5-31 Pathaans come to Kartarpur

Bhai Sai Das ji and Bibi Ramo ji did a lot of Seva of the family of Guru ji.  They prepared many types of foods with love.  The couple sat down with Mata Ganga ji at night time and talked about Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  They asked: “why didn’t Guru ji come with you?  When will Guru ji come?  We think of him day and night.  We wanted Guru ji to come first before we come into the house.  Guru ji knew our wish.”  Mata Ganga ji said: “it was important for Guru ji to go to the east.  The place of Guru Nanak Dev ji has been disrespected.  There is a Sikh there who is being bullied.  He thought of Guru ji and so Guru ji went to protect him.  Your Simran was also pulling Guru ji.  He thought long and hard about where to go first.  He had to go to both places.  He told me to come here to fulfil your wish.  He told me that he was going to go to the east and help the Sadhoo first.  He told me about your longing as well.  He wanted me to give you hope and tell you that he was coming here in a few days.  He will stay here for a long time when he comes.  He was impressed with your love.”  Hearing this, the couple was very happy.  Everyone went to sleep after.

In the morning, Mata ji wanted to send a message to her son about them reaching Daroli safely.  A messenger was sent to tell Guru ji that they had arrived in Daroli: “we have come to Daroli safely.  The family met us with love.  Come quickly when your work is done.  Bhai Sai Das is waiting for you.  He has a deep love for you.”  The messenger travelled and headed to Amritsar.  The messenger bowed at the Sarovar and went to meet Guru ji.  He told Guru ji of the pleas of Bhai Sai Das ji and Bibi Ramo ji: “they think of you and wish to see you soon.  Mata ji has sent a message for you: “complete your task and come to Daroli as soon as you can.”  When Guru ji heard that Mata ji had arrived safely, he began preparations to head East right away.  The Seva of Harmandhir Sahib and the other tasks of the Guru’s Langars and tasks, Baba Bhudda ji and Bhai Gurdas ji were given the responsibilities.  The other faithful Masands were given various tasks: “keep the traditions going.  Continue the tasks with love.”  Guru ji then went to Mata Kaulan ji’s home and told her about going to the east.  Her house was where Kaulsar is today.  He said to her: “I must go to Sri Nanak Matta Sahib.  Stay here with patience.  Do Simran of Guru.  I will be back in a few days after completing the tasks.”  Mata Kaulan ji heard this and became sad to hear that Guru ji was leaving.  Her heart was in pain.  Her body became weak.  She began to shed tears.  Her body went pale.  She said: “if you need to go, this pain is coming on to my body.  I can’t stop you.  I do your Darshan and stay alive.  I don’t eat without seeing you.  How will I eat now?  I won’t be able to eat.  My heart will long for your Darshan.  I will have to be patient and strong.  I need to keep my mind still.  I hope I don’t die in this separation.  Give me a solution for this please.  If I suffer and die while you are gone, I wanted to tell you how I feel.”  Guru ji said: “you will be able to see me everyday if you wake up at Amritvela, bathe and recite Japji Sahib.  When you complete the recitation and bow your head, you will be able to see me.  You will have my Darshan and be in bliss.  You will see what clothes and weapons I am wearing.  You will see what I am doing.  In this way, you can eat and carry on.  Wait for me.  Oh soft one, be patient.  I will come back to you in a few days.”  Mata Kaulan ji was happy to hear this.  Guru ji came outside.

Guru ji left a small regiment with Baba Bhudda ji and went to Harmandhir Sahib.  There, he bowed and did Parkarma of Guru Ramdas ji’s court.  He did an Ardaas to ask for permission.  He came out and said to Baba Bhudda ji: “there is less grass here.  The horses will become weak.  The army should go with me to Kartarpur.  There is a lot of grass in Doaba.  The horses and soldiers will become strong there.”  Guru ji took the whole army to Kartarpur Sahib.  They travelled for 4 days and reached Kartarpur Sahib, Doaba. 

Guru ji set up his camp in Kartarpur, the place of Guru Arjan Dev ji.  They all ate.  The army was to stay here.  Guru ji set up to stay here for a few days.  Divaan was set up where Rababis sang Shabads with their Rababs.  The people nearby heard that Guru ji had come and so they came to see him.  They brought money and gifts.  They bowed to Guru ji.  Guru ji fulfilled their wishes. 

Near Kartarpur was a village named Vadde Meer.  Pathaans lived there who were warriors.  They would hunt in the jungles.  They heard that Guru Hargobind Sahib ji had arrived with his army.  They heard that he had a lot of soldiers.  They talked amongst themselves: “let’s go see Guru ji and see if he hires us.  Otherwise we will do his Darshan and come back to our homes.  He is a great saint.”  10 Pathaans fastened their swords and shields.  They came to Kartarpur and sat in the court.  The Khans came to see the son of Guru Arjan Dev ji.  Guru ji was radiant in the court.  There was a crowd of men and women.  The lines were long.  There was a lot of people.  There was no room near Guru ji to stand.  The Pathaans stood at the back.  They didn’t find a place to sit either.  They did their Salaams from a distance and stood at the back.  After a while of standing, they did Guru ji’s Darshan.  They were impressed with Guru ji’s form.  Guru ji caught sight of the 10 Pathaans, standing at the back.  Guru ji saw the proud Pathaans with their weapons.  They wore nice clothes.  It was like the warrior spirit standing in the Khans forms.  They were fighters.  They wanted Guru ji to ask them about fighting.  Guru ji loved hearing about war and Shastervidya.  Guru ji sent a servant to call the Pathaans to him: “ask these Khans who they are and the reason for their arrival.  Are they here for Darshan or some other task?  Tell me.”  The Sikh quickly went to the Pathaans and asked them what Guru ji had said.  The Pathaans said: “we are here for Darshan.  We are from the Vadde Meer village, which is close by here.  We are impressed by Guru ji and wanted to see if we can get some work.”  The Sikh went back to Guru ji and said: “they wanted your Darshan.”  Guru ji looked towards the Pathaans and analysed their bodies.  They were big and strong.  There was a 16-year-old amongst the Pathaans.  He was strong and tall.  His body was thick and strong.  Guru ji knew that he was going to be a great warrior, given the proper nourishment.  His face was wide with big eyes.  He had earrings in his ears.  His chest was wide and his muscles were thick.  His arms were long, that look like elephant trunks.  His neck was long.  He was wearing a colourful cheera Dastaar.  Guru ji wanted to hire him.  He called all of the Pathaans close to him.  The Pathaans came to Guru ji and stood in front of him.

5-32 Painde Khan hired

The Pathaans came and stood in front of Satguru ji.  They stood together in a line.  Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji asked the Pathaans: “the young Pathaan amongst you, whose son is he and what is his name?  Does he live with you in your village or somewhere else?”  A Pathaan named Ismail Khan spoke: “Guru Gareeb Nivaaj the great, there is a place named Aalampura Giljian, that is where this young lad is from.  He used to live there.  His maternal grandparents are from Vadde Mir.  He grew up here.  He was young when his parents went to heaven.  He was left alone at a young age.  He is my sister’s son.  I brought him to my home and raised him when he was orphaned.  He is now older and started to practise weaponry.  When we were coming to see you, he wanted to come too.  He came here with great enthusiasm.  His name is Painde Khan.  He lived with us till now.”    Guru ji heard this and said: “he is grown up now and mature.  He is big and strong.  He fastened weapons and will fight wars.  If I hire him as an employee and raise him, will he live with me or not?”  Ismail Khan said: “the community of Pathaans, they only love to be employed as soldiers.  To live near you is a fortunate thing.  Keep him with you.  He will earn a good living and survive well.  To weigh scales, farm, or other businesses, Pathaans don’t like to do all that.  They only like to fight battles.  If you are going to be gracious, keep this boy with you and raise him.  He is a son of a Pathaan.  He will fight along your side in battles.  If you raise him, he will get what he wishes.  Given the right nourishment, he will be equal to 10 men.  He will be big and strong.  Keep him with you.  He will be a good warrior.”  Guru ji said: “you are here to have my Darshan today.  Take him home today.  You didn’t bring his stuff with him.  Bring him in the morning.  He will stay in Kartarpur with my army.  I am going to the east right now for a task.  I will be back in a few months.  I will give him nice clothes and nice weapons.  I will make him into a warrior.”  Guru ji gave 11 Rajitpuns to Painde Khan and said: “eat with this money today.”  The Pathaans all did their Salaams to Guru ji.  They were all happy as they went home.  They spent the whole day with Guru ji.  Guru ji ate food and went to sleep that night in peace. 

The next day, Guru ji woke up and did his morning routines of bathing and sitting in Samadhi.  When the sun was up, the Sangat began to come.  They came to see Guru ji.  Satguru ji sat in the Divaan.  They all heard the Bilawal Chownki after Asa Di Vaar.  They placed their gifts in front of Guru ji and did Darshan of Guru ji in lines.  5 Pathaans came with Painde Khan.  Guru ji set the salary of the 5 Pathaans as well as Painde Khan.  Guru ji gave them a place to live as well.  Guru ji got them 2 buffalos for milk.  Guru ji ordered a Sikh: “you are to heat the milk of the buffalo and put pistachios and almonds in it.  Put other dry fruits in the milk as well.  In the evening, mix sugar into the milk and give that to Painde Khan.  Give him as much as he wants.  Increase the amount everyday.  Give him 5 silver coins everyday.  Give him other foods to eat.  Serve him well.”  Guru ji told other Sikhs to raise him well.  Guru ji set his schedule for exercising and food.  The Pathaans were really happy with this. 

On the first day, Guru ji gave Painde Khan the milk himself.  Painde Khan ate as much as 2 men.  Guru ji was happy to see this.  Guru ji said: “feed him like this everyday till I come back.”  Guru ji commanded the Sikhs and enlisted him in the army.  Guru ji wanted Painde Khan to be really strong.

Guru ji got ready to leave the next day.  He fastened his weapons and took a small regiment with him.  Guru ji mounted his horse and set off.  Guru ji travelled 45 km in one day and camped the night.  Guru ji travelled more in the morning.  He travelled like this for many days.  He would rest the night.  Guru ji came upon the Bhaheva Teerath, where once the Sarasvati River flowed.  The river would wash the sins away, as it is praised in the Vedas.  When the river was only 18 km, Guru ji wanted to set up camp close to the Saravati.  There was a blind person that live there with handicapped legs.  That person met a Gursikh who said: “do Simran of the Guru.”  The handicap person did Simran all the time.  He said: “I have no one but you.  If I meet the master of the world, my troubles will go away.  I can’t come and see you.  Please come here and bless me.  I can’t walk or see.”  He was thinking of Guru ji all the time.  Guru ji wanted to see him.  In the village of Kara, Guru ji stopped there.  That is where the handicap person was.  Guru ji came here to clear his troubles.  Guru ji was gracious.  The warriors with Guru ji all tied their horses.  The servants brought grass for the horses.  They went to buy food from the nearby villages and prepared Langar.  The handicap person heard that Guru ji had come to his village.  He was in great joy.  He crawled from his home and did Simran of “Guru.”  He asked everyone along the way: “where has Guru ji camped?”  When he came to the place where Satguru ji was, he bowed his head to Prabhoo ji and said: “for this reason, you are known as the saviour of the weak.  I have no one in this world other than you.  Without feet and eyes, one cannot walk.  For this reason, I have been waiting for you to come.  You have been gracious and came to me.  I have waited for you for many years.  I have been doing your Simran this whole time.  You have come to bless me.  Bless me with feet and eyes.”  The Sikhs that were sitting close to Guru ji, spoke: “take the dust from Guru ji’s feet.”  He took Guru ji’s shoe and rubbed his finger on the sole.  He put the dust in his eyes.  As soon as the dust touched his eyes, he could see again.  He could see Guru ji sitting in front of him.  Looking at Guru ji, the handicap person was over-joyed: “you are Dhan, Guru ji!  You are just the way I heard about you.  I can see you with me own eyes and say that you are the way I heard about you.  You are gracious to the poor.  You save sinners like me.”  In this way, he praised Guru ji.  Guru ji made his troubles go away.  Guru ji said to him: “this is the place where you got your sight back.  Stay here and do Seva of this place with love.  Clean the place and light a Diva.  The people that come here to offer money and do Pooja, share that money and sustain yourself.  Any Sikh that stays here, coming or going, give them food to eat.  Eat after them.  Do the tasks of this place.”  In this way, Guru ji instructed the Sikh and gave him joy.  The person said: “I will be determined to follow your instructions.  You have cured my life in both worlds.  There is no one more gracious than you.  You are the saviour of the weak.”  Guru ji made the person into the Pujari of the place.  He did the Seva of the place.  His troubles went away over time. 

Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji came to that place later on and stayed there.  The Pujaari was happy to see the 9^th Guru and got the wisdom of Satnam from him.  Guru ji gave the person money for a well and other expenses before leaving.  Guru Gobind Singh ji came to this place later and noticed that a person there did not stand up in respect.  Guru Gobind Singh ji remained seated on his horse.  Guru ji asked someone: “who is this person?”  The person said: “his home is in the Karhaali village.  This place is the place of his in-laws.  He has many properties in Karhaali.  He has a lot of land there.”  When Guru Gobind Singh ji heard this, the radiant Guru spoke casually: “now his places will no longer be stable.  Whatever he had will be destroyed.”  Guru ji rode away without stopping here and went to the village Kalsaa. 

Guru Hargobind Sahib ji stayed one night here.  He carried on with his travels in the morning.  Maharaja Uday Singh of Kaithal bought this land later.

5-33 Coming to Sri Nanak Matta

The next day, Satguru ji got ready and continued his travels.  18 km away, the Sarasvati was flowing with little water.  Guru ji bathed in the river and gave money for donations.  Guru ji then proceeded from there after fulfilling the Sarsvati River’s wish to touch his feet.  There was a small regiment of soldiers with Guru ji.  Guru ji would travel during the day and rest at night.  As he travelled, they reached the dark waters of the Yamuna.  Guru ji bathed in the Yamuna and then continued to the Ganga.  Guru ji travelled quickly from here.  Wherever the Sikhs lived, when they would find out that Guru ji was close by, they would come to see him.  There were many villages in that area that had Sikhs.  Some met Guru ji on the way and brought gifts and money.  Some came at night during the Divaan and offered their gifts.  Milk and yoghurt were brought along with money and other foods for Langar.  They would sing the praises of Guru ji.  Guru ji then reached the Garh Ganga (Mukteshwar).  Guru ji saw the pure water flowing and got off his horse to bathe in it.  Guru ji made Ganga pure.  He gave donations to the Brahmins.  The Brahmins didn’t see Guru ji as the complete Parmeshwar.  They did not ask for the boon of Bhagti from Guru ji, nor did they ask for Gyaan.  They had the greed for money in their minds and so they did not recognize the Prabhoo.  Guru ji travelled from here and headed towards his destination. 

Guru ji, the giver of peace, travelled to fulfill the wish of the Sadhoo of Nanak Matta.  Guru ji wanted to reach quickly.  The gracious Guru soon reached Sri Nanak Matta, the place of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  Guru ji tied his horse and set up camp with the army.  They started to scope the area.  There was on earring- wearing Jogi who asked: “which Sardar or King is here?”  The Sikhs responded: “the true Paatshaah, Guru Hargobind Sahib ji has camped here.  He is the dispeller of pain.”  When the Jogi heard this, he ran to his fellow Jogis and told them all to run away.  They said: “make sure he doesn’t catch us!”

Listen to what happened to the Sikh: he was emerged into the Dyaan of Satguru ji.  He would fulfill his hunger only once a day along with doing his other bodily functions.  He would then sit down and continue his Simran till the next day.  He would stay like this, all day and all night.  He was doing Simran with full attention.  Since the Pipal was burnt, the Sikh had been doing Ardaas and Simran.  He was upset at the disrespect of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s place.  He was in pain.  It was difficult for him to tolerate this.  He thought many things in his mind.  He would do Ardaas with humility: “oh Prabhoo!  This will ruin your reputation.  The Dharma will be ruined.  The throne of the Satguru is permanent.  How can these slanderers win?  Please come and fix this.  If leaving my body will fix this, then I am ready to leave my body right now.  I know it won’t do anything.  The Jogis won’t let this place be peaceful.  They will continue to take over this place.  This is happening during your time.  What will happen after you are gone.  The people with little power will disrespect the places of the Guru, being fearless.  They need to be punished.  Why are you not coming quick?  Only you can fix this.  You have taken on the Meeree and the Peeree of the world.  Why don’t you help your Sikhs?  You are the master of the universe.  You are omnipotent.  This disrespect shouldn’t happen.  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, protect me.  Make the Jogis go away.  The name of Guru Nanak Dev ji should illuminate here.”  In this way, the Sadhoo did his Ardaas all the time.  He won his Indriyas and his mind.  He thought of the Guru all the time. 

As the Sadhoo was thinking of Guru ji, the horse of the Guru arrived.  Baba Almast ji heard the horses neighing and came out of his hut.  When he looked out his door, he saw many men standing there.  The men were speaking in Punjabi with each other.  He met one of the men and said to him: “whose Dhera is this?  Where are you from and where are you going?”  The Sikh soldier said: “the Guru of the world has come.  He has come as the lion to kill the deer of troubles.”  When the Sadhoo Sikh heard this, it was like Amrit going into his ears.  His heart gained his enthusiasm again.  He was alive again.  He ran with his feet slipping on the ground.  He was eagerly running towards Guru ji.  He saw Guru ji on his horse.  He saw Guru ji with his royal clothes and weapons.  Guru ji’s feet were soft and red, hiding in his shoes.  He came close to Guru ji and bowed, lying like a staff on the ground.  He began to shed tears as his heart was overflowing with love.  He took the dust from Guru ji’s feet and put it on his forehead.  He said: “Dhan Guru!  You are great!”  He folded his hands and stood up in front of Guru ji.  He sang the praises of Guru ji: “you reside in every heart.  You reside in the 14 dimensions.  You are omniscient and know everything.  You knew what I was thinking.  It is not surprising that you have come.  This is your promise to your devotees.  You are the ocean of powers.  You are omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.  You are the Dev of Devatas.  You are illuminated in the universe.  There is no one wiser than you.  I have thought hard and saw this particular quality in you: you are bounded by love.  You are helpless in front of love.  When you saw Draupati’s true love; she prayed to you with humility; she was praying in the court of her angry relatives, no one came to rescue her; they wanted to do unorthodox things to her; she came to your sanctuary; you helped her, seeing her as your own.  You saved Prahalad from trouble.  You killed the demon who was giving him pain.  In the same way, you helped your Sikhs from great troubles.  You saved your Sikh, Bhai Tiloka ji, whose wooden sword turned to metal when he was questioned in the Navaab’s court.  One Sikh’s weighing stone was lighter than needed.  You made his stone the right weight when he was interrogated in the court.  You are the 6^th form of the Guru and helped countless Sikhs in every form.  You came to bless me, a poor humble Sikh.  You came so far to help me.  You came to my rescue.  You are omniscient.  I bow to you!  I bow to you!  I bow to you!  You protect your Sikhs and complete their tasks for them.  This is your greatness.”  In this way, he praised Guru ji.  He was drenched in love.  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was happy.  Guru ji said: “oh Sikh, you are a great Sikh!  You only see the Guru.  You sat with great faith in the Guru.  How can your wish not be fulfilled?  Tell me Almast, how are you doing?  Tell me how the earring-wearing Jogis caused trouble.”  Baba Almast ji said: “Prabhoo ji, I am good by your grace.  I will tell you what the Jogis did: they burn in the fire of jealousy.  They burn in hatred.  They are never at peace after doing so much meditation.  They burnt the Pipal tree of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  I was sitting at that place but they kicked me out of that area.  They disrespected the place in many ways.  They spoke bad words for the Guru.”  Guru ji heard this and gave him hope.  Guru ji said: “your wish will be fulfilled.”  Baba Almast ji had rugs laid out.  Everyone sat down.  Guru ji sat down.  Baba Almast ji wiped the dust from Guru ji’s clothes.  Guru ji took his weapons off and rested.  The other soldiers set up camp.  The Sevadaars went to find grass for the horses.  The horses’ saddles were taken off and they were massaged.  Food was bought from other villages to be cooked.  Langer was cooked.  There was about 2 hours of day remaining.  Guru ji asked for water.  Guru ji washed his hands, feet and face.  He then bathed after.  He wore new clothes and said: “let’s go to the place of Guru Nanak Dev ji. 

Baba Almast ji lead the way and took Guru ji and the soldiers to the place: “this is the place of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  The Jogis used to be here.  It seems as though they have run away, seeing you come here.  There used to be a green Pipal here.  Guru ji’s hand print was there.  The Jogis destroyed the place.  They must have found out before me that you were coming.  There is a Reetha (soapnut) tree a distance from here, that has sweet fruit on its one side.  The other side has bitter fruit.  The side where Guru Nanak Dev ji sat, the Reethas (soapberries) are sweet.  The other side are bitter; where Gorakh Nath and the other Sidhs sat.  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji heard the history and gave Baba Almast ji hope: “don’t worry.  It will be good as new again.”  Guru ji had rugs laid out and started a Divaan.  The Chownki of So Dar started which speaks of the Guru’s praises. 

5-34 The Sidhs were forced out

After the So Dar was complete, Ardaas was done.  Everyone bowed their heads.  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was the master of the universe.  Guru ji wanted to make the Pipal green again as it was before.  Guru ji had pure water brought to him.  Guru ji had Kumkum, sandalwood and saffron added to it.  Guru ji sprinkled the water onto the burnt tree and said the holy Mantra: “Satnam!”  As he sprinkled the water, the dry Pipal became alive and green again.  It was like new again.  The leaves were green again.  The first branch came out like a snake coming out of its burrows.  As Guru ji sprinkled more water on it, the branches grew and spread outwards.  Baba Almast ji said: “Satguru ji!  You are the greatest in every way!  Please bring back the handprint of Guru Nanak Dev ji on it again.  It had a great radiance.  Make the sign come again.  I can’t see it right now.  Bless us with that sign again.”  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji said: “that was Guru Nanak Dev ji’s touch.  Other signs will come upon the branches.”  Guru ji sprinkled more Kumkum on it.  The big and small droplets could be seen on the leaves.  Guru ji said: “these sprinkles of Kumkum will remain till the Pipal remains standing on this earth.  This tree will grow overnight to where it was before it was burnt.”  Guru ji then came back to his camp and ate.  He rested the night.

Guru ji woke up at Amritvela and bathed.  He did his Nitnem and started the Divaan.  Guru ji sat in the Divaan.  The Jogis that had run away, went to their Guru, Gorakh Nath.   They greeted him: “Aadesh!”  They then sat down close to him with great fear in their minds.  It was as though they had run away from a fierce battle.  They couldn’t speak out of embarrassment.  After a while, they gathered their courage and told Gorakh Nath the whole story: “they took the place of our Guru, which was called Gorakh Matta; when Guru Nanak Dev ji came here, you know what happened: the place was re-named to Nanak Matta.  The Jogis did not stay there.  The place was in ruins once the Jogis left.  We thought to ourselves that: we should go and do Seva there.  We wanted to earn Jog there and illuminate our Guru’s name again.  We sat there for many years and did the Seva of the place.  A few months ago, a foolish Fakir came and didn’t have any fear for you, Guru Gorakh Nath ji.  He started to claim that the name of the place was not Gorakh Matta but it was Nanak Matta.  He sat under the tree and started to claim it for his own Guru.  He put some symbols up and tried to prove that it was Guru Nanak Dev ji’s place.  He talked to us and started to quarrel.  He didn’t listen to us.  He was stubborn and not afraid.  We took some firewood and burnt the Pippal tree.  The Fakir was upset and made a hut for himself at a distance.  He lived there and began to sway in pain.  Who knows who sent the message to his Guru in Amritsar but he has now come to help the Fakir.  The throne of Guru Nanak Dev ji is really big.  That fortunate person sits on that throne, who has come.  A small army has come along with him that have strong horses.  We thought to ourselves that we won’t be able to fight them.  We came because he is a powerful Guru.  If it were to be any Chakravarti Raja with the biggest army, we would have destroyed them with our Siddhis.  He would have been defeated.  The problem is that the Guru alone is more powerful than any other power.  We ran away with fear.  We didn’t want to be caught.  He thinks we are guilty because we burnt the Pipal.  He was going to punish us badly.  We came to tell you that Guru Hargobind Sahib ji has come.  We came to you in fear.  It is now up to you to do something about this.  It is a matter of our honor now.”  Everyone looked towards Gorakh Nath.  All of the Sidhs listened to him.  Gorakh Nath understood what everyone was thinking.  He spoke softly to everyone: “meeting Guru Nanak Dev ji was a very pleasant thing.  We were many and he was alone.  The ones who were egotistical, they debated with Guru Nanak Dev ji.  The Sidhs showed their powers and had many discussions with Guru Nanak Dev ji.  They all lost to him, continuously.  Bhunger Nath, sitting here, ask him.  He debated with Guru Nanak Dev ji for a long time.  He lost and bowed his head to Guru Nanak Dev ji.  The Sidhs were then happy speaking to Guru Nanak Dev ji.  They all bowed to him.”  Bhunger Nath got angry, hearing Gorakh Nath.  Bhunger Nath said: “Guru Nanak Dev ji was a Ghristi.  We are “Virakat” (celibate) Sidhs.  We are higher.  He started a backward tradition in the world and called himself the Guru.  Many bowed their heads to him.  All of you Sidhs bowed to him so I had to follow and bow too.  I wouldn’t bow to anyone otherwise.  I just did it because you all did.”  Mangal Nath, the wise, was sitting close by.  He spoke: “Bhunger Nath, you seem to feel fearless today.  You are talking about your power today. You need to show it.  You want to be praised.”  Bharthri ji spoke: “he was filled with pride with Guru Nanak Dev ji too.  Since he thinks we were weak in front of Guru Nanak Dev ji; he’s not here now; go and take over the place with your power then.”  Jhunger Nath and others said: “let’s go.”  Gorakh Nath laughed, knowing all these Sidhs were still filled with pride: “they still have not adhered to the wisdom of Saints.  They still take sides and hold on to ego.  They have not washed their vices away yet.  They lost before and they will be embarrassed again today.  They will be in trouble.  It will be good if the Guru will destroy their ego.  They should go for sure.”  Gorakh Nath thought about all this and gave his permission: “if you can free the place today, this will be good for all the Sidhs.  The Sidhs will be praised.”  The Sidhs all heard this and got up to go.  They were happy that Gorakh Nath gave them the permission.

The egotistical Sidhs went to where Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was holding his Divaan.  The Sidhs said: “Aadesh!”  The master of the universe, Satguru ji said: “Aadesh tisay Aadesh!”  The Sidhs sat down near Guru ji.  Their heads were shaved.  They looked like upside-down clay pots.  They were wearing earrings and had ash all over their bodies.  They had a saily and wore a langhot (cloth around the waist).  They looked like Sanyasis but their minds were corrupt.  They were filled with many powers.  They had Bairaagans and staffs in their hands.  Bhunger Nath said to Satguru ji with pride: “you are Ghristi in this world.  We are different.  We let go of Ghrist and the pleasures of life.  It is not right for you to fight with us.  Don’t try to use your powers.  This place is Gorakh Matta and it belongs to the Sidhs.  The Sidhs had been here for a long time.  Go away from here.”  Guru ji smiled and responded: “bonds are not broken by clothes.  Bonds are broken by killing the ego.  You are stuck in ego and attachment.  You don’t know your real form.  You are in doubt.  You have taken on the form of a Sanyasi but your mind has not accepted it.  Without breaking the bonds of the mind, the clothes are useless.  The ones who don’t have pride of the body, they know their real self.  Their attachments are broken.  The ego is destroyed.  The bonds are broken.  That person is called a Gyani.  Looking at you, the unwise fall into doubt and think that you are saints.  You are filled with vices.  You are egotistical.  You are deserving of punishment.  You are thugs.  You are frauds.”  The Sidhs heard this and got angry.  They used their powers and flew up into the sky.  They wanted to show their powers.  They made it rain rocks.  Huge boulders fell from the sky.  They made their bodies bigger with scary faces.  They tried to scare the Sikhs.  They caused a wind storm.  Fireballs fell from the sky.  The Sidhs said: “kill them!  They won’t cause problems again.”  Bhunger Nath spoke in anger: “they didn’t listen to us.  I spoke nicely.  I will destroy you and your army.  There’s still time.  Leave from here.”  He made a scary form of himself.  Some became lions and some became snakes.  Others made their bodies large like mountains.  The Sikhs were watching the Sidhs.  They said: “we heard that these Sidhs did this with Guru Nanak Dev ji.  Today we have seen it.  They are fighting with Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.”  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji said: “don’t worry.  Remain seated.  Their powers will be destroyed.”  The Sidhs could only show their powers at a distance.  They couldn’t come close to Guru ji due to his radiance.  The rocks fell at a distance.  The Sikhs were not affected by anything.  Guru ji then showed his own radiance.  It was like the sun.  Guru ji released a lot of heat.  The Sidhs began to burn and started to run away.  They couldn’t tolerate Guru ji’s heat.  They got anxious and ran away.  Who can tolerate the Guru’s radiance?  The Sidhs were on fire.  They couldn’t stay every if they tried.  Guru ji’s radiance spread to many miles.  The Sidhs went back to Gorakh Nath.

5-35 Back to Punjab/ Thanashwer/ Daroli

Shamelessly, the Sidhs ran away and came back to their community.  Gorakh Nath found out what had happened.  He spoke to all the Sidhs in slight anger: “listen Bhunger, you lost our honor.  You sit with pride.  You should have known that the throne of Guru Nanak Dev ji is very powerful.  You were beaten with Guru Nanak Dev ji’s sandal at one time.  You regretted it then.  Did you forget this?  You didn’t do good then.  You bowed to Guru Nanak Dev ji at that time.  You used to make people worship you.  I left my hatred then.  I stopped showing my powers to people and stopped making them worship me.  I understood that it was Kaliyuga.  You promised not to show your powers as well.  You broke your promise.  Look what you did?  You lost and came back.  You made the Sidhs look back.  You are drunk with your pride.  You can’t win the house of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  You are a drop and he is the ocean.  It is my command that all the Sidhs should go to the mountains.  The Sidhs in different lands should not have people worshipping them.  Whoever does this from now on, I will excommunicate them from the Sidh Mandali (community).”  All the Sidhs looked towards Bhunger and laughed at his state.  Bhunger Nath sat with his head lowered.  He didn’t look anyone in the eye.  It was like 100 pots of water was poured over his head.  The Sidhs listened to Gorakh Nath and disappeared into the mountains.  They went to the Sumer Mountain and earned their Yoga Sadhana.  It is believed that they are still there in modern times.  In this way, Guru ji saw all this and defeated the Sidhs with his radiance. 

The warrior Sikhs and Baba Almast ji, all saw that the Sidhs run away from Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  They were really happy seeing this.  Guru ji said: “the trouble is gone.  There won’t be any more problems here now.  No Sidh will come back here.  This place will forever be known as “Nanak Matta.”  No trouble will come here in the future.”  The Sikhs were happy to hear this and shouted Jaikaras of Guru ji’s victory.  Guru ji stayed in his Dhera that day and didn’t go anywhere else.  Panchamrit was made and distributed to all. 

The Sikhs in the nearby villages heard of Guru ji’s arrival and came to meet him.  Many men and women came with bliss.  They came eagerly.  It was as though dead people getting Amrit.  It was an amazing thing for them as Amritsar was really far for them to travel to.  They were happy that Guru ji came to them.  They saw themselves as fortunate.  They brought many gifts and bowed to his feet.  They sang Guru ji’s praises as their wishes were fulfilled.  Their minds became pure by seeing Guru ji.  Their minds connected to the Simran of the Satnam.  Their sleeping minds awoke in Bhagti of the Parmeshwar.  A great crowd gathered as people from every direction came.  They sang the praises of Guru ji, wherever they went.  Guru ji fulfilled everyone’s wishes.  People were in bliss coming back to their homes.

There were jungles all around Nanak Matta.  Guru ji would hunt in the jungles.  He hunted many lions, wild boars and rabbits.  Deer were not allowed to run far.  Guru ji would shoot them with bullets or arrows.  Guru ji hunted deep into the jungle to give the animals Mukti.  Many new people would come meet Guru ji once he would come back from the hunt.  Guru ji would hold Divaans in the evenings.  There were many Vanjara Sikhs in the area.  They were rich.  They would bring a lot of money and offer it to Guru ji.  Guru ji would fulfill their wishes.  In this way, many days passed.  Guru ji called the senior leader Sikhs of the area for a meeting.  When they came to the Divaan, Guru ji said to them: “this is the place of the first Guru.  Visiting this place has great rewards.  The sins are washed away, visiting this place.  Come here on special holidays and have Jor Melas.  When you keep coming here, the Seva will be done.  Sing Gurbani Shabads here and listen to it.  Keertan will make you pure.  If trouble arises here in the future, come together and make the problem go away.”  The Sikhs heard this and said: “we will do as you say, Guru ji.  You always look out for our well-being.  We will obey.”  Guru ji said: “this Fakir, Sadhoo Almast, will be the Mahant of this place.”  Guru ji gave hope to Baba Almast ji and blessed him with Brahmgyaan.  Guru ji gave hope and blessings to the Sikhs.  Guru ji ordered the soldiers: “get ready to go back to Punjab.”  The Sikhs got ready to go.  They came to the place of Guru Nanak Dev ji and did the Ardaas.  Guru ji did the Ardaas.  He then mounted his horse after bowing.  The Sikhs bowed to Guru ji as he was ready to leave.  Guru ji blessed everyone and began his journey.  The soldiers started to move out and planned out the journey.

Guru ji soon reached Ganga and set up camp.  Guru ji bathed in the Ganga.  Bhai Bidhi Chand ji, Bhai Jetha ji and other Sikhs swam in the Ganga.  Guru ji went swimming too.  They went from one shore to the other.  Brahmins found out about Guru ji’s arrival and so they came to receive money from him.  Guru ji gave them a lot of money.  The Brahmins sang his praises: “there is no other, more generous than Guru ji.  Whoever got donations from Guru ji, they were no longer poor.  He gives bliss to all.”  Guru ji’s praises spread everywhere.  Guru ji stayed there for a few days.  Guru ji then mounted his horse and set off with his soldiers.

Guru ji then came to the Yamuna with the dark waters.  She washed the sins of all.  Guru ji set up camp and bathed in the waters of the Yamuna.  Guru ji crossed the Yamuna with the Sikhs and reached Thanashwer (Kurukshetra) and set up camp.  He bathed in the Brahm Sarovar.  Guru Nanak Dev ji’s place was there too.  Guru ji visited that place and distributed Prashaad there.  The Sikhs were in bliss after taking the Prashaad.  The Sikhs asked Guru ji: “what is the history of Guru Nanak Dev ji coming here?”  Guru ji told the Sikhs the history of the place: “when Guru Nanak Dev ji came here, it was the Mela of the solar eclipses.  Many Sanyasis and Brahmins had come that day.  Guru ji knew that the people had dirty minds.  They wore clothes of saints but it was a façade.  Guru ji spoke to them and guided them on the right path.  Guru ji gave Sikhi to many here.  Guru ji was presented with a hunted deer here.  Guru ji had it cooked on the day of the Solar Eclipses, which was considered a bad thing for the Brahmins.  The Brahmins debated about the eating of meat with Guru ji.  Guru Nanak Dev ji uttered a Shabad that described the futility of arguing over eating meat or not and gave them wisdom.  The leader of the Brahmins was Nanoo Chand, who called himself “Nanak” as per Vyas ji’s description of the coming of Guru Nanak Dev ji in his Bhavish Puraan.  After speaking to Guru Nanak Dev ji, he stopped calling himself Nanak Chand and changed his name to Nanoo.” 

Guru Hargobind Sahib ji stayed here for a few days and bathed in the rivers around the area to make them pure again.  Sikhs came to meet Guru ji as they heard.  Guru ji continued his travelled and Sikhs met him along the way.  When Guru ji would set up camp, many would come to meet him.  The crowd would grow and there would always be a celebration around Guru ji. 

Guru ji then slowly travelled and made the places pure.  He came near Daroli.  Guru ji’s whole family was waiting for Guru ji in Daroli.  They started to see the good omens.  They would make the crows fly away and say: “Guru ji is coming!”  Mata Ganga ji was filled with love.  She was waiting for her son to come back.  The wives of Guru ji, Mata Damodri ji and Mata Nanaki ji, waited for their husband and remembered him with love.  Bibi Ramo ji and Bhai Sai Das ji waited for Guru ji for a long time.  Mata Nanaki ji’s left eye twitched.  She took that as a good omen.  Her eyes lit up like a blooming lotus flower.  Mata Damodri ji’s left arm twitched.  They all saw good omens.  Mata Ganga ji saw the good signs as well.  She knew that her son was coming very soon.  Bibi Ramo ji and Bhai Sai Das ji heard about the good signs and rejoiced.  They started to make preparations as they figured that Guru ji was going arrive any time now.  They collected grass for the horses and other items of need.  They waited all day and night, just as someone waits for the rains in the heat of the summer.