2-51 The Corruption of the Masands
Countless Sikhs did Seva at the Sarovar of Amritsar. The Sikhs would carry the bricks, after they were baked in the kilns, and bring them to the side of the Sarovar. The task of making the steps within the Sarovar with bricks was given to the Masands. The money that came from the Sikhs from foreign lands during the Vaisakhi celebration, the Masands had kept under them. They would spend the money for whatever needs of the Guru’s house there were. The houses that Sikhs were building, the Masands would pay for that. They would go to other lands to collect the Dasvands. The craftsmen were paid by the Masands as well. Any other payments or expenditure was done by the Masands. Food and rations were purchased by the Masands. They overlooked all incoming and outgoing transactions. Many Sikhs brought money. The Sikhs that wished to stay in Amritsar, their houses were made from them. Bhai Behlo ji and other Sikhs would do Seva as well. Bhai Behlo ji collected manure and feces to make bricks. People did Seva and their minds and hearts would become pure. The devotion caused the purity. Whatever wishes they had, Guru ji fulfilled them. They got many wishes granted for doing Seva. Their wishes were fulfilled by doing only a few days of Seva. The Sikhs who had no wishes, but only to do Seva, their minds would become pure. They got the joys and pleasures of this world and the next. Guru ji had a buffet of wishes running because of the Seva. Guru ji took great joy in fulfilling the wishes of the Sikhs. The Seva of the Sarovar is great. Guru Arjan Dev ji wrote a lot of Gurbani in reference to the Amritsar Sarovar of Guru Ramdas ji. He said: “bathing in the Sarovar would wash all the sins away. A person’s wishes would be fulfilled here.” The Sikhs knew of the glory of the Sarovar. They would do Seva with faith and devotion.
After a lot of steps were built for the Sarovar, some Sikhs came to Guru ji and said: “this Sarovar has a greatness to it. You said that this Teerath will exist for thousands of years. Guru ji, the work on it is not the greatest though. The steps are made with sub-parr quality mud. They use one brick and cover it with choona but the bricks underneath are set by using mud. Those bricks will slip in a few years. The Masands are trying to save money by using less choona and more mud. They are greedy. Why are they not using choona? The Gurbani you write about the Sarovar, these Masands are not doing a good job. Please ask the Masands to use better quality. You are omnipotent and the master of the three worlds.” Guru ji listened to the Sikhs and called the Masands. He said to the Masands: “why are you using mud to set the bricks? Why are you not spending the money? Why are you being greedy? Use the choona. Don’t worry about saving money. The craftsmen that are asking for the choona and bricks, bring them what they need. Don’t worry about the money.” The Masands replied: “Sri Guru ji, a lot of money is being spent. It is not just the Sarovar that is being built, there are other expenses as well. Langar for thousands of Sikhs is made everyday. Without money, we can’t buy anything. We need to bring a lot of flour and lentils everyday. A lot of money is being spent. We need more money. We give Siropas to Sikhs; that requires money as well. We watch the budget for these reasons. When you command us, we make arrangements to bring you what you need. We need thousands of Rupees everyday. Money is needed for the permanent Sarovar. We make the choona with great effort and expense. Many raw materials are needed for the choona. We spend a lot of money for those raw materials. Many people are required to make the choona. We have to pay them too.” Guru ji understood that the hearts of the Masands were cheap. They only thought about money. Guru ji said to them: “the kheesa (pocket/wallet) is of the Guru’s. Make your hearts bigger. The money will not finish. Spend with an open hand on the right things. Have faith in the Guru’s work. There will never be a shortage. Don’t have any doubts in your heart.” Satguru ji spoke to the Masands in this way. The Masands couldn’t gather the faith they needed. They said to Guru ji: “as the money will come, we will complete the task of the steps slowly.”
For a few days, the Masands used choona to lay the bricks. After that, they stopped the choona and used mud again. They would use one brick and set it with choona and use mud for the rest. The Masands would supervise the work and direct the masons in this way. They wouldn’t give the masons what they wanted. They stood by the tradesmen all day long. The Sikhs and the workers had to do what the Masands said, as they had all the money. The Masands had all the responsibilities. When the Sikhs with devotion saw this, they were upset to see what the Masands did: “they don’t listen to anyone. They do as they please.” The Sikhs went to Guru ji again and said: “Guru ji, the Masands don’t listen. They use one brick with choona and the rest with mud. The front brick is set with choona; the rear ones are set with mud. The workers have to listen to the Masands. The Sarovar is weak from the inside. These Masands are corrupt. Their hears are not clean.” Guru ji called the Masands again. Guru ji said to them: “don’t cheat in making the Sarovar. This is for the Guru. Why are you not using better quality? Use choona. Don’t use mud. There will be no shortage. Do Seva with faith and devotion.” The Masands heard this and said: “the Sikhs do not know the real reason. They only tell on us and you listen to them. They don’t know how hard we are working. They say we don’t spend the money; we are spending so much money. They don’t know how much money comes and goes. We spend thousands everyday. These Sikhs don’t know how we budget everything. We listen to you and do Seva. We are making the tradesmen work and are paying them too.” After saying this, they left.
After a few days, they were afraid of Guru ji and used choona. When they noticed that the money was being used more than they could handle, they used mud again. The Sikhs did not like that the Masands were using mud, as the Sarovar is supposed to last for thousands of years. The Masands were corrupt and trying to fool everyone. The Sikhs went to Guru ji a third time, where Guru Arjan Dev ji was sitting. The Sikhs said: “Guru ji, the Masands are using mud again. When you scold them, they use choona but they revert back to mud after a few days. They don’t think about making the Sarovar strong.” Guru ji heard the Sikhs the third time and got upset. Guru ji said: “the foundation of the Amritsar Sarovar is really strong; it won’t be broken. There will be a time that the Sarovar will be destroyed but the Panth will make it again (this happened during the time of Ahmed Shah Abdali. Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia ji did the Ardaas to re-build the Sarovar). The Masands that have made the Sarovar weak, they have actually made their own roots weak by doing such a thing. The Masands will be destroyed. The Sangat will not look towards the Masands. My Sikhs will become strong and take on the task of making the Sarovar again. They will use choona with every brick for the steps in the Sarovar. They will be strong and beautiful. The foundation is strong. The people who will use permanent materials, they will never be destroyed. The corrupt things that the Masands have done, they will be destroyed. The Masands will finish first and then the Sarovar will be re-built by the Singhs. But before that, the place will be demolished. It will be permanent after that. It is their karma that is making them do this. They will get what they deserve. Whatever intentions a person comes here with, the Sarovar fulfills their wishes. There is nothing more to say to the Masands.”
2-52 Vahiguru came to do the Kar of the Sarovar
Guru ji cursed the evil-minded Masands. In his tenth incarnation as Guru Gobind Singh ji, he was going to punish the Masands. When Ahmed Shah Abdali came to Punjab in February 1762 CE and fought with the Bhudda Dal and Tarna Dal army, after the war, he came to Amritsar and destroyed the steps of the Sarovar and filled it with dirt. He blew up the building of Harmandhir Sahib. The Singhs of the Bhudda Dal and Tarna Dal then fought back and killed the Pathans. The Singhs became the kings and re-constructed the Sarovar and building of Harmandhir Sahib. Bhai Des Raj ji was the engineer and the first brick was laid by Baba Jassa Singh Ahluwalia ji. While Abdali was blowing up the building of Harmandhir Sahib, a brick flew back and hit Abdali in the nose. His nose swelled up to the point which became the reason for his death. The Singhs conquered the land all the way from Kabul to Tibet. Sher-e-Punjab Maharaj Ranjit Singh ji then coated the building of Harmandhir Sahib with gold. In this way the root of the Masands was pulled. The Khalsa made the Sarovar with choona. The Sarovar was 500 feet by 490 feet. When the Singhs conquered Kasoor, the Singhs came upon 50 Lakhs worth of gems. All the Misls spent money to make Harmandir Sahib. The foundation of the building was poured with melted coins (or steel). The foundation was twice as deep as the building which went further than the Sarovar. In this way the building was constructed with a very strong foundation. Maharaja Ranjit Singh ji added gold and gems.
Now the Katha continues. Guru Arjan Dev ji is blessing the world. Guru ji directed the Kar by sitting next to the Sarovar. He wrote Gurbani that praised the Sarovar. A great crowd came to do Seva. Some were digging and some were laying the bricks. They did Simran of Guru as they did Seva. There was Prema Bhagti happening here.
The creator of the universe who is the sustainer and the destroyer; the master of Laxmi and Maya; the master of all the worlds; is under the say of the Bhagats. Akaal Purakh, sitting in Sach Khand, the omniscient one, the omnipotent one, said to the powerful beings close by: “I came to the world as Sri Nanak and saved people from going to Hell. Now that form is in its 5th incarnation as Guru Arjan, who thinks about saving the world by making Harmandhir Sahib. He is my form but he sits as a servant and a Bhagat. He is in the form of a Bhagat to show the world how to be a Bhagat. He is showing the path of Bhagti to save the people. The Amritsar Sarovar is being constructed for this purpose. He is telling the Sikhs about the greatness of the Sarovar. Guru Arjan Dev ji is going to make a beautiful temple for me. In it, Keertan and Simran of me will happen there. Bhagti will be constant in that temple, Harmandhir Sahib. People from every direction; every class and caste will come there. Everyone will come to do Simran of me there. There won’t be any false guise here, only Prema Bhagti. People will connect with Keertan here and join with me. I only love Bhagti and I listen to my Bhagats. Just as Guru Nanak Dev ji was a Bhagat, I will show everyone that my Bhagats are greater. I will go and do the Seva of the Sarovar now. I don’t want anyone to recognize me. I will go disguised as a labourer.”
Vahiguru Akaal Purakh ji, the destroyer of evil and the master of Maya, took on the form as a worker and tied a kumerkassa to his waist. He picked up a shovel on his shoulder and held a basket in his other hand. To illuminate the praises of the Bhagats, a proof that Akaal Purakh is in the spell of the Bhagats, the master of the universe came to Amritsar as a worker. He mixed with the workers and began to work. As Akaal Purakh ji came; Brahma, Vishnu, Kuber, Naarad, Agni, Shiva and the other Devatas found out. They all came running to watch this amazing act. They shouted “Jai Jai” from the sky. This was an unprecedented thing for them to see. Akaal Purakh came to do Seva. The Devatas were amazed to see this and said: “only Akaal Purakh knows what Akaal Purakh does. Your praises cannot be fully sung. You love your servants without limits. You show the world this from time to time. You are sitting in the form of the Bhagat Guru and at the same time you are in the form of a worker doing Seva in the Sarovar. You came to Kabir’s house and helped his business. You came to Namdev’s and built his roof. To help your servants, this is your way. You moved the Mandir for Namdev and made a cow alive again. You became a Mughal and met Namdev. You came as a masseuse and massaged the king for Sain. You served the king for your Bhagat. How many incidents can we recall? There are too many. You do a lot for your servants. You are omnipotent and are here to dig dirt and carry it away. The place where the Parkash of Guru Granth Sahib ji is now, Akaal Purakh ji dug dirt under there. The Devatas came to see this view. They decided to take on human forms as well and do Seva along with Akaal Purakh. Akaal Purakh commanded the Devatas on where to dig. They all did Seva with great enthusiasm. The Devatas were all powers that ran the universe. They are all forms of Akaal Purakh in the form of fire, water, food and electricity. In a little time, the Devatas and Akaal Purakh dug a lot of dirt. This the place where “Har ki Pauri” is now. Guru Arjan Dev ji noticed that a lot of work was done that day. He looked around to see what was going on, as there weren’t a lot of Sangat from outside that day. He noticed that the people working that day had the power of Akaal Purakh inside of them. They were all very beautiful. He noticed one worker that was very handsome, above the rest. His eyes were mesmerizing, his teeth were perfect. His hair was long. He was built strong. He was directing everyone else. The others followed what he did. They were all respecting him. They gave him way wherever he moved. The Devatas knew where Akaal Purakh was in human form. Guru ji figured out that this was none other than Akaal Purakh. Akaal Purakh had come to do this drama. A lot of work was done in a short period of time. Akaal Purakh was doing Seva in the area of Harmandhir Sahib with all the Devatas. He worked really fast. Guru ji watched Akaal Purakh do the Seva and heard Akaal Purakh tell the Devatas that this was his home on Earth. The Devatas did the work quickly. Guru ji saw this and noticed that the Devatas had come as well by changing their form. Guru Arjan Dev ji was over-joyed, like a lotus blooming seeing the sun. He walked bare-foot towards Akaal Purakh. The one form, Guru-Parmeshwar (the Guru) and the other Parbraham-Parmeshwar (away from Maya); but at the same time, the same form, the same light; looking at each other. Guru ji saw Akaal Purakh and began to sing the praises of Akaal Purakh. It was morning so he began to sing the morning Raag of Soohi along with Bilawal mixed with it (Bilawal-Soohi Mishrat). He stated his joy and sang in front of Akaal Purakh:
Soohi Mahalla 5..
To fulfill the tasks of the Saints, Hari came himself and did the work..
The earth is beautiful and the Sarovar is beautiful with the Amrit Naam residing in it..
The Amrit came in it and all the tasks were completed..
The world said Jai Jai; all of the pain was gone..
The complete Purakh, that resides in all, away from Maya, whom the Vedas and the Puranas sing about..
Parmeshwar fulfilled the promise. Nanak sung the name of Akaal Purakh, and so he came..1..
9 Niddhis, Siddhis, and Riddhis were given, the Karta made sure there was no shortage..
Eating, spending and using, there was joy. There was an abundance..
The gifts grew, there was no shortage. The Omniscient one is achieved..
The millions of problems ran away and pain did not come near..
Peace, tranquility and bliss is only there now, all the hunger is gone.
Nanak sings the praises of the master who is amazingly great..2..
The task was his; and so he came to complete it. The human is nothing..
The Bhagats are singing the praises and look great. They shout out jai jai.
Singing the praises gives bliss, it is only done in the Sadhsangat..
Whoever did the effort of the Seva in the Sarovar, what praises can be sung of them?
The bathing at 68 Teeraths, all the religious acts, the equivalent rewards are achieved..
The purifier of the sinner, the amazing master, Nanak only seeks his support..3..
My master is the creator and the treasure of all virtues, oh Ram, what praises shall I sing?
It is the plea of the Saints: give us the pleasure of Naam
Give me the donation of the Name and do not let me forget you, even for an instance..
I wish to sing the praises of Gopal, the sustainer, forever..
Whoever loves your name, their mind and body is drenched with the Name..
Nanak says, all the wishes are fulfilled, who has witnessed this..4..7..10..
(SGGS 783)
Guru ji sang the praises of Akaal Purakh while standing in front of him. There was love in both forms of Akaal Purakh. Tears began to flow. They hugged each other and became one. Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji made his plea and sang the glory of Akaal Purakh to him. Guru ji extended his hands and touched Akaal Purakh ji’s feet and bowed to him. Akaal Purakh grabbed his hands and hugged him. Both had become one. His face was handsome like the moon. Akaal Purakh ji said: “you are doing a great thing by showing the way of Bhagti. This Sarovar will save many people by bathing in it. This Sarovar is the foundation of Sikhi. Sikhi will exist because of this Sarovar. Here, people will listen to Keertan which will make their ego’s vanish. Make the Harmandhir in the middle of this Sarovar. Make a beautiful Mandir in the middle. Embed gems and diamonds into it which will be more beautiful than the full moon. Make four doors in every direction of this Mandir. On its roof, prepare a dome in the middle. Construct a bridge on the west side and make steps to bathe from every side.” Akaal Purakh was holding Guru Arjan Dev ji’s arm and walking him around to show him where the Mandir should be built and where all of its doors and steps should be. He continued: “this will be my Mandir. No other Devi or Devata will be worshiped here except me. It will be a Mandir unlike any other. It will be my supreme temple, where I will be worshipped. There will be no place like this in all the three worlds. The glory of the Simran and Keertan will illuminate from here. This place will give people Mukti and save them from Hell. My Simran and Keertan will happen here, every moment of the day and night. The ones who come with faith and devotion, they will come and sing Keertan. Their doubts and troubles will be gone. They will come to me in Sach Khand, who come here. They will no longer be bounded to the birth and death cycle.” Akaal Purakh ji showed Guru ji on how to make the Mandir and that only Keertan shall happen here. “Do what it takes to save the people from Hell. Preach Sikhi. There will be a time that you will need to fight the Turks. Take on 5 more incarnations. Create the Khalsa Panth who will protect the Sarovar all the time. They will sing my praises. Preach Sikhi with good traditions and then come to my form after 10 incarnations. This is the reason why you have taken on the human form. Make the Mandir.” After saying this, Akaal Purakh ji disappeared in front of everyone. All of the Devatas bowed to Guru Arjan Dev ji as the Guru is the highest of all Devatas. They made their pleas to Guru ji to accept their Sevas. They then went back to their dimensions while singing the praises of the Guru. The Sangat continued to do Seva and were amazed to see that Guru ji was speaking with joy: “who was Guru ji speaking to? They were all very nice-looking people. Where did they come from and where did they go? They did the Seva but we don’t know who they were. We haven’t seen anyone on Earth like them with such radiance and illumination.” Guru ji sat back down on his seat and continued directing the Seva. Sikhs and workers continued the work. Many people did the Seva, near and away from Guru ji. Many Sikhs came. They would come and then go after doing Seva. The Seva of Amritsar Sarovar was in progress. The steps were being built. Guru Arjan Dev ji would tell the Sikhs of the greatness of this Sarovar.
2-53 Constructing the Sri Harmandhir Sahib
Sri Satguru ji had discussions with the senior Sikhs such as Baba Bhudda ji and others. He told them that he wanted to start the building of the Harmandir Sahib, with a strong foundation. When Bhai Gurdas ji heard this, Bhai Behlo ji, Bhai Bhagtoo ji and everyone else, they were really happy: “there will be a mandir inside the Sarovar. Heaven will not be as beautiful as this.” The Sikhs were enthusiastic about this. Karah Prashaad was made. Guru ji stood in the middle of the Sarovar along with Bhai Gurdas ji, Baba Bhudda ji and the craftsmen. Guru ji told the craftsmen about the design that Akaal Purakh ji had explained: “make the Mandir of Hari in this way: make four doors, one for each direction. There should be a bridge to the Mandir that comes from the Darshani Deodi. The base of the Mandir should be strong. The building should be higher than the Sarovar. There should be waterways which would let the water pass under the building. The bridge should be on the west side and on the east, make the Har ki Pauri. There should be a Parkarma (path for circumventing the Mandir) around the building with a strong foundation. The four doors should be built. There should be another floor with balconies. The middle should be open to the ceiling. Make a nice dome on top. There should a place to sit under the dome. The dome should be like a flat lotus flower. Add gold all around the dome.” In this way Guru ji instructed the craftsmen. Baba Bhudda ji was told to do the Ardaas: “do the Simran of all the Gurus and do the Ardaas by standing up. Guru Nanak Dev ji has placed the permanent foundation. The beautiful Mandir should have gems and diamonds. It will be a jewel in the middle of the Sarovar.” Baba Bhudda ji obeyed and did the Ardaas: “Sri Satguru ji, may there be a beautiful Harmandhir here where everyone receives peace and joy. May this foundation be permanent in Kaliyuga. Whoever thinks bad of the Mandir, may they be destroyed. May the Satguru be present at all times. Whoever comes here, may their wishes be fulfilled. Whoever bows their heads here, may their troubles be destroyed. May the glory of this place increase like the moon waxing towards a full moon. May Guru ji sit in the middle and people come from every direction.” In this way Baba Bhudda ji did the Ardaas. Guru Arjan Dev ji set the first brick of the Harmandhir. The brick was to be permanent. The mason was standing right next to Guru ji. The mason wished to show Guru Sahib that he knew better and picked up the brick and moved it a few times to re-set it. Guru Arjan Dev ji noticed this and said: “why did you do this? I thought of the Satguru while placing that brick. This was the permanent brick. From now on, the masons will always re-set the foundation brick after being placed. Whenever a Saint will place a brick, the mason will always move it around and place it themselves. This will be the mason’s tradition after placing.” Guru ji spoke the future as well: “what you had done, just as the Masands used mud and I had said that the steps will be destroyed and re-made, understand this, the building of the Harmandir will be torn and re-made again. My Singhs will come and make a strong building. They will spend a lot of money on the building. The Harmandir and the Sarovar will be beautiful, as the Singhs will be the Kings. The Harmandir will be permanent then.” Guru ji then looked towards the Karah Prashaad and asked Baba Bhudda ji to distribute it amongst the Sangat. Everyone shouted out “Jai Jai.” Many Sikhs did Seva of the building. They made high-quality, fine choona and placed it in one place. They added many other materials to prepare it. The Sikhs did this Seva with great love. Some would continue working during the night. Many Sikhs prepared the bricks near the kilns. Lakhs of bricks were needed. The Sikhs would pick up the bricks and bring them to the bricklayers. Some would carry the choona to them and add it to the building of Harmandir Sahib. Everyone’s Seva was accepted and recognized by Guru ji. Whatever wishes they had in their hearts, they were all fulfilled. The person who had no desires, they were given Brahmgyaan. Guru ji knew everyone’s wishes and so he would give the Sikhs what they wanted. He would give the Sikhs what was impossible and protect what they already had. He took them out of the cycle of birth and death. He blessed his Sikhs who did the Seva.
The beautiful steps of the Harmandhir were made with each side the proper lengths. 500 feet by 490 feet. The base of the Harmandir was made in the centre of the Sarovar. When the base was ready, the rains of Saavan (July/August) began. The water began to gather in the Sarovar. The clouds came ahead of time to fill the Sarovar. White and black clouds came to drop pure water there. It was Guru ji’s command to have the water be filled by the clouds. The rain was very pleasant as it fell. The clouds came rumbling. The clouds were low. The Sarovar was filled. Guru ji watched as the Sarovar filled. The Sikhs saw this and were happy. The glory was great. The Sarovar was without the mud. The Sangat came from afar and visited the Sarovar. Baba Sri Chand ji was called first to bathe in the Sarovar. The sins of many births were washed away of people. The Sikhs circumvented the Sarovar and recited Gurbani Shabads. Whatever wishes they had, they were all fulfilled. They returned home while singing the Guru’s praises. Wherever there was a crowd, people would say: “Guru ji is making a Sarovar to wash our sins. Everyone should go to the Sarovar. It is a beautiful place. It is mesmerizing to look at. Satguru ji is directing the Seva and he says that the reward of bathing here is great.” The praises spread far and wide. The Sikhs heard the praises and came to Amritsar with love. They only wanted to see Guru ji and the Sarovar. They had great faith in their heart. They came and bathed in the Sarovar. They would see Guru ji and be at peace. They would hear Guru ji’s praises and do Simran of Guru Ramdas ji. They would say: “Guru Ramdas ji will take us across this world. He helps his Sikhs. Harmandir Sahib will help us across. This is a great task for us.” The Sikhs said “Dhan Dhan” after they bathed. The glory spread far. The water remained for a little while. When the rains stopped, the water was gone.
The Sikhs came to Guru Arjan Dev ji and said with their hands folded: “there is a fault in the Sarovar as the water doesn’t stay. It is bad to make a Sarovar where the water passes through. We spent a lot of money and effort but the water is all gone. It did not stay. What was the use to make this Sarovar then? The land sucked all the water. We have seen many Sarovars like this. The steps will crack. This is a fault of the Sarovar. Your Sarovar has this fault. Please find a solution for this fault. Please find a way for the water to stay. You are omnipotent. You create and destroy the universe.” Guru ji heard the Sikhs and said: “the thirst of this Sarovar is not fulfilled yet. The land is thirsty. It was drinking the water. Go to the Santokhsar Sarovar and bring its dirt here. This Sarovar will be satiated because of the Santokhsar mud. The desire of this Sarovar will be satiated after that. The water will be filled. Take Baba Bhudda ji along with you. Only go once. Bring as much as you can and put it in Amritsar. The Amritsar Sarovar will be content then (Santokh).” The Sikhs heard Guru ji and went to Santokhsar with Baba Bhudda ji. They took the mud from the Sarovar of Santokhsar and brought it back to Amritsar. They poured it in and around the Sarovar. There was dirt from Santokhsar all over the Sarovar. Guru ji directed the task. Till today, the Amritsar Sarovar has never dried up. It is always full of water. The Sikhs were in bliss. They bathed in it and washed their sins away.
2-54 Establishing the City of Amritsar
Many tradesmen were called to construct the Harmandhir building. They were skilled and masters in their trades. They built four doors, one in each direction. The beloved Sikhs were doing Seva. They were making choona by adding many raw materials. They carried the bricks and choona on top of their heads with love. They placed them close to the tradesmen and craftsmen. The tradesmen did their best work. They worked with love and followed what Guru Arjan Dev ji would say. Guru ji said: “do not use any wood. It should be brick and choona.” The building was solid. The four walls were erected in the middle on top of the base. Guru ji made the building as Akaal Purakh ji directed. The temporary walls were built to structure the bricks. The four doors were brought to one place and constructed with choona. There was no mud used to set the bricks. Guru ji wrote Shabads regarding the glory of Guru Ramdas ji and Sri Harmandhir Sahib. The Sangat would rejoice when they would hear those Shabads. He praised the Sarovar and the Harmandhir in his Bani. Both were great.
The place that was between Guru ji’s home and the Sarovar, a market was made there for businesses and to establish an economy. Guru ji commanded for the market to be built. The merchant Sikhs came and built their shops. Guru ji wrote many Shabads in praise of Amritsar which raised the morale of the new merchants. Guru ji said: “a prosperous and dense city will be here that will be called Ramdaspur. There will be no other city like this, with shops. Laxmi (Goddess of Wealth) will be standing in the court all the time. It will grow in every direction. People from all castes and religions will live here with joy. No one will ever be hungry here. Trades with far away lands will occur. Rich people will live here.” Listening to Guru ji’s words, many Sikhs came here to settle. They made their home and shops. They began to do business. The people living in Lahore came to live here. Some people laughed at the fact that Guru ji wanted to establish a city in the middle of the jungle. They were fools who did not know the glory of Guru ji. They would try to stop and laugh at people who left for Amritsar. The rich people would sit and talk to each other to make fun: “how can a new city be established? The place is low. If it rains, the area will flood. These Sikhs will drown. Whoever goes there will come back in 6 months. The place will be in ruins in a little while.” The Sikhs would hear this and be upset. Some were demotivated. When they would come to Guru ji, they folded their hands and said: “listen Guru ji, you are doing a big thing to make a new city. You said it yourself that this place will be dense and that there will be a lot of wealth with Laxmi. Guru ji, the rich people of other cities laugh at us. They say this place will be in ruins and said that the place is in a lower level. They said that this place will flood and be in ruins.” Guru ji listened to the Sikhs and said: “just as the water is coming from every direction, that is how the people of all directions will come. Kings, rich and poor will come here. They will live here and plead for a place to live here. They will have to pay a lot of money to live here. Rich people will come here to live. Many people will get food here. The wealth of the world will come here. People will come here to eat. The rarest things will be found here. Have faith. This place will grow. The people that will live here, will be in peace. They will do Simran of Gobind in their hearts when they go to the Harmandhir. They will do Keertan and live here. They will make the Shabad reside in their hearts. When they die, they will receive Mukti. They will be happy in both the worlds. The slanderers and cheats will be jealous. They will see others as happy and feel pain. They will try their best but no harm will come to Amritsar. They will have to come to the court and bow to Harmandhir. The ones who don’t come now, will regret not building their homes here.” The Sikhs received hope after listening to Guru ji. They said: “you are great Guru ji! Your words are true.”
Many Sikhs came everyday to settle here and start their businesses. The population grew on a daily basis as the people brought their families as well. The markets were open and trades began. Satguru ji protected everyone. After a few months, the merchants began to sell their items but they had no customers. There were not enough customers to make a living. One day, all the merchants gathered and came to Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji where he was directing the Seva. They folded their hands and said: “Guru ji, you are the sustainer of the world. You give everyone subsistence. We listened to you and moved our business to Amritsar. We moved here as we thought this will be a prosperous place to live and work. We have no customers though. We have various types of commodities to sell. We wanted to make a living here and live with you. We are all householders with families. We need to make a living with our businesses. We are all in the same situation. Since we opened up our shops, we have been waiting for customers. There is no one to buy anything. We sell very little which is not enough. We need to provide for our families. Food and clothes are needed. Money is needed for weddings and celebrations. We came here but we are not getting any revenue. Please help us. We can’t do any other work as we have been merchants for many generations. Where can we go now? You are omniscient and know everything. You helped us settle here and now you are the one that sustains us. We have no other master. We only came here because of you. You nurture the whole world. Whatever comes form you mouth is true. We have a deep faith in your words. Akaal Purakh will listen to you.” Guru ji heard the merchants. He smiled and said: “don’t do all this counting. You will be rich if you listen to me: wake up at Amritvela and take a bath. Recite Gurbani and meditate on it. Go to Harmandhir Sahib everyday and offer whatever money your can. Fold your hands and bow your heads. Visiting Harmandhir Sahib is the same as visiting Akaal Purakh. After coming here, go and open your shops. Make your life a success like this. You will make a good profit. In the evening, close your shops and come to Harmandhir Sahib again. Visit it and do your Ardaas. Whatever wishes you will have, shall be fulfilled. Do your businesses in this way. You will not have any shortages. Your wishes will be fulfilled. Laxmi will come and live in your homes. The glory of Harmandhir is great. The servant of Sri Harmandhir Sahib is Maya. Maya lives here with 9 Niddhis, Riddhis and Siddhis. All of the powers bow their heads here. Whoever does Seva here will receive all the gifts and powers. In the end, they will receive Mukti. There will be no shortages in the court of Akaal Purakh. Akaal Purakh Hari lives here.” The Sikhs obeyed Guru ji’s words and had faith. They did as Guru ji said. They visited Harmandhir Sahib in the morning and evening. They did not come empty-handed. They brought whatever they could afford. The merchant Sikhs had good revenue and got everything they wanted. They had good food and items of need. The merchants have been following this tradition even till today. The Sikhs that went to Harmandhir Sahib and bowed their heads, their wishes were all be fulfilled.
2-55 The History of the Sikhs of Guru Arjan Dev ji
There were two Chaudharys from Patti: one was Dhillon Lal and the other was Langaah. They came and bowed to Guru Arjan Dev ji after hearing about the glory of Sri Amritsar. They wanted to do Seva. These two were owners of 84 villages. They were quire rich. Guru ji said to them: “whoever would come and do Seva in Amritsar, their tasks would be all fulfilled. Whoever gave money here, their families would be prosperous. Whoever would do Seva for the steps, their generations would last forever. Just as the Mansarovar exists, so will this Sarovar exist permanently. It will save the person from this world, whoever takes a bath here. If one bathes here with faith, their sins would be washed away. Whoever listens to Keertan here, their sins will be washed away and they will get Brahmgyaan because of Prema Bhagti. They will not be in the cycle of birth and death.” The two heard Guru ji’s words and started to do Seva. They were rich, so they also hired more workers. They did Seva with their own hands, having faith and love in their hearts.
The glory of Amritsar spread far and wide. The Masands came with their Sangats from far away. The Sikhs heard Gurbani and the glory of the Gurus. Their heart would feel joy. Guru ji would tell the Sikhs the significance of the Sarovar and be motivated to do Seva. Guru ji would say:
Maajh Mahalla 5..
By doing the effort, the mind is purified.. Walking on the path of Hari, the doubt is lost..
The Satguru spoke of the treasure of the Name, which made all my illnesses go away..2..
(SGGS 99)
In this way, Guru ji composed Bani which motivated the Sikhs to do Seva. The two Chaudharys stayed with Guru ji. They achieved Mukti by doing Seva by Guru ji’s grace.
3 other Sikhs Bhai Ajab, Bhai Ajaib and Bhai Umar Shah came to Guru ji. They were of the Sangha clan who came to do Seva. They were Masands who collected Dasvand from the Sikhs and brought it to Guru ji. They would give all the money to Guru Arjan Dev ji. They would only keep what they needed for their families. They only kept the money that would be given to them when Sikhs would invite them for food to their homes. They would give the Dasvand to Guru ji. One day Guru ji asked the three of them: “what do you think of the Guru’s money? The money that the Sangat gives, how do you see it?” The three of them responded: “Guru ji, we see that money as poison for us. It is like mercury, which would kill a person if swallowed raw.” After hearing this, Guru ji said to them: “if you continue like this, you will be blessed. You will achieve Mukti.”
Another Sikh named Paira Chujjal came to Guru Arjan Dev ji. Another person named Kandoo Sangher also came. They bowed and asked Guru ji: “how can we be blessed? Please give us wisdom.” Guru ji said to them: “bathe in the Sarovar of Amritsar. Understand the meaning of Gurbani and you will receive the Guru’s wisdom. Do the Seva of Gursikhs. Let go of your ego and be humble. The third Paatshaah Guru Amardas ji called my father Guru Ramdas ji and said to him: “the people of Kaliyuga are without power. They have less years to live and less money. They don’t have much to eat. They are unwise and naïve. They are not able to bathe at all the Teeraths. People can’t give donations to the best places. The people at the Teeraths do not give wisdom but instead take people’s money for their own desires. For this reason, all the Teeraths have become corrupt. A great Teerath is now needed. Make a Teerath in the region of Madhur. Out of the Teeraths of all 3 worlds, Amritsar Teerath will be greater than all of them combined.” My father was shown to make the Teerath in this area. My father was directed to dig in this area. He named it Amritsar. All 4 gifts: subsistence, Dharma, Desires and Moksha, are received here. The Teeraths such as Kaanshi and others will be under the protection of Amritsar. Amritsar will be the king. It will be like millions of Gangas put together. Kaliyuga will be worse. Corrupt people will live at the other Teeraths. Bathing at Amritsar will give the rewards of japp, tapp, fasting and other rituals. This Teerath is the master of the universe. When Ganga will disappear in spiritual form (only the water will remain. Ganga was known to disappear in 1899 CE) she will come to Amritsar. All the powers of the Teeraths will come here. Saints and Sadhoos will live here. For this reason, bathe here and you will be blessed.” The Sikhs heard Guru ji’s words and felt joy, listening to the glory of Amritsar. They said: “Guru ji you are great. You blessed our lives.” They stayed with Guru ji and did Seva in Amritsar. They listened to Gurbani with love and did Seva of the Sikhs. They saw their lives as blessed. They saw themselves as fortunate. They then took leave from Guru ji and went home. They meditated on Guru ji and made an honest living. They told their families and friends about Guru ji and Amritsar. They sang the praises and made others into Sikhs. They woke up in the morning and bathed. They meditated on Guru ji and read Gurbani. They worked all day and then did Seva of Sikhs, Saints and Sadhoos.
Guru ji preached Sikhi. The Sikhs kept their attention in the Guru. Bhai Paira and Bhai Kandoo were blessed. They looked towards the Guru like a Chakor looks towards the moon. Their minds were pure and had faith in the Guru’s feet. Whoever met with them, they received Bhugti and Mukti. Whoever came to the protection of Guru Arjan Dev ji, they were blessed and became one with Guru Nanak Dev ji. They no longer feared the cycle of birth and death.
2-56 The Glory of Amritsar/ Blessing the Sikhs
The tradesmen worked everyday to make the beautiful Harmandhir. Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji did the Seva with the Sikhs with great joy. There were steps around the Sarovar. The Darshani Deodi and the bridge was made; by which thousands of people come to bow in the Harmandhir. The whole place was measured carefully and crafted with skill. The Harmandhir was higher than the Sarovar so it did not flood when it rained. It was all made in squares and rectangles. There was a parkarma around the Sarovar and the Harmandhir. The Sarovar was a square. The Har-ki-Pauri was on the East side of the Harmandhir. There were 4 doors with ceilings made for each door. There is a ceiling near Har-ki-Pauri. When the second floor was made, it was an open concept to the dome. Where the canopy was to go, there was an open space to the dome. All around the second floor, there was a balcony. The ceiling was double and joined to the top as well as Har-ki-Pauri. There was a room made under the top dome. This becomes the third floor where an Akhand Paath happens today, all the time. The Sikhs worked hard to make the choona for the building. They carried the choona on their heads to give to the tradesmen. They climbed the scaffolding and placed the raw materials. The four ends of the building were erected. The dome was made with the unique style of an upside-down lotus. This is one the remaining domes of the Sikh art style today. There were small domes on the ends of the building. The middle dome is the largest, that can be seen from afar. In this way the building was beautiful which is second to none. Inside, the ceiling is high. The condition inside was pleasant in all 6 seasons of the Indian climate. There was fresh air that came from both sides (east and west). It doesn’t matter how hot it is outside, inside is always pleasant. In the cold seasons, it is not cold. In the rainy seasons, the water in the Sarovar is pure. You can see water all around the Sarovar. Seeing such a surrounding of water around the Harmandhir has a beneficial effect on the eyes. There is Amrit in the Sarovar. The water is pure. There is no other place like this on earth. It makes everyone feel happy. The whole place is plated with gold which shines brightly in every direction. The four gifts of Dharma, Arth, Kaam and Moksha are received here. The 4 letters V, H, G and R (Vasudev, Hari, Gobind and Ram) are always recited here. The 4 castes bow here. There were beautiful colours everywhere here. The glory of the place has spread in all 4 directions. The 4 Muktis are standing here (Salok Mukti- to be able to live with the form of Akaal Purakh you meditated upon, Sameep Mukti- to be able to live beside the form of Akaal Purakh you meditated upon, Saroop Mukti- to become the same form of Akaal Purakh you meditated upon, Sayujya Mukti- to be one with the form of Akaal Purakh you meditated upon). The 4 Ashrams (Brahmacharya – ages 0-25; Grist – ages 25-50; Baanprast ages 50-75; Sanyaas- 75 and up) can come here. The knowledge of the 4 Vedas is given here. This is the significance of the 4 doors. The 4 ways of Mukti are given here. Guru Arjan Dev ji can see all these things, while standing in the middle. Guru ji was very happy with the Harmandhir. He would recite Gurbani and sing the praises of Kartar and the place. The Sangat would hear the praises and have their faith grow. They would bathe and then bow. The Sikhs that did Seva were blessed by Guru ji. Guru ji called all the Sikhs and gave them Siropas while blessing them. All of the Brahmgyaanis were called like Bhai Bhagtoo ji and others. The desireless ones were first called that did Simran all day long. Guru ji called them: “Brangbroh, you will get what you wish for. You did Seva with great attention. You will get its great rewards.” They all folded their hands and said: “we don’t have any desires left. Your feet reside in our heart. We wish to be immersed in the Sat, Chit and Anand Saroop. There is nothing bigger than this. We want that form to reside in out hearts which the Devatas and Devis look for.” Guru ji was happy to hear this. He gave them all Jeevan Mukti and greatness. Baba Bhudda ji was the highest but was given respect first. The second Siropa was given to Bhai Bhagtoo ji who was also mukat. The area of the Brars, Bhai Bhagtoo was given the leadership of the Sangat of that area in Malva. His generations ruled that area and became kings of Kaithal.
Guru ji then said to Bhai Behlo ji: “tell me what’s in your heart. What do you wish for?” As soon as Guru ji said this, Bhai Behlo ji wished for Mukti and received it instantly. His Aatma experienced the Aatam Parkash and became one with Akaal Purakh. He didn’t see anything else besides the Brahm. He only saw his real self everywhere. Guru ji said to Bhai Behlo ji: “take your shawl off and place it out. I wish to give you more things. I will give you the leadership of the ghosts and spirits, the betaals. These invisible powers will be in your command. They will do as you say. You can do what you want done from then. Guru Amardas ji was gracious and gave Bhai Laaloo ji this position. His glory was spread in other countries. I am now giving you this position. The souls and spirits that are looking for guidance, you will be their leader now. These souls live on islands and mountains. They can do anything they wish to. Gather them in your shawl and take them. They will be with you for generations to come. When I come into my 10th incarnation, I will give these souls mukti for serving you.” Bhai Behlo ji listened to Guru ji and spread his shawl out in front of Guru ji. When the shawl was being tied, the souls of the northern mountains escaped and grabbed Guru ji’s feet. They said: “please bless us. We are your servants. We will serve your Sikhs and not go close to the people who say your name. You can take the other souls of East, West and South, but We of the North wish to stay at your feet.” When Guru ji heard this, Bhai Behlo came back to grab them. Guru ji said: “Bhai Behlo ji, take the other 3. These souls of the North came to my protection. They will not be in your control.” Bhai Behlo obeyed and took the souls of the 3 directions. Guru ji was happy with Bhai Behlo ji’s Seva of making the bricks. He gathered feces and manure to make the best bricks. His skin was dried up as he didn’t see his body as his own. He was focused on the Seva. He did Seva all day and all night for many years. He didn’t go home during this time nor had any rest. He dug many tonnes of dirt from the Sarovar. Guru ji said: “just as the glory of Karah Prashaad is for doing Ardaas, the Tikkar of Bhai Behlo will be done.”
Bhai Ughroo and Bhai Kalyana were given great statuses. They did a great Seva as well. Whoever did Seva with love and faith, they were given gyaan and statuses according to the Seva. When Guru Gobind Singh ji’s time comes, a Sikh named Divaan Nand Chand ji will be a Masand, his grandfather was Bhai Umar Shah. He was from Drolly near Moga. He was given the position of Masand for bringing Sikhs to the Sarovar for Seva. Bhai Umar Shah did not keep any money.
Bhai Jetha, Sikh Pirana, Bhai Paira and Bhai Langaah were great Sikhs who achieved Brahmgyaan for doing Seva. They reached the highest state of Brahmgyaan and were filled with many powers. All the Siddhis were standing in front of them, ready for their orders. They had the ability to do anything they wanted to. They could fly, pick up mountains, travel thousands of miles, appear where they wished to, spin the world, Delhi and Lahore could be destroyed in their arms, make their bodies big which would be bigger than sky. The Sikhs did not use these powers though. The Sikhs did not need to use them as they were desireless. They could fly anywhere and change the form of their appearances. All the powers of the world that were hidden, there was nothing left that the Sikhs did not have. There was humility in the house of the Guru. The Sikhs had the abilities to not be attracted to these powers. If someone did use any of these powers, Guru ji would take them away and give them wisdom. He would then give them the powers back when they were worthy of it. The powers were only to be used for good. Guru ji still did not like the use of the powers. Whoever did Seva in Amritsar, they were blessed with rewards. Many Sikhs were blessed with Brahmgyaan just as Ram Chander ji gave blessings to his servants.
In this way, the history of Sri Amritsar is said. Bhai Salo and other Masands did Seva. Money would come and go. Bhai Umar Shah, Bhai Kalyana, Bhai Jetha, Bhai Parana stayed with Guru ji. Some went to other places. They preached Sikhi wherever they went and spread the true Name, Satnam to distinguish all the doubts. Guru Arjan Dev ji sat inside the Harmandhir and praised it. He sang in Rag Sorath to tell the glory of Harmandhir. He composed Bani in Soohi Raag, making beautiful Chands and praising the Teerath. Visiting the Harmandhir would purify the soul. Bathing in the Sarovar would wash away the sins of many lives. The Sikhs would bow to the Harmandhir and sit down with faith and devotion to listen to the Keertan. Satguru ji would sing the Gurbani which would make the minds of the Sikhs still. Whoever sang the Shabads, they received many rewards. The Sikhs would come to Amritsar during Diwali. During Vaisakhi, the Sikhs came to bathe in the Sarovar. Bathing during these two days was like bathing everyday. People came to do Ishnaan, the bath, here at Athsath Teerath, which made their sins wash away. Their hearts would not be dirty again. The spirit of the other Teeraths all came here to reside in the Sarovar. They had the weight of the sins inside of them which they came to relieve here. Ganga and other holy spirits came to reside here. The Amritsar Teerath was (and is) the greatest. They were relieved on Diwali and Vaisakhi. Bathing on those days was like bathing in all the Teeraths. All the sins would be washed away on these days. Men and women would come to bathe and be relieved of their sins.
Thus ends the 2nd Raas.
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