12-66 Welcoming at Sach Khand

Brahma, Vishnu, Shivji, Varundev, Indra and all the other Devatas appeared in the sky.  They were surprised at the remarkable scene they had just witnessed.  Never has anyone given their head before to save a whole culture, a whole religion, a whole tradition.  They met each other and rejoiced that the traditions that worshipped their existence, was saved.  They came to receive Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  They brought a special flying vessel to take Guru Sahib ji in to Sach Khand.  They did his Aarti and worshiped him.  They shouted out his glories: “jai ho, jai Guru Tegh Bahadhur.”  He had given his head and saved the Hindu religion.  He pulled the roots of the Mughal rule.  The Devatas came with a new hope.  They kept showering Guru ji with flowers from their dimensions and constantly shouted “Jai Guru, Jai Guru!  You are great Guru ji!  You have done the unthinkable, you have done the impossible!  No one else can do what you have done.  You have saved the Hindu religion and helped all of the Devatas.  If the Hindus were wiped from the earth, who else would have done the havans for the Devatas by which the Devatas receive their energy?  The havans and Langars done during weddings and such ceremonies are received by us.  That food reaches our mouths.  The Energy that the Devatas receive then gets distributed into the world (ie. Fire, water, wind, sun, electricity etc.).  Guru ji has saved us all.”  (The Khalsa worships the source of all the energy, the one Akaal Purakh that is the source of all the Devatas.  The Khalsa does not disrespect the Devatas though).  The Devatas all talked amongst themselves.  They brought the most beautiful vessel from Sach Khand.  It was made of gold, diamonds, rubies and emeralds.  It had strands of pearls and the vessel was very bright.  The sky in Delhi was glowing brightly when the vessel arrived.  Not everyone could see the vessel.  Only the holy and faithful saw that vessel.  Guru ji boarded the vessel and the Devatas were surrounding it, singing the glories of Guru ji.  Brahma ji spoke: “your play, your doings were spectacular.  Your glory cannot be sung or put into words.  Nobody could figure how deep your understanding is.  You are filled with many divine traits.  You have all of the powers of Akaal Purakh.  Whenever the traditions of the dharma are in trouble, you take an Avatar and protect the saints, poor and devoted.  This is not surprising of you.  This is easy for you to do.  It is impossible for us to do.  You protect Dharma and come in every Yuga.  If Dharma was finished in this world, the Devatas would have ceased to exist as well.   If the Devatas cease to exist, the world ceases to exist.  The Devatas are the energy of the elements.  You first create the universe and then you nurture it.  Whoever disrupts the flow of the Dharma, you then destroy those destructive powers.  You protect everyone.”  The Devatas sung the glories of Guru ji.  Kavi Santokh Singh says, my pen does not have the ability to write all these glories of the Guru.  The Apsaras, (celestial dancers of heaven) performed their dances in front of the vessel.  They sang the glories of the Guru in various Ragas and shouted out “jai jai.”  The Devatas continuously would say: “Guru ji, you saved us.”  The vessel was on its way to Sach Khand and Guru Sahib was observing everything all around.  He consoled the Devatas and said to them: “don’t worry, my warrior son is on the earth now.  He will make sure your existence will continue.  Your pain is gone now.  I have pulled the roots of the Mughals.  The Khalsa Panth will protect everyone with their rights to practice their religion.  The glory of the Mughals will now diminish.  Guru Gobind Singh will start the religion of warriors whose war drums will sound everywhere.”  Guru ji then gave leave to all the Devatas and told them to go back to their dimensions as they were not able to go to Sach Khand.  Brahma went to Brahmpuri, Shivji went to Shivpuri, Vishnu went back to his Vishnupuri.  Everyone bowed and returned, singing Guru ji’s glory.  Satguru ji went to Sach Khand. 

In Delhi, when Guru ji’s head was severed, Aurangzeb was sitting in his palace.  A deep fear, insecurity and anxiety weighed on his heart.  He felt as though he was going to die.  The dirt and rocks from the wind storm encircled the rooms where Aurangzeb was.  The dirt and rocks came into his eyes.  Aurangzeb lost his patience and stability.  He was extremely anxious.  He was looking around to see what was happening.  The happiness in his mind was gone.  His wisdom was now totally blind.  He felt as though the messengers of death were upon him.  (The Shaheedi fauja had come upon him).  His throat was dry and he would run his tongue over his dry lips to hydrate them.  He kept looking towards the door of his room. 

The Umraavs and Jallaludeen came back from Chandni Chownk to the Emperor’s palace.  They were in deep shock.  They approached the Emperor and saluted him.  The Emperor asked the Umraavs: “what happened?  Tell me everything.”  The Umraavs then said: “ask this Syed.”  The Syed, Jallaludeen then spoke: “when you commanded us to go with the sword, the Guru was sitting in the iron cage.  We tried to convince him but he did not listen.  We then asked him to show us the miracle of his name.  The Guru then bathed and sat down to recite his religious scriptures.  When he finished, he bowed his head and I swing the sword you gave me, with all my might.  My sword did not touch his neck.  His head was already gone.  Look at the sword.  The paper and thread are still intact.  Neither the paper nor the thread was cut, not even a bit.  The sword is very sharp.  Just as the Guru had said, the sword did not touch his neck.  People were watching in Chandni Chownk, near and far.  They were waiting to see what the Guru was going to do.  We are extremely confused about the head of the Guru disappearing.  We couldn’t find it.  Only the body is there.  The soldiers are looking around to see where the head is.  They are threatening everyone, and telling them to give us the head.  Each person is being searched.  Nobody can go in and out of Delhi.  Rich and poor are being searched.  We still can’t find the head.  Only Allah knows where the head is gone.  We only saw his head up till the point I swung the sword.  After that, we don’t know where it went.  When I lifted the sword up and aimed at the Guru’s neck, the head disappeared amongst thousands of people watching.”  The foolish Emperor was now in deep remorse: “I do not understand what this means nor did I think about how this was going to turn out.  The Guru did what I didn’t want.  He saved his religion.  He wanted to give us head and he made me look like a fool.  He did not give his self-respect or give up his principles, but he gave his head for it.  This was his miracle.  He didn’t show me his miracles.  Go now, and make sure nobody takes the Guru’s body.  Make an announcement in all the city that: any Sikh may come and take the body of the Guru for its cremation.  Do as per your tradition.”  Aurangzeb gave the command but wanted to arrest whoever came to take the body.  “The Guru has played a trick on us and made me guilty of his death.  He saved his religion.  He didn’t show me a miracle when I asked him to.  I tried to convince him many times.  Now, I am not at peace.  This event will cause many problems and may give rise to rebellions and revolts.”  The officers close to the Emperor said: “don’t worry my Lord.  You tried convincing him.  It was the Guru who didn’t listen.  Many have died like this.  Sarmad and Dara Shikoh were killed.  It was the Guru’s fault that he did not come into the Shariya law.  What is done, is done now.  Don’t keep thinking about it.  Big deal if he had powers.  He had powers but he didn’t believe in the Shariya.  There are many Hindus and Muslims that do not follow the Shariya.  Sarmad was killed for the same reason.  There’s nothing to worry about.  Your aim was already to increase the numbers of followers of the Shariya.”  Nauranga collected himself at the advice of his officers but he was filled with doubt. 

The markets were filled with heralders announcing the orders of Aurangzeb telling everyone to take the body of Guru ji.  All the Sikhs in Delhi were scared.  Most denied that they were Sikhs at all, and none came to take the body of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  Everyone was afraid to be singled out and be killed for it.  Everyone locked their windows and doors and sat quietly inside their homes.  They would talk about the Emperor: “Aurangzeb is a big sinner and tyrant.  He has done the worst act possible by executing the Guru.  Guru ji, who is worshiped by the world, who fulfills the desires of all Sikhs, he saves anyone dwelling in hell as well; he is the treasure of miracles but did not show his power.  Aurangzeb did not understand what Guru ji was saying and got him executed.  Aurangzeb is a fool.  When he finds out that we are Sikhs, he will get us killed and kill our kids.”  The Sikhs quietly sat in their homes and only talked in solitude. 

The body of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji laid under the Bodh tree near the well with blood everywhere.  The soldiers were on guard with their spears and shields.  People walked by but do not approach Guru ji’s body.  They all look at Guru ji’s body and said: “what a blasphemous act the Emperor has done.  The Mughal rule will not last long now.”   

12-67 The Lubana Sikh Cremates the Guru’s Body

In Delhi, lived a Lubana (merchant/trader caste) Sikh named Lakhi Shah Vanjara, that had 10,000 bulls and many servants.  He heard about Guru ji’s martyrdom and was very upset about it.  He came to the tree to visit the body of Guru Sahib and began to shed tears from his eyes.  He thought to himself: “Sikhs like us have no shame.  Seeing Guru ji’s body in such a state, we are sitting in our homes, afraid of the Mughals.  We should have given our heads before Guru ji gave his.  We should have died instead of Guru ji.  People heard the royal announcements but nobody came to take the body of the Guru out of fear of being killed.  They refused to be acknowledged as Sikhs.  I will find a way to cremate the body of Guru ji, without getting noticed.  If I pick up the body in broad daylight, the Mughals will not let me cremate the body.  They are deceitful.  I will need to be clever about this, otherwise I will get arrested.  Guru Sahib will need to assist me.  I need to figure out how to take Guru ji’s body and cremate the body in my home.” 

Lakhi Shah went back home and began to think of a way to take Guru ji’s body.  Lakhi Shah had 7 sons and told them all to gather all the bulls and fill the carts with cotton.  400 carts were filled with cotton.  He gathered all the servants and told them to head towards Chandi Chownk and make a lot of noise as they go. 

The carts were stopped near the Chandni Chownk, making some excuse to stand.  10,000 bulls were with the carts.  They first went to Jamuna, near the Nighamod Ghatt.  The bulls were set free there.  They entered the city through that area.  There were many bulls with bells in their necks and many servants.  Lakhi Shah’s plan was to pick up Guru ji’s body, making a lot of noise.  Everyone had long wooden staffs in their hands that were resting on their shoulders.  They were ready for a fight but they used it steer the bulls.  They would use their calls for the bulls and shout louder than usual.  Burr burr, they would say.  Since the time that Guru ji was martyred, the wind had been more wild than usual.  The wind was carrying a lot of dirt and sand.  As the bulls came, more dirt was blowing.  People had to cover their faces as there was so much wind and sand flying everywhere, getting into their eyes.  The sandstorm (made by the passing of the bulls and carts) covered the sky, blocking the suns rays.  People went inside their homes because of the sandstorm.  People were soiled by the dirt.  10,000 bulls and 400 cotton filed carts descended upon Chandi Chownk, a sudden sand storm caused so much confusion.  Lakhi Shah’s travelling party headed straight for the market.  People moved out of the way immediately to save themselves.  The soldiers and guards had to make way for the bulls as well.  There was so much noise, dust and chaos.  The guards standing next to Guru ji’s body were on guard.  They caused a deception with the announcement, in fact they wanted to single out the Sikhs.  It was now the evening of the same day that Guru ji had left his body.  The bulls reached close to Guru ji’s body.  The party was ready to pick up Guru ji’s body whenever they got the chance to.  They were instructed to put the body in the cotton.  The guards moved out of the way to save themselves from the fast-moving bulls and carts.  They didn’t suspect any fowl play from the Lubanas as it looked like a normal travelling party.  They did express their anger because of the inconvenience it caused them, but it was of no use as the bulls didn’t speak their language.  So, they had to move out of the way.  The cart drivers were making noise.  Sand was flying into everyone’s eyes.  The Lubana Vanjaras came right up to Guru ji’s body.  The Mughal guards could not see Guru ji’s body anymore.  The sons of Lakhi Shah picked up Guru ji’s body and placed it onto one of the carts and covered it with cotton.  They were quick and clever about it and made sure nobody saw.  The cotton absorbed the blood.  Lakhi Shah did an ardaas in his heart to Guru ji and asked for his protection for this task.  They took off as quickly as they could.  Bowing to Guru ji’s body as it was placed.  The travelling party was a few miles long.  The wind and bulls blew sand into the guards’ eyes. 

The travelling party passed the gates of Chandni Chownk.  When the air cleared, the guards noticed that Guru ji’s body was gone.  They started to shout in panic, looking around everywhere.  They were surprised of how they were cheated.  They ran around everywhere to see if anyone had picked up the body.  They then suspected the Lubanas.  They stopped the Vanjara Lubanas and began to interrogate them.  They searched their carts one by one.  They counted the carts.  When they counted all the carts, there was one less than they had previously counted.  They said to the Lubanas: “there is one cart missing from your pack.  Where did it go?  We know that you have the body of the Guru.  Tell us where it is or we will arrest you.  We will beat you to death.”  The Lubanas had faith in Guru Sahib and figured that since they can’t see one of the carts, the Guru may have performed this miracle.  They knew that they were being protected by the Guru and did not worry.  The Lubanas responded fearlessly: “without any crime, who will you arrest and why would you arrest us?  What have we done wrong?  Is your Emperor not a just one?  Under what charge will he arrest us?  We are here and so are our carts.  Go ahead and search us.  What are you looking for?  We have no idea.”  The guards searched the carts again and couldn’t find the body.  They figured the Lubanas must be telling the truth and went towards the market, looking through the streets and inroads. 

All of the carts gathered at a designated location.  They said to each other: “Guru ji has performed this miracle.  The guards were not able to find Guru ji’s body.  We need to take the body and perform the cremation.  We must hurry as the Mughals are now searching thoroughly.  We must make sure nobody finds out about the cremation.”  There were many houses made of Chuppers.  They took all the stuff out of those houses and made a pyre for cremation.  All of the men worked really fast and hard.  They had love and devotion for Guru ji.  They lighted all of the Chupper houses with fire.  There was a bigger fire where the body of Guru ji was.  They placed a lot of wood and ghee on the pyre and made sure the flames of the fire were high.  When the cremation of Guru ji’s body was about half way through, they then began to shout: “fire, fire!  Someone has lit our Chuppers with fire!”  They began to run around to make it look like they were trying to extinguish the fire.  People standing far away heard the cries and came running to extinguish the fire.  The fire was too big, it was impossible to stop it.  All of the chuppers burnt down.  There was a lot of firewood that they placed.  Guru ji’s body was now fully cremated.  They had completed their task, with strategy and intelligence. 

The next day, as the sun came up, the Lubanas came back and collected the ashes in two copper pots.  They dug a deep hole in the same spot as the pyre had burned, and buried the pots with the ashes from Guru ji’s cremated body.  This is where Gurduara Rakaabgunj Sahib is.  The pots are still in the ground till today.

None of the sinners found out what had happened here or how the Guru’s body was cremated as Lakhi Shah had buried Guru ji’s ashes.  Thus, the body of Guru ji was cremated.  Lakhi Shah had a lot of Karah Prashaad prepared and distributed amongst the Sangat.  The Sikh Sangat gathered there and Kirtan was performed by the Rababis.  Ardaas was offered to Guru Sahib and Karah Prashaad was distributed.  The tradition was complete. 

When Guru Gobind Singh ji came to Delhi later on in his life, Guru ji had a palki made on top of where the ashes of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji were buried.  The Mughals later had that the palki destroyed.  After the time of Baba Banda Singh Bahadhur, the Mughals constructed a mosque on top of it.  During the Misl period, the Maharaja of Jind, Baba Baghel Singh, Baba Jassa Singh ji Ahluwalia, Baba Jassa Singh ji Ramgharia, Baba Tara Singh ji Kayba, the Misls of Buddha Dal and Tarna Dal came to Sabzi Mandi and won Delhi.  They had then approached Emperor Shah Aalam Gaur Ali and told him that they wanted to make a Gurduara there.  There was a lady who Baba Baghel Singh assisted.  The lady then later declared Baba ji as her brother.  Her name was Beghum Shameroo.  She was asked by Shah Aalam to convince the Singhs to give him back his kingdom.  The Singhs were sitting on his throne and Shah Aalam was in his old court asking Shameroo Beghum to convince them.  The Singhs agreed to give back the kingdom but asked to have the Gurduaras made.  Both Sis Gang and Rukaab Gunj had mosques built there in place.  Upon hearing this news, the Qaazis of the area rebelled and declared the Emperor as a fallen Muslim.  Shah Aalam took this problem to the Singhs.  The Singhs said don’t worry, we will convince them.  They made groups of 100 Singhs and sent them to the houses of all the Qaazis over night.  They jumped into their houses at night and surrounded them, holding them at gunpoint.  They asked them to sign a letter stating that: they have no objection in turning the Mosques back into the Gurduaras as they were before.  They all signed the letters.  The Singhs brought all the signed letters back to Shah Aalam and got their wishes fulfilled.  The Gurduaras were then constructed.  After the Singhs left, the Gurduaras were turned into Mosques again.  It wasn’t until 1857 AD when Maharaja Saroop Singh of Jind fought a case in the High Court of England to re-convert Sis Ganj and Rukaab Ganj back to Gurduaras. 

12-68 Aurangzeb in Fear, Gurpratap Sooraj

They checked everywhere.  They said: “first the head went missing, now we can’t find the body of the Guru.  We’ve checked everywhere.”  The news reached the fool Nauranga: “the way the head disappeared, the body has vanished from the ground as well.  We’ve asked everyone and nobody knows.  The body disappeared from in front of our eyes.”  The Emperor heard this and was surprised and a deep fear weighed in on his heart.  He thought to himself: “the Guru had many powers but did not wish to show his powers.  I assigned many guards so nobody takes the body but nobody saw where the body went.”  The Maulanas spoke: “don’t worry Sire, if the body is gone, so be it.  You got your work done.  He didn’t accept the Shariya and therefore lost his life.  He did not accept Islam and chose death.  People will be scared now and will listen to you.  The citizens are probably trembling with fear.  They now know what happens to someone when they don’t listen to the Emperor.  We tried convincing the Guru many times, but he was too stubborn and didn’t listen to us.”  The foolish Emperor heard this and said: “the Guru saved the Hindus by not converting to Islam.  That was the agreement we made with the Pandits.  My wish is not fulfilled.  The Guru will live in the hearts of the Hindus.  He will live on forever.  I wanted him to convert to Islam.”

The jailor was summoned to the Royal court.  The Emperor spoke to him with anger: “what have you done?  Why did you let the head and body disappear of the Guru?  Somebody took both head and body from right in front of your eyes and you couldn’t stop them.”  The jailor folded his hands and said: “during the time of the head coming off, there were many people and guards standing there.  This happened in front of everyone.  Your Umraavs, Maulanas and the Syed, were all standing there and couldn’t do anything.  There was a great wind that caused a sand storm.  Everyone’s eyes had sand blowing into them.  Then, in the same day, the Vanjaras bulls came and made a lot of noise.  There were thousands of bulls and hundreds of carts.  The guards that were standing there couldn’t do anything, when the bulls passed.  The Guru’s body was laying under the tree near the well and nobody could come close to it.  We blocked all the crossways, we counted the carts of the Vanjaras and checked the streets.  We couldn’t find anything.  The Guru’s power was too great for us.”  Aurangzeb heard this and his anxiety grew even more.  He couldn’t tell anyone what he was feeling. 

That night, Aurangzeb’s anxiety and worry had a strong grapple on his consciousness.  He didn’t eat properly that night.  He had no desire to eat.  6 types of meats were prepared for him with countless other gourmet dishes.  Not a single morsel would go down.  When the sinner went to go to sleep, he was not able to sleep.  After a while, when his eyes did close for a second, Matidas, the Deevan of the Guru, the first Shaheed, the first one to be martyred, came to the Emperor’s room.  Bhai Matidas ji was in great anger.  He was going to kill the Emperor but was afraid of Guru ji and therefore did not kill him.  Bhai Matidas flipped the bed of the Emperor.  The Emperor came crashing off his bed and awoke to screams.  He was angry and yelled.  He got up and then heard a loud voice speaking to him: “if you now sleep in Delhi, I will kill you.  I want you to leave this city and live the rest of your life with what you deserve.  After you eat the food which you have been assigned for your remaining life, you will be going to hell and suffer.  You have committed blasphemy by executing the Guru.”  The Emperor looked at Bhai Matidas ji and recognized his face.  It was the same person that he had executed a few weeks ago.  He saw his spirit come to haunt him.  The Emperor got scared and called for his servants.  The servants came and fixed his flipped bed to the right side up.  Scared and confused, he laid down again.  He could not sleep again.  He tried many things and tried to calm his mind.  The sight of Bhai Matidas scared him to his core.  He wouldn’t tell anybody of what he was going through.  If people found out, it would be embarrassing.  He spent the whole night awake with the guards watching over him. 

He got up early in the morning and bathed.  He went to the Moti Masjid to offer his morning Nimaaz.  He read many passages from the Quran.  He then went to his court after his morning prayers.  Aurangzeb had decided to leave his palace.  He never slept in his palace in Delhi again.  The Shaheed scared him so badly.  He lived for 32 more years but was not able to sleep in Delhi ever again.  He would come to his gardens close to Delhi, but not inside the capital. 

This is where the 12^th Raas finishes.  The 12 Raases are symbolizing the 12 months in which the sun passes.  The month changing in the Indian calendar is called Sankranti.  The Satguru is a great light.  The history of the Satguru is written in 12 Raases.  The light passed from one body to another.  Just as the sun dispels darkness, so did the Satguru dispel the darkness of pain and emptiness.  The Bani of the Guru were the rays of the Guru, the light was Sikhi.  The radiance of the sun is Brahamgyaan in which eyes cannot stare into.  The Satguru is bound by bhakti.  The teachings of the Satguru were like the sun in comparison to the other ideologies which were like stars.  The sun came out and the stars vanished.  The saints and Akaal Purakh’s beloveds, blossomed like the lotus when they saw the Satguru.  Aurangzeb was shining like the moon which fell short of the sun’s radiance.  He wanted to spread his own will but his plans failed because of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  The Maulanas hid after Guru ji’s great sacrifice.  The people that were violating people’s human rights to live and follow their religion as they please, were all embarrassed and had to hide.  Aurangzeb was exiled from Delhi by the Shaheeds (spirits of the Martyrs).  Aurangzeb went to Peers to heal himself, they all shriveled and proved helpless.  The nocturnal, cruel minded, all hid after the sun came up.  The Shaheedi of Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji inspired the weak hearted to rise and fight for their rights.  The darkness fears the sun.  The saints were happy.  They blossomed like flowers, blossoming, seeing the sun.  The bees came out seeing the blossoming flowers.  The saints came out and began to spread the message of Gurbani and the inspired came out to listen.  The Sikhi was the fragrant that spread far and wide.  The Simran of Satnam, the root of peace, spread in every house.  There was light everywhere.  Whoever basked in the light of Sikhi, became happy and peaceful.  The glory of the Guru spread far and wide.  The Sooraj Prakash Granth is the glory of the Gurus.  Whoever listens to this history, their pain and sins will be washed away.  The Satguru’s glory is stated in this Granth.  The obvious and hidden nature is understood in this history.  A person’s focus, toleration and courage increases listening to this history.  The person becomes a Brahamgyaani.  This history that people listen to, one receives many rewards.  It is the history of the Ten Gurus.  If one asks the Guru for rewards, it is received.  The history of the Guru should be listened to everyday, over and over again with consistency.  The faith in the Guru, fills the house of Sikhs with wealth, health and Brahamgyaan.  Sikhi is understood by this Granth.  The dirt of the sins will come off slowly as one listens to this history.  Every time one listens to this history, one finds something new.  Listening to this history gives rise to love and devotion in one’s heart.  Sitting in the Satsangat makes one into a saint.  Kavi Santokh Singh ji says that “I did not have the ability to write this Granth, I just had a very strong will and desire to write the Guru’s history.  The Guru inspired me to write this and truly, the Guru wrote it himself.  I was a servant of the Guru.  The Guru wanted to give me the glory.  The glory of the Guru is pure like the waters of the Ganga, that washes the sins away.  The slanderers are fools, they are filled with jealousy and hate.  They eat dirt like pigs and donkeys.  The nectar of this Granth will always remain pure and sweet.  As the full moon of the winter month, is bright and full, so is the glory of Akaal Purakh, the Sharda Devi.  I bow to the power of Akaal Purakh, Sharda and having remember the Ten Gurus, their history was written with love and devotion.  I bow my head many times at the feet of the Ten Gurus.”

The History will now move to the history of Guru Gobind Singh ji in Rut 1.

Thus ends the 12^th Raas.