2-41 The Birth Story of Bhai Bhagtoo

Within the family of Sidhu Jatts, from the clan of Bhullariya, came a person named Baba Aadam.  He had no children.  He worked on his farm all day long but wanted children.  Him and his wife were good people who made an honest living.  Many years passed but there were no children.  They went to many Peers and Fakirs.  They tried many medicines but nothing worked.  They served many saints and wanted children but they did not have any children.  They were worried.  One day, they met a Gursikh and asked him: “we have tried many things but we are still without children.”  The Sikh heard them and said: “listen to me, Guru Nanak Dev ji is the Avatar of Akaal Purakh.  He came as the physical form of Parmeshwar.  After him was Guru Angad Dev ji.  Guru Amardas ji was after him.  After the 3 kings, the fourth Guru is Guru Ramdas ji.  He is very generous.  He can complete all the tasks of his Sikhs.  Go and do his Seva if you wish to have your desire of a son fulfilled.”  Baba Aadam heard the Sikh and thought of his old age.  He was around 60 -65 years old.  He thought: “dry trees never have fruit.”  He was in doubt about how he can have a child at his age.  He then thought: “if I serve Guru Ramdas ji and don’t get a child, I will still receive mukti.”  He thought of this and took his wife, who was blind.  They went to Guru Ramdas ji.

The man and woman both came to Guru Ramdas ji and bowed.  Baba Aadam would serve in the Langar.  He began to cut wood everyday.  He would bring one bunch in the morning and one bunch in the evening everyday.  The dry wood was used for Langar.  He would give one bunch to the Langar and the other he would pile near his home.  He would earn his own money selling the fire word to eat food and didn’t want to be a burden for the Langar, so others can eat who need to.  In this way, both man and woman would do Seva.  The wife would wash dishes. 

Six months passed of the couple doing Seva.  There was a time that Guru Ramdas ji travelled away and had returned home.  It was really cold one night and it rained a lot.  The Sangat came along with Guru ji and others came as well.  It was really cold.  Thousand of Sikhs gathered.  Baba Aadam had a lot of fire wood gathered over six months.  He took his bunches and dropped a bunch off to each tent.  Everyone lit their fires and warmed themselves up at night.  He made their nights very pleasant.  They no longer shivered in the cold.  They were all camped on high ground.  Guru ji was looking from a high place and saw that all the tents had fires burning.  There was a bright illumination in the night.  He thought to himself: “where did all this firewood come from?  Who brought it?” 

The next day, there was a Divaan and many Sikhs came to see him.  Guru ji said: “how was your night?  Where did all that firewood come from?”  Everyone responded: “there is a Sikh who dropped off a bunch of firewood to all our tents.  We were happy to receive that.”  Guru ji asked the Langri as well: “where did the firewood come from?”  The Langri said: “there is a Sikh who has been here for 6 months and has dropped off a bunch of firewood everyday without missing a day.”  The omniscient Guru knew everything but didn’t show that he knew.  He said to the Sikhs: “find that Sikh and bring him here.  He has done a great Seva.  What is his wish?  It will be fulfilled.”  The Sikhs heard this and went to get Baba Aadam.

Baba Aadam came to Guru ji with great joy.  He came and bowed to Guru ji’s feet.  He stood in front of Guru ji with his hands folded.  Guru ji looked towards Baba Aadam and said: “what wish do you have?  Your Seva has been accepted.  Ask for whatever is in your heart.  Guru Nanak is happy.”  Baba Aadam heard Guru ji but he couldn’t say what he wanted to.  He thought to himself: “I’m old.  How can I have a child?  I shouldn’t ask for a child.  My wife is old as well.  How can we ask for a child?  I am embarrassed to say anything in the Sangat.”  Baba Aadam then spoke: “Guru ji, please give me the gift of seeing you, Sikhi, Simran and Seva.  That is all I wish for.”  Guru ji knew what he wanted.  The master, Guru Ramdas ji spoke: “why do you not say what is in your heart?  Why are you shy?  The Guru is happy with you.  Whatever you will ask for, you will get.”  Baba Aadam Shied away again and said: “please give me Sikhi.”  Guru ji knew what he wanted and that he was shy because of his old age.  Guru ji said: “ok, go back home.  You aren’t able to ask right now.  You are shy.  Come again in the morning.  We will speak again.  Your Seva is a success.  I am telling you to ask.  Parmeshwar will give you what you want.” 

Baba Aadam went back to his hut to his wife.  He was in deep thought.  His wife asked him: “why did Guru ji call you?”  Baba Aadam told her: “Guru ji was very happy and told me to ask for something.”  The wife, Mai Bhikha said: “so did you ask for a son?”  Baba Aadam said: “I was too embarrassed to ask for a son.  I don’t know if we would be able to have a son or not.  I asked for Sikhi instead.  We are old.  How can we have a son.  I asked for Sikhi and Seva of Guru ji for the rest of our lives.  Guru ji told me to come back in the morning to ask again.”  Mai Bhikha was sad to hear this.  She was upset that her husband didn’t ask for a son.  She said to her husband: “you didn’t do good.  You had the opportunity to ask and you didn’t.  Go in the morning and ask for a son.  Take me with you.  Guru ji is the master.  I will ask for a son.  He can make dry trees green again.  He can fill dry ponds.  He is omnipotent and do the impossible.  His words are always true.”  Mai Bhikha spoke to Baba Aadam in this way.  They talked all night and waited for the morning.

In the morning, a Sikh came and said: “oh Sikh, come to Guru ji and ask for a boon.”  Mai Bhikha said: “I am coming too.”  They both came and bowed to Guru ji.  Guru ji said: “ask for whatever is in your heart.”  Mai Bhikha said: “Bhikha asks for one boon, I wish to see my grandson drinking milk, churned in a golden churn by my daughter-in-law.”  Guru ji said: “you asked for more than one wish.”  Bhikha said: “I did ask for one wish.”  Guru ji said: “you asked for kingdom, as they only have golden churns, kids and eyesight.”  The couple continued: “our children should be Sikhs.”  Guru ji closed his eyes and began to check Baba Aadam’s karma.  He opened his eyes after a while and said: “you do not have a child in your karma.”  Guru ji closed his eyes again.  He checked in detail and saw that they did not have a son in their karma.  Guru ji thought for a while.  After a while, Guru ji opened his eyes and said: “I have looked hard and saw that you do not have a son in your karma.  But you did the Seva of the Guru’s home.  You gave warmth to the Sangat.  I gave you my word to ask.  For this reason, I will take a piece of my light and give you a son.  A piece of my Aatam illumination will be born in your house as a Brahmgyaani.  He was supposed to be my fourth child, born in my house, but I give him to you.  Your family will grow from him.  He will be the form of Bhagti.  Name him Bhagtoo.  Because he will be a piece of my Aatma, he will be the Guru of many lands.  His family will grow large.  His glory will spread far and wide.  His children will be kings.  Because he was supposed to be my son, he will be worshipped by everyone.  He will be known in the Guru’s house.”  After hearing these words, the couple bowed and got permission to go home.

They went back to their village.  They were in their late 60s and lived in their village.  After one year, the fortunate, Brahmgyaani son, Bhai Bhagtoo was born.  They did Simran of Guru Ramdas ji with faith. 

2-42 Bhai Bhagtoo

The couple was happy when Bhai Bhagtoo was born.  Their relatives were happy when the child was born.  They celebrated in various ways.  They sang songs of joy.  Family and relatives came to give their congratulations and well wishes.  There was no food in the house due to poverty.  Their relatives had taken Baba Aadam and Mai Bhikha’s land and animals.  They had no flour or ghee.  The relatives realised that there was no food in the house and there was a new child born.  They then brought food from their homes to celebrate.  They all built their relationship with them again.  Everything came back.  In a few days, a lot of food gathered.  The child was a fortunate one.  Because of the child, as he was born a Brahmgyaani, the light of Guru Ramdas ji, the whole village became prosperous.  The couple said: “the child brought everything with him.  He has reunited the family as well.”  Another old person said: “your child brings great fortunate with him.  He is a great and holy soul.  He made all the family bring things to us.  He will surely rule the area.  (His son was Bhai Gaura, who ruled the area.  Eventually his descendants took the kingdom of Kaithal) Everyone is bringing him wealth like kings.  His sons will rule.”  The wise people had understood that Bhagtoo was a great Bhagat.  When he was about 4 years old, his father died.  Bhai Bhagtoo had a lot of powers.  He did not show his powers though.  He always kept his attention focused and immersed into the light of Akaal Purakh inside of him.  Nobody else knew that his status was really high.

One day, Bhai Bhagtoo went to Amritsar with his mother.  They visited Guru ji every 6 months.  They bowed to Guru ji.  He was the Guru’s Sikh from his mind and words.  He only thought about Guru ji and never about money or worldly things.  He only spoke about Guru ji or Gurbani.  Sri Satguru Arjan Dev ji was on the throne.  He would bless Bhai Bhagtoo ji when he would come.  He saw Bhai Bhagtoo as his younger brother, knowing that Bhai Bhagtoo was supposed to be born as his younger brother.  He would refer to him as his brother.  The son and mother stayed for a long time in Amritsar and did Simran all the time.  They did Seva and listened to Keertan.  After a few months, they took permission and came home.  The mother was old and so they walked slowly.  It was the month of Jeth (May/June) and they were headed towards the Jungle region (Malva).  It was the afternoon and so it was really hot.  They were both very thirsty and their lips were dry.  The mother said: “my son, I am really tired.  I am thirsty.  I can’t walk anymore.  I am feeling anxious without water.”  Bhai Bhagtoo said to his mother: “oh mother, where we are walking, there is no water here.  In about 3 km there is a village that has a well.  After we get there, I will get you water.”  The mother said: “I can’t even walk another kilometre.  If I don’t get water I will die.  I need water now.”  Bhai Bhagtoo got worried.  He was afraid that she would die.  He said to her: “Mata, please sit under this tree.  I will bring water for you.  I will go the village and get water for you.  Be patient in the meantime.  If I am late and you feel like you are going to die, go to the dry pool and pick of a soil rock.  Water will come out from the ground where you pick up the rock.  After you have water, put the rock back on top where you pick it up from. The water will stop flowing.  Make sure there is nobody else watching you.”  After instructing his mother, Bhai Bhagtoo went to the village.  He had powers but didn’t want to show them unless he needed to. 

When Bhai Bhagtoo went to get water, Mai Bhikha couldn’t take her thirst anymore.  She went over to the dry pool and picked up a soil rock from the ground.    A fountain of water sprouted out like a river flowing from a mountain.  The water was pure and cold.  The mother was really happy.  She washed her hands and drank the water.  She hadn’t had water for a while.  She was well again after splashing the water on her face.  After she washed up, she began to wash her clothes as well.  She put her clothes out to dry.  As she was putting her clothes to dry, a shepherd was passing by with his sheep.  The mother had forgot to put the rock back and hide it again.  She forgot her son’s instructions to not to show the fountain of water to anyone.  She continued to sit next to the water fountain.  She didn’t know why she was supposed to hide the fountain.  She was waiting for her son to come back.  She was happy that her son had powers to pull water from the dry land.  The shepherd had about 100 sheep and they all came to the water and drank the water as well.  The shepherd was amazed to see water in the middle of dry land.  He couldn’t figure out how the water was coming.  He thought to himself: “there is no village here.  I’ve been here before, there was no water here before.  This pool is dry.  It is Jeth and there is drought everywhere.  The pool had been dried for a while.  In this region of Malva, it does not rain much.  Only wells have water.  What is the reason that this fountain is sprouting upwards?  It’s pure and cold.  It looks like water from the river.”  The shepherd saw the clothes drying.  He saw the old woman as well and went up to her.  He bowed to her and said: “I am amazed of how this water is flowing.  There is no water from a distance.  Do you know how this water is coming out?  You drank the water and bathed in it.  If you know something, please tell me.”  Mai Bhikha was innocent and didn’t think about anything.  She told the shepherd: “my son is Bhagtoo.  We just came from Amritsar and I was thirsty.  He told me to sit here and he went to get water.  He told me to wait but if I felt like I was going to die, pick up a rock and the water will come.  My son told me to do that.  So I waited but then I did what he said and the water came out.  The water came out and I drank it.”  The shepherd heard this and realised it was a miracle.  He figured that the son was powerful as well.  The shepherd and the sheep all drank water and bathed in it.  In that time, Bhai Bhagtoo came back.  He saw the water flowing and went to his mother and said: “Mata, I told you not to show anyone.  Why didn’t you cover the fountain?”  The mother said: “I had forgotten what you said.  I was thirsty and took the water out.  I bathed and in the meantime, this shepherd and his sheep came too.  I figured that they should have water too.  Then I forgot to cover it up again.  I forgot what you said.  This shepherd came and he bowed to me.”  The shepherd then bowed to the child Brahmgyaani Bhai Bhagtoo.  He was only 4 but the shepherd bowed to him.  Bhai Bhagtoo put his hand on the shepherd’s head and said: “do Simran of Satnam.”  He gave him the Mantra and came back home with his mother. 

The shepherd did Simran all the time.  He would watch his sheep and do Simran.  People would ask him: “since when did you become a saint?”  The shepherd told them what happened and showed them the pool of water.  Bhai Bhagtoo then became famous and everyone started to come and bow to him.  They would do Simran and go with him to Sri Amritsar to see Guru Arjan Dev ji.  The people of Jungle would come and bow to Guru ji.  They would also take Bhai Bhagtoo to their house to preach Sikhi.  Many people become his Sikhs and worshipped Bhai Bhagtoo.  When Guru Arjan Dev ji started the Seva of Amritsar, Bhai Bhagtoo ji brought his Sikhs from Malva and did Seva along with doing Simran all day and night.  They dug dirt and carried it on top of their heads.  The Sarovar of Amritsar was where Bhai Bhagtoo ji did a lot of Seva and Simran. 

2-43 Bhai Manjh

There was a Rajput by the name of Bhai Manjh who was a Chaudhary.  He was a bhagat from his previous births and therefore he had the personality of a bhagat in this life.  His history is a special one in Sikh history.  He was from a rich home with wealth and animals.  His whole family worshipped the Sakhi Sarvar Peer, as a lot of people did at the time.  He heard the glory of Satguru ji and heard the translations of Gurbani.  The Bhagti from his previous births took fruition.  He wanted to visit Guru Arjan Dev ji.  He wanted to fulfill the purpose of his birth and go to Guru ji.  His longing increased by the day to see Guru ji.  He would see Sikhs and get motivated as he started sitting in their company.  He decided: “I wish to became a Sikh.”  The love grew in his heart for the Guru.  Bhai Manjh came to Amritsar.  He left his home and family to come to Guru ji.  He left the attachment of his children and wealth.  His karma was good.  He was determined to become a Sikh and rose above the attachments of the world. 

He came to Guru Arjan Dev ji’s feet and bowed.  He saw the beautiful form of Guru ji and put the dirt from the feet of Guru ji to his head.  He said to Guru ji: “I have come to your shelter.  Please keep me here.  Please give me Gursikhi.  The pain of birth and death is too heavy.  Please rid me of the three illnesses.  I am weak, please save me.”  Guru Arjan Dev ji heard him and said: “You call the Turk your Peer.  You are the devotee of Sarvar Peer.  Gursikhi is difficult to find.  It is like walking on the edge of a Khanda.  It is thinner that a strand of hair.  You won’t be able to handle it.  You have to let go of your self.  You have to give your head and not complain or make a sound.  When someone becomes a Sikh, they will be slandered by people.  Their wealth will not stay.  Your people will make fun of you and won’t let you sit with them.  If you can tolerate all this, then you can become my Sikh.  Otherwise just go back to your Peer.  You will be sad if you become a Sikh.”  When the Chaudhary heard this, he folded his hands and said: “since I have heard your Gurbani, I have received wisdom.  My mind has been devoted to your Gurbani.  I am feeling sorry for my life that I waisted my time.  The Peer has no power.  We follow him just because everyone else does.  People bow to fake Peers and lose their life and Dharma.  We are of the Hindu Dharma but bow to fake Gurus.  There is no bigger mistake than this.  This will take us to Hell.  The Sarvar Peer’s people eat beef everyday.  They don’t worship Devatas or Devis nor do they know about hygiene.  The people with ungracious personalities are all together.  They all eat together so they become like each other but call themselves higher.  They do not follow the Dharma.  I followed this path too but now I regret it.”  Bhai Manjh pleaded to Guru ji in a humble way.  He had tears of love in his eyes.  He spoke again: “Prabhoo ji, I come to your sanctuary.  Please consider me and give me Sikhi.”  Guru ji spoke to Bhai Manjh: “tear down the Sarvar temple in your home, then come to the sanctuary of the Guru.  Your sins will be washed away.  You will then get Sikhi.  Do the Seva of the Satguru later and you will get the path to peace.”  Bhai Manjh heard Guru ji and went back home.

When Bhai Manjh got home, he destroyed the shrine to Sarvar in his home.  He then prepared to go to Guru ji again.  He only had the desire to become a Sikh.  He came back and told Guru ji what he did.  Guru ji then gave him wisdom: “do the Simran of Satnam and all your pain will be gone.  See the Guru with you all the time.  Serve the Sikhs and your mind will be pure.  You will get Aatam Gyaan like this, slowly.  All your problems will be gone and you will be in bliss in the end.  You will be one with me.”  Bhai Manjh began to do Simran of Satnam.  In a few days, we went back home.  Whatever Guru ji had said about the damage in his life, it began to happen.  His wealth went away and his animals began to die.  His horses, bulls and wealth were destroyed.  His family made fun of him for being a Sikh.  They blamed his downfall for breaking the shrine of the Sarvar Peer in his home.  The people of his village said the same thing: “you broke the shrine.  Since you became a Sikh, you lost everything.”  Everyone tried to convince Bhai Manjh.  They said: “the Peer’s anger is destroying you.  Let go of Sikhi.  Fold your hands and come back.  You shall be forgiven.”  Bhai Manjh listened to all this and said: “I am a Sikh now of the Satguru.  The wealth and material objects that you are talking about are no use to me.  I will achieve Mukti and be in bliss.  The Guru does everything.  Peers and Meers can’t do anything for me.”  The elders of the village heard this, they thought: “Manjh is a fool and unwise.”  The people of the village took Bhai Manjh’s home and threw him out.  His own relatives kicked him out of their area.  They took his wealth and items.  Bhai Manjh’s wife was a good person.  Bhai Manjh went to a far away village.  He cut grass and sold it for a living.  He was drenched in the Guru’s love and recited Gurbani.  He kept one portion of his earnings for the Guru and 3 parts for his family.  He sold his grass in the market.

A year passed and Guru ji sent a person to give Bhai Manjh a message. Guru ji said to the messenger: “go and find Bhai Manjh.  He is very poor.  He sells grass to earn a living.  Go to him and give him my command: tell him to pay 21 Rajitpuns first, then he will get the command.  Let him get the money first.”  The Sikh went to find Bhai Manjh.  He found him cutting grass.  They greeted each other with “Pairi Puvna.”  The Sikh said: “Guru ji has sent a command for you.”  Bhai Manjh was over-joyed to hear this.  He bowed many times to the Sikh.  He said: “I am grateful and fortunate that you have come and that Guru ji has thought of me.  Please let me read the command.  My eyes will be blessed.  I will follow the command then.”  The Sikh said: “you will get the command upon paying 21 Rajitpuns for it.  You will get the command then.  This is the command of Guru ji.”  Bhai Manjh was happy to be given a command to pay money.  He said: “I would give my head for Guru ji.  21 Rajitpuns are nothing.  Guru ji will provide for me.  I will get to read Guru ji’s command.”  Bhai Manjh took the Sikh to his home.  He said to his wife: “Guru ji has blessed us with a command but we need to pay 21 Rajitpuns for it.  Tell me, what shall we do?  If I had money, I would have seen the command.”  His wife said to him: “why are you worried?  Our daughter is young and is of age for marriage.  If we marry her to the Chaudhary of the village, he will give us money.  We will only take as much money as we need to give for the command.  We will keep our Sikhi and give everything away.  Our daughter is fortunate because she will bring us Guru ji’s command.”  The wife went to the Chaudhary’s home and joined the relationship.  She took money as much as she needed to give the Sikh.  She gave her husband the money and made his worry go away. Bhai Manjh took the money and put it at the feet of the Sikh.  He then took the command and put it on his forehead.  He was really happy to see the command.  It was as though he met Guru ji.  He then went to sell his grass and brought food for the Sikh.  At night he served the Sikh and talked about Guru ji.

In the morning they got up.  They were drenched in the Guru’s love.  He gave the Sikh leave and said: “please bow to Guru ji for me.”  He then went to cut grass and did Simran of Satguru ji.  He sold grass for a living and took his mind away from desires. 

2-44 Bhai Manjh Part 2

Cutting grass and selling it, that is how Bhai Manjh made money to eat food.  He had deep faith in Sikhi.  Guru ji was testing him to the highest standard.  After a while, Guru ji saw Bhai Manjh as a determined Sikh.  Guru ji sent another message with a Mevra: “go and take this Hukamnama.  Tell Bhai Manjh he needs to pay 21 Rajitpuns to read the Hukamnama.”  The Sikh came to Bhai Manjh.  Bhai Manjh ji was happy to see the Guru’s Sikh.  He said: “Guru ji has blessed me.  Oh Sikh, please come to my house and show me the Hukamnama that Guru ji has sent.”  With great respect, Bhai Manjh took the Sikh to his home.  He had him sit on a bed.  The Mevra said to Bhai Manjh ji: “you will need to pay 21 Rajitpuns to see the Hukamnama of Guru ji.  Guru ji is happy with you and sent another Hukamnama.”  Bhai Manjh ji was happy to hear this: “Guru ji has regarded me as his servant and sent a Hukamnama.”  He told his wife: “the Mevra of Guru ji has come again with a Hukamnama and said that we need to give 21 Rajitpuns to see it.  This is Guru ji’s command.”  His wife heard him and was happy.  She had a deep faith in Guru ji as well.  She said to her husband: “our karma is good that Guru ji has thought of us.  We are blessed.  Guru ji thinks of you that’s why he sends you Hukamnamas.  He thinks of us as his own.  He has blessed us.  I will tell you an easy way to get money.  You should employ me for rent.  I will serve that person.  Take as much money as you need.”  As Bhai Manjh was a Chaudhary at one time, his wife lived a very rich lifestyle then.  She was from a very rich family as well, but because of her deep faith in Guru ji, she was not affected by poverty or being sold for the Guru’s command.  Bhai Manjh ji heard his wife and did as she advised.  He pawned his wife in return for money.  She became a servant at someone’s home to do their household chores.  He came back and give 21 Rajitpuns to the Mevra.  He read the Hukamnama and was extremely happy.  The Hukamnama said: “if you are sitting down then get up.  If you are up, then come to Amritsar.  You are needed to do work in the Guru’s home.”  He read the Hukamnama out loud to his wife.  He said to her: “I have been called to Guru ji’s Seva.  I will stay with Guru Arjan Dev ji and serve him.  When he will bless me and see my Seva as complete, I will receive Mukti.  If he allows, I will then come back to you.”  In this way, Bhai Manjh sold some grass and brought food to his home to feed the Mevra Sikh from Amritsar.  The Mevra stayed the night and left in the morning along with Bhai Manjh.

In Amritsar, Bhai Manjh ji came and bowed to Guru ji.  He was filled with love so he began to shed tears.  His throat swelled up and couldn’t speak.  Guru ji, although, did not look towards Bhai Manjh, nor did he say anything to him.  Bhai Manjh ji was instructed to do Seva with the others.  He was instructed to cut wood and bring it to the Langar.  Bhai Manjh would go everyday into the jungle and cut wood.  He would bundle them up and tie it.  He picked up the wood and brought it to the Langar for firewood.  He ate from the Langar for food.  He was drenched in love and was one with Akaal Purakh.  His vices and desires were all dead.

After a few months, the omniscient Guru asked the Langri: “the Sikh, Manjh, what does he do and what does he eat?”  The Langri said to Guru ji: “Guru ji, since that Sikh has come, he does a lot of Seva.  He cuts firewood all day long and brings it here.  He eats from the Langar.”  Guru ji said: “there is a fault in his Seva.  He is spoiling his Seva and not making it better.  He eats in exchange for Seva.  His mind is not going to purify like this.  He needs to eat somewhere else and do Seva in the Langar.  He does Seva but he eats from here too.  Wherever he gets food from, he should share that with everyone else and then eat from what’s left.”  The Langri obeyed and told Bhai Manjh what Guru ji said: “don’t eat from the Langar, this is Guru ji’s command.  Do the Seva but eat from somewhere else.”  Bhai Manjh obeyed and stopped eating from the Langar.  He then began to ask for food from the Sikhs of Amritsar.  Guru ji was teaching Bhai Manjh to kill his mind and be above respect and ego.  He continued his Seva and ate from other people’s houses.  He took food and gave it to others before he ate.  He was determined to do Seva.  His body got weaker because of eating less.  His strength weakened over time but the love of the Guru was in every hair of his body.

One day, Guru Arjan Dev ji called Bhai Manjh to him.  He said to him: “Chaudhary, you have lost everything.  You were so rich once.  You had a big house, animals and a lot of respect.  Today, your people talk bad about you because you stopped worshipping the Sarvar Peer.  You became a Sikh.  Your people are not happy that you tore down the shrine in your home.  You lost everything because of that.  You lost your money and your home.  You should go back home so you can make your house again.  If nothing works, you should go back to the Sarvar Peer.  You may get everything back again.”  Bhai Manjh heard Guru ji and folded his hands.  He said to him: “I have received the true wealth of Satnam.  This wealth cannot be taken away by the government.  It cannot be burnt by fire or drowned in water.  The more we share this wealth, the more it grows.  It does not deplete.  When we leave this earth, that wealth helps us on our final journey.  I have kept that wealth in my heart.  Please don’t tempt me with the worldly wealth.  I regret that I didn’t start to earn this wealth of Satnam, before.  My life before Satnam was a waste.  My life has been golden since I met you.  I will regret it if I let go of Satnam and go back to my old life.”  Bhai Manjh bowed and went back to the Langar to do Seva.  His mind was engrossed in Seva.  He continued to cut firewood for the Langar.  All the firewood was brought by Bhai Manjh.

One day, Bhai Manjh collected firewood in the jungle and tied it up.  That day, there was no one else with him to place the bundle on top of his head.  He waited for over an hour but no one else came to help him.  After a while, some one came and helped him place the bundle of firewood on top of his head.  He then walked towards Amritsar.  It then began to rain and the wind blew hard.  Pebbles flew into his eyes and there was darkness everywhere.  He couldn’t see where he was going.  The wind blew into his face.  He steadied the firewood on his head as he walked.  The dust was too much for him to handle.  He walked with his eyes closed.  He couldn’t walk because the wind blew so hard.  In great distress, he walked.  As he walked, he slipped and fell into a well.  The firewood was still on top of his head.  He kept the firewood bundle steady as it would get wet if it fell into the water.  “If the firewood did not reach, there would be no Langar.  I will be considered a sinner then.”  Bhai Manjh stood in waist-high water and remembered the Guru.  All he could think of was how to get the firewood to the Langar.  He was drenched in the love of the Guru.  He rejected his ego and self-respect; he rejected his dignity and was dead from the mind.  He left his daughter, wealth, land, and wife for the love of the Guru.  Bhai Manjh was a great Sikh.  His love for the Guru was solid.  He ate less and because of that, his body had gone weak.  He would ask for Langar from the homes of Sikhs.  He didn’t get the best roti though. He split that roti and gave a portion to the poor before eating it himself.  He only had the love of the Guru that kept him going.  The love had captured the Guru.  Guru ji could no longer keep his test going.  He knew that Bhai Manjh was in trouble: “there is no one to rescue him.  He is still trying to protect the firewood.  He will be stuck there the whole night if not rescued.  He will not put the firewood down.  He is determined.”  The gracious Guru got up right away and left without his shoes.  Just as the elephant “Gaj” was caught by a crocodile and was helped by Akaal Purakh (reference in the Gurbani of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji: an elephant was in the water when caught by a crocodile.  The elephant asked Akaal Purakh for help by crying out.  Narayan came and sliced the crocodile to save the elephant), Guru ji came to help.  He did not fix his clothes either as he left in a hurry.  Guru ji asked for ropes.  The Sikhs came running behind Guru ji, grabbing his shoes.  Guru ji ran fast and yelled out for ropes.  The Sikhs all came running after.  When Guru ji came close to the well, the Sikhs all gathered as well.  Guru ji reached the well first and yelled out: “who is down there in danger?  You have a bundle of wood on your head, why don’t you throw it and come out?”  Bhai Manjh replied: “I am Manjh, a servant of the Guru.”  In the meantime, the Sikhs brought ropes and Guru ji’s palanquin.  His horse came as well.  Guru ji grabbed the ropes and threw them down.  Guru ji yelled out: “grab these and come out.”  Bhai Manjh said: “first help me take the wood out.  If I leave it here, it will get wet and there will be nothing for the Langar.  After that, you can take me out.  Let’s take the wood for the Langar.”  When the ropes came down, Bhai Manjh tied the wood to the ropes.  The Sikhs pulled the wood out.  After the wood came out, the ropes were thrown down again and Bhai Manjh was pulled out.  Guru Arjan Dev ji was standing there as Bhai Manjh came out.  As soon as Bhai Manjh saw Guru ji, he bowed to his feet with love.  He said to Guru ji: “Guru ji, this is not a new thing for you.  You have been rescuing your servants in every Yuga.  You protect your Sikhs day and night.  When the Gaj was in great danger, you helped him when he presented a lotus flower to you.  The Gaj had nothing else to give you.  You came without Laxmi, as she was massaging your feet.  You came barefoot then, without Garuda and Laxmi.  You can’t tolerate the pain of your servants.  The weak are under your protection.  You also helped Draupadi in the court when she was being disrobed.  You made Raja Ambreek fearless from the curse of Durvasa (from the Sun Dynasty.  At night time, Durvasa came as Ambreek was fasting during the day and about to break his fast.  Durvasa bathed at the river and took his time on purpose.  Ambreek was about to break his fast and waited.  Eventually, Ambreek couldn’t tolerate his hunger and ate the food.  When Durvasa saw that Ambreek ate before him, he was going to curse him.  Ambreek remembered Akaal Purakh.  Akaal Purakh sent his Sudarshan Chakra after Durvasa.  Durvasa ran from the Chakra and travelled the three worlds, but nobody helped him.  He eventually had to bow to Ambreek to be saved).  You help your Bhagats.  Who can count your virtues?  Sharda and Shaishnaag sing your praises.  Guru ji said: “ask for something Manjh.  You are a great person.  I am happy with your Seva.  I want to give you what you want.  Your Seva has been accepted.  Your troubles are all gone.”  Bhai Manjh said: “this is what I ask from you: may I always remain desireless.  I don’t ever want to ask for anything ever again.  I only want Satnam.  I want to love of your feet.  May your feet live in my heart.”   Guru ji then spoke: “you are my great Sikh.  Ask for more.”  Bhai Manjh said: “if you are telling me to ask for something, then I ask you not to test your Sikhs so vigorously.  Kaliyuga will get worse and Sikhs won’t be able to pass your tests.”  Guru ji said: “listen Manjh, tests are important.  When gold his mixed with dirt, it needs to be boiled to get it out.  As it boils, the dirt separates.  The gold becomes pure.  The gold is then added to the treasury.  The beloved Sikhs are tested and purified.  They then get added to the treasury of Mukti.  The Sikhs need to become like me.  They achieve the blissful form through these tests.  Alright, I will do as you say.  I won’t test the Sikhs so vigorously anymore.  Ask for more.”  Bhai Manjh said: “please give me your Sikhi.  I have nothing else to ask for.  I only want the name of Akaal Purakh.”  After saying this, Bhai Manjh bowed and was emersed in the colour of love.  Guru Sri Arjan Dev ji heard him and praised his Sikh:

Sri Mukhvaak..

Manjh Payara Guru nu, Gur Manjh Payara- Manjh is the beloved of the Guru and the Guru is the beloved of Manjh.

Manjh Guru ka bohitha, jug langanhara – Manjh is the Guru’s ship which will take the Sikhs across the world.

Bhai Manjh helped all the Sikhs as they were no longer going to be tested harshly.  Guru ji hugged Bhai Manjh and gave him Brahmgyaan.  He said to Bhai Manjh: “Manjh, go back to your home.  Start making Langar.  You will have the 9 Niddhis and 18 Siddhis.  You will never be in shortage of anything.  Thousands will come to eat.  You will grow as much as you want to.”  Guru ji and everyone returned to Amritsar.  The Sikhs were praising Bhai Manjh ji.

Bhai Manjh returned home and his wealth began to come back.  His praises spread throughout the land.  His family came together.  Many pounds of Langar was being cooked everyday.  Many people got food from his home.  He was happy in his family.  He sang the Guru’s praises and got Moksha.  He passed all the tests that Guru ji placed upon him.  He was a Brahmgyaani who emersed into Guru ji’s light when he died.

2-45 Bhai Bahora

During the Seva of Sri Amritsar, Guru Arjan Dev ji headed to Goindwal one day.  Guru ji was in his palanquin as the Sangat travelled with him.  The Sangat was coming from different areas to Amritsar and had all their wishes fulfilled.  They brought many types of gifts and placed them at Guru ji’s feet.  They would bow and fold their hands.  Guru ji would wake up at 2:30am to bathe and sit in Samadhi.  Guru ji would bathe in cold water and then sit in Samadhi with his focus in his real form, the Parmeshwar.  This was the state where there was no sin or virtue; no joy or sorrow.  It was the state of oneness where the Chetana and Sudhi are in constant Anand (bliss).  He was in this state out of Samadhi as well.  The Rababis sang Asa Vaar and the Sangat listened.  As they listened to the Gurbani, they heard various Raags that calmed their hearts.  The Sikhs heard with full attention.  The Raags made the love for Prabhoo go deeper in the Sikh’s hearts.  Their hearts moved away from jealousy and desire.  Bhagti was born in their hearts.  It was the Amritvela, when Amrit was dripping.  The Sikhs heard Gurbani and were joyous.  Guru Arjan Dev ji would get ready with a tilak of saffron and sandalwood paste.  He would wear fine white clothes.  He would meet the Sikhs in Sangat.  Just as the sun comes up and takes the darkness away, that is how Guru Arjan Dev ji would take the darkness away from the minds of the Sikhs.  The Sikhs would be calm and Guru ji would give them wisdom, the Gyaan.  Just as the lotus flower blooms seeing the sun, the Sikhs would bloom seeing Guru ji.  Jealousy, fraud and desire would run away from the Sikhs’ minds.  Just as bees would come to smell the lotus, that is how Sikhs would come to Guru ji.  The Divaan would carry on till about 10 am.  Guru ji would do Katha and answer questions during that time.  He would wash the sins away.  The Langri would come and request Guru ji to come to the Langar with the Sangat and sit in the Pangat.  The Langar would be distributed and everyone would eat along with Guru ji.  Guru ji would get up when everyone would finish.  Guru ji would then rest in the afternoon on his bed.  He would get up after a few hours and take a bath.  He would listen to Katha from the scholar Sikhs such as Bhai Gurdas ji and Pandit Bayni Prasaad ji.  This Katha would have Bhagti and Brahmgyaan.  After Katha, it would be evening and the time for Keertan.  Everyone would listen to Keertan with love.  Satsang was a big part of the day and it would be for the majority of the day.  Guru ji would sit in the Sangat for the whole time and cut the pain and bad karma of the Sikhs.

Guru ji would wake up in the morning again.  In this way, Gurbani was always sung.  The Riddhis, Siddhis and Niddhis were always in Guru ji’s court, standing with their hands folded, waiting for Guru ji’s orders.  Whoever Guru ji would bless; they would get everything they would want.  He would give the Sikhs Prema Bhagti, Aatam Gyaan and break their bonds. 

There was a person by the name of Bhai Bahora, who was a jeweller.  He came to Guru ji’s court when he heard of Guru ji’s praises.  He came with love and devotion.  He placed his head on Guru ji’s feet.  He stood up and looked at Guru ji’s face for a long time.  His mind was being purified looking at Guru Sahib.  Guru ji saw the new person and gave him a blessed glance.  Guru ji said to him: “welcome to Guru Nanak’s home Bahora.  Only truth is spoken here.  Don’t speak the untruth here.  Don’t hide anything.  How do you spend your time?  What do you do for a living?”  When Guru ji asked, Bhai Bahora got scared and began to tremble because of Guru ji’s radiance.  He folded his hands and said: “Guru ji, you are omniscient and know every heart.  I can’t hide anything.  I am a jeweller.  That is how I earn money.”  Guru ji said: “do any work as you please but do the work of Dharma.  Don’t cheat and don’t hide something that does not belong to you.  Make an honest living.  Whatever you earn, take a portion out for Prabhoo and feed the needy.  Then you should eat.  Your mind will be pure then.”  Bhai Bahora folded his hands.  He was trembling and shedding tears from his eyes.  He said to Guru ji: “oh Satguru ji, I am a sinner.  I do the work of sin.  Even if my parents and siblings would come, I cheat them of a quarter portion of gold.  I cheat other people more.  Whatever is made, I take a portion of that.  I don’t know the difference between sin and virtue.  My father and grandfather did the same work.  I am a great sinner and I have come to your sanctuary.  I can’t lie to you.  I told you truthfully.  This is because of your radiance.  You are called the “saviour of the poor,” and your personality is to save the sinners.”  When Bhai Bahora spoke the truth, Guru ji was happy.  Guru ji understood everything and blessed him with wisdom: “why are you so stuck in fraudulent ways?  You collected a pile of money by cheating people.  When you die, the Jumms will come and strangle your neck with their noose.  You will suffer for many lifetimes.  Who will save you then?  You will leave everything on earth.  Only your karma will go with you.  The results of your karma, you will have to endure.  Your sins will get a hold of you.  You will be alone then and suffer.  You will regret your sins by beating your head and crying.  For this reason, you should meditate and do Simran of Satnam.  This time will not come back.  Do Simran, day and night.  You will be saved.  Let go of your fraudulent ways.  Just as a crocodile breaks a net and is freed, the Simran is your friend which will give you peace.  Don’t let your mind go towards bad things.  Sit in the Satsangat and spend your time with Sikhs by listening to Katha and Keertan.  Earn an honest living.”  Bhai Bahora heard Satguru ji’s sweet words, which cut desires and sins.  He was fortunate.  His mind became calm.  Guru ji’s words hit his heart like sharp arrows.  He was over-joyed and he cried tears of love.  He regretted his ways.  Guru ji’s words felt nice.  He began to do Seva with faith and devotion.  His love and faith grew.  He did Seva for many days and his heart was cleansed.  His desires towards the worldly attachments washed away.  Guru ji then blessed him with the name of Akaal Purakh.  All his tasks were completed then.  He began to understand Gurbani and he was drenched in love.  His mind was awake now.  Bhai Bahora was in bliss.

Guru ji called Bhai Bahora and said: “your Seva has been accepted.  Go home and do Simran.  Do Satsang in your home and earn Dharma.  Be drenched in Prema Bhagti.”  Bhai Bahora then said: “Satguru ji, I am your servant.  What work should I do for a living?  Please tell me how I can be successful and not a cheat.  I am in your command.”  Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji said: “let go of your family business.  Cook Langar for the Guru in your home.  Feed the hungry people.  Earn Sikhi and discard the awareness of your existence.  Don’t see yourself as your body.  See Akaal Purakh’s will in joy and sorrow.  Stay humble in this world and don’t see yourself as something big.”  Bhai Bahora heard these words and went back home.  He kept Guru ji’s wisdom in his heart and was in bliss all the time.  He was always focused on the Guru’s feet.  Wherever Guru ji went, the Sikhs were in joy.  Guru ji came back to Amritsar from Goindwal and continued working on the Sarovar.