11.21 – 11.25

11-21 Bhai Makhan Shah ji and Guru ji go to Amritsar

When it was morning in Bakala, Dheermal’s camp was empty.  Everyone saw that Dheermal had left.  “The one who did the sinful act could no longer stay there.  Dheermal was in doubt about the safety of his life.  After doing such a sinful act, how would his feet stay there?  Everyone saw his crime.  He was afraid of his Karma.  He feared for his life and left like a coward, loosing his patience.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji heard the villagers say these things. 

Bhai Makhan Shah ji would spend time with Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  He did Guru ji’s Darshan and bowed to his feet everyday.  He wanted to be relieved from the pain from the cycle of birth and death.  He would spend time serving the Great Guru.  Bhagti and faith grew in his heart.  He would listen to Guru ji’s words.  Listening to Guru ji’s sermons, Bhai Makhan Shah ji would feel great peace.  Guru ji gave him the wisdom of Prema Bhagti.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s pain was being washed away. 

One day, Bhai Makhan Shah ji said to Guru ji: “Guru ji, you are the treasure of bliss and joy.  I have always wanted to go to the Sudhasur (Amritsar) made by Guru Arjan Dev ji.  The one that his father started and he completed.  I wish to go there.  I wish to go and take a dip into the Sarovar, the holy pool, so my sins may wash away.  The holy day of Vaisakhi is also near.  I wish to go during this time and bathe in the Sarovar.  I wish to visit the holy place of the Guru, the Sri Gurdhaam.  I wish to see the place which is beautifully praised.  With your kind permission, I would like to go there and come back to you.”  Guru ji replied: “Amritsar is not far from here, the place which gives all the joys.  I will go with you as well.  I will also take a dip into the holy pool and bow my head at the place of purity.  We will go quickly and come back soon.  We will come back here.  The Satguru will fulfill our wishes and give us great wisdom.  The Guru makes the mind pure.”  Satguru ji said this and then continued: “Make preparations for the both of us to go.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji was ecstatic to hear this.  He was going to receive 2 gifts.  He was going to be in Guru ji’s presence and he would get to visit Sri Amritsar Sahib.  He wouldn’t have to hurry back now since Guru ji would be with him.  He saw himself as very fortunate.  He thought to himself: “Guru ji has blessed me.  The amount of time I can spend with Guru ji, that is the best.  I can make the best of my time with him.” 

Bhai Makhan Shah ji went back to his camp to make preparations.  He got ready and made his way towards Guru ji’s home.  He bowed to Guru ji and was drenched in love, seeing him.  He asked Guru ji: “would like to travel by palanquin, chariot or horse?  I will call for it.  You can go on a palanquin carried by “Kahaars,” carriers.  Otherwise I have strong horses.  You can ride a mare or a steed.  Whatever you wish.  You can travel in ease.  Tell me what is your wish.  I will prepare for you.”  Guru ji said to him: “it doesn’t matter; whatever is ready to go, I can take that.  I have no specific preference.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji then called for a mare for Guru ji.  The horse was a white one with a very expensive saddle.  The saddle was loaded with precious gems.  The horse was decorated with jewellery and bells.  It had gold and silver jewellery.  The horse was strong.  If you give it small gestures, it responded right away.  The horse didn’t let the rider feel awkward or uneasy while it rode.  It rode fast.  It would seem like it rides slow but would cover a lot of ground in a short time.  Guru ji was happy to see the horse.  Many servants were taken along.  The personal horse of Guru ji was not taken along.  It was tied up at home to rest while Guru ji rode the mare that Bhai Makhan Shah ji had prepared.  The mare was patient.  Guru ji led the way to Amritsar and Bhai Makhan Shah ji followed with his armed men.  He had taken his men along.  They all travelled and arrived in Amritsar. 

The Masands in Amritsar got news of Guru ji’s decision to visit the holy site.  Sodhi Harji and Chaturbhuj, the sons of Baba Meharvaan ji; they were the caretakers of Amritsar.  They began to worry and got nervous.  They left Amritsar and hid in the other villages.  They said: “we hope Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji doesn’t get into a fight with us.  He will see the great revenue that comes here as Vaisakhi Mela is about to be celebrated.  Maybe that’s why he is coming.  If he stays here, he will see everything.  He will take this place away from us.  Nobody will come to us after that.  Makhan Shah Lubana is with him.  We won’t be able to face him.  He can do to us whatever he wants to.  We heard about what Bhai Makhan Shah ji had done to Dheermal upon his deed.  There is no one greater than Dheermal right now in the Guru’s home.  Who else will they spare?  Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib is now the Guru.  He would surely ask for the money that has been collected here.  He will take the place under his name.  We will not go to receive Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji for this reason.  We will hide in our own places.  We won’t let him in.  We have seen his personality since he was a child.  He doesn’t love anyone.  He was always away from everyone.  He sat alone all the time.  He didn’t meet any of the Masands.  He has now received the Gurta Ghaddi.  It has been made clear that he sits on the Throne of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  This news has spread throughout the world.”  None of the Masands came to welcome Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji in Amritsar.  They thought that since Guru ji had become the Guru, he was first going to come and take the money from Amritsar out of greed.  The Masands thought to themselves: “some Masands were in doubt about who the true Guru was but since Makhan Shah had proved and revealed the true Guru, there was no longer a doubt about this.  It is now decided that he is the Guru.  He is also the son of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji and had the right to command all of the Masands.  it is not good to meet him.  He will take the Harmandir Shaib from us.  We can’t say harsh words to him.”  In this way, the Masands decided all this.  The were unwise and unfortunate that they weren’t going to get the Darshan of the True Guru.  The Masands all decided to close the four doors of Harimandhir Sahib.  They locked all four doors.  The Darshani Deodi (main gate) had huge doors.  They closed the huge doors and fastened a lock on it.  The Omniscient Master, Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji, with his divine vision, saw what the Masands were up to.  There was nobody in or around Harmandar Sahib.  There was no Keertan.  The doors were locked.  Guru ji noticed that the caretakers had become Bemukhs and didn’t consider the traditions of the place.  They had stopped all of the Keertan and Pooja. 

Guru ji spoke to Bhai Makhan Shah ji: “look Makhan Shah, these Masands are up to no good.  Look what they have done.  They are hiding in different places.  They have not come outside to welcome me with respect.  They have become foolish and greedy for money.  They weren’t happy to hear that I was coming.  They locked the doors of Harmandir Sahib.  None of the instruments are playing.  I can’t hear the Rabab, Sarandha or Mridang.  There is no Shabad Keertan happening.  This is happening due to their greed.  They have sinned.”  Baba Makhan Shah ji said: “Satguru ji, please command me without reluctance.  I will do to them what I did to Dheermal.  I will punish the corrupt people.  All of this belongs to you.  The money belongs to you.  These people are thieves, stealing the money of the Guru.  They saw you and locked their doors.  They have no right to do this.  They didn’t come in front of you to say anything.  They didn’t bring any gifts for you.  They weren’t humble to do any Ardaas to you.  I can’t tolerate this disrespect.  Till I don’t scold them, I won’t be at ease.  You are the most forgiving being.  You forgive these people instead of punishing them.”  Sri Guru ji said: “when the time comes, these corrupt people will be punished.  All of the Masands will be asked of their deeds.  They will be punished for everything.  They will be given pain in my court.  During the time of Guru Arjan Dev ji, Guru ji had cursed them, seeing their corruption.  The Masands were using cheap material to build the Sarovar in order to save money.  Guru ji repeatedly told them to not think about the money and use the higher quality material but they didn’t listen.  Guru Arjan Dev ji cursed them that their roots will not remain.  They will be destroyed soon.  When the time comes, their roots will be pulled.  They did all this because of greed.  They were cursed by Guru Arjan Dev ji.  They are already dead.  How can I kill the dead?  They are without faith, contentment and devotion.  They have no hope.  I won’t do bad for anyone.  Whatever is one’s Karma, that is how they are rewarded.  Makhan Shah, bathe in the Sarovar which will wash all of your sins away.  Our wishes will be fulfilled.  The filth of the mind and body will be washed away.  Let’s do the Karah Prashaad along with the Ardaas here.  Guru Ramdas ji will accept our Ardaas from the outside.  The Satguru will complete the wishes of the heart.”  After saying this, Guru ji left Bhai Makhan Shah ji and walked towards the north side of the Sarovar.  Guru ji was the same in joy and sorrow.  He would bless everyone.  Guru ji sat under the Beri on the Thara Sahib which is located today near Akaal Takhat Sahib.

11-22 Sri Amritsar to Vulla

The Masands found out that the compassionate Guru ji stood by the Sarovar for a little while and left after figuring out what the Masands were up to.  The Masands were happy to hear that Guru ji had left.  The Masands came out and began receiving the gifts that the visiting pilgrim Sikhs had brought.  A lot of money was brought.  They wanted Bhai Makhan Shah ji and the other Sikhs to bring the money inside.  There was a great crowd at Sri Harimandhir Sahib as a lot of men came with Bhai Makhan Shah ji.  The Sikhs bathed in the Sarovar.  They brought Karah Prashaad and did their Ardaas after bowing inside Harmandhir Sahib. 

Bhai Makhan Shah ji took a bath in the Sarovar.  After his dip, with deep faith and devotion, he wore new clothes.  He prepared Karah Prashaad to offer inside the Harimandhir Sahib.  He bowed with humility to Guru Ram Das ji.  He bowed over and over again.  This was the first time he came to Harmandir Sahib.  He had an Ardaas done for his coming.  After distributing the Karah Prashaad, the Masands all got together and came to see Bhai Makhan Shah ji.  Upon seeing the Masands, Bhai Makhan Shah ji said to them: “all of you have done a very bad deed.  Sri Guru ji is the compassionate controller and provider of the universe.  He had come here to bless you all.  You became Bemukhs and hid from him in your homes.  You didn’t do his Darshan when he came.  You didn’t show him any respect.  Why did you do such a bad thing?  Guru ji does not say anything to anyone.  He is full of forgiveness.  If Guru Sahib would have commanded me, you would have been in big trouble.  You committed a great sin today without thinking about anything.  You didn’t think about the Guru’s wisdom.  You have made bad karma for your children.  They will feel the pain of your sin.  Blessings are always ready to roll off of his tongue.  Joy and pain live on his tongue.  Why did you not see the light of the Almighty in the Satguru?  It is like taking a sharp axe and foolishly hitting yourself in the foot with it.  You would have been punished right now for this disrespect but this was not the Satguru’s wish.  He wanted to keep peace.”  After listening to Bhai Makhan Shah ji, the Masands got scared and spoke: “Bhai Makhan Shah ji, we will tell you why we did this.  This place exists because of the radiance and blessings of the Satguru.  We know of the greatness of the Gurus.  Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji destroyed the big armies of the Turks.  Since then, the opponents have been jealous and full of hatred.  We tell you the truth.  Then, the Gurta Ghaddi went to Guru Har Rai ji.  He did not live in Amritsar because the Turks would have been jealous of him.  The Turks would have attacked and disrespected Sri Amritsar.  Guru ji thought about this and didn’t come to sit in the Darbar, here.  The Turks are not on good terms with us.  Another reason why we didn’t come is because until now, the whereabouts of the True Guru was not well known.  Not everyone accepts him yet.  Most of the Masands still do not know and the Sangat is still confused.  The Sikhs are not unanimous about this.  Gifts haven’t been given to him.  His praise has not spread yet.  When the True Guru is declared unanimously and is revealed, we will bow to him and become his servants.”  The Masands made many false excuses.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji replied to their justification: “Sri Guru Harkrishan ji declared that “the Baba is in Bakala.”  He has been revealed accordingly.  There is nothing more to reveal now.  Nothing is hidden.  Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji has been declared in Bakala already.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji told the Masands his whole story of how he found the True Guru.  After listening to the telling of his experience, the Masands got scared.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji said: “there is still time.  Go and ask for forgiveness from Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji and let go of your corruptness and cleverness.  What has been done, let it pass.  Fold your hands and make your request.”  The Masands heard this and talked amongst themselves.  They said to each other: “we shouldn’t go against Makhan Shah.  We don’t want him to become our enemy.  We don’t want that to happen to us what happened to Dheermal.  Let’s go and meet him outside, wherever he is sitting.  We will make him happy by saying sweet words.  Let’s take some gifts and Karah Prashaad, as per the rituals of the Guru’s home.”  The Masands all head off with their eyes lowered. 

After leaving Amritsar, Guru Sahib ji went towards the village Vulla.  Vulla was about 12 km north of Amritsar.  Guru ji was staying at the home of a Sikh in Vulla village.  The fortunate Sikh did Guru ji’s Seva.  Night had fallen and Guru Sahib ji, whose words open the door to Mukti, was resting.  The next morning Guru Sahib ji got up in the last watch of the night and took a bath.  He sat on a bed and did his Nitnem.  The Masands came to see him with great fear in their hearts.  They folded their hands in a pitiful way and came to ask for forgiveness.  They bowed with fake humility with their bodies.  They placed gifts in front of Guru ji and said: “we are afraid of the Turks.  We live in Amritsar with great uncertainty.  The Turks keep an eye on us.  They always come to see if the Guru lives in Amritsar or not and always come to bother us.  They have hatred in their hearts.  Painday Khan, who was killed by Guru Hargobind Sahib ji in battle, his son and relatives come to see us.  The other relatives whose elders were killed by Guru ji, they wait for the Guru to come back to Amritsar.  They have hatred towards us.  They are looking for excuses to attack.  We are afraid of all these corrupt people.  We don’t want them to come and cause any damage.  We, that live in Amritsar, remain loyal to you, Guru ji.  This place is your property, you are the master of this land.  Take what you please.”  Observing the Masands, Guru Sahib ji knew that they were lying.  He saw the Masands standing in front of him, who were filled with corruptness in their minds.  The Masands made up excuses because the truth was that they were greedy for money, like dogs are greedy for bones.  Guru ji knew that they stole the money and gifts offered by Sikhs and used them for their personal needs and wants.  Guru ji thought to himself: “they have looted the Sangat for a long time.  They are fools who have forgotten the Dharma.  Their destroyer will come soon.  The great being, the king of kings, the warrior of warriors, the saint of saints; will come and punish them very soon.”  After thinking about this, the Omniscient Guru spoke: “Masands, you are not the “Amritsariay” (inhabitants of the pool of immortality).  You are the “Antarsariay” (burning from within).  The fire of greed has burnt you from within.  You are evil from within.  You are walking on the wrong path.  You will be punished for this.  Either you or your children will suffer for your evil deeds.  You lived in the Guru’s home and became criminals.”  Guru ji, the Master, said this and then went silent.  The Masands met Guru ji and then left quietly.  They had been cursed by Guru ji.  It was a very painful curse.  How would they receive the wisdom of the Guru?  The curse: “Antarsariay” (burning from within), I (Kavi Santokh Singh ji) have seen this even during my time.  (Kavi ji comments on the caretakers of Sri Harmandir Sahib during his time.) 

Guru Sahib stayed in that village a little longer and waited for Bhai Makhan Shah ji to return.  Guru ji was connected to his real for which was in total Anand, bliss.  Corruptness, desire or any vice was not able to touch him.  After eating in a great way, Guru ji sat down on a bed.

11-23 Guru ji Leaves Bakala

Historical account given by Sant Giani Sher Singh ji that is not mentioned by Kavi Santokh Singh ji – “As the Masands visited Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji, Guru ji deemed and declared the Masands as not deserving to be called the “Masands of Amritsar.”  The women: wives and mothers, came to do the Darshan of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji as well.  They recognized the faults of the men of their households and came to apologize to Guru ji for the misdeeds of the Masands.  They brought milk, yoghurt, Roti and other foods for Guru ji.  They asked Guru ji to forgive the men of their households.  Guru ji blessed them by saying: “Mayeeaa Rab Rajaaeeyaa,” which means: the mothers follow the will of Rab (Akaal Purakh) or the mothers can convince the Rab.  The significance of this blessing is that mothers will have the ability to do Ardaas for the men of their households by making Akaal Purakh happy.”

The Katha now continues as per Kavi Santokh Singh ji.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji took a dip in the Sarovar of Amritsar and had an Ardaas done.  After his Ardaas and Darshan of the Darbar, the wise Sikh headed towards the town where Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji was visiting.  He faced the direction towards Vulla and walked with his men.  He was happy.  While he was travelling towards the place where Guru Sahib ji was staying, he was thinking of the glories of the great Guru: “nobody is calmer or more patient than Guru ji.  The Sri Bhagavan is omnipotent.  He is the all-powerful being.”  He kept thinking of Guru ji’s glories.  He soon arrived in Vulla and set up his Dhera.  He and his men set up the camp and organised their belongings.  Baba Makhan Shah ji kept a strict watch.  Everyone was at attention as the people of Mudhar Desh were known to be corrupt at that time. 

Baba Makhan Shah ji met Guru ji and bowed to him.  He spoke to Guru ji about his conversations with the Masands: “these Masands are really greedy for money.  They let me and the other Sikhs in.  They became Bemukhs towards you and locked the doors.  They don’t have faith in you yet.  They didn’t know how to recognize the real Guru.  I scolded them and told them of your greatness.  They then decided to come to see you.  They are taking care of the Guru’s place because of money.  Their minds have been taken over by greed.  If they are not punished, they will become more egotistical.  They will get more spoiled.  I am afraid of you, that’s why I didn’t punish them.  You didn’t say I can’t scare them though.”  The Master, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji, spoke after recognizing the faults of the Masands: “they will be severely punished.  A great being will be born.  He will scold them and kill them.  He will pull their roots out.  Some, he will spare; but most will perish.  They will suffer for their wrongdoings.  The Sikhs will no longer pay any attention to the Masands once they will be dealt with.”  After the brief discussion, Guru Sahib ji went to sleep and Bhai Makhan Shah ji went back to his camp. 

They all slept the night in joy.  Guru ji awoke at Amritvela.  Everyone got ready to leave.  The horses were saddled with beautiful saddles.  The whole Vaheer travelled and reached Baba Bakala soon.  Guru ji came into his home.  He met his mother, Mata Nanaki ji, and bowed to her as he arrived.  Mata Nanaki ji was very happy to see Guru Sahib and thought to herself: “he has been saved from many problems.”  Mata ji’s love grew for her son even more.  Mata ji touched her son’s face and put her hand on his hand to bless him.  She gave him a lot of love.  Baba Makhan Shah ji and his men came and set up camp.  The horses were tied.  They all ate and slept the night.  Guru Sahib fell asleep as well.  When it was the last hour of the night (approximately 2am) Guru Sahib got up and did his morning cleansing.  He then sat in Samadhi.  The news spread around the world: “the Guru is now Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  The 22 Manjhis that the Sodhis set up, they have gone back to their homes in shame.  Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji is the son of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  He now sits on the Gurta Ghaddi.”  The Sikhs of the villages and the cities got together and discussed the Guru’s great praises.  Near and far, the Sikhs came to do the Darshan of Guru ji.  They came from their homes to Bakala.  They brought many gifts for Guru ji.  They all came to Bakala.  The Sikhs all faced Bakala.  When Guru ji sat in court, thousands would stand in respect.  They would bow and present a lot of money.  The money and glory grew by the day.  The Sikhs bowed with faith and devotion.  The money came from every direction.  The Sikhs believed in Guru ji.  They folded their hands and bowed. 

The Sodhis heard about this and saw this.  They couldn’t tolerate the glory of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  Their hearts burned.  They spoke harsh words, filled with hatred.  They didn’t know the greatness of the Guru.

For many days Bhai Makhan Shah ji had stayed in Bakala.  After some time, he wanted to go back home.  He wanted to ask for permission to go back home as it had been a long time since he had returned.  His dreams were fulfilled, his life was blessed, all of his doubts were cleared.  He received the Darshan of the true Guru.  One day, he came sat down with Guru ji.  He bowed with humility.  He showed his love and said: “I came from a far away land.  I wished for your Darshan.  You have blessed me in every way.  I am content.  You destroyed my doubts.  My chest is calm and cool.  I left home a long time ago.  I wish to leave after saying your name.”  Guru ji heard this and spoke casually: “I don’t wish to live here anymore either.   I shall cross the river Sutlej and make a new home there.  The Sodhi cousins here see me everyday and burn with hatred and jealousy.  I do not wish to see any violence here.  I wish to go where there is peace.  I wish to be away from conflict.  I will live there in peace.  Sri Guru Har Krishan ji said: “the Guru is in Bakala.”  I had to stay here till then.  Now that the Gurta Ghaddi was transferred here, my work here is done.  These other Sodhis came here, hoping to get the Gurta Ghaddi based on Guru Har Krishan ji’s words.  They can all stay here.  More may come.  If I stay here, they will all remain in conflict with me.  Dheermal already has shown his hatred and jealousy.  What did he get out of it?  He got pain for his doing.  For that reason, I have decided to leave Bakala.”  Satguru ji had preparations started for departure.  He said to his mother: “it is good to live somewhere else now.  The haters will grow their hate here.”  Guru ji spoke to his mother and laid down to rest for the night. 

After spending the night in joy, everyone got up in the morning and bathed.  Guru ji bathed and wore his clothes.  Mata Nanaki ji understood and accepted everything: “my son does not wish to live here in this place anymore.”  Mata ji had all of the household items packed up.  She packed everything that had been gathered over the many years they had lived there.  She did not want to leave her home.  After her husband left his body, Mata ji had lived here.  There was nothing she could do.  She shed tears as she packed everything.  The horses were saddled. 

Bhai Makhan Shah ji had made his preparations as well and had his men lift all of the luggage and belongings on to the carts and horses.  He said to his men: “pack up our luggage as well as Guru ji’s stuff quickly.  Don’t let Mata ji work.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji went to go see Guru ji.  He got off his horse and bowed to the Guru ji.  He folded his hands and said: “Guru ji, please mount your ride.  All of the preparations have been made.  We will have to cross the river on boats.  My men will catch up to us and bring all of the luggage there.  They will load it there.”  Listening to Bhai Makhan Shah ji, Guru Sahib ordered for his horse.  The horse was a very strong one with an expensive saddle.  A servant brought the horse to Guru ji.  Guru Sahib did an Ardaas to Guru Nanak Dev ji and then got on top of the horse.  He proceeded with Bhai Makhan Shah ji.  Guru ji took the reins of his horse from the servant.  Baba Makhan Shah ji was on his horse and set off behind Guru ji.  Baba Makhan Shah ji’s men were on their horses behind him. 

Mata Gujri ji (Guru Sahib’s wife) was ready as well.  Her brother, Baba (Mamma) Kirpal Chand ji, also left with Guru Sahib’s “vaheer” (travelling community) on top of his horse.  The Vaheer was ready.  All of their luggage was loaded onto carts as well.  Many Sikhs and servants were also going with Guru Sahib and a big vaheer was formed.  Some were ahead, some were behind.  The people were sad leaving this place.  The people thought to themselves: “the Gurta Ghaddi has been revealed.  The Sodhis were jealous of Guru ji.  They will cause conflicts for no reason.  They will hate.  They are corrupt.  This was giving pain to Guru ji as he saw them.  In Bakala, where Guru ji lived, he left his home seeing the hatred of the Sodhis.  He wants to live somewhere else.  Where he is going?  Nobody knows.  We wonder where the new home will be.”  The servants all thought about this.  They were sad as they travelled.

Satguru Tegh Bahadhur ji, Bhai Makhan Shah ji and his 500 armed men were travelling with the Vaheer.  After travelling a little distance, they arrived at the Bipasha (Beas) River.  They all had to cross the river on ferries and boats.   The water was pure and clean.  They all stopped and looked at the pure water flowing.  There was no boat nearby.  Guru ji stood there, where Gurduara Amaanatsar Sahib stands today.  The Seva of the Gurduara was done by Baba Bishan Singh ji Nihang Singh (Baba Bakala).  The Vaheer all caught up in the meantime.  The compassionate Guru stood there and waited.

11-24 Sri Guru Granth ji placed in the Water

Guru ji was waiting at the shore for the whole vaheer to arrive.  He wanted everyone to cross together.  The luggage was not much as most of the household items were given to Dheermal.  The luggage was loaded onto smaller horses.  The Vaheer slowly came to Guru ji.  As time passed, many Sadhoos (ascetics) and Fakirs had joined his vaheer and wanted to stay with Guru Sahib.  The Udaasis and other Sampradas were with Guru ji.  There were about 700 of them with Guru ji.  They all came and stood by Guru ji.  They had faith and devotion towards Guru ji.

As Guru Sahib was waiting, there then came a group of Sikhs that had Guru Granth Sahib ji on top of their head.  Guru Sahib and the whole sangat bowed their heads and paid their respects.  Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji then asked: “which Granth Sahib is this and where are they going?  Who is taking care of them?  Ask the Sikhs.”  Baba Kirpal Chand ji, the brother of Mata Gujri ji, said in front of everyone: “this is the Guru Granth Sahib ji written and compiled by your elder, Guru Arjan Dev ji.  Dheermal had snatched their possession by deceit and kept them with him.  When Dheermal’s Dhera was looted, Guru Granth Sahib ji were brought over to our place.  They are really special.  To have their Darshan is highly rewarding.  Your elders have compiled them.  Where their Pooja is done, that place is also worshiped.  The Sangat will come there where they are.  People do their Darshan and bring a lot of gifts.  It is better that they stay close to you as you are now the Guru.  It is not right that they be somewhere else.”  Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji heard this and said: “why should they stay with me?  Who brought them here?  When I had told everyone to return the items brought from Dheermal, why were my orders not carried out fully?  They were with Dheermal for a long time.  It is right to them back to him.  It is not right to take them from him.  He will be upset and depressed because of this.”  Baba Kirpal Chand ji spoke: “it was decided by Mata Nanaki ji and Bhai Makhan Shah ji that Guru Granth Sahib ji should stay with the Gurta Ghaddi which meant they should stay with you.  They were written by your Pitamah.  He prepared the Guru Granth Sahib ji.  They should be with you.  The one who sits on the Gurta Ghaddi, that’s where they should be.  Mata ji thought about this and that’s why they were not returned.  Oh giver of joys, you should think about this.  This sounds right.  They are rare and valuable.  It is not right to give them back, Guru Sahib ji.”  As Baba Kirpal Chand ji was justifying the decision to keep Guru Granth Sahib ji, Mata Nanaki ji arrived on a beautiful chariot.  Mata Gujri ji was along her side, in a beautiful palanquin with golden zarri all around it.  Mata Nanaki ji heard her son and shook her head.  She thought her son to be stubborn.  She was astonished that the person who tried to take her son’s life, was being shown mercy by her son.  Her son wanted to give the enemy back the Guru Granth Sahib ji.  She thought to herself: “what should I say to him?  He is too simple.  He doesn’t understand the ways of the world.”

Guru Sahib ji said to the Sikhs: “they belong to Dheermal.  Somebody should take them back to him.  Take Guru Granth Sahib ji back to Kartarpur.  They won’t stay with me.  Take them to Kartarpur.”  The Sikhs folded their hands and said: “Dheermal is a corrupt person from mind and body.  Visiting him is bad.  He is a sinner and a slanderer of the Guru.  He fired bullets upon you.  He stays with bad people.  There aren’t any good people around him.  No one wants to go see him to deliver the Guru Granth Sahib ji.  We don’t want to see him.  He is guilty.  We can’t tolerate him.”  Guru ji heard the Sikhs’ words and thought about what to do: “I can’t keep Guru Granth Sahib ji.  I wish to have them go back to Dheermal some how.”  Mata Nanaki ji spoke to stop him: “my son, why are you being so stubborn?  Guru Granth Sahib ji are very rare and valuable.  They are of our elders.  They won’t be able to be found again.  Don’t give them.  Keep them with us.  Think about this in a good way.  The enemy should feel bad.  He should be punished for his misdeeds.  Dheermal did not think about our relationship and he wished to have you killed.  He didn’t think of your greatness.  He is your nephew but very egotistical.  He doesn’t think of you as his elder.  He didn’t respect you in any way.  He wanted to kill you.  You should not show so much love towards him.  Look at his corrupt mind.”  Guru Sahib ji went quiet after listening to her mother’s lecture.  He started thinking in his head that the Guru Granth Sahib ji needs to be back with Dheermal: “the Sikhs aren’t agreeing to take Guru Granth Sahib ji back.  They see Dheermal as a criminal.  The bad deed he did, the Sikhs don’t like him or want to see him.  The Sikhs don’t want to see his face.  How can I send Guru Granth Sahib ji back to him?”  (This was Guru Sahib’s divine vision coming into play as the Khalsa was going to go through hard times in the 18th and 19th centuries.  Because the family of Dheermal was well connected politically, the Guru Granth Sahib ji was going to be safe in their home.  They are still at their home as of current times).  Guru ji thought about this as he waited for the boats to arrive. 

The boats had finally arrived and everyone boarded the boats.  The chariots and the palanquins all boarded.  Baba Makhan Shah ji and his men got on top of ferries.  Guru Granth Sahib ji was on a boat in a clean place.  The Mullahs (boat drivers) started to row the boat.  The river was deep.  The boats sailed to the other shores.  When the boats reached to the other shore, everyone got off.  Satguru ji got off the boat.  There was a Sikh who was headed towards Kartarpur and came to Guru Sahib ji for permission to leave.  Guru ji had asked the Sikh where he was from.  He said: “I am going to Kartarpur.”  Guru Sahib ji said to him: “do a task for me.  Give Dheermal a message from me:  “the Guru Granth Sahib ji that has been taken from you, I am setting them in the Beas River.  Come here and take them.  They will stay with you forever.  I don’t wish to keep them.  They will be within the Panth for the future.”  The Sikh folded his hands and said to Guru Sahib: “I will give your message as soon as I reach.”  In this way, the Giver of Mukti instructed the Sikh.  The Sikh took leave from Guru Sahib and headed home. 

Guru Sahib ji checked the river to see where the water was deep.  He then took Guru Sahib ji along with the Manji Sahib from the Sikhs and shouted out aloud: “Oh River, take care of Guru Granth Sahib ji.  I am entrusting you to keep the Guru Granth Sahib ji safe inside of you.  Dheermal will come and take them from you.”  He then took Guru Granth Sahib ji along with the Manjhi Sahib that Guru Granth Sahib ji were on and set them into the water.  The whole sangat watched and were deeply shocked.  The sangat talked amongst themselves: “this is very shocking!  It’s unorthodox!  Guru ji wishes well for Dheermal, the enemy.  The valuable thing that should be kept, he wants to give it back to his relative.  Nobody wanted to go there, so what is this that Guru ji is doing?  He placed them into the water.  The flow is fast.  The water will destroy the pages when they get wet.  The Guru Granth Sahib ji won’t survive.  The pages will rot quickly.  The words will not remain.   Just as a picture does not survive without a wall, the words will not survive without the pages.”  The Sikhs talked in this way with each other.  They did not know the glory of the Guru. 

Guru ji then walked off ahead.  Baba Makhan Shah ji and the others followed.  The faithful Sikhs remained quiet.  They saw every action of Guru ji as a good one.  They said: “whatever he does is for the good.  Only he knows his ways.”  Some said: “this was a very bad thing.  Guru Granth Sahib ji will drown in the river or flow off.  They won’t be found again.  They were written by Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji’s hands.  Guru ji has made them disappear.  Such a valuable thing will not be found again.  Who can reason with Guru ji about this?  To put them in the water was a very bad thing.  They will flow off to somewhere else.” 

Mata Nanaki ji saw this and was full of rage and anger.  She was upset on her chariot and did not say anything to her son for a long time.  Guru ji was at the front on his horse.  The servants, Sikhs and Fakirs all travelled behind Guru ji.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji saw Satguru ji’s actions and stayed quiet.  He was surprised at what he saw.  He couldn’t say anything.  He knew that Guru ji was omnipotent.  He thought to himself: “I am a limited person.  What would I know?”  It was this event that was the reason that the Guru Granth Sahib ji complied by Guru Arjan Dev ji and scribed by Bhai Gurdas ji has been kept safe with the Sodhi Family in Kartarpur.  The Sikh Sangat go there every year in modern times to visit the first Guru Granth Sahib ji.  Maharaja Ranjit Singh ji had borrowed this Saroop to make corrections in other copies of Guru Granth Sahib ji.  When they were returned to Kartarpur, Maharaj Ranjit Singh ji had gifted the Jagir of many lands to the Sodhi family. 

11-25 Dheermal gets the Message

The person that was headed towards Kartarpur, heard Guru ji’s word.  He was quite shocked to see what Guru ji had done.  He thought to himself: “what did the Guru just do?  Guru Granth Sahib ji was written on paper.  He put them in water.  Now he is telling Dheermal to take them back.  If he is able to take them out of the water without them being destroyed, the Guru is truly very powerful.  If the Guru Granth Sahib ji is not found, or gets destroyed, then they would be lost forever.  The Guru Granth Sahib ji is rare.  Consider it gone.  I think he is trying to tease Dheermal by mocking him; asking him to retrieve the Guru Granth Sahib ji, knowing they will be destroyed.”  He thought of this and travelled.  He had to give the message quickly, so he walked fast.

Oh listeners, listen to the Katha of Guru Granth Sahib ji.  Then I will return to Guru ji’s history.  The Sikh arrived in Kartarpur and kept thinking of this interesting situation.  He went straight to Dheermal’s home.  He saw him as the Guru and so he bowed to him.  He folded his hands and told him everything: “I am coming from there.  I will tell you what I saw.  I saw the Satguru Tegh Bahadhur ji, the Patient One, near the Beas.  He told his Sikhs to take the Guru Granth Sahib ji to Sri Kartarpur but nobody obeyed him.  He then took the Guru Granth Sahib ji and put them into the river.  He told me to give you a message: “I have given the Guru Granth Sahib ji to the Beas River.  Come and retrieve them.”  I kept on staring at the Guru.  He told me to give you this message.  I saw everything.  He put the Guru Granth Sahib ji in the river along with the Manjhi Sahib and the Rumaalas.  I quickly came to you to tell you this message.  I thought of you and came to you first.”  Without Guru Granth Sahib ji, Dheermal was depressed.  He had a deep pain in his heart.  Dheermal heard the message the person spoke and became happy, right away.  It was as though he had already brought Guru Granth Sahib ji back.  He then thought carefully and asked the person: “how did he give them to the river?  How will they be as before?  The papers will be wet and then rot.  If we retrieve them, what use will they be?”  The corrupt Masand, standing by, spoke: “what did he do?  Didn’t anybody stop him?  This was the symbol of the elder Gurus.  It is lost now.  That Saroop was rare and valuable.  If the Guru Sangat wishes to do their Darshan, how will they?  Doing their Darshan destroyed the sins.  Both, us and he, have lost them forever.  What benefit did he see in this?  He sent a person to you to tease you.  He told you to take them out of the water.  He is making fun of you.  He spoiled a really big thing for us.  How can someone fix this?” 

Dheermal thought about this.  He got worried.  He spoke to everyone about Guru ji: “what you say, makes sense but if we think about it, I have seen Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji’s personality since I was a child; the elder Satguru ji respected him a lot.  Guru Hargobind ji respected him a lot.  My Chacha has never lied in his life, even by mistake.  His mind has always had positive virtues.  He holds high morals.  Even now, look at what happened in Bakala.  Look at what I did to him and look how he handled it.  He was calm and cool like a great Sadhoo.  He didn’t think about what I did.  He was generous towards us.  Whatever was looted, everything was returned, including what we looted.  He gave me his Pooja money.  Can anyone else do such a thing?  For this reason, I see him as a true and generous Sadhoo.  He is very simple.  I trust his words.  I don’t doubt him.  He doesn’t know how to tease anyone.  Why would he lie to me?  If we think about it, it was us who made mistakes.  He still forgave us.  He sent everything back plus more.  Let’s go to the river right now!  Let’s take out the Guru Granth Sahib ji and take care of them.  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji and the other Gurus will bless us.  I have been doing many Ardaas’s to them.  I have promised a lot of Karah Prashaad for this.  I think they accepted my request.  The Guru Granth Sahib ji is rare.  Let’s make the effort!  If we are successful, all our wishes will be fulfilled.  My family will be praised for having the Guru Granth Sahib ji.  They will be considered great.  Many gifts will be brought by Sikhs here again.  By Guru Granth Sahib ji being with me, I will have the Gurta Ghaddi.  I will be prosperous.  The enemy will burn of jealousy.  If a poor person gets the Kalapbrish, that is how I will be.  Let’s go!  Get ready!  Don’t doubt this.”  Sheeha Masand heard this and said: “you’re getting happy over words.  Your relative is big.  He’s your enemy.  You’re singing his praises.  He will become the Guru.  Nobody will come to you.  He is making fun of you.  You will look weak when you go to the Beas to look for them.  Everyone will laugh at you; seeing you as a fool without wisdom.  The river flows fast.  The water probably took the Guru Granth Sahib ji to the ocean by now.  Where will you look?  How will you get them?  Think about this.  They may be covered with sand now.  How will we find them?  Evern if we do find them, the paper will be ruined by now.  You’ve lost them.  Don’t cause your own insults.  You don’t understand your relative’s mocking you.  If he wanted to return them, he would have done it before, when he returned your other things.  You saw this.  He returned those items you looted because he wants to be praised by the Sangat.  He showed his virtues to impress people.  He wants people to call him a Sadhoo that is generous.  People will give him more gifts because of this.  You don’t understand his deeper strategy.  You are trusting the words of your enemy.”  The Masand spoke other things.  He kept slandering Guru ji.  He didn’t let Dheermal go.  That day passed.

Dheermal kept doing Ardaas.  He thought day and night.  He would then finally make the decision to go in the mornings.  He would get ready to go in the morning, trusting the words of the Guru: “he can’t lie.  He always speaks the truth.”  As he would be about to leave, Sheeha would stop him by saying false things about Guru ji.  Dheermal would fall in doubt and stay.  His mind was not at rest.  He was undecisive.  He would spend the whole day in worry.  When he would get ready to go, the sinner would stop him. 

Many days passed like this, conversing about this.  How much can I say?  Dheermal’s worries did not go away.  When he would trust the Guru, Sheeha would put him in doubt.  The praises of the Guru are like the Swanti drop.  The Sikhs are like the seashells, which take in the drop to form the pearl.  The praise of the Guru becomes the pearl within the mind of the Sikhs.  This pearl gives the Anand of Mukti.  This would destroy poverty and worry.  If the Swanti lands on the sinner, like the snake, it makes the venom of slander.  They do bad and bite people with their venom.  They destroy the faith of the Sikhs they have upon the Guru.  Bad company give bad colour.  Who can be not spoiled from this?  First of all, Dheermal was bad.  He was jealous of the Guru’s radiance.  When he would see the praises of the Guru, faith would arise in his heart.  The corrupt Masands would destroy it.  Many days passed like this.  Dheermal was worried.

One day Dheermal had enough and became stubborn.  He said: “let’s go once and search the waters.  Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji is a great being.  His words are true.”  The corrupt Masand tried to stop him by saying: “why are you becoming so weak?”  Not today.  The praise of the Guru won that day.  Dheermal said: “I am going to go once.  I will listen to the words of the Guru and get the Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.”

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