.

11-46 Sangat of the East

There were many Sikhs in the East who had a deep faith.  They wanted to see Guru Sahib but because Punjab was so far away, it was hard for them to go.  They would meet each other regularly and sing Gurbani Kirtan and do Simran of Satnam.  They thought of Guru ji.  They loved the lotus feet of Guru ji.  They were praying in their hearts to be in the presence of The Guru: “when will he fulfill our wishes?”  We long for the Guru to come to our homes; like the Chatrik calling out to the Swanti drop; like the lotus longing for the sun, making the eyes gleam.  We wish to see Guru ji like the Chakor longing for the moon.  When will he see his servants as thirsty and give us the Amrit of his words?  These are our wishes.  We wish to see Guru ji in our homes.  We will serve him in every way.  The sins of our births will be washed away then.”  They thought of all this and made promises in their own homes.  Some prepared a bed for Guru ji.  They spent a lot of time, effort and money in making a bed or seats in their homes.  They made the sheets with a fine cotton.  Nice blankets were laid out.  They used the best silks for tying the sides of the bed.  Zarri tassels were fastened to the ends.  The legs were painted with different colours.  Paintings were made on them.  They prepared these things and placed them in their homes.  The Sikhs made determinations: “this bed is only for Sri Guru ji.”  On a daily basis, they would worship the beds as if Guru Sahib was sitting there.  They would light ghee lamps and burn incense.  They would splash the beds with sandalwood essence and picture Guru ji sitting there, in their minds.  Sometimes they would really believe that he was sitting there.  Some had cholay and clothes made for Guru ji and were hoping that Guru Sahib would come one day and wear it.  They bought expensive cloths for Guru Sahib’s dastaar and Chola.  They worshipped it by offering flowers and sandalwood essences to it everyday.  They sat in the Sangat and said: “we will make our Guru ji wear these clothes.”  Some built new homes and wanted Guru ji to come inside their homes with his horse and so they made big front doors.  They didn’t want Guru ji to get off his horse outside of their homes.  They made a special place inside their homes with paintings and craftsmanship on the walls.  They said: “this is where Guru ji will set up his Dhera.”  They would worship that area.  They kept waiting for Guru ji.  Some planted fruit trees: bananas, Bers, peaches, guavas, apples and other fruits that birds ate.  They planted colourful plants with apricots, lemons and pomegranates.  They planted colourful flowers in their gardens and would say to their relatives “this is the garden that Guru Sahib will walk through when he comes.”  They would water the plants.  They made a place for Guru ji sit on in the gardens.  There was greenery in every direction.  It looked like emeralds all around.  Some had collected the best food and some collected the best dry fruits and nuts.  They would say: “when Sri Guru ji comes, we will give him these foods to eat.”  They collected the stuff and kept it for Guru ji.  Some had tarps and carpets prepared for Guru ji.  They collected feed for the horses.  In this way, they collected and prepared all this stuff for Guru ji.  They would make lists of items of need and fetch them. 

When the Sangat would meet, they would pray with their hands folded: “oh True Satguru, you are omniscient, the knower of all hearts. You are omnipotent.  You know of the Seva your Sangat is doing.  You are the Compassionate One, who keeps the promise of his Sikhs.  You complete the oaths of your Sangat.  You kept the honour of Bidar.  Please bless us as well one day.  Whoever remembered you in all of the 4 Yugas, you came and completed their tasks.  You are tied by the rope of love.  The servants see you close to them.  The powerful King Bali snatched Heaven and wanted to give the Devatas pain.  He wanted to become the king of Heavan and performed a 100 yagnas.  He gave a lot of donations for this reason.  The Devatas got worried seeing this.  They were depressed and came to you.  They said: “oh Madhusudhana, we only seek your protection.”  Inder prayed with the Devatas as well.  They requested you with love.  Prabhoo ji, you couldn’t see their pain.  You took birth as Vamana Avatar to help the Devatas and cheat Raja Bali.  You saw Raja Ambreesh (Amrik – the ancestor of Ram Chander ji) as your Bhagat.  Prabhoo ji, you protected him from Durbasa’s curse.  In the Treta Yuga, you took an Avatar as Ram Chander ji and went to the jungles to show your ways.  Your servants were waiting for you in the jungle, that’s why you went there.  You blessed the Bheelani caste woman.  You went to give her peace.  Sri Prabhoo ji, you went to her.  You completed her wishes.  You gave her the highest status.  Then, as Sri Krishna ji you went to Vidhur’s home.  You ate the rice of Sudama.  You protected the honour of Draupati and all who needed your protection.  In Kaliyuga you took an Avatar as Guru Nanak Dev ji.  You went to Ahmnabad and blessed Lalo the Shoodra.  You went to his home and ate his food with joy.  The ones that sat on the throne of Guru Nanak Dev ji, they kept the same traditions.  You completed all of the wishes of the ones who loved you.  We, the Sangat of the East, have full faith that you will come and bless us soon.  You are compassionate towards the weak.  We are waiting for you.  Complete our faith oh Omniscient One.  Listen to the pleas of your servants.  You only look for love.  You come to your lovers first.  What else can we say?  We say your name and call upon you.  You don’t look at wealth, money, purity, tapp and Tapasya.  You don’t care if one is a scholar of the 6 Shastras.  You don’t care for scholars or Pandits.  You don’t care for the ones who promote their ideologies and slander others.  You leave them all behind.  The ones who love your lotus feet, you see their love, oh Master.  You are under their spell and fulfill their wishes in an instant.  This is your tradition, which everyone knows about.  You leave the Vedic and social traditions to go to your servants.  You are under the spell of such servants, day and night.  These are your great virtues, oh Prabhoo.  Everyone sees this.” 

The Sangat of the east would pray to Guru ji everyday.  They got together and did Simran of Guru ji.  They would collect many things with love to give to Guru ji.  They sang Shabad Keertan with love.  Their eyes would shed tears.  This devotion and love for the Guru blossomed because of their good karma of their past births.  They did Simran of Vahiguru all the time.  They said: “see us as poor and give us your Darshan.  Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji, we have heard of your virtues.  You arrive wherever you are remembered.  You give your Darshan and protect your servants.  There is no doubt in this.”  They folded their hands in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji (in the East many Saroops of Bhai Bano ji’s version were present at that time) and made their pleas.  They said: “complete our wishes.  You are the live Jot, the giver of Mukti to your servants.”  They would make Karah Prashaad and do their Ardaas.  They would bow and have faith in the Satguru.  They said: “please don’t delay Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji.  Give us your Darshan.  We bow to you.”  In this way, in the east, the Sikhs of many villages and cities did their Ardaas and waited for Guru ji with love.  They sang his praises.  Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji, the omniscient Lord of all the worlds, heard the pleas of the Sangat.  He left all his tasks and went to the east to give his Sikhs his Darshan.   He gave other Sikhs his Darshan along the way.  As the love and prayers of the Sangat of the East became deeper, Guru Sahib became more anxious to see them.  He wanted to meet his Sikhs, the ones who did the Simran of the Guru with their full focus.  He would move faster and travel farther distances to get to the East quicker.  He was more restless to see the Sikhs, as the Guru had a greater hunger and longing for love than the Sikhs. 

11-47 Malook Das from Karay

Thinking of the love of the Sikhs, Sri Satguru Tegh Bahadhur Chand ji made an excuse of wishing to bathe at the Teeraths in order to get to them.  The powerful Satguru was traveling towards the village Karay Manikpur.  Many Fakirs and Saints were with Guru Sahib, travelling along, doing the Simran of Sri Prabhoo ji as they moved.  There were many types of holy men with Guru Sahib.  Some wore orange and had pots of water.  They had the high hats on their heads.  Some had ashes rubbed all over their bodies.  A lot of Sikhs were with Guru ji, riding on their horses.  The armed Sikhs wore clothes and weapons on their bodies. 

The Vaheer arrived at and stopped at the river Ganga.  They took a bath in the pure waters of the Ganga.  The camp was set up right on the river bank.  They did the Darshan of the Ganga which washed the sins away.  Everyone bathed in joy.  The armed group of Sikhs that were led by Bhai Kirpal Chand ji, removed their weapons and clothes to take a bath in the river as well.  Many Brahmans came to see Guru Sahib and were given donations.  The vaheer stayed there for two days.  The people came to do the Darshan of Guru ji.  The Guru Master then gave the signal to move out.  He fulfilled the wishes of the Sikhs on the way who were waiting for him.  Guru ji reached the jungles and hunted there.  There were many birds and wild deer in this area.  Guru Sahib and the Sikhs hunted in this area as they moved through it.  They hunted the meat of the animals which was good for consumption.  Guru ji moved around to hunt the animals along with the Sikhs.  Many deer and birds were hunted.  They travelled and hunted at the same time.  As they hunted the animals, they would prepare specific cuts and hang them from their horses and buggies.  Guru Sahib was freeing the souls of these animals and sending them to Sach Khand, freeing them from the cycle of birth and death.  Guru Sahib himself would take the best pieces and keep them with himself. 

The armed warriors were travelling alongside Guru Sahib, looking for deer and birds to hunt.  They came close to a village called Karay.  There was a sadhoo, who lived there, named Malook Das.  Malook Das belonged to the religion of Vaishnav Dharma (followers of Vishnu) and did good deeds.  He had heard that the throne of Guru Nanak Dev ji was passing by his village and was overjoyed to hear this.  Upon hearing this Malook Das said: “I will go visit the Guru.  I have heard many praises about him which is spread throughout the world.  I would like to be blessed by him with Mukti and would like to hear his sermons.”  Malook Das was very eager to meet him.  There was another person who had gone to see Guru ji and was telling Malook Das what he had seen: “the Guru has many sadhoos and saints with him.  There is also a cavalry of mounted Sikhs with him who are hunting deer and birds as they travel.  They have weapons, guns and bows with them.  They have cut pieces of their hunts hung on their horses.  They are hunters, they are without compassion.  How are you going to meet him, Sant Malook Das ji?  I have seen this with my own eyes that they enjoy hunting and their hands are red with blood.  They are without compassion.  I saw them hunting.  The whole world worships the Guru and believe no one else to be his equal.  He is known to be omnipotent and great.  He provides Sangat to the seekers of truth, but after seeing all this, I am turned away from them now.”  Malook Das heard this and became doubtful of the Guru.  He didn’t like this.  He thought to himself: “I follow the Vaishnav religion that believes in Ahinsa (non-violence).  The Satguru eats meat.  I am a vegetarian; and the Satguru is seemed to be accepting of consuming meat.  Why should I go to see him?  This is a great dilemma for me.  I will stay home and do the Simran of Hari.  He is great and I can’t compare myself to him.  Some are weak, strong, profitable and in loss.  What’s the point of judging what others do?  I will sit at home and do the Simran.”  He could not accept the fact that Guru ji ate meat.  He was giving himself many excuses to not go, citing that he is a poor man with no status and the Guru was very powerful.  He wouldn’t have even been able to speak to the Guru regarding his doubts.  Malook Das had a good heart and decided not to focus on somebody else’s doings.  Malook Das was no longer eager to see the Guru and stayed home in his mandir that he had built in his home.  He sat and did the Simran of Hari.

Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji sensed that the devotee of Hari was doing the Simran in his home.  He sensed that he had formed a doubt about him.  Guru ji thought to himself: “he is my Bhagat but is now in doubt.  He is stuck in defining worldly actions.  He is thinking about the Karma.  He has not reached the status of Saint yet as he is still focused on what other people do.  He saw my actions and discarded his faith.  He does not now of the inner consciousness.  He does not know love.  He needs to learn the meaning of love.  He saw the meat and decided not to meet me.  I need to take him out of this type of analysis of Karma.  He needs to be met with the real form.”  Guru Sahib decided to take him out of this doubtful thinking and bless him.  Guru Sahib reached the outskirts of the village and set up camp there.  The benevolent Guru wanted to bless Malook Das.

Malook Das kept thinking, but remained quiet.  After a while, he prepared a plate of food with rice, vegetables and lentils along with roti and ghee.  He prepared a plate to offer to the Thakur (idol), Vishnu.  He added salt with love.  He covered the plate with a piece of cloth and placed it in front of the idol of Vishnu.  He than rang bells and blew the conch and performed the Aarti (form of worship).  He stood and sang the praises.  He then offered the food to the Thakur and lifted the piece of cloth.  When he looked into the plate, he was surprised to see that the food he had prepared was gone.  Instead of the rice and lentils, there was prepared meat, with gravy and spices in the plate.  He was surprised to see this.  He thought to himself: “how did this happen?  Who put meat in the plate?  Nobody has come into my house.  I prepared the food and brought it here.  Oh Prabhoo, how did this happen?”  The Mahant, Malook Das, thought about this and then remembered that he had doubted the throne of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  He thought to himself: “the Guru is the form of Thakur and eats meat.  He did the Bhog to the meat.  The Guru is gracious, he has preformed this miracle to remove my doubt.  I doubted his meat eating and now he has shown me that I was wrong to judge.  I was supposed to go see him and I didn’t.  He has manifested himself into the Thakur and accepted my offering of meat.  He removed my doubt.  There can’t be any other reason for seeing this.  Akaal Purakh, the Satguru is without blame and without negativity.  Karma and actions cannot touch him.  He is the motivator and inspirer of all.  I shouldn’t have looked towards his actions.  It is good to only look at him with faith.  The world wishes for his Darshan.  He blesses the ones who do Bhagti.  The Sikhs do his Simran.  It was wrong for me to doubt him.  I need to go and grab the Guru’s feet.  The whole world worships the Guru and the Guru fulfills everyone’s wishes.  He performs hunts to relieve the animals from the cycle of birth and death.  Ram Chander ji was strong and handsome.  He was the Maryada Purshotam, who followed the Maryada.  He fulfills the wishes of his servants.  He also hunted a deer for Mata Sita ji.  Sri Krishan ji also did many dramatic events; donned weapons and fought wars.  The Guru’s elder also donned weapons and fought wars.  They have been known to be like this from the start.  They follow the Maryada of keeping the Shasters.  He didn’t break any tradition.  I was a fool to doubt the True Guru.  The Omnipotent One is never at fault.  Shiva, the destroyer, is never blamed for killing life when the person’s breaths are complete.  The Soot Brahmin did Katha at the Teerath.  He went to Balram and was killed by him.”  Malook Das was now aware that the Guru is the Guru Purshotam avatar of Akaal Purakh.  The clouds of doubt were now lifted by this miracle.  Guru ji’s miracle was the wind that took the clouds away.  Malook Das was now eager to meet the Guru.  He had faith.  He wanted to be the lover of the lotus feet of Guru ji.  He regretted his actions.  He wanted to see one more miracle: in his heart, he prayed: “the Satguru is the Avatar in Kaliyuga.  He can’t be hidden.  He is radiant in the world.  Guru ji, I want you to feel what is in my heart.  I wish for you to call upon me.  Bless me with your Darshan.  Please keep the honour of your servant.”  Malook Das sat down and closed his eyes and went into deep meditation.  In his heart he kept praying to Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib.  He prayed with love.  He forgot about his body. 

The True Guru sensed that his devotee was now in the realm of love.  He knew that the Sadhoo had taken an oath and was sitting in Samadhi.  Guru Sahib told the Sikhs: “Malook Das is a great and wise saint.  I would like to meet him.  He wants to meet me too.  Take my palanquin and bring him here with great respect.  Tell him that I am here and I would like to see him.  Bring him with respect.  Bring him to me.”  The Sikhs took the palanquin and went to Malook Das’s house.  They greeted Malook Das and told him that Guru Sahib would like to meet you.  Malook Das heard this and got goosebumps.  The remaining doubts were all gone now.  He was taken in the palanquin.  Some of his students came as well.  He was taken to Guru ji with respect. 

As they reached close by, he asked the Sikhs to be allowed to dismount the palanquin.  He said: “Guru Sahib’s command has been fulfilled.  I have come in the palanquin, now I would like to walk bare feet the rest of the way to meet the true Guru.”  Malook Das met Guru Sahib and bowed to the feet of Guru Sahib.  He said a Dohra:

Dohra

Malooka is a sinner from the time of birth, who did not know about your Bhagti. 

Bhagti was written in someone else’s Karma, Prabhoo gave it to me by accident.

Guru Sahib heard his Dohra and became compassionate.  Guru ji gave him a response to give him hope:

 “listen Malook Das, Bhagat of Hari, don’t be sad. 

Bhagti was written in somebody else’s Karma but it was given to you with compassion.” 

Malook Das did Satguru ji’s Darshan and went into bliss.  He saw Guru ji as the king of kings and the warrior of warriors.  He saw the Brahm Gyaan in Guru ji.  He stood up and folded his hands.  He praised Guru ji in many ways: “you are the ocean of virtues.  I can’t speak about your greatness.  I am unwise and a low life.”  He asked Guru Sahib to come to his home.  Guru Sahib came to his home.  Guru Sahib stayed at his house for three days.  Malook Das served Guru ji well and kept apologizing every day by touching Guru ji’s feet.  Guru ji took away his doubts and gave him determination.  Malook Das ji made his life into a success.

11-48 Guru Sahib Reaches Tribaini

Sant Malook Das ji had Guru ji sit on a great seat.  With folded hands Sant Malook Das ji requested Guru ji to sit on the great seat.  He had many types of foods made for Guru Sahib.  Sant Malook Das ji plated all of the food on a big plate.  He stood and made a request to Guru Sahib: “my wish is that you do Bhog to this food.  Please accept my offering.  I would offer food to the idols before but this is the first time Akaal Purakh has come to my home in physical form.  I have never done the Darshan of the Prabhoo before.  Today you are sitting in front of me.  You are going to do Bhog to the food now.  I am blessed that you have come to my home.  Please accept this food and be satiated.”  Guru Sahib saw the love and was pleased with Sant Malook Das ji and freed him from pain.  Guru ji ate the food and bless Sant Malook Das ji.  Sant Malook Das ji served Guru ji and the horses with love and devotion.  Guru Sahib went to sleep and then got up in the last watch of the night.  After bathing and performing his daily meditations, Sri Guru ji got ready and mounted his horse to move onwards.  Before Guru Sahib left, the sangat in the village presented gifts for Guru Sahib.  Whatever was brought for Guru ji, it was placed in front of Guru ji.  Guru ji was really happy with the Sangat.  He took away the pain of his servants.  The Complete Guru ji left from there. 

The chariots and palanquins set off with Guru ji.  The whole Vaheer: including Mata Nanaki ji, Mata Goojri ji, servants, Saints and Fakirs, were all with Guru Sahib.  The palanquins and chariots were decorated with Zarri.  A lot of servants were serving everyone and travelled on chariots and carts.  Their lives were being blessed in the company of Guru Sahib.  The armed cavalry was moving as well, with all their weapons donned, on top of their horses.  Guru Sahib made the excuse of visiting sites of pilgrimage but the real reason was to visit the Sikhs who had prayed to see Guru Sahib.  The Vaheer travelled everyday.  Whoever met Guru ji with love and devotion, Guru ji destroyed their pains.  He would bless them. 

The Vaheer reached Prayaag Raj and set up camp.  The Compassionate Guru arrived.  For the fortunate Sikhs, the Satsangat was received as “Ann Chetra” (Langar) for them.  Where the three rivers meet, the Tribaini, Guru Sahib stood beside that place.  There were tarps and rugs placed for the sangat to sit.  A seat was set for Guru Sahib.  Guru Sahib started to look towards the point where the rivers Ganga and Jamuna met.  On one side, the water was clear (Ganga) and the other side (Jamuna), it was darker in colour.  Where the Sarsvati river meets the other two, that is the place known as the “Tribaini.”  This place is the metal cutter that cuts the sins.  This place is praised in a great way.  The Ganga is white (Satoguni) and the Jamuna is a bluish tint (Tamoguni).  Sarasvati River gives a red tint (Rajoguni) as it flows from the ground in to the other two rivers.  The three guns flow.  It looks as if the bodies of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are physically present in the rivers.  The three powers can be seen.  It’s as if the 3 meetings of the sun (dawn, afternoon and dusk) are happening here.  The sin of darkness is washed away here.  It’s as if to cut the 3 types of illnesses, the three colours are meeting here.  The pure water is praised.  Who wouldn’t be happy to see this? 

Guru Sahib first took a dip in the rivers.  There were Brahmins nearby who were given donations by Guru Sahib.  As the Brahmins heard of Guru ji arriving, they all came.  They received donations as well.  The other Brahmins heard and then came as well.  Nobody left empty-handed.  Guru Bhagavan ji spent the whole day donating to the Brahmins.  Whatever money and items Guru Sahib had, it was all distributed to the Brahmins and the poor.  Mata Nanaki ji and Mata Goojri ji along with other Sikhs also took a dip in the rivers.  They also gave donations.  Everyone took a bath there and gave donations to the Brahmins. 

News spread within the Sangat about Guru Sahib arriving at Tribaini.  They gathered and came to see Guru ji.  They brought many types of gifts and money as they came to visit Guru Sahib.  They came with faith and devotion.  The Sangat worshiped the True Guru in many ways.  They folded their hands and bowed.  They made requests to keep Guru ji there.  They said: “it is our good fortune that you have come here as an excuse.  You came to give us your blessed sight.  It is your promise that you bless the weak and poor.  It is our request that you stay here for a few days.  Give us your Darshan and relieve the various types of pain that people have.  This is the wish of the Sangat.  We wish for our salvation.”  Guru ji was happy to hear this and said: “you wish to keep me here.  I have to go on ahead to the other Teeraths.  I have to go on ahead to the other holy sites of the East.”  The Sangat then spoke again: “these holy sites are full of people’s sins and long for the feet of Saints like yourself.  When your feet touch the Teerath, they are pure again.  The sins are destroyed within the Teerath and the rivers.  Guru Sahib, please make this place pure so people may be full of peace.  We understand that you must go on and make the other holy sites pure again with your blessed feet, but please stay here for a few days and fulfill our wishes to be in your holy presence.  Stay here for some days and bless us.  You can then leave later on.  We have been hoping for a long time to keep you here.  This is our Ardaas to you.  Please accept it.”  Listening to the pleas of the sangat, Guru Bhagavan ji agreed to stay longer. 

There was a Haveli nearby that was cleaned up by the Sangat so Guru Sahib could stay there.  Mata Nanaki ji and Mata Goojri ji set up their stay in that house.  All of the luggage was kept there as well.  Everyone would then come to meet Guru Sahib in that house.  Rich or poor, everyone would come in great numbers.  Guru ji bathed at the Tribaini.  Sangat came everyday.  A lot of food and gifts were brought.  Langar was made at all times and was open to all.  People from the nearby villages all came to see the Guru and brought gifts and money.  Of course, the money and gifts were used to buy grains and vegetables for Langar and distributed freely.  Guru ji lived in the Haveli.  The armed force set up camp near the Tribaini.

Many days had passed.  One day, as Guru Sahib was casually sitting and resting, Mata Nanaki ji came to speak to Guru Sahib.  Mata ji said to Guru Sahib: “listen to my wish, my son: I want you to hear and understand my heart’s desire.  Your father had made a prophecy to me.  I have been waiting for that to be completed.  His words have never been without fruit.  He was really radiant and powerful.  He was the greatest warrior.  His arms were really big and powerful.  He was the Benevolent One.  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji and the other Gurus, they were the treasures of virtues.  Their radiance was seen as illuminated in your father.  He brought all of the praises out for all to see.  He spread their name in the world.  He said to me that: “I will have a grandson one day who will be a great Saint and Soldier.  He will be worshipped by all and shine like the sun.  He will have great strong arms and will be an undefeatable warrior.  He will have all of the qualities that the other Guru’s possessed and will be glorious and strong.  He will spread the name of Guru Nanak Dev ji far and wide.  He will calm the suffering of many who come to him or sing his glories.  Such a son will be born in your house.”  So was said by the 6^th Guru.  I have been waiting for this.  I wish to see your son.  When will that day come?  I have been waiting for a long time.  I wish to take my grandson in my lap.  I will love him and be happy.  I want to see his words come to light.  Oh son, fulfill my wish.  Give me the joy.  Till I am alive, I will see your son and be happy.”  Listening to the words of his mother, Sr Guru ji spoke: “oh Mata ji, the wish you have, to see your grandson with joy, that is in the hands of the Parbrahm Kartaar.  The Lord is generous and is the ocean of joy.  The Lord is Akaal (without death/time) and the creator and nurturer.  Akaal Purakh is the light of all lights.  It is the consciousness of all beings.  Your wish depends on Akaal Purakh’s support.  Akaal Purakh will certainly fulfil your desire; I am certain of this.  Once the Deliverer of the Downtrodden is pleased, the enlightened Brahmgyaani with all of the powers, that will possess the attributes and glories of Akaal Purakh, will be born.  That time is close.  I connect with Akaal Purakh in Samadhi every day.  We will meet our son very soon.  They Ocean of Compassion will become compassionate and send the son.  The wishes will be fulfilled.”  Listening to the words of the True Guru, Mata Nanaki ji was ecstatic and she now knew that the time had come to see her grandson.  It was like the poor person receiving the 9 Niddhis.  She heard her son’s words and knew she will see her grandson soon.  Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji then joined into the deep Sadhna of Yog. 

Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji would take a bath in the Tribaini everyday and sit down near the river bank in Samadhi for his son to enter the realm of this world.  Guru ji stayed near Prayaag.  A lot Sangat would come and pay their respects here.  Thus is the glorious history of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji at the Tribaini site at Prayaag.  Kavi Santokh Singh ji says: “now I will take the readers of this glorious account of the Gurus, on a journey, and speak about the birth of the 10^th master, Guru Gobind Singh ji.  How he received the command from Akaal Purakh and came into this world, I will write that now.  I will speak of how he did Tapps in his previous births.  Guru Gobind Singh ji is a delight to the Saints.  Read on, oh readers of this great history, for listening to this story dispels all sins and makes room for peace and prosperity in your heart.  The time, when the Lord had called Guru Gobind Singh ji, in has last life, and gave him his mission, and how the Guru asked for permission, is an account that will forever captivate the minds and souls of the readers.  Listening to this Katha that will fulfill the wishes.”

11-49 The Glory of Hemkunt

The Katha of the previous birth of the Complete Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji, I will speak of how he did the Tapasya.  His Katha, that is filled with glory, I will state it in full.  In the garb of Munis (saints), the Sri Prabhoo did many types of Tapps (meditations of extremes). 

The mountain of Hemkunt is a great one where many rivers sprout from.  There are seven mountain peaks in this range, many feet above sea level.  Day and night, the loud sounds of flowing waters can be heard at all times.  The water is white and pure.  In some places, it is flowing fast.  In some places it spins round.  In some places the water is so white that it looks like crystals.  The water is pure like crystal.  Many fish are in the pure water that flows.  Bubbles can be seen in some places.  The sounds of the flowing rivers can be heard, far into the distance.  The Ganga begins from this mountain range.  The mountains are cladded with many metals and other things not found anywhere else on land.  Yellow, red, and dark blue minerals can be seen glowing on the mountains.  The grass looks like green emeralds.  There are many fruits and plants here which are not seen any where else on earth.  There are many types of plants and roots here which are used to treat many illnesses in Ayurvedic Medicine.  There are many beautiful fields and plateaus there.  There a lines of platforms everywhere.  There is water flowing all around them.  There is greenery everywhere.  The most beautiful flowers grow on the mountains through the snow and the hard mountain rock.  They are fragrant.  Bees hover over them.  The wind is nice and smooth.  It is blissful to look at these scenes.  The scenes are mixed with great fragrances.  The grass is soft.  The fruits are sweet and delicious.  The water flows around the trees.  Birds and deer drink this water.  The animals roam around fearlessly here.  The animals interact in joy with each other.  They have forgotten their natural enmities that usually exist in nature.  There are many forests full of trees here.  They have green leaves and delicious fruits growing on them.  The saal trees (Vatica Robusta), Beri trees, Kachnaar tree, coconuts, bamboos, kritmaal, Neem, Paatal, mangoes, bitter sinmal; all of them are huge trees.  Sanbaloo, taindoo, Madhur, mahuuaa, wild ber, almonds, white khair, borh, karanj, kachla, kaakaindoo, fulaah, pippal, sukdanb, harde, chidra, brindaal, licorice, lasoora, chamba with green leaves, hem pushpak which is really fragrant; all stand with many vines.  They are all in single lines.  They never burn or dehydrate.  Many great trees stand there.  Khirni, arny, burn, bikeeran, keeran, toot, and other trees are spread out.  Arjun, kundh, kunbh, kaaranbha, Rambha, and bhoorindi are amazing to look at.  Neechlafal, ghoolar, kaner, ban moongh, ghanair, bhilava, harde, bahairay; whoever sees these, they are in joy.  Inder, sionaak, pumpkin, banjal, jal jut, ravel, tar manjal, taar, karanj, kesoo phula, maalti vines; all these trees stand taal.  Taj, tinish, mango, Jandh, saal, lodh, charaunji, jamunoo, sweet maalti, taar, and others are surrounded by ponds of water.  Diaar, guava and apple; eating these, the birds are in joy.  Round peaches, long grapes, pomegranates, naarangi and others exist in lush quantities.  The jasmine blossoms with new flowers.  The jasmine looks radiant.  They are in different colours.  When the wind blows, the flowers make noise, flapping into each other.  The trees are very tall.  One cannot grab the fruits.  The bajoorias are really tall.  They can’t be reached.  The trees look like they are piled on top of each other.  The only way the fruits can fall is if the wind flows hard; otherwise they can’t be reached.  The garden is huge.  The fruits sway in the wind.  The nature brings water to them.  There is no gardener.  The birds sing.  The Nandan garden of Inder in heaven is a sacrifice to the gardens of Hemkunt.  Red and yellow flowers and fruits blossom here, which look like fire burning but without the smoke.  The famous Naga Kamal (Cobra Lotus) blossoms here.  Thousands of bees sing in different pitches, fly freely.  Swans and peacocks sing melodious songs in their flocks.  Pigeons, parrots and doves sing.  When the clouds thunder, the peacocks dance, the chatrik sings.  The birds and animals live in joy.  They do not become each other’s enemies.  The birds sit on the trees and live by the will of Akaal Purakh.  The peacocks sit with their partners with love.  They fix their feathers and eat the fruits.  The chakvis sing with their spouses.  Their desires are fulfilled by nature.  They eat as much as they wish.  The bees sing out loud in joy.  The giver of joys, the jungles, are all around the mountain range.  The deer in this area have the most glorious horns and are brown and black in colour.  They travel in their herds.  Neelgayees roam around.  Lions and Cheetahs live here in freedom and roam the area.  The elephants see the she-elephants and trumpet.  The panthers, hyenas and snakes blow air.  They live in their caves and burrows to live their life.  Boars, rabbits and honey badgers, jump around.  Many vultures, parrots, mainas and Chakvas make sounds.  Cranes, flamingoes, roosters, Chakvas and seagulls; speak out in joy.  They roam in joy.    

There are many Saints that live here who only eat plants.  They do Tapasya here.  Many eat only leaves and drink water and do tapp.  Some only drink water.  Some only eat grass.  Some don’t eat anything and can take energy from the air using their yogic energy.  Some only eat dry leaves everyday.  Some Saints do tapp by lighting 5 bonfires around them to take their bodies to extremes (so they can sense their true self inside of them that is without pain or pleasure).  They wish to achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death.  Some Saints do tap by hanging from trees and tolerate heat and rain.  Some grind food and eat it.  Some don’t wear any clothes.  Some hang upside down.  Some float on the water and sleep in this manner.  Some stand on one foot, with both hands in the air and do Tapp.  Some scholars sit and ponder on the Brahm Vidya, the truth of life and think of Akaal Purakh all day.  Some only see Akaal Purakh everywhere.  The Saints’ faces have such radiance that looks as though the power of the sun has taken a new form.  Many Tapasvis live there.  As a greedy person collects money all day long and thinks of nothing else, so do these Saints collect tapp.  As a woman lives in the mind of a lustful person, that is how Brahm Vidya lives in the Sadhoos.  It does not extinguish.  Just as a servant wishes to impress their king/ boss, that is how the Bhagats wish to be in the sanctuary of Akaal Purakh.  Just as a Ghristi wishes to dispel his poverty, that is how the saints wish to dispel their attachment.  The Saints have dispelled their attachment to the world and washed their sins away.  They have the light of Akaal Purakh within them.  The ones who have the good desires (to be one with Akaal Purakh), they do Tapasya in the jungles of Hemkunt, in the mountains.  They are not to be born again.  They know the Gyaan and have uprooted the Agyaan.  They are full of good deeds.  Not even a sliver of sin is in their hearts.  The desires are destroyed.  They are one with the radiance of Akaal Purakh.  Their pull towards the worlds is destroyed.  They have no attachment or hatred.  Such great beings live there. 

Out of all these Saints, there is one Saint that is the greatest of them all and is their Mahant.  This is the hero of our epic.  His Tapasya is strict like Shiva’s.  He has been here for 72 cycles of all 4 yugas.  This is our Satguru who has won his gyaan and karma Indrees (senses).  He has won his body and mind.  His body and mind do not do anything without his instructions.  Both his hands are folded towards the sky.  He is standing on one foot.  Just as a tree stands still on a mountain in the winter, that is how this Tapasvi is standing, with his mind completely still.  He is determined.  It is like Brahma sitting on the Lotus flower, as Brahma did tap for 36 yugas.  This Saint’s tapp is unmatched.  His skin has dried up.  His nerves can be seen.  The radiance of his Tapp has spread in all 10 directions.  The heat from his tap has affected all the worlds beyond this world.  His Tapp is like the sun in the summer afternoon.  The Devatas of heaven are feeling the heat of his tap.  The Devatas fear him.  The Tapp was like fire without smoke.  Nobody could stand in front of the Tapasvi.  The dimension of Brahma has felt the radiance of his tapp; for he has won his mind and is one with Akaal Purakh.  There was no one who could match him.  He had won his mind with his Dyaan.  He had won the universe.  He was One with the Karta Purakh.  He was connected to the point where there was no two.  The light of Akaal Purakh that created fire, water, mind, knowledge, conscious was now One with this great Saint.  He lived in the form of Akaal Purakh.  They were one form.  He was One with the Parbrahm Parmeshwar.  Many eras had passed since he had been One with Akaal Purakh.  The Tapasvi was the idol of Tapasya.  The saint was now undefeatable.  That Saint was known by the name of Dusht Daman.

11-50 Brahma Tells the Devatas the Ancient History

Dusht Daman, Akaal Purakh and focus, all had become one in the same.  The radiance of the tapp that Dusht Daman was doing was so great and hot, that the Devatas (Gods of Heaven and Elements) got worried and anxious.  Agni Dev, Varun Dev and King Indra along with the other Devatas all went to Brahma (the creator God) and shouted out in fear: “who is this saint whose radiance is so strong that its energy reached the heavens?  Who is this Tapasvi who is doing such a strict Tapp?  The light and heat have reached Heaven.  This energy is too strong.  The Devatas can’t stand it.  Who is doing such a difficult and determined tapp?  Please be compassionate and assist us.  Remove our doubts.”  Listening to the Devatas, Brahma, the one with the four heads, sitting on a Lotus, opened his eyes and spoke with a smile: “don’t be worried with this saint.  His tapp is almost complete.  He is the protector and Lord of the Universe.  He will protect you as well.  First, the Prabhoo Purshotam came as Guru Nanak Dev ji, the complete being.  Kaliyuga has shown its power before its time and caused the Hells to be filled with sinners.  Guru Nanak Dev ji gave the support of the Name of the Lord and the way of the Satsangat to life on Earth.  Seeing Tapp and other practices as without power, Guru Nanak Dev ji’s way is the easiest way to be liberated from the cycle of birth and death.  Guru Nanak Dev ji gave the kingdom of Hindustan to the Mughals for fistfuls of cannabis.  The Mughals have now become sinners and want to destroy other religions.  They wish to destroy the Dharma of the Hindus.  Some great being will give his head, make the Mughals guilty and snatch their power away from them and destroy their rule.  Guru Nanak Dev ji has taken form in nine bodies.  Now, it is time for his 10^th body to take form on Earth.  He will be known as Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji and will protect the saints, the good, the knowledge, the scriptures and the poor.  Devi, Devatas, Dheras, Teeraths, Shastras, Vedas and the Dharma of the Hindus; Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji will be their protector.  He will be the form of Anand.  He will be the greatest tapasvi (person who does deep meditations) with the greatest radiance.  He will be the greatest warrior and the greatest saint.  He will perform great tasks, impossible for anyone else.  You fear the radiance of his Tapp.  He will be a personality unmatched to anyone on Earth in past, present or future.  He is going to the physical realm now among human beings and will take on the 10^th incarnation of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  He is the Jot that radiates all of the lights and suns.  He will sit on the Ghaddi of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  I urge all of you Devatas, to go with him in human form, and take birth on Earth.”  Indra and the other Devatas were awed in wonder about who this being was.  Inder asked: “who is this great being?  Why did he perform such a difficult tapp?  Whose son, is he?  What did he do?  You praise him, tell us about him.  His radiance is so bright.  How did this great Tapasvi come to be?” 

Brahma said: “listen carefully, Devatas, I will tell you this great being’s story.  A very long time ago during the time of Satyuga: the Danavas and the Daynts had become very strong and won the three worlds.  You should remember this time, as it was a very difficult time for you.  The Heavens were won as well and you, rulers of heaven, were kicked out of Heaven.  Your joy was destroyed.  If was all of you that prayed to Bhagwati, the Great Goddess, the power of Akaal Purakh, and asked for help.  You went to her and praised her.  The Devi, Durga, took on a physical form and gave you her Darshan.  She saw that you were humble and became anxious.  The one with the fierce form, the Devi, asked why you had called her.  You then told her that the Demons had won your home and are after your lives now.  Ambika then came into a rage and got ready for war.  She said: “don’t worry.  I will get angry and destroy your enemies.  I will give you back your portion of the Yagnas and your home.  You will be in joy again.”  She got angry and got ready to fight.  She prepared her weapons and came to the battlefield.  She fought the Demons and killed many of them.  A fierce battle raged on.  Durga, the Devi, then faced a demon named Rakatbheej; who had the gift of multiplying himself thousands of times if he was cut, and had his blood touched the ground.  Durga cut his head and thousands came from his blood.  They then became millions.  His clones couldn’t be counted.  For a long time, she fought him and his clones.  She eventually got tired.  The number of the clones reached 90,000,000,000,000,000 and then the Devi (Goddess) reached the Bindhyachal Mountain and stood there.  The mother of the universe, disappeared.  For this reason, she is also known as Bindhyachal-Nivaasni.  She took on a very small form which the Demons could not see.  She rested on the Bindhyachal and began to do a strict Tapp.  She was then going to kill these demons.  She began to do Tapp to gain energy, to kill the demons.  The Demons began to look for the Devi.  They looked in the jungles and the caves.  The great strong demons looked for her.

Two strong Demons, named Bail and Subail, took their armies to the Bindhyachal mountain and saw a pure-hearted Saint in deep meditation.  He had been doing Tapp from many Yugas.  He did meditation of Brahm Vidya.  The name of the Saint was Rishi Samundh.  This Saint had been meditating here for a long time and was one with the light of Akaal Purakh.  His powers were like many suns.  He was a Brahamgyaani of the highest status.  He was alone and stayed in his hut on the mountain all the time.  He was in deep serenity.  The Asuras came and asked the Saint: “oh Tapasvi, have you seen a beautiful woman that came here?  She was fighting us and killed many of our armies.  She left the battle and disappeared from our sight.  We have been looking for her everywhere.  We were shocked.  She killed many of our people.”  Rishi Samundh stood up in anger and said: “you fools!  You are morons and have bad wisdoms.  What foolishness do you speak?  How dare you speak about her in this disrespectful manner?  She is the mother of all creation.  She is the power of benevolence.  She is everywhere in full form.  Whoever calls her with devotion, she comes to help them and blesses them.  After she awakens from her tapp, she will kill all of you.  She will come in the fiercest form.”  The Demons heard the saint’s words and were outraged.  They said: “kill him!  Kill him!”  They leaped forward to attack the Saint.  Rishi Samundh thought to himself: “how will I fight them in anger?  I am a Brahm Rishi.  I am a Brahmin.  My Dharma is not to fight.  My students follow the same Dharma.  They are calm like me.  I should remain in my Dharma and not fight.  What should I do about them though?  They are guilty.  They should be punished.” After thinking about this, the Rishi became determined.  He brought anger in his heart and created a fierce form of himself.  He gathered the radiance of his tapp together from millions of years and focused on it.  It was the Tapp from the Simran of Akaal Purakh.  He thought of the Karta Purakh, the unlimited power, and said in a loud voice: “O-ang!”  He grabbed his lion skin mat, on which he was meditating, and jolted it with great force.  From the jolt, the power of his tapp came together.  From that great power was born a being.  A warrior.  He had a radiance unmatched by anyone.  A being, who was going to be the destroyer, came.  He was wearing a tall conical Dumaalaa (turban) with chakrams on it.  His arms were long that went past his knees.  His shoulders were high.  His arms were huge and muscular, like wrestlers.  His eyes were red.  His vision was piercing.  He was the ocean of radiance.  The being was born of the radiance from the tapp of the Saint.  It was pure energy, the energy of Akaal Purakh.  The being was dressed for war and had a sword with a golden hilt and a bow and arrow in his hands.  He stood in front of the Demons and was ready to fight.  The being bowed his head to Rishi Samundh and said: “oh father, what is your command?”  Rishi Samundh said: “My son, you are Dusht Daman (the killer of sinners).  Do battle with these demons and destroy them.”  Rishi Samundh grabbed the lion tarp and jolted a second time.  The fur of the tarp became lions.  He commanded the lions to drink the blood of the demons.  “After you are victorious in battle, come back to me and we shall do tapp, for we have great tasks before us.  In Kaliyuga, I will be the 9^th incarnation of Guru Nanak Dev ji and you will be the Lord’s 10^th incarnation,” the Saint said to his son.  Dusht Daman stood in front of the Demons and was ready to fight.  The Demons attacked and Dusht Daman tolerated the blows on the chainmail he wore all over his body.  He let out sharp arrows and killed many Demons.  The battle was in full force and a shower of arrows could be seen everywhere.  The warriors on the elephants got angry.  The demons on the horses attacked with many weapons.  There were spears, maces, tridents and swords clashing everywhere.  Big spears and maces were used.  Canons fired.  The arrows flew.  The Kataars fired, with sharp edges.  The metal shined.  The Jamdhars and arrows struck.  The arrows flew and struck like snakes.  They all yelled and fought.  The demons that defeated the Devatas, they came to fight.  The arrows flew like a swarm of wasps.  The sky was filled with arrows.  Dusht Daman was fighting alone against an army in numbers not comprehended by humans.  The edges of the spears were very sharp.  The demons that were undefeated from the Devatas, had now met their match.  The demons’ weapons were cut to pieces and fell to the floor.  Dusht Daman fired many arrows.  Whoever came in his range, they were filled. 

Bail and Subail attacked with anger.  They sent their armies to fight.  They fired at Dusht Daman with arrows.  The arrows struck Dusht Daman and blood began to flow from his body and stained his clothes.  The being saw the blood on his body and smiled.  He mounted a sharp arrow on his bow and released it.  With one arrow he destroyed Subail’s bow.  With four more arrows, he killed Subail’s horses.  Subail then grabbed a mace in one hand and a shield in the other and came to attack Dusht Daman.  The son of the Tapasvi took the blows of Subail’s mace and grabbed his sword.  With one blow of the sword, he chopped the head off of Subail’s body, with his earrings intact.  Subail’s dark-skinned body fell to the ground.  It was like the mountain breaking from the strike of Inder’s Vajjar.  Seeing his dead brother, Bail was enraged.  He attacked Dusht Daman with all is might along with his army.  Bail shouted out: “stand where you are!  I will tear you to pieces!” Bail and his army threw many weapons towards Dusht Daman, but the Warrior bore the brunt of all the blows.  The weapons were sharp.  The Demons were dark.  They came with the wish of fighting a war.  They were eager to fight.  Dusht Daman then released many arrows and killed many demons.  He tolerated their blows.  Dusht Daman gave such fatal blows in battle that the demons fell in great numbers.  He kept the Tapp of his father in his heart and released many arrows.  He ripped the chests of the demons like Tarkhans cut hug trees.  He cut them on the battlefield.  Some were killed and some left the battlefield in fear.  Bail got angry seeing this.  Bail used his powers to take a summit of a mountain and threw it at Dusht Daman.  It was a great boulder.  Dusht Daman shot an arrow and destroyed the rock to pieces.  Bail failed at doing any damage.  Dusht Daman shot many arrows and killed many demons.  Dusht Daman put his powers together to create a special arrow.  The arrow was made of fire.  He shot the Fire arrow towards Bail.  The arrow went right through Bail and slayed him.  Bail and Subail were now both killed.  The remaining armies that wanted to kill Dusht Daman, were cut to pieces, falling on to the floor.  Some went to Heaven to marry the Apachras.  The arrows showered like rain in the monsoons.  The soldiers came from every direction to attack Dusht Daman.  They said: “kill him!  Make sure he doesn’t run away!”  The son of the Tapasvi gathered his power and grabbed his bow.  He killed many big warriors with his arrows.  They laid on the ground.  Some feet, knees and heels were cut.  Some were cut from the waist.  Some were pierced in the chest.  Some had their arms cut off.  Some had their heads cut.  Some foreheads were cut.  The big warriors fought with their heads cut.  The Daynts were cut.  The Daynts saw many forms of Dusht Daman.  Dusht Daman killed the demons with his weapons.  The bodies piled on top of each other.  He fought with agility. 

When Bail and Subail died, the remaining demons ran back to Rakatbheej and told him the story.  They told him that there is a being on the mountain fighting us: “a son of a Tapasvi has raged a great battle.  He has killed many Asuras.”  Rakatbheej was a fool.  He said: “let’s go and fight.”  He took an army and marched towards Dusht Daman and attacked.  He respected his generals and sent them to war.  They raged a battle against the son of the Muni.  Arrows showered like rain.  For many years this battle went on.  This was the greatest battle ever fought.  The battle was fierce.  Some died and then more were born and came to fight.  How much can I say?  The battle went on for Yugas.  Dusht Daman kept killing the sinners.  They kept coming.  Countless died.  This Granth would get really big if I continue. 

When such a battle raged, Chandika’s tapp was eventually completed.  She opened her eyes and gave out a loud roar.  With the power of her tapp, she collected her power and created the Kalika (also know as Mahakali or Kali Mata).  This was the most ferocious form of the Universal power.  She came with the Devi and entered the battlefield.  They battled the demons with renewed strength.  Bhawani brought her army full of Bhairavs (incarnations of death) and Gunns (worshipers of death).  They killed many Asuras, attacking them all at once.  Some held maces and some had rocks.  They broke the demons’ chariots and tore the demons to pieces.  They attacked the army of the demons and whenever Rakatbheej was struck, Kalika would drink his blood before it fell to the Earth.  The army of Durga shouted in joy and ate the flesh.  In many ways, the army of the Demons were destroyed.  The power of Akaal Purakh is undefeatable.  Thus, the war was won and the Demons were all slayed.”  This battle was described in detail by Guru Gobind Singh ji in his Chandi di Vaar composition.  The power of Akaal Purakh has many forms but is complete in every form.  Knowledge, Art, Ambition, Power, Wealth, Education, Nature, Destruction, Drive; these are all her forms.  She is the Goddess; she is the power of Akaal Purakh and she is forever victorious.  The Goddess Aparajitta (undefeated), Bhagwati, Bhadra (the highest), Bheema (the fierce), Abhai (without fear), Bhaihra (the destroyer of fear); is eternal, Supreme and powerful.  She is in bliss.  Her eyes gleamed like the lotus.  She saw Dusht Daman and was overjoyed.  Her eyes gleamed as the lotus blossoms, seeing the sun.  Dusht Daman had killed many.  The Devi was happy with him.  The Devi is where Religion began and is above all religions and ideologies.  She is worshipped in every culture, in every religion, in various forms.  The Khalsa worships her physical form: the Khanda, the sword, all weapons, the Ashtbhujja.