12-46 The Haveli in Delhi

Guru Sahib was in the haveli (house) that belonged to the violent ghost that would kill anyone that would stay in the house.  The ghost was a person who owned the house at one time.  He loved the house so much that he became a ghost and haunted the same house when he died.  Anyone who came to the house, he would scare them to death.  Everyone in Delhi knew about the haunted house and wouldn’t come close to the house even during the day.  People would not cross the road in front of the house.  Aurangzeb ordered his soldiers to keep Guru Sahib in that house with a strict guard, in and around the house.  The Sikhs of the Guru were kept outside of the house while Guru Sahib was kept inside.  The Emperor’s Maulanas said: “the Hindus call him their Peer and Guru, now the ghost will kill him.  He cannot escape from there.  He will either convert to Islam, being scared of the ghost, or be killed.  Once he becomes a Muslim, all of Hindustan will become Muslim.  If the Guru dies, people will convert out of fear.”  The Umraavs of Aurangzeb praised the Emperor for such a plan.  “If the Guru converts, all the hurdles will be gone.  He is called the Guru of all the Hindus and everyone follows him.”  The fools were rejoicing and little did they know that they were calling for their own downfall.  The Guru was taking back what was once given to them by Guru Nanak Dev ji.  The kingdom of Hindustan was given to Babar.  He was blessed with seven generations of rule.  Guru Sahib was loosening their grip and taking back the kingdom by sacrificing his own life.  The Guru was going to make them guilty (of his death) to destroy them.

There were guards all around the haunted house.  Guru Sahib had entered the house.  The sun had set and it was now night time.  Soon enough, a very scary looking ghost appeared in front of Guru Sahib.  The ghost saw the Guru and recognized light of Akaal Purakh.   He folded his hands and bowed to Guru Sahib.  He placed his head on the Guru’s feet and said: “oh Lord, you have come to my home.  I am blessed that you came to visit me.  I am a big sinner and am a ghost now.  Please command me how I may serve you.  The whole universe serves you.  I am a very small being in this universe.  I am your servant.  I am not able to touch water so I am not able to serve you with water.  (Water is something ghosts cannot touch as it attracts vibrations of spiritual nature.  Water is the root of all life.  When a baby is in the womb, the baby promises Akaal Purakh that it will not forget the Lord and water becomes its witness.  Water promises to remind humankind of Akaal Purakh when one would touch water).  I can bring you food though, but I am not sure if you will take food from my hands or not.  I am aware that Saints and Peers eat very pure food with cleanliness.  If there is anything you would like me to do for you, I will do it immediately.  These enemies standing around you, I will kill them all, if you wish.  I can take these people out of the city to places where they will not know where they have reached.  I can kill their kids and destroy their homes.  I am waiting for your command.  I can do anything you want.”  Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji spoke: “I have no enemies and don’t wish to kill anyone.  Everyone is only doing what their karma has allowed for them to do.  They are living the life as they see it.  Devatas and demons all experience pain and pleasure, as per Akaal Purakh’s design, pain and pleasure are given to them by Akaal Purakh.  Nobody is essentially at fault, so no one is to blame.  Pandit, fool, king or pauper, all have the drum of death beating on their heads.  Good and bad deeds go along with the soul when one dies.  The doer is only the One, Akaal Purakh.  A single person is nothing and has no impact.  To kill or protect someone is in the hands of Akaal Purakh.  Don’t worry about anyone, the best thing to do is to stay quiet at let Akaal Purakh’s plan unfold.”  The ghost heard Guru Sahib’s words and thought to himself: “Guru Sahib has come to my home and I should serve him.  That is the only way I can be saved from this dreadful life.”  The ghost bowed and disappeared.

The ghost had flown to the market to see what he can bring back for Guru Sahib.  He looked around, here and there.  He needed to find something that he can touch.  He couldn’t take anything that was cooked, as Saints only cook themselves or eat what is cooked by their designated pupils.  He wanted to get something raw for Guru Sahib that he could eat.  He thought to himself: “Guru Sahib wouldn’t eat the sweets from the Halvaee’s shops.  It would have been good if Guru Sahib can eat the sweets. Guru Sahib would have been so pleased.”  The ghost then looked around and saw a market that had dry fruits and fresh fruits from other regions.  He saw red and orange apples; pistachios and pears and mangoes.  He saw pomegranates and oranges.  The ghost then thought that it would be good to take fruit for Guru Sahib.  The dry fruit would not be impure by the ghost’s touch.  Other than that, nothing else could have been taken.  He took the fruits, as much as he could.  He then saw sugar cane stalks and picked them up.  He went back to Guru Sahib and placed the fruits in front of Guru Sahib and said: “Guru Sahib, please accept this fruit.  I would be extremely happy if you were to consume this fruit.  I would be very fortunate to have served you.  Akaal Purakh has come to my home and came as a guest.  I have been living here for a long time and you have come today.  I consider myself fortunate and blessed that you have come.”  Guru Sahib listened to the ghost and accepted his plea, recognizing his faith and love.  Guru Sahib ate the fruit, as much as he wanted to.  Guru Sahib then chewed the sugar cane stalks.  He took the consumed peel of the sugar cane and threw it forward, in front of him.  Some of the bark-like peel he threw behind.  The ghost was happy that Guru Sahib ate the fruit he brought for him.  He thought to himself: “my sins are being washed away.”  Guru Sahib then spoke, understanding the ghosts wishes: “tell me, when you were placed in the ghost life, what did you do to deserve such pain and such a scary appearance?”  The ghost folded his hands and spoke: “I sinned Guru Sahib.  This house that I am in, my relatives and I were in conflict.  The relatives took my property away from me.  I fought a case in the courts and I lied under oath, but won the case.  I didn’t think of the sin of lying under oath.  I received the life of a ghost because of that sin.  I would request you to bless me and release me from this life.”  Guru Sahib heard his story and said: “ok, take the discarded peel of the sugar cane that I had chewed, and eat it.  You have served me and because of that, I will release you from the life of a ghost.”  The ghost took the consumed peel of the sugar cane and put it in his mouth.  His mouth was filled with many types of pleasing tastes.  In one instant, he was satisfied and all his sins were washed away.  He received the highest level of Bhrahmgyaan and was released from the cycle of birth and death.  He was in instant bliss.  Guru Sahib saw the ghost’s soul immersing in to Akaal Purakh.  He then closed his eyes and went to sleep.  To protect the Hindu religion, Guru Sahib had performed many great tasks.  He is about to make the ultimate sacrifice of his life to save the Hindus right to live their lives in their own way.  He was about to tell everyone the meaning of his name: to be courageous = Bahadhur; Tegh= sword.  He swung the sword with courage, and took the sword on his head with great courage.  No one else can do what he was about to do.  No one else can show so much courage and chivalry. 

12-47 The Sikh Shows his Power

When Guru Sahib consumed the sugar canes, he had also thrown some chewed stalks outside of the haveli.  One of the Sikhs that were with him, saw the chewed peels and put it in his mouth.  When he put the peel in his mouth, his mouth was filled with so much taste.  When the peel came into his mouth, many powers and abilities instantly came inside of him.  He felt the power residing in his body and was filled with ego.  It was so much power that his ego was not able to harness it.  He sat all night long reading Gurbani, as he did not know what to do with so much power.  When the sun came up, Aurangzeb’s men came to get Guru Sahib.  Guru Sahib was calm and serene.  The soldiers were surprised to see the Guru so calm and cool.  They wondered why the ghost didn’t kill him or scare him, for that matter.  He was sitting in ultimate bliss.  The soldiers said to Guru Sahib: “Guru ji, you have been called to the Emperor’s court.”  The soldiers spoke in a harsh tone, which was heard by the Sikh who had the limitless powers, jumping in his body.  He didn’t do anything but kept a note of what was going on.  When Guru Sahib came outside, all the Sikhs bowed to Guru Sahib.  (Although Kavi Santokh Singh ji does not mention which Sikh it was that tasted the chewed-up sugar cane peel, many other historical sources mention that it was Bhai Mati Das ji) The Sikh spoke: “Satguru ji, why are you taking this pain?  Please give me the signal.  My powers have surpassed all human limits.  I am in a state of all-powerful energy.  I can do what I please now.  Hundreds, thousands, hundred-thousands of people are nothing in front of me.  I can destroy them all, including the Emperor.  Their children will not survive.  I can show you what I can do, with your blessing.  If you feel this is too late, then please command me with some other task.  I cannot stand these people insulting you and treating you bad.  Delhi and Lahore are the strongholds of the Mughals, I can destroy the men and women along with their families.  I can take both cities and pull them from the ground up, and smash them together, destroying all the homes.  I can turn the cities upside down so these people cannot get up again.  This is how much power I have.  I am just waiting for your command.  These people disrespect you.  They are fools and don’t think how they should behave with saints.  They have guards set up all around you and wish to keep you in jail.  Why should we take their insults?  I will make them bow to your feet, begging for mercy.”  Guru Sahib heard Bhai Mati Das and smiled.  Guru Sahib grabbed his arm and squeezed it.  By squeezing his arm, Guru Sahib pulled all his power and left Bhai Mati Das ji without the energy he had.  Bhai Mati Das ji had become like the bark of sugar cane after being chewed of all its sugar.  He felt empty from last night and the feeling he had before, was all gone now.  He felt bad for speaking with ego in front of Guru Sahib.  Guru Sahib smiled and said to Bhai Mati Das: “go ahead, smash the two cities now.”  Bhai Mati Das ji then folded his hands and spoke with humility to Guru Sahib: “Guru ji, you are the doer of all the universe.  You are the master of all, and your powers are limitless.  I thought I was powerful and began to tell you of my powers but I now realize that you are the all-powerful and the giver of all powers.  I became egotistical and thought that I will help you and kill all the Mughals.  I wanted to pull the root of the Mughals and spoke accordingly when I had the power.  Now that you grabbed and pressed my arm, I am now but a mere mortal again.  I have no power now.  I have no abilities anymore.  Everything happens in your will.  You may do with me what you wish.  My ego has also been destroyed.  You are extremely patient and no one knows your plan.”  Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji then spoke to Bhai Mati Das ji: “you have faith and follow Sikhi with great devotion.  The storm that the Mughals have brewed, you have put up with but you were making some strategies in your mind.  You began to doubt me and wondered if I had the ability to save myself or not.  For this reason, I threw the sugar cane peel towards you, to remove your doubt.  You have had sugar cane before, but have they every given you any powers before?  You wanted to see my partial power.  You received the power by having the sugar cane and now I have taken it back.  The power that you wanted to show: a drop of water should not be proud in front of the ocean.    You were unaware of the source from which the power came from.  From whose seva you received this power, can he not save himself?  You didn’t understand this and became proud.  Whatever the Satguru does, the Sikh should not doubt.  The Sikh should be happy in the state the Guru keeps him/her in.  That Sikh is deserving of salvation.  The Guru is complete and perfect.  The Sikh with less knowledge should not be egotistical.  The Sikh should remember Sri Kartar, the source of all life.”  Bhai Mati Das heard Guru Sahib’s word and bowed to his feet and asked for forgiveness: “Guru Sahib, only you know your potential and how you go about with the way of the universe.  The Mughals were disrespecting you and I couldn’t see that.  I couldn’t handle it.  For this reason, that is why I made the request.  Please forgive my Lord!  I am small minded in front of you and will never repeat this mistake again.  I will do as you say.”  In this way, Guru Sahib bestowed knowledge onto the Sikhs. 

Guru Sahib then headed towards the court of Aurangzeb.  There were soldiers with guns and weapons, surrounding Guru Sahib.  There was a strict guard watching Guru Sahib.  There were guards on top of the roofs.  They were afraid of Guru Sahib, as he was a great warrior.  Aurangzeb was showing his power.

Guru Sahib was in a state of stillness and walked slowly.  The Sikhs were following Guru Sahib.  Guru Sahib reached the big doors of the Red Fort and entered.  Armed guards were placed all around the fort.  The door was made of red stone with very fine craftmanship.  Many people from many countries were standing outside the fort, bringing their pleas and personal problems to the court.  Guru Sahib and the Sikhs went to the court of the Emperor.  Guru Sahib was about 6 and a half feet tall and everyone in the court was surprised to see the radiance and ambiance of the Guru.  The Hindus and Muslims all saw the Guru.  The Mughal fools did not know what they were doing, of what the consequences of their actions were going to be.  They didn’t know what was coming towards them.  Guru Sahib walked into the court.  There was a bench set up for Guru Sahib to sit on.  There was a very fine fabric on top of the bench for him to sit on.  Guru Sahib sat on the bench.  The precious gems studded court was full with many people.

12-48 Conversation with Nauranga, The Example of the Chilli Peppers

The son of Sri Guru Hargobind ji is so great that people bow their heads out of respect without their will.  He is ever so calm and serene, sitting in the court of the Emperor.  The people of the court see him and are in awe of him.  The Emperor was filled with ego and evil strategies.  He killed many saints and holy men in the name of conversion.  He wanted to finish all other religions aside from Islam.  He was going against Akaal Purakh’s will as all religions were Akaal Purakh’s will.  Nauranga was a great fool and thought he was going to become the emperor of the world one day.  He was a very strong Emperor, as he defeated all other states and there was no chance of a rebellion.  No other Rajput Kings or other kings were stronger than him. Nauranga’s forces were all over India.  The whole country paid allegiance to Nauranga.  He could kill anyone he wished and grab their wealth.  Just as Raavan was a king who won the three worlds, so is Nauranga.  The kings of all the states were in his court, folding their hands in front of him.

Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji spoke to him: “oh King of Delhi, why have you called me here?  What is it that you want me to do, which you can’t do?”  The foolish emperor, the great sinner spoke: “I will tell you what I wish and need: I want the whole world to come into the fold of Islam.  I want to see one religion on this earth.  I don’t want to see Hindus in this world.  I want everyone to go to heaven.   When I die and go to the court of Allah, I will tell Allah that I have completed his task.  This is my wish.  The religion of Hindus is fragile and untrue.  When all the Hindus, the fools, come together, they talk nonsense in their religion.  I want them to be saved and not go to Hell.  I want them to follow the religion of Allah.  Once they declare the Kalma and accept Allah as the one true Lord and Mohammed being his prophet; keep the fasts of Ramadan; offer the Nimaaz five times a day; have faith in the Quran, I will give them everything they want.  They will go to heaven.  They can take money and convert to Islam too.  I will reward them with land, who accept the Law of Shariya with happiness and/or have them marry the beautiful daughter of a noble Muslim.  I am ready to give the hand of my own daughter to such a person who converts to Islam.  They will get to marry my daughter and I will give them great wealth and land.  Whoever comes into the Shariya, I will pay for their expenses.  This is considered the deed of all deeds in Islam.  In our religion, it is a great deed to convert others into Islam.  This is the true worship of Allah.  This is what I want to do.  Whoever doesn’t listen to me, I don’t like hearing the word “no” they will become my enemy.  I can be a very dangerous man for that person.  Whoever listens to me, I guarantee them a pleasure-filled, peaceful life.  That person will be my brother.”  Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji spoke: “Badshah, this world is made by Khuddah (Allah, Akaal Purakh), and we should all follow the will of Akaal Purakh and not impose our will.  There is none other such as the Parameshver, Akaal Purakh.  If Akaal Purakh did not wish the Hindus to exist, then he wouldn’t have created the religion or the people that follow Hinduism.  Everyone would have been born Muslim if that was Allah’s will.  In Delhi, thousands of Muslims and Hindus are born.  Allah, Akaal Purakh wishes to see Hindus and Muslims.  If you want to see the proof of Allah’s will, then here, let me show you: bring 5 Munns (or Maunds; in the old scales, it is not clear what the exact weight was but the research shows it was any where from 40 lbs to 160lbs for 1 Munn) of black peppers and pile them up in one place.  Place a lot of fire wood around it and light it.  Let the fire burn for 24 hours and then I will give you your answer tomorrow.”  Nauranga accepted Guru Sahib’s ask as he thought he was going to see a miracle.  He loved to see miracles.  Guru Sahib came outside of the court.  The guards escorted him to a jail and locked him up.  Guru Sahib sat down in his cell and was at peace.

Nauranga did as Guru Sahib directed and had 5 Munns of black peppers burn for 24 hours.  The servants did as Nauranga asked.  The peppers were burnt to an ash and a message was sent to the Emperor, marking the completion of the task.  The Emperor then asked Guru Sahib to come to his court again.  Guru Sahib was asked to sit next to the Emperor on a bench.  Nauranga spoke to Guru Sahib: “I have done what you asked me to do.  Please answer my question.  I wanted the Hindus to become Muslim.  I want to see one religion so there will be no conflict in the world.  If you accept Islam, Hindustan will accept it as well.  Guru Sahib, you want peace and so do I.  I will give you anything you ask from me.  I want to see you accept Islam.”  Guru Sahib spoke: “the pepper that has become ash, I want you to grind the ash further and then filter it.  Whatever will be left, that will be the answer to your question.”  Nauranga heard this and called his Qaazis and Mullahs.  He had them sit beside Guru Sahib and said: “whatever he says, understand it and do it.”  He wanted them to question the Guru and figure out what Guru Sahib was trying to say.  The ash was brought forward and many people were grinding and filtering it.  They grinded all of the ash and when they filtered it, there were three peppers that did not burn or grind.  Everyone saw that there were 3 remaining peppers that did not burn in the fire nor were they grinded.  Everyone was so surprised to see 5 Munns of peppers becoming ash and these 3 surviving.  Aurangzeb took the 3 remaining peppers and squeezed them.  They were in fact, unharmed.  He then spoke to Guru Sahib: “what is this?  How is this my answer?  What I asked you, this is not my answer.  I didn’t understand this.  Where is the miracle?  Out of 5 Munns, only 3 single peppers survived.  Tell me what the straight answer is.  Will you convert to Islam or not?”  Guru Sahib responded: “you are a very cleaver Badshah, did you not understand this?  I told you yesterday that this whole world is created by Khuddah’s will.  Everything happens by Allah’s will.  These 3 peppers are shouting your answer loud and clear.  You wanted to make everything into 1, but my Khuddah does not wish this.  There were 2 religions before, Hinduism and Islam, now there will be a third.  Your wishes will not be fulfilled, they will break in front of you.  You can try as much as you can but it will be fruitless.  People like you and I are nothing in front of Akaal Purakh.  You are trying to show your power in front of Akaal Purakh.  The whole world belongs to the creator, one shouldn’t try to glorify themselves.  Everyone likes their own religion and won’t leave it, even in pain.  Whoever stays steadfast in their religion, they will reach a high state in the court of Akaal Purakh.  This is the way of the tradition and cannot be destroyed.  On this Earth, there have been many Kings, greater than you.  Their glory was greater than yours.  When they became egotistical, their own ego brought upon their demise.  Their roots were pulled and there now is no sign of their existence (their children do not exist, and they only live in stories).  The Lord that created life, the Lord protects them as well.  No one else has the power to oppose the will of Akaal Purakh.  Whoever will sin, they will be destroyed.  I have given you the example of the peppers.  Akaal Purakh has showed you Akaal Purakh’s will in this example.  They will not become 1 from 2 but the third will bring stability to all.  This is the will of Allah which you need to understand.  This is inevitable, so you should follow Akaal Purakh’s will.  This is our tradition which you should understand.”

12-49 Visiting the Sikhs from the Jail

The Emperor sent Guru Sahib to the jail and began to discuss his thoughts in his court: “he is the Guru of the Hindus and you can see his powers.  He made 3 peppers survive out of such a large pile of peppers that burned a whole day.  Out of the whole 5 Munns, only 3 peppers survived.  None other.  He won’t show me a miracle or accept Islam.  He is determined not to listen to us.  He will be in pain in jail but still won’t listen to us.”  The Maulvis, bound by their rope of Shariya and blind to logic, along with the Umraavs and Qaazis, listened to the Emperor and said: “then keep the Guru in jail and torture him.  Use all sorts of ways to torture him.  Cause him pain and don’t let him meet anyone; don’t give him food on time.  Tie him up.  He will eventually come to his breaking point and then will listen to you.”

Guru Sahib reached the jail and sat in his cell.  There were many Sikhs in Delhi who had a lot of faith and love for the Guru.  One Sikh wanted to have Guru Sahib come to his house for food.  He had been praying for a long time in his heart.  Now that Guru Sahib was in Delhi, he wanted to serve Guru Sahib, who is the master of the Sikhs.  He wanted to call Guru Sahib to his house and serve him with delicious food.  Now that Guru Sahib was in the jail, that Sikh decided to make food and send it to the jail.  He was hoping this would happen and wanted to be blessed.  “I would be fortunate if Guru Sahib can come to my home.  If I cannot have Guru Sahib over, or take the food to him, then I must be a great sinner.  I would come to the conclusion, that Guru Sahib is not happy with me,” thought the Sikh.  He set out to see Guru Sahib in the jail.  He asked the guards for permission to see Guru ji and eventually got to Guru Sahib’s cell after a difficult feat.  He bowed to Guru Sahib and began to cry in front of Guru Sahib and said: “Guru Sahib, I have been praying for a long time to have your holy feet enter my house.  I wished to have you eat food prepared by my hands.  Now that you are in jail, this seems not possible anymore.  Then I thought, you are bound by my love.  I know that you can do the impossible, because of love.  Guru Sahib, please come to my home and have food prepared at my house.  If not, I can bring the food here to your cell.  I will sit here and give you the food.”  Guru Sahib then spoke: “don’t worry, you go home and prepare food.  I will come to your home and eat a meal just as you wish.  When it will be morning, in the first watch of the day (around 9 am), I will come to your home and have a meal.”  The Sikh heard the Guru’s word and was over-joyed.  He thought to himself: “Guru Sahib is still coming to my house even after such a strong and well-guarded cell.” 

He went home as quick as we could and began to prepare various delicacies.  He made Karah Prashaad and Kheer (rice pudding) with the utmost respect and cleanliness.  He made rice, lentils and yoghurt.  He had his family help along as well and made very thin rotis for the best taste.  He made many salty dishes; sour, sweet and spicy.  He cooked all night; and it was soon morning.  After the first watch of the morning, Guru Sahib was standing in front of his house.  Guru Sahib said: “I am very hungry.  Please bring me the food that you have prepared.  Please be quick and let me know where I should sit.  I have come to your house because of your love.”  When the Sikh saw the Guru standing in front of his house, he folded his hands and bowed.  He set a seat for Guru Sahib and covered it with clean and expensive sheets.  He asked Guru Sahib to sit there.  The Guru, that cleans the sins of the Sikhs, had come to the Sikh’s house.  The Sikh said to Guru Sahib: “Guru Sahib you are truly bound to your Sikhs by their love.  I have been praying for this day for a very long time.  I wanted you to come to my home when you would come to Delhi.  You knew the wishes of my heart and have blessed me by coming to my home.  You walked here yourself and blessed me.”  The Sikh plated food for Guru Sahib.  The neighbours and other Sikhs in his contact also came to the Sikh’s house.  They all bowed to Guru Sahib, folding their hands and requesting for blessings.  The Sikhs were filled with love and came as soon as they found out that Guru Sahib had come.  The Sikh brought a jug of water and a vessel.  He washed the feet of Guru Sahib and wiped them with a towel.  He touched Guru Sahib’s feet and touched his forehead.  These were the feet that the Devatas want to serve.  The Sikh was very fortunate and touched the Guru’s feet with his forehead.  A big plate was placed in front of Guru Sahib.  The delicious food was plated and Guru Sahib ate the food.  Guru Sahib recognized the faith and love of the Sikh and came out of the jail that had a strict guard.  The neighbour of the Sikh also wished Guru Sahib to come to his house and requested Guru Sahib with his hands folded: “Guru Ji, my wish is to have you over at my house tomorrow.  Please come to my house and have food.  I am your servant.  Please come and I will prepare delicious food.  I want your pure feet to touch my home.  I will be fortunate if you were to come.”  Guru Sahib saw the neighbours love and said: “ok, if you have love and faith, Guru Nanak Dev ji will fulfil your wish.”  Guru Sahib accepted the neighbour’s invite.  Guru Sahib was doing these miracles to make sure the Sikh’s faith was unwavering. 

Guru Sahib then walked away from the Sikhs house in his regular carefree way.  Seeing the idol of bhakti and love, people would bow to him as he walked by.  The Sikhs would tell others: “our Guru is the most powerful and can do whatever he wants.  He can make anyone into a king and can destroy the universe in a second.  He is powerful and fulfills the wishes of all the Sikhs.  He is now in the Mughal’s jail.  We don’t know why he is forgiving the Emperor and not punishing him.  Guru Sahib can destroy the Emperor with one blow.  He can destroy all the Mughal kingdoms with one word.  Just like Inder’s Bajjer (thunderbolt) can destroy mountains, Guru Sahib has all the powers but does not show it.  Nobody knows why Guru Sahib is doing this.  The whole world meditates on the Guru.  Guru Sahib reaches the person, wherever he or she is.  This is something that everyone knows and have witnessed, but don’t understand why he is in the jail of Aurangzeb.  The Guru knows the thoughts of everyone’s hearts and can travel many miles in seconds.  This is well known but we don’t know why he is taking all this pain in the jail.  He is very patient.”  The Sikhs would talk about the complete Guru but no one can know what the Guru is thinking and why he does, what he does.

Guru Sahib arrived in his jail cell and sat down just as he was, before he left.

12-50 A Maulana Complains

As Guru Sahib left the house of a Sikh, a Maulana saw Guru Sahib leaving, and began to burn with anger.  The Maulana asked the people who knew the Sikh: “how did Guru Sahib come to this Sikh’s house?”  The person told him: “the Sikh called Guru Sahib to his house for a meal.  The Guru always listens to his Sikhs.”  The Maulana’s rage went to its peak and thought to himself: “Guru Tegh Bahadhur is the root of all the Hindus and he must convert to Islam.  Till he doesn’t convert, the Hindus will not convert.”  The Maulana came to the court of Aurangzeb and said: “the Guru Tegh Bahadhur that you have arrested and want to convert, that is absolutely a good strategy.  The only way the Hindus will convert is: if the Guru converts.  Millions of Hindus follow the Guru.  There is a problem though which you need to solve: you need to make sure he does not leave the jail.  Nobody stops him and so he goes to visit his Sikhs.  The Sikhs feed him gourmet foods.  He is preaching his religion and spreading his ideology.  The Guru is not in any pain because he gets to go to the Sikh’s houses.  You need to have a strict guard so no one can come to meet him and so the Guru is not able to leave.  He must stay in that one place and must take the pain of the dungeon cell.  If no one meets the Guru, the Guru will wilt away and be stressed.  He will be depressed in every way, he will listen to what you have to say.”  Nauranga was furious when he heard the Maulana.  “Who is letting the Guru leave the jail?  Is someone taking bribes from the Sikhs to let him go?  I want to see the jailor right away.  He is to be punished.  I want an investigation of how the Guru is being able to go outside without my permission.” 

The jailor was called to the court and the Emperor interrogated him: “why are you letting the Guru leave the jail?  You are to keep the Guru in the dungeon’s cell and not let the outside air touch him.  Nobody is allowed to see him.”  The jailor spoke: “my King, who has told you that I have let the Guru leave?  He has not left his cell since he has come.  The Guru sits in a meditative pose all day and all night.  He is kept under lock and key 24 hours.  I do not let anyone see him.  I don’t understand who has complained about this.  I have not let him leave.  There is one armed guard that stands next to his cell.  He stays for 24 hours shifts and does not let the Guru leave his sight.”  The Maulana heard this and said: “jailor, you are lying, I have seen the Guru go to a Sikh’s house for a meal.  You need to confess right now.  I will catch him again.  I am definitely sure I saw him.”  The Emperor threatened the jailor with treason.  The jailor was quiet and went back to the jail.

The jailor told his staff that the Guru is to be kept under strict surveillance.  He told them not to let anyone meet Guru Sahib.  The jailor was afraid of getting fired, or for that matter, hung for treason.  The next day, the neighbour of the Sikh that Guru Sahib visited a day before, also prepared food for Guru Sahib.  He prepared many types of dishes with faith and devotion.  He was preparing the food and he thought of Guru Sahib in his heart and said: “Guru Sahib, the Langar is ready, please come.”  Guru Sahib had reached around 10 am in the morning.  Guru Sahib came inside the Sikh’s house.  The Maulana had sent his men to keep a watch for the Guru.  The undercover men saw Guru Sahib go to the Sikh’s house.  He then went back to the Maulana and told him that he saw the Guru go to another Sikh’s house.  The Maulana quickly went back to the Emperor and complained: “yesterday I was proven false but I would like you to send a royal messenger to see that the Guru is at a Sikh’s house right now.  I would like you to investigate.  The Emperor quickly sent his men to the house that Guru Sahib was having a meal.  Guru Sahib was seen by the men from the outside.  Guru Sahib was content and smiling.  He was seated on a stool, having a meal.  The men went back to the Emperor and told him that the Guru was seen at the Sikh’s house.  The Emperor summoned the jailor right away.  When the jailor came, the Emperor was furious and said: “you fool!  The Guru is at the house of a Sikh right now.  I did not believe the Maulana yesterday but my men saw the Guru at a Sikh’s house today.  You did not fulfill your duty.  You will be punished for this and fined for this crime.  You are letting the Guru leave the jail, I have proof.  The Guru is able to go visit his Sikhs and eat food everyday.  Why have you been disloyal to the crown?  Are you taking bribes?”  The jailor folded is hands out of fear and said: “I have just come to your court.  I started running 3 minutes ago and I’ve just left the Guru right now.  The Guru has never left.  As soon as I got your message, I came running right away.  The Guru is locked up in his cell and is alone with an armed guard standing there right now.  Please send one of your men to go and see right now, the Guru is still there.”  The Emperor was surprised and sent another guard right away to check the jail cell.  When the guard reached the cell of the Guru, he saw Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji sitting in his cell cross-legged with his eyes closed.  The Guru was sitting in bliss and not affected by anything.  The guard went back to the Emperor and told him that the Guru is still in his cell: “the jailor is not lying, the Guru is in his cell.”  The Emperor then sent another guard to the house of the Sikh to see if maybe the Guru was back in time.  When the guard went to the Sikh’s house, he saw the Guru there as well.  One person, in two places at the same time.

The people of the Emperor’s court were all shocked to hear that one person was in two places at the same time.  The Emperor sent two guards at the same time to see if the Guru was indeed at two places at the same time.  Both the guards reported seeing the Guru in their respectively assigned checking spots.  Some people were declaring the Guru as a person with supernatural abilities, others were developing faith for the Guru.  Nauranga became very angry and said: “why is the Guru doing this?  I hope the Guru doesn’t leave the jail?  What will we do if he leaves?  It was so hard capturing him.  Now I am determined to convert the Guru and bring him into the Shariya law.  When the Guru reads the Kalma and converts, the rest of the Hindus will convert as well, without any effort.  If the Guru converts, the Hindus will follow.  We need to hurry up and convert the Guru.”  The jailor was scolded again: “Make sure the Guru does not leave the jail again.  He left today to go eat at a Sikh’s house, make sure this does not happen again.  Keep a guard day and night with a sword and spear.  Keep threatening and scaring the Guru.  If the Guru agrees to converting, tell me right away.  Don’t trust the Guru as he may leave anytime.  If he escapes, you will be jailed.  If you are successful, you will be rewarded.”  The jailor went back to the cells and kept a strict guard.  He thought: “if Guru Sahib leaves, I will be in trouble.”  Guru Sahib was still in his cell and was in high spirits.