2-6 A Sikh tells Akbar about the Guru

Many years passed and Akbar could not win the Chittor fort.  He thought of many strategies and called his officers.  He called his Umraavs, ministers and Soobas.  The Generals gathered as well.  They were all respected and seated in the court.  The court was in session with all the scholar.  Akbar looked towards his advisors and said: “I want all of you, intelligent people, to think of a strategy on how to win the Chittorgarh.  When we attacked Chittor, I went to the places of Saints and presented many offerings.  I prayed for my win.  The Peers and Saints gave me their blessings.  I kept my bow in Ajmer (it was believed that the bow would be strung by itself in a locked room, if the person was going to win a war.  This was later found out to be a fraud as Aurangzeb had tunnels dug and found that someone would come through the tunnels at night and strung the bow in the locked room).  I thought this was a good thing.  I had great faith in the Saints and then I attacked.  I am still not successful.  It’s been so many years and so much damage has been done.  I’ve tried all my tricks but nothing is working.  Many of my soldiers have been killed.  So much money has been spent on this war.  The whole world now knows that I have attacked Chittorgarh and it has not been won.  It is known in all directions around the world.  I am not able to win this fort nor can I leave the war now.  I have won many other Rajas and rebellions.  If I lose now, the Rajputs will be motivated to overthrow the Delhi Throne.  Chittor must be won.  Now it’s a matter of my throne.  If Chittor is not won, there will be a rebellion in the whole country.  This war was a bad idea.  It would have been better to stay home than to start this war.  Now, as we started the war, losing it will be bad for the whole country.  There will be chaos.  I ask all of you, intelligent people in my court, to tell me how we can be victorious.  This problem needs to be solved.  Whoever helps me win this, that person will be my friend.  I will consider them my brother, Peer and family.  Chittorgarh is a big problem for me.  I cannot call a truce with the Rajputs.  I can’t bribe the Rajputs as they are already rich.  I cannot divide them.  They are unified.  It has been 8 years we haven’t won yet.  I need a Peer Saint who is powerful and has “vaak Siddhi” (the true words which come out to be true).  Find such a Saint for me and grab their feet.  Make them happy and get their blessings.  Make them happy in any possible way.  Such a Saint, tell me about him.  The person who finds such a person, will be my friend.  I am stuck in a well.  I need help.” 

Everyone began to think.  They wanted to find the strongest Saint.  They started to mention Saints and Fakirs but Akbar already knew about them and rejected them.  Akbar said: “there is a bigger Saint than this.  I have visited the ones you have mentioned.  Nobody could do this.  I’ve given a lot of money.”  In the court there was a Gursikh who was an employee.  He heard the conversation and thought: “all these people are lost.  Should I tell them or not?  They don’t believe in any other religion, other than theirs.  They are Mughals.  If they do not bow to the Guru, they won’t get what they want.  They need to be humble, otherwise it will be useless.  If they bow, their wishes will be fulfilled.”  The Sikh continued to think and remained quiet for a whole day and night.  He said to himself: “I know the glory of the Satguru.  I know that Guru Amardas ji is Parameshver.  If Guru ji blesses me, I can tell Akbar about him.  He would be fortunate if he goes to Guru ji.  Many people will be saved if the war stops.  I will tell Akbar then.  If he is fortunate, he will go to Guru ji.  If not, he will continue to be in pain.”  The Sikh thought hard and then decided to go to Akbar. 

The Sikh went to Akbar and did “Tasleem” (salutations) to the Emperor and said: “Hazarat Akbar Badshah, I am your servant and I eat what you give me.  I eat your salt.  I think of your well-being, as I have learned this from my Guru.  The Guru of the world is Guru Nanak, the form of Khuddah, who gives wisdom to the world.  He is the Peer of Hindus and Muslims.  Both believe in Guru Nanak Dev ji.  Your elder, Babar was blessed by him.  Guru Nanak’s powers are great.  He has unlimited powers.  In front of his powers, both Saints and Kings have bowed.  (Babar, Sikander Lodhi, Karoo Badshah, the emperors of 7 Deeps and 9 Khands; Peers Rukandeen, Dastagheer and Bahaavaldeen; Mecca, Madinah, Banaras, Kanshi, Haridwar, 84 Sidhs, 9 Naths, Guru Gorakh Nath, every dimension, bowed to Guru Nanak Dev ji) The whole world came to knew of Guru Nanak and none could stand tall in front of him.  Your grandfather, Babar Shah, was given this throne to him.  Guru Nanak was born with all the powers.  Cobras gave him shade while sleeping; Guru Nanak made fields green in an instant after his cows grazed the whole field.  He resurrected many people by touching them with his feet.  Many powerful people like Sidhs including: Gorakh Nath; Muslim Fakirs have all understood the power of Guru Nanak and how great he is.  Shamash Tabrez, who brought the sun down to earth to cook his fish, has bowed to Guru Nanak.  Whoever took wisdom from Guru Nanak Dev ji, their doubts were all cleared.  How many great beings shall I speak about?  Guru Nanak blessed them just be visiting them.  There is no corner in the world that does not know about Guru Nanak.  Guru Nanak does not discriminate between Hindu or Muslim.  He saw everyone as his own, including animals and insects.  He showed the path to Moksha to everyone.  I am a small person but I am telling you this.  You don’t need to trust me.  Call your officers and Saints, they will tell you about Guru Nanak.  When Guru Nanak Dev ji went to Sach Khand, Guru Angad Dev ji sat on his throne.  He won his mind and desires and became one with Guru Nanak Dev ji.  Guru Angad Dev ji was very patient and a great Saint, whose glory cannot be sung.  Guru Angad Dev ji kept the power of Guru Nanak Dev ji inside of him and didn’t show it.  Guru Nanak Dev ji made Guru Angad Dev ji the Guru and went to Sach Khand.  After sitting on the Guru’s throne for 12 years, Guru Angad Dev ji gave the throne to Guru Amardas ji.  Guru Amardas ji is very old but the light shines equally within him.  His determination is the highest.  He says: “whoever lives in my village, their child shall not die.”  He has many powers.  Niddhis, Riddhis and Siddhis stand in front of him with their hands folded.  They wait for him to say something to them.  He blesses many.  Whatever he says, becomes true.”  Akbar was amazed to hear this and now was anxious to meet Guru Amardas ji.  Akbar said: “where does Guru Amardas ji live?  Which city does he live in?  Tell me, should we ask him to bless me?  If I win, I will be blessed.  It will be like I have won all the nine treasures.”  The Gursikh said: “Shahensha, Guru ji is far from Chittorgarh.  It will be hard for you to go.  He is near Lahore, on the shores of Beas.  He is in Goindwal.  You should send your officers to Guru Amardas ji with gifts.  They should have faith in him and be humble.  They should make their request with humility.  Whatever Guru ji will say, will come out to be true.  They should fold their hands and make the request on your behalf.  You should fold your hands here, and think of Guru Amardas ji.  You should pray from here and bow to him.  Think of your wish here, as your officers will be requesting Guru ji in Goindwal.  Tell your officers to walk day and night.  You should pray the whole time they are gone.  When your officers pray to him in Goindwal, your wish will be completed.  Going forward, you should remain as servants of the Guru’s home.”

2-7 The Vaak that won the Fort

Akbar heard the glories of Guru Amardas ji and said to his senior officers: “the Haazis (people who have completed the pilgrimage to Mecca) and Mujaavars (Sevadaars) from Mecca came to my home and told me about Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji; about him being the form of Khuddah.  They said that Guru Nanak Dev ji came to Mecca and made it pure.  They said that when Guru Nanak Dev ji came, he was sleeping with his feet facing towards Mecca.  He slept all night like this.  In the morning, a Haazi named Jeevan was brooming the place inside the Kabbah complex.  He saw Guru Nanak Dev ji lying on the ground with his feet facing towards the Kabbah.  He got mad and spoke harsh words towards Guru ji.  He called him a Kafir (infidel).  He said to Guru ji: “who are you and why are your feet facing the house of Allah?”  Guru ji said: “turn my feet towards the place where Allah is not.”  Jeevan grabbed Guru ji’s feet and dragged them away from the Kabbah.  The Kabbah moved with the feet of Guru ji.  Muslims also believe this.  The Haazis told me that the Kabbah moved to where Guru Nanak Dev ji’s feet were moved to.  Muslims believe in Guru Nanak Dev ji.  His glory is spread everywhere in the world.  I want to get my task completed by him.  Guru Amardas ji sits on his throne now.  I will bow from here and wish for victory.  I will go to him after winning the war.”  Akbar told one of his Navisindhs (court translators), that knew Farsi and was well-versed with speaking to Saints, to come to him.  He was a Satsangi as well.  He was religious and calm person.  He gave him pashmina clothes, to take along with him, for Guru Amardas ji.  He was given other gifts and money as well and sent to Guru Amardas ji ask for his blessings.  Abkar said to the Sikh: “you know everything about Guru Amardas ji.  I want you to go with my Navisindh.   You know where he lives and you know the traditions of your Guru.  I want you to bow for me as well.  Whatever Guru ji says from his mouth, I want you to tell me exactly what he said.  Take camels to travel, as they will be faster.  They can travel long distances without stopping.  Serve Guru ji with your mind and body.  Send me a message of what Guru ji says to my request.”  The Navisindh and the Sikh set off towards Goindwal, with Akbar’s request. 

Akbar’s scholar and the Sikh reached Goindwal from Chittorgarh in a few days.  They set up camp and brought gifts for Guru ji.  Guru Amardas ji was in the middle of having the Baoli being dug.  Guru ji was sitting next to the site of the Baoli.  Guru ji was directing the tradesmen on how to make the Baoli.  They did exactly as Guru ji directed.  Many tradesmen and Sikhs were doing Seva of the Baoli.  There was always a crowd around Guru ji.  They were all working hard.  Sangat came to see Guru ji from many other countries.  They came and had their wishes fulfilled.  The Sikhs did not have to ask for their wishes.  Guru ji would look at them and their wishes would come true.  The day Akbar’s people reached; it was morning.  Guru ji was sitting down near the Baoli, receiving the Sikhs from different areas.  The Sikhs came and bowed while the Keertan was being sung by the Rababis.  The Sikhs would listen to the Keertan of Gurbani.  Akbar’s messengers came and lined up to bow.  They had humility in their hearts.  They folded their hands and bowed.  They placed the gifts in front of Guru ji, with humility.  Guru ji saw them and asked: “where are you from?  You have brought very expensive gifts.  Did the Guru complete some tasks of yours or are you here to do an Ardaas?”  The Navisindh folded his hands and said: “Guru ji, the Badshah of Hindustan, Akbar, bows to your feet.  He has sent me to you after he heard your glories.  Your Sikh has come as well.  The Sikh told us about you.  Badshah Akbar has sent these gifts for you and he bows to your feet many times.  He has bowed to many Saints and Peers before this, but he has been disappointed, as his wishes were not fulfilled.  He has come to you now.  He heard about the glories of Guru Nanak Dev ji and Guru Angad Dev ji.  He heard that you are the Guru now.  The Badshah has faith in you and he has sent us to you.  The Badshah left Delhi many years ago.  He went to Chittorgarh to supress a rebellion by the Rajputs.  Many soldiers have been killed in this battle.  Many canons have been fired but the fort has not been won.  Many tunnels were dug and were blown up.  The Rajput Rajas only come out when they wish, sounding Nagaras.  They fight and kill many soldiers.  The ground is red from blood.  Lakhs of soldiers have gone to the Jumm’s (messengers of Death) home.  The Badshah has tried many things, but the fort of Chittor has not been defeated yet.  He met all the Peers and prayed to them.  Their words have not been proven yet.  He wants to hear your words.  He wants to know what you have to say.  When will the fort be won?  We have come to your feet.  Please bless the Badshah.  He is in your protection now.  Sri Nanak ji gave Akbar’s ancestors the kingdom of Hindustan.  This kingdom was given by you; therefore, we are already yours.  Please protect our reputation.  We have heard of your greatness.  We have left all others and only have faith in you now.  You protect everyone.  Please protect us.”  Sri Guru Amardas ji heard the Navisindh.  From his elderly eyes, he looked towards the messenger.  Guru Amardas ji was 100 years old at this time.  His Dastaar and chola were white.  His beard was pure white.  His height was short but his Tapasya was the strictest, even for young people.  He was the Purshotam (the greatest of men), who rejected his desires and lived a strict lifestyle with Simran and Tapasya.  He would stand in the Chabarra Sahib, holding on to a peg and doing Tapasya for hours.  He heard the Sikh’s request as well.  He identified Akbar’s faith.  He thought to himself: “these people have travelled from far.  I should complete their request.”  Guru ji spoke to the ambassadors of Akbar: “since the Badshah went to surround the fort, I have been doing the Seva of the Baoli.  They both started on the same day.  I have tried really hard to make this Baoli but it is not complete.  When the “karr” (great boulder) of the Baoli breaks, that is the day Chittorgarh’s fort will be won.  Both tasks will be completed on the same day.  Both the Karr and Rajputs are stuck.  They will break on the same day.  The boulders are stubborn.  The Sikhs are trying, but they are not successful.  The Rajputs are stubborn and not losing.  When the boulders break, the door of the fort will break and Akbar will conquer the fort.  It will be the same time, day, and month when both will break.  It will be the same watch of the day, when both tasks will be completed.  It will not be before or after that time.”  Both wise messengers heard Guru ji’s words and were happy.  They were also worried of when this would take place.  They were happy but concerned as well.  They had faith in Guru ji.  They folded their hands and bowed.  They said: “sat hai, sat hai, sat hai” (it is true what you say). 

The Navisindh and Sikh came back to their camp, relieved, knowing that Akbar will be victorious.  They thought to themselves: “coming here was a success.  Guru ji’s “vaak” (word) will make our problems go away.  The Emperor will be happy with us.  Plus, we got to meet Guru ji.  We got double the happiness.  We were in doubt but now Guru ji has taken us across this ocean of doubt.”

2-8 Chittorgarh Lost

The Navisindh send a letter to Akbar with the words of Guru Amardas ji.  A messenger took the letter and headed towards Akbar, mounted on a camel.  He travelled all day and all night.  The messenger headed towards Chittor from Goindwal.  He didn’t stop along the way.  He reached the fort and presented the letter to the postal guards.  Akbar received the letter and read the whole letter.  He was really happy to know that Guru ji had made the prophecy of the karr and the fort breaking at the same time.  It was as though some cheap person finds the philosopher’s stone.  His faith grew even more than before.  He was bowing from Chittor, thinking of Guru ji.  He happily responded to the letter: “I have received your letter.  I have understood the words of Guru ji.  For this reason, I want you to stay in Goindwal and see when the karr in Goindwal breaks.  You should help in breaking the karr of the Baoli too.  I can send you money to help in any way.  Call the best tradesmen to help with the Baoli.  Stay there till the karr breaks.”  The message was sent to Goindwal.

The Navisindh and the Sikh were waiting for the fort of Chittor to break and were thinking of the rewards they would receive.  The messenger from Chittorgarh reached Goindwal.  They read the letter and knew immediately what the Emperor wanted.  They begin to live in Goindwal and called the royal tradesmen.  They began to work on the Baoli.  The walls of the well wouldn’t go down because the karr was stuck in the well.  Sri Guru Amardas ji would sit near the Baoli all day and direct the work.  The people of Akbar would sit all day near the Baoli as well.  They used money and their intellect to complete the task.  They used metal tools, big and small.  A lot of it was broken and a little piece was left. 

The fort of Chittor was also at its breaking point.  Akbar noticed that the fort was almost at the point of being won.  The Rajputs’ food and men were now at its lowest point.  Akbar increased the intensity of the attack.  He had canons firing and caused chaos.  They made loud noises and used their might.  Tunnels were blasted and towers fell.  The Rajputs noticed that the intensity was great.  They realised they were going to lose.  They decided to go and fight on the battlefield.  Jaimal and Fatah took their regiments and attacked the Mughal army.  The fight was intense.  They struck each other, slicing limbs on the battlefield.  Soldiers fell from their horses and went to Heaven.  The injured soldiers screamed in pain.  The bodies gathered on the ground.  Heads and limbs can be seen on the ground.  It was such a chaotic war that it cannot be explained.  That day, Jaimal and Fatah fought courageously.  They killed many Mughal warriors.  Fatah eventually fell, fighting another warrior.  Jaimal saw his brother fall.  He knew that the root of the Rajputs had just died.  Fatah’s body was pierced at every inch.  Fatah’s soul was taken to heaven by the fairies of heaven.  He died the death of a brave warrior.  Jaimal began to shed tears.  He said to himself: “I am now alone.  I am without my brother.  My wings have been broken.  My arms have been cut.  I am now weak without my brother.  I am useless now.  What will I do staying alive?  What will I tell my sisters-in-law?  My brother was a fearless warrior.  There is no one else like him.  I can’t show my face to my community.  He was able to strike fear into the enemy’s heart.  I was fearless because of him.”  He had deep regret in his heart.  The other Rajputs said to Jaimal: “Jaimal, this is how brave warriors die.  They die and go to heaven.  They become immortal.  It is not good for you to mourn his death.  You are the commander of the army.  You can’t lose hope.  In the morning, we will strike hard and avenge Fatah’s death.  Show the Emperor your sword’s strength.”  He heard the others and had some hope.

The next day, the Nagaras and the Napheeryas rang.  The Rajputs came out of the fort and faced the Mughal army.  The Mughal army was motivated as they had already killed Fatah.  The gunpower blasted and the guns fired.  Many soldiers fell.  Spears were thrown and stabbed into the chests.  Arrows were released by the archers.  They wouldn’t step back or show their backs.  Jaimal eventually fell fighting the enemy.  The other Rajputs faced their death with fearlessness.  The cowards ran away.  The queens of Jaimal found out that Jaimal had died.  The queens stabbed themselves with their kataars.  They did not want to be raped or taken in by the Mughals.  They stayed true to their Dharma.  No lady, young or old was left.  They all killed themselves.  Jaimal’s daughter, whom Akbar wanted to marry, also killed herself. 

Akbar went through the front doors and hoisted his flags.  He was happy to finally win the fort.  It was a great fort.  He was proud of himself that he had crushed the rebellion.  He now knew that the other Rajputs would not dare raise their heads in front of Delhi.  He called his generals and ministers to give them titles and rewards.  After giving them the rewards, Akbar headed back to Delhi after many years.  On the way, he showered his army with money.

In Goindwal Sahib, the ambassadors of Akbar found out that the Emperor was headed to Delhi.  They all headed to Delhi and came to Akbar’s court.  They did the Tasleem and told him about the whole story in Goindwal: “month, day and time we have noted, when the karr of the Baoli was broken.  We saw many other miracles there.  The Guru is the form of Khuddah.  There is no other like him.  Many people from different countries come and bring him gifts.  They worship him.  He completes their wishes.  All day and all night, they sing the praises of Allah by doing Keertan.  He is over 100 years old.  Many people of the area come to worship him.  He has the light of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji.”  Akbar heard their words and said: “tomorrow, I would like to hear your whole account of Goindwal.”

2-9 The Navisindh Speaks of the Events in Goindwal

In the morning Akbar said: “call all the Umraavs and all the scholars.”  Akbar was sitting in his court and was very happy.  The Navisindh was told to tell the court of what happened in Goindwal: “tell everyone what happened in Goindwal.”  The Navisindh began to speak: “from the time the Emperor left from Delhi to attack Chittor with the canons, the ground-breaking ceremony had occurred for the Baoli in Goindwal.  As the battle in Chittor raged on and many enemies were killed, in Goindwal, the well wall went down into the ground slowly.  There were many boulders that stopped the wall.  During that time, we reached Goindwal.  Guru ji made the prophecy that when the karr breaks, the Chittorgarh fort will also fall.  We sent you the letter as soon as we heard.  You ordered us to stay in Goindwal.  During our time there, we saw many miracles with our own eyes.  We tried hard to break the boulders but we were not successful.  Sri Guru ji then said from his mouth to a Sikh named Manak, from the village of Vairovaal: “Manak, get ready to break the boulder.  Only you can do this, no one else.  Go now to the boulder.  Take a sharp metal rod and hit the boulder hard.”  Manak did as he was told.  He bowed to Guru ji and entered the well.  He said: “Satguru ji, only you are the one that can do this.”  He thought of Guru ji in his heart.  He used all his might to hit the boulder.  The rod went right into the boulder like it was paper.  The boulder split in two and broke down.  A powerful fountain of water sprung from the boulder and filled the well, all of a sudden.  The Sikhs tried to take Manak out but he drowned in the well.  Guru ji went back to his home as the task of the Baoli was complete.  The Sangat was very excited.  The hard work finally brought fruit to their effort.  When the karr broke, the Sangat was very happy.  The fort of Chittor was won on the same day.  Every one figured that the fort was won that day.”  The Emperor heard all this and was happy.  He said: “Sri Guru Amardas ji has done this.  His holy words completed this difficult task for me.  Oh Navisindh, what else did you see?  Tell me how the Baoli was completed.” 

The Navisindh heard these words and folded his hands.  He said: “listen Badshah of what happened next.  Manak was not able to come out as he had drowned.  When his mother heard that her son had died, she started to mourn and cry.  She went to the Baoli and didn’t see her son.  She said: “oh my son!  Manak, you were young.  Where did you go, leaving me in pain?  I am old and have no one else but you.  You were the only one I had and you died.”  She cried a lot.  She then went to Guru ji’s home and cried out loud there.  She said: “my son, you died.  I want to meet you once.  Or else take me with you.”  She raised her arms upwards as she cried.  Sri Guru ji heard her crying and said: “who is this that is crying out in pain?  Why is she crying outside?”  A Sikh went to the lady and asked who she was.  The Sikh brought the old lady to Guru ji.  Guru ji looked at the lady and said: “listen innocent one, Manaks (gems) never drown.  They float.  When the sun rises the next day, he will come out of the Baoli.  He has done a great task by breaking the karr.  I have made a promise that no child shall die, till I am alive.  This will happen for sure.  You will see your son tomorrow.”  The old lady had faith on Guru ji and spent the whole night doing Simran of Guru ji. 

As the sun came up the next morning, Guru ji came to the place of the Baoli.  There was a great crowd with Guru ji.  Everyone waited with patience.  The true Guru, Guru Amardas ji called out: “oh Manak, come out of the pure water and meet the Sangat.  Your name is Manak.  Manaks (gems) only give happiness to people.  Your mother is in pain.  Come out and meet your mother.”  Everyone was watching carefully.  High caste and low caste were watching.  They saw a body floating on top of the water.  Manak came out of the Baoli.  He had been there for three days.  Everyone was amazed to see Bhai Manak come out of the Baoli, alive.  The Sangat helped him out.  Bhai Manak went to Guru ji’s feet and bowed to him.  The Sikhs were filled with more love and devotion.  Guru ji’s words were true.  Guru ji was happy with Bhai Manak and said: “you will now a receive a Manji from the Guru.  Go and preach Sikhi now.  Go and tell the path of Sikhi to all.  They will all worship you.”  Guru ji then gave him the Manji and gave him a Siropa in front of everyone.  He gave him many powers: Riddhis and Siddhis.  Guru ji said to him: “you now have bhugti and mukti.”  His praise was spread in the Guru’s house.  Guru ji named him “Jeevara”.  His generations were known as “Jeevras.”  The Navisindh continued: “this is how it all happened.  Guru Amardas ji sat near the Baoli and said: “listen Sangat, this Baoli is as Ganga.  Whoever comes here and bathes, they will receive the same reward as bathing in the Ganga.  The water of Baoli is purer, as it has 84 steps.  If a person does 84 recitations of Japji Sahib, while bathing each time in the Baoli, they will not enter the birth cycle of 84 lakh species.  They like receive mukti from birth and death.  They will live connected to the feet of the Satguru.”  The Navisindh told his accounts of Goindwal.  Akbar was happy to hear all this.  He had faith, love and devotion for Guru ji in his heart.  He wanted to meet Guru ji now.

2-10 Akbar gives Guru ji the deed to many Villages

Akbar heard the praises of Guru ji and was really happy.  He said to the Navisindh: “Guru ji is the giver of happiness.  I should go and meet him.  We will go and visit him when we go to Lahore.  Goindwal is on the way from Delhi to Lahore.” 

In this way, Akbar headed towards Lahore and stopped along the way.  He set up camp near the Beas and sat there, happy.  The Navisindh remembered what he saw in Goindwal and reminded Akbar to see Guru ji.  Akbar heard the Navisindh’s words and got ready to see Guru ji.  He collected many gifts of diamonds, pearls, jewels, gold and clothes and headed towards Guru ji’s home.  He had the glory of Satguru ji in his heart and walked bare-foot towards Guru ji’s home.   His Pathaan and Mughal officers were with him too, who wanted to see Guru ji as well.  They were all wearing royal clothes and jewellery.  When they reached Goindwal, they took their shoes off, in respect of the village of the Guru.  Akbar had faith and devotion in his heart for Guru ji.  He thought to himself: “I would like Guru ji to be happy with me.”  The Badshah had all the royal regalia on.  He had all his officers with him.  Akbar was wearing a pearl necklace with other precious gems.  He was wearing other jewellery, with rare and precious gems.  When Akbar reached Guru ji’s court, he saw Guru ji’s radiant form.  Akbar folded his hands and bowed.  He said to Guru ji: “Babaji, I bow to you.”  He placed his head on Guru ji’s feet.  He was given permission to sit in the court.  Akbar sat down near Guru ji, with devotion in his heart.  He said to Guru ji: “there is no one else like you, just like there is no one else like Khuddah.  Your words come out to be true.  I have heard your glory from the whole world.  It is the glory of Sri Nanak ji.  He saw Hindu and Muslim as the same.  The Muslims called him their Peer and the Hindus saw him as their Guru.  Guru ji’s glory and power can be seen everywhere.  The places where his miracles happened can still be seen today.  You are the same form as Guru Nanak.  You are all-powerful.  I saw great benefit in seeing you.  You completed a great task for me.  Please accept the gifts I have brought.  Please see me as a servant of the Guru’s home.  I would like to give you the Jageer of some villages.  I will sign over the deed and Jageer of these villages to you, which you would like.  I will write the “Patta” (deed registration) of those villages right now.  In the future, if there is anything else you would like me to do, please send any of your servants and I will complete the task for you.  I will see myself fortunate to serve you.”  Guru ji heard Akbar’s words and said: “Badshah, these gifts that you have placed in front of me, and the deeds of the villages that you wish to give me, these are all good for you.  These things bind you in happiness and sorrow.  I am a Sadhoo that lives in a single-state of mind.  Who will take care of the administration of these villages?  We only accept gifts valued as a day’s worth of Langar.  If someone places money in front of me, we only take as much is needed for one day’s worth of Langar.  The Sangat eats the Langar.  That is all I like.”  Akbar and the officers heard Guru ji’s words.  They folded their hands and requested Guru ji: “we know that you don’t care for these things and we know that you don’t care what people think, but it is our desire to give you all this.  We wish to give you these Jageers for the Langar.  Only you are the giver and the whole world is the seeker/beggar.  Whatever comes from your mouth, that becomes true.  You have everything you need, but please let us offer the deed to the villages.  This will be a sense of pride for us that you accepted our gifts.  We will have more faith in you.  If you do not accept these gifts, we will be sad and would think that you are not happy with us.  You are omniscient, you know everything.  The Jageer (taxes) from the villages will be used for the Langar and will be for the Sangat.  It won’t be like you’re using it.  To run these villages, your command is more than enough.  Please tell us which villages you would like.  To visit you, it will be a reward for us that you accept our gift.  We will be happy if you accept these gifts.  We are very happy to see you.  All of us will be happy if you accept this.  We don’t wish to speak in front of you too much.  This is disrespectful of us.”  Satguru ji heard their request and looked towards the future.  He knew that a Teerath needs to be established with a great pool of Amrit that will save many people by bathing in it.  Guru ji thought of everything and then said: “you may do as you wish, then.  This will be for the Satsangat.  It will be a place to do the Simran of Hari and eat the Langar of Prabhoo, with love.”  The Badshah heard Guru ji’s words and was really happy.  He had devotion in his heard and wrote the Patta right away.  He wrote a Patta for 22 villages under Guru ji’s name.  He wrote the names of the villages and the direction of the taxes for Guru ji.  The area of Jhabaal and Beer was inside the radius, along with many other villages.  Akbar was happy to present this to Guru ji and saw his life a success; to be able to serve the Guru.  He understood that Guru ji was happy with him; that his gift was accepted.  He felt happy, knowing Guru ji was happy with him.  His devotion grew towards Guru ji.  He folded his hands and said to Guru ji: “Guru ji, I am blessed today.”  He bowed to Guru ji’s feet and took leave from Guru ji’s court.  He was given a Siropa from Guru ji.  He received the Siropa and placed it on his head.  He bowed and went back to his camp.

Akbar talked about Guru ji as he headed back to his camp: “he is a complete Saint whose words come out to be true.  Meeting him, fulfills all your desires.  He is so old.  It is good we got to meet him.  Even though his body is old, his face is very radiant.  He sits on the throne, but you see the light of all virtues inside him.  Greed, jealousy or other vices don’t even come close to him.”  Akbar kept talking about Guru ji and slept the night.  The next day, Akbar headed towards Lahore. 

When the people of the villages, that Akbar signed over to Guru ji, found out, they were happy.  They were happy that the taxes were now going to go towards Guru ji and not some Chaudhary.  They figured that this was a blessing for them as their money would go towards Langar.  They saw Guru ji as their owner and Landlord.  They brought gifts and money to Guru ji.  There was a celebration in those villages as well as Goindwal, knowing that Guru ji was now the Landlord of so many villages.  Guru ji held a court and called Sri Guru Ramdas ji to him.  He told everyone to give Guru Ramdas ji the gifts and money.  He made Guru Ramdas ji the Landlord of the villages.  The people of the villages that came, their responsibility was handed to Guru Ramdas Ji: “your owner is Guru Ramdas ji now.  His children or his Sikhs will be your masters.”  The leaders of the villages that came, they were respected and given Dastaars.  The villagers went back to the village.  Baba Bhudda ji was the head administrator of all the new villages.  He was to collect all the taxes and make sure that Degh and Langar was constant.  The taxes were to be portions of the harvest, decided by the famers themselves.  It was not a set amount.  It was as much as the farmers wanted to give.  Thousands of Sikhs were to take part in the Langar.  The Sikhs were given the responsibility to till the new land.  Guru Ramdas ji was the owner of all the land.  Sri Amritsar Sahib ji was part of these 22 villages.  It was known as Guru ka Chak at that time.  Guru Ramdas ji’s command was to be the highest in those villages.  Many Sikhs in the villages were responsible to bring the taxes to the Guru’s house.  Baba Bhudda ji would direct the farming responsibilities in the villages.  He was in charge of expenditure and administration.