12-31 Leaving Saifdeen, Ahdeeyas look for Guru Sahib

Guru Sahib spent four months, the time of the Chaumasa, in Saifabad.  Saifdeen Served Guru Sahib the whole time and came everyday to pay his Salaam in the garden, where the Dhera was.  He did Guru ji’s Sangat with love, all the time.  His love got deeper as he did more of Guru ji’s Sangat.  Sometimes, Saifdeen would take Guru Sahib to his home and spend time there.  Saifdeen wanted to change the scenery for Guru Sahib so he would remain entertained.  He didn’t want Guru ji to leave.  He would talk to Guru ji about interesting topics and show Guru Sahib his different gardens.  He would lay expensive rugs and ask Guru Sahib to sit on top, with great respect.  He would play a game called Chauper with Guru Sahib, throwing the dice.  He would bring Guru Sahib to his home for about 4 to 6 hours and ask him repeatedly to play Chauper with him.  He would have a lot of foods made for Guru ji.  He would send many items towards Guru ji’s camp and made sure they had everything they needed.  He sent ghee, sweets and gourmet foods to the camp and made sure the ghee, milk and yoghurt were sent by the hands of Hindus.  He would send items of need to Guru ji by his own intellect.  He would look for the tastiest fruits and send them too.  Fruits, such as peaches, pomegranates, plums and jamuns that grew on his land, he picked the best, and sent them along.  He sent pomegranates with big and juicy seeds.  He sent them with love.  Saifdeen made his life into a success by serving Guru ji.  He gathered grass and grains for Guru Sahib’s horses.  They had become fatter and stronger standing there.  The months Saavan (July) and Bhadron (August) were spent like this.  Saifdeen stayed close to Guru ji.

The month of Asoo (September), it was now.  Nauranga started to become impatient and said to his officers: “why hasn’t the Guru come as of yet?”  He commanded two Ahdeeyas: “go and find the Guru and use force if you have to.  If he makes excuses, bring him!  Without him, our task is stalled.  He is the door to the Hindus.  I want to see his powers through miracles or he needs to accept the Shariya.  Do not return without the Guru!  Find him!  If you need to stay at his door to wait for him, do it!  Keep me posted with any updates and send me messages regularly.”  Assigned their new missions, the Ahdeeyas left for Anandpur. 

The Ahdeeyas got on top of their flatbed palanquins and were lifted by the servants above their heads.  They travelled from region to region, dining on gourmet foods and commanding people as they travelled.  The Ahdeeyas eventually got to Anandpur, but Guru Sahib was not there.  They asked around but nobody told them where Guru Sahib was.  They stayed for a few days and began to worry.  They thought to themselves: “the Guru must be in Amritsar.”  They crossed the Sutlej River and entered the Dvaaba area to look for Guru ji.  They then crossed that region and had to cross the Bipasha (Beas) River as well.  They asked everyone they could, of about the whereabouts of the Guru, but they didn’t get any information.  They reached Sri Amritsar and gathered all of the Masands.  They asked them: “where does your master live now?  If you are hiding him, the Emperor will punish you.  We will check your homes and throw you out.  You will be arrested, beaten and thrown in jail.”  The Masands got scared and said: “check our homes.  Somebody lied to you.  Don’t accuse us.  We are poor.  We are not lying.  We don’t know where Guru Sahib is.  You can check our homes if you wish.”  The Ahdeeyas figured out the truth.  They then wrote back to the Emperor: “we have travelled from region to region and cannot find the Guru.” 

Nauranga got the letter and then commanded his mounted and armed messengers to go out and look for Guru ji.  They began to ask around and were actively searching for Guru Sahib.  The Ahdeeyas and mounted soldiers looked around, going from Desh to Desh.  While the King’s men were searching for Guru Sahib, Guru Sahib could see all that was going on and remained ever so still.  The Master knew land, water and every heart.  Guru ji blessed Saifdeen.  One day Guru ji was sitting with Saifdeen and said: “I wish to go to another place now.  I have listened to you and spent the Chaumasa with you.  Recite the true Name, Satnam, at all times.  Trouble will not come near you.  Go to the Satsang with love and do Seva.  You will be at peace.  Your birth and death cycles are now over by the blessing of the Guru.  All your troubles are washed away.”  Saifdeen looked at Guru ji with love.  His eyes began to shed tears.  He didn’t want Guru ji to leave.  He said: “oh Guru Sahib, I do not wish you to leave me.  You have cheated me, Guru Sahib.  You’ve enchanted me with your presence and now my mind only wants to stay by your feet.”  Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji heard his words full of love and consoled him: “I have some work to do that Akaal Purakh has assigned to me.  Our bodies will no longer meet.  This was the end of our physical journey.  Wake up everyday during Amritvela and sit in meditation.  Remember the time I was with you.  When you will sit in meditation, I will be sitting with you everyday.”  Guru Sahib consoled him and waited for Saifdeen to be well.  Guru Sahib spoke to the other Sikhs there: “all of you should go back to your homes.  You should leave my side now and go back to your families.  I wish to stay alone now as this is the command of Akaal Purakh.  If you stay with me, it will be quite painful.  Your faith will be tested to its most extreme limits.  I am telling you this now so you can make the right decision for you.  I do not wish that your faith be tested.  Whoever will stay with me, will regret their decisions.  Go home.  Don’t be stubborn.  Your patience and courage will not stay.  The next phase in my life is really difficult and I wish your faith to remain as it is.  You may want to say yes now, but when the testing times will be upon you, the danger will destroy your patience and faith.”  Guru Sahib spoke to everyone with him.  He placed the truth in front of everyone.  Some got scared.  Some of the Sikhs folded their hands and said: “we obey your every command.  If you keep us with you, we will stay.  If you want us to go home, we will go.”  Some of the Sikhs took leave and left the Guru’s side.  Only five Sikhs remained with Guru Sahib.  The rest went back home, bowing their heads.  The five Sikhs were the most devoted.  Bhai Matidas ji, the Guru’s Deevan (from the Chhibber caste of Brahman, descendant of Bhai Paraga ji) who was always in the Guru’s presence, his heart was pure, his state of Brahamgyaan was such that his words had power to kill.  He was a Bhrahmgyaani and knew his soul.  He was capable and powerful in every way.  He had conquered his mind’s duality.  He was patient and knowledgeable.  He was determined.  He did not leave the Guru, as he was in love with the Guru’s feet.  The second Sikh was Bhai Gurditta ji, the sixth generation of Baba Buddha ji.  (Baba Ram Koer ji was his son who recited the history of the Gurus).  Baba Ram Koer ji was his son.  Baba Buddha ji and his family were always with the Gurus from the time of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  He could kill with his powers.  Miracles lived at Baba Gurditta ji’s feet.  Attachment and Maya would not come near him, not even a little bit.  He was a Bhrahmgyaani in complete bliss.  Three others: Bhai Satidas ji (the brother of Bhai Matidas ji), Bhai Dyala ji (the brother of Bhai Mani Singh ji) and Bhai Oodha ji from Ladla; all remained with Guru Sahib.  Guru Sahib took leave from Saifdeen and saddled his horse.  After saddling the horse, Guru Sahib and the five Sikhs set off from Bahadurgarh (present day of Saifabad) to Patiala (present day).  The other servants and Sikhs all returned to their homes.  Nobody knew what Guru Sahib’s plan was. 

12-32 Spending the Night in the Fort of the Pathaan from Samana

The mounted messengers were out looking for Guru ji from region to region, mentioning Guru ji’s name: “have you seen Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji?” They would ask the leaders of the village.  “Tell us if he has been here and send us a message.  If he has come or gone from here, tell us.”  This was the delusional drama, the Maya, put into play by Guru Sahib himself.  Guru Sahib was making these people run around in circles.  People who did see Guru Sahib, couldn’t remember themselves where and when they met him.  The messengers went through Anandpur, Dvaaba, Majha, Lahore, Amritsar, Anandpur, Kahloor and Himachal, describing Guru Sahib.  They would say: “he is on the throne of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  The one who is on the throne now, the Emperor is looking for him.  If he has stayed at your home, tell us.  If you don’t, you will be in trouble.  We will eventually catch the Guru and ask him where he had stayed.  We will get him to tell us everything.  They will be punished by the Shah.”  They went about the regions and threatened everyone.  The Hindus were interrogated deeper.  The people who belonged to the Sangat, they were pressed more for a response.  They were threatened and terrorized by the messengers: “tell us where Guru ji is!”  Guru ji casted his Maya on all, the Ahdeeyas would pass through the places that Guru Sahib had not been to.  The Guru was making these people run in circles.  They didn’t bother going to Samana or Patiala.  People who had seen or met Guru Sahib, they weren’t even asked. 

Guru Sahib left Saifdeen’s place.  Saifdeen folded his hands and bowed.  He said: “please remember me Guru ji, I am your servant.  I want to be with you in Sachkhand.  When will I see you again?”  Guru Sahib said: “It was your wish to see me.  Akaal Purakh has fulfilled your wish.  I met you, you met me and it was such a pleasant time we had.  Think of me in your Dyana.  You will see me in your mind, and I will be with you whenever you remember me.  I will assist you everywhere.”  Guru Sahib consoled him and then left for Samana. 

There were many Pathans occupying the area of Samana.  The leader of Samana was a Pathan as well.  This area was inhabited by Pathans for over 300 years.  There were 22 forts here.  The owners of the forts were very rich.  They travelled in palanquins wherever they went and were given titles.  The houses were so big that they were forts, mini castles to be exact.  They were very rich with many luxuries.  They enjoyed lavish things.  Guru Sahib headed towards Samana with the five Sikhs.  Guru Sahib’s horse was very strong, as were the horses of the other five Sikhs.  The Sikhs of Samana came to see Guru Sahib.  They bowed their heads and presented money offerings.  Their wishes to see Guru ji were fulfilled.  The Sikhs had Guru Sahib stay in a very nice and quiet area.  It was outside of the city.  This is the place of Tharra Sahib in current day.  Guru Sahib had langar and sat on a bed.  There was a Pathan Sardar who was aware of the glory of the Guru.  While Guru Sahib was in Bahadurgarh (current day name of Saifabad) with Saifdeen for the Chaumasa, the Pathan Sardar had met Guru Sahib there.  He had stayed for about two days at Saifdeen’s house and was inspired by Guru Sahib’s radiance and calmness.  He had full faith in the Guru.  When the Pathan heard of Guru Sahib’s arrival, descending on to an open field outside the village, he came to bring gifts to offer to Guru Sahib.  He came to do Seva and brought about 10 men with him.  He brought fruit and vegetables for Guru Sahib.  Gharee-Nazeer was the name of his fort in the present day.  He came and bowed to Guru ji.  Guru Sahib blessed the Pathan and asked him how he was.  Guru ji had the Pathan sit near him.  The Pathan folded his hands and said: “I am blessed by you, Guru Sahib.  It was a blessing to see you again today.  I am blossoming seeing you just like a lotus flower blooming seeing the sun.  You are the Peer of Peers.  You are a great Dervish.  You are the man of Allah.  You are Allah in human form.  You came to my region but you are outside of the village.  Please come to my home so I may do your seva and make my life a fulfilled one.  Stay with me for some days.  Please bless my fort.  Just like Saifdeen is your servant, so am I.”  Sri Guru Sahib said: “Khan Sahib, now that we have sat down together, this is good enough.  You have come to see me, what else can we do at your home?  We will be leaving tonight.  We have tasks to perform ahead.  You can fulfill your wishes here.  I have many other Sikhs to meet and have little time.  You are full of love and let’s just assume, that I have visited your house.  Your love is like a whole meal that you have offered to me.”  Guru Sahib repeated himself a few times.  The Pathan sat near Guru ji with love.  He then bowed and left to his home.  “Alright Guru Sahib, please give me permission to go,” said the Pathan. 

The Pathan walked home through the market of his town.  He saw a small group of mounted soldiers and noticed they were not from around his area.  He saw a powerful person so he approached the Ahdeeyas and stopped them: “you there!  Stop.  You are not from here.  Who are you, where are you coming from and where are you going?  You seem to be in a hurry.  Which Umraav has sent you?  If the Shah sent you, why are you here?  You seem to be worried.  Who has sent you here and for what reason are you here?” The Pathan spoke to them.  The Ahdeeyas responded: “Khan Sahib, we have travelled through many regions.  We are looking for the person who sits on the throne of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, whom the Hindus consider their Guru.  His name is Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji and the Emperor is searching for him.  We are in great numbers, divided into many groups.  Our comrades are travelling through Majha and other regions, through the mountainous areas; looking for the Guru.  We have travelled a lot but haven’t found the Guru yet.  We spend more time where there are more Sikhs.  We will go on ahead.  We are looking for the Guru through all 22 Soobas of the Empire of Hindustan.”  The Pathan was shocked to hear this, like being pierced by an arrow shot from a bow.  He thought to himself: “it’s good Guru Sahib didn’t come with me right now.”  He felt a deep chill in his bones when he heard the name of Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji.  He got worried and turned back right away.  He thought to himself: “Aurangzeb has gone crazy.  He’s looking for Saints and creating a conflict with them.  If Aurangzeb does something bad with Guru Sahib, the rule of Turkana in Hindustan will finish.  Aurangzeb will go to hell, but will take others along with him.  He will be punished.  The Turks will lose their privileges.  I think I should go and tell Guru Sahib and take him to a safe place.  I will take him to my home.  I hope some silly person doesn’t snitch on Guru ji.  I don’t want Samana to be stained with any wrongdoing.” 

He thought of all this and reached to where Guru Sahib was camped.  Guru Sahib saw him and smiled. He said: “Khan Sahib, why do you look so worried?  Why are you scared by other’s words?  Have faith in the One Allah.”  The Pathan sat down and spoke softly into Guru Sahib’s ear: “Guru Sahib don’t stay here.  Let’s leave from here.  Please pack everything up and saddle the horses and leave no trace of our being here.  The Emperor’s soldiers are here looking for you.  They are asking around for you.  They are naming you and asking everyone they meet, especially where the Sikh Sangat sits.  You are omniscient and you already know everything as you had already hinted it, but please listen to me.  I am your servant.  Aurangzeb is a very despicable man.  He killed his own father, brother and many saints.  He has given many saints a hard time.  He decapitates them.  I don’t want you to go there.  He has bad intentions for you.  He is a sinner.  He is a tyrant.”  Guru Sahib heard this and responded: “the creator created this creation.  Whatever is going to happen, is going to happen and will not be stopped.  Instill this in your mind: the actions of the whole universe are controlled by Akaal Purakh, the creator.  Don’t worry.”  The Pathan got up, folded his hands and said: “whatever you say from your mouth is true, but right now, please accept my plea and come to my house.  Please purify my home.  I don’t want anything bad to happen to you tonight.  Come to my house tonight and give me a sermon and tell me about Allah.  Listening to your words, my sins will wash away.”  The Pathan got up and opened Guru Sahib’s horse and saddle it up himself.  He brought it forcefully to Guru Sahib and said: “come on Guru Sahib, please get up and let’s go.  Look at my folded hands Guru Sahib, I beg of you.  Please come to my house.  Stay there in peace.  I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.  Certainly not on my watch, in my Samana.”  Guru Sahib saw his love and persistence.  Guru ji got on top of his horse.  The five Sikhs all followed as well.  Guru Sahib told all of the other Sikhs to go home.  [21 forts of Samana were destroyed by Banda Singh Bahadhur during his campaigns.  The only one that still stands is the fort of Nazeer Khan] The 22 forts of the Pathans were quite close to each other and Nazeer Khan took Guru Sahib into his home.  He had Guru Sahib stay in his best room.  He had the horses of the Sikhs tied up inside his fort and closed the front doors.  He told his servants not to let any one in and not to tell anyone if there was anyone here.  He gave his instructions and went to Guru Sahib.  He sat at Guru ji’s feet and bowed his head.  He asked Guru Sahib about Allah.  Guru ji went to sleep after a while.  The Pathaan asked for leave and took watch of the outer perimeter.  The horses were inside the fort and so he made sure they were fed well.

12-33 Karhaali, Chihka

Night had fallen and the Ahdeeyas decided to dismount their horses.  They had dinner and rested the night.  They made small talk with the locals and spoke of their mission: “we’ve travelled everywhere and haven’t found the Guru.”  There was a man there who overheard them and said: “today, when it was just past noon, I saw Guru ji come.  He was camped outside the village.  He will stay the night and leave tomorrow morning.”  As soon as the Ahdeeyas heard about Guru Sahib entering the city, they were surprised and excited.  They mounted their horses and went to the site where Guru Sahib stayed.  They obviously didn’t see Guru ji there, because he had left by then.  They asked the people around that area if they had seen Guru Sahib.  One of the people then said: “I saw Guru Sahib here.  When it was evening, he left.  Where he went, I do not know.  I saw him sitting here but did not see where he went.”  The Ahdeeyas were surprised and thinking where Guru ji would have gone to in the middle of the night.  All night they kept searching in every direction.  The Ahdeeyas figured that Guru ji probably would be in Samana.  They decided to keep a watch and see who leaves or comes into the city.  “The Guru must not leave in the morning.  If we catch the Guru today, we will be rewarded by the Emperor.  We will get money and status.  We have been searching for almost 3 months now.  Let’s not be lazy.  Be alert.  Bring the regiment camps here.  We are not going to sleep tonight.  We will keep a strict watch and ask around.  We will bribe people with money and reward them if they help us find the Guru.”  They had dinner and searched the roads and fields.  They stayed awake the whole night.  When it was morning, they started to check the roads and markets to find where Guru ji may be.  They kept a strict guard.  They went back to the place where Guru Sahib set up camp and started to track the footprints of the horses. 

The tracks led them to the fort of Nazir Khan, exactly where Guru ji was staying.  They saw the huge gates.  The Ahdeeyas asked the guards to call their master.  When Nazir Khan came out to see them, they both greeted each other with “Salaamalaykum.”  Nazir Khan, being a very brave and strong man, asked in a very stern voice: “who are you fellows and why are you here?  Why do you want to see me?  Why have you disturbed me?”  The Ahdeeyas gave a stern response: “Khan Sahib, we have been searching through many lands.  We are looking for Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji and are commissioned by the Emperor.  He talks about him in the court everyday.  We have figured out that the Guru is in your home and we want you to surrender him to us.  We have followed the tracks of the horses and they led us to your house.  Many people have told us that Guru Sahib was here.  We checked the footprints in the morning and they led us to your fort.  We have checked and know that he is here.”  Nazir Khan was now very angry.  He was known as a noble person with status and title within Samana.  He had the full backing of his fellow people.  He replied to the soldiers in a very angry voice: “are you people crazy?  I am a Muslim; I pray 5 times a day!  I follow the strict Shariya lifestyle!  Why would I let a Hindu into my home?  Why would I help a kafir (non-Muslim)?  The footsteps you are talking about are from my horses.  I met you yesterday.  They are my horses!  Look!  There they are!  You have insulted me greatly!  What type of investigators are you?  People have horses, you know?  I need you to stay quiet so my neighbours don’t hear you.  The other Khans will laugh at me.  I will be insulted by them, knowing that police/royal guards came to my home.  I am a strict Muslim!  The women in my house stay in a Chutterkhana (harem – in former times, the separate part of a Muslim household reserved for wives and other women in the house) and we don’t let any other Hindu man in our house.  Think about it!  Why would I let another man in my house?  You have spoken enough!  If you say anything else, you will see the worst of me!  If you dare come inside my home, I am a Pathan and I have a sword as well.  I will use it to defend my reputation.  I am a son of a Pathan!  You are fools!  Why would I let a rebel into my home?  I don’t let kafirs into my house.  If this leaks out that you have accused me of letting a kafir man into my house, my reputation will be ruined and I will die.  I will be laughed upon by my people.  I can’t do such a thing.”  After Nazir Khan’s stern lecture, the Ahdeeyas got scared and believed him.  They became depressed and stayed quiet.  They saw his anger and turned back.  They eventually left Samana and continued their search in other regions.

Nazir Khan came into the room where Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji was and sat near the bed upon Guru Sahib was seated.  He told Guru Sahib the whole story of what had just happened: “Guru Sahib, the Ahdeeyas came and I scolded them hard.  They left as I did what could have been done to the best of my ability.  Guru Sahib, you may do as you like as I am your servant.”  Guru Sahib saw the devotion of the Pathan and smiled.  Guru Sahib said: “Shaabaash Nazir Khan, Shaabaash.  You will not face any pain for the rest of your life.  You will not be sick nor face any troubles.  When you die, I will come to get your soul and you will stay with me for eternity.  I will take you out of the cycle of birth of death.”  Guru Sahib stayed another day.  He gave him bliss by giving him Gyaan. 

After two days, Guru Sahib departed Nazir Khan’s home with the five Sikhs and headed East.  Guru Sahib moved slowly and came to Karhaali Sahib.  Bhai Sati Das ji, Bhai Mati Das ji, Bhai Gurditta ji, Bhai Dyala ji and Bhai Oodha ji, were all with Guru Sahib.  They camped outside of the village and arranged for Langer and feed for the horses from the Sikhs in the area.  Bhai Mati Das ji made the Langer and everyone ate.  They slept the night in peace.  There was a Masand that lived in Karhaali.  He was a Masand of the Guru but his mind was void of faith and devotion.  He found out that Guru Sahib had arrived and got scared.  He did not come to see Guru Sahib, fearing the Turks’ wrath.  He hid in his home.  He closed his doors and told his family not to tell anyone that the Masand was home.  He didn’t want any Sikh to see him in his home and tell him to go see Guru ji.  Guru Sahib was forgiving and didn’t call for him.  There was a time that the Masand would travel long distances to see Guru ji, but time is strong.  He had been given a lot of money by Guru ji.  When time’s change, the loved ones deny your relation and no longer serve you out of fear and greed.  Guru ji stayed the night.  Guru Sahib noticed that the Masand did not come and got ready to leave in the morning.  The horses were saddled and Guru Sahib left along with the Sikhs. 

7 Kos from Karhaali, there is a village named Ghoola Chihka.  There, lived a Masand named Gilora.  When Guru Sahib first came to Malva before going to Patna, Gilora’s parents had died.  Gilora was a child then and had no one to feed him.  Gilora left Chihka and came to Guru Sahib, hearing that Langar was given openly.  Gilora began to live with the Vaheer and served the horses and ate Langar.  Guru ji would provide gourmet foods, Kirtan to listen to and Seva to bank good deeds.  His life was heavenly.  He remained in the Sangat of Guru Sahib for many years.  He figured out that Guru ji was the real parent who will be with him in both worlds.  As Gilora became an adult, Guru Sahib’s Vaheer was travelling and a relative saw Gilora.  He came running to meet him.  He asked him what he was doing there and Gilora told him of the glories of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  The relative was impressed by Guru ji’s greatness.  He went home after bowing to Guru ji.  Guru Sahib was watching Gilora talk to the relative.  When Gilora came to Guru Sahib, Guru Sahib asked him: “who was this person you were speaking to?”  Gilora responded: “he is from my village, Chihka.  He is my relative.  We saw each other and ran to meet each other.”  Guru Sahib said: “why didn’t you bring him here and give him Langar?  He was travelling.  You should have brought him to see me, kept him here and fed him.  You should always serve people you see and feed them.  Give them a place to stay.  You didn’t offer him any food or water.”  Gilora responded: “I’m sorry Guru Sahib, I didn’t know I was allowed to bring any one here.”  Guru Sahib told him to run and fetch him.  Gilora ran back and brought him back.  Gilora served him with Langar and then brought him to meet Guru Sahib.  Gilora bowed to Guru Sahib and so did the other person.  Guru Sahib asked the person: “is Gilora your cousin-brother or nephew?  I want you to take responsibility of Gilora and make sure he gets married.  I will give you all the money you need for Gilora’s wedding.  Find a girl within your caste and get him married.”  Guru Sahib gave him a lot of money for Gilora’s wedding.  The relative agreed and came back to Chihka.  He found a suitable match and got him married.  Gilora then moved to Chihka and set up his household.  Gilora would still come to visit Guru Sahib every 6 months and do Seva of Guru ji.  Guru Sahib was very happy with Gilora and he was given the title of “Masand” for the region of Bhaanger (Haryana, Jind, Hansi, Hissar).   He then became the Masand and was in charge of about 200 km area, the area of Hansi and Hissar.  People in that area would give Gilora their dasvand and he would bring it to Guru Sahib.  After a while, he started a Dharamsala and would use some of the money for Langar and would give some to Guru ji.  He had become quite rich and had a lot of gold coins in his house.  His wife was a very simple and innocent woman.  She had a Brahman lady neighbour.  The Brahman lady had her eyes on the gold coins.  She devised a plan and said to Gilora’s wife: “since the time you have buried the coins in your home, did you give it any air?  You seem to be a novice.  If you bury money for a long time, they begin to rot and rust.  You won’t be able to use them otherwise.  Gold is light.  If it stays buried for two months, it goes further into the ground and gets lost.  You should dig the money out every few months and take it to the roof.  You should wash them and keep them in a cloth and dry them.  You should leave them out in the sun for a few hours.”  Gilora’s wife got worried and laid out beds with cloth along with the neighbour.  She went downstairs and dug up the coins.  She came back to the roof and spilled out the wooden box of coins.  She told the Brahman lady to lay out the coins so she can get the second box.  The Brahmin lady’s house was next door and was accessible from the rooftop terrace.  As Gilora’s wife went to fetch the second box, the Brahman lady began to collect the bigger coins and threw them on to her own rooftop terrace.   She would look around to see if anyone was watching and would steal the coins in a sneaky way.  Every time Gilora’s wife would come up, the neighbour would show her the coins and say “look how they are beginning to rot.”  In this manner, the Brahmin lady took a lot of the money.  The Brahmin lady then made a big home for her family using that money.  That Haveli is known as the Chihka Haveli as it was made by the money of the house of the Guru.  People of Chihka in the present-day mention that the Brahmin lady took money from Gilora’s wife by cheating her and made her haveli.  Such was Gilora the Masand.  He had the money of the Sangat.

Coming back to our current history, Guru Sahib reached Gilora’s house and got off his horse.  Gilora came out and bowed to Guru ji’s feet, with his hands folded.  He brought Guru Sahib inside his home and served him well.

12-34 Blessing Gilora; Kurra Kharak Graam

Gilora was raised by Guru Sahib.  Guru ji saw him as his own son.  The gracious Guru looked upon Gilora with love and went into his home with love.  Gilora was glad to see Guru Sahib and set in place a nice bed for Guru Sahib.  He laid out very thick and expensive sheets on the bed.  Gilora stood in front of Guru Sahib with great love and devotion.  He folded his hands and spoke: “Guru Sahib, you have blessed me.  This is your home, not mine.”  Gilora fed the horses first and then told his wife to prepare Langar for everyone.  She made Kheer and great delicacies.  They presented the Langar to Guru Sahib and the Sikhs.  Everyone had the delicious Langar and fell asleep, peacefully that night. 

When it was 2 am, Guru Sahib woke up, bathed and connected with the “Sat Chit Anand Braham Saroop” of Akaal Purakh.  He was connected to Akaal Purakh inside of him.  He sat till the first rays of the sun shinned.  His eyes would open just as the lotus flower blooms every morning seeing the sun.  Guru ji stayed the night.  The Sikhs came to meet Guru Sahib and brought gifts and money for Guru Sahib.  They did the Darshan of Guru ji’s feet, doing their Pooja.  The area of Chihka was an agriculturally dominant area with many farmers and landowners.  They all came to meet Guru Sahib with love, bowing to his feet.  Guru Sahib gave them the message of Sikhi and told them not to farm tobacco.  The people that listened, they were blessed.  The ones that didn’t have faith, Guru Sahib made some statements: “just as fire burns, if someone goes near it, that person does not feel cold nor pain.  If a fool goes right into the fire and does not regard the energy of the fire, that person will suffer the burns.  The Seva of the Satguru is the same.  If you serve the Guru with respect and faith, they will enjoy the blessings of the Guru; the person who does not serve the Guru with respect, they will suffer pain.  The Seva of the Guru is only done with a code of conduct and with humility, faith and respect.”  The Sangat from afar came to see Guru Sahib.  They met Guru Sahib and presented their gifts.

The second night, Guru Sahib stayed with Gilora again.  Gilora was Guru Sahib’s faithful servant so Guru Sahib stayed with him to bless him.  Gilora did Guru ji’s Seva with devotion.  Gilora had a lot of faith and love for Guru Sahib.  Guru Sahib got up in the morning and after doing his morning Nit Nem, Guru Sahib got ready to leave.  Before leaving, Guru Sahib called Gilora close to him and gave him a quiver full of arrows as a gift.  Guru Sahib was very happy and said: “stay steadfast in your Dharam.  Tell your kids to stay honest and share your earnings.  If you listen to the Guru’s way, then, you and your kids will be happy.  If you turn away from the Guru’s teachings and become greedy and cheat others, then your generations will be poor.  They will not be happy and will be stressed.  They will lose their life.  You will be peaceful if you stay on the path of Dharam.”

Guru Sahib left Chihka and went towards the East to a village named Kurra.  Gilora became quite rich after this meeting.  The Sikhs of Hansi and Hissar all came to Gilora to bring their offerings.  There were many villages in that area in which the Rangars and Jaats lived.  In Haryana, there were two prominent castes; the Jaats and the Rangars.  Rangars were Rajputs that converted to Islam.  Ran= battlefield, gar=losing.  They lost the battles and had to convert to Islam.  Gilora was always the middle man for the two castes.  The Jaats and Rangars were always in conflict.  Gilora would go to their houses to preach Sikhi.  Both the Rangars and the Jaats respected the Masand of the Guru, Gilora.  By the radiance of the Guru, the Rangars and the Jaats couldn’t appose him.  In one instance, the Jaats and Rangars faced a conflict and called Gilora.  Gilora brought the Rangars into the area of the Jaats to help them cross the Jaats’ area: “I will take you across.”  The Rangars trusted Gilora and followed him.  When the Rangars came through, the Jaats attacked and killed the Rangars.  Gilora had stooped to his foolishness and did not protect the Rangars.  For this act, Gilora fell from his duty of upholding Dharam and died soon after.  His generations had become very poor.  They were always worried about food.  Sometimes they got food and sometimes they didn’t.  Kavi Santokh Singh ji visited them and saw their troubles.  In 1840 AD he had visited them and said they were in terrible conditions. 

After Guru Sahib left Chihka, he reached Kurra.  Guru Nanak Dev ji and Guru Hargobind Sahib ji had visited this place.  When Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was on his way to Sri Nanak Mutta, he met and blessed Bhai Almast ji here.  [Guru Gobind Singh ji also visited this place but did not get off his horse.  He had advised the people there to do the Seva of the Gurduaras of the 1^st, 6^th, and 9^th Gurus.  He left after bowing from his horse to the places where the elder Gurus had rested] Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji came to his father’s site where he had rested and sat on a bed after tying his horse.  Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji got off his horse and bowed to his father’s site.  The Masand of Kurra was not very nice and didn’t understand the importance and glory of the Guru.  He had heard that Aurangzeb was looking for Guru Sahib and that there was an order to report his whereabouts.  The Masand got worried that Guru Sahib had reached his area.  He was worried about getting reported for harbouring the Guru and getting killed for it: “I hope I don’t get killed.”  Worried, the Masand did not leave his home to meet Guru Sahib.  He told his wife not to tell anyone that the Masand was home.  Guru Sahib was all-knowing and didn’t say anything.  He figured it was the Masand’s loss not to serve the Guru for good karma.  There was a farmer in the same village that came to see Guru Sahib.  He brought some food and water to serve Guru Sahib.  Guru Sahib saw the farmer’s love and devotion and gave him some money and said: “take this money and dig a well near the place of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  Plant some trees and make a garden near that area as well.”  Guru Sahib stayed here for one night and got ready to leave in the morning.  The horses were saddled.  Guru Sahib was then on his way with the five Sikhs. 

Guru Sahib turned his face towards the village named Kharak and arrived there soon after.  There was a huge Bodh tree there and Guru Sahib and the Sikhs tied their horses there.  It was a long journey so they rested under the tree.  They removed the saddles and brought grass for the horses to eat.  They patted the horses and had them rest.  Bhai Mati Das ji prepared Langar and had Guru Sahib eat along with the other Sikhs.  The villagers provided a bed for Guru Sahib’s resting.  One of the Sikhs then spoke to Guru Sahib: “these Turks seem to have quite the Tapp.  Akaal Purakh gave them such a big kingdom and wealth.  Aurangzeb defeated all the Rajput Kings along with the other states.  Aurangzeb seems to be a very big tapasvi.  No other state has been able to rebel against him either.  They all bow to Aurangzeb.”  Guru Sahib listened and said: “I will finish his kingdom, slowly.  They have become sinners and their minds are now polluted.  They are blinded in the pride of their kingdom.  When a person does Tapp, one attains kingdoms.  Their glory grows and spreads.  When a person gives great donations, they receive kingdoms as good karma.  They should continue to spread Dharam and do good deeds as kings.  They should rule with justice and not be greedy.  They should not over-tax people to fill their treasuries.  The king should use the tax to serve the citizens.  The king should protect the citizens.  The king should make sure everyone is peaceful and provide means for their pain to be dispelled.  The citizens should be taxed a reasonable amount.  The robbers and thieves should be punished and put in jail.  The king should provide in times of drought and famine.  If a king runs his kingdom in this manner, his generations enjoy the peace and pleasures of the kingdom.  Their kingdom remains with their generations.  They should make sure that religion and religious acts spread.  People who have done Tapp in their previous births, they become kings.  When they become kings, if they do bad deeds; engage in immoral acts of over indulgence; give pain to their citizens and don’t listen to them; take the wealth of their subjects; become uncompassionate when they see the poor; their wealth and kingdom slowly begin to diminish.  The first Turks were just and true.  They were fair to men and women; Hindus and Muslims lived together in peace and trust.  They had morals and values, the foundations of a good kingdom.  Nauranga has become evil; he wants to destroy the Hindu Dharam.  He has become egotistical and wants to force Hindus to convert.  His citizens are suffering and crying out in pain.  Understand this: their kingdom and radiance will not last long now.  I will pull all their glory and make sure their kingdom will decline from this point.  They will not have anyone to play their nagaras (war drums).”  Guru Sahib went quiet after saying that and went to sleep.  In the morning, they all got ready and left towards the village Khatkur.  Only five Sikhs were with Guru Sahib.  He would discourage anyone else to follow him, as Guru Sahib was determined to save the Hindu religion.  He was going to give his head in exchange for saving the Hindu religion.

12-35 Thieves are Blinded at Khatkur Graam, Jind, Agra

Guru Sahib reached Khatkur Graam.  The farmers of Khatkur Graam did not come to serve Guru ji.  Guru Sahib bought grains and vegetables for Langar for himself and the Sikhs.  He also paid for grass feed for the horses and made sure the horses were rested.  The landowners came afterwards to see Guru Sahib.  They noticed the strong and healthy horses and became greedy.  They talked amongst themselves: “the horses look expensive.  We should steal them during the night.  These people are from out of town and they won’t know what happened.  We will take the horses to our homes and tie them up.  These travellers will roam around for a few days and not know what to do.  We will sell the horses and build ourselves bigger homes.  The profit has come to us.”  The fools began to plan for sin instead of serving the Guru.  When it was night time, Guru Sahib went to sleep.  The landowners, becoming thieves, came near the horses.  They had six people to take the six horses.  When they came close to Guru Sahib’s camp, one of the Sikhs was awake.  The landowners were waiting for him to go to sleep.  When the guarding Sikh went to sleep, the landowners were looking on from the bushes.  They came to the horses and began to open the ropes of the horses.  As soon as they reached for the rope, they became blind.  They couldn’t see.  When they would move back, their eyesight would return.  As soon as they would go close to the horses, they would go blind.  They tried this five or six times, but finally figured out that there was a greater power at play here.  They all went back to their homes. 

One of them spoke out and said: “this Guru is really powerful and great.  We should make him happy in the morning and receive a blessing from him.  The water from the wells in our village is salty.  Let’s get the Guru to bless the wells so the water becomes fresh and drinkable.  The whole village will be happy then.  If the Guru blesses us, it will be excellent.” 

In the morning, the same thieves became the Sikhs of the Guru.  They brought milk, yoghurt, flour, ghee, rice and sugar for Guru Sahib.  They no longer had bad intentions.  They placed all of the food in front of Guru Sahib and folded their hands.  They said: “Guru Sahib, we landowners are thick-skulled fools and have no wisdom.  We have sinned.  You are a great saint and are very gracious, known for forgiving sinners like us.  Your glory is spread throughout the land.  We were going to sin due to our foolishness and greed.  You know everything Guru Sahib.  We want you to forgive us.  Please have compassion over us.”  Guru Sahib heard their pleas, which were without corruption.  Guru Sahib being extremely soft-hearted, said to them: “it’s good you came in time to your senses and prevented this bad deed.  You have accepted your mistake and asked for forgiveness.  You have cured your bad destiny.  The house of the Guru is forever forgiving.  Tell me what would you like?”  When the farmers saw that Guru Sahib was now in the house of charity, they folded their hands and said: “Guru Sahib, our village has only salty water wells.  There are seven wells and none are fresh.  You are a great being.  Please say from your mouth, where we should dig a well, and bless it so it is fresh water.  We have full faith in you Guru Sahib.  We know it will be fresh.  Everyone in the village will be happy and our children will be happy as well.  The whole village only has one wish: we need fresh water oh Lord Guru.  We have faith in you.”  Guru Sahib was pleased with their ask and picked up his bow.  He took an arrow from his quiver and mounted it on his bow.  He pulled it back to his ear and let it go.  The arrow went about 2 miles and Guru Sahib said: “here you go, I have made the water from this point to where my arrow has dropped, all fresh water.  You can dig anywhere from here to the arrow and the well will have fresh water.  Drink as much fresh water as you wish.  Your generations to come will enjoy the fresh water.”  The landowners were extremely delighted to hear Guru Sahib’s words.  They folded their hands and bowed.  They had great faith in Guru ji’s words and dug up wells.  They asked Guru Sahib to stay another night.  They all served Guru Sahib well with Langar and feed for the horses.  They massaged the feet of Guru ji and served him and the Sikhs in various ways.  They dug a well and lo and behold, it was fresh and sweet water.  The same people with sin in their hearts had now become Devatas.  Such is the true Guru, who can turn Devatas out of demons in a matter of a second.   The next day, Guru Sahib got the horses saddled up and left.

Guru Sahib went to a great city named Jind next.  (Jind was a state of the Sarkar-e-Khalsa during the misl era.  Maharaja Gajpat Singh was the maternal grandfather of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.  Maharaja Gajpat Singh’s daughter was married to Sardar Maha Singh Shukerchakiya.  They were the generations of Baba Phool who were blessed by Guru Har Rai Sahib ji.)  In the region of Jind during Guru Sahib’s time, all four castes lived there in peace.  The Turk rule was very cruel.  They bothered the Hindus there.  Guru Sahib camped in Jind.  (Gajpat Singh allotted a lot of land to the Gurduara of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji when he conquered the area to establish Sikh rule in the late 1700s) Guru Sahib gave money to the Sikhs to buy food for Langar and feed for the horses.  The Sikhs prepared Langar and offered it to Guru Sahib first and then ate afterwards.  The horses were fed and taken care of.  During the night everyone slept.  At 2 am, Guru Sahib woke up and bathed.  (All 10 Gurus followed this Nit Nem of waking up at 2 am everyday) Guru Sahib got ready and woke everyone else up to saddle the horses. 

From Jind, Guru Sahib went to Nardak (Haryana district, also know as Bhaanger Desh).  Guru Sahib would travel about 30 to 40 km a day.  There is another place near Jind where Guru Sahib stayed that Kavi Santokh Singh ji found (possibly Lakhan Majra).  Guru ji set up a Dhera there.  After Jind, there is no known sign or symbol where Guru Sahib stayed.  It is known that Guru Sahib rested every 30 km but those places have yet to be located.  One of the reasons there aren’t any signs of Guru Sahib staying there is: there are few to none Sikhs in that area and they just didn’t know who Guru Sahib was.  It was only the faithful that managed to establish Dharmsalas where Guru Sahib came, including trees under which Guru Sahib rested.  During the misl period of the Sarkar-E-Khalsa, they still were not able to find those places.

Guru Sahib then reached Agra from Jind.  There was no person he met between this area.  This is a distance of about 250 km but there is nobody who had any history of Guru Sahib meeting anyone in this stretch of land.  Although Kavi Santokh Singh ji says there are Saints and faithful people whom he met, but they did not keep any account of Guru Sahib either.  Guru ji travelled during the day and would camp the night.  Some Sikhs and saints came to bow to Guru ji.  Guru Sahib had risen above all expectations and was now totally removed from worldly matters, carrying a great weight on his head.  He was going to sacrifice his head as the roots of the Turks were very deep.  The Turks had done many Tapps and bandagi to become kings.  This was the reason why their grasp on the kingdom was so tight.  To pull these deep roots of these tyrants’ rule, Guru Sahib was set on his way.  He was going to smash his body on to the heads of the Turks (figuratively speaking) and loosen the grip of their rule, with his blood.  The deed of his martyrdom would fall on to the heads of the Turks.  He travelled for many days, and stopped along the way.  They needed to eat and feed the horses.  He had to buy food for Langar and spent a lot of money.  (Before heading to the city of Agra, Guru Sahib came to meet a lady who was married during the time of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  The lady was old during the time of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  She had prepared a cloth by weaving it herself.  Gurduara Mai ka Thaan is there were they met.  Twarikh Guru Khalsa written by Giani Gian Singh ji notes this.)  Agra was the capitol of the Turk empire.  For many years the Turks stayed there.  They had many gardens made there with fruit trees and beautiful buildings.  The fruits were ripe, sour and sweet.  There were guards in the gardens so no one else would enter and spoil it.  Great trees with beautiful birds were there.  Many birds were singing there.  Guru ji saw the gardens.  Agra was one of the most beautiful places in India.  In the garden, there was a very thick pathway to walk on.  There were benches made of marble and red stone to sit on within the gardens.  Anyone seeing the garden would become energized with its beauty.  In the middle of the gardens, there was a house with many beautiful doors, into which Guru Sahib came to.  He looked around and admired the Gardens with sweet and sour fruits, the singing birds and great ponds with fountains.