised Maha Maya and grabbed Sri Narayan ji’s feet.  He shook his feet to wake him up.  The protector of his devotees and dispeller of fear, had grace in his heart and opened his eyes.  He gave assurance to Brahma, who was seated upon a lotus flower: “don’t fear, I will protect you.  I will kill these demons by waging war on them.” 

Sri Prabhoo, Narayan Hari, showed his form.  It looked like a black cloud.  The two demons saw Narayan and were amazed.  They said: “who is this with great courage?  He is not afraid of us?  He is proud of himself and standing tall in front of us.  We are two and he is one.  He is smiling and not afraid, even a little bit.  He has long arms and is wearing jewellery.  His chest is wide and his radiance is great.  Let’s grab him and eat him.  We are hungry and will satiate ourselves.”  Both of the demons got ready to fight.  They said: “stand still, stay there.  We are coming to get you.” 

Sri Prabhoo ji heard the demons and got ready to fight.  Prabhoo ji responded: “I am standing.  Come and get me.  I will fight the both of you and see how you fight.”  The demons were challenged by Jagannath ji.  Both of the demons attacked Sri Narayan.  They were strong and wanted to win.  They fought fiercely and planted their feet.  They saw opportunities and struck their blows.  They grabbed Sri Narayan ji’s arms.  They were very stubborn with great big moustaches.  They pushed and shoved and held onto Prabhoo’s arms.  It was a great war.  The demons were very scary looking.  Bhagavan ji resisted their strength.  The demons showed their strength by throwing blows and laughing out loud.  They tried to throw Sri Narayan ji down by showing their strength.  They tried to wrestle with all their might.  They went over each other and tumbled.  They were full of anger and bit their lips.  The two demons were thrown away by Sri Narayan ji but they came running back.    Their appearance was frightening with fierce-looking faces.  They grabbed Bhagavan’s arms again and tried to push him downwards.  They tried to trip him. 

Madh and Kaitubh were standing in opposite directions and showed their strength.  Prabhoo then stabilized and collected his power.  He lifted his arms upwards and the demons were lifted in to the air, hanging off of the arms.  Prabhoo ji spun and threw both of the demons.  The demons landed 20 yojanas (240 km) away.  The two demons got up and grinded their teeth.  They roared and grumbled.  They shouted out: “kill him, kill him.”  They ran towards Prabhoo ji.  As they ran, the water splashed.  It looked like the Mandrachal mountain was running.  Prabhoo ji ran towards the demons as well.  The water splashed like forming mud.  They met again and fought with fists and slaps.  They lifted their arms and tried to strike each other.  Bhagavan ji’s jewellery would clank together as he fought.  His feet had bangles with emeralds and rubies.  They would clank together as well.  They had diamonds and pearls.  His waist had a chain around it.  Bhagwan ji would jump really high and his jewellery would make noise.  His wrists had bangles; armlets on his biceps; golden earrings and a great crown.  The crown shined like billions of suns.  He would fight strategically.  When he would strike a blow, loud noises would come and form scars.  When Prabhoo ji would strike, the noise would sound like Inder striking his vajra on to the earth.  The vajra can rip mountains in half.  They wrestled with all their might.  They would threaten and yell at each other.  The water was making waves like a million tsunamis.  They would use their strength and make the water splash.  They would make noise as they fight.  The noise could be heard in all 10 directions.

The three bodies looked like three mountains in the ocean.  Prabhoo, alone, the two demons.  Their eyes, red, and throwing fists with stubbornness.  They tried to trip each other.  They were courageous warriors and didn’t take any blows on their backs.  They would twist each others arms.  They fought for a very long time.  None would accept defeat.  Their body parts would meet and try to push each other and slap each other.  They would jerk each other forward.  They were all very angry.  Their bodies were injured from the long battle.  They made their battlefield for many yojanas.  They were running around in the water and made loud noises.  This was a battle for their own right to rule.  They would travel around each other.  They threw fists and slaps.  The warriors tried to defeat each other.  The battle was fierce. 

The battle went on for 5000 years.  Nobody accepted defeat.  Sri Prabhoo ji then thought: “these demons are made from me, so they will not lose.”  Sarasvati Devi was inspired to come in between the demons and take their logic and wisdom away.  Sarasvati followed the directions and took the demons wisdom away.  The demons then said to each other: “we are two and this person is alone.  Look what a courageous warrior he is.  He is arrogant.”  They said to Prabhoo: “we are not going to fight you.  You are very beautiful.  You are great.  We have had a fierce battle with you.  We are happy with your valour.  We have seen your battle.  You are strong and courageous.  We don’t want to fight you.  You can go where you want to go.  You can ask us for any gift you wish.  Ask for a boon.  Ask us for a blessing.  We will give you what you want.”  The two arrogant demons said this to Prabhoo.  Prabhoo ji saw that it was now the time to defeat them and said: “give me your heads.   Live up to your words.  If you give me your heads, the whole world will praise you.  I don’t want anything else besides your heads.  This is all I want from you.  You will be praised if you give me your heads.  People who give this type of donation, they never die.”  Madh and Kaitubh, the courageous warriors then said: “we will give our heads on one condition: take our heads where there isn’t any water.  We will place our heads where there is no water.  You can then take our heads.  If you fulfill this, we will give our heads.  We will have our glory praised in this way.  Please don’t delay and fulfill our condition.”  The master of the universe could do everything.  He sat down on top of the water, cross-legged.  This was the place of Thanesar, Kurukshetra.  The seat was 48 ko (144 km).  He covered a great distance sitting down.  Prabhoo ji pointed to his lap and said: “there is no water here.  This is where I will take your heads.  I will cut your heads here.  You will be praised in the world.”  Bhagavan ji wore beautiful earrings and the crown was shinning.  Both of the demons placed their heads in Bhagavan ji’s lap and fulfilled their words.  The rest of their bodies laid on top of the water.  Their hands and feet spread across the ocean.  In this way, Madh Kaitubh purified their minds and gave the world the ultimate gift.  They sacrificed their heads.  The master of the universe lifted his Chakar, with a thousand saws and cut the heads of the two demons.  Their bodies laid upon the water.  Prabhoo ji completed his promise as well.  When the heads were cut, Prabhoo ji assured Brahma ji and said: “I have killed the two demons that troubled you.” 

The fat from the bodies of the demons spread across the oceans and became the land masses of the world.  Prabhoo used his powers to solidify the fat.  There is no fat below Thanesar and that is why it is pure.  There are many Teeraths in this area.  The fat is known as “Medha” or “Mij”: that is why the land is called Medni.  Brahma performed his Tapasya for millions of years and created the world on top of the land masses.  He created rocks and life forms.  Millions of Rishis did their Tapasya here and reached salvation.  The Sangat that reads or listens to this ancient history, their sins will be washed away.

In this way Guru Amardas ji told the Sikhs the history of Thanesar, Kurukshetra on the third day.

1-48 The Katha of Jamuna

For three days, Guru Amardas ji stayed in Kurukshetra.  Guru ji, along with the Sikhs then left from there, doing Simran of Sri Abinaash (the indestructible Akaal Purakh).  Guru ji would walk slowly with the Sangat and would make sure everyone was well.  Whoever got tired, they were given help to be carried.  The Sangat would sing the praises of Guru Amardas ji as they walked.  Guru ji’s praises were spread widely.  People would come to see Guru ji, with love, wherever he went. 

They all soon reached the shores of Kaalindri (Jamuna).  Its waters were dark and fresh.  They all camped under a shady area.  The Sangat bathed in the Jamuna and gave donations to the Brahmins and the poor.  They all had Langar and rested.  After they got up, they did the Simran of Hari.  The Sangat loved to hear Guru ji speak.  So, they stood up, with their hands folded, and made a request to Guru ji: “Prabhoo ji, please tell us the origin story of the Jamuna.  We will then bathe in it with love after knowing how the Jamuna came to be.  We are being blessed everyday.  For one, we are in your presence all the time; secondly, we get to bathe at the holy Teeraths; thirdly, we do Simran and then give donations.  We get to hear the history of the Teeraths from you, Guru ji.  Please tell us the history of this great river.  Where did this river come from?  Why is it called Jamuna?  Why is the river considered so pure?  Please tell us Guru ji.”  The Guru with the blissful eyes then spoke after hearing the request of the Sikhs: “this history is very ancient as well.  Listen to it with love and devotion.  The Devata of Craftsmanship, Vishwakarma, is very wise.  He had a daughter named Subrachala.  She was a very beautiful woman.  Her eyes were like the petals of a lotus flower.  Her eyes were sharp at the ends like an arrow.  Her walk was very mesmerizing and carefree, like an elephant’s swaying walk.  Her neck was like a pigeon’s neck.  The wife of Kamadeva, Ratti, was jealous of her.  Suryadev (The Sun Devata) married her and brought her to his abode.  She was delicate with a very attractive body.  Subrachala spent a long time with Suryadev but was unhappy with his great radiance and heat.  She stayed with him for the honor of her family.  She had two sons and one daughter.  Jamuna was the daughter’s name and the two sons were Manu and Jumm (Dharmaraj).  All of the children were very powerful.  There soon came a time where Subrachala had had enough of the Sun’s rays and heat.  She become anxious.  She would get burned by Suryadev’s radiance.  Subrachala used her powers to make a duplicate of herself from her own shadow.  Afraid of Suryadev, she left her shadow self there and sneaked out to go back to her father’s home.

When Subrachala came to her father’s home, Vishwakarma was angry and spoke harsh words to her: “why have you come here without notifying your husband?  There is no place for you in my home.  Go somewhere else.”  She was very hurt to hear her father’s scolding.  She changed her form into that of a mare and headed towards the jungle. 

The shadow of Subrachala, became known as “Chaya” in ancient texts.  As she lived with Suryadev and carried on living as his wife, she gave birth to other children.  Amongst those children was one Shaanichar (Saturn).  She had a daughter as well, named Tapti.  Tapti flowed away as a river, hence the origin of the Tapti River in the south. Her waters are fresh and pure as well.  Suryadev now had two daughters and four sons.  One day, Jumm had an argument with Chaya.  Both were very angry.  As the argument carried on, Chaya said some very harsh words to Jumm.  Jumm lifting his foot.  He was about to strike Chaya with his leg but Chaya cursed him.  She said: “this leg that you are about to hit me with, will be blistered and will never be cured.  You are to be punished for this sin.”  Jumm’s leg immediately blistered up. 

When Suryadev found out about Jumm and Chaya’s argument, he began to think very deeply: “how can these two be mother and son?  They have both done unthinkable things to each other.”  Suryadev was in doubt and came to Chaya and said: “tell me the truth, who are you?  No mother would ever curse her own son.”  As the king of the Day (the Sun) pressed her for the truth, Chaya eventually spoke: “your wife has gone back to her father’s home and placed me in her place.  Shaanichar and Tapti are my kids.  Jumm, Manu and Jamuna are Subrachala’s children.  She has been gone a long time.  I raised all four brothers.”  As soon as Suryadev knew the truth, he went to Vishwakarma’s home right away.  He said to his father-in-law: “Subrachala came back to you a long time ago.  I want to know where she is now.  She has done such a wrong thing.  I need to find her.”  Vishwakarma heard the whole story and told him what happened when she came to him: “she left your home and came here.  I didn’t let her stay here because what she did was wrong.  She was upset and so, she left.  But listen Suryadev, she is not entirely wrong.  Your fires are very difficult.  They caused her a lot of pain.  Your radiance is unbearable.  She was very scared leaving you.  Listen to what I have to say.  Everything will be good.  Part of your form is of smoke.  I can transform your form.  After my work on you is finished, your light will be more bearable.”  Suryadev agreed and let Vishwakarma work on him.  Vishwakarma took his sharp tool, and removed the outer-layer of the Sun.  Suryadev became even more handsome.  The outer layer that was giving off smoke was chiseled away.  Suryadev was happy with his new look.  Vishwakarma then said to him: “my daughter lives in the jungle in the form of a horse.  Bring love into your heart and bring your wife back.”  Suryadev changed into the form of a stallion and went into the jungle. 

Suryadev found his wife and went up to her.  He smelled her with his nose and wooed her away.  They had two more sons immediately who were known as the Ashvini Kumar twins.  They all then went back to the Sun’s abode and met everyone with love.  Since then, Jamuna came to the jungle to do Tapasya.  In the Dwapur yuga, Sri Krishan ji made Jamuna his wife.  Krishan ji and Jamuna had 10 sons together.  Since then, the Jamuna flows as a river and washes away the sins of all.  She protects her servants.”

1-49 The Katha of Sooraj/ Turk Jaghati/ Kunkhal

The Sangat listened to Guru ji’s Katha and asked Guru ji: “how was Suryadev’s colour dark before?”  Sri Guru ji then started to tell them the history of Suryadev: “listen Sangat of how and why this happened to Suryadev.  Kashyap Rishi did very difficult Tapps.  He had many wives.  One of his wives was Ditti.  Ditti gave birth to the Daynts (Asuras – evil demons).  Another wife was Dhun, who gave birth to 100 sons known as the Danavas (demons but not necessarily evil).  From his wife Binata was born Aruna and Garuda.  Garuda was the mount of Vishnu and the king of the birds.  Garuda was very strong and was praised by all.  Another wife of his, named Kadru, gave birth to the Panugs or Nagas.  Takshak was one of her sons.  The Devatas were also the children of Kashyap, born to his wife, Aditi.  The Devatas drank Amrit (the nectar of Immortality) and became immortal.  

When Aditi was pregnant with Suryadev in her womb, the son of Chanderdev, Budh, became a Brahamachaari (celibate) and was doing Tapasya in the jungle.  He would beg for food as part of his strict lifestyle of renouncing the world.  One day, he came to Aditi’s door to beg for food.  Being pregnant, Aditi did not get up to give Budh his donation as she was tired.  Budh stood at her door for a long time.  Budh was furious as he stood there and cursed Aditi.  He said: “you did not come to give me food because of this womb.  Your womb will be blistered and will not survive.”  Budh then went to some other home to beg for food.  Aditi got scared and went to her husband.  She told Kashyap what happened and said: “please protect the child in my womb.”  Kashyap blessed her and said: “the child will be saved but his outer layer will die out, taking the brunt of the curse.  The outer layer will be a numb layer on his body.  I bless him that once his outer layer be removed, underneath it, will come out a handsome form.  He will be like the yolk inside a dead “aandaa” (egg), and therefore will be know as Maartandh (from a dead egg).”  In this way, Surya then took birth.  He was born with a dead body on top.  His outer form was dark like smoke, and dry.  It was numb to him.  When Vishwakarma chiseled is outer form, his handsome and radiant form came out.  Vishwakarma used Surya’s dead layer for other things.  Vishwakarma created the radiant “Sudarshan Chakra” out of that outer layer and gave it to Vishnu ji, the husband of Lakshmi.  He also made the powerful Trishool (trident) of Trinainang (Shiva- the one with three eyes).  He made other things from that dead layer as well.”  The Sangat listened to Guru Amardas ji and was very happy.  They now understood a lot of things about history.  They all bathed in the Jamuna and headed forward. 

In the Mughal kingdom, there was a tax implemented for Hindu Teeraths for Hindus.  The name of the tax was called Jaziyah.  The guards who would receive the Tax were known as Jaghatis.  When the Jaghatis saw Guru ji, their minds were at peace and they recognized the aura and powerful radiance of Guru Amardas ji.  Thousands of people were bowing to Guru Amardas ji.  The Jaghatis saw that there were so many people with Guru Amardas ji.  They got scared and decided not to take the Jaziyah from Guru ji.  They got scared and bowed to Guru Amardas ji’s feet.  They folded their hands and said: “Satguru ji, please bless us with your love.  Whoever is with you, please accept our service to pass through without being charged the Jaziyah.  We won’t charge you or your followers.  We have great respect for you.  We fear your radiance.  We don’t want you to curse us.  Whoever says your name, we will not tax them either.  It is our duty for the crown to take tax from everyone but we won’t tax your people.  Please go forward without worry.”  Guru Amardas ji heard them and said: “if you are afraid of me, don’t fear anything.  Keep this in mind, if someone after I go, comes, don’t tax them either, who say my name.  The whole Sangat coming behind me are all my Sikhs.  If you want to take money, then I am ready to give you all the money now.  I will pay for all the Sangat behind me.  I don’t want you to bother the poor people and stop them afterwards.  Take it now from me if you want.”  The Jaghatis said: “Satguru ji, whoever is with you, they can go without paying the tax.  We will not charge the people who say your name.”  Guru Amardas ji then went ahead towards Haridwar to the Ganga.  Thousands of people were with Guru ji.  The Jaghatis kept to their post and asked the people behind Guru ji for tax.  The people who weren’t with Guru ji also figured out that: by saying they are Guru ji’s Sikhs, they won’t be taxed.  So the other people going to Haridwar also said they were Guru Amardas ji’s Sikhs.  They were not charged.  The whole day, every man and woman that were stopped, they all said Guru Amardas ji’s name and they weren’t charged.  They all sang Guru ji’s praises and said: “Dhan Guru Amardas ji.”  The Jaghati’s were regretting their decision as they did not make any money that day.  They said: “we made no money today.”  They were quiet and kept looking at each other.  They couldn’t stop anyone that day.  They said to each other: “it looks like the whole world is behind the Guru today.  We will not get any money today and we will get in trouble today.”  They regretted their decision.  Guru Amardas ji made the world known that the fortunate ones that follow Guru Amardas ji will pass through the nets of the Jumms.  The ones who follow Guru Amardas ji will not be taxed by the messengers of Death.  It is good to stay under the protection of the Satguru.  They will not fear the Jumms, just like the Sikhs who crossed the poll of the Jaghatis.  Guru ji showed the world this day of what happens to people who recite the name of the Guru.  Great crowds were following Guru ji now.  As the sun set, many people came to meet Guru ji.  They all bowed and followed the Ganga’s shoreline.  Everyone shouted out the Jaikaras of Guru ji’s name and were in complete bliss.

The Sangat came to Kunkhal (Kunkhal was the place where Shivji’s first wife, Sati burned herself after not tolerating the disrespect of her husband by her father.  Prajapati Daksh was also killed by Virbhadra at this place).  They saw a good place along the shores of the Ganga and set up camp.  Satguru ji set up camp and sat down near a Pipal tree.  Many people heard of Guru ji’s praises and came to see him, bringing food for the Langar.  There was a great crowd gathered there.  Everyone ate Langar and rested.

In the morning everyone woke up.  Satguru ji bathed in the Ganga with its pure waters.  As the sun rose, many people heard of Satguru ji and came to see him.  Rishis, Munis, Pandits and the people living at the Teeraths, Saints, Mahants and many Jagyasos came.  Brahamachaaris, Audhoos, Sanyasis, Ghristis, Bairagis and many types of Sadhoos came to see the ocean of wisdom, Guru Amardas ji.  They all came around Guru ji and bowed to him.  The top scholars and leader came and sat near Guru ji, just as Munis would sit near Vyaas.  Jogis and Digambars came.  They wanted to see Guru ji and had a lot of questions and Guru ji gave them their answers.  They would ask questions according to their understanding of life and Guru ji would answer them accordingly.  They all received their answers and were in peace and bliss.  Guru ji calmed everyone’s minds and their questions.  They became still.  They saw that Guru ji’s wisdom and knowledge was deep and Guru ji was very patient.  They bowed to Guru ji and went back home, singing Guru ji’s praises.

Guru ji then praised the Ganga: “oh Goddess.  You came to Earth after many kings had done Tapasya and died.  You then came by the great Tapp of Bagheerath.  Shiv kept you in his locks and then sent you to earth to wash the sins of people.  You wash the sins of everyone in the three worlds.  I had done your Seva before.  Because of doing your Seva, I was given the great reward of finding the Guru, who showed me the mythical properties of the world.  See my sincere love for you and visit me in a physical form.”  Ganga heard Guru ji’s plea and came out of her waters, incarnating into a human form to visit Guru ji.  Ganga bowed to Guru Amardas ji and said “Dhan, Dhan.  You are the light of Eshwar Akaal Purakh.  You have achieved the Jot of the Parmeshwar.  Please bless my waters with your holy feet.  You are the supreme Avatar.  Oh Guru ji, I have washed the sins of many.  The sins are sitting inside of me.  I feel the great burden of their sins and I am in pain.  Please put your feet in my waters and make me pure again.”  Guru ji heard Ganga’s request and was happy.  He made Ganga pure with his feet, washing the sins of people away from inside of her.  Ganga was in bliss and disappeared back into her waters.  Guru ji stayed there for many days and bathed in the Ganga.  He gave the poor people a lot of donations during that time.  The whole Vaheer then started to make their way back to Goindwal.  The Sangat would sing Guru ji’s praises and were in bliss, being in his company. 

1-50 Blessing the Brahmin who saw the Padam

Guru ji then headed towards Goindwal and then passed through the village where the Brahmin lived who saw Guru Amardas ji’s Padam (lotus formation in the feet).  At the time of their first meeting, Guru ji was not seated upon the Guru’s throne at that time, nor had he met Guru Angad Dev ji then.  The name of the Brahmin was Durga Dutta.  Guru ji set up camp at his village with a great amount of Sangat.  The Sangat performed Kirtan and did the Jaikaras of Guru Amardas ji.  Durga Dutta saw the crowd of Sikhs and asked one of the Sikhs: “who is this great crowd of people with?  Who has come here?”  The Sikh told Durga Dutta: “It is Sri Guru Amardas ji, who is seated on Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s throne.  Whatever he says, becomes reality.  Whatever blessing he gives, becomes true.  He is a Kshatriya and quite old in age.  All the Sikhs are with him.  People visit him and feel blissfully peaceful.  He doesn’t have to pay the Jaziyah when he visits the Teeraths.  He is the giver of peace and prosperity.  People stay with him day and night.”  Durga Dutta heard this and started to think to himself: “I wonder if this is the same person who I saw the Padam in the foot of.  His name was Amardas and was a Kshatriya as well.  This may be the same person and may have come into fruition of his powers.  I should go and see him.  If it’s someone else, I should go and find out.” 

Durga Dutta bathed and got dressed.  He placed a tilak on his forehead and headed towards the crowd.  Guru ji was sitting in the middle of the Sikh Sangat and Durga Dutta saw Guru Amardas ji.  He stood from afar and thought: “it seems it is the same person.  He was a short person.  Yes, it is him!”  He was really happy that it was him.  He came close to Guru ji and paid his respects.  It is the Brahmins’ traditions to give a positive wish to anyone they meet called an “Ashirwad.”  So, Durga Dutta gave Guru ji a positive wish of prosperity and sat down close to him.  He was now sure if it was the same person he met.  He had told him then that: “you will be a great Avatar or a great King.”  He spoke to Guru ji and said: “oh Prabhoo.  Did you recognize me?  I am the same Brahmin who saw your Padam in your foot a long time ago.  I saw the Padam and told you that: “you are a great Avatar.”  You said you are a simple person.  I said “you are not a simple person but you will be a great Avatar.”  You promised me that you will give me something when you come into completion.  I didn’t take money from you then but I wanted to take something when you came into the light.  Please fulfil your promise.  It is now time to give me my wish.  Please fulfil my wish.”  Satguru ji was really happy to see the Brahmin.  He said: “you are great!  What you said to me during our first meeting, came out to be true.  Akaal Purakh gave me the supreme empire.  I have been given the greatest throne in the universe.  My kingdom is in all directions.  My kingdom is in all realms.  When I send someone anywhere, their words come to reality.  Tell me what you wish for.  I will fulfill my promise.  Whatever wish you have, I will give you.  There are the pleasures of this world: beautiful women, children, wealth, land, horses and praises.  Whatever you ask for you will get and will live in peace.  If you do not wish the pleasures of the world, as they will cease to exist one day, then you can ask for bliss of the other worlds.  You will be taken out of the cycle of birth and death.  You will have the bliss of Bhagti of Akaal Purakh.  Think about it hard.  You have the option of both types of pleasures.  I will give you one or the other.”  The Brahmin was in deep thought.  He couldn’t decide.  He thought to himself: “if I take the Bhagti bliss and ask to live in Sach Khand, then I will have to beg in this world.  I will have to live in poverty here.  There is no pleasure here right now.  Now that the pleasures of the world are in front of me, I should not leave them.  Everyone will be happy: wife and kids included.  People will respect me.  Life will be easy.  I could do whatever I want.  I will not need to beg anymore for food.  But when I die, the Jumms will take me to Hell.  I will have to endure a lot of pain.  What’s the point of being in pain after indulging in the pleasures of this world?  I am confused.  I can’t decide.”  He thought it for about a half hour. 

Guru ji then looked at the Brahmin again and said: “what are you thinking about?  Tell me what you want.  I will give you what you want.  Take what you wish.  I speak the truth.”  The Brahmin heard Guru ji and came into a state of humility.  He was now aware that it was the light of Akaal Purakh sitting in front of him.  He bowed his head and placed it on Guru ji’s feet.  He got emotional and said: “if you give me the name of Akaal Purakh and not wealth, without money your Sikh will not be given status and praise.  If you give me wealth and not the name of Akaal Purakh, without the name of Akaal Purakh your Sikh will not be given status and praise in the world of the Jumma.  You are the supreme, you already know what I need.  What is it that is impossible for you?  You may do as you wish.  Guru Amardas, the son of Tejo, please purify both for me.  If you give me the True Name, the poorness stays without wealth.  Nobody will recognize your greatness.  They will see me as a pauper.  Nobody will consider your gift.  Nobody knows about the bliss of the world hereafter.  If you give me money, pleasures and wealth, I will be engrossed in my vices and destroy my chances at moksha.  I will have to endure pain in Hell.  Nobody will see your greatness.  You can give the gift of both worlds.  Then I will be truly blessed.  I don’t need to ask from you.  You know everything.  Please do as you wish.  I would like to be without fault in this world and in the next.  Being your servant, one should be great in both worlds.”  The Brahmin bowed to Guru ji again after speaking.  He wanted the blessings of both worlds.  Guru ji saw the cleverness of the Brahmin and smiled.  He was happy with the Brahmin.  He said to Durga Datta: “you will get both blessings.  You will get the pleasures that will never cease.  You will never be in shortage.  You will be in abundance of wealth.  You will do Simran of Satnam with faith and will not be visited by the Jumms.  You will go to the realm where Saints live.  You will go to Sach Khand.”  The Brahman was extremely happy to be blessed with all the gifts.  His birth and death cycles were now finished.  He bowed to Guru ji and went home.  Since then, he received a lot of wealth and did a lot of Simran.  All his worries were destroyed and he received the pleasures of the world.  When he died, he went to Sach Khand.  He received moksha like saints.  Satguru ji made him a praised person.  Guru ji spent one night at that place and left in the morning with the Sangat. 

In the morning, Guru ji bathed and got ready.  The whole Vaheer was on its way.  As Guru ji would travel, the people would shout out Guru ji’s jaikaras as he protected the people who visited the Teeraths and didn’t have to pay the Jaziyah.  Guru ji passed the Jamuna and came to the shores of the Sutlej.  Everyone crossed the river on boats and came to the Doaba region.  They then reached the Beas River. 

When the news reached to Goindwal that Guru ji was coming back, Sri Ramdas ji was very happy and took the Sangat to receive Guru Amardas ji.  As they walked ahead, they sang Kirtan on the way.  As Sri Ramdas ji and the Sangat met Guru Amardas ji, they bowed and rejoiced.  Guru Amardas ji asked how everyone was and blessed them.  Guru ji said to Sri Ramdas ji: “you were given the responsibilities of taking care of everything in Goindwal.  Is everything good?  Is everyone well?  Is everyone in Goindwal well?”  Sri Ramdas ji folded his hands and said: “Prabhoo ji, with your blessings, everything is blissful.  You are the one doing everything.  You are the one making everyone do Seva and Simran.  You are the one making everyone do their tasks.  Everyone is well.”  Guru ji met the Sangat in Goindwal and crossed the Beas.  Guru ji walked through the streets of Goindwal and people sang Gurbani while they showered Guru ji with flowers.  People stood on their balconies and on the streets to rain flowers on to Guru ji.  People shouted out Jaikaras in Guru Amardas ji’s name.  The tears of joy flowed.  Red flowers, yellow flowers, pink and white flowers all came on top of Guru ji.  People on the streets put garlands of flowers in Guru ji’s neck as he walked by.  Guru ji came to his home, Chabarra Sahib.  There was a big celebration as Guru ji returned.  The people of the village visited Guru ji and returned to their homes.  They sang the praises of Guru ji.  The praises of Guru ji spread far and wide.  Guru ji blessed everyone.  The tradition of waking up at 2 am and doing Samadhi continued with Guru ji.  Karah Prashaad and Langar continued.  Sikhs would come in the hundreds to do Seva in the Langar, early in the morning.  They received the blessings of Guru ji.