12-51 Pigs from the Pot

Many days had past since Guru Sahib ji had been locked in the jail cells.  The foolish Mughals began to cook up many bad-intentioned strategies.  Physical and psychological torture was given to Guru Sahib.  The Qaazis and Maulanas came together to strategize: “the Guru of the Hindus has been caught and locked up in the cells.  He has been given physical torture and it has been many days since.  The Guru has not budged an inch.  Many types of torture have been given, but he is still stubborn.  He seems to be even more determined to carry on with his stubbornness.  We have tried many efforts to get him to crack but his face still seems to be calm.  The Guru has never been seen in fear.  He is always calm and he has not accepted the Shariya law.  He is not accepting the Emperor’s wishes, and refuses all his offerings and bribes.  The Guru sees his religion as superior and he is inspiring the Hindus to keep their religion.  He finds faults in Islam (which was untrue, he was not against Islam, he was against the tyrants who wish to snatch the freedom of others and force them to follow their religion).  Let’s all go to see the Emperor and advise him to have the Guru eat food prepared by the Shariya method.  If the Guru eats our food, this will be an action by which he will show his acceptance of Islam.”  The Maulanas and Qaazis that were sticklers of the Shariya law (and had a very literal and detrimental interpretation of it) went to the Emperor with their new plan. 

They came to the Emperor and performed their slam (salutation).  They advised the Emperor: “Badshah Salamat, there is one way that the Guru may convert to Islam: he was been without food and water for many days.  He doesn’t eat our food and we don’t allow him to cook his own.  He must be very hunger.  We propose that: meat be prepared by the law of Shariya, halaal, and brought to the Guru.  Make sure it is beef and that it smells delicious.  Take it to the Guru and have him eat the halal meat.  When he eats it, this would be considered an affirmation of the deen-e-Islam (religion of Islam).  Once he eats it, we will then tell him that: since he has eaten the halal beef, he should just proclaim the Kalma and accept Islam.  Bribe him with many incentives.  Tell him that if he becomes a Muslim, we will see him as our Peer and religious leader.  Tell him that we will do what he tells us to do.  Two or three of your highest-ranking officers should go and have him eat the food and negotiate the incentives.  Use all the tactics of battle strategies: Saam- to fall into someone’s protection; dhaam- bribery; dhand- torture; bhed- divide and conquer.  Use any means possible to convert him.  This will be advantageous for us that the occupier of Guru Nanak’s throne should convert to Islam.”  The Emperor liked their plan and ordered to have halal meat sent to the Guru right away.  The foolish emperor ordered the cooks to prepare the meat with masalas (spices) along with roti and other side dishes.

The food was prepared and sent to the jail cell along with two senior officers of the Emperor’s court.  10 people in total went to the jail cell where the true Guru, the protector of the Hindus, the one who will loosen the grip of the mighty Mughals, was sitting.  The Guru was to sacrifice his body for this purpose: to smash his body on to the heads of the Mughals to dim the radiance of their kingdom.  The Mughals were unmatched in the world at this point.  China and Persia didn’t dare strike a conflict with the Mughals, accepting their status as a superpower.  The Guru was about to take all that power and glory away.  The Guru was complete.  The cooks, officers and servants entered Guru Sahib’s cell.  The officers first talked to Guru Sahib: “Guru ji, Islam is great.  It is the religion of love; it is the religion of Allah and only a Muslim may go to Allah.”  The Umraavs were scholars.  They continued: “Guru ji, why are you enduring so much pain and trouble?  Just listen to the Emperor and he will make you the Peer of Peers and you, will be the highest.  Your glory will be unaffected as Hindus will continue to follow you, but Muslims will follow you too.  You will be bathed in diamonds and pearls.  Everyone will salute you and call you, their Peer.  Badshah Aurangzeb has declared: that he will make you his personal Peer and that all of Hindustan will follow Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji.  If you would like to marry another woman, the Emperor will offer his daughter’s hand in marriage to you.  She is very beautiful.  Aside from this, whatever you will ask for, we will give you.  What else more would you want?  The Emperor has sent food for you from his personal kitchen.  Please accept this and declare the Kalma.  You are destroying your health by staying hungry.  If you do not accept this, you will be faced with strict opposition and extreme torture.  Any one else who has opposed the Emperor, they have been killed mercilessly.  There is no stopping the Emperor when he is angry.  He has killed many, and made sure that his wishes were fulfilled.  There is no one to rescue you from any state or culture.  The Emperor’s command is followed everywhere.  There is no other warrior that can stand in front of the Emperor.  Who are you waiting for?  Only the Emperor can save you.  Don’t lose your life.  Please eat the food and then recite the Kalma.  We will free you from the jail cell today.  You can live a life of comfort anywhere in Hindustan and go wherever you want to.  Listen to us, we are advising you for your own good, otherwise you will regret it.”  Listening to the fools speak, Guru Sahib, sitting cross legged on the floor, in the most calm and serene state, looked towards the pot of food and spoke: “what have you prepared for me?  What will eating this food mean?  What purpose would this serve?  How will this be beneficial for me?  To make me eat food that is against my beliefs, this stubbornness of yours will cost you greatly.  You are forgetting the Parvadigaar (Akaal Purakh) and are performing a sin to force others your wishes.  Remove the lid of this pot and see what fruits await your deeds.”  The cook that was standing next to the pot, looked towards the pot and then removed the lid.  When he looked into the pot, he was surprised to see that there was no prepared meat in it.  Instead, many live piglets were moving around the pot and began jumping out of the pot.  First there were little piglets that came out, oinking away.  They were followed by slightly bigger ones, the size of kittens.  Then came bigger ones, the size of cats.  They filled the jail cells and began to spill out, on to the streets.  There were countless pigs running around everywhere.  There was no stopping of how many were coming out of the pot.  It was a small pot, but the number of pigs coming out were countless.  Black ones, white ones with black spots with tiny curly tails.  They would curl their ears and run around.  The Mughals were shocked and scared as they had a deep hatred towards pigs, as the Islamic edict considers pigs as impure.  They walked around their feet and got into their homes.  They creeped into Aurangzeb’s kitchen and touched the pots and pans in the kitchen.  They turned over their prepared food and began to eat it.  They ran around the wells and got into them as well.  They had polluted the well water as well.  The water that the Mughals used to perform their ritual cleanses by, the pigs drank from those wells.  They touched their clothes and weapons.  From Chandi Chownk to Laal Qila, there were pigs upon pigs, everywhere.  All the food in their kitchens, both prepared and raw, were all touched by the pigs.  The pigs entered the markets and the Muslim shop vendors shouted out and said: “toba, toba, where have all these pigs come from?  We are now impure.  Our clothes and food have been maligned.  Kill them, kill them.” The Mughals ran after the pigs to kill them, but they were everywhere. 

There was a great panic in the jail.  It was total chaos.  The guards grabbed their spears and chased the pigs.  When one person would take a bath to purify themselves, more pigs would come and touch them.  The people who wished to make the Guru go against his own beliefs and traditions; their own doing backfired on them.  The Mughals were running around and the Hindus were laughing.  The Mughals tried to make sense of all this and said: “how did this happen?”  Some killed the pigs with spears and some of the pigs escaped into the Jamuna.  The guards in the jail removed their clothes and cleansed themselves.  The cooks in the kitchen threw the pots and pans out.  They cleaned the whole place and either threw away what the pigs touched or gave them away to the Hindus.  The Mughals were very frustrated and said: “our beliefs have been maligned.”

12-52 The Emperor Vows to get Stricter

From doors to streets to houses in Delhi, there was only one talk: that the Emperor has arrested the Guru of the Hindus who is very powerful.  From a burning hot pot, live pigs came out of, and spread throughout the city.  Small piglets spread throughout and chased all the Turks.  Many pigs were killed with spears and their blood splatter was everywhere.  The injured and bloody pigs, smeared their blood everywhere.  The Turks felt impure after the Pigs touched them.  The power of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji was seen.  The fool Aurangzeb was still blind to the fact: that Guru Sahib was so powerful.  The Hindus would talk about Aurangzeb, and wonder why he wasn’t understanding the reality of what he was doing.  The Hindus would talk only amongst themselves: “the Emperor is a fool who does not acknowledge the unlimited power of the Guru.  He is a tyrant who inflicts pain on Saints and holy people.  He will bring the downfall of the Mughals.  He is being stubborn with his backward ideas.”  Everyone was saying the same thing, from house to house. 

The Umraavs that went to Guru Sahib, threw away their clothes and took a bath after touching the pigs.  They regretted their doings, and were amazed at the same time.  They went back to the Emperor’s court and saluted Aurangzeb with the traditional salaam.  They told the Emperor of what had happened in the jail: “we took the food to Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji and said all the things you advised us to.  The Guru was not afraid and was really stubborn.  He said: if you make somebody leave their religion, you will suffer from bad karma.  When we spoke to the Guru with a harsher tone, then he responded with a trick.  When we lifted the lid to give him the food, countless pigs came out of the pot and climbed upon us and the other prisoners.  They jumped on top of all the benches and made everything impure.  We were surprised to see how live pigs came out of the pot.  They came out really small and grew right before our eyes into adult pigs, and began wandering around the streets and markets.  We ordered the soldiers to kill them.  Some escaped.  Some were killed.  Thousands of people in the streets saw them.  They made the houses and worshiping places all impure.  There was screaming and shouting everywhere.  The whole city gathered around the jail.  The pot was so small but the Guru made so many pigs come out of it.  We all felt bad that we were made impure by the pigs.  We are regretting this pursuit as beliefs were insulted.  The Guru didn’t care about our beliefs and desecrated our clothes, bodies and homes.  What the Guru did today, we have seen it ourselves.  When we looked again into the pot, it was empty.  We looked at each other and were surprised.  We then washed our clothes and took a bath.  Whatever the pigs touched, we donated to the poor.  We still have regrets that we have become impure by touching the pigs.  Oh Khuddah, what has happened to us?”  The Shariya-bound, stubborn Emperor was raging in anger.  His eyes were red and his lips were quivering.  He yelled out: “I told the Guru to show me his powers.  I would have let him go if he would have just showed me his power.  The Guru refused to show me his powers.  The Guru kept saying he had no powers.  I made it clear that the Guru would be freed if he showed me his power.  Today, now that we brought him food, he insulted our traditions with his power.  Why did he do this?  He lied when he said he has no powers.  This is very interesting.  Go and ask him: Guru ji, you do not speak the truth.  You said you have no powers, then why did you show your powers to anger us by sending so many pigs?  You lied to us.  Go again to the Guru, and ask him this.  I want you to scare him.  Tell him that you have angered us now.  Tell me what he has to say.”

The Umraavs went back to Guru Sahib.  They saw Guru Sahib sitting inside the jail and spoke to him: “Guru ji, the Emperor wants to know why you didn’t show him your powers when he asked.  You told him that you have no powers.  Why didn’t you show the Emperor your powers then, which would have glorified your status?  Instead, you sat in jail, and suffered so many pains with thirst and anger.  Instead, you showed your powers now, which desecrated our beliefs.  This show of miracle was of no benefit to you.  He is now very angry as you performed a miracle using pigs, what are considered impure in Islam.  You do have powers, we know this now.  You did not show your powers to impress the Emperor, instead you showed your powers to make him angry.  You lied Guru ji.  This was very weird what you did.  The Emperor wants your response.  You will have to answer this and we will tell it word for word to the Emperor.  The Emperor is very angry, and sent us to get your response to his question.”  The king of kings, Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji spoke: “don’t call this a miracle or a show of power.  This was your own karma, your bad intentions taking form.  Nature gave you, her response.  This was the doing of nature, not me.  This was your sin.  Whatever intentions a person has, that person receives the appropriate fruit.  In the court of Allah, Waheguru, Akaal Purakh, you reap what you sow.  You came with the intention to desecrate my beliefs, instead, it was you who were facing impurity.  You brought beef in front of me, but you received the response by Akaal Purakh.  I was born in the households of Hindus (as the Panth Khalsa was not yet in fruition yet), we do not eat the meat prepared by the ritual process of draining its blood.  We especially do not eat beef.  You consider Pigs bad, which you do not even touch, that is what came out of your own karma.  This was not my doing.  Tell your Emperor, this was not my doing, Allah has slapped you in the face for forcing your beliefs on me.  Whoever carries bad intentions, the bad intentions come slap them in their own face.  I have no powers, so what should I show?”  The Umraavs went back to the Emperor.

The Umraavs told the Emperor what Guru Sahib said: “the Guru says that he has no powers and that this was the karma of your bad intentions.  You tried to feed the Guru Halal meat, Akaal Purakh gave rise to pigs out of your bad intentions.  He says he didn’t show any powers.”  The Emperor was now even more angry.  The Emperor then said: “I will make sure the Guru is converted into a Muslim and comes into the Shariya.  I will make him read the Kalma or I want the Guru to show me his powers.  The Guru will do as I say.  I will do one or the other.  That is the only way the Guru will be freed from jail.  If the Guru refuses to convert or refuses to show me his powers, then he should consider his days numbered.  I will order his execution.  He will get the type of execution he is deserving of.    I will execute him in public view.  This way, everyone will fear my rule.  Everyone will then do as I say.”  Nauranga, the fool, the one with the twisted intellect, looking for a conflict, went quiet after his rant.

12-53 The Emperor finds out about Guru Sahib Bathing in the Jamuna

The foolish Emperor was igniting the beginning of the fall of his Empire.  The glorious empire was in its final days.  Guru Sahib was in the jail and many types of natural occurrences would happen to warn the Mughals, but the Mughals would just increase the guards even more.  Day and night, the armed guardsmen would watch Guru Sahib.  Guru Sahib didn’t care though, he was in his own stillness and peace.  When it would be the last watch of the night, Guru Sahib would get up.  His chains would drop and the locks on his cell would open and Satguru ji would leave, but the guards would not be able to see.  Guru Sahib would stroll towards the Jamuna river and take a bath.  Bhai Mati Das ji would hold his clothes by the banks of the Jamuna.  Upon finishing his cleanses, Guru Sahib would stroll back, in his own carefree speed, to the jail cell.  The cell door would close on its own and the locks would click back.  Guru Sahib would sit right back in his seat.  Since the time Guru Sahib had been in jail, he would do this everyday at around 2:30 am.

One day, when Guru Sahib went towards the Jamuna, Guru Sahib did his bath, the Maulana of Jama Masjid was also walking towards the banks of Jamuna, where Guru Sahib was.  Guru Sahib was doing the recitation of Japji Sahib.  The Maulana heard the sounds of Japji Sahib being recited and headed towards the source of the recitation.  He wanted to see who it was.  When he reached, he was shocked to see that it was Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  He thought that Guru Sahib had broken out.  He was afraid that if Guru ji escaped, the Emperor may not be able to catch him again.  “The Guru of the Hindus needs to convert.  The number of Muslims would increase.  If I scream, people would come and catch him.  Or, maybe it’s best that I just follow him to see where he goes.  If he leaves Delhi, then I will make a commotion and get him arrested,” thought the Maulana.  The Qazi Maulana candidly followed Guru Sahib as Guru Sahib returned back to this jail cell.  Guru ji came back to his seat and the Maulana saw all this and thought to himself: “what on earth is happening?  It seems as though the guards are in on it.  They must take bribes to let the Guru go every morning.  When the Guru takes his bath and recites his Gurbani, he comes back.  It seems the Guru has paid the guards off and wanders around the city at night.  This is not good news for the Emperor, or Islam.  If the Guru escapes, we will be the joke of the country.”  He wanted to tell his discovery to the Emperor.  The Maulana waited for sunrise and went to see the Emperor.  He told the Emperor what he had seen the Guru do: “the Guru of the Hindus was seen by me before sunrise, taking a bath at the Jamuna.  He had his Sikhs with him.  He had no chains nor handcuffs, nor any of your guards.  I hid and followed the Guru to see what he was doing.  I saw him come back to the jail cell after he was done.  It seems as though the guards are taking bribes and letting the Guru go when he wishes to.  I hope the Guru does not escape one day.  This is going to happen one day if it goes on like this.  Till we don’t increase the intensity of the torture, he won’t convert to Islam.  His men should be tortured.  He needs to be tortured.  Only then will he accept the Shariya.”  Aurangzeb listened to the Maulana and was quite surprised.  He summoned all the guards of the jail.

When the guards came, he said to them: “look what the Maulana is saying.  Why isn’t there a strict guard around the Guru?  How is the Guru leaving his cell and going to the Jamuna to take a bath?  You seem to be taking bribes from the Guru.”  The guards, scared with their hands folded, said: “the cells are always locked and armed guards are standing watch at all times.  We don’t even sleep all night long, and change the shifts on time.  If the Guru is showing some sort of miracle, then what can we do?  If he is using his powers to come and go, then there’s nothing we can do.  We are not guilty.  The power of the Guru is above your abilities.  Dear Emperor, you have seen this before when the Maulanas complained before about the Guru going to his Sikh’s home for meals.  He was in two places at the same time.”  The Maulana heard the guards and interjected: “power?  What power?  He is a trickster.  He fools the Hindus into making them think that he can perform miracles.  The Sikhs then bring him money.  It’s not just him, all the Hindu Gurus do that.  When the Guru is tortured, his power will fade away.  He will be disappointed when he won’t be able to show his tricks.  He will then quickly accept Islam and then Islam will grow in the world after all of Hindustan converts.  Without torture, these kinds of Gurus don’t budge.  He is still hanging on to his determination.  Emperor, you are too kind, you are not harsh with him.  You are bribing him with fortunes and marriage proposals.  You need to be harsh with him.  Use extreme harassing techniques to get the Guru to convert.  You need to make sure the Guru does not escape.”  The Emperor then commanded: “you guards, keep a strict watch.  If he tries to leave, do not think twice to use force.  Don’t let anyone visit him.  Do not give him food or water.  Keep a stricter presence.”  The guards were told not to give Guru Sahib food or water and not to let any one see him.  The guards and Qaazis were afraid of the Emperor.

The guards came back to the jail cell and saw Guru Sahib, sitting in his calm and serene manner that he always is in.  Guru Sahib was in a still state of mind, above pain and pleasure.  He was one with Akaal Purakh in the Brahm Smaadh.  The guard folded his hands and bowed to Guru Sahib.  He put his head on Guru Sahib’s feet and continuously bowed at his feet.  He said to Guru Sahib: “Guru Sahib, our job is in danger.  The Emperor called us and told us that the Maulana saw you take a bath in the Jamuna.  He said that you were with your Sikhs and none of us were with you.  The Emperor alleges that we take bribes from you, and let you go when you wish to.  We are poor.  We are the servants of your feet.  Since the day you came to this jail, our lives have changed because of your radiant presence.  Unfortunately, we work for the Emperor.  You are limitless, Lord, no one can stop you.  Your words are always powerful.  Please bless us with fearlessness that we may not fear the Emperor.  He is a tyrant.  He killed his own father, brother and other saints.  We are poor people.”  Guru Sahib heard the guard’s words and said: “don’t be scared.  Don’t even let the equivalent of a mustard seed of fear to come near you.  You have love for me, that is why I am telling you this.  I have come to this jail on my own wishes.  Otherwise, these people would have never been able to find me if I would have left the country.  Stay on your duty and hold your weapons.  I won’t let you get fired.  If I wanted to escape, I wouldn’t have come.  Don’t be worried about your job.  Keep my secret with yourself.  I bathe and go to the Sikhs.  I have many forms.”  The guard was happy after listening to Guru Sahib.  He was no longer scared.  Guru Sahib stays sitting in the jail with the cell doors locked.  The guards stand around, keeping watch. 

12-54 The Martyrdom of Bhai Mati Das ji

The Guru can release millions of Sikhs from their physical and spiritual bondages.  That Guru is in the jail of the Mughal Emperor to save the world.  The Guru is wonderous, the Guru’s drama is mysterious.  One day, Aurangzeb thought about Guru Sahib: “Guru Tegh Bahadhur will now convert to Islam or show his power.”  He called one of his Maulanas to speak to him and said: “the Guru of the Hindus is in jail still.  I want you to convince the Guru that: Islam is a great religion and he should either accept Islam or show his powers.  He should come into the Shariya law and reject his religion.”  The Maulana listened to Aurangzeb.  Neither the Maulana nor the Emperor understood the power and limitlessness of the Guru. 

The Maulana went to Guru Sahib and said: “Guru ji, the Emperor has sent me with a message: you are the Peer of the Hindus and millions of people follow you, and trust you.  They offer a lot of gifts and money at your feet.  The Hindus see you as their Guru and bow to your feet.  You call yourself Guru, the significance of being a Guru is that the Guru has power.  You haven’t shown any power till now.  You should show that power to the Emperor.  We want to see why and how all the Hindus follow you.  It was Baba Ram Rai, from your own family, who came to Delhi and showed his powers.  The Emperor gave him many gifts along with land.  We know that you are powerful and are the incarnation of Guru Nanak.  We will be convinced if you show us your power.  We will declare you as “Valli-Peer.”  The Emperor will follow you as well and will give you millions of Rupees.  He will consider you the apex.  The Emperor was close to Ram Rai and his friendship was very deep.  The Emperor gave Ram Rai much respect and would do what he said.  Ram Rai did many powerful favors for the Emperor as well.  He had a very high status in his court.  You will have that high status as well if you show your powers like Ram Rai.  If the Emperor becomes your student, the rest of Hindustan will become your followers.  If you have no powers, then you should come into the fold of Deen-e-Islam and accept the Shariya.  You will be given all the money you need and all the land you want.  You may fulfill all your wishes.  You will be the same as us, and will get a high status.  Accept one or the either of my advices.  You will be freed from jail if you listen to me.  You will be friends with the Emperor.  It is wise to be friends with the Emperor.”  Guru Sahib heard the words of the Maulana and laughed.  He said to the Maulana: “tell the Emperor: your kingdom was given to you by Khuddah.  The kingdom belongs to Khuddah.  Your duty is to make sure that justice is served.  You are to be just with your citizens and give peace to your people.  If you are just with your citizens, then you will be blessed by Allah.  If you are unjust and unfair, your kingdom and pleasures will be taken away from you.  Miracles are the root of wrath and calamity.  Saints don’t perform miracles like magicians.  Whoever shows miracles to show their powers, they are answerable in Allah’s court.  Everyone likes their own religion.  Whoever follows their religion with faith and devotion, the religion will take them across this world ocean.  I do not accept any of your propositions.  The Emperor can do as he pleases.”  As Guru Sahib was calmly and humbly speaking, Bhai Mati Das ji was listening.  Bhai Mati Das ji was Guru Sahib’s Deevan.  He was from the Chhibber clan of Brahmins from the family of Bhai Paraga.  He was a tapasvi who had recited Gurbani and Gurmantra with faith and devotion.  He had served Guru Sahib his whole life.  He was quite powerful.  He could not take the insult and disrespect of Guru Sahib and spoke in a great rage: “Guru ji, why are you speaking like a humble and powerless person?  I am not liking this.  The light of all the Gurus is inside you.  These Mughals are sinners and have crossed the line.  Why do you not destroy them with your powers?  You are taking their torture and insults.  Why do you not execute the wrath of your power?  The eight Gurus glory are prevalently displayed in the sky, why are you speaking humbly in front of these lowly fools and dimming the glory of the Lord Gurus?  You are sitting in their jail like a regular person.  They see you as a “nobody” and that’s why they speak to you like this.  Aurangzeb is a tyrant and delivers pain to saints.  No other saint equal to the powers you possess; the warrior spirit and apex of Bhrahmgyaan, has come across him before.  If you may command me, I will show him such a miracle that will destroy all the Mughals and Turks across the world.  They wish to see a calamity, right?  I will show them a calamity that will put an end to their existence on this earth.  No other king or pauper will sin ever again and will think twice before bothering a saint.  If you do not allow me to destroy the whole population of Mughals, and want to make sure they still exist, then please allow me to destroy this low-life king and his kingdom.”  Guru Sahib, the treasure of virtues, heard the rage-filled words of Bhai Mati das and thought to himself: “our servant has become very powerful from the tapp of many births.  He is not able to handle his power.  He is not familiar with my doings or what I plan to do.  He has not reached the apex of Brahamgyaan.  He has received the powers but not the compassion that it requires, or the acceptance of the will of Akaal Purakh.  He does not see the whole world as one, one in the same as Akaal Purakh.  He sees low and high and does not see who is it that dies and lives or who is it that creates and destroys.  Akaal Purakh is in one state, not in two states.  He does not understand the oneness of Akaal Purakh yet.  He can destroy many countries and the people living in it.  By doing immense seva, he has received these powers and the awesome radiance that goes with it.  He is my beloved Sikh.  Without Brahamgyaan, ego remains.  Ego is the most difficult to destroy.  Ego is a thief that robs one of their tapp and bhakti.  When Brahamgyaan flows openly, that is when the ego is destroyed.  I will need to make sure that he is not overcome by his anger to a point of no return, and kill millions of people with his power.  I will need to pull his power again.  Then he will not speak again like this.  I will no longer need to worry about him spoiling my plans.”  Guru Sahib thought of the good will of the world and called Bhai Mati Das ji close to him and said: “you are my great friend, Sikh, Deevan and helper.  What you have just said right now, I am confident that you have the ability to kill everyone in an instant with your power.  I am happy that you said all this to the Maulana but now you must understand my wishes: Fold your hands and bow to Kartar, Akaal Purakh.”  Mati Das ji did what the Guru said and put his head on top of Guru Sahib’s feet.  As his forehead touched Guru Sahib’s feet, Guru ji extracted all of Mati Das ji’s power.  Just has a fish is caught in a net, so did the Guru take all of Bhai Mati Das ji’s powers.  He then said: “ok, Mati Das ji, go ahead and do as you wish.”  Bhai Mati Das ji then began to think and feel his power.  That same power that was bouncing inside of him, was no longer there.  The power came from the tapp of doing Guru Sahib’s seva.  He understood what had happened to him.  He folded his hands and spoke: “I no longer have any powers.  You may do as you wish.  Filling the empty or emptying the full, this is your will, Guru Sahib.  I spoke against your will.  I spoke without your command and that is why my power is gone.  I seek your forgiveness.  Please forgive me and bless me that I may remain in your will.  I do not know your plan but I hate to see these Maulanas disrespecting you, and asking you to convert everyday.  I did not want my Guru’s glory to be dimmed and people saying that you are powerless.  I did not want the Sikhs to lose faith in you.  Aurangzeb is nothing in front of me and I wanted to destroy him.”  Guru Sahib heard his words and smiled.  Guru Sahib spoke: “Matidas, you are beloved to me.  Listen to me, I will tell you the ancient history.  Babar had offered a bag of cannabis to Guru Nanak Dev ji in Ahmnabad.  Guru Nanak Dev ji then blessed seven generations of rule on Hindustan.  What is given to someone by Guru Nanak Dev ji, that is not easy to take back by anyone.  I need to give my head to take that kingdom back.  Once I give my head, the Mughals will become guilty.  I will thus take the kingdom back.  If I am not able to give my head, the kingdom will remain with the Mughals.  Once they kill me, they will become guilty and their grip on the land will loosen.  Mati Das, is this correct or not?  Tell me if I am wrong.  If you become angry, you will regret it.  I can’t tell everyone what my plan is.  Remain calm and don’t by distressed.”  Bhai Mati Das was now at peace and placed his head at the feet of Guru Sahib.  All is anger was extinguished.  When the Maulana heard all this, he was burning with anger and jealousy. 

The Maulana went back to the Emperor and told him the whole conversation between Guru Sahib and Bhai Mati Das ji.  Aurangzeb was burning with anger and said: “bring Mati Das to me right now!”  Bhai Mati Das ji was brought and tied to two posts.  The executioners were ordered to take a big saw to Bhai Mati Das ji’s head and saw him in half.  Bhai Mati Das ji was asked what his last wishes were.  Bhai Mati Das ji asked to be in front of Guru Sahib when he dies.  Bhai Mati Das ji was placed in front of Guru Sahib.  The executioners began to saw him in half. Bhai Mati Das ji recited Japji Sahib as he was being sawed in half.  When the two halves of his body fell on to the ground, everyone could still hear the remaining lines of Japji Sahib from his body.  Everyone was shocked and surprised to hear the Gurbani from the sawn body of Bhai Mati Das ji.  They said: “his body is split in to two.  How is he reciting Gurbani?  He should be dead by now.  He is reciting his Gurbani as if he is still alive.”  When both halves finished the recitation of Japji Sahib, the soul of Bhai Mati Das ji went to Sach Khand and resided into the feet of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  He had attained the highest level of Brahamgyaan and Martyrdom.  This amazing miracle of the Guru was seen by everyone.  Guru Sahib ji remained calm and patient.  No one knows the doings of the great Guru. 

The martyrdom of Bhai Mati Das ji was followed by his brother Bhai Sati Das ji, who was burned alive, wrapped in cotton.  Bhai Dyala ji, the brother of Bhai Mani Singh Sahib ji, was boiled alive in boiling water, achieving martyrdom. 

12-55 Guru Ji Releases the Rest of the Sikhs

As Bhai Mati Das ji went to abode of Akaal Purakh, Prabhoo, the other Sikhs got scared.  They were now frightened, captured in the jail of Delhi.  Night had fallen, and what a dark night it was, the Sikhs spoke to Guru Sahib folding their hands: “Guru ji, we seem to be trapped and the Emperor is quite stubborn.  He will not let us go alive.  He will kill us like Bhai Mati Das ji and will torture us now.  We have chains around us with a very strict guard.  The guard is getting stricter and they are harassing us even more now.  We have lost hope of being released from here.”  Guru Sahib responded to the Sikh’s words: “if you would like to leave tonight, I can have you leave here from the jail.  Go home and live in peace with your families.”  The Sikhs that couldn’t carry on with their determination spoke: “Guru ji, the chains are quite heavy and the guards carrying their weapons are watching us.  The doors are locked, we are tied up by chains, how can we leave from here?  It seems as though we will die soon.”  Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji spoke: “don’t worry about all that, tell me if you would like to leave or not.  These chains will be broken and the locks will be opened.  The guards will not be able to see you.  If you wish to go, you may go.”  Guru ji spoke these words and the chains broke immediately.  The hands and feet were free and the locks began to open up on their own.  The guards fell into a deep slumber.  Three Sikhs then left right away.  They bowed to Guru Sahib’s feet and asked for his permission.  The Sikhs that were leaving said: “we will leave from here and go to your son.  Do you have a message for your son?  Guru ji, you are complete and with unlimited power.  You are the one that controls this wonderous drama of life.  Only you know what you are doing.  You are unaffected by pain or pleasure; you are never happy nor sad.  You have blessed us by opening up our chains and freeing us from this jail.  We will go to your house and meet your family.”  Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji spoke: “tell my family to keep their faith and their devotion steady.  Remain patient.  Do not fear anyone and don’t scare any one.  Tell my family that this is what I came to do on earth and now my time is up.  I am to smash my body on top of the head of Aurangzeb.  Everyone is to die one day.  Nobody will live forever.  Do not mourn my death.  This is my command to all.  This is the drama of my own design.  I was the architect of this play.  Aurangzeb is a sinner and gives everyone much pain, his glory and power will now diminish day by day.  Aurangzeb had performed a very strict and difficult Tapasya in his previous births, for this reason his grip on his kingdom is strong.  Aurangzeb will be guilty for my death and this will be the reason for his downfall.  The Sahibzada is in Lakhnaur.  He has become stronger and bigger now.  He is 9 years old now.  Tell him to go to Anandpur and manage it well.  Be fearless and worry-free.  Leave Lakhnaur and go to Anandpur and make it more beautiful.  Tell everyone not to worry, my end time is near.  I have only a few days left and I will be going to Sach Khand soon.  I had to leave my body anyways, I am leaving my body in the city of the Mughals so the blame falls on their head.  For this reason, I want nobody to be worried.  Don’t be upset about this deed, instead, remain in high spirits.  I want all of you to leave now.”  The three Sikhs left the jail and went to Lakhnaur.  Nobody saw them leaving the jail.  They headed towards Lakhnaur and the doors locked behind them.  The Guards woke up and everything was as it was before.

The Sikhs reached Lakhnaur, 200 km from Delhi, and met the family of Guru Sahib.  The Sikhs bowed to Guru Gobind Singh ji and sat down.  They gave the message to Guru ji about going to Anandpur and how Guru Sahib ji is about to sacrifice his life.  No one is to mourn or cry and no one is to be sad.  Mata Nanaki ji felt a deep pain.  Mata Nanaki was the mother of Ani Rai, Atal Rai and Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji.  Baba Ani Rai and Baba Atal Rai ji had passed on and now she was hearing about her last remaining son’s death.  She would continuously ask about the health of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  She asked: “if you have all left the jail, why hasn’t my son left?  Why is he bearing so much pain in the Mughal’s jail?”  The Sikhs responded to Mata ji’s questions: “Mataji, we asked him to come with us but Guru ji said that it was his time to sacrifice his body in Delhi.  He was going to start the process of dimming the glory of the Mughal kingdom.  Guru Sahib asked you to go to Anandpur now.”  Both daughter-in-law and mother-in-law heard these words and were burdened with pain and cried out: “what is this play that Guru ji is playing?”  The Child Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji then spoke: “how far is Anandpur?  Is Anandpur not a beautiful place?  It is the place that the Satguru established, it must be nice.  I want to go there right away.”  He repeated his wishes to both mothers repeatedly.  “Mataji, we must obey Guru Sahib.  How long can a lion stay in a cave? How long will we stay in this small village?  I wish to take revenge for how my father is being treated.  I will avenge his death.  I will pull the roots of the Mughals by waging a great war on them.  I do not wish to stay in Lakhnaur any longer.  Father has commanded us to do this.”  Both of the mothers got scared and tried to convince Guru Sahib: “you shouldn’t speak like this out loud.  We don’t want the Mughals to find us, that is why we are here.  Nobody knows where we are, and this village is a very quiet place.”  Guru Gobind Singh ji heard his mothers speak and responded: “Mataji, I trust the words of my father.  Whatever comes out of his mouth, comes out to be true in the future.  His great words cannot be falsified or countered in any way.  There is nothing to worry.  Don’t be scared, whatever will happen, will be good.  My father is all-powerful with unlimited energy, whatever he wishes to do, he can.  He went to the Mughal’s jail himself.  Nobody can contain him.  He himself decided to sacrifice his body for the protection of all.  He is the saviour.  Nobody can help or hurt such a Satguru.  The Satguru is the creator and destroyer.  The poor Mughals are nothing in front of my father.  He can destroy them with one word.  Peers and noblemen are no match for the Satguru.  It is futile to worry about the Satguru.  Whatever we try to do for him, it won’t work.”  The 9-year-old Child Guru spoke to both of the mothers.  The mothers heard his words and were reawakened with rays of hope. 

Some of the Sikhs were then sent to Anandpur, to bring back the chariots, to take their household items.  Mata Gujri ji told the Sikhs going to Anandpur: “tell my brother Kirpal Chand to come as quick as he can and bring the chariots and palanquins to take us to Anandpur.  Also, bring a decorated, strong horse for the young child Guru.  Bring buggies with strong bulls pulling them.  Servants should come along as well.  Also update my brother about Guru Sahib in Delhi.  Tell him to come as soon as possible.”  Mataji sent the Sikhs along with her message.  This was a time of worry and instability for everyone.  The Sangat was focused on news from Delhi.  All the Sikhs would do their Nit Nem and think of the Guru and wonder why the Guru was doing all this for the Hindus.

Mata Gujri ji would sit next to her mother-in-law and shed tears and say: “Mataji, this time is very testing of our last nerves, but what has been written in our destinies, will happen without anyone being able to stop it.”  Mata Nanaki ji was in pain and was waiting for news from Delhi.   In the house of Jetha Masand, Jetha spoke to both of the mothers in a consoling manner: “the Satguru has set this play and will make sure it is done.  He knows when his time is coming to an end and is using his body to finish the rule of the Mughals.  You are his mother, it is understandable that you are in pain, but the Guru is free from pain and pleasure.  Mataji, being the Sikhs of Guru Nanak Dev ji, we should live under the will of Akaal Purakh’s wishes.  The Sahibzada should be regarded as the Guru.  We should raise him with love and devotion as he will give us happiness.  We should do as he wishes, this will keep us calm.”  Jetha would serve the mothers and Guru Gobind Singh ji well and would console them often. 

Kavi Santokh Singh ji will transition to the history of Guru Gobind Singh ji’s time in Lakhnaur.

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.