5-46 The Kathas of the Sikhs – Bhanu Bahil

A Sikh named Bhai Bhanu Bahil ji lived in Raj Mahal.  He followed Sikhi and did Prema Bhagti.  He followed Guru ji’s word and did Simran of Satnam Vahiguru.  He followed the traditions of Sikhi.  He shared his earnings.  He came to Guru Hargobind Sahib ji and bowed by placing gifts and Guru ji’s feet.  He asked Guru ji: “the 6 Shastras’ ideologies are different from each other.  Some say to do Tapasya, and some sing praises of visiting Teeraths.  Some talk about keeping fasts and some talk about following a daily routine.  Yagnas and homas are recommended; giving donations according to traditions are also mentioned.  The Satguru only praises the Simran of Satnam.  What is the difference?  How is the Simran the highest?”  Guru ji heard this and spoke: “I will tell you the utilization and effort.  Satnam is like the number “1.”  The other actions are like zeros.  If you write “1” first, then the other zeros make everything grow 10 times.  The zeros on their own are nothing.  It is all empty.  There is no counting.  Without Satnam, everything is zero.  The 1 is the beginning and the end.  If you don’t add a zero after the 1, it won’t be ten times the amount but the 1 will still be there.  It will still be more than many zeros put together.  It won’t go away.  The other ideologies are for the other Yugas because people were stronger and richer.  In Kaliyuga, Satnam is the highest Karma.  This gives everyone Mukti.  Without the Naam, there is no breaking of the bonds.  The other actions increase ego.  If Simran is done, humility comes and ego is destroyed.  The Naam will give joy and peace.  This is the difference between Simran and the other ideologies.  The other actions increase ego and Simran destroys it.”  Bhai Bhanu Bahil ji heard this and was at peace.  He inscribed the words of the Guru into his heart. 

Sikhs named Bhai Badli Sodhi ji and Bhai Seth Gopal ji stayed with Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  They did a lot of Seva and Simran.  One day, they sat at Guru ji’s feet and said: “please give us wisdom as well.  We want to be blessed with Mukti.”  Guru ji said: “I will tell you the best way to get peace.  Stay humble in front of everyone.  Just like the water in the fountain goes as high as it is deep; dust is always below everyone’s feet, that is why people put it to their heads which is near the saints; the smallest finger on the hand always gets the ring with the diamond in it; out of all the trees, the Bhaavan Chandan (dwarf sandalwood) is the smallest; it is considered the highest due to its fragrance; other trees smell like it as well that grow near it; the people of the world who wish to achieve the highest status, that is how humble your mind should be.  Vishnu is praised the most out of all the Devatas.  Vishnu’s mind is the humblest out of all the powers.  Bhrigu’s foot was printed on Vishnu’s chest when Bhrigu hit his chest.  He did not get angry.  When the Pandavs did a Yagna, Krishan ji cleaned all the feet of the saints and the Rishis.  The other things that Bhagwan does, they are done without ego.  To give high statuses, the best thing is humility.  The more the humility, the higher the being.  Always lose in front of Gursikhs.  Don’t have the wish to win them, ever.  Whoever does win, they will actually lose in the end.  Whoever loses, actually wins.  Just as the Firang Pauri (ladder of the illusionist) is, that is how this is.  The ladder of the illusionist has a special quality: when one climbed it, they actually went downwards.  If a person went downwards, they would go upwards.  That is the same in Gurmat.  The one who says they have lost, actually wins.  It is the opposite.  Stay low in the Satsangat.  Meet Gursikhs with sweet words.”  The Sikhs heard Guru ji and became humble.  They achieved the Param Padvi.

Bhai Sunder Chadda ji was a Gursikh who lived in Agra.  He would meet Sikhs in the Dharamsala and did Keertan with Simran of the Naam.  Wherever he saw Sikhs doing Keertan, he did their Seva.  He would come to see Guru ji and do Seva with faith and devotion there.  One day he was sitting next to Guru ji with love.  He folded his hands and said: “Satguru ji, how can a Sikh be blessed with Mukti?  How can the vices be destroyed and the good virtues be achieved?”  Guru ji said to him: “the Satguru is of 4 kinds.  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji is higher than all 4 types.  Hearing his name, the Jumms run away.  The first type of Guru is the “Bhringi” Guru.  A small ant.  The Bhringi takes another species of ants and places them in its own mud home.  It does not have offspring.  The Bhringi makes its noise in front of the captured ant.  It makes the other ant into its own kind.  It does it to a distinct species of ants.  The Bhringi Guru can only make a certain type of people like its own.  It teaches them only what he knows.  The second is the “Paaras” Guru.  The Philosopher’s stone.  Whatever the Paaras touches, it makes it into gold.  The Paaras only makes gold but can’t make another Paaras.  The Paaras Guru makes students great but can’t make them into its own status.  The third is the “Bhaavan Chandan” Guru.  The Dwarf Sandalwood.  The Chandan only gives off its smell to other plants during a special season.  It makes the other plants smell the same.  In other seasons, it cannot.  The Chandan Guru can only teach during particular situations and time periods.  The fourth is the “Deepak” Guru.  The light/flame.  If another Deepak comes close to it, it gives it its own fire.  If a wick and oil is ready, it can light the fire.  If the wick and oil is not there, it cannot light another flame.  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji is the supreme Guru.  He does not require wick or oil.  If a Sikh has faith; listens to and recites the Bani of the Satguru, they slowly become Brahmgyaanis.  They become the Anand Aatma.  They can also make others into the blissful Aatma.  There is no Sadhana required.  Only to meet the Satsangat, that will give you the achievement of Mukti.  The bonds of birth and death are broken.”  Bhai Sunder ji heard the beautiful wisdom and fell in love with the Satsangat.  He came everyday with love and faith.

Bhai Mohan ji lived in Dhakka.  He had the virtues of Sikhi in his heart.  He came to see Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, bringing money for Guru ji.  He bowed and had bliss in his heart.  He stayed with Guru ji and had love in his heart.  One day, he said to Guru ji, while sitting close to his feet: “the pain of being born and dying is hard.  Please take me out of the cycle and keep me at your feet.”  Guru ji said: “looks like you have not recognized yourself.  Without knowing yourself, you are in pain.  What do you think your form is, what your mind is always attached to?”  Bhai Mohan ji said: “I think I am a human.  Sachay Paatshaah, I am your Sikh.”  Guru ji said: “that is your body.  This is not you.  It is made of the 5 primal elements.  You existed before this body existed.  You will exist after this body is no more.  Your body is the same as mine.  There is no difference.  Parmatma is the same in everyone.  Parmatma does not die or take birth.  Parmatma is the witness that witnesses everything in each body.  It is the same witnessing power everywhere.  The difference between the Guru’s mind and the Sikh’s mind is big.  The Guru’s is radiant and the Sikh’s is dark.  One is pure, the other is not.  When the Sikh comes to the Guru and does his Pooja; listens to the Guru’s Shabad and follows it; the Shabad resides in the mind of the Sikh and purifies the mind.  The mind is cleansed slowly.  It becomes radiant and pure.  The Sikh then recognizes him/herself.  The pride is of the body, which dies.  The aim of the Jeev and Ishwar is the same: to see themselves as the Sat, Chit, Anand, (infinite existence, the only consciousness, bliss).  That is the Brahm, Akaal Purakh.  The words to name “Jeev” and “Ishwar” are different but the object is the same.  They are synonyms.  The Jeev is limited (existing in a finite space), the Ishwar is unlimited (existing in the infinite).  The Aatam Gyani can see Parmatma in both Jeev and Ishwar.  Consider two Sarovars: one has pure water and the other has dirty water.  The reflection of the sun can be seen in both Sarovars.  The sun looks dirty in the dirty Sarovar and radiant in the clean Sarovar.  The pure Satogun portion of Maya, which is the reflection of the Brahm, is called “Ishwar.”  The dirty portion of Maya or Tamogun, which is void of the knowledge of its true self, that is called the “Jeev.”  It is still the reflection of the Brahm but it is the Tamogun portion.  The Ishwar has 6 virtues, which is why Ishwar is called “Bhagawan.”  The Jeev has 6 faults.  The 6 virtues of Ishwar: Jas – praise; Aishwarj- treasure; Viraag- detachment; Udaar- saviour; Laxmi- Maya/wealth; Gyaan- the knowledge of the infinite self.  The 6 faults of the Jeev: being born and dying – the two Dharmas of the body.  Hunger and thirst are the 2 Dharmas of the Puranas.  Happiness and sorrow are the 2 Dharmas of the mind.  The Brahm is the witness inside of us and is totally detached.  It is not affected by the ways of the body.  Mukti is achieved if the mind’s wandering ceases.”  The Sikhs heard this and raised some questions: “you only sang the true Name.”  Guru ji said: “understand this: just as a river flows with force, some people can swim across it.  They are few who can do that in a strong flow.  Some cross on top of boats and cross it with ease.  The Satnam is the boat.  Doing Simran completes all the tasks.  It helps you in the end.  The troubles run away.  All problems are destroyed.  In Kaliyuga, there is nothing equal to it.  Simran is the best Pooja.  That person is great who does Simran everyday.  Connecting to the Naam, Prabhoo is happy as well.  Ghristi or Sanyasi, if they do Simran, they do not get caught in the chains of the Jumms.  High class or low, doing Simran with a subtle mind, there is no one equal to them.  The Tapps and fasts that great and high people do, they are great but higher yet is the Naam Simran.  The Tapps and fasts are like swimming across the river.  The ones who do Simran save themselves and their ancestors.”  The Sikhs heard this and were in joy.  They made the Satnam reside in their hearts.  Millions of Sikhs were saved and reached Mukti.  They cannot be named as there are so many.  Satguru ji gave Gurmat to the Gursikhs.  To give Sikhi, the Kathas of some of the Sikhs have been stated in the last few chapters.  Their virtues were stated.  The fortunate ones received Gurmat and achieved Mukti.  They were saved themselves and they saved their friends and relatives.  All of their pains were washed away.

5-47 Mai Bhaaghbhari’s Devotional Love

Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji had sent his Sikh, Bhai Madho Das ji Sodhi, to Kashmir for the purpose of preaching Sikhi.  Bhai Madho Das ji spread the word of Sikhi and made many Sikhs in Kashmir.  Whoever followed him, their wishes were fulfilled, which made their faith in the Guru deeper.  Many took the Charan Pahul and so the greatness of Sikhi illuminated.  The Sikhs of Kashmir sang Gurbani and made Panchamrit.  The Sikhs distributed the Prashaad on behalf of the Guru.  The Sikhs would come together with love and listen to Keertan.  This would give them great joy.  They would collect the Dasvand and send it with Bhai Madho Das ji to Guru Arjan Dev ji.  Bhai Madho Das ji had all of the spiritual and physical authority to do as he pleased.  The Sikhs brought money with faith.  Sikhi spread in Jammu, Kashmir, and the area.  They all did Simran of Kartaar.  Their wishes were fulfilled and they found an easier path to Mukti.  Their life here and hereafter was a success.  Gurmat was the highest.  The Brahmins of Kashmir accepted Sikhi as well.  They contributed Dasvand towards the tasks of the Guru’s house as well.  Thousands of homes had accepted Sikhi.  They had become pure like Devatas as humans. 

A Sikh named Bhai Seva Das ji Brahmin lived in Kashmir.  He had great faith in Sikhi.  He would prepare a lot of Karah Prashaad and organize many gatherings of the Sangat.  He would recite and listen to the Guru’s great Shabad.  He loved to do Satsangat with the wise Sikhs.  His mother saw his determination and also had love illuminate in her heart for Sikhi.  Wherever the Satsangat would sit, the mother of Bhai Seva Das ji would go there as well.  She saw how her son had become a saint and was inspired.  She would go on ahead to the Sangat and listen to Gurbani.  She would see the love for Gurbani that the Sikhs around her had and was inspired.  Wealth and praise, she and her son did not wish for.  They both had love and faith in the Guru.  The had faith that the Guru was omniscient and knew the love they had for him.  The mother would keep asking her son: “my son, Seva Das, you have met the Guru in Amritsar, tell me how he is.  How is his personality?  He is so far.  How can we have his Darshan?  Does he know of the love that his servants have for him?  Without his Darshan, I am not satiated.  Once I meet him, my doubts will be gone.  He is the master of the 3 Loks, I have heard of his praises in the Vedas and the Shastras.  I am the daughter of Brahmins.  I have heard in the Katha that the Bhagwan does what the Servant says.  Bhagat Namdev ji and Bhagat Kabir ji; Bhagwan stayed with them and followed them.  Bhagat Namdev ji’s home burned and the Bhagavan built his house again.  When the Pandits of the Mandir did not let Bhagat Namdev ji in, Beethal moved the whole Mandir around towards Namdev ji.  I have heard that Bhagawan’s virtues are many and that he does the tasks of his Bhagats.  Satguru ji is Bhagawan’s Avatar.  He completes the tasks of his Sikhs.  Guru Nanak Dev ji and the other Gurus, they saw their Sikh’s love and came to them to meet them.  I have heard many Kathas.  I have heard that Guru Nanak Dev ji went to Sangladeep to meet Raja Shivnaab, seeing his love.  He went to his home to bless him.  I am doing the Simran of Guru ji all the time.  I think of all these things.  I have love in my heart and wish to have his Darshan before I die.”  Bhai Seva Das ji heard this and said: “if our destiny is a good one, Guru ji will know of the love in our hearts.  He will come and give us his Darshan.”  The old mother, Mai Bhaaghbhari ji, heard this and had love grow in her heart to meet Guru ji before she dies.  She thought of Guru ji’s virtues all the time.  She did Simran of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji all the time.  Kavi Santokh Singh ji says: “I can’t even begin to think how deep her love for Guru ji had become.  She saw Guru ji as Gobind, Hari, Narayan.  She started to think of all of the virtues of Parmeshwar.  She did Simran of all the virtues.  She wanted to see Guru ji.” 

Mata Bhaaghbhari ji thought of a new plan.  She found a very rare cotton of a very high quality.  She spun the cotton with her own hands.  She took out all of the impurities and made sure it was pure.  She did the Guru’s Simran as she did that.  She spun it to a very fine level on the spinning wheel.  She made it even.  She did Simran with love.  She had the wish to see Guru ji all the time.  She wanted to give Guru ji a Chola made from the cotton she was preparing.  She did an Ardaas everyday: “oh Prabhoo!  I am very old and cannot travel to your home.  It is very far and a rough way through the mountains.  The way is high and low.  It is a treacherous path.  I would have come to Amritsar otherwise and make you wear the Chola that I am making.  I am weak, oh master.  You are omniscient.  You know what every heart is thinking.  Please fulfil my desire.  I am your servant, oh master.  Please see my love and come to see me.  You have done this before for love.  The Shastras, Vedas and the Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji talk about your greatness.  I have heard that you come to the servant who comes to your sanctuary.”  In this way, Mata Bhaaghbhari ji did Guru ji’s Simran and prepared the cloth for the Chola for Guru ji.  The cotton was of the highest value and price.

Mata Bhaaghbhari ji went to a Julaha (weaver) to have the thread prepared into a roll.  She paid him more than required and spoke to him sweetly: “prepare a very soft and fine roll of cloth.  This is the most important work of my life.  This is my favourite task.  If you can make this well, I will be indebted to you.”  She instructed the Julaha on how to make the material.  The roll was ready and then she had it washed.  She paid the launderers double.  She had a room in her home prepared for Guru ji.  She told her son to make it.  The room was prepared and painted.  She lit incense in it.  She asked her son: “how tall is he?”  The son said: “there is no one taller and stronger than him.”  The mother said: “have a bed prepared for him.”  She offered fragrant flowers to the bed and lit incense everyday.  She had a Diva of ghee lit there all the time and sprinkled sandalwood essence.  She laid the new bed down in the room and had a clean cloth spread on top of it with fragrant flowers.  The roll of cloth was placed on the bed to which she did Ardaas and Pooja of on a daily basis.  Her faith and devotion grew everyday.  She would stand in front of the bed and do Ardaas.  She would place food and money there as well.  She did Ardaas morning and evening.  She had faith on the roll of cloth just as she had faith on Guru ji.  She would fold her hands and remember Guru ji: “oh son of Guru Arjan Dev ji, Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, fulfill my wish.  You know what my heart wishes.  I have faith on your lotus-feet.  I am an old woman.  Your Naam is my support.”  Both son and mother would sit in the room and do Simran of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  They would bow every morning and evening.

Other people saw the mother’s love and laughed at her.  They would say: “Seva Das, your mother has gone old.  She has made a roll of cloth for Guru ji and kept it on the bed.  She wants Guru ji to come here.  How can he come here?  He has a big army.  The way to Kashmir is really difficult.  It is really far.  It’s not close by.  Only Guru Nanak Dev ji travelled everywhere.  The other Gurus only stayed in their Desh.  They didn’t travel to other lands.  The Sangat travels to meet them.  It is impossible for Guru ji to come here with his army to make this land pure.  She has made a roll of cloth with great love and devotion; have it sent with a Sikh to Amritsar for Guru ji.”  Bhai Seva Das ji agreed with the other Sikhs and spoke to his mother: “don’t be stubborn.  Let’s send the cloth to Amritsar.  Many people are advising me that Guru ji won’t be able to come here.  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji is the only one that came here.  Times are different now.  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji has a big following and a big army now.  His army is radiant.  He is not alone now.  Do the Simran of Naam and focus your attention on him.  You will get the same reward as meeting him in person.”  Mata Bhaaghbhari ji heard her son’s words, void of faith, and began to shed tears.  She was filled with love.  She said: “listen son, my life has passed.  I only have one wish: I want to see the Guru with these eyes.  I want to see him before I die.  I will wait for him till my last breath.  I am doing Simran all day and all night.  I am waiting for him to come.  He is omniscient and omnipotent.  He is everywhere.  He has all the powers.  He solves all of the problems of his Sikhs.  It is not difficult for him to come here.  There is no place where he can’t go.  Doubting him like this does not let the determination stay stable in the heart.  When he sees my helpless state, he will remember his promise to the weak and poor.  He is the “Gareeb Nivaaj!”  He is the saviour of the weak and the one who empowers the poor.  He can come here in an instance and give me his Darshan.  He will come!  He will come and wear this cloth I made for him.  Bheelani was the Bhagat of Hari.  She was waiting to meet him with faith in her heart.  She collected the Beri fruits for Sri Ram Chander ji and said: “Hari will and meet me here.”  I am waiting, just like Bheelani did.  He will see the great love in my heart and come here to meet me.  He will definitely come!  I have faith.  I won’t lose faith till I am alive.  Even if I die, I will still see him.  I won’t ever let go of my determination.” 

5-48 Satguru ji comes to Srinagar

Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji heard the prayers of Mata Bhaaghbhari ji.  He knew her love for him.  He knew what every heart was feeling.  He thought to himself: “she is waiting for me.  She waits day and night.  The way there is through the mountains.  My Sikh wants to see me.  There are many Sikhs in that area who want to see me.  I need to fulfill all of their wishes, who keep faith in me all the time.  The elderly Bhaaghbhari has prepared a cloth for me herself.  She wishes to give me that chola and see me wear it.  She does not eat or drink much.  She is doing Simran all day and all night.  Her end-time is near and she wishes to see me.”  Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji decided that it was time for him to go to Srinagar, Kashmir.  Guru ji went to his mother, Mata Ganga ji and bowed to her.  He took leave from her and the family.  He took a few soldiers and servants with him and set off for Kashmir.  To bless Kashmir, he travelled during the day and rested the night. 

Guru ji soon reached a village named Chapraharpur, near Sialkot.  A Brahmin saw Guru ji’s traveling party.  The Brahmin asked one of the Sikhs: “who is this?”  The Sikh said: “that is Satguru ji coming.  He is the warrior of warriors.  He is going to Kashmir.”  The Brahmin stood there and waited to see Guru ji.  He wanted to see Guru ji as he had heard his praises.  Satguru ji soon reached where the Brahmin was.  Guru ji stopped his horse and looked towards the Brahmin.  Guru ji said to him: “you seem to live here.  Tell me where water is.  I would like to wash up there.  Any Sarovar or pond would do.  We can sit and wash up there.”  The Brahmin responded: “you are the Guru of the world who destroys the sins.  The hidden things which the mind cannot know, you know where everything is.  You are omniscient.  You know of all 3 Loks.  It seems as though you don’t know anything.  I am surprised that you don’t know where the water is.  You are going against your powers and not using them.  This is not befitting of you.  Wherever water is, you should go yourself.  If there is no Sarovar here, you can make a new one.  You are omnipotent and could do what you want to.  You should get off your horse and find the water.”  Guru ji heard this and held his horse still.  He got off his horse as did his soldiers.  The servants went to scope the area.  They came back and said to Guru ji: “we have checked the area and couldn’t find water.  Please tell us what is your wish now.  If the water is far, we can go and get it.”  Guru ji was holding a spear in his hand.  Guru ji stabbed the spear into the ground.  The spear went quite deep into the ground.  As soon as Guru ji took the spear out of the ground, a spring of water sprouted out immediately.  Satguru ji said: “dig it more so the water can gather there.”  The servants heard this and began to dig around the spring.  They used the water as much as they needed.  The spring was quite forceful.  It looked like it had been there for a while.  Guru ji had rugs and tarps laid down to sit.  Tents were set up.  Guru ji washed up. 

The Brahmin was surprised and got scared.  He grabbed Guru ji’s feet and said: “Maharaj!  I spoke harsh words towards you.  I was proud of my caste.  I didn’t know your greatness.  I should have folded my hands and requested you instead.”  Guru ji have him hope and said: “whatever you said, was true but it was harshly spoken.  You have regretted it now and so your action is purified.  The harsh words that are said can be forgiven if one regrets and apologizes for them.”

Guru ji stayed there for some time.  Guru ji would bathe and wash up from the newly sprouted spring.  Everyone was amazed to see the giver of Mukti.  He was so great and away from sin and virtue.  The people of the area heard about Guru ji making the new spring.  They saw his greatness and did his Seva with love.  They had faith in Guru ji.  Guru ji then left and continued on his way.  Kavi Santokh Singh ji has seen the spring.  A Sikh showed it to him.  The water goes into the mountains from the spring.

As Guru ji travelled, many trees could be seen on the mountains.  Pomegranate and Banana trees grew in abundance with big and lush fruit there.  The fruits were sweet and sour.  Walnuts grew there with big green leaves.  Bers were in great quantities.  Everywhere you looked, there were dense trees there.  The Cheel trees were high and wide.  Great big boulders could be seen at the peaks of the mountains.  There were waterfalls and rivers within the mountains.  Guru ji was happy to see the waterfalls.  He liked to listen to the flow of the water.  Rivers flowed with a strong current.  The water was pure and clear.  White snow could be seen on the high mountains.  It looked like white sheets on the mountains.  There was no sign of the heat anywhere.  Grapes, apples, pears and other fruits grew there.  Guru ji went up and down the mountain.  It was a difficult path but Guru ji enjoyed the travel.  Guru ji and the Sikhs moved slowly. 

The Sikhs living in the mountains were happy to hear about Guru ji coming.  They came running to Guru ji, bringing gifts and food.  They did his Darshan and brought him delicious fruit and foods.  After the mountainous area there was a plateau there, where a Sikh named Bhai Katoo Shah ji lived.  He did Simran of Satnam all the time.  He had met Guru ji in Amritsar before.  He did Guru ji’s Seva there.  He had a deep love for Guru ji.  He had seen the Prabhoo within his Aatma.  When he did Seva of Guru ji in Amritsar, Guru ji looked at him and removed his Agyaan and gave him Brahmgyaan.  He was instantly connected to Satnam and knew that he was the Brahm.  He had love for Guru ji.  He served Guru ji for a long time.  Guru ji said to him: “you are not Katoo but Katoo Shah.”  He was then sent home with many blessings.  For this reason, Guru ji is known as “Gareeb Nivaaj,” the one who empowers the poor.  Bhai Katoo Shah ji heard of Guru ji’s coming.  He grabbed fruit and ran to where Guru ji was.  He grabbed Guru ji’s feet and began to shed tears of joy.  Guru ji said to the Sikh: “come Katoo Shah ji.  Are you well?”  Bhai Katoo Shah ji said: “Sri Guru ji, seeing you, I am 100 times happier.  There is bliss in my heart.  The way to Kashmir is difficult.  You made Sikhi spread here.  You have come to give us bliss.  We are fortunate that you have come.”  After speaking to Guru ji, Bhai Katoo Shah ji stayed with Guru ji.  Many other Sikhs came to see Guru ji.  They bowed to Guru ji’s feet.  They brought gifts and foods for Guru ji.  Guru ji gave respect to the Sikhs.  Guru ji rested the night and got ready in the morning.  Bhai Katoo Shah ji was given leave.  He went home and Guru ji continued on his way to Srinagar.  Guru ji reached where the “Kaathi Darwaja,” the wooden door, was.  Guru ji entered Srinagar. 

5-49 The Mother was Overjoyed

Guru ji entered through the main gate that was close to Mai Bhaaghbhari ji’s home.  Guru ji had arrived to complete the wishes of the elderly Sikh.  Guru ji came to the house where Bhai Seva Das ji lived with his mother.  Bhai Seva Das ji heard the footsteps of horses and came out of his house to see who had come.  He looked up and saw Guru Hargobind Sahib ji standing in front of him, mounted on his horse.  Guru ji was holding a spear in one of his hands.  Bhai Seva Das ji bowed to Guru ji’s feet and was filled with great joy.  He was in bliss.  He said to Guru ji: “the wait has been long.  You have come today and completed our wish.”  Bhai Seva Das ji held the reins and directed Guru ji off his horse and into the home. 

A beautiful bed was laid out with a new sheet.  Mata Bhaaghbhari ji was still praying inside the room.  Her son came to call her: “Mata, you are truly the most fortunate one.  The one you had been waiting for, has finally come.  He has been graceful and came here.  He is truly the best companion of his Sikhs.  Your name “Bhaaghbhari,” has proven correct and lived up to its meaning.”  Mata Bhaaghbhari ji got really excited and got up quickly.  She had lost a lot of strength as she was old and stopped eating much.  Her attention was focussed internally daily, thinking about doing Satguru ji’s Darshan.  She was in pain, not being with Guru ji.  She had a hard time getting up.  Her son grabbed her and raised her up by the hand.  She held her son’s hand and came out of the room.  She came to the great room where Guru ji was.  She stared and Guru ji without blinking.  Her throat swelled with emotion and couldn’t speak.  She slowly walked closer to Guru ji.  She grabbed Guru ji’s feet and placed her head on them to bow.  She looked up at Guru ji’s handsome face.  Guru ji had planted his spear into the ground near him as was sitting on the bed that was made for him.  After gathering herself, she spoke to Guru ji with love: “I have heard that: those who wish to only see the Satguru and love him, they renounce all the pleasures of the world and wait for you; you visit them.  This proved true.  I am seeing you today.  I am a sacrifice unto you.”  Mai Bhaaghbhari ji had a flower garland made for Guru ji.  She placed the garland around Guru ji’s neck and did his Pooja.  She said to Guru ji: “I did your Pooja everyday.  I worshipped the place where I prepared for you.  I did it with my mind.  I placed a garland around your neck everyday.  Today I got to do it for real.  I am blessed.”  Guru ji heard this and said: “you have put me under your control with your love.  The roll of cloth that you have prepared for me, thinking of me, day and night with a deep love, I have come to put your chola on.  I have come to wear that chola.  Since you made that cloth, I have not enjoyed wearing anything else.  Bring that cloth.  Have it sewn.  I want to wear it.”  The mother was amazed to see that Guru ji knew about the cloth she had prepared.  She said to Guru ji: “this is not surprising of you.  You have always done this.  You don’t care about caste, class, woman, man, rich or poor; you only care for love.  I am not wise.  I am dirty, I am without wealth, virtue and beauty.  You crossed the treacherous path to come and see me.  This is true; you love your Sikhs.  You cross the most difficult paths to get to your Sikhs.  You are the form of Vishnu, who takes care of his Bhagats.  You came to purify a sinner like me.  You are gracious.  You have saved a poor person like me.  How can I sing your glories?  I am unwise.  I don’t know how to praise you.  You are the saviour of the sinners; I have seen this.  You only see love, whether it’s a man or woman.  You are the master of the 9 Niddhis and 18 Siddhis.  You are the sustainer of all life.  This cloth that I have prepared is not of the best quality.  It is ordinary.  Oh leader of the Sodhis, you came so far to take this and to see me.  You gave me a new life by giving me your Darshan.”  The Mai did Guru ji’s Parkarma with love.  She was not satiated by looking at Guru ji.  She thought of Guru ji everyday.  He was in front of her now.

Mai Bhaaghbhari ji went inside the room and sprinkled fragrance on the cloth.  She took the roll of cloth and placed it in front of Guru ji.  She called a tailor right away and showed him Guru ji.  The tailor measured Guru ji.  She said to the tailor: “prepare the Jamma nicely.  When he wears it, you will be blessed as well.”  The tailor began to sew the Jamma.  He prepared it in no time.  The old mother brought water to wash Guru ji’s feet.  She washed the feet of Guru ji and drank the water that dripped off of them.  As soon as she drank the water, she received the divine vision and could see everything.  She saw the truth about her Aatma.  She instantly connected to the bliss inside of her.  She could see past, present and future.  She saw Akaal Purakh everywhere.  The state that Yogis do meditation for thousands of years, the elderly mother reached that status right away.  She achieved the highest Jog.  She took the Amrit and sprinkled it in the home.  She also gave it to Bhai Seva Das ji. 

Mai Bhaaghbhari ji prepared for everyone’s stay.  She had food prepared for everyone.  The mother and son did Guru ji’s Seva themselves.  They washed his clothes and prepared his food.  It was night and so Guru ji rested on the bed made for him.  The people of Kashmir found out that Guru Hargobind Sahib ji had come.  The Sikhs heard, and felt like Amrit was poured in their ears.  They were happy and came right away to see Guru ji.  In the morning, crowds gathered to see Guru ji.  They brought sweet fruits and food for Guru ji.  The Sikhs wanted to make Guru ji happy and be blessed.  Ripe red apples were brought for Guru ji.  Bunches of grapes were brought.  Pears and other dry fruit came.  Guru ji fulfilled the wishes of the Sikhs.  Food for Langar came.  Guru ji ate the fruit and Langar.  The Sikhs saw themselves as fortunate that Guru ji had come to see them without any effort.  They said: “it is like a lazy person receiving the nine treasures, sitting at home.  Let’s go and see Guru ji.  We will be blessed.”  The Sikhs gathered and came to see Guru ji, bringing many gifts.  They brought expensive gifts, clothes, shawls and money.  A lot of Langar was prepared and everyone ate. 

The Jamma was ready and the mother brought it for Guru ji to wear.  She kept looking at Guru ji’s radiance.  Both mother and son were happy to see him.  They thought to themselves: “Guru ji has come to the home of beggars like us.  Great Devatas do his Seva.”  The Sangat found out that Guru ji wore the Jamma that the old mother had made for him: “he came all this way to wear that chola.”  Mai Bhaaghbhari ji and the Sikhs kept looking at Guru ji wearing the Chola. The Sikhs said: “just as the master of Sri (Vishnu) is under the love spell of the Bhagats, Guru ji is the same.  Great is the Guru and great are his Sikhs who have love for the Guru.”  The glory of this event spread throughout the land.  Many Sikhs came to meet Guru ji.  Many took the Charanpahul and became Sikhs.  They were in bliss and broke the troubling cycle of birth and death.

5-50 Katoo Shah and Seva Das are Blessed

Satguru ji stayed in Srinagar for some days.  Many Sikhs came to meet him and were blessed.  Many received wisdom and Brahmgyaan from Guru ji.  Some received contentment.  Many received Brahmgyaan and become faultless.  Some received the Satnam Simran and started to do Simran, all the time.  Some became deserving of Mukti and had their sins washed away in the Sangat.  One day, a Sikh along with his people travelled to meet Guru ji and were bringing honey for Guru ji.  They brought it in a pot.  The way they came, was located Bhai Katoo Shah ji’s home.  Bhai Katoo Shah ji was a Brahmgyaani.  Many Sikhs would stay over at his home as they travelled.  The Sikhs bringing the honey also stayed at Bhai Katoo Shah ji’s home.  Many would stay the night and leave in the morning.  Bhai Katoo Shah ji served the Sikhs.  The Sikhs were served well.  The Sangat had a deeper faith after being here.  They were given Langar to eat and beds to sleep on.  At Amritvela, they all woke up and bathed.  When the Sikh with the honey and his people were ready to leave, Bhai Katoo Shah ji asked him: “what is this you are taking?  What’s in the pot?  I wish to see this.”  The Sikh said: “this is a high-quality honey that we are taking for Guru ji.  It’s from a rare species of bees.  We travelled many jungles and looked for the beehives to collect this.  When we collected it, we decided that we don’t deserve this.  We are taking it for Guru ji now.  we have collected fruit as well to give to Guru ji.”  Bhai Katoo Shah ji heard this and said: “can I have some of this honey?  You have collected it with great effort.  It must be great.  I just want to taste a little bit.”  The Sikh responded: “this is only for Guru ji.  We collected this honey with great effort.  We wish to only have Guru ji eat this.  We won’t give it to anyone besides Guru ji.  Our wish is that Guru ji first eats it.  After that, the Sikh Sangat can have it.  It will be deserving for us as well.”  Bhai Katoo Shai ji only wanted a little bit but the Sikhs didn’t give him the honey.  Bhai Katoo Shahi ji went quiet.  His wish to eat the honey was not fulfilled but he had no joy or sorrow in his mind.  He was a Brahmgyaani.  His mind was always connected with Guru ji’s feet.  The Sikh Sangat with the honey set off towards Srinagar.  They wanted to see Guru ji soon. 

The Sangat with the honey travelled slowly and eventually reached where Guru ji’s Dhera was.  Where Guru ji, the complete Satguru, was sitting, the Sangat came there.  They had brought fruits with the branches.  They placed everything in front of Guru ji.  They folded their hands and bowed to Guru ji.  There was a great joy in their hearts.  They touched Guru ji’s feet with great devotion.  Guru ji blessed everyone with joy.  They people were in joy by Guru ji’s vision.  The pot of honey was opened upon Guru ji’s command.  When it was opened, everyone was shocked.  They said: “we have collected this rare type of honey in the jungles from a special bee.  We checked it this morning, it was fine then.  We didn’t travel far since the morning.  It smelled fine.  Now there are insects in it.  What happened?  We don’t understand what happened.  This honey was fine.  Where did the insects come from?”  Guru ji smiled and said: “it was me who came into Katoo Shah and asked for the honey.  I kept asking but you didn’t give it to me.  For this reason, insects came into the honey.  Whatever goes into the mouths of my Sikhs, comes to my mouth.  If a Sikh asks for something and it is not given, obstacles arise for the person who doesn’t give.  Go to Katoo Shah and give it to him.  I will get it then.  Give it to him with faith and devotion.  When Katoo Shah eats it and becomes happy, the honey will be good again.”  The Sikhs heard Satguru ji and regretted their actions.  Bhai Katoo Shah ji was a complete and devoted Sikh.  The Guru lives within his Sikhs.  The Satguru is everywhere.  The Sikhs obeyed Guru ji and left towards Bhai Katoo Shah ji’s home at once.

The Sikhs came to Bhai Katoo Shah ji’s home by evening.  Bhai Katoo Shah ji saw the Sikhs come back and smiled.  He thought to himself: “Guru ji is so great.  He gives great respect to his Sikhs.  He sees his Sikhs greater than himself.”  The Sikhs placed the honey in front of Bhai Katoo Shah ji and said: “please forgive us as we have made a big mistake.”  They opened the pot.  Bhai Katoo Shah ji ate the honey.  The insects were gone.  The smell and colour of the honey returned.  It was returned to the Sikhs.  The Sikhs understood the greatness of the Sikhs and Sikhi.  They bowed to Bhai Katoo Shah ji and said: “Sikhi is great!”

The Sikhs came back to Guru ji’s Dhera and placed the honey at Guru ji’s feet.  Guru ji said: “the honey is great.  There is no difference between a Gurmukh Sikh and me.  We are one.  Don’t see us as 2.  There is no difference.”  The honey was kept.  Guru ji showed everyone the greatness of Sikhi.  In this way, Guru ji stayed in Kashmir and many Sikhs came to see him everyday.  Many days passed and Guru ji’s miracles could be seen everyday.

The end time of Mata Bhaaghbhari ji came.  She left her body with great bliss.  She wanted to see Guru ji when she would leave her body.  Her Puranas came out as she did Guru ji’s Darshan.  She became one with Guru ji.  The Sikhs said: “this mother is blessed.  Jogis wish for this but this Mai got that blessing.”  Guru ji arranged for the cremation of her body.  Bhai Seva Das ji and other Sikhs did Keertan along with doing the preparations for the funeral pyre.  A platform was prepared for Mai Bhaaghbhari ji’s body.  The Sikhs lifted the platform on their shoulders and placed it on the pyre.  Bhai Seva Das ji lit the pyre.  When the body lit on fire, the sky became bright red.  Everyone was amazed to see the sky red.  They saw a great vessel appear in the sky with precious gems and gold on it.  They saw the divine soul of Mai Bhaaghbhari ji get onto the vessel.  She was wearing gold and gems.  She was smiling as she walked to the vessel.  The vessel travelled through the different dimensions and reached Sach Khand.  Many Devatas folded their hands and guided her to Sach Khand.  They all shouted “Jai! Jai!”  The Devatas returned to their own dimensions.  They said: “the Mai is great who made her life devoted to Guru ji.  She had a deep love for Guru ji’s feet and that’s why she received the highest status in a small time period.  Others had to do efforts for thousands of years.  The Mai did no Tapasya, donations, Yagnas or Jap.  She only loved the Guru’s feet and received the highest status.  In Kaliyuga, those who do not love the Guru and don’t do Simran, they are unfortunate beings.  Only the fortunate ones get such a Guru who can wash all of their sins away in an instance.  Guru ji travelled a long way through the mountains to go to the home of the Sikh woman.  He made sure the Mai got the highest status.  The Guru is the most gracious.  Let go of all the traps of the world and do the Simran of the Guru with your mind and body.  Do Simran like a lover till you are alive.”  Guru ji stayed in Kashmir for some time and fulfilled the tasks of the Sikhs.  Many servants received Brahmgyaan.  The doubts and Agyaan was cut. 

Guru ji then commanded: “prepare Langar of many types for the Satsangat.”  All of the items were brought and Langar was prepared.  The Yagna of Langar was preformed.  The Sangat ate as much as they wished.  Guru ji was happy to see all of this.  Guru ji gave a Seva to Bhai Seva Das ji and appointed him the Masand of Kashmir.  He was given the task of collecting the Dasvand of Kashmir.  Bhai Seva Das ji continued to do Langar and made his home into a Dharamsala.  He spent the money on Langar and sent the rest of the money to Amritsar.  After making Bhai Seva Das ji the Masand of the area, Guru ji got ready to go home.  He wished to come home, the great and powerful Guru.