2-21 Prithi Chand is Exposed, the Letters are Found

Sri Arjan Dev ji was seated right beside Guru Ramdas ji with respect.  Guru Ramdas ji had him set right next to him.  It was as though Gyaan and Bliss were sitting together.  Prithi Chand came into the court and saw his brother sitting next to his father.  He burned with jealousy inside at this sight and thought to himself: “why is he sitting so close to Pithaji?  Doesn’t he know how to respect him?  Looks like he wants to be his equal.  He is showing himself off to the Sikhs and trying to get their respect.”  He was jealous and burning.  He bowed to his father and sat down at a distance.  Sri Arjan ji saw his older brother and folded his hands.  He bowed to his brother from afar.  Prithi Chand lifted his hand and blessed his younger brother, superficially.  Guru Ramdas ji looked towards Prithi Chand and said: “Prithi Chand, you are a smart person.  You do all the duties of the Guru’s house.  Two letters were sent by Sri Arjan which had 2 Shabads of beautiful Gurbani written in them.  They were sent through a Sikh, who gave them to you.  He said you took them from him and they should be in your home right now.  You didn’t show me those letters.  Why did you hide them from me?  Go and get those letters now.  I want to see the Gurbani in those letters.”  Prithi Chand heard Guru ji’s words and spoke with a deceptive nature: “what letters?  Who sent them?  I don’t know of any letters that he sent.  What was I going to do with his letters by hiding them?  What advantage would I have had?  It’s just a piece of paper, 4 fingers wide.  Was I to make a kite out of that piece of paper?”  Guru Ramdas ji heard him and said: “if you have forgotten, try to remember.  You may have been busy and forgot.  It must be kept somewhere.  Go and find them.  You do all the tasks here, nicely.  How did you forget about these letters?  Don’t lie.  Let go of your deception.”  Prithi Chand got really angry and shouted back: “this was no hoondi (promissory note used by banks of the time) that I need to hide.  If it would have been, I would have withdrawn the money.  What were the letters going to give me?  There was no calculation that I needed in those letters.  It wasn’t a promissory note that I needed to keep.  This Sikh may have lost the letters on the way and now he is scared.  That’s why he is blaming me.  If Arjan has composed two Shabads, which you wish to see, he is sitting next to you, tell him to compose it again.  There is nothing in the letter that would stop any work from happening.  Ask him to write it again.”  Guru ji saw Prithi Chand’s deceitful tactics and noticed he had no decency, whatsoever.  There was a Sevadaar standing next to Guru ji.  The omniscient Guru ji bent over and whispered into the Sikhs ear: “quickly go to Prithi Chand’s home, without letting him know, and say this to his wife Karmo: “Prithi Chand is done his bath and went straight to Guru ji.  He has called for his “jamma” shirt as he doesn’t have time to pick it up.”  Guru ji knew that the letters were in his “jamma” shirt and so he directed the Sikh to find it.  The Sikh bowed to Guru ji and followed out his orders.  Guru ji said to Prithi Chand again: “if there is nothing in the letters, then why are you not showing them to me?   Why are you being stubborn?  Try to remember where you put them.  Don’t be stubborn about it.”  Prithi Chand’s wisdom was compromised by his deceit.  Guru ji asked him three times, giving him the chance to come clean about it, but Prithi Chand refused all three times.  He said to Guru ji with anger: “you think I am lying.  I swear by your feet that I have not seen the letters.”  Prithi Chand did not see his father as omnipotent.  He did not know the glory of the Guru, the master of the universe, in every realm.  Prithi Chand was unfortunate, so how could he become great? 

The Sikh reached Prithi Chand’s home and met Prithi Chand’s wife.  She didn’t know what was going on.  Karmo told her servant to bring her husband’s jamma.  The Sikh folded the jamma and hid it under his shirt so no one would know what he was holding.  He walked towards Guru ji’s court.  When he reached the court, he gave the jamma to Guru ji.  Guru ji then called for his other son, Mahadev.  The Divan was in session.  All the wise Sikhs were sitting in the Divan.  These Sikhs had no desires and their minds were still.  They were looking towards Guru ji.  Some were looking towards Prithi Chand.  Guru ji spoke: “there is still time, Prithi Chand.  Understand what I am saying.  If you tell me where the letters are now, nothing will go wrong.  If you don’t give them to me, no task of yours will be successful.  You are being stubborn for no reason.  This is a very small thing that you are being stubborn over.  It’s not worth it.  Why are you ruining it for yourself?  Why are you not thinking properly?”  The whole Sangat heard Guru ji’s words.  Prithi Chand did not listen after being given so many chances.  He spoke again with his twisted mind: “what will these letters prove?  Was it a treasure that will make me rich or great?  Would I have become a king with those Letters?  Was I going to get unique or rare gems with those letters?”  Guru Ramdas ji then said: “praises are not written in your fate.  You are not deserving of becoming a king or receiving unique and rare gems.”  Guru ji looked towards Baba Bhudda ji and other Sikhs.  He placed the jamma out and said to Prithi Chand: “look at this jamma carefully.  Is this yours or not?”  Prithi Chand looked at it and said: “yes, this is my jamma.”  He forgot he kept the letters in it.  He said: “who brought this here?”  Guru ji said: “take the letters out of the pockets with your own hands.”  Prithi Chand said: “I don’t know what’s in here.  I didn’t put anything in here.  Why would there be letters in here?  I didn’t put them in here.”  Guru ji said: “don’t waste time.  Take the letters out.”  Prithi Chand was now feeling embarrassed.  Annoyingly, he reached into the pocket and took out the letters with other papers.  He put everything in front of Guru ji.  Guru ji looked at the pile of paper and took the two letters of Sri Arjan Dev ji out.  The whole Sangat was shocked at the fact that Prithi Chand swore by Guru ji’s feet and the letters were revealed from his jamma.  Guru ji held the letters in his hand and said: “Prithi Chand, tell me, was this the work of Gurmukhs?  You look humble for the outside, but in the inside, you are a clever “meena” (word used to describe a clever two-faced person).  You carried out your lie to the very end.  You’re a bad person born in the Guru’s family.  I disown you along with your generations.  You will never be great.  You will be slandered till the end of time.  Everyone will talk bad about you.  Your generations will never be respected.  If they will be servants of the Sikhs, then they can be spoken to, otherwise they will not be part of the Panth.”  Guru ji spoke to Prithi Chand but he did not listen.  (There was a king named Raja Jujaati once, who asked his eldest son, Jadoo to give him some of his age so he can do Bhagti.  Jujaati was getting old and needed some time to do Bhagti.  Jadoo refused to give his father some years of his life.  The younger son, Kuroo, did give some of his years of his life to his father.  Jujaati did his Bhagti and gave Kuroo the kingdom)  Just as Raja Jujaati’s son did not listen to his father and lost his kingdom, that is what happened to Prithi Chand.  Baba Bhudda ji then spoke in a wise voice: “look what Prithi Chand has done.  His mind is corrupted.  He does not see his Guru-Father as omnipotent.  He hid the letters from his father, who already knew everything.  If one tries to cheat a normal person, they may get away with it, but Guru ji, Prithi Chand thought of you as his equal.  He did not have faith in you, Guru ji.”  The whole Sangat was shocked and amazed at what Prithi Chand did.  They didn’t know that Prithi Chand was full of deceit.  Prithi Chand was now exposed.  He didn’t say anything.  He was embarrassed.  He sat there with his head down.  Everyone said harsh words to him and he kept listening.  Just as a piece of glass, shaped as a diamond, is placed on its own and fools the wisest of people, that is how Prithi Chand fooled everyone.  But when the glass diamond is placed beside a real diamond, the real diamond becomes evidently recognized.  The glass diamond is then rejected.  When Sri Arjan ji was tested to be the true, Prithi Chand was seen as the false diamond.

Guru ji read the two letters of Sri Arjan Dev ji with love.  They were full of love.  Guru Ramdas ji was really happy.  The letters showed the longing for the Guru.  The Gurbani was beautiful.  Guru ji gave the letters to Baba Bhudda ji.  Guru ji said: “Baba ji, read this.  You have met the elder Gurus and know their wishes.  Read these letters.”  Baba Bhudda ji read the letters out loud.  The beautiful words of the Bani were read out and the Sangat was drenched in love after hearing them.  Their minds became still and they all said: “Dhan, Dhan Sri Arjan ji.”  Prithi Chand was upset, seeing his younger brother being praised by the Sangat.  He was burning inside, but there was nothing he could do.  He wanted to take the Gurta Ghaddi, fraudulently.  He did not serve his Guru-Father with devotion.  He was egotistical and never listened to Guru ji.  He was always busy collecting the money.  He was clever in the ways of the world but did not have even one virtue to be the Guru.  Prithi Chand sat there like a wilted flower.

Guru Ramdas ji said to Baba Bhudda ji, in front of everyone: “you are the beloved Sikh of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji.  You have been with Guru Angad Dev ji and Guru Amardas ji.  I want you to see if Sri Arjan Dev ji has the power to take on the responsibility and to be able to inherit the power of the Gurta Ghaddi or not.  If you think he can take on the responsibility, I wish to make him the next Guru.  There is no other who is eligible to take the Gurta Ghaddi.  Nobody else has the qualities that he has.  I wish to do this with your agreement.  Tell me truthfully what your thoughts are.”  Baba Bhudda ji spoke out loud and with great enthusiasm: “the Gurta Ghaddi belongs to the servant.  Whoever has the ability to tolerate the most intolerable, and has all the criteria, that person is eligible for the Gurta Ghaddi.  I have seen all the qualities and virtues in Sri Arjan ji.  I have seen them clearly.  You have tested him as well.  You are the best one to test him.  Who else can be a better judge then yourself?  I have seen that there is no one equal to Sri Arjan ji.  There is no other servant which has lived with such obedience under your command, as Sri Arjan ji.  He took so much pain and lived in Lahore for 2 years without seeing you.  His love for you caused him the pain.  He only came once he received your permission.  There is no one more obedient than him.”

2-22 Sri Arjan Dev ji is given the Guru Ghaddi

Listening to Baba Bhudda ji’s words, Guru Ramdas ji was really happy.  Guru ji thought to himself: “he has praised Sri Arjan, who is indeed the moon of our family.  He has seen the traditions of the Guru’s house.  He knows what qualities to see, the truth vs the false.  Just as a jeweller is able to examine a gem and show the real gem vs the fake; Baba Bhudda ji has seen Sri Arjan ji as the successor.”  Guru Ramdas ji called for a coconut and 5 Paisas.  All the Sikhs were called to come to Amritsar. 

The Sangat arrived and met each other.  A great crowd gathered.  The Sikhs surrounded Guru Ramdas ji in the court.  All the Sikhs were wondering what was going to happen.  They saw that Guru ji was upset with his eldest son.  Guru Ramdas ji got up from his throne and picked up the coconut and the 5 Paisas.  He walked around Sri Arjan Dev ji three times (the three circumventions represent Mun- mind, Bach-words and Karam-action) performing what is known as the “parkarma.”  He then placed the coconut and 5 Paisas at Sri Arjan Dev ji’s feet and bowed to him.  Guru Ramdas ji was extremely happy.  His son was now “Guru” Arjan Dev ji.  Baba Bhudda ji was given the command to place the Guru Tilak on Guru Arjan Dev ji’s forehead.  Baba Bhudda ji was in bliss.  He got up and placed the Tilak on the radiant forehead of Guru Arjan Dev ji with his hand.  Satguru Ramdas ji declared out loud: “listen Sikhs, all of you beloveds of the Guru, Sri Arjan is to be seen as the same form as me.  Just as you see me, you are to see him in the same way.  He is seated on the Gurta Ghaddi now.  The weight of all the worlds is on him now.  He will relieve the pain of the Sangat.  He will complete many tasks of the world.  Your tasks and wishes will be fulfilled by him.  Stand up and bow to him.  Give him your gifts and offerings from now on.”  Everyone heard Guru ji’s words and shouted out loud: “jai, jai Guru Arjan Dev ji.  Jai Guru Ramdas ji.”  The Sangat got up and lined up to bow to Guru Arjan Dev ji and present their offerings.  There was a great celebration.  The new sun had risen, as Guru Arjan Dev ji.  Baba Bhudda ji was the first to bow to Guru Arjan Dev ji.  The Sangat blossomed like lotus flowers.  The Jagyasos became like bees and surrounded Guru Arjan Dev ji.

Prithi Chand had a deep desire to become the next Guru.  The desire to become Guru set like a sunset in his mind, as the sun of Guru Arjan Dev ji’s Gurta had risen.  The followers of Prithi Chand all ran away and left him, like stars, when the sun comes out.  The slanderers were in pain like owls, blinded by the sun’s rays.  Prithi Chand was like a moon that disappeared when the Sun came out, as soon as Guru Arjan Dev ji became the Guru.  Prithi Chand was burning inside with jealousy.  He was in pain.  His head was low as he sat in the Sangat.  Baba Mahadev ji was sitting quietly in the Sangat.  He was not in joy or sorrow.  He was always in the same state.  The fortunate mother, Bibi Bhaani ji, heard about her son becoming the Guru.  Her joy and bliss could not be stated.  She was the most fortunate mother in the world.  She was the most fortunate woman in history.  She remembered her father’s words and was happy.  She remembered that he had blessed her with keeping the Gurta Ghaddi in the family.  She thought to herself: “my father’s words were solid and permanent.  The Sumer Mountain way walk, but Guru Amardas ji’s words would never change.”

Guru Ramdas ji was sitting in the Sangat.  Guru Arjan Dev ji was sitting on the throne.  The Sangat was sitting all around.  Guru Ramdas ji looked towards his son Guru Arjan Dev ji and spoke, with great joy: “there should be 4 Padas in a Shabad.  You wrote only 3.  You need to write the fourth one now.  Write the fourth Shabad, with me sitting here, so it is completed.  Complete the Shabad.  The Sikhs of the world will read and listen to this Shabad and receive joy.”  Baba Bhudda ji was sitting nearby.  He was extremely happy and said: “Satguru ji’s words are true.”  Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji bowed to his father and began to compose the final Pada of the Shabad:

Sri Mukhvaak.

By my good fortune, I have me the Saint Guru..

I have found the Prabhoo, the indestructible one, in my home..

I will now serve you forever and will never be separated for you, even for an instant, the Servant, Nanak says, is your slave, oh beloved master..4..

I am a sacrifice, my soul is a sacrifice unto you, the Servant, Nanak says, is your slave, oh beloved master..Rahao..1..8..

(SGGS 96)

Guru Ramdas ji was very happy listening to this Shabad.  He thought to himself: “he will write a lot of beautiful Bani.  I have understood this.  He writes so beautifully.  He wrote it so quickly.”  He looked towards his son and said: “your Shabad has so much humility in it.  Whoever reads it or listens to it, they will ponder on it and kill their ego, along with their mind’s other vices.”  Guru Arjan Dev ji folded his hands and bowed to his father’s words.  He showed extreme humility.  He said to his father, Guru Ramdas ji: “Guru ji, you are the one that is making me do it.  You do everything.  I am under your command and doing as you are making me.”

Everyone got up and went to their homes.  Everyone was praising Guru Arjan Dev ji.  Baba Bhudda ji was about to leave when Prithi Chand came to speak to him.  He was burning inside as he could not do anything.  He was really mad and spoke to Baba Bhudda ji with great anger: “listen Bhudda.  I thought you were wise.  I used to think of you as equal to Guru Nanak Dev ji.  But seeing your actions today, I don’t have faith in you now.  You’ve lived with the elder Satgurus and have seen all the traditions.  You also knew and saw what happens here.  I was the eldest son and I was eligible too.  I should have been the next Guru.  The Gurta Ghaddi should have been mine.  Did you not think about this?  You have gone old and you can’t think anymore.  Pithaji is just Guru by name.  I was the one that did everything and ran the whole traditions.  You knew everything.  The whole Sangat respected me.  This one thing that you did today, getting up and giving the Guru Tilak to my brother, was bad.  I will use my power and reverse this.  What reputation of yours will remain then?   This was never talked about before, why did you get up without thinking and gave the Tilak to my brother?  If Pithaji was mad with me and did this, this was a bad thing and you should have advised him.  You agreed with him.  You should have advised him better.  The eldest son should be the Guru.  I was eligible to be the Guru and did all the tasks around here.  I took care of everything with my intellect.”  Prithi Chand went on and on about him being the Guru.  He continued: “you should have been on my side.  If you would have defended me, then you would have been wise.  You didn’t do a good think.  You got up, without thinking, and gave my younger brother the Tilak.  Everyone will talk bad about you.  They will say that what you did was not right.  I’ve seen your true colours today.  You were wise, why did you do this?  I will show you what I can do now.  I will snatch the Gurta Ghaddi away.  I will spend the money to get it.  I will reverse this.”  Baba Bhudda ji responded to Prithi Chand: “why are you mad?  You never served your father with devotion.  Satguru ji would have been happy with you and given you the Gurta Ghaddi if you would have served him.  You are not eligible.  By talking bad about someone else, nothing is achieved.  Only humility fulfills all your wishes.  You didn’t listen to your father, that’s why you didn’t get the Tilak.  You are still the son of the Guru.  You are still respected as the son of the Guru.  So what if you are not the Guru?  You sill have a high status in the Guru’s home.  Let go of this anger and conflict.  You will be happy if you follow your father’s commands.  Do what he does.  He is the master of the universe.  He is the master of the poor and weak.  Nobody can ask for clarification on what he does and how he does it.”  After saying this, Baba Bhudda ji went quiet.

Prithi Chand went inside the house.  He was upset and went to see Guru Ramdas ji.  He began to yell at his father in anger.  He spoke to Guru ji in very harsh words: “what was this unorthodox tradition you did today?  You gave my right to my younger brother.  Nobody has done this before.  You cheated me on purpose.  What fault did you find in me that you needed to disown me?  Watch what happens to you after doing this to me.  You will have to suffer for this.  I have lots of money and will use it to meet with a strong king.  I will give him money and make him my ally.  I will give you both, father and son, a lot of pain and suffering.  When you will be powerless, the Gurta Ghaddi will come to me without me doing anything.”  He fought with his father in this way.  Guru Ramdas ji uttered a Shabad for him:

Sarag Mahalla 4 Ghar 3 Dupada

Ik Oankaar Satgur Prasaad..

Oh son, why do you argue with your father?

It is a sin to argue with the one who fathered you and raised you..1..Rahao..

The wealth which you are so proud of, that wealth does not belong to anyone..

In an instant, you shall have to leave behind all your corrupt pleasures, you shall be left to regret..1..

That Prabhoo, who is your master, do the Simran of that, Hari..

Nanak says, listen to the wisdom.  If you listen to it, your pain will go away..2..1..7..

(SGGS 1200)

“Prithi Chand, listen: don’t be proud of the money you have.  It never stays and can leave in an instant.  You will suffer then.  You should feel ashamed to fight with your father.  Do the Simran of Hari.  It will be good if you listen to this.  The pain of your body and mind will be destroyed.  Greed and sin will not bother you.”  Prithi Chand heard this and was angrier than before.  He said: “do the Simran of Hari Gopal?  You gave the Gurta Ghaddi to the younger son.  You insulted me in front of everyone.  Now you are giving me wisdom?  You want me to do all this now?  You want me to let go of my desire to be the Guru.  You want me to do Simran of Hari now.  You want me to listen to you now?  You will protect me now?  The bad thing you did before, you did not think about.  You want me to do Simran of Hari now?”  Guru Ramdas ji heard Prithi Chand’s harsh words and thought to himself: “he’s not going to stop.  He only loves to deceive.”  Guru ji uttered another Shabad:

Sri Mukhvaak Soohi Mahalla 4..

They alone worship and adore Hari within, who are blessed with a preordained destiny from the beginning of time..

What harm can anyone do to them, on whose side the Hari Kartar is on..1..

Utter Hari Hari, oh mind, do Simran of Hari, the pains of your births will go away with the Simran..1..Rahao..

In the very beginning, the Lord blessed the devotees with Amrit, the treasure..

That person is a fool who tries to compare themselves with the Bhagat.  Their faces are blackened in the life herafter..2..

That person is a devotee Bhagat, they are the servants, who love the name of Hari..

By their selfless service, Hari is attained.  The slanderer’s head is filled with ash..3..

They alone know this, who experience it within the home of their own self.  The Guru of the world, Guru Nanak, ask him, and ponder on this..

Throughout the four generations of the Gurus, from the beginning, by back-biting, nobody attained.  Only by doing Seva is one emancipated..4..2..9..

(SGGS 733)

“only that person loves Hari, who is destined to.  Hari is on the side of Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji.  He was destined to be the next Guru.  You can’t talk bad about him.  He loves Hari Akaal Purakh and is connected to that bliss.  He has been blessed by Akaal Purakh.  It was predestined.  The Amrit of Bhagti is in excess with him. He uses it all the time and gives it to others.  You can’t copy him.  That person is a fool and will be considered bad in every world.  The servants love the name of Akaal Purakh.  Doing their Seva, you will receive the same illumination of Akaal Purakh.  You will receive the Gyaan.  The slanderer gets nothing in their hands.  Ash falls on their heads.  The ones who are connected to Akaal Purakh, they know the glory of the Satguru.  Sri Guru Nanak, Guru Angad Chand, and Sri Guru Amardas, the peace giver, have received the Gurta Ghaddi and then I received it in the fourth incarnation, the whole world saw this tradition.  They only served the Guru.  None have spoken badly about others to receive the Gurta Ghaddi.  Only Seva led them to this supreme status.  You don’t have this Seva that is required to get the Gurta Ghaddi.  You are filled with ego and treachery.  You see me as lower than you and thought of yourself as great, doing such deceit.  You thought you were smart to hide the letters.  You saw your brother as your enemy.   I asked you so many times, but you denied it each time.  You fearlessly swore upon my feet and lied about it.  You didn’t think of this as a sin.  You didn’t realize what I already knew.  Without humility, Seva cannot be done.  Instead of doing Seva, you were filled with ego and pride.  Faith is the root of love.  Love is the grape of happiness.  Seva is the bark of the tree of love, that makes it stronger.  The branches are the detachment from worldly pleasures.  The flowers are the name of Hari Parameshver.  In the Sangat, this plant looks radiant.  The virtues (truth, contentment, pity, duty, patience, restrain, abstinence, detachment from pleasures, love of Gyaan, faith, seeing pleasures as poison) and wisdom are the leaves of this plant.  The fruit is the Aatma Gyaan, the most beautiful of all.  This gives bliss.  Billions of Kalapbrish plants cannot compare to this bliss of Aatma Gyaan.  This is received by the blessing of Prabhoo.  Why do you suffer with pain now?  Without destiny, what you wish for, cannot be received.  Live by the duty.  There is no harm.  Live by Guru Arjan Dev ji’s command.  Let go of your ego and live a humble life.”  Guru Ramdas ji gave wisdom to Prithi Chand and told him not to fight.

2-23 Sri Guru Ramdas ji goes to Goindwal

Prithi Chand heard his father’s words and become egotistical.  His anger grew even more.  He spoke back to his father: “Seva?  What Seva did he do?  He was sitting in Lahore for 2 years.  He did no Seva of yours, neither did he do anything here.  I was doing your Seva.  He didn’t ask for you or how things were here these 2 years.  He doesn’t know where and how the money is handled.  He sat there peacefully for 2 years.  What did he accomplish for us in Lahore?  I look after the household and take care of everything.  Thousands of people as Sangat come here all the time.  I look after their food and resting place.  Giving and taking was all taken care by me.  I kept everyone happy.  I did the work well, day and night.  Everyone was happy with me, whoever came.  I took care of the Masands as well, in every way.  I took care of the Langar and did all the other administrative work.  Neither yourself or anyone else in the family took any responsibilities of the Guru Ghar.  Nobody even asks about how all this is done or how well is it going.  I did everything.”  Prithi Chand carried on, speaking very harsh and disrespectful words to Guru Ramdas ji which Kavi Santokh Singh ji did not wish to write.  Kavi Santokh Singh ji was blessed with the Divine Sight of seeing the events in history, as the way they happened.  The words were not appropriate for anyone to hear.  Guru Ramdas ji was forgiving and did not curse his son.  Guru Ramdas ji did although told Prithi Chand, not to sit in front of him any longer and to leave at once.  He told Prithi Chand to never stand in front of him again.  Guru ji said: “you are unfortunate and filled with greed.  Your mind is filled with poison.”  Prithi Chand heard his father and replied back: “I don’t want you to face me again, either.  I disown you; you have disowned me.  I will take my revenge.  When I take revenge, only then will I be at peace.  I will show both of you, father and son, what the meaning of pain is.  Only then will I call myself “Prithi Chand.”  He disrespected his father in this way and got up.  As he got up and headed towards his own home, he kept on speaking harsh words.  He yelled out loud to make sure everyone heard.  He kept yelling on his way home.  He was in pain as he entered his own home.  There was nothing he could do though.

It was night time.  Guru Ramdas ji thought to himself: “Prithi Chand will cause a fight and continue with his treacherous ways.  He will try to bother everyone.  He won’t be afraid to do bad things now.  I need to leave my body now, as per Guru Amardas ji’s orders.  I only did what Parmeshwar wanted me to do.  I was to give the Gurta Ghaddi to Guru Arjan Dev ji.  I do not wish to have Prithi Chand near me when I leave my body.  He will make more trouble and will stay separated form Guru Arjan Dev ji.  I shouldn’t stay here.  I will go to Goindwal Sahib in the morning.  I will go to Guru Amardas ji’s sons, Baba Mohan ji and Baba Mohri ji.  I will give Guru Arjan Dev ji’s arm to them and tell them to take care of him.  I will leave my body near the shores of Beas.”  Guru ji called Mata Bhaani ji and told her what his plan was: “lets go to Goindwal in the morning and meet your father’s family.”  Guru ji then told Baba Bhudda ji everything: “I will get ready in the morning to go.”  Guru ji ate Langar and then laid down to sleep. 

Guru ji woke in the last watch of the night and bathed.  He got dressed and sat in Samadhi.  He connected with his Aatma and immersed into infinite bliss.  He opened his eyes when there was still an hour till sunrise.  He opened his eyes early that day and told everyone to get ready to leave.  Guru Arjan Dev ji went to Mata Bhaani ji and left first with many servants.  Guru Ramdas ji then mounted his horse and headed towards Goindwal.  The Sikhs who loved the Guru went along as well.  Prithi Chand was still sleeping.  He didn’t even know that everyone had left.  Nobody told Prithi Chand anything either as nobody wanted to speak to him, knowing what he had done.  Guru ji didn’t want to speak to him.  It was on Bhadron Sudhi 1 (August/September, 1^st day after no moon) when Guru Arjan Dev ji sat on the Gurta Ghaddi.  It was the “Dooj” (one day after) when Guru Ramdas ji reached Goindwal Sahib. 

It was early evening when they all reached Goindwal.  Guru Ramdas ji was really happy to see Goindwal again.  It was where he served Guru Amardas ji.  He went to Chabarra Sahib and bowed, where Guru Amardas ji would stand and do Bhagti, holding on to the peg.  Baba Mohri ji found out that Guru Ramdas ji and the family had arrived in Goindwal.  He eagerly came forward to welcome Guru Ramdas ji.  They bowed to each other.  Guru ji bowed to Baba Mohri ji, seeing him as the elder but Baba Mohri ji grabbed his hands and bowed to Guru Ramdas ji instead, seeing him as the Guru.  He took Guru ji to his home and had his whole family meet Guru Ramdas ji.  Mata Bhaani ji met everyone and cried.  She was worried.  She was worried, firstly, because she knew that her husband was about to leave his body and secondly, because her son, Prithi Chand, had a fight with Guru Ramdas ji and become an enemy of Guru Arjan Dev ji.  Thinking of all this, she cried.  She was concerned of what Prithi Chand may do.  She was sad that her husband was going to leave.  She didn’t want the Gurta Ghaddi to leave her family.  Guru Amardas ji did grant her the wish she asked for but he also said to her that: “you are forcing the flow of a river to flow in a different direction.  This will cause pain and conflicts.”  Those words were coming out true as well.  The conflicts had started.  She was aware that these problems were coming and conflicts were going to happen.  She spoke to her sister-in-law (Baba Mohri ji’s wife) and told her what was happening and how Guru Amardas ji’s words were unfolding.  The ladies of the family all gave Mata Bhaani ji hope.  She wiped her tears and sat down with all the other women.  Baba Mohan ji then came to the home and everyone met each other.  All the other elder family members and Sikhs came to meet Guru Ramdas ji. 

Baba Bhudda ji was there as well.  Everyone met Baba Bhudda ji as well.  Baba Bhudda ji then told everyone: “Prithi Chand had a big fight and has become corrupt.  He spoke with disrespect.  We saw him as deceitful and came to Goindwal now.  Guru Arjan Dev ji has been placed on the Gurta Ghaddi.  The light of the Guru resides in him now.  Guru Ramdas ji wishes to leave his body and go to Sach Khand.”  Baba Mohan ji and Baba Mohri ji were upset to hear all this and said: “Prithi Chand has done a very bad thing.  That was not wise what he did.  We’ve noticed that he was filled with greed and did bad things before.  He already knew that he would do something bad.  We’ve seen how we was, since birth.  During Pithaji’s time, he was afraid to do bad things.  After Pithaji left, he started to do bad things.  After Guru Ramdas ji leaves, there will be nothing that he will be afraid of.  He will continue to do bad things.”  Everyone was upset at what Prithi Chand did.  They all saw him as full with ego.   He was not going to think about society and will become enemies with the Guru.  They discussed other things about him.  It was night, so everyone ate and then went to sleep. 

Mata Bhaani ji was worried and kept thinking about the situation.  Guru Arjan Dev ji had been away from the family for two years, so he was still catching up with the rest of the family and enjoying himself in Goindwal.  He was above joy and sorrow.  All his Mammajis and Mammijis gave him love by putting their hands on his head.  Baba Bhudda ji and other Sikhs stayed with Guru Ramdas ji and had many conversations about the future.  They did not sleep the night as they knew Guru Ramdas ji was ready to go to Sach Khand. 

Guru Ramdas ji was resting the whole time though and woke up during his regular time of 2 am.  He called Mata Bhaani ji to him, after taking his bath.  The elder Sikhs were called as well during the Amritvela.  Baba Mohan ji and Baba Mohri ji came as well.  Guru Ramdas ji bathed with the water of Baoli Sahib that day.  The Rababis came to sing Asa Di Vaar in various Raags.  They sang other Shabads as the Sikhs listened with love.  Guru ji was sitting with everyone.  He was in Samadhi, connected to his Anand form.  It was a still-state with endless bliss that was indescribable.  The people of the village all came as they heard about Guru Ramdas ji.  Everyone was quiet as the Kirtan was sung in the court.  As the sun rose, Asa Di Vaar was completed.  Everyone folded their hands and bowed when the Kirtan was complete.  Guru ji then spoke: “listen Sikhs, the beloved of the Guru, do the Simran of Hari and make your lives successful.  It is my end-time now.  I will leave my body and go to Sach Khand.  After Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, the light was given to Guru Angad Dev ji and then to Guru Amardas ji.  I was given the light as the fourth incarnation.  If you wish to see the four Gurus, the fifth incarnation is Guru Arjan Dev ji, you will see all of them in him now.  See all five as one.  There is no difference in all five.  Guru Arjan Dev ji will be your support in this world and the next.  The glory of the Gurta Ghaddi has been given to him.  He is the gem-filled ocean.  Whoever becomes his enemy, they will never be able to compare to his greatness.  That person will be in pain in this world and in the world hereafter.”  The master of the Sodhis said to Baba Mohan ji and Baba Mohri ji: “you are deep and wise.  You were obedient to your father.  You are forgiving and great.  Your pure minds are without jealousy and ego.  Guru Arjan Dev ji’s mind is pure.  He will take your advice.  He is deep and full of virtues.  I want you to see him just as you saw me.  Hold his arm and support him.  Think of him all the time.”  Baba Mohri ji bowed to Guru Ramdas ji and held Guru Arjan Dev ji’s arm.  He took his arm and placed Guru Arjan Dev ji’s hand on top of his head.  He spoke very humble and sweet words: “since Pitha ji commanded me, I have had faith in you.  You were the form of the Satguru after Pitha ji.  You were the same for me as he was.  You were the one we bowed to.  Now, whoever you have seated on the Gurta Ghaddi and made the Guru of the world, and given the greatness, he will be worshipped just like you.  I have deep faith in this.”  Satguru Ramdas ji said: “you are great Mohri ji.”  Guru ji then looked towards Guru Arjan Dev ji and said: “the Sarovar of Amritsar is my body.  Do its Kar Seva with determination.  Serve it like you served me.  It will be the greatest place in the world.  It will give Mukti and Bhugti to the Sangat.  This was established by the command of Sri Guru Amardas ji.  This place will be a place of bliss.  Make steps on all four sides of this and in the centre, make a beautiful “Mandir of Hari.”   In the middle of the Sarovar, it will look beautiful just as Akaal Purakh’s vessel in the middle of the sky.  It will look like a jewel in the middle of an expensive floor.  It will be the home of Akaal Purakh.  This is my command.  Keep it in your heart and work everyday to complete this.”  Guru Arjan Dev ji folded his hands as he heard this command.  He said to his father: “you are the one that is going to do everything.  It will be your power.  I will work with great determination.  I will do Seva till my last birth of your Sarovar.  It will be your grace that will complete this task.  Please assist me.”  Guru Ramdas ji was happy to hear this and said: “you are complete and great in every way.”  After saying all this, Guru Ramdas ji got ready to go to Sach Khand.

2-24 Sri Guru Ramdas ji goes to Sach Khand

Seeing that the time for Guru Ramdas ji to go to Sach Khand was near, Bibi Bhani ji, the fortunate one, folded her hands and bowed to her husband.  She had love in her heart.  She said to her husband: “you are complete and great in every way.  You are the giver of peace.  The fortunate ones know you.  You protect and support your servants in this world and in the next.  You do as you please.  I want to go with you as well.  What will I do in this world without you?  I do not wish to live on without you.  There is only joy and sorrow in this world, nothing else.  Nobody in this world is forever peaceful or forever in pain.  The elder son, Prithi Chand, will cause problems.  Seeing his actions will give me pain.  I want to live with you in bliss, forever.  I will be worry-free living with you.”  Listening to Bibi Bhaani ji’s soft words, Satguru Ramdas ji said: “oh fortunate, great woman, you are with great karma.  There is no other woman in this world who is more fortunate than you.  Your father was Guru Amardas ji.  Who can be compared to you?  I have always been happy with you.  Whatever words that you said, I have listened to them all and did what you wanted.  I agreed with your every word and acted on them.  You listened to my every word and acted on them.  Your son is Guru Arjan Dev ji, who is an Avatar of Akaal Purakh.  He will make the Sodhi family illuminate in this world.  He kept the Gurta Ghaddi in the house.  Your son didn’t let the Gurta Ghaddi go to another family.  Your life is a great success.  You did all that you needed to do in this world.  You have a few breaths left and you will come to me in a few days.  Be patient for a few days and let your remaining karma action out.  Leave your body with peace in a few days.  Oh fortunate one, then come to me.  You will stay with me in Sach Khand for eternity, where there is only bliss.  Joy, sorrow, pain, love, hate or attachment does not exist there.”  Guru ji encouraged Mata Bhaani ji and gave her peace.  Guru ji, the giver of peace and happiness, looked towards Baba Bhudda ji and Bhai Gurdas ji to tell them about Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji. 

The gem of the Sodhis, Guru Ramdas ji, then sat on the mat made of kusha (grass).  He laid down and covered his face with a blanket.  Just as an elephant breaks a garland made of flowers around its neck with great ease, that is how Guru Ramdas ji left his body.  The Devatas came to welcome Guru Ramdas ji’s light in the greater dimensions.  Brahma, Naarad, Shivji and others came.  There was a great illumination in the sky.  The vessels made of gold and gems were shining bright.  Kuber, Varun, and all the Lokpals with other Devatas came at once.  They all shouted out “jai, jai.”  They all sang Guru Ramdas ji’s praises and celebrated in many ways.  They showered Guru Ramdas ji’s soul with fistfuls of flowers.  The flowers fell on to earth.  They were very fragrant.  The people on earth, at that time, in that area, were surprised to see and smell these unfamiliar flowers, being showered on to Earth.  Many people gathered near the Baoli.  The Sangat had heard about Guru Ramdas ji going to Sach Khand and began to gather.  They sang Guru ji’s praises and said: “Guru ji is great.  His greatness could not be quantified.  The mine of virtue left his body with his own will.”  People were crying and shouting out in sorrow.  The Sikhs with love were crying.  They remembered the things Guru ji did for them and his teachings.  They also remembered that Guru ji had told them not to cry or mourn for his departure.  He wanted everyone to do Keertan and Simran of Satnam.  He wanted people to do Keertan in their homes.  The Senior Sikhs reminded everyone not to cry and to read Bani.  The Sikhs then began to read Gurbani and remembered Guru ji’s wisdom.  Bibi Bhaani ji was patient and did not cry.  She stayed beside her husband’s body.  Baba Mohan ji and Baba Mohri ji sat on the other side.  Guru Arjan Dev ji was sitting beside his mother.  Everyone was sad of Guru ji’s departure.  People were quiet and were shocked to see how quickly Guru ji left. 

Baba Bhudda ji then got up and spoke: “why is everyone sitting?  We need to prepare for the traditions of the cremation.  Everyone should meet Guru ji’s body one last time and we should prepare for the cremation.  Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji should do the tradition.  Gather the items for the cremation.  The Sangat should get together and prepare the flowers, ghee, sandalwood essences, water and sesame seeds.  Prepare a carrying platform for Guru ji’s body.  Cover it with expensive pashmina.  Collect the Beri wood for the pyre and let’s go to the shores of Beas.  We will go close to the place where Guru Amardas ji’s body was cremated.  We will take Guru Ramdas ji’s body there.”  Guru Arjan Dev ji got up.  Baba Mohri ji made all the preparations and told the Sikhs to get the items.  Everyone had their duties.  Bhai Gurdas ji was directing people as well.  Baba Mohri ji stood near Baba Bhudda ji and called Guru Arjan Dev ji.  Guru Ramdas ji’s body was bathed with yoghurt.  His hair was bathed as well.  Water from the Baoli Sahib was brought to bathe Guru Ramdas ji’s body.  New and beautiful clothes were put on Guru ji’s body.  A new Dastaar was tied on his head.  The “vimaan” (platform) came, decorated with expensive cloths and garlands of flowers.  The garlands hung all around the vimaan.  The fragrant essences were sprayed.  Guru Ramdas ji’s body was placed on the vimaan.  Pashmina cloths were placed on Guru ji’s body.  All the Sikhs were in sorrow.  They showered Guru ji’s body with flowers and shouted out jaikaras in his name.  The vimaan was so beautiful, that it looked like it was from heaven.  Guru Arjan Dev ji picked up one of the sides of the vimaan on his shoulder.  Baba Mohri ji and Baba Bhudda ji also picked up the vimaan on their shoulders.  The Sikhs were doing Seva and were taking turns to pick up the vimaan on their shoulders.  Kusum flowers were showered with rice puffs and money.  Everyone shouted out “Dhan Guru Ramdas ji.”  The Rababis sang Gurbani of love.  When the Shabad would be completed, they would stop and sing its Pauri, from the different Vaars of different Raags.  They would be given money and would start walking again, with a new Shabad.  Thousands of Sikhs travelled along, showering flowers and money on Guru ji’s body.  Two chaurs were waived over Guru ji’s body, looking like swans flying above his body.  They reached the place where Guru Amardas ji’s body was cremated.  With great love, the Sangat reached that place before hand.  Everyone’s eyes were full of tears.  It was close to the Beas where the Vimaan came to rest on the ground.  There was Sangat in every direction.  Many conches were blowing.  The pyre was prepared by the Sikhs.  It was stacked very high with sandalwood.  Satguru Ramdas ji’s body was placed in the pyre.  Guru Arjan Dev ji took a flame and lit the pyre.  He was crying has he lit the pyre all around.  Guru Arjan Dev ji cried out loud and Bibi Bhaani ji saw this.  She began to cry and then was overtaken with love and sorrow.  The women wiped their tears, continuously.  Baba Bhudda ji stood up and said: “why are you not remembering Guru ji’s words?  The Satguru never leaves.  Be in bliss by doing Keertan and Katha.  Don’t cry.  Satguru ji does not like this.  The Keertan and Katha will bless you.  This was Satguru ji’s command.”  Baba Bhudda ji encouraged and consoled everyone.  He made everyone do Simran.  People stopped crying but Guru Ramdas ji was very lovable and dear to everyone and would they would begin to cry again.  Guru Arjan Dev ji listened to Baba Bhudda ji and recited the Keertan Sohila (during that time, only the first three Shabads as we know them today, were recited as the Keertan Sohila).  In this way, the cremation was done near the shore of the Beas.  The water of the Beas was pure.  Guru Arjan Dev ji and the Sangat, all bathed in the Beas after the cremation.  Along with Baba Bhudda ji, Guru Arjan Dev ji did the tradition of Tilanjal (offering of sesame seeds).  He did the Simran of his father and read Gurbani. 

Everyone came back to Goindwal Sahib and had a Divan near the Baoli Sahib.  Many people gathered and sang Guru Ramdas ji’s praises.  They said: “Guru Ramdas ji was very gracious.  Just as clouds come in the sky and let down water to water the earth, that is how Guru Ramdas ji showered his blessing for everyone.  He lived for everyone else’s well-being.  Guru ji came to bless the Sikhs in this world and then went to Sach Khand, his home.”  The wise Sikhs spoke in this way.  Everyone looked towards Guru Arjan Dev ji to meet Guru Ramdas ji in him.  Bibi Bhaani ji was sitting with her sisters-in-law.  The women came to meet her and cried.  Bibi Bhaani ji would give everyone hope and encouragement.  She was with great patience.  She thought of her husband’s form in her mind.  She would close her eyes and focus on her husband.  Many people came to pay their respects.  They came to meet Guru Arjan Dev ji and bowed.  The people then started to go to their homes.  As people in the nearby villages found out, they came to meet Guru Arjan Dev ji.  They reached Goindwal and met Guru Arjan Dev ji.  There was a great crowd in Goindwal for three days.  There was Shabad Keertan for the three days.  Baba Mohri ji and Baba Bhudda ji sat with Guru Arjan Dev ji in the Divan. 

Thus ends the Katha of Sri Guru Ramdas ji.