4-56 Leaving Delhi

At Amritvela, Guru ji bathed and got dressed with his clothes and weapons.  He then came and sat in the Divaan.  The news of Guru ji killing the lion spread.  Either one was either speaking about it or listening about it.  The Sikhs of Delhi came to see Guru ji, to see how he was after the battle with the lion.  They met him and asked him about the battle: “you killed a very ferocious lion with one strike.  Is your body alright?  We don’t see a single scratch of a nail on you.”  The Masands told everyone: “Guru ji killed a lion like a hyena.”  Bhai Vizier Khan ji came and bowed to Guru ji.  He sat near Guru ji and praised him: “Guru ji, the Badshah has sent me to you.  He wishes to see you in your camp.  He told me to ask you to stay in your camp today so he can come.  Please don’t go to his court today.  He will come to you.  You have amazed him with your hunt yesterday.”  Bhai Vizier Khan stayed at Guru ji’s feet.

The Badshah got ready to come to Guru ji.  He took his officers and top officials.  Guru ji had the rugs and tarps laid out.  A seat with big round pillows was laid out.  Guru ji sat on his throne.  Chaurs were waived over his head.  A big Divaan was in session.  Many came to bow to Guru ji.  When Jahangir came to see Guru ji, he got off his horse and came to bow to Guru ji.  He sat next to Guru ji and started talking about the hunt of the previous day.  He couldn’t stop talking about it: “you killed such a powerful lion.  The soul of the lion spoke about its last birth.  The Guru Ghaddi has unlimited powers.  You give Gyaan to the Sikhs and make them happy.”  Guru ji heard the Emperor and said: “listen Badshah, whoever has come to this world, has to go; but it depends on what intentions he/she dies with that determines their next birth.  One experiences joy and sorrow according to their karma.”  The Badshah sat for an hour and then asked for leave.  He came back to his palace with joy. 

Many days had passed for Guru ji in Delhi.  Satguru ji gave joy to the Sangat.  The Sikhs of Delhi came to see Guru ji.  Their eyes were blessed to see Guru ji.  Guru ji’s body was like the moon.  The Sikhs came and sat near Guru ji and listened to his words.  His eyes were like the petals of the lotus flower.  The ends of eyes were like arrows.  Whoever saw Guru ji, their wishes would be fulfilled.  Many gifts and money were brought to Guru ji.  The message of Sikhi was spread by Guru ji in Delhi.  The Emperor was getting ready to leave Delhi and so he sent Bhai Vizier Khan to Guru ji.  Vizier Khan bowed to Guru ji and said: “the Emperor wishes to leave Delhi.  He has requested you to get ready and go with him to Agra.  The Emperor wishes to hunt in Agra.  Please come and visit in Agra.  The Badshah wishes to be in your presence.  You like to hunt and so Agra has many jungles and gardens to hunt in.  The Emperor has requested your presence with love.  Please be with him and go to Agra.”  Guru ji accepted the request and got ready to go to Agra.

Guru ji went with the Emperor to Agra.  Sometimes they would hunt in the jungles along the way.  Guru ji hunted many deer, wild bore and other animals.  The Emperor was amazed to see Guru ji’s skills.  They eventually arrived in Agra soon.  Guru ji saw a nice place and set up camp.  Sometimes the Emperor would call Guru ji and sometimes he would come to Guru ji.  They went hunting.  One day the Emperor heard two Sikhs speaking about Guru Hargobind Sahib ji and calling him the “Sacha Paatshaah, the true Emperor.”  Jahangir became concerned with this.  He thought: “the Sikhs have made the Guru bigger than me.”  Jahangir kept thinking about this: “did he tell everyone to call him this?  Do his Sikhs call him this out of devotion?  They call him the “true” king.  Why do the Sikhs give him so much respect?”  One day, the Emperor went hunting with Guru ji.  He asked Guru ji while riding together: “I have heard that you are called the “Sacha Paatshaah.”  You are the Guru.  They should call you the Guru; just as the other Gurus were addressed as.”  Guru ji heard this and said: “people address their Gurus and Peers in this way.  It is their devotion.  Sangat from far and wide come to see me and I have never told anyone to call me anything.  They address me as they wish.”  Guru ji spoke to Jahangir but Jahangir was not satisfied.  Guru ji knew what was in the Emperor’s mind.  He knew that Jahangir needed to see this with his own eyes.  After the hunt in Machkund Dholpur, Guru ji came back to his camp.  He had his weapons fastened.  In Agra, many people of the area came to meet Guru ji and brought him horses, weapons and money.  Some brought clothes and food.  Panchamrit Prashaad was brought.  Guru ji fulfilled their wishes when they came to see him.  Guru ji’s amazing body was big and strong.  His face was like the moon.  His arms were long and his chest was wide.  His teeth were like pearls.  His eyes were full of blessings.  Whoever he looked at, he cut their bonds.  He was full of beauty.  He had the signs of a king.  Everyone was happy to see the warrior Guru.  The people said: “he will surely fight one day.  He is a strong warrior who will kill sinners.  He will be praised.”  The Sikhs kept praising Guru ji.  Guru ji spoke with everyone and blessed them with his vision.  People from the nearby villages heard about Guru ji and came to meet him.  Hundreds of new people became Sikhs, when they understood the Gyaan of the cycle of life and death.  Many people would come everyday and it was a great Mela.  Everyone felt happy to see Guru ji.  Their wishes were being fulfilled by Guru ji.  They would leave praising him.

One day, the Emperor mounted his horse and went hunting with Guru ji.  He had requested Guru ji to go with him that day.  They all had their weapons.  Both, Guru ji and the Emperor were on their strong horses.  They hunted and conversed with each other.  Where there were many deer, Guru ji went there.  Dogs and hawks were with him.  Other hunters and animals were with them.  They went deep into the jungle.  Guru ji and the Emperor were together.  They trapped animals and killed them.  Guru ji hunted the animals with great skill.  His aim was great.  He would kill them with arrows.  Jahangir was a great hunter as well.  They released cheetahs and dogs to hunt.  They didn’t let anyone go.  In this way they hunted in many ways.  Satguru ji watched the drama and went ahead.

It got really hot as it was the afternoon.  Guru ji and the Emperor wanted to rest.  They came out of the jungle and saw a great shade.  They set up their own camps and rested.  Guru ji’s camp was at a distance under a tree.

4-57 The Sacha Paatshaah and the Ghahi

The Emperor was resting under a tree with a few of his men.  His horse was standing next to him.  Guru ji was sitting on a bed under another tree at a few distance.  Guru ji was resting.  In that time, a Ghahi (grass collector) was collecting grass to sell it for money.  He heard that Guru Hargobind Sahib ji had come into the area to hunt with the Emperor.  He wanted to have Guru ji’s Darshan.  He wanted Guru ji to fulfill his wishes.  He thought to himself: “there isn’t a crowd near Guru ji.  I’ll fold my hands and bow my head to his feet.  I’ll ask him to relieve me of my pain of my mind and body.”  The Ghahi came to where Jahangir was.  He asked the soldiers: “where is the Sacha Paatshaah?  Where is his camp?”  The soldiers didn’t understand him.  They thought he wanted to see Jahangir.  The soldiers said: “the Sacha Paatshaah is sitting under the shade of the tree.”  The Ghahi came to Jahangir and was stopped by the Emperor’s guards.  He asked the guards: “I want to go where the Sacha Paatshaah is sitting.  I have brought offerings for him.”  He pointed to the Emperor.  Jahangir saw the situation and yelled out: “let him come through.”  The guards let the Ghahi through.  He had a Taka (silver coin) in his hand and came close to the Emperor.  The Ghahi saw the royal appearance of the Emperor and thought it was Guru ji.  He was filled with bliss as he was going to see him for the first time.  He was filled with devotion.  He placed the Taka in front of the Emperor and bowed his head with great devotion.  He folded his hands and did an Ardaas: “oh Sacha Paatshaah, oh great Guru!  I wished to see you for a long time.  You fulfilled my wishes and came to my area.  I was poor and couldn’t come to you, but you yourself came.  You are the master of all the worlds.  The world calls you the “Sacha Paatshaah” because you are the master of all.  I am your poor servant.  I request you to be with me when I die.  I have no other wish, oh master.  Save me from the Jumms with your hands.”  Jahangir was surprised to hear this.  He thought to himself: “this Sikh thinks I am Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  I don’t have the power to be with him when he dies.  I can’t save him in the life hereafter from the Jumms.  I can’t save myself.  I can do anything in this world but not in heaven.  He thought I was the Guru, that’s why he said his Ardaas.  Only the Guru can save him in Heaven and in this world.  He is truly the “Sacha Paatshaah.”  The thing that Guru Sahib said to me about the Sikhs calling him Sacha Paatshaah; him not telling anyone to say it; the people call him Sacha Paatshaah; this is true.  It is known that he is the Sacha Paatshaah.  Guru ji was speaking the truth.  He is truly the king.  He doesn’t let his servants suffer.”  The Emperor was convinced that the Guru was truly the “Sacha Paatshaah.”  He said to the Ghahi: “listen Ghahi, I am the Emperor in this world.  I can’t be with you when you die.  I don’t have that power.  The “Sacha Paatshaah” is the Guru over in the distance.  His name is Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  He is under the other tree.  He can complete your request.  Go and do an Ardaas to him.  He will fulfill your wishes.”  The Ghahi quickly picked up the Taka and turned around.  He didn’t care that it was the Emperor.

The Ghahi came to the area where Guru ji was.  He asked the people: “tell me where Guru ji Sacha Paatshaah is.  He is also called “Gareeb Nivaaj.”  The people directed him to the other tree.  He was resting under the shade.  He saw Guru ji and grabbed his feet.  He placed the Taka in front of Guru ji and bowed his head.  He did an Ardaas to Guru ji: “Guru ji, I have come to your sanctuary.  Please protect me when I die.  Save me from the Jumms.  I wished to see you for a long time.  Today, I have been blessed with this auspicious and fortunate time to see you.  You care called the Gareeb Nivaaj.  I am a Gareeb, poor person.  Please consider your name and save me.”  Guru ji said to the Ghahi: “do the Simran of Satnam.  You will be saved.  Earn an honest living and eat from those earnings.  These two things will give you joy and peace.  The Jumms won’t come to you then.  The Guru will save you.”  The Ghahi was filed with joy and bowed.  He went back to his home.

It was the afternoon.  It was very hot and so Guru ji spent his time there.  After the wind got cooler, Jahangir mounted his horse and went to Guru ji.  Understanding the greatness of Guru ji, the Emperor admired Guru Hargobind Sahib ji even more.  The Emperor smiled and had conversations with Guru ji.  They slowly rode back to the city and went to their own camps.  They spent many days like this and met each other often. 

One day, the Emperor wanted to go hunting and called upon Guru ji to go with him.  It was morning and Guru ji got ready.  Guru ji’s horse was saddled and Guru ji mounted it.  There was a home in Agra of a Sikh girl who was married to a family who weren’t Sikhs.  She wanted to have Darshan of Guru ji but her husband and in-laws did not let her go to Amritsar.  When she would wake up in the morning and take a bath, she would do an Ardaas with love: “if Sri Guru ji is true and knows of every heart, then please complete my wish: come to my home and give me Darshan.”  She would do Ardaas while taking a bath everyday.  She had love in her heart and wanted to see Guru ji.  Satguru ji thought of her and headed towards her home that day.  He was completing his promise of listening to his Bhagats.  Guru ji travelled through the streets on his horse.  The horse was dancing on the way.  Guru ji headed towards the Sikh girl’s home.  The girl went to the top floor of her home to take a bath in the washroom.  When she poured water over her body, she did her Ardaas as she would do daily: “if Guru ji is omniscient, please fulfill my wish of coming to my home, oh master of the world.  I have heard that his face is full of love and compassion.”  Guru ji heard the girl’s Ardaas, coming from her heart.  Guru ji came in front of her home and stopped his horse.  Guru ji yelled out: “I have heard your Ardaas while you bathed everyday.  You wished to test the True Guru.  Come and fulfill your wish.  You wished to have me come to your home.”  When the girl heard this, she cleaned herself and quickly got dressed.  She couldn’t contain her happiness and ran to the door.  She saw Guru ji standing right in front of her.  She saw the moon-like face of Guru ji with his wide and strong body.  It was the handsome Sri, Hari, Govind (names of Parmeshwar).  She looked at him like a Chakor looking at the moon.  She was a sacrifice unto him and folded her hands.  She couldn’t contain her joy.  Her mind, body and soul were filled with love.  She bowed her head.  She couldn’t speak as her throat swelled from the emotional overload.  She swallowed her emotion and finally spoke: “Dhan Guru ji, you are the omnipotent Avatar of Parmeshwar.  You completed my wish and destroyed my doubts.  You truly fulfill your servants’ requests.  You have saved millions.”  She kept praising Guru ji standing there.  Guru ji visited her and then left her home.  The daughter of Sikhs was blessed and filled with bliss.  (This woman weaved a roll of cloth for Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji when she was old.  Guru ji went to her home first in Agra before going to Delhi for his Shaheedi.  He had a Chola made out of that cloth.  There is a Gurduara called “Gurduara Mai ka Thaan Sahib” there now in remembrance of this woman.)

Many other people met Guru ji as he rode slowly through the streets of Agra.  The Emperor and Guru ji then hunted in the jungle.  They hunted many wild bore, deer and rabbits.  Dogs and cheetahs were released to hunt there.  Guru ji hunted and then went back to the city.  He came and rested in his camp.  Guru ji, the tall and wide, spent time in this area.  His praises spread wide.  New people came to meet Guru ji and became Sikhs.  They did Ardaas and Guru ji fulfilled them.  Guru ji’s praises spread everywhere.  New servants joined Sikhi everyday.  They would meet Guru ji and take the Charanpahul.  Guru ji would then give them wisdom.  The new Sikhs would be happy to hear the praises of Guru ji.  Slanderers such as Chandoo would be jealous hearing this.  The Emperor met with Guru ji, regularly.  Sometimes he would go to Guru ji and sometimes Guru ji would come to him.   The Emperor would offer Guru ji money, clothes and the best horses.  Guru ji spent a lot of time with the Emperor in Agra.  It was a pleasant trip for Guru ji.

4-58 Deceiving the Badshah by the Nazoomi

Guru ji and Jahangir became good friends.  The Emperor’s officers began to respect Guru ji.  Everyone would bow to him.  Chandoo and Chandoo’s friends were jealous.  They hated seeing this, just like thieves hate the moon.  Chandoo would hear about Guru ji and the Emperor going hunting.  He heard about the Emperor sending 500 Rajitpuns to Guru ji everyday and respecting him more.  Chandoo thought to himself: “this is dangerous for me.  He is my enemy.  The Badshah is giving money to the Guru everyday and they are becoming close friends.  This can be very bad for me.  If I don’t do something about this, I won’t survive.  I have said a lot of bad things about the Guru to the Badshah.  I need to say something to him.  I tried to do bad for the Guru by calling him to Delhi but this has backfired on me.  I planted a thorny plant but instead it turned in to a lotus flower.  From that flower, the Guru is getting fragrance in the form of money.  Good is happening to him.  Now I will do something that will get the Guru to go to a jail.  I will pay somebody in the jail to kill Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  I will be saved then.  I will need to keep the Badshah away from the Guru.”  In this way to sinner was scheming his plans.  He was worried of the trouble coming towards him.  He kept thinking of different plans and thought of one particular scheme.  He thought of meeting a Nazoomi (astrologer) in Agra. 

Chandoo met the Nazoomi at night.  He paid him 500 Rajitpuns and said to him with humility: “my well-being is in your hands.  Do this favour for me and then I will pay you 5,000 Rajitpuns.  I am helpless.  I came to you for help.  Please help me.  I come to your sanctuary.”  The Nazoomi said: “you are the Emperor’s Divaan.  Why are you being so humble?  Tell me what you need.  I will apply all my efforts in manipulating the Badshah.  What is bothering you?  I promise to take your worries away.”  Chandoo told him the whole situation: “the Hindu Guru is my enemy.  I won’t keep anything from you.  I will tell you as it happened.  I kept Guru Arjan Dev ji in my home and tortured him to death.  This Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, is his son.  He has become great friends with the Badshah.  I had called the Guru here in regards to another plan, but that failed.  The Guru began to prosper.  I want to kill him.  I have thought of everything and come to you.  I’ll tell you what I want from you.  I want you to go to the Emperor tomorrow morning and tell him that: “you have the Saad Sati (7.5 years or months of Saturn in your birth chart) upon you.”  Go to him with a concerned look on your face.  Go to him by pretending to be his well-wisher.  The Badshah should get scared and listen to you.  Show the Badshah that he may die due to this Saad Sati.  The Emperor will ask you for a solution.  You tell him to get a person named Hargobind from the Sodhi Kshatriya caste.  He is to chant Malas in your name in the Gwalior Fort.  This will make his Saad Sati to go away.  His life will be good then.  Tell all of this to the Badshah as I have explained it to you.  When my enemy gets to Gwalior, I will kill him.  I will pay you more money then.  Do this with cleverness.”  The Nazoomi said: “Divaan ji, don’t worry.  This won’t be hard for me.  The Badshah does what I tell him to do.  He trusts me.  I have noticed that he does what I tell him to do according to his astrological chart.  When I tell this direction of yours to him, he will send the Guru to Gwalior.”  Chandoo was happy and then came back to his home.  He thought to himself: “once the Guru goes to Gwalior, he will never come out from there.  I will kill him like I killed his father.  Then I will be worry-free in my home.”  Chandoo couldn’t sleep that night as he kept planning. 

In the morning, the Nazoomi went to the Badshah.  He took his book and made his face upset.  He did his Salaam to the Emperor and cleverly made signals to say something.  The Badshah noticed that the Nazoomi was upset.  The Badshah said: “Nazoomi ji, are you alright?  What was the reason for your visit?  You look concerned.  Is something wrong of yours?”  The Nazoomi spoke with cleverness: “I always calculate your best interests using my skills.  I eat what you give me.  I only think of your well-being.  I have looked at all the planetary formations and noticed that the Saad Sati is upon you.  This Saad Sati is severe on you.  This one can kill you.  It is very bad.  I have thought of solutions for you.  You can be well after that.”  The Badshah got scared.  He said: “since when did this Saad Sati come?  What is the solution to this?  I want to be free of this Saad Sati.”  The Nazoomi said: “this pain-giver came today.  Don’t tell anyone else about this.  Keep it a secret.  That will be good for you.  You need to find a person named “Hargobind” of the Sodhi family within the Kshatriya caste.  He needs to bathe 3 times a day and sit in the Gwalior Fort.  He needs to do Jaap of Parmeshwar on his Mala.  He needs to stay quiet and think of your well-being.  He needs to think of Allah all the time.  If he does this, you will be in peace and the Saad Sati will go away.  Go and find this person in your country, whose name is Hargobind and is from the Kshatriya caste.”  The Emperor got scared and concerned.  When the Nazoomi said this, Chandoo and 3 Umraavs, who were on Chandoo’s side, were present in the court.  They already knew not to speak until the Emperor asks them too.  They were directed by Chandoo.  The Emperor thought for a while and then said to his Umraavs: “is there such a person that exists in the city?  If not, then go and find him so he can chant a Mala for me in the Gwalior Fort.  I want this painful time to go away for me.  Go and find such a person.  Announce it.  I will pay that person as much as he wants.”  Chandoo had told an Umarov to speak.  Chandoo signalled him to speak.  The Umarov said: “such a person is already close to you.  He comes to you everyday.  Whatever the Nazoomi said, he satisfies all the criteria.  The one who calls himself the Guru of the Hindus; he has made Lakhs of Sikhs, who bow to him.  He is the one who killed the lion in the jungle.  I think he is the one that can do this.  He is a Sodhi and is a Kshatriya.  His name is Sri Hargobind Sahib.  He is powerful.  Everyone calls him “Guru.”  You send him 500 Rajitpuns everyday.  He is living in happiness with your money.”  The Badshah said: “he is the Guru Peer.  He is not an average person.  He came to me seeing my devotion.  How can I tell him to live in the jail of Gwalior and chant the Mala?  He is on the great and supreme throne of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  Whatever he says comes out to be true.  He is really powerful.”  The sinner Chandoo then said: “you are the Diva, the light of the Chavghuttas.  You are the fortunate Emperor.  Everyone looks toward you and hope that you are well and happy.  Why are you thinking about this?  There is no one greater than you.  Don’t think that he sits on the throne of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  Guru Nanak Dev ji was a Bedi and Guru Hargobind Sahib ji is a Sodhi.  Send him to Gwalior without doubts.  Don’t think about this.  It’s for your well-being.  If need be, I would have died for you.  If your troubles can be divided, we are all ready to happily take them on our heads.  If Guru Hargobind Sahib ji hears this, he will do the Malas for you.  He is your friend.  Let go of this doubt and call the Guru to you.”  Another Umarov said: “this Nazoomi is skilled.  He does not lie.  He has told you the person who needs to do the Malas.  He must have looked hard.  We didn’t need to look too far.  The Guru was here.  He didn’t give an impossible solution.  I have seen this Nazoomi’s calculations before.  Whatever he says is true.”  The Nazoomi said: “this is my job.  I only look for the Badshah’s joy.  I tell him when I see something bad.  I find the solution as well.  I only wish for the Badshah’s well-being.  I live off of the Badshah’s money.  This person named “Hargobind” needs to chant “Allah Jagadeesh” for only 40 days in the Gwalior Fort.  He needs to pray for the Badshah’s well-being.  Then all the bad effects of the planets will be gone.”  The Umarov said: “we know that you are skilled.  Guru ji has a personality of a saint.  He is powerful.  You told us that he has to do the chants.  Why wouldn’t this be a good thing for the Badshah?  He will be in solitude in the Fort.  He will do Simran of Khuddah with a still mind.  The Saad Sati will go away.”  The Umraavs convinced Jahangir by manipulating him.  When everyone said this, the Badshah believed it.  The fear of death was inside him.  He said to everyone: “I will go to his camp and request him to grace me by accepting my request.  He will do the Jaap for my well-being.”

4-59 Going inside the Gwalior Fort

The Badshah lost his appetite.  His servants insisted on him eating something.  The Badshah had something small to eat and went to sleep.  He had listened to 4 or 5 fools and began to fear death for no reason.  The next day, he got ready and mounted his elephant.  He took a few of his men and went to Guru ji.  He told the rest of his men to stay in the palace.  He was worried.  Nothing made him happy.  He was engrossed in the doubt of the Saad Sati. 

The Badshah came to Guru ji’s camp and bowed to his feet.  He placed beautiful gifts in front of Guru ji and remained quiet.  He was humble and sat close by Guru ji’s feet.  The omnipotent Satguru, who was directing this play, noticed the worried-look on the Badshah’s face.  Guru ji inquired: “Badshah, what is the reason for your worries?  What happened for you to look like this?  You are not radiant like you usually are.  It looks like you lost your mind in gambling.  Your eyes aren’t radiant.  You aren’t speaking much today.  What has gone wrong?  You are not happy.”  The Badshah spoke: “what can I say?  I can’t even talk about it.  It is such a conundrum.  It came on all of a sudden.  I am confused.  I can still see your support though.  I will tell you what happened.  The Saad Sati is upon me.  There is no way to avoid it except for one.  Only you can solve this.  This would avoid the Saad Sati.  You would need to go to the Gwalior Qila and do Simran of Allah with a Mala.  You would have to pray for me.  You would have to do 1 Chaleesa (40 days).  If you do this for me, the Saad Sati will go away for me.  I will be fine then.  My home will be good.  The Nazoomi told me about the Saad Sati and the solution as well.  I have stated to you as the Nazoomi told me.”  Sri Satguru ji saw everything with his divine vision.  He was well aware of the series of events that were to take place.  He knew it was the sinners who put the Emperor up to this.  Guru ji thought to himself: “if I explain the truth to the Badshah, he will remain in doubt.  If I don’t go to Gwalior, the sinners will fill his ears with more poison.  The Badshah won’t understand the truth and will sour our friendship.”  Guru ji thought of a sound solution.  He said to the Emperor: “you have no Saad Sati upon you.  There will be no trouble to you.  I can see that you will be well and prosperous.  The one who does have the Saad Sati upon him, though, I can see him clearly.  That person will not be able to avoid it.  You will see death consume that person in front of your eyes.  He will die a horrible death.  He will be punished for his sins.  If going to Gwalior gives you joy and prosperity, then I will go there and do Simran for you.  I will take all your troubles away.”  The Badshah heard this and became extremely happy.  He thought to himself: “the Saad Sati will go away from me.”  He said to Guru ji with his hands folded: “Satguru ji, you are Dhan.  You are omnipotent.  You take away the troubles of people who come to you for help.  I am convinced now that trouble will not come near me after listening to you.  I am blessed by you.  You are ready to go to Gwalior for me.  There is no one more beloved to me than you.  The puranas I have, are given to me by you.  I will consider my remaining breaths as gifts from you.” 

The Emperor had a Parwana (Royal proclamation) written to be sent to the owner of the Gwalior Fort, Haridas: “Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji is coming to your place.  He will be doing a Chaleesa for me.  This will save me.  Set up a nice place for him.  He should be happy there.  Whatever Guru ji would need, give it to him right away.  He should feel it at home there.  Give him joy.  Listen to what he says.  Bow to him and obey his every command.  Visit him everyday to see how he is.  Ask him if he needs anything.”  The Parwana was sent to Haridas.  The Emperor bowed to Guru ji and asked for leave.  Satguru ji said: “I am not taking the camp or the soldiers with me.  I will leave for Gwalior in the morning and relieve you of this problem.  I will punish the sinners once I come back.”  The Badshah said: “I will always obey you.  Please do this favor for me.”  The Emperor got up and went back to his palace. 

Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji made preparations to go to Gwalior.  Guru ji said to all the Sikhs: “only 5 Sikhs will go with me.  The rest of you are to stay here.  There won’t be any shortages here.  Keep the Langar going.  The horses are to be taken care of.  Oh Masands, take care of everyone.  Make sure everyone gets what they need.”  In this way, Guru ji instructed the Masands to keep the Langar going.  Guru ji continued: “I will be back in some time.  Be wise and take care of everyone.  Stay alert and live here.”  Guru ji ate and slept the night. 

In the morning, the master got ready after his morning routine.  5 Sikhs went with Guru ji: Bhai Bidhi Chand ji, Bhai Jetha ji, Bhai Langha ji, Bhai Pirana ji and Bhai Paira ji.  They all headed to Gwalior from Agra.  They reached Gwalior soon.  The owner of Gwalior, Haridas, was doing Simran of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  He wanted Guru ji to meet him.  He waited for Guru ji everyday: “how can I go to meet Guru ji?  I can’t leave the Qila.  I am responsible of all the duties here.  Many Rajas are imprisoned here.  If I leave here and go to Guru ji, the Rajas will raise a rebellion.  I have instructions from the Emperor not to trust anyone or leave the Qila.  I can’t leave 6 km away.  My pay comes here.  I can’t leave to see Guru ji.”  He did Simran for Guru ji to come and meet him there.  When the Parwana of Jahangir came to Haridas, he read it.  He was immediately filled with joy.  He began to wait for Guru ji, impatiently.  He wanted to see Guru ji.  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji put this in play himself.  He came to the door of the Gwalior Qila to meet his servant.  Bhai Hardas ji came to the door and said: “how goes there?”  Guru ji responded: “the one whom you’ve been waiting for.”  Bhai Haridas had the main doors opened at once.  He saw Guru Hargobind Sahib ji standing in front of him on his horse.  Bhai Haridas bowed down on the floor like a stick.  He had great love and devotion in his heart.  He received Guru ji and brought him into the fort.  He had the best place in the Qila prepared for Guru ji.  He had Guru ji’s stuff set there.  A beautiful bed was laid down for Guru ji.  Expensive material was laid out.  Guru ji sat on the bed and Bhai Haridas sat on the floor.  His wishes were fulfilled.  He said: “Guru ji, I have heard of your praises from the Sikhs.  I wanted to meet you for a long time.  You are the knower of every heart.  You came yourself to see me.  You made me extremely happy.  You fulfilled my wishes.”  Guru ji saw the love of the Guru in Bhai Haridas ji’s heart and said: “the ones who have devotion for the Guru, they receive Mukti in both worlds.  They are happy everywhere.  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji is the master of the universe.  He gives the 4 gifts (Dharam, Arth, Kaam, Moksha) to the Sikh right away.”  Bhai Haridas ji was happy to hear this.  The items of need were given to Guru ji.

In the prison of the fort, were locked up big and powerful kings.  They were locked up for life in the Qila of Gwalior.  They were never to be released.  They were to die in this fort.  That was the rule of this fort.  When the Rajas heard about Satguru ji coming, they became very happy.  They all came to Guru ji and bowed to him by folding their hands.  They felt calm when they saw Guru ji’s radiance.  The Rajas’ clothes were dirty.  They were weak and skinny.  Worry and pain had taken a great toll on them.  They didn’t get proper food to eat.  Their hair and beards had lice in them.  They had big chains in their hands and feet.  Their clothes were old and ripped.  They had no hope left to be released.  They were separated from their kingdoms and families.  They were away from their lands.  They were in pain all the time.  Mentally and physically, they were in pain.  Just as Jarasandh imprisoned many kings, Krishan ji had Jarasandh killed and released those kings; that is how these Rajas in Gwalior saw Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  They saw him as their savior.  Their names were the same: Hari and Gobind.  These were names used for Krishan ji as well.  Guru ji was benevolent.  He gave all of the Rajas hope.  Guru ji stayed in the Qila. 

The Rajas were given food from that day on.  Guru ji used the money that came from the Emperor to make Langar for the Rajas.  Guru ji never used this money for himself.  It was always used for Langar.  Haridas ji used to bring items of needs for Guru ji.  Guru ji had Karah Prashaad made everyday for the prisoners.  They all got enough to eat.  No one remained hungry anymore.  It was delicious food that they got everyday.  The prisoners, guards and soldiers all got Panchamrit Prashaad everyday.  There would still be some leftovers, which would be sent outside of the Qila.  Many people would wait at the doors of the Qila to get the Prashaad.

It had been about two days.  Guru ji hadn’t eaten anything.  The 5 Sikhs, including Bhai Pirana ji noticed that Guru ji didn’t eat the food.  He asked Guru ji: “what is the reason you haven’t eaten anything?  Everyone else is eating.  It is damned for us to eat without you eating anything.  Our life is damned.  We used to take the Prashaad.”  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji said: “I will never eat the food made by the money of the Turks.  If you want me to eat, you will have to go out and earn money.  You will need to buy the food and make it for me.  I will only eat food prepared by the money earned with honesty.  Otherwise I will remain “Pavan-ahaari,” extracting energy from the wind, for the time I am here.”  Thus spoke the Satguru with his Sikhs.  Bhai Jetha ji said: “we will go and earn money.  You should eat food everyday.  It is easy for us to earn the money and bring food for you.  Our Seva will be successful.”  The Sikhs got permission to leave the Qila.

In some distance, there was a forge of blacksmiths.  Bhai Jetha ji and Bhai Pirana ji asked the blacksmiths for a job.  They came to an agreement for pay and worked twice as hard than the other workers.  They would work all night.  They were working in the hot forge.  They earned 1 Rajitpun, each, everyday.  The blacksmith said to them: “if you are working this hard, I will pay you more.”  They would work the hammer all night long, starting in the evening.  They would leave in the morning.  They would use their strength to make weapons and other metal items.  They would learn from the blacksmiths as well.  They would use the hammer with skill.  They also made dishes and other items.  The production of the blacksmiths doubled.  The blacksmiths would pay them silver coins. 

Bhai Jetha ji and Bhai Pirana ji would buy food and spices.  They bought rice, flour, ghee and sugar.  They bought milk as well.  They made a special kitchen in the Gwalior Fort for Guru ji.  They would bring the food back to the fort everyday and prepare it in the kitchen.  They would plate the food for Guru ji and excitingly bring it for Guru ji.  They felt happy that Guru ji was eating the food that they earned.  The Sikhs would go out and work at night.  They prepared food for Guru ji from those earnings. 

4-60 Living inside the Gwalior Fort

Chandoo was happy that everything was going according to his plan.  He was happy that he succeeded in getting Guru ji to the Gwalior fort.  He gave a lot of money to the Nazoomi and a lot of respect to the Umarov that helped him.  He thought to himself: “now he is in the jail.  I can kill him now.  I won’t let him leave from there.  No one has ever left that Qila before.”  He started to think of ways to kill Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  He wrote to the jailor, Bhai Haridas ji: “the Guru is a big enemy of mine.  He has taken an oath to kill me.  I have sent him to you with great effort.  Because of him, my chest boils.  Make sure the Guru does not leave the Qila.  Do something so he dies.  I have a plan: put poison in his clothes.  Makes sure it is concentrated and kills him quick.  He shouldn’t stay alive long.  He should die there.  I am sending one of my most trusted men who will prepare a chola with poison on it.  They will give that to you.  Make sure you make the Guru wear it.  Tell the Guru that the Chola has come from the Emperor.  Speak sweet words to him with deception.  Make sure you see him wearing it.  When the Guru dies, I will promote you higher.  I will have you respected by the Emperor.  I will get you a Jagir so you can live from its taxes.  I will give you 5,000 Rajitpuns.  You will get a village from the Badshah.  I will support you and consider you my friend for the rest of my life.”  Chandoo instructed his messenger: “take money and tempt the jailor.”  Chandoo gave his messenger money and sent him towards the Gwalior Fort.

The messenger came to Gwalior and gave Bhai Haridas ji the letter.  When the jailor read the letter, he figured out Chandoo’s plan.  He figured out that this whole plan of sending Guru ji to Gwalior was Chandoo’s scheme.  Bhai Haridas ji went to Guru ji right away.  He said to Guru ji: “the reason why you came to Gwalior was because of a terrible scheme planned by Chandoo.  He bribed people in the court and had them go along with his plan.  He spent money to send you here.  He paid the Nazoomi to say what he did.  He wants to kill you here.  There is no Simran or prayer to be done.  They sent you here to kill you.  This scheme was Chandoo’s.  Look!  This is a letter from Chandoo.  I won’t listen to Chandoo.”  He read Chandoo’s letter out to Guru ji.  He threw the letter in the fire after reading it.  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji spoke: “the sinner will die and go to the realm of the Jumms soon.  His time is near.  He will die a horrible death.  He won’t be able to save himself.”  Bhai Haridas ji was happy to hear this.  He said: “Guru ji, he is a big sinner.  He has killed many people.  He did the biggest sin of torturing Guru Arjan Dev ji.  He hasn’t been punished yet so he still roams freely.  Guru ji, please kill all his friends.  Murtaza Khan is the one that took Guru ji to Chandoo and was part of the plan.  (Bhai Baloo ji- grandfather of Bhai Mani Singh ji, will kill him in the battle of Amritsar) Let it be known that an Avatar has come to kill the sinners.  Make them fear you.” 

Bhai Haridas ji went back outside and said to the messenger: “stay the night and set out in the morning.  Give Divaan Chandoo this message: “don’t make me do such sins.  My duty is to take care of the prisoners.  I am commanded to serve the Guru.  You do as you please.  The Badshah sent me a written command to serve Guru ji.”  I can’t do what Chandoo wants me to do.”

The messenger went back to Chandoo and told him Bhai Haridas ji’s message.  Chandoo was upset to hear that.  Bhai Haridas ji was Chandoo’s relative.  Their children were married to each other.  Chandoo thought he could pressure Bhai Haridas ji, but he was wrong.  Chandoo could not sleep the night.  He thought to himself: “how can I kill him?  If I don’t kill him, he will kill me.”  Chandoo bribed many Umraavs.  He said to them: “make sure the Emperor doesn’t think of the Guru.  Make sure he forgets about him.  Don’t mention the Guru.  Make sure the Guru stays in the Gwalior Fort.  If the Badshah speaks about the Guru, or if someone else takes about him, change the subject.  Tell the Badshah to leave the Guru in Gwalior as he is praying for him.  Tell him that: “if the Guru comes back, you may go sick.  He is there doing Simran of Khuddah.  Your troubles will go away.  If you want to stay well, leave Guru ji there.”  Tell him all of this if he thinks of the Guru.”  In this way, the sinner made up many schemes and had all the officers bribed.  The big sinner didn’t consider this as a sin. 

40 days had gone by.  The Emperor was occupied by the officers’ conversations.  If the Badshah or someone else mentioned Guru ji, the Umraavs would change the subject.  They would say: “the Guru is in Gwalior and you are in peace.  Don’t bring the Guru back.  Money goes from here to Gwalior and his camps.  He won’t say anything.  He is living in joy and eating food.  His Sikhs are getting food as well.  The Guru is praying for you and so, you are well.  What do we care about the money?  Keep sending him the money.  There is nothing wrong with this.”  Guru ji did not eat any food from the Emperor’s money.  The Sikhs worked in the shops of blacksmiths and earned money to get food for Guru ji.  The Emperor’s money was used for Langar.  The Umraavs would manipulate the Badshah in this way.  Jahangir’s thoughts were manipulated in this way.

 After about 2 more days, the five Sikhs with Guru ji in Gwalior had a discussion: “it seems like the situation as Guru Arjan Dev ji is unfolding in front of us.  Chandoo took Guru Arjan Dev ji to his home to kill him.  He had Guru Hargobind Sahib ji come here and wants to kill him.  The officers are on Chandoo’s side.  They speak what Chandoo tells them to.  Jahangir is afraid for his life.  They have made him scared of the Saad Sati.  Who will give Jahangir hope?  Nobody guides him well.  The ears of kings are big.  They accept everything they hear.  Two or three can easily manipulate kings and do what they want.  The Badshah doesn’t see the truth.  His whole court has people on Chandoo’s side.  They have the same goals.  We need to figure out what to do ourselves.  Guru Arjan Dev ji was full of forgiveness.  He stopped us from doing anything in Lahore.  Guru ji didn’t use his powers nor did he let us use our powers.  Guru ji took the tortures on his body and left this earth with patience.  He went to Sach Khand.  All these schemes are Chandoo’s sins but the Badshah can’t see this.  He sent Guru ji to the Gwalior Qila.  We don’t know what Chandoo is scheming now.  The Emperor didn’t use his wisdom to see the truth.  He didn’t even ask how Guru ji is doing.  If he wanted to find out, the Umraavs would manipulate him into leaving Guru ji here.  We know that the Emperor will not call Guru ji to come back.  That we know for sure.  Satguru ji will not show his powers.  Guru ji will accept Akaal Purakh’s will as everything happens.  We need to think of a plan that will make all the Sikhs happy.”  Bhai Jetha ji said all this.  Bhai Pirana ji then spoke: “this is Guru ji’s wish.  If you go against his wishes, Guru ji will get mad.  He may curse us.  We won’t be saved then.  Who will help us then?  We won’t survive here or in our homes.  Do what Guru ji will be happy with.  You will be happy and successful then.” 

As the 5 Sikhs were speaking, Baba Bhudda ji arrived to see Guru ji in Gwalior.  The 5 Sikhs got up and bowed to Baba Bhudda ji and had him sit with them.  They said: “Baba ji, Guru ji is resting now.  When he wakes up, you should go see him then and tell him how everything in Amritsar is.  Baba ji, you have travelled a far distance.  Why have you come here so far?  Please give us wisdom.  What was the reason for your coming?”  Baba Bhudda ji said: “I have received news that Guru ji has been sent to the Gwalior Fort.  I came to find out why the Badshah has sent Guru ji here.  Many people have said various things and so I couldn’t tell what was the truth.  Mata Ganga ji heard this news as well and became upset.  She sent her maid to call for me.  She told me that she was worried and wanted me to come and see what the situation was.  She said: “go to Gwalior and find the truth.  Give him assistance if he needs it.  Get him out of the Qila as fast as you can.”  I came for this Seva.  I couldn’t disobey Mataji.”  Bhai Jetha ji said: “Baba ji, you are wise.  Please tell us what we should do.”  They told Baba ji everything: “we just had a discussion about all this.  We can’t show our powers without Guru ji’s permission.  There is no difference between you and Guru ji.  You can command us.  We can’t do anything without powers.  This is the problem.  Please tell us what to do.  The Badshah will need to be scared for him to call Guru ji out of the Qila.  He is happy in his palace.  He won’t do anything unless he gets worried about something.  If the Badshah thinks of Guru ji, Chandoo and Chandoo’s friends manipulate the Badshah and convince him into not calling Guru ji.  He wanted Guru ji to stay here 40 days.  Today is the 42^nd day.  We want to do something about this.  What are your thoughts?  We need your permission.”  Baba Bhudda ji heard this and saw with his divine vision of what Guru ji’s plans were.  He knew what Guru ji was going to do in the future.  He said to the Sikhs: “go and scare the Badshah.  This is not my command; this is Mata ji’s command.  She has sent me to do what it takes.  If Guru ji asks you, who you got the permission from, you should say Mata ji’s name.”  The Sikhs came to an agreement: “tonight, two of us will go.”  They got permission from Baba Bhudda ji and were happy.  They all liked the plan. 

Satguru ji awoke from his afternoon nap and Baba Bhudda ji went to meet him.  As Guru ji asked him about everything, Baba Bhudda ji told him the news.  Baba Bhudda ji was in bliss to see Guru ji.