11-6 Mata Nanaki Ji

The news spread in the whole town of Bakala: “a Sikh named Makhan Shah has come.  He has visited all of the Sodhis who call themselves “Guru.”  He gave them all gifts.”

The mother of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji, Mata Nanak ji, was well-known by all as a Pativrata woman who was a woman of Dharma.  She was a pure Aatma who worshiped her husband.  She had many virtues.  She was calm and serene; beautiful and strong; skilled in many arts and a great visionary.  She was always meditating on the Guru with deep faith in the Guru.  She spoke sweetly and was patient.  She was from a very high family.  She loved her beloved son, who was a pure Aatma himself and benevolent. 

The servants loyal to Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji came to Guru ji’s home where he was performing his Tapasya.  The Sikhs bowed to Mata ji and said to her: “oh great Mata, a Sikh has come here who knows the greatness of the Guru.  He is rich and wise.  He set up his Dhera outside of the village last night.  He has hundreds of workers with him.  He came into the village today.  He first went to Dheermal’s Dhera.  The Masands had praised Dheermal and inspired him to go there.  He offered golden coins there.  He gave 2 gold coins to the other Sodhi Gurus.  The other Masands were asked by him: “did all of the saints get money?”  The Masands didn’t mention you or your son.  The rich Sikh has gone out of the village now.  Your son doesn’t sit outside like the others.  He doesn’t do what the other Sodhis do.  How would the Sikhs and money come when they don’t know him?  People will follow him if they would know him.” 

Mata ji heard this and went to her son.  She went into the room where Guru ji was resting.  Guruji was laying down and 2 Sikhs were sitting by his side.  Mata ji saw the deep heart of her son and compared him to the behaviour of the other Sodhis.  She knew that the other Sodhis were fake and just greedy.  Upon seeing his mother come into the room, Guruji got up.  Mataji said to Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji: “oh wise son, you should sit outside like your other Sodhi cousins and meet the Masands.  This Gurta Ghaddi is your father’s, you should do the same and set up your stage as he did and meet the Sikhs and converse with them.  Give the Sikhs your Darshan and receive their offerings.  Sit with them and speak to them with love.  There is a Sikh here from a far away land.  He has visited most of your cousins and given them equal amounts of gold coins.  If you were sitting outside, he would have given you money as well.  Oh son, money is required to run the household.  The traditions of Langar requires money.  That’s how Langar works.  The other cousins are jealous and claim the Guruship.  They say to all: “we are the Guru!  We are the Guru!”  They pay the Masands to bring the Sikhs coming from different places to their own camp.  As the Masands take the money, they bring them the Sikhs.  The Masands that are on their side, they are paid well.  They bring the Sangat of many lands to that Sodhi.  They make the Sangat give them money.  The Masands praise the fake Gurus.  Our cousins have become quite wealthy because of the Sikhs coming to do their Ardaas.  They have a lot of wealth now.  Let go of your Fakir-like traditions.  Meet the Sangat.  Nobody knows you because you stay inside the home.  How would the Sikhs worship you?  You need to come out and set up your stage like your Father and Grandfather did.  They were so radiant.  You don’t like to meet and greet anyone, that’s why they say that you are not very smart.  They will continue to see you are a recluse or a hermit.  They need to see your powers.  Oh son, please sit outside.  Speak and meet with the Sikhs.  Become known.  See what the cousins are doing.  The other Sodhis are making money by calling themselves the Great Guru.  They say: “we are the Guru!”  Your Father and Grandfather were great Gurus.  You are the heir to their Throne.”  Guru ji heard his mother’s words but did not respond.  The Sikhs and servants standing by folded their hands and said: “Sri Guru ji, you are the greatest and the most radiant.  You are the most eligible.  Please give the Sikhs the opportunity of your divine Darshan.  Bless them.  Give them wisdom of Bhagti and Simran.  There is chaos everywhere.  You are hidden from everyone.  Nobody knows of you.  The wishes of the Sikhs will be fulfilled when the money comes to you.  The foreign Sikh that has come; he has been giving a lot of money to the other Sodhi Gurus.  We wanted to go to him and tell him about you.  There was a lot of crowd around him.  The Masands were happy and crowding around him.  We couldn’t meet the rich Sikh.  He left the village and went back to his Dhera.  We came back then.  Nobody even spoke about you there.  Nobody told them that the son of Sri Guru Hargobind ji, named Sri Tegh Bahadhur Chand ji, lives here.  He needs to know about you.  He would have come to you and given you his money.  If he stays longer, we will surely go and tell him about you.  The rich Sikh is with deep faith.  He will come to you if he hears about you.” 

After listening to the Sikhs, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji thus spoke in an instructive manner: “do not think or speak again about me going outside and proclaiming to be the true Guru.  Whosoever will do such a task, their face will be blackened in the house of Akaal Purakh.  So, this is what I say to you, remain quiet and let the drama unfold as the Karta Purakh wills it.”  Hearing Guru Sahib speak such words, the Sikhs got scared and went silent.  Mata Nanaki did not say a word either.  She felt sad, worried and left the room.  She thought to herself: “my son is a Vairagi.”  Mata ji became worried and anxious.  She was upset.  Many Sikhs heard the words of Guru ji.  Everyone was well aware that any words that Guru Sahib would speak, were destined to be true.  Everyone left the room with a deep feeling of sorrow in their hearts.  Now, I will state about how Bhai Makhan Shah ji met Guru ji. 

11-7 Makhan Shah and Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji

Bhai Makhan Shah ji was really worried and didn’t sleep well.  He got up in the last watch of the night (1 watch is 3 hours) and took a bath.  After taking a bath he sat down and read Japji Sahib and other Shabads from Gurbani.  He wished for the Darshan of the true Guru as he recited Gurbani.  He thought to himself: “I know for a fact that the words of Guru Harkrishan Sahib ji could not be false.  They can’t be erased nor can they be reversed.  The sun may go cold; the moon may go hot; the wind may go still; the Mer Mountain may move; the unmovable may move; the ocean may dry up; the snow may become hot as fire; the stars and planets may go the opposite direction; the way of the world may go upset but the True Guru’s words cannot be false.  The Guru is the creator, cause and effect of everything.  The Guru is the great warrior.  He said that the “Baba” is in Bakala.  He said “Baba.”  I know for sure the Guru is here.  I am wondering if I am a bad person and that is why the Guru has not been revealed to me yet.  He has hidden himself from me.  I must have made a mistake.  I can’t leave without seeing him.  I will become a Manmukh if I leave.  The Sikhs will see me this way: “Makhan Shah did not get to see the Guru.”  The sun must come up one day.  The Guru will be revealed for sure one day.  The words of Sri Guru Har Krishan ji will be true.  I am a weak Sikh.  I will make a promise to himself.  I will promise that I will not eat or drink and I will only meditate on the Guru’s light till the True Guru shows himself to me.  I wish to see my master.  Only then will I eat.  I will give my life otherwise.”  He didn’t tell anyone else about his determination.  He kept this promise in his heart. 

The sun came out and it was day.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji was in his Dhera.  He thought about many things.  After a few hours in the morning, the Masands of the other Gurus all came back to Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s tent and sat around him.  They began to say the same things they had been saying for the past few days, praising their Gurus.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji didn’t care to listen.  He didn’t believe them.  He was upset.  After a while, Bhai Makhan Shah ji spoke with humility: “is there anyone else here who belongs to the Sodhi family?  I gave money to all.  I would like to see if I missed anyone.  Some of them may not have sent any news of themselves to me.  I would like to give them offerings as well.  Tell me if there is anyone left.  I wish to make my travels a success.”  Hearing this the Masands all talked amongst themselves and said: “some Sodhis lived here and some came from outside.  You’ve met the children of Sooraj Mal and given them money with the right traditions.  There does live here another son of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  His name is Tegh Bahadhur.  He is a recluse and does not sit in the company of others.  He doesn’t know the ways of the world.  He doesn’t speak to anyone nor does he listen to anyone.  He likes to stay in places of solitude.  He is carefree and lives in his own world.  He lays down with his face covered all the time.  He doesn’t care about giving or taking with anyone.  Nobody follows him.  Everyone sees him as useless and ineligible towards anything.  He doesn’t even care about having his meals on time.  He has no wish to care of himself or anyone else.  If you really want to see him, you can, but we don’t think you will be too pleased after seeing him.”  As soon as Bhai Makhan Shah ji heard this, he felt his right eye twitch (the right eye twitching is seen as a sign of good luck) and he felt his heart blossom with a new hope emerging.  He felt the seed of good Karma sprouting in his heart.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji became very excited and got up with enthusiasm.  He said: “I will go!  I want to give him money.  Let’s go!  I want to meet him.  I want to meet him now!  I will take gifts for him as well.” Bhai Makhan Shah ji got ready to go.  Dheermal’s men heard this and tried to discourage him: “we don’t think it’s a good idea for you to meet him.  He is carefree.  It’s not even sure if he agrees to seeing you.  He may not open his door.  His house is too small.  Respect and disrespect are the same for him.  He as no love, hatred or attachment towards anyone or anything.  He does not know the traditions of the Gurta Ghaddi.  He doesn’t know how Gurus meet and greet people.  He is definitely not the Guru.”  All the Masands said this.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji heard the statements and felt that there was something more to this.  He was now determined to head over to the house of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  He spoke to get the Masands off his back: “what you say may be true.  He may not be eligible to be the Guru.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji didn’t pay attention to the Masands’ words.  He wanted to see Guru ji.  He took many of his men with him and headed towards the Guru’s house.  He wanted to do the Darshan of this son of the Guru.  The Masands of the other Sodhis surrounded Bhai Makhan Shai ji as he walked. 

As Bhai Makhan Shah ji, his men and the other Masands walked towards Guru ji’s home, Bhai Makhan Shah ji thought to himself: “I hope he is the Guru.  He will see me as his own and give me a new life.  He will save me from dying.  Otherwise, I will die.  I am determined to fulfill my promise.  I will only eat or drink when I see the Guru.”  As the crowd of people approached the house of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji, Guru Sahib heard Bhai Makhan Shah ji and the other people coming.  Guru Sahib sent one of his servants to stop Bhai Makhan Shah ji.  The servant quickly came outside and said: “Makhan Shah!  Listen to the words of the Guru: there is no space inside for all of your men.  If you really wish to see Guru Sahib ji, you will have to come inside alone and remain quiet with respect.  This is Guru ji’s command.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji told everyone to wait outside and went inside the house alone.  He went to the room where Guru Sahib was doing Tapp.  Guru Sahib was in deep meditation as he always was.  Guru Sahib knew it was his time to come out.  He knew he was now about to be revealed to the world as the next Guru.  Guru ji thought to himself: “this is a heavy burden, the Gurta Ghaddi.  I will have to pick it up on my head now.  If I do not dispel Bhai Makhan Shah’s sorrows, people will begin to doubt the house of the Guru.  The faith of the Sikhs will die.  They will say: “the Guru is not complete.”  This Sikh has gone to all of the fake Gurus.  He is not satisfied.  I helped his ship across.  Looks like the ship of his faith is stuck now.  I will have to save him again.  He has faith on the words of Sri Guru Har Krishan ji.  He has promised himself to not eat or drink until he sees me.  If I don’t tell him what he wants to hear, he will be upset.  He will be in pain and die.  He brought a lot of money.  He travelled a long distance.  He is a great Sikh of the Guru.  He has let go of food.  It will be wrong if I don’t reveal myself to him.  I will have to reveal myself to him.” 

Bhai Makhan Shah ji came into the room, ever so quietly.  He put 2 Dinars (gold coins) in front of Guru Sahib and bowed to him.  In his heart he made the same plea that he did while meeting the other Sodhi Gurus.  He wanted Guru Sahib to ask for the full amount he had promised when his prayer was answered at sea.  Seated cross-legged, Guru ji opened his eyes.  Seeing Bhai Makhan Shah ji with his hands folded, Guru ji thus spoke: “oh great Sikh, the amount that you had promised the house of the Guru, you should give that full amount.  Do not keep that money in your home.  When your ship was stuck at sea, you made a promise to give a share of your earnings, you should give the full amount.  You promised 500 Dinars plus your Dasvand.  Give that full amount now.  You have faith in Sikhi.  The Guru is always with you, wherever you remember him.”  Hearing the Great Guru speak those words, Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s whole body went still.  Joy surged through his body.  His doubts were gone.  The strings on his chola broke, as his chest inflated with excitement.  He had goosebumps all over his body.  His breath stopped.  His eyes were now opened wide.  He had seen the true Guru like the sun.  He was now fully blossomed like an open lotus flower.  His throat swelled with happiness and he couldn’t speak.  His eyes were full of tears.  His state was indescribable.  If someone was to hear about this, they would feel the same emotion of Bhai Makhan Shah ji.  It’s as though some pauper had received the 9 Niddhis, all the wealth in the world.  He did not blink, even once.  His face was radiant.  He had only heard of the glory of the Guru till today, and now he got to witness it.  He was drenched in love.  He was already a clean-hearted person, but now he was filled with true love and devotion.  The love multiplied.  Its as though a white colour was coloured in a dark colour, the colour is picked up deeply.  There is no comparison to this.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji was coloured in the Guru’s colour (love).  The Guru was like the moon.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji was like the Chakor.  Guru ji was the sun.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s heart was like the lotus, fully blossomed.  Like a Jogi doing Tapasya for a long time; sees the Parmeshwar; making the Tapasya a success; that was how Bhai Makhan Shah ji was.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji kept on staring at the Guru’s face.  He couldn’t speak.  He saw the great glory of the Guru.  He was drenched in love.  He couldn’t take his sight off of Guru ji.  Shocked and full of love, Bhai Makhan Shah ji sat down in extreme bliss. 

11-8 Guru ji revealing himself

Bhai Makhan Shah ji could not contain his happiness.  Keeping patience in his heart, he folded his hands and bowed his head, over and over again.  He kept staring at Guru ji in great joy.  He said: “oh complete Satguru, you are compassionate.  By confirming the incident of my ship being caught at sea, you have given me a new birth.  You saved me from a deep problem.  You have given me everything.  You are the one feeding all the different life forms in the world.  You take care of all.  You are the master of wealth and health.  It is not the money that you have asked for, you have given me life by asking for my promised amount.  I am the most fortunate one.  I am fulfilled by visiting you.  All my wishes have now come true.  Just as Sadhoos (ascetics, meditators) do a very strict meditation and receive their fruit for their hard work, that is how I feel today.  Just as a person in the river that is drowning and is given a canoe, that is how I am.  As a person caught by an enemy and trapped, is released and given the kingdom; a person going to hell by the Jumms, beaten by them, is in pain, is then taken to heaven instead by some great being; that is how I am today.  Just as a person gone to a foreign land, wanders in ruins with no food and no clothes, someone takes him to his home, that is how I am.  You have saved me, seeing me as poor and weak.  I was practically dead.  You made me alive again.  You have been hidden this whole time and have only revealed yourself to me by saying those words.  You have given me this praise.  I am very fortunate to see you.  You stay in deep meditation all the time.  You are always connected to Brahmanand.  You are the King of the 14 Worlds and all-powerful.  You are the mine of fortune.  You spoke words and made my faith deeper.  You were hidden from everyone.  You didn’t show your nature to anyone else.  You’ve only showed yourself to me.  Nobody else knows your secret.  I am overjoyed because of this.  You blessed me.  Your form is Dhan.  You are the hope and faith of all the Sikhs.  You are their support.  Whoever leaves you, they wander.  They are fools.  Without you, humanity is lost.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji kept praising the True Guru.  He would get up and then start bowing again.  He could not contain his happiness.  He touched Guru Sahib’s feet, being blessed, and said: “I will come again and do your Darshan.  I am no longer in doubt.  You gave me patience.”

Bhai Makhan Shah ji came out of Guru ji’s home and went back to his camp.  He didn’t tell anyone of what had just happened to him.  He sent everyone back to their homes.  He was enjoying his joy alone.  He saw his duty and said to his men: “find the best tailors in the towns nearby and bring them to me. Find 2 or 3 skilled tailors so the work is done fast.  Get the best and rarest fabrics that are in the Toshakhana and start sewing a Jama (chola) with many pleats.  I want this done right away.  I want everything ready over night.  The Chola must be very expensive.  Do this all night long.  Prepare an expensive Dastaar.”  The men quickly went out to carry his orders and soon enough, the tailors were in Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s camp, sewing all the clothes he had asked for.  The most expensive cloth was taken out of his treasury.  The tailors sewed all night long.  The clothes were ready in the morning.  The tailors were instructed to make the Chola for a person of was more than 7 feet tall and quite wide.  Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji was quite tall and wide like his father. 

Bhai Makhan Shah ji went to sleep and got up at Amritvela and took a bath.  He read the Gurbanis: Japji Sahib and then Sukhmani Sahib with great devotion.  This was his Nitnem.  There was something different with Bhai Makhan Shah ji today: he was extremely happy and pleased.  He then got dressed in his most expensive clothes and went to his kitchen.  He had the cooks prepare a lot of Karah Prashaad.  He made sure that the outmost respect and cleanliness was used while preparing the Prashaad.  Gurbani was read while preparing the Prashaad.  He had many types of nuts and dry fruits added to the Prashaad.  He had his men pick up the Karah Prashaad.  He then gathered 500 Dinars which was for the Guru.  He collected all the Prashaad that was made plus the newly sewed clothes he had ordered to be made.  The wise Makhan Shah ji set off with his armed soldiers.  He was full of love for the Guru.  He had his armed guards ready to pick up all the stuff.  He was a very smart person.  He was planning on revealing the True Guru to the Sangat, the Guru who fulfilled his wish.  He was concerned that the Sangat was going from Guru to Guru, trying to find the True Guru.  The Sikhs were wandering in distress.  They were all going to see the real Ghaddi of Guru Nanak Dev ji but would end up seeing a fake Guru.  They worshiped the fake Gurus and gave them money.  The Sikhs wanted to see the true Guru.  Some Sikhs brought very expensive gifts but kept them with themselves and were waiting for the True Guru to be revealed.  There were hundreds of Sikhs in Bakala that were waiting for the True Guru to be revealed.  The Sikhs thought of many things.  The Sangat was in doubt.  They had all come there as per the great words of Guru Harkrishan Sahib ji saying that the next Guru is in Bakala.  Everyone knew the Guru was in Bakala.  The Sikhs had their tents set up all over Bakala.  They were waiting for the Guru.  They wanted to do Guru ji’s Darshan and give him their gifts.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji was going to do a great task for the Sikhs.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji headed towards the house of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  He had all the gifts and Prashaad with him.  Many Sikhs and Masands walked with him.  It was a great crowd walking.  The people talked amongst themselves: “we wonder which Guru he is going to today with all these gifts.  He has already visited everyone once.  He did his Ardaas to all of them.  These are a lot of gifts he is taking today.  They are really expensive.  We wonder who he is going to worship today.”  The Masands sent news to their own Gurus to prepare for Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s possible arrival: “be ready for his arrival.”  The 22 Gurus quickly prepared and cleaned up.  They were eagerly waiting for Bhai Makhan Shah ji to visit them.  They thought to themselves: “he will come to me with love today.”  Baba Dheermal had the best tarps and rugs laid out.  He had big pillows set up behind him.  Two servants waived Chaurs over his head.  A royal canopy was hung over his head.  He was dressed like a king, with his expensive Dastaar, Kalgi and Jigha.  The other Sodhis made as much preparations as they could.  They wore their expensive clothes and sat on their seats.  The rugs were laid out.  The fake Gurus sat with round pillows behind them.    The Mevras stood in front of the Gurus in anticipation of Bhai Makhan Shahi ji coming and preforming his Ardaas.  Everyone’s sights were set towards their doors.  The men near the seats were siting with their eyes closed, pretending to be listening to the Divaan.  They were all actually waiting for Bhai Makhan Shah ji to come to their Dheras.

11-9 Bhai Makhan Shah ji presenting the True Guru to the Sangat

Bhai Makhan Shah ji was in a deep ocean of love and overjoyed.  He didn’t tell anyone of what happened to him when he went to see the Guru.  There were a lot of people with him as he left his Dhera.

As Bhai Makhan Shahi ji came close to Guru ji’s home, one of the servants at Guru ji’s home spoke to Mata Nanaki ji: “this Sikh is a very devout Sikh and has come from afar.  He has a deep trust for your son.  He has already come once and had some conversation with Guru Sahib.  His doubts are cleared now.  He wishes to reveal Guru Sahib to the whole Sangat.  We spoke to Guru Sahib 2 days ago and Guru Sahib ji said: “whoever reveals me to the public, his face would be blackened in the court of Akaal Purakh.  Guru ji uttered this curse.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji does not know about this curse.  I will go and tell him what Guru Sahib said, so he may figure out what is the best thing for him to do.  I don’t want his tasks to be ruined.  I hope Guru ji saves him.  The Sikh is coming for blessings.  I hope his things don’t go bad.  Let’s tell him about the curse for revealing Guru ji.”   

The servant went to Bhai Makhan Shah ji and took him aside.  The Sikh servant told Bhai Makhan Shah ji everything in private about what Guru Sahib had said.  He told him that the best course of action would be to just visit Guru Sahib quietly and not make any commotion: “if you want to bow to Guru ji, do it quickly and come back.  If you want to reveal Guru ji to the Sangat, you wish to be praised for this task, the Sangat will all come here, then listen to what Guru ji said – “the one who reveals me, his face will be blackened in the court of the Lord.”  Guru ji said this to us 2 days ago.  I can see that you wish to reveal Guru ji to the Sangat.  Think about your benefit first.  I don’t want you to be cursed.  Otherwise, bow to him first and ask for forgiveness before you go ahead with your plan.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji thought to himself: “whatever Guru ji says will become reality.  I wish to reveal Guru Sahib to the Sangat, no matter what.  The Sangat will be blessed if they get his Darshan.  It will be a good thing for many people if he is revealed.  If there will be negative affects in the afterlife, I am ready to take them on.  If I make this sacrifice, countless other Sikhs would be in peace by visiting the True Guru.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji was thinking about the others.  He left the crowd of his men and the other Sikhs outside and went inside to meet Mata Nanaki ji. 

Bhai Makhan Shah ji bowed to Mataji and presented some money to her as an offering.  Mata ji sat down and spoke with respect to the Sikh.  After paying his respects to Mata ji, Bhai Makhan Shah ji headed to the kitchen, where langar was made.  There, he found some soot on the hot plate and rubbed it on his face.  After making sure that his face was fully blackened by the soot, with deep faith, he headed to the room where the 9^th Guru Nanak Dev ji was sitting.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji bowed at the door and came inside Guru ji’s room.  Guru ji’s face was radiant.  There was Amrit permeating from Guru ji’s face.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji brought all the gifts, money and Karah Prashaad into the room and placed them in front of Guru Sahib.  He bowed to Guru ji and placed the Karah Prashaad in front.  He made sure the promised amount he had pledged of 500 Dinars was there and placed that in front as well.  He placed the expensive Chola and Dastaar in front of Guru ji and said: “Guru Sahib, you are the most Patient One.  Please be compassionate and wear this newly sewn Chola.  Please come outside and reveal yourself to the Sangat and sit in the court wearing the Kalgi and Jigha.  Think about the well-being of the Sikhs.  The Sikhs are drowning in the ocean of doubt.  Save them.  They are wandering aimlessly in doubt.  They don’t have faith.  They are not at peace.  They can’t see your greatness.  You are hidden, oh mine of treasures.  Give the Sangat your Darshan and show yourself to them.” 

Guru Sahib looked at Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s black face and said: “you didn’t deter from the task of revealing me.  You have thrown your reputation aside and blackened your face.  The words of the Gurus are quite heavy to bare.  You withstood the words and made them true.   I am hiding because the Guruship of Guru Nanak Dev ji is a very heavy task.  You want me to take it on.  The people of the 4 directions look towards this Ghaddi for support.  This is the seat which the whole universe bows towards.  It is a great responsibility.  You want this throne of Guruship to come to me.  The ocean, land, mountains and the entire creation knows the glory of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s seat.  Wherever the Islands are, they worship the Guru’s home.  Every life in the universe gives the offerings to the Guru.  They wish for the Guru to save and bless them.  This is a big task.  The Guru is the saviour of all and wishes them well.  All the Sodhis will become jealous and will grow hate in their hearts.  They will see the greatness and become angry.  They all wanted their worship to continue.  They praise themselves and ask for it.  They will now have hatred and plot revenge by striking with violence.  They will use weapons.  They are all born into the house of the Guru but are filled with ego.  The are jealous of each other.  They have fed their poison of ego to everyone.  This is why the Guruship has become a great and heavy responsibility now.  It is like eating poison, with this responsibility.  The Turks also look towards the Guruship with hate.  They use their force to make themselves look greater.  They want to see miracles from any other saints who don’t follow their ways.  Why would I want to show them miracles just so I can prove to them the glory of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s seat?  Saints do not like to show off their powers like street performers.  How will they show their faces in the court of Akaal Purakh.  The saints don’t do this.  They are calm and serene within.  They accept the will of Akaal Purakh.  The Gurta Ghaddi is too heavy.  The omnipotent and most tolerant one can only take on that weight.  For these reasons I do not wish to be known.  What will you get from revealing me?  Your doubts have been cleared and your wishes have been fulfilled.  You followed Sikhi.  You have done my Darshan and brought great gifts, which you promised.  Think about your Mukti.  Just place the gifts here and be on your way back to your home.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji heard Guru ji’s words.  In the most selfless manner, he folded his hands and pleaded on behalf of the whole universe.   Bhai Makhan Shah ji said: “I am doing this for the Sangat that is wandering around in pain.  I want them to be at peace.  The Sikhs heard the blessed words of Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib ji that “the next Guru is in Bakala.”  Hearing this, all of the Sikhs have come here and brought you gifts, oh Great One.  They have faith that you are here.  By visiting the fake Gurus, they are not fulfilled.  Their hearts are in doubt visiting these fake saints.  Nobody is fulfilling the wishes of the Sikhs.  Their hearts are not being purified.  They are in doubt.  Their faith is dying.  The glory of Sikhi is becoming light.  The glory of Sikhi is the azimuth.  Please save the glory of Sikhi.  Make it grow.  If you want to stay in this way then who will fulfill the wishes of the Sikhs?  If you still don’t want to be revealed then please do it for the sake of Sikhi and the Sikhs.  Please answer their prayers.  They are praying for you to come out.  This is the wish of every Sikh.  You fulfill all the wishes.  Complete the wish of the Sikhs.  They all wish to see where the seat of Guru Nanak Dev ji is.  Guru Harkrishan Sahib ji’s words need to be proven correct to them.  Please come out and set up your holy court.  Give the Sikhs your Darshan just as the moon shines on the night of the full moon.  Please save the Sikhs from those traitors.  Bless the world.  You can tolerate the most tolerate.  Only you can face Aurangzeb.  Pain and pleasure, glory and slander are all one for you.  You are the same in peace and pain.  Only you can take on this take.  You ARE the Satguru.  There is nothing for you to take on.  You say that “this is a great responsibility.”  In fact, this load is like a basket of jasmine flowers for you.  This weight you speak about, will crush the heads of all your enemies.  Please wear this new Chola and sit in the court.  Make the pains of the Sikhs go away.”  In this way, Bhai Makhan Shah ji pleaded with Guru ji.  He wanted the Sikhs to see Guru ji.  Hearing Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s pleas, the great Guru, who was always connected to the Brahmanand, knew what the Sangat wanted.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji was the leader of all the Sikhs.  Guru ji knew it was now time to be revealed.  Guru ji decided to agree to the prayers of the Sikhs.  Guru ji smiled and said: “oh Makhan Shah, I agree to your wishes.  You have come from afar with faith.  You are tired from the long journey.  You came to the house of the Guru with great devotion.  You came with a lot of gifts and a deep faith.  If I do not accept your request after all this, then I would be the bad one.  You would think to yourself: “I am a bad Sikh and the giver of joy, the Satguru, did not fulfill my wish.”  You would suffer thinking about all this If I do not do what you say.  You will be worried.  Worry is the cause of conflict.  The Guru comes to the world to fulfill the wishes of the devotees.  Doubt is the biggest pain.  Sri Parmeshwar Prabhoo takes an Avatar to break the doubts.  The Avatar comes according to the faithful devotees’ wishes.  The Hari does many great tasks.  The devotees of Hari ask from Hari.  Hari fulfills their wishes.  The Satguru’s home is the same way.  The Guru fulfills the wishes of the Sikhs.  The Guru is tied by the string of love, owned by the Sikhs.  The Guru does what the Sikhs wish.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji was very happy to hear that Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji was ready to meet all of the Sikhs.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji was really happy.  By Guru ji’s command, Bhai Makhan Shah ji washed his face.  His wishes were all fulfilled.  Every statement of the Guru had been completed.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji took the Chola and got up to make Guru Tegh Bahadhur Shaib ji wear it.  The Chola was made with a very fine and expensive fabric.  Guru Sahib put the new Chola on and also tied the beautiful Dastaar that Bhai Makhan Shah ji had brought.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji had also brought a new and very expensive shawl that Guru Sahib wrapped around his body.  The wishes of the Sikh were fulfilled.

Guru Sahib came outside of the house.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji had prepared a stage for Guru ji which Guru Sahib, the giver of joy, sat upon.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji went to the Atari, top floor balcony of the house, and thus yelled out loud: “listen oh Sangat who have forgotten, give me your ear.  I have found the great and powerful Guru!  Gur Ladho ray!  Gur Ladho ray!  I have found the Guru!  Let go of your doubts and come visit the true Guru.  Make your life a blessing by doing his Simran.”  Bhai Makhan ji was really happy.  He could not contain his happiness.  He continued shouting in every direction.  The Sikhs were called with joy.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji said: “oh Sangat, you have forgotten.  This is the true Guru!”  Wherever the Sikhs heard Bhai Makhan Shah ji, they came running towards the house of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  The Sikhs were amazed.  The whole town of Bakala had now heard and the Sikhs dropped what they were doing and ran to see the True Guru. 

Bhai Makhan Shah ji came down from the Atari and stood in front of the Guru.  He did the Ardaas for the Karah Prashaad and had it distributed.  The gathering had become quite large and was growing still.  The Sikhs came and did the Darshan of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji spoke in a loud voice: “the words of Guru Harkrishan Sahib ji: “the Baba is in Bakala,” are factually correct.  This is the true Guru!  He saved my ship that was stuck.  He told me of the incident as soon as I met him.  He read my mind!  He is omniscient!  I wanted the Guru to tell me himself.  He is the Pitamah (Grandfather/Granduncle) of Guru Harkrishan Sahib ji.  That is what he meant when he said “Baba.”  You do not have to be in the dark anymore.  Visit the True Guru and be blessed by his divine vision.  Only he can fulfill your wishes.  Coming here will be a success for you.  Worship his feet.  I will tell you how I tested the Gurus.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji then told everyone in the gathering, a detailed account of what had happened to him while his ship was stuck and what prayer he did.  He also told them what he pledged.  He told them of how he went from Guru to Guru to see if they would speak of the incident and how it was only Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji who dispelled all his doubts.

11-10 The jealousy of the Sodhis

The Sangat ran and came at once to Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji in great numbers.  They were awed to see the tall height of Guru ji (Guru Sahib’s height was said to be in the more than 7 foot range).  Guru ji gave the Sangat his Darshan.  The Sikhs felt at peace when they saw Guru ji and would give him the gifts they had brought.  The Sikhs saw Bhai Makhan Shahi ji, wearing expensive clothes, and were inspired.  Some brought Karah Prashaad; some brought money and some brought expensive clothes.  Some brought, silver coins; some brought golden coins.  Some brought Pashmina clothes.  A lot of people gathered.  A lot of Karah Prashaad was brought.  As soon as they would see the face of Guru ji, they would bow down and shout out: “glory to the True Guru (Jai Satguru ji).”  Some would come in front of Guru ji and say: “you are truly the next Guru.  You are the Jot of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  You must spread your wisdom.  The wishes of the Sikhs, you are the only one who fulfills them.  You were hiding but it was not possible to say hidden forever because the Sun cannot remain hidden forever.  Please bless your Sikhs.  Your Darshan gives us bliss.”  The Sikhs brought a lot of gifts.  They said their wishes to Guru ji.  Some Sikhs who had faith said: “all of his actions were that which gave bliss.  They are worthy of praise.  He is a great and fortunate being.  Guru ji is in control of his mind and his Indriyas.  Guru ji is full of peace, bliss, serenity, calmness and he is always connected to the divine light, his real form, within him.  He is always in a deep state of restrain and contentment.  Love, hatred, attachment, gain or loss do not affect him.  His Indriya are his slaves.  Negativity like fear, worry or hatred does not touch him.  He is never over excited nor sad.  It is now obvious to see why he is the next Guru.  He has the greatness of the Guru.  He has all of the good qualities.  He would always remain quiet; that is the reason why nobody could see who he is.  Nobody went to him for that reason, as he spoke to no one.  He wasn’t known to anyone.  He was detached from the whole world, in the “Udaaseen” state.  Nobody knew how great he actually was.  His father, Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, was a great and powerful warrior.  He was a very broad and tall person.  He was very handsome.  He was the tallest and widest man ever.  No one had seen a man bigger and stronger than him.  He was a hero in battle and won wars against the Emperor.  His father, Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, was the root of peace.  His son is just like him: tall and broad and with a radiant face.  His Darshan gives peace.  He is so handsome.  He has a long and heavy beard.  He wanted to remain alone and not be known.  He hid this whole time and didn’t let any Sikh know that he was here.  A Sikh with great faith and devotion had revealed him.  Guru ji wanted to keep the faith of the Sikhs, otherwise he would have remained hidden.  Guru ji saved the Sikh’s ship at sea.  Guru ji is now revealed.  He will now bless countless other Sikhs.”  The Sangat did the Darshan of Guru ji and brought a lot of gifts.  The gathering was getting bigger and bigger by the second.  The Sikhs bowed and felt at peace.  The 2 expensive Chaurs that Bhai Makhan Shah ji had brought were being waved over Guru ji’s head.  Guru ji spoke to the Sikhs.  The Sikhs stood around Guru ji. 

The men of the other fake Sodhi Gurus were there too.  Their anger was growing by the minute.  By seeing the number of gifts and money being gathered in front of Guru ji, the men of the Sodhis were getting more and more jealous.  As the Sikhs praised Guru ji and placed their gifts, the jealousy got worse.  The men of the Sodhis said: “nobody followed him before.  This is not the real Guru.  He didn’t meet or speak to anyone.  He is a senseless person who has no care of his body.  Makhan Shah left the others and made him the Guru?  This Guru was the quiet one and walked around like he didn’t have a care in the world.  Who knows what is personality is.  Makhan Shah is involved in a conspiracy.  Makhan Shah brought all the Sikhs here and made him the Guru.  We all told him that this person is senseless.  We can see that Makhan Shah is foolish.  Everyone is saying that he is smart, but we say he is very foolish.  He disrespected the other Sodhi Gurus.  The other Gurus, like Dheermal, who the whole world follows, Makhan Shah left him and came here.  He brought him gifts and worshiped him.  We can’t tolerate this nonsense.” 

The slandering men were angry and went back to the Sodhis.  They said to the Sodhi fake Gurus in a sarcastic voice: “you should remain sitting here, all dressed up, but no one will come to you now and give you money.  Nobody will come here.  No money will come.  The youngest son of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji is now the Guru.  He wanted to be the Guru all along.  He had four older brothers who were very talented.  Surpassing all the others, he has become the Guru.  The Mastana, Tegh Bahadhur ji, is the Guru.  It seems as he had conspired with Bhai Makhan Shah ji.  He has started a great conspiracy.  He put up a façade.  You need to do something quick.  Go and reason with Makhan Shah.  If this is not resolved, this will grow then.”  When the Sodhi Gurus heard this, they thought: “he won’t be able to become the Guru.  The weight of the Gurta Ghaddi is too much for him.  He doesn’t know how to give and take.  He doesn’t know how to speak to anyone.  What wisdom will he give to the Sikhs?  He doesn’t know anything.  He stays quiet in his home.  He doesn’t know the ways of the world.  People are looking at Makhan Shah and bowing to him.  The Sangat is now giving him money.  When Makhan Shah goes back to his home, nobody will follow Tegh Bahadhur ji then.  Everyone will stop going to him.  Everyone will figure out the truth.  They are now only following Makhan Shah.  Makhan Shah has faith on him without testing him.  Makhan Shah gave him gifts and started following him.  This is only once.  It won’t happen again.”  They then went quiet.  The men of the Sodhis were in great rage and were complaining about the situation.  They said: “we can’t tolerate this unorthodox thing.  He has rose to the top.  He left us behind.  He is not afraid of his other brothers.  He is going to take all of the money.  Many Sikhs bring money.  The unwise ones give to one.  The wise ones give to the other brothers.  That money belongs to all of us.  One should take their cut.  The words that Sri Guru Har Krishan ji said, “the Guru is in Bakala,” the Sangat comes here because of that.  The ones that are here, should all get money.  Guru ji did not name the next Guru.  Everyone has the right to be the Guru.  The Sikhs that came here before, they brought a lot of gifts and gave them to everyone.  They did the Darshan and left.  This Sikh brought a lot of money.  He wanted to give everyone the same amount.  He shouldn’t have given all of the 500 Dinars to one.  How can Tegh Bahadhur ji keep it all?  The weak one can never keep anything.”  The most jealous ones decided to go to Dheermal.  They said to each other: “Dheermal has the most people, wealth, weapons, horses and warriors.  He can gather a lot of wealth.  We can’t leave all the money with Tegh Bahadhur ji.  If the money was with Dheermal, he can keep it all.  He already has a lot of wealth.  Many people come to him already.  The whole world follows him.  His brother and nephew were the Gurus.  He has the Aad Guru Granth Sahib ji at his Dhera.” 

The Sodhis and their Masands, along with the servants all came to Dheermal.  They told Dheermal of the whole dilemma: “look at what Makhan Shah did.  He spoke truth or lie but made everyone follow the wrong person in a wrong way.”