4-21 Going to Goindwal

Satguru Arjan Dev ji, the master of the universe, was without worries.  He was blessing the Sangat and connecting them with bliss.  This world was false.  He spent some time like this after the wedding.  Thousands of Sikhs came to Guru ji.  Guru ji would give them the wisdom of Satnam.  He would tell them to share their earnings, do Seva and do the Simran of Satnam.  Many Sikhs received limitless powers and Moksha.  Guru ji cut their bounds along with pain and troubles.  The Sikhs did the Seva with faith and devotion.  Their sins were washed away.  They became Brahmgyaani, great beings.  Many stayed with Guru ji for the rest of their lives and experienced the bliss of being in his presence.  Many Sikhs achieved Brahmgyaan and went to far off lands to preach Sikhi.  They would take leave from Guru ji to spread the word of Sikhi.  They would think of Guru ji’s feet, recite Bani and do Simran.  Their minds became still.  Thinking of Guru ji, washed the impurities of the wandering mind.  Their faith in Guru ji was undeterred.  As others met these Sikhs, they became Brahmgyaanis as well.  They inspired many Sikhs in different lands.  They accepted the will of Guru Sahib and rose above happiness and sorrow.  Joy and pain were the same for them.  It was the radiance of the Gurbani that turned these people into great beings.  The Sikhs worked hard to memorize Gurbani with love.  Just as snakes catch frogs and eat them, Gurbani eats sins; the way the fire consumes a jungle; lioness attacks deer; the vices are hunted in the same way.  The Gurbani connects one to Akaal Purakh.  Gurbani is the mother of Brahmgyaan.  No Gyaan can be born without Gurbani.  Gurbani kills the attachments of the mind.  Attachment is the vice that bounds one to the cycle of birth and death.  Gurbani fulfills the wishes of the reciter.  It illuminates emotions in the mind.  The vices of the world are destroyed and Vairagya (detachment of pleasure and material objects) grows by Gurbani.  It produces love for Satnam in the heart.  Prema Bhagti is born by Gurbani.  It destroys the urge to think or talk bad about others.  The Sikhs are blessed by reading Gurbani.  They become one with their Aatma.  They can feel and realize their Aatma.  The reason that the Satguru came into this world was to bless all the people.  The Satguru is benevolent.  Guru ji would give wisdom everyday which made Bhagti and Gyaan grow in a person.  Keertan and Katha would happen everyday.  On special days, Sikhs would come to receive wisdom of Satnam.  Guru ji would give them the blessing of Satnam.  Sikhs would come with gifts.  Their bounds would be washed away.

One day, Guru Arjan Dev ji was sitting in Harmandhir Sahib and blessing the Sikhs; Baba Mahadev ji came to Amritsar and bathed in the Sarovar.  He then went to meet his brother.  Guru ji had him sit near him with respect.  Baba Mahadev ji would attempt to bow to Guru Arjan Dev ji, everyday, but Guru ji would grab his hands before he could bow.  He would respectfully have his elder brother sit close to him.  As Baba Mahadev ji sat down, the Rababis were singing Shabads in various Raags with deep love.  Baba Mahadev ji loved listening to Keertan.  When the Chownki was complete, Guru Arjan Dev ji said: “Baba ji, you have blessed us with your presence.  Please command us.  I follow your command.  You are a Sadhoo who is still and drenched in Brahmgyaan.  You always speak with wisdom.  You are the son of Guru Ramdas ji and my elder brother.  You are in Brahmgyaan like a fish in water.”  Baba Mahadev ji was happy to hear this and said to his brother: “humility is your personality and this is your way.  You are the Guru Supreme.  You are the master of the universe but you still praise me.  There is no other like you.  I am your Sikh but this is the sign of great beings.  They always call themselves as lower.  They only praise others.  They hide their greatness and talk lowly of themselves.  You see me as your elder brother but it is “you” who is great.  You have all the greatness.  You sit on the throne of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji.  I see you just as I see the elder Gurus.  I have a firm faith that you are the same form of Pithaji.  I didn’t know this before.  I saw you as my younger brother but now I know that you are Akaal Purakh.  I fold my hands and make a request to you.  Our grandfather Guru Amardas ji, his family lives in Goindwal.  Our Mammajis love us dearly.  The day of the Joti Jot (departing from this Earth) anniversary of Guru Amardas ji is near.  I would like to go to Goindwal for that day.  The Sangat will come there and they will see you too.  It will be a rewarding time.  I would like your permission to go.  It would be good if you can come too.  I would like to stay there for some time.  We were all born there and I would like to meet our maternal grandfather’s family.  If I have any life left, I will come back.  If I die there, please forgive me.”  Guru Arjan Dev ji heard him and laughed.  He said: “you are great Baba ji!  You are wise.  I will go with you as well.  We will visit our grandfather’s place.  We will celebrate the full moon day there.  The whole family will get together where we were born.  There are great rewards in visiting that blessed land.  My heart remains there all the time.  My mind is very happy when we all go there.”  In this way, the brothers decided to go to Goindwal.  Baba Mahadev ji was happy that Guru ji was going with him.  The brothers started talking about their Satguru, Guru Amardas ji.  They remembered his words, his actions and the events of his life.  They praised their grandfather: “Guru ji did not let the jumms come to Goindwal for 22 years.  He was the philosopher’s stone who would make spoiled iron into gold.  He was the Bhavan Chandan (dwarf sandalwood) that spread the smell of Sikhi far and wide.  He made many Sikhs into Brahmgyaanis and gave them many powers.  So powerful, that the Devatas were helpless in front of them.  The Devatas become the slaves of those Sikhs.  Whatever words came from the mouths of those Sikhs, the beings of all three worlds had to obey.  Guru ji spread Sikhi far and wide.  He fulfilled the wishes of thousands.  He washed away the poison of the vices and made his Sikhs free from pain.  He blessed our father, leaving his sons and others.  He gave him the Gurta Ghaddi and made him great.  Jumms, illnesses and troubles were not allowed to come into Goindwal.  We cannot count all of Guru Amardas ji’s qualities.”  Guru Arjan Dev ji got up and went home.  The Sikhs went to their homes.  At night time, Guru ji ate and rested. 

In the morning, Guru ji woke up at Amritvela.  He bathed and did his daily cleansing routines.  He got ready to go to Goindwal.  Baba Mahadev ji was with Guru ji along with other Sikhs who wanted to go.  Sri Hargobind ji, the moon-faced, strong and handsome warrior, came to meet his father.  Guru Arjan Dev ji blessed his son.  Sri Hargobind ji bowed to his father.  Guru Arjan Dev ji headed for Goindwal with the Masands, servants and Sikhs.  They all shouted jaikaras of Guru Amardas ji, Guru Ramdas ji and Guru Arjan Dev ji.  They all travelled and came to Khadoor Sahib first.  Baba Dhatu ji heard of Guru ji’s arrival and came out to meet him.  He took everyone to Khadoor Sahib and had them stay with him.  A throne and bed were set for Guru ji.  His hands were washed.  Guru ji then went with Baba Dhatu ji to visit the place of Guru Angad Dev ji.  He presented money there and did an Ardaas.  He stood there with his hands folded and thought of Guru Angad Dev ji.  A lot of Prashaad, Karah and dry fruits were distributed there.  Food for Langar was given there.  Guru ji bowed to all the places of Guru Angad Dev ji and did the Parkarma of those places, four times.  The Sangat did the Parkarma as well.  Guru ji then went to his place of rest.  Baba Dhatu ji did the Seva of Guru ji and the Sikhs.  At night time, Guru ji slept.

In the morning, Guru ji got up, bathed and got ready.  He headed towards Goindwal Sahib in the morning.  By afternoon they reached Goindwal Sahib.  Baba Mohri ji and the rest of the family came to receive Guru Arjan Dev ji.  The killer of the sinners was here with the Sikhs.  Baba Mohri ji met Guru ji.  His family came to meet Guru ji ahead of the way.  They all bowed to Guru ji and welcomed him.  They did the Parkarma of Guru ji and they all asked how each other was.  They prepared Guru ji’s stay in a beautiful house.  A beautiful bed was set for Guru ji.  Many foods were brought for Guru ji.  Guru ji slept the night after eating.

In the morning, Guru ji woke up an Amritvela and went to bathe at the Baoli Sahib.  The Sangat bathed there too.  They all went to Chabarra Sahib and bowed afterwards.  They met the family of Guru Amardas ji with love.  They had discussions of Aatam Gyaan there.  There were a lot of Brahmgyaanis there.  Guru ji spoke with love and listened to the words of the present great beings as well.  It was a blissful time.  Guru Arjan Dev ji spent a few days and then the full moon day of Guru Amardas ji’s Joti Jot Day came.  The people of Dallay village came and met Guru ji and the Sangat.  Ghee, sugar, sweets, rice and other foods came for the Langar.  A lot of food was gathered.  Langar was distributed.  Many Sikhs were doing Seva in the Langar.  Some brought water and some brought firewood.  Some were cooking in many ways.  The Sangat sat in lines and ate Langar while doing Simran.  Guru Arjan Dev ji was doing Seva.  He took water and washed the feet of his elders.  Baba Mahadev ji was doing the Seva of washing the Sangat’s feet as well.  Guru Arjan Dev ji washed the hands and feet of the Sangat.  Guru ji and Baba ji distributed the Langar.  Baba Mohri ji, Baba Anand ji, and Baba Mohan ji did Seva of the Sangat.  This was the Yagna of Guru Amardas ji.  Everyone wanted to do Seva in this great Yagna.  Langar was the Yagna.  Many were doing Seva and many were eating.  Daals and other foods were distributed.  Thousands came to this day.  Sikhs from far and wide came.  The Sangat sat in Pangats.  The beggars came to beg.  Their wishes were fulfilled.  It was a big day of the full moon.  Everyone was happy praising Guru Amardas ji.  They got to meet Guru Arjan Dev ji as well. The Sangat was happy to meet him.  They came and met him with love.  In this way, the Mela of Pooranmaashi happened.  Many people came to meet Guru ji.  The Sikhs said: “the reward of coming today is the same as meeting Guru Amardas ji.  Guru Amardas ji is present today.  The greatness cannot be fully said.”  The Sangat then slowly started to go to their homes after the event.  After a few days everyone went home.  Guru Arjan Dev ji stayed with Baba Mohan ji and Baba Mohri ji.

4-22 Baba Mahadev ji Passes to the Other World

The Yagna Langar of the Pooranmaashi day of Guru Amardas ji’s Joti Jot day gave the same reward as meeting Guru Amardas ji.  Many Sikhs attended.  Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji stayed in Goindwal and held great Sat Sangs.  Keertan and Katha were continuous.  There were many discussions about Aatam Gyaan that happened all the time: the body is temporary which is an illusion.  By doing Simran, day and night the love will grow for Parmeshwar.  Guru Arjan Dev ji would give wisdom to everyone which would drench them in Bhagti.  Keertan would start at 2 am.  The Rababis would do Keertan in various Raags.  Guru Arjan Dev ji, Baba Mohri ji and others would sit and listen to Keertan.  They would ponder on the Gurbani with their Aatma.  The people would believe that the world is a myth of Maya.  They would take their attention inside their Aatma.  These great Munis would sit like Sadhoos sitting with Kapil Rishi.  Kapil Rishi’s students would discuss the reality of the world.  They would identify it as a myth.

Baba Mahadev ji looked at the radiance of his brother and received wisdom.  He thought to himself: “he is younger than me but I feel calm looking at him.  His words and presence give me Gyaan.  Relationships are mythical.  He is Akaal Purakh.  He is Guru Ramdas ji’s form.”  Baba Mahadev ji knew it was time for him to leave his body.  He saw Goindwal Sahib as the best place to leave his body.  One day, Baba Mahadev ji visited Guru Arjan Dev ji in private.  He sat close to his brother.  He said to Guru ji: “Sri Satguru ji, you are seated on Guru Nanak Dev ji’s throne.  You are Parmeshwar.  I saw you as my younger brother.  Please forgive me.  You are Ishwar, I am a Jeev.  You have won Maya, I am ignorant.  Please tell me what the Aatma is.  Who am I?  How can these bonds of pain be broken?  How did the Aatma get bound into the cycle of birth of death?  Please tell me Satguru ji.”  Guru ji noticed the faith and devotion of his brother.  He noticed that his brother’s end time was near.  It was time for him to receive the Gyaan.  He was deserving of the Gyaan.  He would understand Brahmgyaan.  Guru ji said: “listen brother, this will be easy for you as you as now deserving and wise.  I am going to open the treasure for you.  The Aatma came into the bounds by its own will.  Only the Aatma will have to come out of it.  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji says:

Salok M:1

Nanak, burn this body (the attachment to it), which is deserving to be burnt because it forgot the Name..

Just as trash gathers on top of the water (the sins gathering in the mind); the hand cannot reach the water (the Aatma cannot be seen); the water is underneath..1..

(SGGS 789)

The Jeev is caught in the bonds.  The Aatma is like a Sarovar/pond.  The Aatma began to think it was the body as soon as it was born.  One thinks “I am a Brahman, Kshatriya or some other caste or religion.”  One thinks of themselves as many forms but this is in fact just trash on top of the Sarovar/pond.  These identifications are nothing but trash on top of the Aatma.  The real form is covered. “Ahang Brahm Asmi,” I am the true Brahm form.  The Jeev forgot this.  When the Aatma thought it was the body, ego formed.  The other vices followed after.  It was like the grass on top of the trash.  The Jeev got caught in this.  Ego and attachment developed.  “Me and mine,” this is what the Jeev saw.  “My son, my wife, my house, my money.”  This was the layer that covered the Aatma.  It got worse and worse.  The water couldn’t be reached.  The consciousness could not reach the Aatma.  The whole life was spent in this way.  The Satguru gives wisdom on how to remove this trash and reach the Aatma.  Effort will be required.  A person suffers pain because of ego and attachment.  Look how unwise the Jeev is, he/she thinks pain is pleasure.  The Jeev asks for wealth and prosperity; which is the root of pain.  The outwardly consciousness gives rise to desires.  The desires give birth to more lives.  These desires multiply and grow exponentially.  Let go of this curtain of ego and attachment.  The ones who renounce this can see their Aatma.  The mind is attached to the senses, the “Indriyas.”  This bond gives a lot of pain.  The mind believes it is the senses.  When one stops believing this and goes inside, one becomes calm.  This is called “Mukti,” when the consciousness becomes one with the Aatma.  The saints and Vedas say this too.  The “Bhuddi,” wisdom, then only sees the Aatma.  The senses cannot sense the Aatma.  Only the Bhuddi can experience the Aatma.  When one knows the Aatma, it becomes one with it.  It becomes pure bliss.  Desires do not arise then.  The cycle of birth and death is broken.  Truth and false can be seen clearly.  The world is false and Aatma is true.  They let go of the false.  The consciousness goes in and then it knows the Aatma.  There is nothing outside the body.  Everything is inside.”  Baba Mahadev ji listened to his brother and closed his eyes.  He took his consciousness inside and went into Samadhi.  His mind stopped moving.  His “chit,” heart, was in pure bliss.  He sat there for 6 hours in Samadhi.  He was unaware of the body.  Guru Arjan Dev ji grabbed his arm and said: “brother, your consciousness is great!  You are the son of the Guru, that’s why you reached Brahmgyaan so quickly.  You reached this in a few seconds which takes others thousands of births.  This was because you were pure from the inside and outside.  You have seen the inside Samadhi, now look at the outside Samadhi.  Look!  You are everywhere.  There is no difference between you and the existence.  The world is your form.  Brahm is what you see and Brahm is what you hear.  There is nothing else.  Awake, sleep, walking and sitting; you will be in the same state.”  Baba Mahadev ji opened his eyes and looked at his brother.  He understood and knew the greatness of his brother.  He was at peace.  He was in the supreme Samadhi.  He saw everything as one.  He knew that there was only one Aatma, like space.  There is space in the pot, room and sky.  There is only Aatma.  There is only Brahm.  He bowed to his brother and got up.  He said: “what happened? There is no love or hatred; no attachment and no Maya.  The curtain, the covering is gone.  I know only the One.”  His sins, his mind’s wandering and ignorance was all gone.  He stayed in Goindwal for a few more days.  He was in bliss.  He was in complete wisdom.

After a few days, Guru Arjan Dev ji said to his brother: “brother, it is time for you to let your go of your body and go to Sach Khand.  You will let go of your body in 2 days.  Leave your body in Goindwal.  Many great people left from this place.  Many Sikhs are here as well.  The family of Guru Amardas ji is here.  Our father and our maternal grandfather left from here.  Just as an elephant can wear a flower garland around its neck and break it with ease, you can let your body go and be one with the Brahm.”  Baba Mahadev ji was happy to hear that it was his time to go to Sach Khand.  Baba Mahadev ji said: “there is nothing left to do now.  There is no worry towards the body.  The good task of Simran is done.  I am immortal.  I am permanent.  I will not be born, nor will I die again.  This body is a myth.  It is temporary.”  He was in the state of ultimate bliss.  The doubt and illusion were gone. 

Two days passed and Baba Mahadev ji’s time had come.  He thought to himself: “it is time for me to go.”  He went to his brother and sat down near him.  He said: “it is time for me to go.”  Guru Arjan Dev ji called the whole family.  Baba Mohri ji came with the whole family.  Baba Mohri ji loved Baba Mahadev ji dearly.  Baba Sansram ji, Baba Arthmal ji, Baba Arjaani Mal ji, Baba Sundar ji and Baba Anand ji came.  The Sangat came.  Bhai Satta ji and Bhai Balwand ji came.  Guru ji told them to do Keertan.  The Keertan started by Bhai Satta ji and Balwand ji.  They sang Shabads in Raag Maaroo and Raag Vadhans.  Baba Mahadev ji saw the whole family and Sangat.  He folded his hands and gave his final farewell to all.  He said: “please forgive me for anything I may have done to upset you.  The Sangat is gracious.  Please forgive me.  Bless me that I may be one with the Guru.  I don’t wish to be stuck in attachment.  I wish to stay connected to the Brahm.”  The Sikhs folded their hands and began to shed tears.  They all bowed to Baba Mahadev ji.  Baba Mohri ji began to shed tears along with the other family.  Baba Mahadev ji laid down at the feet of Guru Arjan Dev ji and covered his whole body with a sheet.  He left his body and became one with Guru Arjan Dev ji.  He was one with the Brahm.  Everyone said: “you are great!  You are Dhan.”  Everyone praised Baba Mahadev ji.  They began to do Simran of Satnam out loud.  The Sangat said: “this whole world looks like soil now.” 

Guru Arjan Dev ji gave out the orders to prepare for the cremation.  Water was brought from the Baoli and Baba Mahadev ji’s body was bathed with it.  His body was dressed in new clothes.  A beautiful palanquin was prepared for his body.  Flower garlands were hung from it.  Rich cloth was added to it.  Sandalwood and other essences were sprayed on it.  They brought his body to the shores of the Beas River.  A pyre of sandalwood was prepared.  Guru Arjan Dev ji along with Baba Mohri ji, Baba Bhudda ji, Bhai Gurdas ji and other Sikhs lifted the Palanquin on top of their shoulders.  The conches were played along with Keertan.  The Sangat waived chaurs on top of the Palanquin.  The shore of the Beas was calm.  Baba Mahadev ji’s body was set on top of the Sandalwood pyre.  Guru Arjan Dev ji picked up a lit torch.  Guru ji lit the pyre and began to shed tears.  He could be heard crying out loud.  Everyone saw Guru ji shed tears and began to cry themselves.  Baba Bhudda ji calmed everyone down and told them not to shed tears: “don’t mourn the death of the saint.  This is the reality of life.  The body is a myth and is destined to be destroyed.  No body remained on this earth.  Everyone has to go.  Our meetings are finite, just as meeting other passengers on a ferry, crossing a river.  Pieces of grass come together in the river and then separate as the flow gets stronger.  This is how the meetings of bodies are.  The Gyani understands this.  What is the point of being sad about the body?  It is going to go one day.  The body is forever changing.  The Aatma is the only truth and never changes.  The Aatma that is free is great.”  After the cremation, Keertan Sohila was recited.  Everyone bathed in the Beas.  The Rababis did Keertan in Vadhans followed by a Pauri in the same Raag.  They gave their commemoration to Baba Mahadev ji and distributed Karah Prashaad.  Everyone slowly made their way to the village.

The senior saints all gathered near Baoli Sahib.  The Rababis did Keertan during a Divaan.  Many people came to give their condolences.  Some people came and left.  They praised Guru ji.  People from other villages came to meet Guru Arjan Dev ji and offer their condolences.  Everyone said: “Baba Mahadev ji was great.  He has left.”  After 3 days, his ashes were collected and placed in the Beas.  Guru ji stayed in Goindwal for 2 more days to complete all the rituals.  Keertan and Langar was done as per Baba Mohri ji’s instructions.  Everyone was very sad and in mourning.  Baba Mohri ji was in deep mourning.  The whole family was in mourning.

Baba Mahadev ji was born in 1607 Vikram.  He lived for 55 years and 2 months.  1662 Vikram, 4^th of Bhadron (August/September) was the day the Guru’s son went to Sach Khand.  Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji left Goindwal with the Sangat and came back to Amritsar.  Guru ji continued to drench the Sikhs with Bhagti. 

4-23 The Praises of Sri Guru ji

In this way, Sri Satguru ji spent time in Amritsar after coming from Goindwal Sahib.  He blessed many Sikhs and spread the teachings of Sikhi in the world.  Sri Hargobind Chand ji was growing like the moon from the second day of the new moon.  He would ride strong horses.  The horses would ride fast and it would look like they were flying.  They would dance like peacocks.  Sri Hargobind ji would ride 2 horses at a time sometimes.  He would practice archery on the horse and go hunting with Baba Bidhi Chand Sahib ji.  He was 10 years old but he was an expert archer.  His arrows were dangerous, like the cobra snake.  There was so much skill in his archery.  He would release 5 arrows at a time to hit their targets, accurately.  Baba Bhudda ji taught him this skill.  The arrows would pass through his targets.  He was young-aged but he looked like he was 18 years old.  Both of his arms looked like elephant trunks.  His arms reached his knees.  He would practice Shaster Vidya but didn’t want to upset his father.  His shoulders were high and wide.  His biceps and traps were solid.  His fingers were long and solid.  His grip was unmatched.  The lines on his palms were of fortunate kings and saints.  He had the “Much Akaar Rekha” on his palm which was a sign of great emperors.  It was a sign of kings that will sit on big thrones.  His chest was wide and he had 3 lines on his abdomens.  He had a dimple on his chin.  His lips were red.  His face was fierce that could scare a lion.  He had the skill of warriors.  He practiced Shaster Vidya, wrestling and sprinting all day long.  He was the manifestation of the Warrior Spirit who came to free the land.  He was growing by the day and the Mughals’ radiance were decreasing. 

The Sikhs looked at Sri Hargobind ji’s ways and thought to themselves: “this Satguru will be a warrior.  He will kill the sinners.”  Some said: “we don’t like what he is doing.  It is not good for the Guru to fight.  The saints should have a mala and a “Saili Topi.”  The royal lifestyle does not fit this seat of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  He is a child now.  When he grows up, he will let go of the warriorism.  He will follow the ways of his fathers and forefathers when he grows up.”  Some other Sikhs said: “he will be different.  He won’t follow the previous Gurus.  He loves weapons.  His forehead has the radiance of kings.  He loves weapons.  He will be a king.  He will fight wars.  Baba Bhudda ji told his mother, Mata Ganga ji, that her son will be a warrior.  Baba Bhudda ji’s words are always true.  When he said that the Guru’s family is coming with anxiousness.  Guru ji then moved around quite a bit.  Baba ji crushed the onion and thundering clouds came.  Baba Bhudda ji said it will be so.  Guru ji left to go to Vadaali.  This prediction will be true as well.  Baba Bhudda ji said that the Guru will punish the Mughals.  He will keep weapons.”  Everyone looked towards Sri Hargobind ji and saw him the way they wanted to.  They made many predictions about his lifestyle. 

When Sri Hargobind ji would come to see his father, he would bow to him humbly.  He would keep his eyes closed while sitting in the Divaan.  He was so radiant that the Sangat would keep looking at his face.  His body was very big and strong.  Enemies would be crushed just by his radiance.  Guru Arjan Dev ji would take him in his lap and give him wisdom: “son, you are to do things that gives peace and joy to the Sikh Sangat.  Respect the Gursikhs and be by their side.  This tradition was started by Guru Nanak Dev ji and the other Gurus.  Memorize the Gurbani and recite it in the morning.  Listen to Keertan with love and take care of the Dharma.  Wake up at Amritvela and bathe.  Take your mind inside and do Simran.  Connect with your real self, the Sat, Chit and Anand.  Visit the Sangat when the sun comes up.”  Guru ji gave Sri Hargobind ji the wisdom and put his hand on his head.  Guru ji looked at his son’s radiance and relished in the happiness. 

Sangat from every direction came and brought many gifts.  Guru ji would fulfill their wishes.  Sangat from Dhakka and the east came.  They came in groups and brought money and gifts.  Sikhs from the south came.  They came and received Sikhi.  Many Sikhs from Hyderabad and came to listen to Keertan.  They praised Guru ji and washed their wisdom of their vices.  The Sikhs from the west came.  They came with faith and devotion.  They came from Balak Bakara, Sindh, Kabul and Kandahar.  They came and brought many gifts for Guru Arjan Dev ji.  From the north, Sikhs came from Kashmir and other places.  They brought gifts native to their region.  Two Jor melas happened a year and the Sikhs met the Sangat.  Guru Arjan Dev ji would tell everyone about the praises of Amritsar Sahib.  The Sikhs would recite Bani and be filled with devotion.  Guru ji’s praises spread everywhere.  Just as mercury, Sharda and Naarad are pure white, Guru ji’s pure praises spread in every home.  The fragrant of the Guru’s praises spread like roses and jasmine.  It spread like the Amrit from the full moon.  Guru Arjan Dev ji was benevolent, everyone knew this.  He was able to pick up the great weight of the Gurta Ghaddi.  Guru ji had no ego in his mind and carried on his tasks as normal human beings did.  He gave wisdom to all with love.  Guru ji gave powers to many Sikhs.  They had Riddhis and Siddhis.  The ones who stayed with Guru ji and did Seva Simran, they received all the gifts they could think of.  Guru ji was the master of all the powers but he never showed anyone how powerful he was.  He could tolerate the intolerable.  He was able to contain all his powers after being infinite.  He gave the gift of Satnam to all along with Bhagti.  He gave Brahm Gyaan to the Sikhs according to their levels.  The Masands from different lands preached Sikhi.  They brought their Sangats to Amritsar.  The lead the Sangat and came in big groups.  The Masands brought the Dasvands of the Sikhs fort their lands, every 6 months.  As the money came, the expenditure was just as much.  Langar was distributed openly 2 times a day.  Thousands came everyday to eat Langar.  Some came and went and some lived with Guru ji.  The Masands would be given Siropas.  The Masands would receive money for their household expenses as well.  There was a lot of expenditure.  The Rababis did Keertan and received a lot of money.  There were expenses for bulls and horses as well.  The horses were in stables which was costly.  There were workers that took care of the horses.  They were paid.  Many other people lived with Guru ji and worked for a living.  The ones who couldn’t find work, came to Amritsar and stayed there.  They ate from the Langar and did Seva along with Simran.  Guru ji was the support of all.  Everyone ate from the Guru’s home.  Guru ji said: “do Simran of Satnam and eat from the Langar.”  The Sangat would come together and sing Guru ji’s praises.  They would let go of their vices and do Bhagti.  They would listen to and sing Keertan with great love of Prabhoo.  Guru ji started a Ganga of Bhagti in the whole land.  The Sikhs were like fish in this river.  The Sikhs couldn’t leave the Bhagti like a fish not being able to leave the water.  Just as Ganga takes the trees from its shores, the river of Bhagti takes the doubt and atheism from the mind.  The doubt in the mind is what makes one see the world as true.  Just as a rope in the dark seems to be a snake, this world looks real but in fact it is just the one Brahm.  Brahm Gyaan is like the ocean.  The Bhagti is the river that takes one to this ocean.  Ganga can’t be everywhere at once but Guru Arjan Dev ji’s Bhagti Ganga is accessible by all and reaches every home.  Guru ji’s praises can’t be all written.  Shaishnaag and Sharda cannot praise Guru ji fully.  They are shy to say anything.  Guru ji, the Parmeshwar, took on a human’s body and did all the tasks of normal people.  He hid his real form. 

4-24 Jahangir goes to Kashmir

Guru Ji’s radiance and praises grew by the day which made Prithi Chand jealous.  He was in pain and didn’t like to eat anything.  The praise of the Guru was like ghee that made Prithi Chand’s fire of jealousy burn higher.  Guru ji’s praises was like the monsoon rain that made Prithi Chand’s heart burn like the Juvasa plant (which burns with water).  His worries grew by the day and he was drowning in them.  The water of his pain got higher.  He was not able to find the shore of calmness.  Karmo was upset to see her husband.  She would try to give him hope: “this worry is making your body burn by the day.  You are going weaker.  You don’t like to eat or drink properly.  You are not happy anymore.  There is no bigger enemy than worry itself.  It goes inside you to kill you.  Do something to fix this.  There is not a bigger friend than inspiration.  Sulhi was your friend but he died.  Now Chandoo, the Emperor’s Divaan is our only hope.  Meet him and find a solution to kill your brother.  Give your friend inspiration.  A person full of inspiration can do anything.  Worrying about things will just kill a person.  Write a letter to your friend Chandoo.  See what he can do for you and what you can do for him.  Give him hope so that our enemy can be killed.  He is not a small person, he can do what he wants to.  Chandoo can arrest Guru Arjan Dev ji or kill him.  You can get the Gurta Ghaddi if you meet with the Emperor.  The Sangat will start coming to you then.”  After Karmo spoke to Prithi Chand, Prithi Chand wrote a letter to Chandoo: “Divaan ji, I am depending on you.  I think about you, day and night.  You haven’t tried to kill our enemy yet.  What are you waiting for?  I bless you all the time.  May you prosper and be on good terms with the Emperor.”  This letter was set to Chandoo.  The messenger was told to go at once.

The messenger headed to Delhi and met the Divaan.  He said to Chandoo: “Guru Prithi Chand has sent you a letter with a painful heart.”  Chandoo read the letter and figured out Prithi Chand’s state.  He wrote a letter right away: “how did you think I forgot about my enemy?  I see my unmarried daughter and I am in pain.  It feels like there is a sharp object in my chest.  It hurts me a lot.  My enemy is praised after marrying his son.  My daughter is still not married.  I don’t like to eat food.  My eyes do not close at night.  I can’t eat or sleep.  I am waiting for the Emperor to go to Lahore.  I will come with the Emperor.  I have to stay with him.  I will arrest Guru Arjan Dev ji and kill him.  This is definite.  I will have my revenge.  I will get the Gurta Ghaddi for you.  The Emperor will write the Patta for the Gurta Ghaddi and make you the owner of Amritsar.  Your radiance and wealth will grow.  The Guru’s wealth will be yours.  The Sangat will bring you the money.”  The letter was given to the messenger of Prithi Chand along with some money.

The Messenger came back to Guru-Ka-Kotha.  Prithi Chand read the letter and was very happy: “Chandoo’s pain is more than mine.  He will surely do something about it.”  Prithi Chand said to his family: “don’t worry.  Celebrate.”  Prithi Chand sat down after gave them hope.  He said: “Chandoo is more concerned than me.  He is waiting for the Emperor to come to Punjab.  That will be the time that I will be the Guru and Guru Arjan Dev ji will be in jail.  My good karma is upon me.  I will be the Guru of the world in a few days.  The Sikhs will bow to me.  My son Meharvaan will be the Guru.  We will have unlimited wealth and enjoy the kingdom.  Chandoo is waiting for a good time.”

Chandoo kept scheming bad things and spoke to the Emperor: “Sire, you have been in Delhi for a long time.  You should travel around your country.  We should go.  You need to take the updates from the different areas of your country.  Your elders did the same thing.  They didn’t stay in one place for a long time.  They kept travelling in their land.  In the summer time, they went to Kashmir.  There are saffron plants there.  They played Holi there.  They travelled through the gardens and the mountains in Kashmir.  The area of Kashmir is nice and cool with a lot of fruit trees.  Nice clothes can be worn there.  If water settles in one place for a long time, it goes bad.  You shouldn’t stay in one place either.  The Emperor becomes weak and the people do not fear him.  Rebellions begin.  It will be summer soon.  You won’t like the heat.  Kashmir is a nice place to spend the summer.  Spend the summer in the mountains of Kashmir.”  The Emperor liked what was said.  He said: “I like this idea.  You are a wise and smart Divaan.  That’s why you are the Divaan.  You look out for me and give me good advice.  Let’s go to Kashmir where the sun won’t bother us.”  The Emperor gave Chandoo a Siropa and praised him.  Preparations were made to go.  The Emperor said: “Half of the army will stay in Delhi and half of the army will come with me.  Tell the Begums to get ready as well.  Let’s see the gardens of Kashmir.  The weather will be nice there.”  Palanquins, elephants and horses were prepared. 

The army got ready.  The palanquins and army set off.  It looked like a tidal wave leaving from Delhi.  Chandoo was happy as he thought he could do what he wanted to.  He wanted to take his revenge.  He either wanted his daughter married or he wanted to kill Guru Arjan Dev ji.  Chandoo was seated on an elephant.  The army would camp at night.  In the morning, everyone would travel.  Sometimes the Emperor would travel on a horse and sometimes on a Palanquin.  His senior officers and Navaabs would travel with him.  Shehnais, Nagaras, conches and instruments would sound as they travelled.   Guns would be fired.  They eventually reached the Sutlej.  They crossed the river on ferries.  The ferries were already waiting for them.  There were hundreds of ferries waiting as they reached the shore.  Many ferrymen were working to get the army across.  They all reached Doaba and continued their travels.  The Emperor enjoyed the scenes and soon reached the Beas.  Jahangir was on his horse that day and decided to go hunting.  He took some warriors with him and went hunting.  He took Umraavs and officers along.  He hunted along the Beas for hunts.  He saw a deer with a black back.  Jahangir said: “I will hunt this one.”  He rode his horse fast and chased the deer.  The deer ran ahead too.  The Emperor was faced with some bumpy land as he rode.  His horse jumped over a hole but Jahangir fell to the ground.  He hurt his leg as he fell.  The officers ran to get the Emperor.  They picked him up with respect and grabbed his horse.  They placed him in the palanquin and went to the camp.  The whole army was concerned: “may Khuddah protect the Emperor!”  Chandoo went to the Emperor and bowed to him.  He showed his sympathy to the Emperor.  The Emperor looked and Chandoo and said: “find a solution for this.  Find an astrologer as to why this happened to me.  Why did I fall and feel so much pain?”  Chandoo felt like he received an opportunity.  He said: “Sire, I shouldn’t be saying this but here goes: there was a theft in our camp.  Your astrological chart has been stolen along with gold and gems.  There was a lot of loss this night.  This Majha Desh has a lot of thieves.  We don’t know where they went.”  The Emperor was shocked to hear this.  He said: “there are thieves here?  They weren’t afraid of me?  If I can get robbed, what happens to normal people?   What does the Lahore Sooba do about them?  These thieves are brave.  These people should be caught and jailed.  The police needs to catch them.  The Sooba should punish these people.  It is his duty.”  Chandoo folded his hands and said: “there is a Kshatriya named Arjan that lives here, who calls himself the Guru.  He tells everyone that he is the heir to Guru Nanak Dev ji’s throne.  He keeps thieves with him and has them loot people.  He sends his thieves where the royal treasury is.  He is not afraid of you.  He robbed you.  It is confirmed that he did it.  He established a city called Ramdaspur.  He calls himself “Guru” and a lot of people come to give him money.  He cheated his brother from his assets.  He has Hindus and Muslims as his Sikhs.  He sends his thieves to far off lands to loot people.  They are skilled thieves.  They rob animals and gold.  The thieves bring the loot to him.  He is egotistical and makes people bow to him.”  The Emperor heard this and was surprised.  He was well aware of the Guru’s praises.  The Emperor said: “don’t say bad things.  You are comparing the Guru to thieves.  Guru Nanak Dev ji was the Peer of Peers who’s blessings are seen in the world.  My great grandfather, Babar, was given the kingdom by Guru Nanak Dev ji.  The Guru saw Hindus and Muslims as one.  He blessed many people.  My father and grandfather had faith in them.  Guru Arjan Dev ji is on that throne.  How can the Guru take stolen loot?  I don’t believe what you are saying.  Don’t say corrupt things.  How can he keep thieves?  The Guru is benevolent.  He has no shortage of money.  He looks out for the benefit of all.”  Chandoo said: “yes, you are correct.  Guru Nanak Dev ji and the other Gurus were great.  They were praised and were radiant.  This Guru, although, is not the same.  He is full of anger and greed.  He is egotistical.  He kicked his elder brother out from his city.  He has conflicts with other people too.  He is fearless and cheats others.”  The Emperor said: “my father, Akbar, gave the Guru some Jageers.  I will go to Lahore and see if the Jageer is enough for the Langars.  If they need more, I will increase their Jageers so they don’t need to loot.  If their expenditures have increased, I will give them money and tell them not to loot others.  I will give them more money and wealth.  Let’s cross the Beas.  We will camp on the other side.”  The Emperor boarded a ferry and crossed.  He had praised the Guru in countering Chandoo’s statement and for this reason, his leg stopped hurting. 

4-25 Sulbi Dies

Sulhi had a nephew (his brother’s son) named Sulbi Khan.  He was close to Chandoo and the Emperor.  He heard Chandoo speaking to the Emperor and realized that his enemy was the same as Chandoo’s.  After crossing the Beas, Chandoo was sitting in his tent.  Sulbi remembered his uncle and wanted vengeance.  Sulbi went to Chandoo’s tent and said to him: “our enemy is the Arjan Guru.  What are your thoughts about him?”  Chandoo heard him and said: “what kind of a nephew are you?  You couldn’t take your uncle’s revenge but you sleep in peace.  You couldn’t do anything but I will do something.  I will arrest the Guru.  Now, help me in arresting him.  We won’t let him live.”  Sulbi said: “I didn’t know you were his enemy.  We can kill him easily, joining our forces.  If fire and wind get together, the jungle can be burnt easily.  Help me get the command from the Emperor to kill the Guru.  I will arrest the Guru and throw him in jail.  I will decapitate his head in jail.  I am going to go now but you should take care of the case if anyone speaks up.  Stay close to the Emperor and quiet the people who are faithful to the Guru.  I will kill the Guru.  If 2 or 3 months pass and someone tells the Emperor, then you should use an excuse to change the subject.  If the Emperor doesn’t care, then we are good.  You take care of the court and I will kill the Guru.  I will kill him without a doubt because he killed my uncle.  My aunt is a widow.  My aunt taunts me about my uncle’s death.  She says: “the task that your uncle went for, the Guru is still alive.  Avenge his death.  The Guru is alive and living happily.  We are in mourning.  The Guru uses magic by which your uncle was killed.”  My aunt says this but I couldn’t do anything.  I heard you speaking and so I came to you.  If you help me, I can kill the Guru.”  Chandoo was happy to hear this.  He said: “if you kill the Guru, I am with you.  I will cover for you.  Stay here with me tonight.  Leave for Amritsar tomorrow.  I will speak to the Emperor to convince him.  Tomorrow you can go.  I will tell the Emperor about the thieves again.  I’ll tell the Emperor that there was another theft today.  You should say that you had some of your stuff stolen as well.  I will then blame it on the Guru.  I will convince the Emperor to send a messenger to stop the robberies or have the Guru come here.  When the Emperor asks: “who should we send?”  I will say: “we should send Sulbi to speak to the Guru.  Sulbi can inquire if the thieves are real or if the news is made up.  Let’s send him to Amritsar and then meet us in Lahore.”  When the Emperor hears this, he will command you to go to Amritsar.  At that time, go and do what you need to do.  Do as you please.  Even if you kill him, you will have your coverage.  We are close to the Emperor.  We are not afraid of anyone.  If such an enemy can’t be punished, then our lives are a curse.  If a rabbit caught by an elephant, cannot be killed, the elephant is spoken bad about.  He is an ant; I am an elephant.  The Guru is egotistical and is not afraid of me.  I don’t know why he is so fearless.  He has stained me.  I am a big Divaan and people are speaking bad about me.  I see my unmarried daughter and it hurts me.  My whole family is in pain.  The whole world fears me but the Guru does not.  I won’t rest till I kill the Guru.  Don’t worry, we will work according to our plan.”  Both sinners made corrupt plans.  They went to their tents and went to sleep.

In the morning, the Nagaras to leave were sounded.  The army got ready to leave to go to Lahore.  Chandoo came to the Emperor and said: “Sire, how is your leg?  I thought of your pain and couldn’t sleep.  If your Astrological chart wasn’t stolen, we could have figured out why this happened to you.  What can the astrologers do without your chart?  What can a soldier do without his weapons?”  Jahangir said: “don’t worry, my pain is gone.  Find my chart though.  I need it.  Bribe people with money to find it.  Use different ways to find it.”  Chandoo said: “this is what we want as well.  We should send Sulbi Khan to the Guru to inquire about the robberies.  Sulbi will speak nicely and aggressively to get your stuff back.  We know for sure that the stuff has went to the Guru.  Your chart is there too.  Don’t listen to anyone else.  The Guru needs to be scared in order to get our stuff back.  Don’t listen to his faithful people.”  The Emperor didn’t know about Chandoo’s hatred towards Guru Arjan Dev ji.  He wondered why Chandoo kept bringing up Guru ji’s name.  He said to Chandoo: “tell Sulbi not to speak to Guru Arjan Dev ji harshly.  Tell Guru ji not to shelter thieves though.  If their expenditure has increased, we can pay them more money.  The government can give more Jageers to them.  Robbery is a bad thing.  It’s a sin.  Request Guru ji not to do this.  Find out if your news is correct or not.”  Sulbi Khan was standing by.  He said: “we will do as you say.  I will inquire for the truth.  I just want to find the stolen items.  I have no enmity towards the Guru.  If he is innocent, I won’t saying anything.  I will look around in other places as well.  I will find your astrological chart by any means possible.  You are wise, the tree has to be shaken to get the fruit.”  In this way, Sulbi Khan, the foolish man, took some men and headed towards Amritsar.  He didn’t know that Amritsar was too far for him.  His death was close to him.  It was like a blind sheep walking into the mouth of a python.  He had hatred towards Guru ji, without any reason.  He was hating the one who was without hatred.  His fate was set.  Jumms take such a person to Hell.  If a strong person wishes to crash against a mountain, nothing happens to the mountain but the person smashes his own head.  If one shoots an arrow straight up into the sky, it hits the person.

Sulbi was on his way.  He thought to himself: “my uncle couldn’t kill the Guru but I will.  I will be praised in my clan.  It is a good day today.  I can avenge my uncle’s death.”  The Emperor and Chandoo travelled towards Lahore.  Many canons and guns were fired.  Chandoo thought to himself: “I should hear good news in a matter of a few days.  The one who rejected my daughter’s hand in marriage will now by punished.”  As Sulbi travelled about 36 km, he met Jathedar Syed, who was the commanding officer of Sulhi Khan’s army.  He gave his Salaam to Sulbi and said: “to where are you headed?”  Sulbi said: “I am going to complete a task for the Emperor and then to Lahore.”  Syed said to Sulbi: “I have come to you.  The people with me were employees in your uncle’s army.  We weren’t paid for a year.  Your uncle never paid us.  If you pay us, we will let you go on ahead.  We need our money that we were supposed to be paid.  Your uncle died.  You are in his place now.  You should pay us as you are like his son.  These officers are always yelling at me about their pay.  What do we do about our families?”  Sulbi was egotistical and said: “I don’t know anything about this.  That was between you and my uncle.  Come to Lahore.  We will figure it out there.  How do I know what this is about?  We can figure it all out with Chandoo.  If you deserve it, we will pay you.”  Syed said: “these officers won’t wait that long.  We can’t chase you.  We need our money now.”  Sulbi widened his eyes and said: “I am on duty for the Emperor.  I have no money for you.  Ask the Emperor for money.”  Syed said: “we won’t let you leave.  We will be paid for sure.”  Sulbi said to his army: “remove these people from my path!  Give them such a pay that they will remember it and regret it.”  Syed said to the army of Sulbi: “listen, we are all employees.  What happened to us will happen to you too.  You are paid just like us.  Don’t fight us.  Don’t fight over something so small.  We are fighters too.  Don’t listen to this kid and have your people killed.  Stay where you are.  Our matter is with this boy.”  The soldiers of Sulbi said to Sulbi: “he is a Syed.  We can’t fight him.  He is of the family of the Prophet.  He is respected.  He is asking for the earned money he deserves.”  Sulbi heard his officers and swore at them: “why aren’t you listening to me?”  The Syed took out his Kataar and stabbed Sulbi.  Sulbi fell to the ground and died instantly.  The sinner went to Hell just like his uncle.  The Syed’s people looted Sulbi Khan’s army.  Sulbi died and the soldiers took his dead body to Lahore.

Chandoo was waiting for good news but he was shocked to see Sulbi’s dead body.  The officers of Sulbi told Chandoo what had happened: “he got into a fight with the Syed and swore at him.  They were Sulhi’s employees and wanted money for their service.  Syed and Sulbi got into an argument and become angry.  Syed stabbed Sulbi with his kataar and killed him.  We came back with his body.”  Chandoo was shocked and surprised to hear this.  He thought to himself: “he was supposed to kill the Guru.”

After a few days, the Emperor asked Chandoo: “where is Sulbi?  Where did he get stuck?  He should have been here 2 or 3 days ago.  Did you hear any news about him?”  Chandoo responded: “Sire.  A Syed killed him.  They fought over their pay.  It was a tragic event that occurred.”  Jahangir thought to himself: “The Guru Peer is powerful.  How can he keep thieves?  Chandoo must have been lying.”  The Badshah said to Chandoo: “you accused the Guru without cause.  Look how the fool reached half way and lost his own life.  This is what I have come to understand.”  The Emperor went quiet after saying that.  Chandoo was very upset to hear this.  Chandoo got up and went to his own tent and swayed around in an upsetting way.  He tried with his corrupt plan but it failed.  The Guru did not even feel as much as a hot wind or a little fear.  The fool, Chandoo, was breathing deeply in pain.