1-56 The Question of the Sikhs

Sri Satguru ji constructed the great Teerath for the good of the Sikhs.  The ones that did Seva at Baoli Sahib, they were deeply blessed.  The Satguru is the door to Mukti.  Those who serve with faith and devotion, the door to mukti is wide open for them.  As the Sikhs did Seva, Guru ji gave out blessings.  Guru ji was like the Kalapbrish (the tree of wishes).  Guru ji’s glory was spread out wide like the branches.  Whoever comes to Guru ji comes under the protection of this great tree.  The moat around the tree is the Sangat.  The virtues (Sat- truth, Santokh-contentment, Daya- pity, Dharam- duty, Dheeraj- patience) are the branches of this tree.  The shade is the renunciation of the pleasures and vices of the world.  Brahmgyaan, which is desired by the Devatas, are given to the Sikhs that perform the Seva of the Guru’s lotus feet.  This is the seed of this tree.  Seva makes many other saints and then the saints make more saints.  Bhagti is the bark which keeps the tree solid and firm.  The branches that flow far are how Sikhi spreads.  The flower of this tree is the wisdom to determine truth from false.  The Maya is the false illusion of this world and the Aatma is real.  The Bhagats wish to smell these flowers, they wish to receive this wisdom.  The Sikhs that come to Guru ji, the Kalapbrish, their wishes are all fulfilled.  Those who are fortunate, they fall in love with this “tree of wishes.”  There is no shortage in the treasuries of Guru Sahib.  Guru ji freely gives these gifts with both hands.  He gives mukti and bhugti.  He is the giver of power.  Those who have faith on the Guru, they receive mukti and bhugti.  Guru ji is generous and cannot see his Sikhs in pain.  He destroys their doubts and worries.  How many virtues of Guru Amardas ji can be written?  Countless lives will end but the list of Guru ji’s virtues and praises will not be complete.   Kavi Santokh Singh ji says: “my wisdom is small; I cannot speak of the Guru’s praises.  All I can do is fall to the feet of Guru Amardas ji and place my head.”  Guru Amardas ji’s Bhalla family is growing like the moon headed towards the full moon.  The ones who do Seva with faith, they are blessed with mukti and bhugti.  They receive salvation and the pleasures of the world (food, clothing and shelter).  They also receive “jugti” (the technique by which to live a good life).  The ones that did not do Seva, their life was useless.  It was useless to come to this earth for them who did not know Guru Amardas ji or did not serve Guru ji.  Within the blink of an eye, Guru ji can bless someone and finish the karma of countless births.  He is impressed by little Seva.  The Seva that destroys the ego.  The Guru doesn’t need Seva but the Guru is impressed when a Sikh destroys his/her ego.  No Devata can match Guru ji’s power.  Guru ji can make anyone into a Devata, and in fact, make the Sevadaars higher than Devatas. 

Guru ji thought to himself: “Sikhs who come after me, their love and devotion should remain.  They should be doing Simran and Seva.  They should be able to be blessed with mukti and bhugti.”  For this reason, Guru ji constructed the Baoli Sahib.  In all four Yugas, there was no one more generous than Guru Amardas ji.  Kavi ji has not heard of one, more generous than Guru ji.  Those who do not meditate on and remember Guru Amardas ji, they are in loss.  Many great Sikhs did Seva at Baoli Sahib.  Sikhs like Bhai Paro ji, Bhai Bhalloo ji, Bhai Lalo ji, Baba Bhudda ji, Bhai Gurdas ji, Baba Mori ji had done Seva at Baoli Sahib along with Guru ji.  There was a great crowd everyday for the Seva.  Langar was made for all.  Many Sikhs would do Seva to make Langar.  Many types of food were made.  Delicious kheer and dhaal was made.  Guru ji did not worry about the next day.  All of the food was distributed and not kept overnight.  People would take as much as they needed.  Thousands would come to eat. 

Guru ji would have his first meal of the day in the Pangat.  He would eat Ogra without any salt.  The Sangat was served delicious rice and lentils.  Other types of vegetable curries would be prepared with roti.  Everyone would love the tasty Langar.  The Langar would start in the morning continue on till night time.  Nobody was stopped from going into the Langar place to eat.  Everyone ate till they were full.  The people that did Seva at the Baoli all ate there as well. 

Guru Amardas ji had two daughters who were very wise and fortunate.  Their Bhagti was great.  Bibi Bhani ji was married to Sri Ramdas ji and Bibi Dhani ji was married to Bhai Rama ji.  Both sons-in-law had great love for Guru ji.  They did many types of Sevas including the Seva for the Baoli.  They would do Seva and give instructions as well.  Sri Ramdas ji would collect all of the baskets and the shovels in the evening and place them neatly in one place.  He would distribute them again in the morning to all the workers and Sevadaars.  He would gather all the tools of the craftsmen in the same way.  He had immense faith and love for Sri Satguru ji and would do his Seva.  Bhai Rama ji would do Seva for the Baoli in the same way.  They would do the Seva and supervise the workers as well.  There was no laziness in both of them.  Satguru ji loved both of them.  They were known as his Bhagats and lived in Guru ji’s hearts.  The Sikhs would see both of them doing Seva and talked amongst themselves.  One Sikh said: “Guru ji loves Bhai Rama more.  He will surely be seated on the Guru’s throne.  Bhai Rama will be the Guru of the world.  He obeys Guru ji’s command, day and night.  He is never lazy while doing Seva.”

Other Sikhs would say: “Sri Ramdas ji will be the next Guru.  Guru ji is extremely happy with him.  He has “Gareebi” (humility) in his heart.  He never looks for any acknowledgement of accomplished work.  He does Seva, day and night.  Guru ji is impressed with his Seva.  He has made Seva his Dharma.”  In this way, the Sikhs would talk about either son-in-law, but the senior, great Sikhs knew what Guru ji’s wish was.  The senior Sikhs would say: “he has Gareebi, humility.  His personality is such that, he loves everyone.  He has complete faith in Guru ji.  Patience, forgiveness and other traits that are loved by Guru ji, he has them all.  All of these traits reside in Ramdas ji.  He will be the next Guru.  Guru ji is impressed by him and loves him more.”  In this way, the Sikhs would guess.

One day, the Sikhs gathered and wanted their curiosity satisfied.  They went to Guru ji.  The leader, senior Sikhs folded their hands and said to Guru ji: “you are omniscient and complete.  You are the treasure of virtues.  Who is it that you do not love?  You love all.  You are enslaved by the love and devotion of your servants.  Guru Nanak Dev ji did not give his throne to his sons.  Instead, he gave it to his servant.  His servant sat on the Guru’s throne.  In the same way, Guru Angad Dev ji was attracted to the Seva of his servant and so, you become the Guru of the world.  His sons did not have the ability to harness the great power of the throne and therefore were not deemed fit for it.  You had that same personality as Guru ji did and so, you are enslaved by the Seva of your servants as well.  Your sons-in-law are your great servants as well.  Both of them do a lot of Seva and they are earning it well with great determination.  They serve the Sangat of the Guru.  They also do Seva for the Baoli with faith and love.  We know that they are both equally loved by you, but we have a question.  The Satguru is fair to all and loves everyone the same, but we are all confused as we see both of them as equals.  You have casted your divine vision on both and love them the same.  Sometimes it seems as though you love Sri Ramdas ji more.  He does Seva, day and night, with determination and love.  Who will be the better of the two that will make their family name proud?  Whom do you love more?  How will all the Sikhs know?  If you tell us, the Sikhs will stop arguing amongst themselves.  Please bless everyone and fulfill their wish to know who will be the better of the two.  Please speak your holy words.”  The omniscient Satguru ji, that knows the wishes of all the hearts, heard the Sikhs words and got ready to give them their answers.

1-57 The Answer to the Question of the Sikhs

Guru ji saw that the Sikhs were quite confused.  Guru ji then decided to answer their questions in order to relieve their worry.  Guru ji said: “In the world, there’s a type of person who lives under a “Maryada” (guidelines or rules) and wishes to achieve Mukti.  Another type of a person lives in love but not Maryada.  That person is always drenched in love and focuses his/her attention on Akaal Purakh.  Those people in which love grows on a daily bases, the Prabhoo becomes enslaved by them.  Without love, Simran and Seva are less fruitful.  Let’s test the love inside both of Rama ji and Ramdas ji.  As the love will grow, they will be happier.  The deep love makes Prabhoo be on your side.  You are not able to test which one has more love.  I will test them and see who has more love for Prabhoo.  Don’t tell them anything, just keep it to yourselves.”

In order to answer the Sikhs’ question and to see who is the true heir to the Guru’s Singhasan (throne), Guru ji called both sons-in-law to him.  Both, Rama ji and Ramdas ji came to Satguru ji.  Guru ji then took them to the Baoli.  Guru ji used to carry a cane to support his aging body.  Guru ji scoped an area there and said to Bhai Rama ji: “make a throne for me to sit on here.”  Guru ji took his cane and lined out an area in the ground and said: “make the throne like this.”  Guru ji then went over to another spot and stood there.  He looked towards Ramdas ji and said: “make a throne here, for me to sit on.”  He drew out the area again and said: “make it like so.  I will sit here in the morning and sit on the throne made by Bhai Rama ji in the evening.”  Satguru ji gave out the instructions and left.  The two sons-in-law began to work. 

Guru ji returned to see the progress of his thrones in the evening.  Guru ji inspected Bhai Rama ji’s throne first and said: “this is not made well.  I don’t like this throne to sit on.  All of your work has gone to waste.  The sides of the throne are crooked.  Tear it down right away.  Listen to me carefully and make the sides in a straight line.  Then it will be good.”  Bhai Rama ji was sad and said: “I have made it exactly as you said.  What is the reason that you did not like it?  This is excellent for sitting on.  Sikhs will be able to meet you while standing up.  It is not my fault.  I made it the way you asked me to.  I made it exactly the way you wanted it.”  Bhai Rama ji gave his justification but Guru ji had the throne torn down anyway.  Guru ji marked the area again with his cane and said: “make it so.”  Guru ji then went to the other side where Sri Ramdas ji had built the throne.  Guru ji stood next to Sri Ramdas ji.  Sri Ramdas ji bowed to Guru Sahib and stood up again.  Guru ji looked at the throne and said: “you did not understand my wish.  You did not make the throne as I had instructed.  This is not good for me to sit on.  Tear it down.”  Sri Ramdas ji heard Guru ji and tore down the throne right away, fearing Guru ji’s dissatisfaction.  He said to Guru ji: “please forgive my mistake this time.  I am without wisdom and did not understand your instructions.  Please explain your wishes to me again, gracious one.”  Guru ji drew the lines on the ground again and gave him another method to build it: “both of you make the thrones again.”  Guru ji went back to his home.

In the morning, everyone was back to work, early.  Both men were working on the throne.  They used the best bricks and set them well.  In the evening, Guru ji came to the place near the Baoli to inspect the thrones.  He first went to Bhai Rama ji.  Guru ji said to him: “this is not made well.  This is not the way I wanted it.  Tear it down again.  You are not using your wisdom and wasting your efforts.”  Rama ji thought to himself: “I made the throne with care.”  He said to Guru ji: “I made it exactly how you wanted it.  This is excellent to sit on.  People saw this and praised it.  How can I tear this down?  How can I make a better throne than this?”  Guru ji had the throne torn down and said: “make it like this.  Focus your attention, and use your wisdom.”  Guru ji then went to Sri Ramdas ji.  He saw the throne and said: “this is not made well.  I don’t like this for me to sit on.  Don’t keep this.  Tear it down.  You did not understand what I wanted.”  Sri Ramdas ji did not say anything and tore down the throne.  Fearing Guru ji, Sri Ramdas ji spoke: “your wisdom is infinite and great.  My wisdom is poor.  I do not understand your wishes.  Please bless me so that I may make a throne to your liking.  I am not wise so I make mistakes repeatedly.  Please forgive me.  Please tell me how you would like your throne.  I will make it again right away.”  Guru ji made a line again and said: “make it like so.”  Guru ji then went to his home slowly after instructing both men.

In the morning, both men began to build the throne again.  They used the best bricks and made sure they were in one line.  They worked on it all day long and were extra careful, using their wisdom.  Guru ji then came a third time.  Nobody knew what Guru ji was doing.  Guru ji was extremely patient and with great character.  Guru ji came to Bhai Rama ji first and inspected the throne.  Guru ji said: “oh Rama!  I have instructed you many times already.  You did not make the throne as I wanted it.  I don’t like this.  It is not the way I told you.  I told you many times but you are not understanding.  You are not able to make a throne.”  Bhai Rama thought to himself: “I wonder what is wrong.”  He wondered and thought to himself: “Guru ji has gone old.  He does not remember what he says.  I made it as he showed.”  Bhai Rama ji then said to Guru ji: “I made the throne just as you told me to.  I used my wisdom and strength to make the throne.  It is as you said.  I made it in the best way.  You are forgetting what you say.  How is that my fault?”  Guru ji heard this and stayed quiet.  He had great patience.  He got his answer.  Guru ji then went to Sri Ramdas ji.  Guru ji inspected the throne and said: “this is not made well.  I instructed you many times but you are not understanding what I want.  The way I wanted it, it is not.  Your effort is going to waste.  You are not understanding my wishes.”  Sri Ramdas ji, fearing Guru ji’s anger, grabbed Guru ji’s feet.  Sri Ramdas ji placed his head on Guru ji’s feet and said: “Guru ji, I am not wise and err everyday.  Please forgive me.  You are great.  Please bless me.  You are gracious that you forgive me over and over again.  I am guilty and a fool.  Whatever wisdom you give me, that is what I know.  A person is nothing without you giving them wisdom.  Please forgive me and give me your instructions.  I am not wise and I an unfortunate that I can’t understand your wishes.”  Sri Ramdas ji stood up and folded his hands and continued: “please forgive me Guru ji.”  All the Sikhs that were standing by, saw this.  They understood that Sri Ramdas ji had passed Guru ji’s test.  The all-powerful Guru was extremely happy.  The one with the great character and personality, Sri Ramdas ji was deemed eligible for the throne of the Guru.  He had all the traits that are to be in the Guru.  Guru ji then said out loud so everyone could hear: “his Seva has been accepted.  I am impressed with his Seva.  He does not consider himself as great.  Prema Bhagti has made his mind pure.  He is drenched in love, day and night.”  The Sikhs confusion was now gone.  They knew that Sri Ramdas ji was going to be the next Guru.  They noticed this from their words.  One was self-involved and the other was self-sacrificing. 

Guru ji then returned to his home.  The Sikh Sangat that was with him, he said to them: “Sri Ramdas is a great person.  Many people in his Sangat will be saved.  He will bless many and give them mukti.  He has done a lot of my Seva.  There is nothing left for me to give him as he has achieved the highest status.” 

1-58 The Significance of the Baoli/ Sant Sadharan/ A Jogi

The treasury of Bhagti was open in Guru ji’s court.  Along with Bhagti, the Sangat received the four gifts (Dharam, Arth, Kaam, Moksha).  Guru ji would not wait to give it to his Sikhs.  Guru ji constructed a great Teerath which was for the good of everyone.  Its significance was great.  The ones who would bathe in the Baoli were fortunate and would receive great karma.  The Baoli had fresh, cold and pure water in it.  The flow of the water towards the south was the flow of the Ganga.  There were 84 steps to the Baoli.  When Guru ji counted the steps, he said: “the Sikh that comes here with love and bathes in the Baoli 84 times while doing Japji Sahib (84 times) and focusing their attention on the Satguru, they will not be born in to the 84 Lakh Joons (8,400,000 species of the non-human life forms).  Achieving the Bhagti of the Guru, they will no longer take birth in other species.  If they bathe with other wishes in their heart, they will be fulfilled as well.  This Baoli will wash away other sins.  The water of the Baoli is pure.  Drinking it will purify the mind.  Whoever bathes in the Baoli, gives donations and recites Gurbani, they will receive immortality and will not be visited by the Jumms (the messengers of Death).”  In this way, Guru ji told everyone the significance of the Baoli.  Guru ji would bathe in it himself.  Many Sikhs would bathe in it as well in great crowds.  The Sikhs came eagerly to bathe in the Baoli.  They would praise Guru ji and say: “Guru ji has done a great task by constructing the Baoli.  He has blessed us all.  He is great.  Whoever comes to him, he saves them.” 

There was a smith who used to do Seva there and craft the wooden steps for the Baoli.  He would do other types of Sevas as well, along with crafting wood and metal.  He constructed the 7 steps in the Baoli that were the closest to the bathing area.  Those steps were crafted in such a way that made it easier for everyone to take the water for drinking and stepping off to bathe in the water.  Guru ji was very happy with the unique steps the smith had made and called the smith to him.  The smith came to Guru ji as soon as he heard and bowed to Guru ji’s feet.  Guru ji placed his hand on the smith’s forehead and gave him the Mantra of Satnam.  Guru ji called him “Sant Sadharan” and illuminated the “gyaan” inside of his heart.  Guru ji said to him: “your Seva has been acknowledged and accepted in every way.  Go to your home and meditate on the Satnam.  You will be in peace.  Don’t go anywhere for giving or taking.”  Sant Sadharan was blessed, listening to Guru ji’s words.  He did Simran of Satnam with great determination.  He went home and was blessed with eternal bliss by doing Simran. 

Many people who would go to visit the Ganga, would travel the route where Guru Amardas ji lived.  One group of people set up camp in Goindwal who were on their way to bathe in the Ganga.  One of the people in that group was someone who was a close friend of Guru Amardas ji.  He knew Guru ji before he was Guru and was a good friend of his.  He came to see Guru ji to meet him.  He bowed his head to Guru ji, regarding his greatness.  Guru ji was sitting near the Baoli when he came.  Guru ji asked him how he was.  The person was a good man.  Guru ji said to him: “why are going through the trouble of travelling so far?  The path is very difficult.  I will tell you this for your own good: the Ganga comes into the Baoli.  Have faith in your heart and bathe here.  Don’t have any doubts and bathe here, considering it the Ganga.  You will receive what you ask for.  Be without doubt.  Go home after this and sing the praises of Hari.”  The person listened to Guru ji and bathed in the Baoli but he had a doubt in his mind: “how is the Baoli, Ganga?”  He sat for a while and then made a request: “oh gracious Prabhoo ji, I set of with my fellow Sanghis (fellows of the order) to bathe in the Ganga with great enthusiasm.  I wanted to go to Haridwar with everyone and bathe in the Ganga.  We will go to complete the prayers for our ancestors and then come here.”  Guru ji noticed that the person was in deep doubt.  Guru ji said to him: “that’s a good thing!  Go to Haridwar and bring back water from the Ganga for me.”  The friend got permission to go.  He set off with his Sanghis and went to Haridwar. 

The group reached the shores of Ganga and bathed in it.  He performed prayers for his ancestors while he was there.  When Guru ji’s friend was about to leave, he remembered that Guru ji wanted some water from the Ganga.  He took a small pot and went into the river to get some water.  As he tried to fill the pot, the current of the river was fast and he couldn’t handle the pot.  The pot fell in to the water from his hands and was taken away by the current.  He tried grabbing for it but couldn’t catch it.  His group was ready to go and he didn’t have time to get another pot.  He set off with his group and came back to Goindwal.

The friend came to see Guru ji and bowed his head when he met him.  He said to Guru ji: “I couldn’t complete your Seva for you Guru ji.  You asked for the water from the Ganga but I returned empty-handed.  The pot that you gave me, I took it to Haridwar.  When I was about to fill it with the water from the Ganga, it fell from my hand and got carried away by the river current.  I tried chasing it but it got away.  I felt my karma was bad and came back with my group of Sanghis.”  Satguru ji heard his friend and said to him: “don’t worry.  The pot came back to me.  The Ganga sent the pot here with its current.  If you don’t believe me, go and check the Baoli.  The flow from the south is the Ganga.  You will find the pot there.  Collect the water from the southern flow and bring it to me.”  The friend heard Guru ji’s words and was amazed.  He ran to the Baoli and located the southern flow coming in.  The water was clear and cold.  To his amazement, the pot was there.  He was surprised to see the exact same pot that was in Haridwar with him.  It was a miracle.  He quickly got out of the Baoli and went to Guru ji.  He fell at his feet and said: “I was unaware of your glory.  You have brought the Ganga into the Baoli.  I didn’t listen to your words before.  Prabhoo ji, please forgive my mistake.”  Guru Bhagavan ji heard his friend’s request and blessed him.  He gave him the gift of Satnam.  He removed his troubles and pains.  He gave him bliss.  He helped him cross this difficult world ocean.  In this way, Guru ji had brought the waters of the Ganga into the Baoli.  All of the Teeraths of the three worlds were at Guru ji’s feet.  Guru ji brought Ganga to the Baoli Sahib.  He can do whatever he pleases.  Guru ji is Omnipotent, he is the most powerful.  He has unlimited power.  He constructed the Baoli for the peace of his Sikhs.  Their sins, over many lifetimes, are washed away at the Baoli.  Whoever listens to this katha with faith, their sins will be washed away as well. 

One day, Sri Satguru ji was seated and there came a Sidh Jogi who came to see him.  He bowed and said to Guru ji: “since the day you have become Guru, I had faith in my heart and wanted to come see you.  My good karma finally unfolded and I have come now to meet you.  I have been performing Yog Tapp for a long time.  I have achieved many Siddhis and made many people follow me.  My mind is not at peace though, even though the whole world believes in me.  I have thought about this long and hard, the Sidhs believe in this path of torturing your body and doing the Jog Tapp.  I have not achieved bliss yet.  Oh giver of bliss, I have come to you now.  Keep me with you and give me wisdom by which I will be in unending bliss.  This is been a long-time goal of mine.  Please be gracious and bless me by fulfilling my wish.”  Guru ji saw the Jogi as his Bhagat and said to him: “let go of this body of yours and take on a new body.  Then come to me and be in “Anand” (bliss).”  The Jogi heard Guru ji and left.  He had love for Guru ji in his heart.  He renounced the world.  He used his yogic powers to leave his body, on his own will.

1-59 Guru ji’s Children and Grandchildren

The Jogi was born into the house of Guru ji.  His wish to achieve Moksha was high, and so he was born as Guru ji’s grandson.  Guru Amardas ji had two sons: Mohan ji and Mohri ji.  Baba Mohan ji was the elder and was without desire.  He was oblivious to the pleasures of the world.  He was always focused on the bliss of Akaal Purakh and his mind did not wander even for a moment.  He had no wish to be involved into the workings of the world.  He did not hear anyone’s words nor did he ever say anything to anyone.  He would stay quiet and focussed on Akaal Purakh.  He was a temple of all the powers and virtues.  His mind never wandered towards anyone.  He was always calm and peaceful.  The second son was Baba Mohri ji, who was very wise.  He was wise with the ways of the world.  Baba Mohri ji’s first son was named Arthmal ji.  Arthmal ji was filled with Bhagti, love and many virtues.  He was very fortunate to be born in the Guru’s family.  The Jogi was born after this son.  The Jogi, in his last birth, had done many years of Jog Tapp.  He had faith and devotion as he was born as Guru ji’s grandson.  He achieved the “Anand” that he was looking for.  The desire to reach Gyananand (the bliss of knowledge of the inner self) becomes a vehicle in itself for achievement.  The omniscient Satguru knew what had happened when he heard news of his grandson’s birth.  He said to Bhai Bhalloo: “the son that is born to Mohri, bring him to me.  He is born with the desire to achieve “Anand” (bliss).  Bhai Bhalloo went to Baba Mohri and told him Guru ji’s command.  Nobody could disobey Guru ji’s command so they wrapped up the newborn baby in cotton wraps and gave him to Bhai Bhalloo.  Bhai Bhalloo walked slowly to Guru ji.  Everyone saw that the child was very fortunate.  Guru ji took the child in his lap.  The whole family was happy.  Guru Bhagwant ji said to Bhalloo: “this is a great Saint that has taken an Avatar.  He has a desire for bliss Anand and for this reason he took birth in my family.  Name him “Anand.”  He will be a great saint with many virtues.  I will recite a Bani in his honor.  The name of the Bani will be “Anand” as well.  This Bani will fulfill wishes.”  Guru ji then recited the Bani of Anand Sahib.  He uttered 38 Paurees as he had his grandson in his lap.  (1 Pauree was uttered by Guru Ramdas ji and 1 Pauree by Guru Arjan Dev ji) Both the grandson and the Bani were named Anand.  He then gave the child back to Bhalloo and told him to give him to his mother.  Bhai Bhalloo took Anand to his own mother.  The mother was happy to see her son. 

As Bhalloo came back to Guru ji, Guru ji said very happy words to Bhalloo: “Bhalloo, bring a dholak and put it around your neck with a string.  Go to the balcony and sing the Anand Bani in a loud voice.  Sing it with great enthusiasm.  Make sure everyone hears it.  They will be in bliss.  This Bani is filled with many virtues and gifts.  Whoever recites this Bani or listens to it, their wishes will be fulfilled.  This Bani should be read everyday with determination.  Reciting it will give you anything you want.  It gives Mukti and Bhugti.  Your tasks will be completed by itself.  This Bani was uttered for the good of all Sikhs.  Reciting it and listening to it will give you peace.  It will complete all the tasks, who recite it with love and devotion.  Recite this Bani before beginning any task.  It will remove all the obstacles.”  Bhai Bhalloo did as he was told.  He took a dholak and went to the balcony of the top floor.  He began to sing the 38 Paurees of Anand Sahib in a loud voice, playing the dholak.  He sang it beautifully with love and joy.  The Bani showered happiness, everywhere it sounded.  The flowers bloomed and the sky rejoiced.  It was as though all the colours of the rainbow received a new soul.  Everyone who heard the Bani, they were filled with bliss.  Bhagti came into everyone’s heart.  Anand Sahib was uttered by Guru Amardas ji in this way.  It was filled with Bhagti, Bairaag, and wisdom.  The fourth Guru, Guru Ramdas ji uttered the 39^th Pauree.  The 40^th was uttered by Guru Arjan Dev ji, that praised the Bani itself.  The tradition is to read all 40 Paurees in the Sikh Panth.  Reading this Bani during the Amrit Vela helps one meet Gobind (Akaal Purakh). 

After a while, a third grandson was born.  He was named Arjaani Mal.  In his last birth, he was a Bhagat of the Guru.  He was a saint in his last birth.  He died though, as soon as he was born.  His mother was in great pain at the child’s death.  The midwives took the child to Guru Amardas ji.  They placed the dead child at the feet of Guru ji.  Everyone was crying.  Guru ji touched his right toe onto the child and the child began to cry.  The child was brought back to his mother and everyone rejoiced.  As the child grew older, the child died again.  The mother brought him to Guru ji, crying and doing Ardaas: “Guru ji, you help millions.  You are the Guru of the world and give everyone peace.  Please bless my son, your grandson.”  Guru ji heard his daughter-in-law’s words and was filled with love and grace.  He resurrected the child again.  He was named Arjaani Mal (one born from prayers).  There were three grandsons who were great saints.  Guru ji said: “my family will grow by the day.”  His family heard this and were extremely happy.  These were the three sons of Baba Mohri ji.

Baba Mohan ji had renounced the awareness of his body.  He only saw his Aatma as his real self.  He was the son of the Guru and a complete Brahmgyaani.  He was not in joy or sorrow and he only focused on his Aatma.  One day, Guru Amardas ji said to Mohan, while he was a child: “come son, Mohan, “Mastana.”  You will remain engrossed in your Aatma and your focus will not go towards the world.”  From that day onwards, he received Aatamgyaan.  He was not aware of his body anymore.  He lived at the spirit level.  He didn’t see his body anymore.  He had a body, but he didn’t feel it.  He lived in the ultimate bliss in the Param Anand (supreme bliss).  He stayed alone in a Chabarra.  His senses were in his control.  He would lock his door and go into Samadhi.  He would stay in there for months at a time, not meeting, speaking or listening to anyone.  One day, Baba Mohan ji opened his door and casually walked outside.  The Sikhs told Guru ji and said: “Baba Mohan ji is walking towards the jungle.”  Guru ji said: “he knows what he is doing but bring him back to his room.  He will go back into his Samadhi.”  The Sikhs went to look for Baba Mohan ji but they couldn’t find him.  He had disappeared and the Sikhs came back.  They saw that Baba Mohan ji had already returned to his Chabarra.  Brahmgyaanis are above space and time.  They live in their own realm.  He was a Brahmgyaani of the highest level.  He was in Samadhi.  Many times, he had disappeared and reappeared out of nowhere.  He would wear a langote and stay bare-headed.  He would wear his hair long and towards the back.  His actions and ways showed that he was not aware of his surroundings.  He would eat food with two hands like children did.  Sometimes he would stay quiet for many months and sometimes he would speak out loud.  His mother was worried for him too as Guru ji had called him a Mastana.  He was a Mastana of Brahmgyaan though.  No one has ever described this 7^th Bhoomika (level) of Brahmgyaan (1. Nijananda 2. Nirananda 3. Parananda 4. Brahmananda 5. Mahananda 6. Chidananda 7. Jagadananda), the Turiya Avastha (the highest state of Brahmgyaan) because they would lose the senses of the world when it was reached.  Mata Mansa Devi ji went to Guru ji and bowed to his feet.  She said: “Maharaj, you bless fools and make them wise; you raise the dead children; please bless your son.  You complete the tasks of your Sikhs.  Mohri ji is wise but why is Mohan out of his senses?  You are omniscient.  If you knew he was going to be like this, then why did you have him married?  Our eldest daughter-in-law is without a husband.  She is always alone.  She is in pain but does not say anything to anyone.  She does not have the attention of her husband.  She is distressed and cannot say anything to anyone.  I look at her and regret: why I married my son to her?  She is a good daughter of her parents and does not say anything.  I have never seen her smile.  The other daughter-in-law is happy and with children.  She has no children.  She does not wear jewellery.  She wears simple clothes.  My heart is in pain.  I feel like she is an orphan.”  Guru ji heard his wife and said: “Mohan is in great bliss.  He is just like me, with his status.  He has reached a level that no other Saint can reach.  He is one with the ocean of bliss and wisdom.  His status cannot be described for human comprehension.  Only he and I know what state he is in.  Mohan is complete in every way.  He is the apex of Brahmgyaan.  You say that our daughter-in-law is an orphan; her husband is complete.  Tell her not to worry.  Give her new clothes to wear and take her to Mohan.  Tell her to bow to Mohan and see the light of Akaal Purakh inside of him.  She is to see Mohan as Akaal Purakh and pray to him.  Mohan will look at her and bless her with a son.  Her son will be a great saint.” 

Mansa Devi ji obeyed and told Baba Mohan ji’s wife to wear new clothes.  Mata ji took her to Mohan ji and had her bow to his feet.  Baba Mohan ji blessed her and she became pregnant.  After a while, she gave birth to a son.  Baba Mohan ji had only one son.  Guru ji was given the great news.  There was a great celebration with Karah Prashaad.  The whole family was in bliss.  Guru ji named him “Sans Ram.”  Sans Ram ji had done Bhagti for many births to be born in the family of an Avatar of Akaal Purakh.  He did a great Tapasya and asked for the same thing in every birth.  As the child was a few days old, his mother died.  Baba Mohan’s wife had died.  Guru ji blessed that child more and told Mata Mansa Devi ji to raise the child.  Guru ji kept him close as well.  Sans Ram was raised by all the other women in the house.  Guru ji used to give his own food to that child.  That child ate Guru ji’s food from his plate everyday.  He was a very wise person and wrote Gurbani.  He was a great scribe and wrote many Pothis of Guru Nanak Dev ji and Guru Angad Dev ji.  Guru Amardas ji’s Banis were written by his hands and he understood the meanings as well.  He was blessed by Guru ji.  He had eaten food from the plate of his Pitamah, his grandfather.  He received Siddhis and Ridhis because of this.  This was known as the Mohan Pothi.  This is the oldest form of Gurbani that was written. 

This was the description of the four grandsons from Guru ji’s sons.  They were wise and treasures of virtues.  They recited Gurbani with faith and love.  If anyone didn’t have children, listening to this Katha, their wishes would be fulfilled.  Whoever listens to the Katha of Guru Amardas ji and engraves it into their heart, their wishes will all be fulfilled.  This Katha gives Mukti and Bhugti.  Whoever knows about the praise of Guru Amardas ji, they receive many rewards.

1-60 Dokhi Tappa/ Matho Muraari

The gracious Guru blesses all and gives peace.  The slanderers are unfortunate and receive their appropriate karma for their sins.  Just as the sun rises, the darkness fades away.  Owls go to sleep when the sun rises.  The owl becomes blind as the sun comes up.  Owls are in pain when the sun rises.  The whole world sings the glory of the Satguru.  They meet Guru ji and have their wishes fulfilled.  There was a Tappa that lived in Goindwal who did not like the glory of Guru ji.  He was the Purohit of the Marwahas, the family of the landlord of Goindwal, Gonda Khatri.  This Tappa was the friend of the Tappa in Khadoor Sahib, who died by Guru Amardas ji’s words.  Guru ji punished that Tappa who had the Khera Jatts make Guru Angad Dev ji leave Khadoor Sahib.  Guru Amardas ji was angry at the way the Tappa had Guru Angad Dev ji treated.  He punished the Tappa with his words.  This katha was in the 22-23 chapters of Raas 1.

When the Baoli at Goindwal was complete, Guru ji had a great ceremony for the opening of the Baoli.  All the castes, Sadhoos and Brahmins were called.  A lot of Langar was made.  Saints, Mahants, Jattis and Ghristis were invited for the Langar.  Everyone gladly accepted the invitation and came to Goindwal.  The Tappa of Goindwal, though, did not accept the invitation.  He was jealous of Guru Amardas ji.  He was burning in his own jealousy.  Three times, Sikhs came to invite him but he refused to come to the Langar.  Sri Satguru ji was the keeper of Dharma and wanted to make sure the Tappa comes.  Guru ji was the destroyer of ego, jealousy and attachment.  Guru ji was without all these.  Guru ji wanted to end the Tappa’s fraud and said: “whoever eats Langar in this ceremony, they will get 1 Rupee.”  The Tappa still didn’t come.  Guru ji then made another statement: “whoever comes to eat Langar, they will get 2 Rupees.”  The Tappa sill didn’t come.  Guru ji then said: “5 gold coins will be given to anyone who comes to eat Langar.”  The Tappa didn’t come but greed began to sprout in his mind.  Guru ji raised his greed to 10 coins next.  When Guru ji said 10 gold coins, then greed overtook the Tappa’s mind.  He was anxious after hearing that.  He made a plan to go.  He went to the Langar but the door was closed.  There was a wall that was 12 feet tall.  He told his son to go inside and get the money and eat Langar.  He lifted his son above the wall but when the boy went over the other side, he fell and broke his leg.  His son began to cry and the Sikhs figured out who the boy was.  The Tappa ran away but the Sangat found out that the Tappa was greedy and had his son break his leg, due to greed.  Guru ji smiled when he heard of the news.  Guru ji said: “the people who are corrupt and greedy, their fraud is exposed in this way.”  The omniscient Guru, Guru Ramdas ji was also there, observing the whole situation.  He had a bucket from the Langar in his hand as he was serving.  He was doing seva and uttered a Salok which comes in Gauri Ki Vaar on ang 315 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji:

Sri Mukhvaak Salok Mahalla 4 (Salok from the holy mouth of Nanak IV)

That person is not a Tappa who has greed in his heart and chases money all the time.  When the Tappa was first invited, he refused our charity but later regretted it and sent his son to sit inside.  The elders laughed at the Tappa saying: “the Tappa is drenched with the waves of greed.  He doesn’t touch little money, but when he was shown more money, he renounced his principles.”  Brother, he is not a tappa but merely a stork.  This is what the Sadhoos decided.  He slanders the saints and praises the world.  For this sin, he is cursed by the Lord.  Look at the outcomes for slandering saints: all his hard work is gone to waste.  He sits with elders and is called a Tappa, but when he comes to the Sangat, he commits sins.  Hari has exposed the secret sins of the Tappa to the elders.  Dharmaraj told his Jumms: “take this Tappa to the place where the worst of the worse murderers are kept.  No one is to face is the Tappa as he is cursed by the Satguru.”  Nanak reveals of what happened in the court of Hari.  Only that person understands this who is adorned by the Lord.1.

Satguru ji is gracious and the idol of love.  He sat in the Pangat and saw the whole situation.  He didn’t stop the son of the Tappa.  He made sure the son of the Tappa had Langar and received the reward.  Everyone cursed the slandering Tappa who said bad things about Guru ji for many years.  Whoever listens to this katha or reads this katha with love and devotion, that Sikh’s slanderers will be destroyed.  The Satguru ji blesses all and is the friend of the poor and weak.  He is the treasure of virtue.  Whoever comes to Guru Amardas ji, they are blessed.

The Katha moves forward.  Listen to the glory of the Katha of Guru ji.  There was a Khatri named Bhai Prema.  He had no parents or siblings remaining.  He was infected with leprosy.  He had no way to make money and no one to serve him as he was an orphan.  His hands and feet began to rot.  No one would let him stand near them.  His whole body had wounds all over it.  Nobody wanted to look at him as he was gruesome-looking.  Flies would follow him everywhere he would go and would bite him.  He had a clay pot hanging in his neck to spit in.  He was always alone.  In time, his knees gave in and he had to slither instead of walking.  If some generous person threw him some food from a distance, he would get food.  Otherwise he was slithering around with hunger.  He spent his time in this way.  It was a painful life.  Everyone hated him.  Nobody wanted to look at him.  He heard of the glory of the Guru.  It was as though a poor person for many lifetimes received the Kalapbrish (the tree of wishes).  As he heard the glory of Guru ji, love and happiness sprouted in his heart.  Just as a cheap person, collects and protects his money, that is how Prema collected the love for the Guru.  His love for the Guru grew and he began to sing a song.  When he would sing the song, it was with so much love, that people enjoyed to listen to it.  It was the love inside him that came out as a melodious tune.  People would stop to hear his song.  He would sing out loud.  The whole village would be able to hear him.  He sang from the depths of his heart.  He sang only one line that he composed.  People from the higher and lower classes came to hear him.  He was drenched in love and didn’t know what he was singing.  He lost himself in his song.  He did not know Raag, poetry or Bani.  He sang without any knowledge of music.  He sang a very simple line: “mujh ab luddha gaya kachota – I have found my lost cover.  Listen all, I will tell you a great thing: I found my lost cover.”  Whenever love would come into his heart he would sing “gaya kachota luddha.”  He would sing for hours.  People would hear him and laugh.  People would bring him water or food.  They thought he sang for food, but he was doing Simran of the Guru.  He wanted to see Satguru Amardas ji.  He couldn’t walk.  He was drenched in love and wanted to meet Guru ji.  He slithered towards the Guru’s home.  He would say: “I will reach Goindwal and my pain will be gone.”  He would follow the Sangat on their way to Goindwal.  Whoever walks on the path of the Guru with humility, why wouldn’t they receive bhugti and mukti?  It took a long time but he eventually made it to Goindwal.  He was very happy.  He came to the street of Sri Chabarra Sahib and slithered on the ground.  He took the dust and dirt near the Guru’s house and rubbed it on his face and poured it in his head with great faith and devotion.  He rubbed the dust from the street where Guru ji and the Sangat would walk on.  He sat on the street and the Sangat would see him.  Some would say to him: “lepers cannot meet Guru ji.  You can only meet Guru ji if he calls for you.”  Prema heard this and got worried.  He thought to himself: “if I don’t get to see Guru Sahib, then it would be a waste for me to have come here.  After travelling such a long way, I will not receive any reward.  I am a sinner and unfortunate.  Sinners are always in pain, but I am not leaving from here.  I will die on the street of the Guru but will not leave.  My life is a waste if I leave.  I will stay at the door of the Guru and die.”  He had love in his heart and sat in a corner on the street.  He would sit there with his hands folded all day long.  He was drenched with love and said “Guru, Guru,” constantly from his mouth.  Sometimes he would sing out loud “mera gaya kachota luddha.”  The Sikhs walking by would listen to him.  Prema would sing loud so Guru ji would hear him.  The Sikhs would stand near him and say: “sing that again.”  They would make fun of him but he would love to sing it all day and night.  For many weeks he sat there and sang “mera gaya kachota luddha.”  He said to himself: “I am a sinner from many past lives.  This is the reason why I am ill.  Guru ji, who sees the whole world, does not show himself to me.  I wish to see the Guru but my sins would not let me see him.  This street is heaven.  One day my sins will be spent.  I am not going to leave the door of the Guru.  I will stay here and die.”  He thought about this all day.  People would come and ask him to sing his song and laugh at him.  They had no idea what was inside his heart.  The Sikhs brought him food out of pity.  He would eat and sit there all day long.  His love grew day-by-day.  He waited for Sikhi for many months.  He sang all day long.  He stayed there waiting for Guru ji.  Some Sikhs saw his determination.  The elder Sikhs had pity and went to Guru ji.  They made a request to Guru ji: “Guru ji, there is a leper who is in pain and has been siting on the street for many months.  He sings a very funny song.  He wishes to see you.  We ask him questions but he does not say anything.  We can tell that he wants to see you.  He does Simran of you all day and sings his song.  We don’t know what his song means.”  Sri Satguru ji explained everything: “I know what he sings.  He says he has found his cover, his skin, his beautiful skin which was lost to leprosy.  He found it because he found the Guru.  He sings this and wants everyone to know what he has found.  I know his love.  This is the love that gives you mukti.”  The Sikhs said: “but he is still a lepper.”  Guru ji said: “he has faith.  He feels he has already been blessed.  He had faith when he heard my name.”   

Prema sang and lost his senses.  Guru ji knew that there was no desire left in his heart.  Guru ji told the Sikhs: “bathe the leper at the place where my bath water gathers.  His body will be new.  Cover him with a majeeta-coloured cloth and bring him to me.  Make sure he is covered from top to bottom.”  The Sikhs did so.  When he was brought to Guru Sahib, Guru ji lifted the cloth from his face and blessed him.  Amrit from Guru ji’s eyes fell on Prema.  Prema’s leprosy was cured and he had become handsome and disease-free.  Guru ji told him to stand up.  When Prema stood up, he was a tall and handsome young man.  Guru Sahib gave him new clothes to wear.  Guru ji gave him the Mantra of Satnam Vahiguru, by placing his hand on Muraari’s head.  Guru ji put a tilak on his forehead.  Prema had become a mountain now from a dust particle.  Guru ji re-named him “Muraari.”  Guru ji then said in the court: “if someone has a daughter which is of age to be married, marry her to this Muraari.  They will be in bliss in both worlds.”  Sheeha Uppal then said to Guru ji, with his hands folded: “my daughter, Matho, is of age.   Prabhoo ji, I will marry her with this man.” 

Sheeha’s wife was a very aggressive person.  He didn’t want to tell her that he had set their daughter’s wedding.  Instead, he told her that Guru ji wants her to do Seva in the Langar, all day long.  As she was doing Seva, Sheeha brought his daughter to Guru ji.  Matho and Muraari were married, right away, in front of Guru Sahib.  Guru ji gave them mukti and bhugti.  Those people are unwise who do not do the Simran of such a Guru.  Guru ji blessed Muraari with everything.  Everyone who saw this, said: “Guru ji can do the impossible.  In an instant, Muraari was disease-free and now has a wife.” 

Sheeha’s wife found out that her daughter was married off to a leper who is an orphan.  She got angry and began to hit her head with her hands.  She came crying to Guru Sahib and said: “Prabhoo, why did you do this?  He is an orphan and a leper.  You married my daughter to him.”  Guru ji laughed and said: “this Muraari will be seen as my son from this day forward.  I have married your daughter to him.  Your daughter is Matho and his name is Muraari.  The Sangat will say Matho’s name first.  The ones who say their names: Matho Muraari, their wishes will be fulfilled.  Whoever worships them, their wishes will come true.  These two have done my Prema Bhagti.  They have been given a Manji.”  Sheeha’s wife was satisfied and went home.  Guru ji said to Matho and Muraari: “go now and preach the True name of Akaal Purakh.  Preach Gursikhi.  Go and live with peace and happiness.  Whatever words will come from your mouth, will become true.  You may grant gifts and curse anyone.  Your Bhagti is complete and you have achieved moksha.  You have achieved a very beautiful status.  Whoever meets you will be saved.  There is nothing else you will ever need.”  They received the gifts of every world and left.  They started their new life and did Simran.  They preached Sikhi.  Their generations preached Sikhi.  The Guru is the saviour of the ill and the poor.  This is why Guru ji is known as “Deen Dyaal.”  He blessed many people.  He blessed the unfortunate and the unwise.  Guru ji’s praises spread far and wide.  Whoever speaks of the Guru’s katha with love, they will receive the four gifts of Dharam, Arth, Kaam and Moksha.