5-11 Chandoo’s Death

The Sangat of Lahore came to see Guru ji along with the seniors.  They bathed and wore expensive clothes.  They brought food and Prashaad.  They brought Panchamrit, clothes and jewellery for Guru ji.  They came and bowed their heads to Guru ji’s feet.  They sat at his feet and saw his amazing form.  They were happy seeing him.  The senior Sikhs of Lahore folded their hands and said: “you have caught the sinner of the Guru’s home.  The Sangat is happy to hear this.  Don’t let him live.  He is a big sinner.  Don’t have pity on him.  When Guru Arjan Dev ji was being tortured, we tried to meet Guru ji but Chandoo did not let that happen.  He didn’t let us come see him.  He shut the main doors of his Haveli.  He didn’t let anyone of us see him.  He kept us away.  He will suffer Hell in both worlds.  Punish him and take his life from him.”  Guru ji heard this and said: “he is to be punished according to his sins.  He is deserving of severe punishment.  He will be in pain.  No one can save him.  Dying won’t be his salvation.  He has more severe punishment awaiting him in Hell.”  The Sangat was relieved to hear this.  The Sangat got up after his permission.  They went to their homes.

Chandoo was with the Chandaals.  His nose was pierced with a bull ring that was attached to a long chain.  He ate out of dishes for dogs.  The Sangat saw him as they left.  His body was full of bruises and cuts.  He had lice and parasites on his body.  He had become blind.  His neck was low.  He would pick the lice and fleas from his body with his hands.  Nobody could sit near him as he smelled very bad.  The Sikhs of Lahore hit his head 5 times each.  Bhai Jetha Ji stopped them from hitting Chandoo too much as he didn’t want him to die yet.  The Sangat went to their homes and praised Guru ji: “Sri Guru Hargobind ji is great!  He avenged the death of his father.” 

15 days passed.  Sometimes the Badshahs would come see Guru ji and sometimes Guru ji would go to the Badshah and spend time with him.  He would speak to Guru ji and be happy.  The people of Lahore would come see Guru ji and have their wishes fulfilled.  They came from far away lands and brought him gifts.  There were celebrations happening everyday.  A great crowd gathered.  Bhai Jetha ji wanted everyone in Lahore to see the state of Chandoo, who tortured Guru ji in this city.  Men and women were to see the punishment.  The revenge had been taken.  The faith of the Sikhs would go deeper.  Bhai Jetha ji was afraid that Guru ji would let Chandoo go.  One day, Bhai Jetha ji asked Guru ji: “on this land, this sinner committed sins.  He tortured Guru ji for 5 days and 5 nights.  Guru ji did not eat, drink water or sleep for 5 days.  The disrespect of the Guru was condemned by every man and woman of every religion and caste.  The Sikhs who loved Guru ji cried a lot.  They cursed Chandoo.  They were in sorrow and mourning.  They couldn’t do anything.  They cried and swore at Chandoo.  Guru ji, Sri Prabhoo ji, why don’t you kill him?  The people of Lahore were in pain.  If we kill him now, the joy will be healing.  The people of Lahore will be happy when they see Chandoo’s bad state.  This is what they want to see.  We can’t do anything without your permission.  We want to parade him through the Bazaars of Lahore but we haven’t done so yet.  The people want him to beg in Lahore and be beaten by everyone.  It is necessary to parade him in Lahore.”  Guru ji smiled and said: “looks like you want to send him to Hell.  Go ahead.  Parade him in the markets of Lahore.  Don’t beat him too much yet.  Don’t let him die yet.  He needs to be tortured still.  He gave pain to a saint.  We need to set a precedent as to what happens to someone who gives pain to a saint.  His face will be disgraced in every world.”  Bhai Jetha ji got his permission.

The Chandaals were told to bring Chandoo.  Chandoo had a chain around his neck.  They all went to the Bazaars of Lahore.  Soot from the ground was rubbed on Chandoo’s face.  The children came screaming and running.  They threw mud on his face.  The children knew he was a sinner.  Everyone beat his head with their shoes.  Chandoo was forced to beg.  Bhai Jetha ji would stop people from hitting him too hard.  The people said: “don’t stop us!  There is a big reward to beat him!”  Bhai Jetha ji said: “I don’t want him to die yet.  He should suffer more.”  People didn’t stop though.  They kept hitting Chandoo.  Everyone got a chance to hit him.  Chandoo was paraded in Lahore and proceeding to be killed a dog’s death.  People climbed their balconies to see Chandoo.  The women would watch from the curtains.  There was a lot of noise around him.  People stopped their work to see him.  They cursed him and swore at him.  Chandoo was dragged through every street.  Everyone saw his state.  Karma and time were getting closer for Chandoo’s death.  Where the hot sand was ordered from, they had reached that place.  The hot sand was ordered from a “bhurpunja,” a popcorn maker.  He was upset that the sand was taken from him to torture Guru Arjan Dev ji.  He wanted to take revenge as well.  He wanted to pour sand on Chandoo’s head.  Bhai Jetha ji came to that shop of the bhurpunja.  The bhurpunja saw him and got really angry.  He took the same ladle that was used for Guru Arjan Dev ji and filled it with hot sand.  Children were stoning Chandoo.  There was a lot of noise.  Everyone called him a sinner.  The bhurpunja threw hot sand on Chandoo’s head.  Chandoo screamed and suffered from the scalding sand.  The bhurpunja threw the ladle at Chandoo and said: “get away from me you sinner!”  The ladle was hot and sharp from the front.  It hit Chandoo in the stomach and ripped his skin off.  He wanted to crush his bones.  Chandoo’s intestines came out and fell to the ground.  Chandoo screamed in agony and fell down.  Chandoo yelled: “Hargobind gave me a dog’s death.  It wasn’t a daughter that was born to me, she was some revenge that was born in my house.  This is the state I’m in because of her.”  Chandoo was dying due to the pain.  Chandoo was suffering close to the toilets.  Many people were watching him die.  They all said: “die you sinner!  You are deserving of this death.”  No one had pity for Chandoo.  They were even angrier at him.  When they thought of his sin, they got angrier.  In great agony, Chandoo was dying.  There were flies all over him.  He was being stung by insects.  Everyone saw this scene and felt sick to their stomach.  It was a gruesome sight.  His intestines were on the ground and he had lice all over his body.  He was a rich and powerful man whose command was followed in Hindustan at one time.  He had many allies in the Emperor’s court.  This state of his was the result of the Guru’s anger. 

5-12 The Shah goes to Kashmir/ Chandoo’s son meets Meharvaan

Chandoo suffered for a half an hour.  The sinner eventually died.  Bhai Jetha ji said to the Chandaals: “tie him up an drag his body through feces.  Throw him away from the city.  Throw him into the Ravi so he can go to Hell.”  The Chandaals tied Chandoo’s feet with a rope and dragged him through feces and dirt.  Chandoo’s dead body was thrown into the Ravi and thus his life was over.

The Sikhs had been angry since the time they had seen what was done to Guru Arjan Dev ji.  They felt a calmness in their heart when they saw Chandoo suffer and die.  They said: “Guru Hargobind ji is a strong warrior.  He did what was right.”  Nobody felt sorry for Chandoo.  Nobody cared that he was the Divaan.  They all got their revenge.  Guru ji had done the impossible.  He had the ability to do the impossible and to destroy the most permanent thing.  Chandoo was dragged from Delhi all the way to Lahore.  Only the Guru could do what was done.  Everyone praised Guru Hargobind Sahib ji: “Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Hargobind ji!”  The Sikhs went to their own homes after Chandoo was thrown into the Ravi.  Bhai Jetha ji came to Guru ji and bowed to him.  He said: “Chandoo went to Hell.”  He told Guru ji of how he was tortured first.  Guru ji then said: “he got what he deserved.  Nobody could save the person who gives pain to Saint Gurus.  Wherever the sinners go, they would be in pain.  My oath is complete now with the grace of Parmeshwar.  My father’s martyrdom, his death has been avenged.  Till now, I had a debt on my head.  It is gone now.  I didn’t eat or sleep properly till now.  I wanted to take revenge.  My worries are gone now.  He was killed, all of a sudden today.  He was to be killed by the Bhattyara/ Bhurpunja.  He died by the same ladle that was used to pour sand on Guru ji.  Everyone’s death is predestined.  Whatever people do or think, sets their future.” 

The next day, Jahangir came to meet Guru ji.  He came and bowed to Guru ji.  He sat down and conversed for a long time.  He talked about Guru Arjan Dev ji: “there is a really old Peer.  His body is really old.  He told me that Guru Arjan Dev ji was supreme.  He told me of his greatness.  Dhan Guru Arjan Dev ji was very deep.  He was omnipotent and tolerated such great pain.  Chandoo slandered him and influenced me in the wrong way.  I called him to my home and got to know him.  I see that you are the same as your father.  I come to you for forgiveness for everything.  Chandoo has been punished.  I gave you the fool to make you happy.  I can do anything to make you happy.  I look for your happiness.  I am innocent.  Please forgive me.”  Satguru ji said: “whatever someone does, they receive the appropriate result.  If you didn’t do anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about.  Whatever you did, you did because of Chandoo’s manipulation.  You regret what you had done.  You asked for forgiveness by surrendering Chandoo to me.  The Guru is always forgiving.  The sinner died yesterday.  The Sikhs killed him with a lot of suffering.”  Jahangir said: “good!  You got the revenge.  He died.”  In this way, they conversed.  The Badshah was happy.  He sat for a while and then returned to his place.  He had faith for Guru ji, deeper than before.

Guru ji stayed for a few more weeks in Lahore.  The news of Chandoo being punished and killed spread everywhere.  It was known that: “the Emperor gave Chandoo to Guru ji and the Sikhs killed him.  The Emperor listens to Guru ji and has faith in him.  He gave his Divaan to Guru ji to make him happy.  Guru ji had 52 Rajas released from Gwalior.”

Baba Prithi Chand’s son, Baba Meharvaan ji, heard of Guru ji’s praises.  He was upset hearing Guru ji’s praises: “what it was before, look what it’s become now.  My father kept fighting but didn’t get anything out of it.  He didn’t get the throne of the Guru.  My time is being wasted.  We had many friends to help us before, but they have all gone along with my father.  Chandoo killed Guru Arjan Dev ji and avenged my father’s death but the Badshah did a very bad thing of giving Chandoo to Guru Hargobind ji.  The Guru did some magic spell and possessed the Badshah.  The Badshah loves Guru Hargobind ji now.  Amritsar has been taken away from us now.  He didn’t consider us as equals.  What can I do now?  The Guru has Jahangir as a follower.  I can meet Shah Jahan, the prince.  If he helps me, it will be advantageous for me.  How can I meet him though?  Somebody needs to praise me in front of him.   I need an enemy of Guru Hargobind ji.  He will fulfill my task.”  Baba Meharvaan thought of Chandoo’s son.  He sent for his news.  Chandoo’s son knew Shah Jahan: “he can do my work!  This can work.  He is my friend.  His father was killed by the Guru.”  He sent 2 servants to Chandoo’s home.  He set up a time to meet with him. 

Baba Meharvaan took a Pugh, shawl and money.  He went to go and meet Chandoo’s son.  They both met and talked bad about Guru Hargobind ji.  They gossiped about him and spoke poisonous words of him.  These fools couldn’t understand the greatness of the Guru.  Baba Meharvaan said to Karam Chand: “I want to meet the prince.  Our enemy is the same.  Let’s get the Guru killed.”  The sons were just like their fathers.  They were enemies of the Guru.  Chandoo and Prithi Chand were the Guru’s enemy.  Both their sons were together and made an alliance.  They became Guru Hargobind ji’s enemies. They made a plan to meet Shah Jahan. 

They arranged a meeting with Shah Jahan and met him.  Meharvaan said: “listen son of the Emperor, where do we start?  We have been asking for justice from a very long time.  The Guru has the same grandfather as me.  The Guru’s father was the younger son, who took over everything.  He threw us out of the city by fraud.  Nobody was on our side.  Chandoo’s son and I, we are alone.  You will be the Emperor soon.  Who will tell the Badshah the truth?  You will have to do something.  We both need justice.  Guru Nanak Dev ji will bless you if you do our work.  We seek your protection.”  Shah Jahan heard this and said: “when I get the time, I will speak to my father.”  Shah Jahan didn’t really care and forgot.  Meharvaan thought: “this was the first meeting.  When we meet him again, it will be better.  We will be better acquainted then.” 

The season of Basant came, which brought great joy.  Colourful flowers bloomed.  The season got warmer.  Gardens and forests smelled nice from the fragrant flowers.  Jahangir thought of Kashmir, where the weather wasn’t too hot and the water was cool.  In Kashmir there were gardens of fruits.  The gardeners grew those plants.  Jahangir decided to go.  He was planning on coming back during the rains.  One day, Jahangir took his son, Shah Jahan, and went to go meet Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  Both bowed to Guru ji’s feet.  Guru ji had them seated with respect.  They spoke of spirituality.  After a while, Jahangir said: “I wish to go to Kashmir.  Please bless me as you did before.  Shah Jahan will serve you in Lahore.  Please bless him as well.”  Guru ji said: “the Guru’s home is like a mirror.  Whatever face you make, that is what is shown.  I have met you in the same way as you met me.  I will meet your son in the same way as he meets me.  Go to Kashmir with peace, where there is a lot of cold snow.  Go and visit the mountains and gardens.  I will stay in Lahore.  I won’t go to Amritsar yet.  I will do he Simran of Parmeshwar here.  I will stay here as I stay with you.”  They spoke to each other and then the Emperor and the prince left. 

The Emperor said to Shah Jahan: “he is the Peer of Peers.  Respect him and listen to his words.  Obey his commands.  Till I don’t return, take his news.  Don’t disobey him.  Keep his respect.”  Jahangir gave his son all the responsibilities and went to Kashmir with a small army. 

5-13 Meeting with Meharvaan

Jahangir went to Kashmir.  Satguru ji was in Lahore.  Many Sikhs came to meet Guru ji.  They came from many lands to see Guru ji.  Guru ji heard that Baba Meharvaan ji was in Lahore.  He had been there for a few days.  He had the same hatred as his father, Baba Prithi Chand, did.  Guru ji thought to himself: “he is going to attempt to provoke the Turks against me.  The Turks currently want to bow their heads to the Ghaddi of the Guru.  How would they listen to him?  Inder and other Devatas bow to the Guru Ghaddi.  It is not good to fight.  It is better to meet with love and peace.  It would be ideal to live happily in our own homes.”  Guru ji sent Bhai Paira ji and Bhai Pirana ji towards Meharvaan and said to them: “ask him about meeting and not being in conflict.”  Both of the Sikhs bowed and went to Meharvaan.

The two Sikhs found Meharvaan’s “Dhera,” place of stay, and met him.  They sat next to him and said: “we have been sent by Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  He wants no enmity between you and him.  The elders have gone to the next world.  Nothing came out of the conflict.  Asking the Emperor for justice, nothing was achieved.  We should become one.  Everyone would see this as good.”  Meharvaan heard this and got angry.  He spoke with pride and anger: “just as his father had been cheating us, he is trying to cheat me now.  He is trying to speak sweet words to manipulate me.  He has already taken everything from us.  The Badshah gave us one village to live in.  We live there and make a living.  When I get justice, I will take everything back.  He has picked up weapons and become a warrior now; how would he know my anger now?  When I pick up weapons, the weapons will meet.  My father said to me on his deathbed: “take my revenge.”  I have a lot of hatred in my heart now.  How can I meet him now?”  Bhai Paira ji heard this and said: “don’t be angry.  The form of Vishnu, Ram, Narsingh and Gobind is the same as Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  The one who takes the whole world and sleeps on Shaishnaag in Yog Nindra (Yog Sleep); the one who killed Madh and Kaitubh; that form is Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  The one who is the illuminating Sat, Chit and Anand; the one who is omnipotent and all-pervading like space; that formless one took on the form as Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  The ones who the Jogis meditate upon; the one who gives to everyone; Shaishnaag, Ganesh, Surya, and Shiva do his Simran; that form, know him as the true Satguru.  Let go of your hatred and go to Guru ji.”  Meharvaan could not tolerate the praise of Guru ji and got angrier.  He was filled with jealousy.  He tried to think of bad things and said: “your Guru is the one who exists in the whole world?  Firstly, his father got scared of Sulhi and left Amritsar and went to another village.  That is where he was born, whom you call “a great warrior.”  Why doesn’t he think of his father’s actions?  He then met my father in a cheating way and came back to Amritsar.  He built his strength by bribing the Sikhs.  My father was naïve and couldn’t understand his cheating ways.  What else can I say about his cheating ways?  Look what happened to him during his end time.  Chandoo gave him punishment.  He left his body in extreme pain.  Your Guru was locked up in Gwalior.  He got out with a lot of effort and now he came home.  He didn’t have to show his power.  He was fortunate that he got out.  How would he say this, if he would have all these powers?  How does he show his humility?  You call him the Avatar of Hari.  You eat his food and praise him.  You want to copy Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji who was the Avatar of Ishwar.”  Bhai Pirana ji heard this and said: “it is the same Jot that is in all 6 bodies.  This is our Guru’s praise: he doesn’t show his powers, even if the head goes.  He is the form of Guru Nanak Dev ji and Guru Angad Dev ji, whether you believe him to be the supreme or not.  Guru Angad Dev ji was sent away from his village by the Jatts of his village.  He didn’t show any powers.  Guru Amardas ji took the strike of the leg in his chest.  He took the pain due to him being old.  He left Goindwal and Baba Bhudda ji brought him back.  Whatever you said about enduring pain, Satguru ji sees this as a decoration, jewellery.  Guru ji is deep like the ocean.  You can’t measure his patience.  He is unmovable like the Sumer Mountain.  He can’t be pushed to do anything.  He can’t be quantified.  The ones who have droplets of power, they show it off to win over the world.  Lowly people praise them then.  They don’t understand the ocean.  Guru ji wants to maintain your respect and greatness.  He considers you to be his older brother.  Listen to him and meet him.  Let go of your hatred and gather love and praise.  It will be beneath you if you go to the Turks and ask for justice.  You talk about the elders and use Guru Ramdas ji’s name in front of them.  Thinking about this, Guru Hargobind Sahib ji feels embarrassed at what you are doing.  He wants to meet you because of this.”  Meharvaan spoke out of anger: “Get up!  Why are you sitting in front of my eyes?  If you are concerned for your well-being, then get out of here!  Don’t be beaten up for no reason.”  Bhai Paira ji and Bhai Pirana ji got up and left.  They didn’t show any anger to Meharvaan because they were afraid of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji. 

The two Sikhs came back to Guru ji and told him of what Meharvaan said to them.  Guru ji said: “I will go now.  Let me make a request first and see what happens.”  Bhai Jetha ji said: “don’t go yourself.  Meharvaan is the same as Prithi Chand.  Guru Arjan Dev ji tried hard to reason with him by sending many messages.  He always took the negative and refused to accept Guru ji’s requests of meeting in peace.  He thought that Guru ji was afraid of him and that’s why Guru ji wanted to meet him.  Sulhi and all the other schemers died but the hatred is not gone.  They are still stubborn.”  Guru ji said: “Jetha, you speak the truth but I still want to see what happens.  If he doesn’t listen, then he will be like a fool.  Till his generations will last, they will always be upset.  It is my duty that I try once to reason with him.  He thinks he’s in pain and going to the Emperor for justice.  It was them who left their father’s and grandfather’s city, while breaking the love of the family.  They left and then slandered the Guru.” 

Guru ji got up and took some Sikhs with him.  The patient and omnipotent Guru went to meet Meharvaan.  Meharvaan was egotistical.  He thought that he had the Guru Ghaddi.  He had many poor disciples sitting close to him.  Meharvaan was sitting on a higher place, atop a bed.  He saw Guru Hargobind Sahib ji coming to him in the distance.  He saw that he was walking like a carefree elephant.  He saw his handsome and strong body.  He looked happy and charming.  His arms were big and long like an elephant’s trunk.  He saw that he was wearing his sword, shield, bow and a quiver full of arrows.  His face made the full moon look lower.  He saw the royal regalia.  Meharvaan kept staring at him till he was in the distance.  As Guru ji came closer, Meharvaan turned his face.  His heart felt like it was pierced with many spears.  He had already told his disciples to follow his lead.  He told them not to get up or bow to Guru ji when he would come.  He himself was scared though.  His head was sweating.  Guru ji came and bowed to Meharvaan, seeing him as his older brother.  The dispeller of pain sat down after bowing.  Meharvaan’s Sikhs gave Prashaad but Meharvaan remained quiet.

5-14 Guru ji’s Meeting with Meharvaan

Meharvaan remained seated on his bed, filled with ego.  The forgiving Satguru sat on the floor, exemplifying his humility.  The ones who bend are always higher than the egotistical.  Bhai Bidhi Chand ji could not tolerate the disrespect and spoke up: “he does not know right from wrong.  You should sit on the bed.  Why are you sitting on the floor?  You are the supreme Satguru.  You are the Peer of Peers and the Meer of Meers.  There is no one higher than you.”  Satguru ji heard this and said: “his father was older than my father.  He is also older than me.  I was born after him so I am younger.  He is right to be higher because he is my elder brother.  It is good for me to be lower.”  The Sikhs went quiet after hearing this.  They were upset at Guru ji’s disrespect.  After a while, Guru ji spoke sweet words: “let go of your anger and turn your face towards me.  Speak to me with joy.  Why are you asking for justice from the Badshah?  Come and live in Amritsar.  Home, wealth, land or anything else; whatever you want, you can have.  Don’t be humble in front of the Turks.  We have the same honor.  Guru ji has given us everything.  You can have all the joys.  Right now, you are being talked bad about and on top of that, you are growing your hatred towards me.  Nothing will come of this.  Think of what happened to your father.  He spent his whole time in hatred.  The hatred only grew.  There is a lot of bad in this.  Think about all this in your heart.”  Meharvaan heard this and said: “you and I cannot be together.  You only speak the truth till you are not affected.  When you feel my wrath, then you will know.  You sleep in peace.  You have no worries.  My father couldn’t do anything.  When my father was dying, he said: “son, you know the whole story.  Take my revenge.  I want you to be the Guru of the world.  Have both father and son arrested or killed.  If you take the wealth of your grandfather, then you will be a good son.  Don’t meet them till you are alive.”  This is what my father told me.  I will follow his words.  I am making a scheme to have you kicked out of Amritsar.  You will be arrested.  If you don’t want to be arrested, then leave Amritsar.  Then I will be called a good son.  My father was a great saint.  He was a complete Brahmgyaani.  Whatever he would say, would become reality.  Whatever he said to me, I have accepted it.  You and your father have no shame.  You always talk about getting together.  You took my grandfather’s city away from us.  You started calling yourself the Guru.  My father was forgiving.  Otherwise he would have had your father arrested by Sulhi Khan.  Now I will have you killed.  That is when I will meet you.  Your heart is treacherous but you speak sweet words.  Your father taught you this.”  The Sikhs heard this and were filled with anger.  Meharvaan was slandering Guru ji.  Bhai Jetha ji and Bhai Pirana ji got ready to start a fight.  They stood up and were ready for Guru ji’s signal.  They wanted to grab Meharvaan and give him a good thrashing.  The Sikhs were really angry and were about to say something.  Guru ji saw them and stopped them.  He said: “calm down.  We came to his Dhera.  Are we here to make him happy or make him angry?  Calm down and sit down.”  In this way, Guru ji calmed his Sikhs down.  Guru ji grabbed Baba Meharvaan’s feet and said: “brother, you are elder.  I can’t say anything to your face.  I still want to you to think about this and let go of your anger.  Anger kills a person’s wisdom.  Anger is the root of conflict.  Anger turns one away from Dharma.  Anger makes one go to Hell and do bad things.  Come to your own city and take care of it.  If you need anything else, I will give it you.  Tell me the reason of your anger.  I will solve the problem.  Don’t think of the past.  Be calm and be wise.”  Meharvaan looked towards the Sikhs with anger and said: “why don’t you leave?  Otherwise there will be a fight.  These low-lifes are looking at me with anger.  Don’t come here again or else your heads will roll.  Our chests are already filled with anger.  Now the fire is blazing.  You will all be burnt.”  Meharvaan’s eyes were red and spoke other words.  He had a sword in his Gatra and had his hand on the hilt.  He tried to show his bravery but Guru ji was extremely patient.  Guru ji said: “I want the Guru’s family to be one.  I am not here to fight.  If your destiny is bad, then nothing can happen.  Guru ji’s curse was to become fruitful: just as your father spent his whole life in worry, you too will be the same way.  Your generations will burn in worry.  They will see others and be jealous.  You called my Sikhs low lifes; your generations will bow to my Sikhs.  You will need to take the Pahul from these Sikhs and serve them.  You will work for them to make a living.  You will be humble towards them and ask things from them.  You will be disrespected in every home, otherwise.  You didn’t listen to me and call a truce.  Now in the future, your generations will fold their hands to the Sikhs.  Your generations will want to meet the Sikhs, but the Sikhs will push them away.  They will either serve them or take the Pahul from them.  The Sikhs will give your generations money.”  The complete Guru cursed Meharvaan and got up.  Guru ji’s body parts were full of power and royalty.  Meharvaan spoke a lot of inappropriate words as Guru ji got up.  Guru ji didn’t give any response and continued to leave.  The elders should be big and become humble.  In this situation, the higher was the younger.  The bamboo keeps its head high and then burns quickly.  On the peak of a mountain, the big grass remains big and the small grass remains small.  Growing on the high mountain does not make the smaller grass bigger.  Just as a small goat climbs an elephant, the goat is not bigger and the elephant is not smaller; that is how Guru ji was, his praise did not decrease by bowing to Meharvaan.  He was considered the stronger one by being humble. 

Guru ji walked slowly back to his Dhera.  He was appalled at Meharvaan’s thinking.  He thought to himself: “he met me for the first time.  I got to know his personality.  He is just like his father.  His father taught him all this hate.  Speaking harshly, hatred, thinking of schemes all the time, having jealousy; he is just like his father.”

Meharvaan was filled with ego.  He was happy that he showed Guru ji disrespect.  He praised himself to his own followers: “look!  He bowed to me.  He calls himself the Guru.  He bribed the Masands to become the bigger Guru but he comes and bows to my feet.  He bows to me.  Don’t the Sikhs understand my greatness?  Only some know my true greatness.  Only people like you know.  He only has people who follow the crowd coming to him.  He came to me to call a truce to avoid problems for himself.  He knows that Shah Jahan meets me.  He must have heard this and become scared.  I am not stupid.  I won’t ruin my task by meeting him.  The prince is my friend.  He will fix everything.  When he tells the Badshah, our tasks will be completed.  He may do it himself though.  Guru Hargobind ji will be scared then.  How can I go to the city?  That is not a good thing.  I won’t meet my family.  I will take everything with my might.  I will take my grandfather’s home and be happy.”  His disciples said: “your father was the Satguru and so are you.  You are the great son of the Guru.  You are the rightful heir to everything.  Everyone knows this.”  In this way, they made themselves happy.  Meharvaan thought he was going to be the Guru now.  His hatred got worse by the day and didn’t follow the true Guru.

5-15 The Shah snatches the Horse from the Sikh of Kabul

In this way Guru ji stayed in Lahore for many months.  The Sangat came to Harmandhir Sahib and bathed in the Sarovar.  They would sit and listen to Keertan.  They would then find out that Guru ji was in Lahore and would head there.  They would bring horses, weapons and many expensive gifts for Guru ji.  Guru ji would be very happy to meet the Sangat.  The Masands from all around would come to see Guru ji.  They would bring the Dasvands of the Sangat.  The crowd would keep growing.  Expensive gifts would be placed in front of Guru Sahib.  They would look for the best breeds of horses for Guru Sahib.  They would bring a lot of money for Guru ji and the Langar.  They would bring Shasters of Faulaad.  Spears and arrows of the highest qualities would be brought.  They would pay a lot of money for bows, swords and guns and bring them for Guru ji.  Guru ji would be very happy with them.  The Sikhs would come from every direction.  Big or small villages, the Sikhs would come.  Guru Nanak Dev ji had preached Sikhi in far away lands.  There were Guru Nanak Dev ji’s praises sung in every country.  There was no place where there wasn’t at least one Sikh.  The canopy of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s praises was everywhere in the world.  There was no person who hadn’t heard of Guru Nanak Dev ji. 

Baba Satta ji and Baba Balwand ji were Keertanis of the Guru’s home.  They were Rababi brothers.  Their Bani is in Guru Granth Sahib ji known as Ramkali ki Vaar.  They would do Keertan and make everyone happy.  They were experts in Raag Vidya.  The ones that heard them were always in joy.  Baba Satta ji’s and Baba Balwand ji’s end time came close.  They were in Lahore when they left their bodies.  Their funeral was performed in Lahore.  After them, Bhai Babak ji was the most famous Keertani.  Bhai Babak ji was also an expert in Raag Vidya.  He was also an expert marksman and swordsman.  He would sing skilled Keertan and stayed with Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  Guru ji kept him with him to do Keertan wherever the Divaan was in session.  Guru ji loved to hear Bhai Babak ji do Keertan.  He would give him many blessings.  He would give him a lot of money. 

After a few months, Guru ji got the news that Badshah Jahangir had passed away and Shah Jahan took the throne as the Emperor of Hindustan.  Shah Jahan was in command of land, army and administration.  The Rajas and Umraavs all came to meet Shah Jahan, bringing him gifts.  Some brought him horses and some brought other gifts.  He would call for anything he wanted.  After a few days, he was able to reaffirm the allegiance of all the Rajas and leaders to him.  They were under his command now. 

Guru ji’s Sangat kept coming to Guru ji and brought horses and weapons to him.  There was a rich and wise Sikh in Kabul who had a prosperous business.  He took out his Dasvand for Guru ji all the time.  There was a time where he had made a deep profit.  He had been collecting the Dasvand for a while.  As his Dasvand collected, his prosperity flourished.  He heard what Guru ji liked.  He heard that Guru ji loved strong and clever horses and would dispel the Sikh’s pain whoever brought him this.  He heard that Guru ji loved to ride horses and hunt.  The money that he had collected as Dasvand, he decided to buy a horse.  He started to look for a good horse but couldn’t find one befitting for Guru ji.  He couldn’t find an expensive horse within the Balkh Bukhara region.  He went to Rome next and found an Iraqi horse that was very expensive.  He found the horse and looked at it.  He touched it with his hand and found it good for Guru ji.  He had heard that it had many great qualities.  He loved it.  He said: “tell me how much this is.  I will buy it from you.”  The Saudagar selling the horse heard this and said: “you can’t buy it.  This is too expensive for you.  Only a Badshah can buy it.  It has many qualities.  The Emperor wouldn’t care about the money.  He would take it.”  The Sikh said: “you are right!  The true Paatshaah is getting this horse.  He doesn’t care for the money.  Money collects at my Guru’s feet.  He will take the horse.  Tell me how much it is.”  The Saudagar spoke the truth: “it is 125,000.  Nothing less.”  The Sikh was happy.  He thought to himself: “I don’t have that much Dasvand but since I said it is for Satguru ji, I will spend my money now but will cover the Dasvand afterwards.”  The Sikh paid the money and took the horse.  The horse danced like an acrobat artist.  The Sikh brought the horse in Kabul and covered it with old and ripped clothes.  The Sikh wanted to see Guru ji right away.  He met the Sangat of Kabul, who were going to Madhur Desh (Punjab).  They had collected their money. 

The Sikh joined the others and headed to Guru ji.  He kept the horse covered as he didn’t want any Umarov taking it from him.  He didn’t want the Badshah to hear about this horse.  He wanted to reach Guru ji’s place without any problems.  He made great efforts to hide.  He had to cross the Attock River and so he took the horse on a ferry.  When he reached the other shore, there was an Umarov who was heading to Peshawar on that same ferry.  The Umarov caught sight of the horse and knew that the horse was great.  He saw the horse was jumping off the ferry with great skill.  He could tell by the way the horse moved that it was a strong and agile horse.  As the horse jumped, its covers came off.  The Sikh covered the horse again and tried to walk without being noticed.  The Umarov decided to take the horse, just as a bee gets greedy on a lotus.  The Umarov came up to the Sikh and said: “whose horse is this?  Where did it come from and where is it going?”  The Sikh said: “the great Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji has bought this.  I am taking it for him.”    The foolish Umarov thought to himself: “this horse is deserving for the Badshah.  The Badshah would be really happy riding it and I would be praised.  How will I take this though?  The Guru stays with the Emperor.  He may get angry over this.  I won’t take the horse.  I will write a letter to the Badshah.  If he wishes, he can take it himself.  I won’t be at fault then.” 

The Umarov wrote a letter to the Badshah and sent it with one of his soldiers.  He said: “you will get money if the Badshah is happy.  He loves horses.”  The messenger reached the Emperor’s place and gave him the letter.  The letter was read by Shah Jahan.  He was happy reading it.  He called the messenger and said: “who is bringing the horse?  Where is it going?”  The messenger said: “it is a few miles behind me with a Sikh.  The Sikh is heading towards Guru ji’s Dhera.  There is a lot of Sangat with that Sikh.  I came quickly to give you the letter.”  The Badshah got greedy and sent soldiers to the Umarov to get the horse.  The Umarov took the horse from the Sikh.  The Sikh was upset at losing the horse.  He left the Sangat and went on ahead to Guru ji to tell him. 

The Sikh reached Lahore.  He was depressed and upset.  He folded his hands and bowed to Guru ji.  He was crying.  He couldn’t speak as he was upset.  It was evident that he was upset.  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji noticed the Sikh’s state and understood what happened.  Guru ji said: “tell me Sikh, what is in your heart?  You look worried.  What went wrong?”  The Sikh gathered himself and spoke slowly: “Guru ji, my effort went to vain.  I spent a lot of time and looked all over Balkh Bukhara and Rome to find a horse for you.  I paid your money of 125,000 Rajitpuns to get a great horse.  I covered it and was bringing it to you.  I covered it with old clothes and joined the Sangat to come to you.  Somebody told the Badshah who sent soldiers to take the horse form me.  I couldn’t do anything.  I was left standing there.  That is why I am upset.  My wish was not completed of bringing you a horse.  I couldn’t see you sitting on the horse.  I wanted to see this.  I am upset.  I am from Kabul.  I am a business.  You have given me a lot of money.  I had collected a lot of Dasvand so I thought of getting you what you would really like.  I heard from many Sikhs that you are happy with great horses.  I found a good horse for you in Rome.  I told the Umraav that Guru ji bought this horse and I am bringing it from Rome.  They didn’t listen to me.  They said: “who is that?  This is for the Badshah now.”  I didn’t say anything and ran to you.”  Guru ji saw the deep love of the Sikh and gave him hope.  Guru ji said: “the Satguru’s horse cannot stay with the fools.  Your wish will be fulfilled.  Don’t worry.  The horse will come to me after a few days.  No sinner will be able to ride it.  I will bring the horse here to make you happy.  I will mount the horse and make him dance for you.  I will fulfill your wish of wanting to see me ride it.  You will see this.”  The Sikh was happy to hear this.  He folded his hands and bowed, over and over again.  He stayed with Guru ji for a while to see the horse.