12-36 Shepherd Gets Sweets and Gets Caught

Guru Sahib saw a beautiful place and entered the garden.  Guru Sahib and the Sikhs got off their horses and tied them very tightly to a tree.  The Sikhs sat beside their horses and wondered what Guru Sahib was going to do next.  The garden belonged to the Emperor and was not very safe.  Guru Sahib was walking around the garden, here and there.  He walked around for about 15 minutes and then sat down on one of the benches.  He got up again and started to walk around again.  Guru Sahib kept looking towards the main gate of the garden.  He focused towards the gate and looked on to the road.  He didn’t look towards anywhere else.  He roamed around and kept looking towards the gate.  The Sikhs were wondering what Guru Sahib was looking at.  After a while, an aajri (shepherd) was seen walking on the road.  His name was Hasan Ali and was very poor.  He came with his flock of sheep.  It became quite evident that Guru Sahib was waiting for this person to walk by.  Guru Sahib, the light of Akaal Purakh, was setting is own drama/life.  The Sikhs were wondering why he wasn’t sitting down or doing Simran.  When he walked by the main gate, Guru Sahib called out for the aajri: “hey son, come here!”  The shepherd heard Guru Sahib and came towards Guru Sahib and bowed.  Guru Sahib said: “listen son, can you do me a favor?  I will pay you for your effort.  We can look after your sheep and make sure they are safe and don’t go off.”  Hasan Ali heard about getting money to do work and immediately agreed to any task.  He was also inspired by the Darshan of the great being.  He said: “I’ll do as you say Sir.”  Guru Sahib was wearing an expensive ring with an 8-sided cut diamond.  The diamond was priceless.  He took it off and gave it to the Shepherd, while saying: “take this ring and go into the city.  Get about 2 Rajitpuns of Pakvaans, sweets or other food.  Bring sweets made with ghee.  Use this ring to pay for the food.  Be quick as you can, as we have not eaten since morning.”  The shepherd spoke: “Sir, my shawl is dirty and torn.  How will I bring so much food?  Would you kindly provide a clean sheet or shawl please?”  Guru Sahib took off his expensive shawl and handed it to the shepherd and said: “here, take this.  Carry the sweets in this.  Don’t delay.  Be quick.  Don’t have doubts.”  The shepherd took the shawl and the expensive ring and headed off towards the market.  He hid the expensive shawl and ring in his torn shawl. 

Bhai Mati Das ji was standing with his horse and observing the whole situation.  He began to wonder what Guru Sahib was doing.  He was wondering why Guru Sahib wanted sweets from the market as it was he, who would cook food with proper etiquette for Guru ji.  He came over to Guru Sahib and asked: “Guru Sahib, we didn’t know this poor person.  Why did you give him your expensive things?  He left so fast and who knows if he will come back.”  Guru Sahib said: “I am really hungry and I know you are too.  I asked for some Pakvaans.”  Bhai Mati Das ji spoke again with his hands folded: “Guru Sahib, I had money with me.  Why did you give him your ring?  There was a very expensive diamond in the ring worth thousands.  Your shawl will get dirty and stained with food.  You won’t be able to wear that anymore.  You could have asked one of us to go if you wanted to eat sweets.  Why did you trust someone we didn’t know?  Who knows where he will go?”  Guru Sahib said: “if one of you would have gone, it would have taken long.  The shepherd knows his way around the city.  He will be back quickly.  If you were going to give money, you would have taken long to open up the cloth wallets.  I saved time by giving him my ring.  This is Agra, this is the first time we have all come.  It would have taken you time to go.”  Bhai Mati Das ji was wondering why Guru Sahib was not making any sense.  Bhai Mati Das ji knew that Guru ji was never hungry and wondered why he made such decisions so quickly.  He remained quiet.  Bhai Dyala ji said to Bhai Mati Das ji: “Guru ji has been acting differently today.  Why did Guru Sahib give the shepherd his ring?  I had 2 Rajitpuns.” Everyone tied their horses and came to Guru Sahib.  Guru Sahib said: “Bhai Dyala ji, please take care of the sheep.  That poor shepherd is gone to do our work.”  The Sikhs folded their hands and said: “as you wish Guru Sahib.”  They kept an eye on the sheep.

Oh, listeners of this history of the pure and great Guru, listen to the history of what events took place with the shepherd as he went to the market to get food for Guru Sahib.  The shepherd, Hasan Ali, took the ring and shawl of Guru Sahib and went to the big market.  He looked for the sweets shop where many types of sweets were made.  He stood at the shop and presented the ring to the halvaee (cook), saying: “take this ring and pawn it for 2 Rajitpuns.  I need sweets for that amount.”  The cook took the ring and noticed that it was a very expensive ring with a rare diamond embedded into it.  He was surprised and asked the shepherd: “where did you get this ring from?  This ring seems to belong to some officer of the Crown.  You look like you are poor and this cannot belong to you.  Did you steal this ring?  I think you stole it or cheated someone.  Tell me the truth or I will have you arrested.  This exchange will be painful for us.  I will get caught.”  The shepherd got scared and said: “there is an Umraav, really big officer or royal person standing in the garden nearby.  He gave me this ring and told me to get some sweets.  I did not steal this.  When I get 2 Rajitpuns from the officer, I will get this ring back from you.  The person was really hungry and could not wait to give me money.”  The cook heard his words and began to weigh the sweets on his scale.  While he weighed the sweets, he said: “give me a cloth to put the sweets in.”  The shepherd presented the shawl given to him by Guru Sahib.  When the cook saw the shawl, he was amazed and widened his eyes to the point where they almost popped out.  It was such a fine and expensive shawl.  The cook thought to himself: “what is this fool doing?  The shawl will be dirtied.  This shawl must be at least a 1,000 Rajitpuns.   He will ruin it with the Pakvaans.  This must be stolen.  I am certain he is a thief.  If he is saying the officer gave him this shawl, this does not sound right.  This shepherd is a thief and a fool, as he does not understand value.  He stole these things and is going to ruin them.”  The cook lost his patience and got worried that he would get caught too if the situation escalated.  He put the sweets down and grabbed the arm of the shepherd.  He took him to the chabootra (police post). 

The halvaee was afraid and spoke to the head constable at the chabootra: “this person came to my shop to get sweets.  He is a thief.  He presented me with this very expensive ring and wanted me to pawn it for 2 Rajitpuns.  I was surprised to see this.  I think he has stolen it.  I didn’t want to take a stolen ring for money and be guilty.  You can ask him everything so that I do not get caught.  He may be a thief, cheat or killer.  He has a very expensive shawl as well.”  The halvaee put the ring and shawl in front of the constable.  The constable and his other colleagues saw the ring and shawl and were amazed at the rare ring and shawl.  The constable got very angry and said: “oy, tell me the truth or you will be hung!  Where did you get this ring from?  Tell me the truth!  Did you kill someone?  Who are you?  You may be hung for this if you lie.  You will be spared if you tell the truth.”  (Thieves were hung for stealing in those days) The constables were all looking at Hasan Ali’s face and reading his actions.  They were experienced in analysing people’s statements.  Hasan Ali spoke up with fear: “I am not a thief, sir.  I am not a killer nor a cheat.  I will tell you the truth.  I was with my sheep and walking near the royal garden.  There was an Umraav or very rich person, sitting in the garden with his servants.  He was wearing royal clothes and he had servants.  He may have arrived a few minutes before me.  He called me as I walked by.  He gave me his ring and told me to get sweets by pawning the ring.  He gave me his shawl to bring the sweets in.  I showed the halvaee and he brought me to you.  He grabbed my arm, thinking I am a thief.  I told him that I did not steal this.  I am not a thief.  He brought me here by force.  If you do not believe me, you can send a person to see for yourself.  There are six people in the garden with six horses.  I don’t know who they are, but I do know they are some kings or Navaabs.  They could be thieves or Sardaars.  I don’t know if they are saints or not.  I just did what they told me to do.  I am not lying.  Let’s go and see who they are.  I don’t know who they are or where they are from.  You can make the judgement.  I was being a good person and doing a good thing.  If I am guilty, you are free to hang me.”  The constable noticed that he was not lying and decided to look deeper into the matter.

12-37 Surrendering Himself

The head constable heard the whole story.  He told two of his men to go and find out the truth.  He told them: “go with the shepherd and go to the royal garden and see if there are six men there.  See who the men with horses are and see what type of people there are.  What are they wearing and what status they are?  Find out what their names are, where they are from and where they are going.  They might be some Sardaars from somewhere.  They may be kings or thieves.  They may be here to rob someone.  Find out why they gave an expensive ring for food that is already prepared.  Make sure they don’t run away, so talk to them nicely.  Get their full story.  One of you should stay with them and the other should tell us.”  Two of the other constables went to the royal gardens.  Hasan Ali went with them as well.  The constables had swords, spears and shields.  They came to the gardens. 

When Bhai Mati Das ji saw the constables coming along with Hasan Ali, he spoke to Guru Sahib: “Guru ji, that person you sent does not have any sweets with him.  He returned empty-handed.”  Guru Sahib responded: “yes, it is him.  Something didn’t go well.  He came back with two Jamdhoots (messengers of death).  The exchange I sent him for is not what he is returning with.  He brought two constables along.  He came empty-ended.  This was Akaal Purakh’s command.”  When the Sikhs heard Guru Sahib, they understood what Guru Sahib was doing.  They now knew why he sent the shepherd to get the sweets.  “He has decided to surrender himself to the Delhi state.  He never ate food from the shops that was not prepared by his serving Sikhs in the past.  It was out of the norm for him to ask for sweets like that.  Now he’s calling them “Jamdhoots.”  Guru Sahib said Jamdhoots for a reason.  He has set a new drama in place.”  They were worried of what play Guru Sahib was playing.  They didn’t say anything, as they were under Guru Sahib’s presence, and didn’t dare to violate his orders.  Bhai Gurditta ji, from Baba Buddha ji’s family, thought to himself: “I have to accept whatever happens.  Whatever Guru Sahib wants to do, nobody can stop it.  He will do good.  You can try a million times to stop him but he can’t be stopped.”  He thought of all this and didn’t say anything either.  He didn’t say anything good or bad.

The constables and Hasan Ali came into the garden.  They approached Guru Sahib and asked him: “who are you Sir and where are you from?  What is your name?  Where are you going?”  Guru Sahib, seated on a bench, in the most calm and serene state, responded: “my name is Tegh Bahadhur and I am blessed by Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s compassion, and for this reason the world knows me as “the Guru.”  I travel where I feel like going.  I never stay in one place.”  When the constables heard this, one of them went back to their superior and the other stayed with Guru Sahib.  Guru Sahib asked Hasan Ali: “you took my ring and shawl but didn’t return with the food.  Where is the food?”  Hasan Ali responded with his hands folded: “Sir, I took your ring and shawl but the Halvaee grabbed me and took me to the chabootra.  He took the ring and shawl.  The diamond in your ring was very expensive and the head constable kept it.  They scolded me.  They sent these two constables with me to find the truth.  I got in trouble.  I didn’t know who you were.  I wanted to help you out but I got in trouble.  I just want to take my sheep and go.  I’ve told you everything.”  The shepherd then took leave and left with his sheep.

The constable went back to his superior and said: “the person in the royal gardens is Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji of the Sodhi family.  This is the same person who all the Hindus call their Guru.  The ring and shawl belonged to him.  The 6 horses belong to him and his Sikhs.”  When the head constable heard all of this, he was extremely happy and got up.  He figured he was going to get many rewards for this and a promotion: “the person who the whole country is looking for, whom the Shah wanted to arrest, he has arrived to us.  He was so hard to find.  I will tell the Emperor that I have arrested the Guru.  He will be happy to hear this.”  He then figured that he needed more men.  He had less men with him.  He thought of going to the fort.  He got on top of his horse and went to the royal fort of Agra.  He went to the main guard and told him: “the Shah will be happy with us.  The Guru is in Agra.  The same Guru, the Emperor was looking for.  We received many Parwanas for him.  The whole Desh knows about this.  By the Shah’s command, he was being searched in the east, west, north and south.  They couldn’t find him.  We have an order to arrest the Guru at sight.  The Guru that was difficult to find, he has come to us.  You will have the crown of victory.  If you were to come arrest him, you will be rewarded.  Let’s arrest him and keep him in the royal fort of Agra with peace and ease.  We will arrest him and then send a message to the Emperor.”  Both the constable and the head guard of the royal fort were happy.  They collected their men in one place.  They then set off and took their forces.  They galloped quickly on horse and headed towards the royal gardens with 400 men.  They spoke on the way and made plans.  The soldiers were ordered to surround the gardens and let no one escape.  They wanted to make sure no one ran away.  They were to be alert and keep a strict eye. 

Soon enough, 400 men surrounded the gardens.  The head constable and the head royal guard entered the gardens with 15 men on their horses.  They approached Guru Sahib where he was sitting.  Guru Sahib was sitting in the usual calm and serene manner he was always in.  The constables and the head guard stood in front of Guru ji and said: “are you Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji?  Tell us your name, village and address.  Are you the one that the Hindus refer to as their Guru?  Tell us your name, caste and address.”  Guru Sahib responded: “the Guru of the Gurus, the Jagat Guru (the Guru of the World) is Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji.  I am the servant of his servants.  I am from Madhar Desh (Punjab) and Tegh Bahadhur is my name.  I was born in the house of Sodhis, which is illuminating in the world.”  When the royal guards heard this, they were now sure that this was Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji, sitting in front of them.  They said to Guru Sahib: “Guru ji, we are under orders of the Shah.  Many times, we have been sent Parwanas, royal commands, to many Desh; that we are to arrest Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji as soon as we see him.  We are ordered to keep you with respect and to inform the Emperor.  We were to look for you in the villages and cities.  Since you are here, we would like you to come and see the Badshah.  Please come with us and stay at the fort for a few days.  We will inform the Emperor, and we will wait for his orders.  If he wants you to come to Delhi, you will have to go to Delhi.  If he wishes to see you in Agra, he will come here to speak to you.  He may write back to tell us to release you.  If he tells us to let you go, we will let you go.  It is our request that you come with us.  We don’t have any answers for you, if you have any questions.  Only the Emperor knows why he wishes to see you.   Don’t ask us any questions.  We are just performing our duty and we need you to come with us.”  The Warrior, Guru Sahib, with great patience, signalled the Sikhs to bring his horse.  Guru Sahib mounted his horse along with the five Sikhs and headed towards the royal fort from the gardens.  The 400 men, head constable and the royal guard along with Guru Sahib and the Sikhs, headed towards the fort.  100 men were in front, 100 in the back and a hundred men, each on the left and right.  They wanted to make sure no one escaped.  They travelled slowly. 

They reached the royal fort and had Guru Sahib ji rest in the guest house.  The room was a very good one, meant for royal guests.  Guru ji came into the room.  Guru Sahib was presented with expensive blankets and comforters.  They brought feed for the horses and brought what ever was needed for Guru Sahib.  They asked Guru Sahib if they needed food.  Guru Sahib said: “we will cook our own food.  We just need grains and ingredients.”  Bhai Mata Das ji and Bhai Dyala ji prepared food for Guru Sahib and the Sikhs.  Everyone ate and rested the night with ease. 

12-38 Arriving in Delhi

The Turk guards were extremely happy as Satguru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji was staying in the royal fort of Agra.  The guards saw this as a victory for the Deen (Islam).  The fools did not know what Akaal Purakh was going to do.  They had participated in the events, that were the beginning of the end of the Turk rule, in which their roots were about to be pulled.  The head constable and the head guard of the fort were planning their next steps.  The constable said: “we will send this message to the Emperor:  Badshah Salamat, Jaha Pana, Shahensha, Aurangzeb Alamgir, according to your command, the Guru of the Hindus, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji, is with us in the royal fort of Agra and kept with the utmost greatest respect.  He was in the royal gardens when our forces descended upon him.  The Guru and his Sikhs were roaming the gardens when we came.  We were informed of the Guru’s arrival in the garden.  We took a force of 400 soldiers and surrounded the Guru.  We arrested The Guru and 5 of his Sikhs as well.  The Sikhs are in our custody as well, staying in the royal fort.  Please advise us of your wishes.  We will wait for your Parwana.”  They wrote this message on a paper.  The message was sent via a mounted messenger to Delhi.  They told him: “do not stop and go straight to the Emperor to give him this message.  Go fast.  It was the Emperor’s orders to immediately arrest the Guru wherever he was seen.  He will read this and write a response.  We want you to bring back the Emperor’s Parwana.  We will reward you well.”  The messenger fed his horse and saddled it up.  He left for Delhi as soon as he could.  He rested very less and travelled most of the time.  He travelled day and night.  He tolerated a lot of fatigue and rested less.

The messenger got to Delhi in two days.  He provided the message to the navisindh (clerk who would read out royal messages).  The navisindh was an educated person in royal courts that knew many languages.  If they needed to translate anything, they could do it on the spot and read out the messages or proclamations.  The navisindh read it out: “the Hindu Guru has been kept.”  The fool emperor, Chavgatha (clan name of the Emperor) was very happy.  He was drunk on his own ego, being the king of the land.  Aurangzeb called his Umraavs and told them: “send a force of 12,000 to bring back the Guru from Agra.”   12,000 soldiers including cavalry, armed guards and officers were sent to Agra.  Aurangzeb made sure there were spies in normal clothes to keep a watch, so other Hindu Rajas wouldn’t attack without notice to free Guru ji.  Aurangzeb said: “I know that Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji is on the throne of Guru Nanak Dev ji and so he must be powerful.  Keep an eye on the Guru, day and night.  Make sure he doesn’t use his powers to free himself.  There should be guards that stay awake at night.  Make sure no Rajput Kings come for his rescue.  They may attack any time.  They can come any time as many Hindus may be planning a rebellion.  The Guru has a big influence upon the Hindus.  There may be a rebellion brewing, ready to kill or be killed.  Be aware of all this as it is your responsibility to bring the Guru to Delhi.  Bring him here quickly.  We have been searching for him for a while.  We caught him suddenly.  If Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji listens to our ask and converts to Islam, all of Hindustan will become Muslim.  Prince and pauper will be afraid.  The whole world will follow Islam slowly after Hindustan.  The sun will never set in the Muslim Kingdom.  My wishes will now be fulfilled.  The religion of Allah will spread.  The Hindus will have their backs broken.  When the Guru comes into the Shariya, the Brahmins will follow.  This, they have already assured me.  During his father Guru Hargobind Sahib ji’s rule, my grandfather, Jahangir, asked the Guru to come to Gwalior.  There were 52 Rajput Rajas in the Gwalior jail.  The Guru made them fearless and had those kings released.  I hope the descendants of those kings don’t awaken their gratitude and come to the rescue of Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji.  They may gather their forces.  They may come to fight and take the Guru away.  For these reasons, a force of 12,000 is needed.  Keep more forces ready in Delhi when you come back, in case anyone attacks on the way.  If anyone finds out that Rajputs have attacked, the Delhi forces will come to their aid.”  Aurangzeb thought about all this and made everyone alert.  He had given specific instructions to his officers.

The force of 12,000 got to Agra in three days, covering about 200 miles.  The Royal guard and the head constable came to receive the army with various gifts.  They met and said “As Slam Alaykum” to each other.  They provided food for the soldiers and feed for the horses.  The officers came to Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji and sat down with him.  They said to Guru Sahib: “the emperor has been searching for you for a long time as he wished to meet you.  He couldn’t find you so he sent his messengers all over India to look for you.  We went through the different regions, but we could not find you.  The Emperor of Hindustan wishes to see you.  He is the master of the land and possesses much wealth and has the allegiance of many kingdoms and groups.  We advise you to be under his command.  If you pledge your allegiance to the Emperor, all of your problems will be solved.”  Guru Sahib responded to the officers smilingly: “tell me one thing: what have I done wrong?  Why have I been arrested?  The whole world belongs to the One Khuddah.  He creates, sustains, provides food and destroys after he is done.  There are kings and paupers, rich and poor living in Akaal Purakh’s kingdom.  The king’s duty by Akaal Purakh is to provide for all his subjects and protect them.  The King punishes the guilty; the thieves and cheats, the murderers and looters.  What does the Emperor want with me?  I have no kingdom nor rule.  I stay by the traditions of Fakirs, Dervishes and saints.  I have no doubts or quarrels with anyone.  I am not bound by his rule.  I am not bound to his word when he wishes to see me.”  The Umraavs spoke: “we have arrived to get you.  We don’t know what the Emperor wishes, we are only bounded by duty.  You can speak to the Emperor.  Our advice is that it’s best to be on the good side of the Emperor.  That would bring you peace and pleasure if you are to pledge your allegiance and listen to what he has to say.”  After the conversation, everyone went to sleep.

In the morning, the forces mobilized and the hoses were saddled.  Guru Sahib was ready to go along with the Sikhs.  Guru Sahib mounted his horse, as did the other Sikhs.  The Umraavs and officers stayed close to Guru Sahib as they were on high alert, in case Guru ji used his powers to fly away or disappear.  There were 3,000 soldiers on the right, left, ahead and behind of Guru Sahib, 12,000 in total.  The cavalry had their guns on point, ready to shoot in case of an attack.  The forces left in a very tight watch.  They did not stop much on the way and came to Delhi as soon as they could.  They only rested the night.  The five Sikhs with Guru Sahib continued to serve Guru Sahib with Langar and his personal attendings.  Guru Sahib would wake up in the last watch of the night and the Sikhs would bring water for Guru Sahib’s bathing.  They came to Delhi in a few days.

As the force came close to Delhi, a message was sent to the Badshah.  They asked to receive orders: “the Guru of the Hindus, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji, has been brought to Delhi with a high alert.  We await your command.  We will keep him where you wish to keep him.”  Aurangzeb was happy to hear the message and said to his Qaazis and Maulvis in a very clever tone: “Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji is here.  How shall we test his powers?  How can we find out what he is thinking?  Use your intellect to tell me.”  The sneaky and clever Maulanas, with corrupt wisdoms, spoke: “we have one idea: there is a haunted house in Delhi, which is empty.  The reason it is empty is because there is a ghost living there that kills anyone who comes into the house.  Not one night, can anyone survive.  The house was made with thousands of Rajitpuns.  People are afraid to live in that haveli as it is haunted.  Many have died.  Nobody enters the house, even during the day.  They are afraid of being killed.  Have the Guru stay in that haunted house for the first night.  If he has powers, he will be saved.  If he is killed by the ghosts, all the good for us.  If he gets scared, we can have him convert to the Shariya.  He will follow you then.  It’s a win-win situation for us.  It will prove his inferiority, which in itself is a reason for everyone to convert to Islam.  When we see him in the morning, we will ask him to convert.  If he doesn’t agree, we will kill him there.”  Aurangzeb heard this and said: “wow, that is an excellent idea!  This is a good test.  If he has powers, we will find out there and then.  If he gets scared and agrees to the Shariya, Islam will spread around the world.”  Aurangzeb sent a message to the officers in the force with Guru Sahib: “the Guru of the Hindu is to be kept at the haunted house for resting the night.  Nobody goes to the house out of fear.  Have the Guru rest there.  The Guru is to be alone inside the house and the Sikhs are to remain outside.  Surround the house so that no one may go in or out.  Stay awake all night.  Keep a strict guard.  Make sure the Guru does not escape.” 

The message was sent to the officers.  The Umraavs and officers took Guru Sahib to the haunted house.  Many hundreds of people were looking on, from the public.  The solders used force to keep the public in line.

12-39 Sahibzada and the Pots, The Well became Salty

Guru Sahib came in to Delhi and was kept at the Haunted house.  This history will continue at another time.  Kavi ji will now take the history back to Patna.

As Guru Sahib left Guru Gobind Singh ji in Patna, the young Guru would play with weapons all day long.  He loved playing with weapons.  Guru Sahib would tell everyone to bring the best weapons, if they wanted him to be happy.  He would keep all the weapons on a bed and burn incense next to them.  He would light ghee lamps and worship the weapons.  He would bring different coloured flowers and shower the weapons with the flowers.  He would make a garland out of the flowers and offer them to the weapons.  He would worship the Shasters (weapons) and circumvent the Shasters, three times, around the bed.  He would sprinkle sandalwood and rose water essence, and bow to the Shasters.  When the bankers’ kids would come to Guru Sahib, Guru Sahib would praise the Shasters and say: “these Shasters are the power of Akaal Purakh.  Worshipping them will give you Akaal Purakh’s blessings.  I like the small Shasters.  The good ones can kill the enemy with one strike.”  Both the mothers would see Guru ji behave in this manner with the Shasters.  “Looks like he will follow his grandfather and will fight battles as he grows up,” thought the mothers.  He kept a slingshot with him all the time and practiced with it day and night.  He practiced to perfect his aim and placed targets as far as possible.

Within the house, there was a well called “Mata Gujri da Khoo.”  The water was very fresh and everyone would come to collect water from that well.  The citizens all used the water from that well, filling many pots.  They would drink that water with joy.  Guru Sahib would shoot the pots with his pellets and slingshot.  He would sometimes hide and shoot the pots, breaking them, and sometimes, he would come in front of them and shoot the pots, quickly running away after.  The water-filled pots would burst all of a sudden and shock the ladies towing the water.  Mata Gujri ji would scold him: “don’t break their pots of water!  You cause them grief as you have wasted their time.”  Guru Sahib was around five years old then.  He would run away.

One day, a Turk lady came to get water.  She lifted the pot on top of her head and headed home.  Guru ji took his slingshot and aimed for the pot.  For some reason, his hand was not steady and the pellet hit the lady’s forehead instead of the pot.  It was a very hard shot and her forehead began to bleed.  The lady began to should out loud.  She wasn’t part of the faithful bunch and began to over-react, lifting her hands and saying “hai, hai.”  She came to the mothers and said: “look what your son has done!  He is standing on the Atari.  He shot me in the forehead and now I’m bleeding.  If I was to be hit in the eye, I could have been blinded.  I will go and report this to the authorities and tell them that your son is not in your control and shoots people.  He breaks everyone’s pots everyday.  Everyone keeps forgiving him, thinking that you are their neighbours but where do we draw the line?  Mata, you see him do all of this.  You don’t stop him either.  The police will be here soon and they will scold you.  How will you speak to the men?”  Mata Gujri ji got really angry.  She picked up a stick and began to chase Guru Sahib.  She yelled out loud as she ran.  She ran after Guru Sahib and climbed on top of the balcony where Guru Sahib was.  Guru Sahib figured that his mother was really mad and that he was about to get a spanking.  Guru Sahib ran into the room on top of the balcony.  He closed the door and locked it.  He sat inside, without a worry.  He figured she will keep knocking and calm down after a while.  He was fearless, as fear didn’t come close to him even as a child.  He didn’t want his mother to feel bad after she would spank him though.  Mata ji stood at the door and tried to open the door, but Guru Sahib just sat there, on the bed, inside the room.  “Come outside right now!  I see you playing with weapons and slingshots everyday.  Kids don’t do these kinds of things.  The rule belongs to the Mughals and you will cause problems.  You shot a Turk lady in the forehead and made her bleed.  She is going to the Turk police and they will come to scold us.  Your father is not here.  We will need to get other people to help us.  The rule belongs to the Turks and we are worried.  You do all these things, not fearing them,” said Mataji.  Guru Sahib spoke from inside: “I didn’t mean to hit her on purpose.  I was aiming for the pot but my hand moved and hit her in the forehead.  Her forehead came in the way.  It wasn’t my fault.  I don’t fear the Turks.  Let her bring the police, I’m not afraid of them.”  Mata Gujri ji responded: “I’ve figured this out that you won’t let us live here in peace.  You don’t sit still, even for a second.  You should play with the bankers’ kids.  Why do you play with slingshots?  All you do is talk about war and battles.  I told you to stop playing with slingshots.”  Yelling, she came back downstairs and continued her scolding.  She was angry and said out loud: “oh Sri Guru Nanak ji, Parmeshwar, the true king, this well is the cause of all this grief, may this well water become salty.  The ladies come to get water and our Gobind shoots the pots and causes conflict.  If nobody comes to get water, nobody will fight.  I’m sick of the daily problems.  Please accept my request.”  Mata ji came to the Muslim lady and gave her 5 Rajitpuns and clothes.  She said to her in a sweet way: “the Sahibzada is still a kid.  Please don’t be mad at him.  He was aiming for something else but hit your forehead by accident.  You came in front, all of a sudden.  You got hit in the forehead for this reason.  Take this money and clothes and please forgive my son.  Please consider that he is young and don’t go to the police.  Take the money and buy yourself ghee sweets.  If you need anything else, we will provide for you what you need.  Till your wound doesn’t heal, we will give you money on a daily basis.”  The lady saw money and instantly calmed down and went home.  From that day onwards, the well no longer had fresh water.  It was known in the Sangat that the well was salty because of this event.  [The Sangat of Patna then asked Mata ji: “when will the well have fresh water again?”  Mata ji said, “when the Sangat of Punjab comes to Patna.”  That was during the time of 1947 when people from Punjab came and the well began to have fresh water again.] 

Guru Sahib was in the room for an hour and a half and opened the door.  He stood in the doorway of the room and stayed quiet.  Mata Gujri ji was speaking and complaining to Mata Nanaki ji.  She told her the whole story: “my husband used to praise our son a lot and would tell me not do anything against his wishes.  He made me so angry today when I saw the wound on the lady’s forehead.  What do I do?  He breaks the women’s pots full of water everyday.”  Mata Nanaki ji then said to Mata ji: “he will be a warrior.  When he grows up, he will be the most powerful warrior.  Don’t say anything to him.  He is the Avatar of Akaal Purakh’s power.  My husband told me that and so did your husband.  He is a child right now but he is showing his nature coming out.  Let me go to him and explain to him what he should know.  You should stay quiet and calm down.”  Mata Nanaki ji climbed the stairs slowly with her walking stick.  She slowly walked to the room atop the balcony and saw her grandson sitting in the room.  As soon as she saw her grandson, she melted and was filled with love.  She grabbed his arm and placed him in her lap.  She kissed his forehead and said: “come downstairs.”  She tried to pick him up but he was quite heavy.  His body had become heavy from playing around all day.  She was old and he was strong.  She grabbed his hand and had him walk down with her.  Mata Gujri ji saw her son and spoke to him in a calm voice: “why don’t you understand that we live in the kingdom of the Turks?” She then picked him up and put him on her lap.  She made him happy by her words.

The cook came, bringing Langar.  Guru Sahib said: “it’s been a while since Pitha ji left.  We didn’t get any letter from Anandpur.  Looks like someone has kept him in his love.”  Mata ji fed him in the mean time and tried to divert his attention.  Guru Sahib continued his words: “Mata ji, I don’t want to stay here any longer.  I want to go back to our country, Punjab.  I want to stay with Pitha ji.  I want to stay in Anandpur.”  Mata Gujri ji wanted to stay.  She responded: “son, this Bihar country is good.  There are many comforts here.  When your father will be in Punjab, he will assess the situation and call us when he thinks it’s good.  He will send us a letter.  You are born in Bihar and so this is your country.  The Sikhs and the Masands are your servants and they do as you say.  They send you what you need.  We have everything we need here.  We will need to wait for your father’s command.”  Guru Sahib responded: “Pitha ji gave me his permission.  We will leave when he sends us his command.  I don’t like it here.  I want to go to Punjab.”  He would say this everyday and ask about Punjab constantly.  He wanted to leave.  He would ask: “how far is Punjab and how long does it take to get there?”  Mataji would tell the Sikhs and the Masands to make sure the Guru Child is happy, and to divert his attention from going to Punjab.  Guru Sahib would constantly state his wishes to Mata Gujri ji: “please take me to Punjab, I don’t want to stay in this country.”

12-40 Wanting to go to Punjab, Palanquin

The elder Masands that were familiar with the traditions of the Guru’s house, they wanted to do as they pleased.  They came to see Guru Sahib everyday and their wishes were fulfilled by coming there.  They were beginning to think that Guru Sahib will change things and create a new religion and will not continue the same traditions.  He will not care of what other’s opinions will be, and will start new traditions.  The Sangat of Patna was great and in large numbers, and Guru Sahib knew what the Sangat feels in their hearts.  Guru Sahib feels that the people of the East are easily manipulated.  Sometimes they are faithful and sometimes they lose faith.  The people of the East change their ideology according to the times.  When they need something, health, wealth, or other situations, they come to the Guru.  The Masands were aware of the people and that Guru Sahib knew this.  Guru Gobind Singh ji would constantly talk about Punjab.  Guru Sahib would say: “my elders are from Punjab.  People of Punjab understand the Guru’s traditions.  The people of Punjab sacrifice their mind, body and wealth for the Guru and they have unwavering love for the Guru.  Their faith is solid.  My grandfather fought four battles in Punjab and was victorious in all of the battles.  The people of Punjab were with him.  Many thousands were in the army of the Guru.  The mothers and sons of Punjab are blessed.”

One day, Guru Sahib was sitting with his grandmother and said: “Daddi ji, I want to go to Punjab.  The wish to go is constant in my heart.  That is our real country.   That is the place of the elder Gurus.  The Gurus did many miracles and great tasks there.  When I hear about Punjab from the other Sikhs, I wish I could fly and go there right away.  Our traditions are from there.  The people of Punjab are deserving of Sikhi.  Rai Bhullar, Bhai Lalo, Bebe Nanaki ji were all from Punjab.  I do not like it here in Bihar.  It is best that we go from here.”  Mata Nanaki ji heard Guru Sahib and began to shed tears.  She remembered her times from when Guru Hargobind Sahib ji had to fight wars; and Guru Arjan Dev ji was martyred.  She felt worried as soon as she thought about the wars.  She said to Guru Sahib: “son, we have seen many tragedies and wars in Punjab.  When I think about my youth in Punjab, I feel pain and I get worried.  Since you have been born, I have not seen or felt any pain.  This place is so nice.   The Sangat of the East are so nice.  You complete their wishes and they bring you many gifts.  All of the Masands in the East are all obedient to your wishes and orders.  The Sikhs of Bihar and Bangladesh do what you say.  Don’t think about Punjab.  This place is nice for you.  You have a nice house and nice food to eat.”  Guru Sahib heard his grandmother’s words and said: “Mataji, you say there are all types of pleasures here, but the Sangat here is two-faced.  Their nature and ideology are different.  There are many Sikhs here, but not many are faithful.  Most of the people here follow the traditions but they are void of love.  They are stuck into the ways of the world and are only Sikh by name.  I appreciate the sticklers of rules, as well as the devoted and will save all of them, but they are always caught into the web of right and wrong.  It is the devoted ones that will be by my side forever.  These people of the East think I’m a child.  They have no idea who I really am.  They only see my body.  Although, this is my birth place, they don’t really consider me as one of their own.  I know their hearts and what they believe.  When I go to Punjab, many will be saved and will prosper.  The Punjabis want to see me.  When the Punjabis will come to Patna, they will be met with love.  Then, they will see me as one of their own.  Then they will come to Punjab to visit me.  They will then have love in their hearts once we are distanced.  Listen to why else Punjab is better: I have many tasks to do in Punjab.”  The grandmother responded: “listen son, the Sangat of the East see you as the 10^th Guru, just like the Gurus before you.  They have full faith in you and see you as the Guru Avatar.  Why do you criticize them and say that they are without love and faith?  The Sangat follows you and brings you the best gifts.  They see you as the power of Akaal Purakh.  Why don’t you test them?  Give them a command.  If they listen to you, then they are fine, if not, then you can do as you please.”  Hearing his grandmother say those words, Guru Sahib smiled and called one of the scribes that wrote the hukamnamas (letter of commands).  He said: “write this hukamnama to Bulaaki Das, the Masand of Bengal and the Sangat of Dhaka.  Tell Bulaaki Das to make a palanquin for me, made of gold and ivory.  I want it made of 700 Tolas (1 tola = 10 grams) of gold and make sure it is beautiful.”  The scribe wrote the message and took the letter to Bangladesh.

The messenger gave Guru Sahib’s command to Bulaaki Das.  Bulaaki Das called all of the rich people of Bangladesh and collected money.  He got many craftsmen to prepare the palanquin.  They made sheets of gold, jewels and ivory and applied them to the palanquin.  The palanquin was ready in a few days and was sent to Patna.  When it came to Patna, it was placed in front of Guru Gobind Singh ji.  The Sikhs that brought it said: “Guru Sahib, Bulaaki Das has followed your command and sent this palanquin for you.”  Guru Sahib looked at the palanquin and said: “it is beautiful.  Send this palanquin to Mata ji so she can see it too.”  He knew that Bulaaki Das did not use all of the money that was given to him by the Sikhs for the palanquin.  He didn’t use 700 Tolas of Gold.  He didn’t say anything about that.  Both the mothers saw the palanquin and praised Bulaaki Das for the job he had done: “the Masands are so great.  Bulaaki Das is a great Sikh.  He made this palanquin so quickly after receiving the Guru’s command.  He used great craftsmen and applied a lot of gold.  We have never seen such an expensive and beautiful palanquin.”  Mata Nanaki ji continued: “see, this is the Sikhi of the East.  They are full of love and they listen to your commands.  They made exactly what you asked for.  They are faithful to the seva of the Guru and they see you as the all-powerful Guru.  Many rich Sikhs here have faith in the Guru.  They love you with their heart.  Since we have come from Madhur Desh (Punjab), we have been living in peace.  There were many conflicts in Punjab.  We have fought many battles with the Mughals.  There was a big battle that happened in Sri Amritsar.  When it was your aunt, Bibi Veero ji’s wedding, the Mughals attacked right before the wedding was to take place.  We had to collect our belongings and leave.  Many expensive items were destroyed.  We had to continue the wedding in Chabaal.  Many great Sikhs, like Bhai Jattu and Bhai Bhanu, lost their lives in that battle.  The expensive items, clothes, gourmet dishes and sweets that were prepared were all looted and ruined.  They looted our things.  Sikhs were killed.  Although amidst so much ruin, the True Guru defeated the Mughals.  Many other battles were fought.  Aside from the battles, our relatives caused a lot of problems due to jealousy.  Since you were born here, we want you to stay here in peace.  There are many people here, who love you.  We like it here too.  Bulaaki Das is such an obedient Sikh along with others.  They don’t have any fault in their heart.  So, stay here and don’t mention Punjab again.  The relatives won’t let you live in peace.  They are jealous of the glory of the house of the Guru.  We have been through all that negativity.  There are more enemies there than friends.  When I think about my past, I get scared.  The people of the East have faith.  There is a lot of peace and serenity here.  They all respect you.