6-46 The Accurate Paath of Japji Sahib

Prabhoo Sri Guru Hargobind ji, the strong warrior, loved horses and Shasters.  He loved to ride the new horses.  All 5 horses were kept in the stables.  The servants tended to the horses and massaged them.  They fed them and bathed them.  Guru ji took them riding, one-by-one after a few days.  The horses were fast.  They basically flew in the wind.  Guru ji liked one more than the rest.  It was stronger and nicer than the others.  Guru ji kept that horse for himself.  It was the best.  Its saddle had gems in it which shined in the sun.  Diamonds, with special cuts were on it.  Pearls were added along with rubies, emeralds, pearls and sapphires.  Everything on that horse was beautiful.  This horse was a rare one, that caught Guru ji’s special attentions.  Guru ji said: “decorate this horse.”  The horse was decorated.  Silk ropes were used.  It was brought in front of Guru ji.  The Sikhs who brought it were happy.  The skin of the horse was like gold.  The ears were small.  The chest was very big.  The eyes were sharp.  The pastern was small and the hoofs were big.  When it walked, it raised its neck up, tall and proud.  Guru ji did the Simran of all the Gurus from Guru Nanak Dev ji.  He then mounted the horses will all his Shasters.  The trot of the horse was good.  The horse wanted to go fast but Guru ji kept it in control.  It was pulled.  The horse tried to show its strength.  Guru ji made it walk in a slow trot.  Guru ji then made it gallop at a faster pace.  Poets have praised this horse.  The horse was like an acrobat artist.  The best artists would fail in front of it.  It left the wind behind as it ran.  The poor deer were nothing in front of its speed.  This horse would befriend the mind of the rider.  It was like: it taught lightening how to be clever and spontaneous.  Its eyes were more beautiful than the eyes of many women.  It was like a pawn of a board fame.  Its legs would touch its chests as it would gallop.  The hind legs were basically flying, just as pearls move in a copper plate; like a fish wandering in the water.  Guru ji noticed all these things of the horse.  He was happy to ride it.  He kept this one for himself.  He was going to kill many sinners on top of this horse. 

There was another horse like it.  That was given to Baba Bidhi Chand ji.  Baba ji was a good rider as well.  He rode his new horse.  It was like the “son of the wind.”  He was very happy to receive this new horse.  He bowed his head to Guru ji to thank him.  Guru ji called for the third horse.  It came with a beautiful saddle on top of it.  It was given to Baba Gurditta ji.  A Sikh quickly took it to Goindwal.  When Baba Gurditta ji received it in Goindwal, the Sikh told the whole family of news from Sri Hargovindpur.  The fourth horse was decorated and sent to Sri Kartarpur Sahib for Painday Khan.  He was happy to receive the horse.  There was one horse left.  It was kept in the special stable. 

One day, Guru ji was sitting in Divaan.  Thousands of warriors and Sikhs were there.  The giver of Mukti said to the Sangat: “is there a Sikh who can recite Gurbani accurately?  That person should pronounce the consonants and vowels properly, while keeping their mind in focus.”  The Sikhs heard this and folded their hands.  They said: “we recite Bani by your power.  We recite it everyday.  By your blessing we have a lot of Bani memorized.  We recite Bani for Mukti.  We memorize it and our pain is gone away.”  Guru ji then said: “that is good!  One should have love for Gurbani but the wise Sikhs recite it accurately.  I want such a Sikh to recite Japji Sahib in front of me with great accuracy.  Recite it accurately and make me happy.  That person will get what they wish for.  They will have no wishes remaining after that.  There is nothing that I can’t give that person.  I will give what they ask for.”  After Guru ji spoke in the Divaan, everyone began to think. 

One Sikh named Bhai Gopala ji folded his hands and said: “listen Guru ji.  If you bless me and command me, give me your strength so I may recite Japji Sahib.  I will recite it out loud.  I will attempt to recite it accurately, how I learnt it from Baba Bhudda ji.”  Guru ji, the Gareeb nivaaj, said: “good!  Come and sit on the higher place and recite it.  A seat was set in front of Guru ji and Bhai Gopala ji was seated on it.  Guru ji said: “start reciting.  I will give you what you ask for.”  Bhai Gopala ji thought of Guru Nanak Dev ji for joy.  He first said “Ik Oankaar” and then “Satnam.”  Guru ji heard this with his hands folded.  He bowed his head towards the Sikh as he was reciting Gurbani.  The Sikh recited the Manglacharan (the first 6 Pauris).  He recited the “Jay Jugh Chaaray” Pauri with love.  There was vairagya in this Pauri.  He then recited the 4 Pauris of “Shravan,” listening.  To listen about Brahm, gives one bliss.  The next 4 Pauris were of “Manan,” to accept.  He recited the Pauris with accuracy.  He then recited the “Panch Parvaan” Pauri which talks about “Nidh-dhyaasan,” to focus on the acceptance.  The “too sadha salaamat Nirankaar,” shows the Akaal in front of you.  It says that “you are the ever-existing formless one.”  The “Asankh” Pauris started next.  The first one talks about the Satogun powers.  The second talks about the Tamsik powers.  There is no end to these powers.  The 4 types of Brahmgyaan are described in these Pauris.  The Sikh recited it out loud.  The whole Sangat heard it.  The next Pauris talk about the infiniteness of Akaal.  The Jeev and Ishwar are described as “One” in these Pauris.  The Paath was done with great care by Bhai Gopala ji.  He took care in pronouncing the vowels and consonants.  Satguru ji heard this and thought to himself: “there is nothing higher than Japji Sahib.  What can I give this Sikh?  Nothing compares to it.  The Ghaddi of Guru Nanak Dev ji is good.  I will give it to him.”  Guru ji thought about giving the Gurta Ghaddi to him.  The Sikh recited “Nanak Nadri Nadar Nihaal,” with love.  Guru ji was extremely happy.  Guru ji moved his knee to get up from his throne.  He wanted to give the Sikh the Tilak of Gurta Ghaddi but Bhai Gopala ji gave rise to a desire: “I would like the fifth horse that remains in the stable from the west.  I will tell Guru ji that.  I want the expensive saddle along with it.  I will be happy riding it.  Riding that horse would be great.  It will be heaven on earth.  My eyes will be serene by looking at it.  Guru ji promised me he will give what I ask for.”  He thought about this when he saw Guru ji move his foot.  The Maya of the Prabhoo spoiled the Sikh’s mind.  He thought Guru ji was leaving.  He thought to himself: “I haven’t recited the Salok yet and it looks like Guru ji is leaving.  I won’t get a chance to ask for the horse again.”  He thought his effort was going without reward and thought to himself: “I’m going to remain without anything.”  The omniscient Guru knew what Bhai Gopala ji was thinking.  As the Salok was recited, Guru ji said: “what did you desire for?  You recited the whole Japji without desire and should have read the Salok in the same way.  You were about to get the greatness of the Ghaddi of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  You were going to be the Guru of the world.  That’s why I got up.  The whole Trilok bows to this throne.  Alas, what is one to do?  It is not in your hands.  It was the command of Akaal Purakh.  One reaches where one is supposed to be.  You are still blessed though.  The pain of being born and dying is gone forever, for you.  The ones who listened to you are also Mukat.  You will receive what you want.  Take you wanted.”  Guru ji called for the fifth horse.  It had a beautiful saddle.  It was worth about 125,000 Rajitpuns.  Bhai Gopala ji was very happy to receive the horse.  He was also given clothes and money.  The leader of the Sodhis gave him a lot of gifts.  Bhai Gopala ji was happy but also regretted that he had a desire in his heart at the end.  Guru ji said: “the Sikh who recites Bani by pronouncing all the vowels, they will be rewarded.  There is nothing compared to it in the Trilok.” 

In this way, Satguru ji did many tasks.  He kept a lot of warriors with him.  He would buy all of the rifles and horses that came his way for sale.  He would give all those things to his warriors. 

6-47 The New place named “Sri Hargovindpur”

The Sangat that came from Kabul went back home.  They stopped in Amritsar and bathed there before going home.  They were very happy to go there.  They then went to Taran Taaran and bathed in the Sarovar there as well.  The Sangat thought to themselves: “Baba Bhudda ji is the great Sikh by whose words Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was born.  Guru ji came in to his form.  Baba Bhudda ji is close by.  He is the same form as the Guru.  We should go see him.”  The Sangat then went to Bir Baba Bhudda ji, about 15 km away.  The place is also called “Bir Guru ke.”  The word Bir means “a collection.”  It was a jungle, so a Bir of trees. 

The Sangat met Baba Bhudda ji and Bhai Gurdas ji there, who were illuminating Gyaan.  The Sikhs presented gifts and bowed to Baba Bhudda ji.  They were very happy to see him.  They did the Parkarma of Baba Bhudda ji.  They all sat down in front of him.  Bhai Gurdas ji said to the Sangat: “where have all you Sikhs come from?  Where are you going?”  The Sangat said: “we are coming from the shores of the Beas from a place called Rohaila.  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji is there.  A great battle just happened there.  Thousands of Turks were killed by Guru ji.  We went to see Guru ji there.  We then went to Amritsar after that and have come to you now.”  Baba Bhudda ji was happy to hear this.  He blessed the Sangat and fulfilled their wishes.  The Sangat then set off to the Afghanistan area. 

Baba Bhudda ji said to Bhai Gurdas ji: “Bhai Gurdas ji, it has been a long time since I’ve done the Darshan of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  He fought a battle at Amritsar.  Now he had a battle at Rohaila and killed thousands.  It is time to see him now.  I wish to see him.  Let’s go and get news of the battle.”  Bhai Gurdas ji was happy to hear this.  They both got ready, right away.  They left the Bir of Baba Bhudda ji and went to Amritsar first to bathe in the Sarovar.  They then did the darshan of Sri Harmandhir Sahib.  They were joined with 3 other Sikhs there who wished to see Guru ji: Bhai Jodh ji, Bhai Ajita ji and Bhai Jeeva ji.  The 5 of them set off.  They were the apex of love. 

The Sikhs reached Rohaila.  The people all came to meet Baba Bhudda ji.  They all praised Guru Hargobind Sahib ji: “the great Guru killed many Turks.  He fought a fierce battle.”  Every village was saying this.  The 5 Sikhs heard this and got really happy.  Listen to the Katha of Satguru ji now, which will fulfil everyone’s wishes.  Satguru ji had a beautiful wall built around the Rohaila area.  Guru ji was establishing a new city near the shore of the Beas.  Vishwakarma ji came, taking on the form of a human.  He came and bowed to Guru ji’s feet.  He folded his hands and did Guru ji’s Darshan.  He bowed to Guru ji’s lotus feet.  He named himself “Maidhaavi.”  He came in front of Guru ji and said: “to make my like and skill a success, I have come to make a city for you.  This Vidya has been given to me by Parmeshwar.  I am well skilled in this art.  Command me to make a beautiful city.”  The omniscient Guru knew who it was.  He spoke with love: “become the leader of the craftsmen and teach them how to make the city.  You can pay them and instruct them on what to do.  Make the city as quick as you can.”  Maidhaavi bowed and started working.  He made the streets and the markets of the city.  He built the mosque on top of Gherard’s old home.  He made the other homes in the area. 

Satguru ji had a Divaan and the Rababis sang Shabads of Gyaan.  One Sikh came to Guru ji and said: “Baba Bhudda Sahib ji and Bhai Gurdas ji are coming.”  Satguru ji heard this and was really happy.  He called Baba Bidhi Chand ji and said to him: “take a lot of Sikhs and bring Baba Bhudda ji here after bowing to him.  Bring him with great respect.”  Baba Bidhi Chand ji took many Sikhs and went to receive the Sikhs.  He met Baba Bhudda ji and bowed to him with great respect.  He brought him to the place of Guru ji.  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji saw Baba Bhudda ji from far away and got up.  The whole Sangat got up as well.  Guru ji was happy to see Baba Bhudda ji.  Guru ji bowed to Baba Bhudda ji and Baba Bhudda ji held Guru ji’s feet.  Guru ji held Baba Bhudda ji’s feet.  Guru ji said: “I see you as Guru Nanak Dev ji.  See me as your servant.”  Guru ji met Bhai Gurdas ji in the same way.  They asked how they all were with love.  The other 3 Sikhs also bowed to Guru ji.  They were all happy and sat down with Guru ji.  Guru ji held Baba Bhudda ji’s hand and had him sit with him on the same seat.  It was like Brihaspati, the Guru of the Devatas, meeting Vishnu; like Krishan meeting Ugarsen.

Guru ji and Baba Bhudda ji was speaking with love with each other.  They talked about the battle.  As they sat, it got dark.  The new house that Guru ji had built, Baba Bhudda ji was kept in the new home.  Bhai Gurdas ji’s bed was set there as well.  Guru ji said to the servants: “serve them in every way.”  Beautiful beds were laid out.  Food was sent form them.  The servants stood there with their hands folded.  They did as they were commanded.  They all served Baba Bhudda ji with care.  They all slept with peace.

Satguru ji and Baba Bhudda ji bathed in the river at Amritvela and did their daily cleansing routines.  They all recited Japji Sahib and other Banis of Nitnem near the shore.  They recited it will bliss.  They all came back, singing the glories of the Guru.  Guru ji was showing a beautiful drama to all.  They then went slowly to the Divaan place.  They sat down and visited the Sangat.  Baba Bhudda ji was seated next to Guru ji.  Bilawal Raag Keertan was sung.  They listened to the Rababis with bliss.  Many people came to bow to Guru ji in the Divaan.  After some time, Maidhaavi came to the Divaan.  He folded his hands and said: “Maharaj, I have completed a lot of the work.  Please come and see the city.  See the streets and markets.  Make the Seva of your Sikhs successful.”  Guru ji took Baba Bhudda ji, Bhai Gurdas ji, Baba Bidhi Chand ji and other Sikhs to see the city.  They saw the newly built homes and showed Baba Bhudda ji.  Small and wide streets.  Markets were made.  Maidhaavi showed Guru ji.  Guru ji showed Baba Bhudda ji.  Beautiful houses were seen.  They all walked slowly through the streets.  They then stopped where the new mosque was built.   Bhai Gurdas ji asked with his hands folded: “this is an amazing task you have done.  What is the reason you have built a mosque?”  Guru ji told him the story of Bhagavan Das Gherard.  Baba Bhudda ji and the other Sikhs were happy to hear everything.  They saw Guru ji’s wisdom and were amazed.  Gherard was the reason of the battle.  Many Turks were killed because of him.  The mosque was built on his old home.  Bhai Gurdas ji wrote a lot of praises of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji then.  Baba Bhudda ji praised the new city, a lot: “you have established a nice city near the river.  It is at a higher elevation.  It’s nice to roam here.  The people here are happier now.”  In this way, the Sikhs all praised Guru ji and came back.

Guru ji sat down in Divaan.  Baba Bidhi Chand ji said with his hands folded: “this city of the Guru will last forever but it has not been named yet.  Its previous name has been destroyed.”  Baba Bidhi Chand ji spoke at the right time.  Guru ji was really happy with him.  He smiled and said: “Baba Bhudda Sahib ji is very wise.  He will name this new city.  It will spread in the world and last forever.”  Baba Bhudda ji heard this and said: “Sri Amritsar was first established.  Your grandfather: whose praises are sung by all; Guru Arjan Dev ji, your wise father; named it Ramdaspur, after your grandfather.  He mentioned the name in Guru Granth Sahib ji, that was written by him.  The whole world knows this.  You have established a city.  This will be a great city.  I will name it after you.  It will be called “Sri Hargovindpur.”  Guru Nanak Dev ji established Kartarpur.  Guru Angad Dev ji established Khadoor.  The third Guru, Guru Amardas ji, established Goindwal.  Ramdaspur was established by Guru Ramdas ji.  Guru Arjan Dev ji established another city named Kartarpur in the Doaba.  He did an amazing thing.  You established a city.  It should be named after you.  This is what I have thought.”  Guru ji and the others that were sitting in the court, everyone said: “Dhan Baba Bhudda ji!”  The name of the new city spread around the land.  Everyone was happy with the new name.  The name was confirmed.  The name is still known as Sri Hargovindpur in modern times.  A special home for Guru ji was built.  Goldwork with precious gems was done.  Beautiful doors were installed in the home.  The Devatas felt greed seeing the home.  Guru ji spent many days here.  Many Sikhs were blessed here.  Guru ji’s praise spread everywhere.  The moon looked dirty in front of Guru ji. 

6-48 Khwaja and Jaani Syed/ Nand Lal Sohna

Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was a great warrior who was deep and patient.  The servants that stayed with Guru ji and did Seva, Guru ji would bless them.  There was a Kashmiri named Bhai Khwaja ji.  His good Karma came to fruition, by which he would serve Guru ji everyday.  He was always in attention and was never lazy.  The horse of Sri Guru ji, he would massage it and take care of it.  When Guru ji would ride that horse, Bhai Khawaja ji would run in front of the horse.  He only desired to see the form of Guru ji.  He did not speak to anyone else.  He stayed in solitude, most of the time.  He was always doing Seva without desires.

One day, Guru ji was happy with Bhai Khawaja ji’s Seva.  He was running in front of the horse and sweating a lot.  He didn’t care about his fatigue.  He only liked to do Seva.  He saw pain and pleasure as the same.  Guru ji got off his horse and called to him.  He said: “tell me what is your wish?”  Bhai Khwaja ji folded his hands and said: “I only wish to see you all the time.  I have no other wish.  I wish to stay with you all the time.  I wish to be desireless my whole life.  I like to see your face all the time.”  Guru ji was happy to hear this.  He said: “you are blessed, Khwaja!”  He was always happy after that day.  He didn’t say anything to anyone. 

 There was another Syed, named Bhai Jaani ji.  He was a Fakir as well, like Bhai Khwaja ji.  He had left his home to find Mukti.  He wandered around for Mukti.  He met a lot of Hindu saints and Muslim Fakirs.  He did 5 Nimaaz a day and kept his Ramadan fasts.  He did “Zohad” (Bhagti) all night long.  He wandered but did not find Maula, Akaal Purakh.  He did the Seva of Fakirs and Hindu saints; he wanted to find the Prabhoo.  He did not meet Allah.  He wandered like a thirsty deer in the dessert.  He did not meet a complete saint.  There was no one to show him the path to Prabhoo.  He was anxious as he felt his time was passing.  Someone met him and said: “the throne of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji is great.  Sikhi has spread far and wide in the world.  His servants get everything.  He tells you the path to Prabhoo as well.  The Siddhis bow before the Guru but even his Sikh do not desire them.  Now, Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, the great warrior, is on the throne.  He has fought 2 wars with the Shah.  He is omniscient.  He knows every heart.  Whoever does his Seva, he blesses them.  That person meets the Prabhoo.  He is compassionate.  He is Khuddah.  He can do whatever he wants to do.  He is the giver of Mukti.  Whoever he blesses, that person is in bliss right away.  He just looks at faith and devotion.”  Bha Jaani ji heard the praises of Guru ji and got really happy.  He had hope.  It was like someone looking for the philosopher’s stone, heard about its whereabouts.  He quickly went to Sri Hargovindpur.

Bhai Jaani ji first came to meet Bhai Khwaja ji as both were Kashmiris.  He came to the stables and said: “I am here for the first time.  Will he keep me in his Seva?”  He told him his long story of his desire to meet Prabhoo: “my age is passing.  We are both Turks and we have the same goal.  You live with the Guru.  You know his ways.  Tell me, how can I make him happy?  I want him to show poor me the path.”  Bhai Khwaja ji said: “there is no one else like him on this earth.  He is omnipotent and omniscient.  He is the complete Avatar.  You don’t have to speak.  He already knows.  He sees the love and devotion and blesses the servants.  He doesn’t waste time to bless his servants.  The day he is compassionate, he will bless you.  You should sit by the door of the Satguru.  Don’t listen to anyone and don’t speak to anyone.  Stay quiet and do your Simran.  Don’t tell anyone about yourself.  When Guru ji accepts your Seva, he will bless you.  He will tighten the scale though.  Be aware of that.  When he takes your faults away, it will be hard.  Stay stable.  He will make your mind pure, like gold being heated.  The goldsmith takes the faults out of the gold.  When Guru ji makes you pure, he will show you the path to Prabhoo.  His words are true.  He will bless you.”  Bhai Jaani ji heard this and had hope.  He bowed his head with his mind.

Bhai Jaani ji sat by the door of the Guru.  He tolerated hunger and thirst.  When he would see Guru ji, he would bow to Guru ji with humility.  He didn’t speak to or listen to anyone else.  He tolerated sun and shade.  He kept his head down all the time.  He focused his attention on the Satguru.  After a few days Guru ji said: “who is this that is sitting?”  Guru ji sent a Sikh to find out.  The Sikh was instructed to ask Bhai Jaani ji: “why are you sitting here?  If you need clothes and money, tell us.  Guru ji will give you what you need.  You can get everything from the Guru’s home.  Go and request Guru ji.  Get your task done and go home.”  The Sikh went to Bhai Jaani ji and said: “tell us what your wish is.  Satguru ji does not care about anything.  You will get what you want that is in your destiny.”  When Bhai Jaani ji heard this, he folded his hands with humility and said: “all worldly things are destined to not exist one day.  I am not here for worldly things.  I am the seeker of the One Maula, Akaal Purakh.  I wish to meet the Maula.”  The Sikh told Guru ji what Bhai Jaani ji said but Guru ji went quiet.

After some days, Guru ji said: “build a wall in front of this Fakir.  Make it high so I don’t see anyone coming or going.”  The Sikhs obeyed and built a wall in front of Bhai Jaani ji.  Bhai Jaani ji remained there.  He was not able to see Guru ji anymore.  He kept doing the Simran of Guru ji.  He tolerated hunger and thirst.  The love grew in his heart.  His focus was sharper.  Bhai Khwaja ji would bring Bhai Jaani ji some food.  Bhai Jaani ji did not like anything else besides the Guru.  He had become senseless in love.  His love for Guru ji grew.  He didn’t like anything else.  He was drenched in the Guru’s love.  He did not physically see Guru ji but he would see him in his heart.  He would listen without being talked to.  He didn’t eat.  He was happy.  After a long time, Guru ji didn’t ask about the Fakir.  His love did not decrease though.  It kept increasing.  His bliss grew.  He had a desire to see Guru ji.  He wondered when Guru ji would meet him.

One day, a Divaan was in progress.  The Sikhs said to Guru ji: “the Fakir Syed Jaani is a great Sevadaar.  He only has the love to see you.”  Guru ji heard this and said casually: “if he is so stubborn, tell him to jump into the river and drown.  This is my command.  Go and tell him.”  One Sikh what to Bhai Jaani ji and told him Guru ji’s command: “the command of Guru ji is this.”  Bhai Jaani ji was happy to hear this.  He said: “this must be true.”  He ran to the river and jumped into the Beas.  Guru ji sent Sikhs behind him.  The Sikhs took him out of the river and placed him in front of Guru ji.  Many Sikhs said: “Guru ji, he is in your command.  Please bless him.  He is not going to leave you.  Please bless him.  He will stay here, otherwise.”  Guru ji observed his love as being deep.  His test was done.  He said to him: “take the Ridhis and Siddhis.  You can do what you want then.  You can give them to anyone too.”  Bhai Jaani ji said: “besides the One, I wish for nothing else.  No one is as big as the One.”  When he refused the powers, his desire for Darshan got deeper.

After a few days, Guru ji called him and told him the path to Parmeshwar.  As soon as he heard it, he was instantly connected to the Prabhoo.  He grabbed Guru ji’s feet and fell into Samadhi, inside his heart.  His pains were all gone.  Guru ji called Bhai Khwaja ji as well.  He said to the both of them: “your Seva is accepted.  You made the Guru happy.  Go and live in solitude.  Go and live like saints.”  The two agreed and stayed for a few days to do Seva.  They did the Seva of Guru ji.  They remained connected with devotion.  As they were going to leave, they wondered who would serve the horses after them.  A person named Bhai Nand Lal ji came to them.  They made him their student.  They gave him the path of the Prabhoo.  They give him wisdom and told him to do the Seva of Guru ji.  They did not make Bhai Nand Lal ji do their Seva.  They sent him to Guru Hargobind Sahib ji’s Seva.  They gave him the Seva of the horse and left Sri Hargovindpur.  Bhai Nand Lal ji did Seva with faith and devotion.  He was very handsome and drenched in the Guru’s love.  Guru ji was happy with his Seva and called him “Bhai Sohna” (handsome).  That is how Guru ji would call him.  From that day onwards, his name spread by Bhai Sohna.  Everyone called him Sohna.  He would do Seva without any desires.  His mind had become still by doing Seva.

6-49 Listening to the Praises of the Gurus from Baba Bhudda ji

Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was blessing his servants.  One day, in the Divaan, Guru ji was sitting, looking radiant like the moon amongst the stars.  The Sikhs were doing his Darshan and feeling at peace.  The love was so deep that they would have the emotions of sacrificing themselves unto Guru ji.  Guru ji, in a state of bliss, looked towards Baba Bhudda ji and said beautiful words to him: “oh Bhai!  You have gone quite old.  You have done the Seva of Guru Nanak Dev ji and Guru Angad Dev ji.  You met both of them.  You saw what they did and how they destroyed the bad wisdom of people.  Whatever Guru Nanak Dev ji did; whatever priceless things he said; the one who had Bhugti and Mukti readily available to give; you’ve seen all this with your eyes.  Sri Guru Angad Dev ji and Sri Guru Amardas ji, the Parmeshwar, the beautiful tasks they did; whatever joyful things the three Gurus did, please tell us all, so our pain would go away.  Everyone else has just heard their Katha.  You have seen it all.  You are the eldest Sikh and the wisest.  You are drenched in Sikhi and faith.”  Baba Bhudda ji heard this and smiled.  He said to Guru ji: “you are omniscient.  You already know everything.  Past and future is not hidden from you.  You are the sun and I am like a small lamp in front of you.  What can I illuminate in front of you?  The praise of the Satguru is too great.  My wisdom is small.  The glory of the Guru is very big.  I can’t put the ocean in a seashell.  How can the sun’s rays be hidden?”  Guru ji heard this and said: “what you say is true.  I do know everything but I wish to hear it from you.  You stayed with the Satguru.  You knew his ways and his personality.  Please tell us his Katha.  Make me happy by telling me Guru Nanak Dev ji’s Katha.”  The wisest of wise, Baba Bhudda ji, focused his attention and started to speak: “what can I say of the Guru?  What tasks do I mention?  There are too many.  I am not wise.  How can I know the Guru’s ways?”  He did this Ardaas and the Katha of the Guru illuminated in his heart.  He then looked towards Guru Hargobind Sahib ji and said: “listen Guru ji.  Sri Baba Nanak ji was Parmeshwar.  He was wise from his own will.  He illuminated by his own will.  He showed his powers as he was born.  His praises spread across the world.  He showed the path to the unwise.  He gave wisdom to the saints.  He was the Meer of Meers and the Peer of Peers.  The Turk Meers and Peers came to his sanctuary with devotion.  Jogis, Sidhs, Naths, Brahamachaaris, Tappis, Dighambhers, the clothed ones, Sanyasis, and others in the form of Sadhoos, big and small; the people of Kaliyuga; everyone saw Guru Nanak Dev ji as the greatest and the Guru of the world.  His radiance illuminated in the 3 Loks.  He is the one who gave the Devatas, Humans, and Demons, their status.  He collected the wealth of Satnam, which is not looted by thieves such as ego and attachment.  He filled his treasury with Prema Bhagti.  He filled it with Satnam.  He then gave everything to Guru Angad Dev ji.  The treasury never finishes.  The treasures are always filled.  They grew the more it was spent.  They destroyed the pains of being born and dying.  The 2^nd Paatshaah kept this treasure.  He did not show their powers though.  Guru Angad Dev ji hid the powers attained by the treasure.  He did not show his powers to show off, nor did he tell anyone he had them.  The treasure kept growing.  It was limitless.  Guru Angad Dev ji’s glory was not known by Brahma, Shiva or Vishnu.  He remained detached from everything.  He was filled with love and had no desire.  He needed no support.  He was pure.  He did not show his Siddhis.  He was always in the eternal bliss.  He stayed in Samadhi for days at a time.  He once sat for 9 days in Samadhi after listening to Bhai Bala ji.  He was in a single state, away from sin and virtue.  He showed that he had the will to tolerate all the power.  Nobody else was able to do this in the past or in the future, other than the Gurus.  Only the Satguru’s home had this ability.  This is not be seen or heard of from anywhere else.  Guru Amardas ji was omnipotent.  He was given the treasure next.  He kept the treasure of Bhagti.  His virtues had no limit.  He started the new Maryadas.  Whoever came to the Guru, they were given the treasure of Naam.  Guru ji gave the 9 Niddhis, Ridhis and Siddhis to the Sikhs.  He gave these powers to everyone with both of his hands.  Anyone who came to him, they received a lot.  Gurmat spread in every direction.  Naam Simran spread everywhere.  There is no giver like Guru Amardas ji.  The fortunate ones got everything.  Whoever did his Seva without desires, they got the Naam.  The ones who did his Seva with desires, they received Naam with Riddhis and Siddhis.  In this way, his one hand was full of Bhagti and Seva; the other hand was full of compassion.  He gave with both hands.  The world came to know of this.  He had a great nature and gave to all.  Then I focussed my attention and wanted to see if the Naam treasure decreased or not.  I saw that it had not decreased even a little bit.  Guru ji gave it and it had increased.  It increased many folds.  He saved thousands with this treasure.  I was amazed to see him do this.  I realised that the Guru’s ways could not be known.  I came to Guru Amardas ji with my hands folded.  I praised him a lot while he was sitting on the throne.  I said you: “you are Dhan!  You are the greatest giver.  You are the Philosopher’s stone.  Because of you, metal turns to gold.  You are the Bhavan Chandan that gives other plants its fragrance.  You are like the water of Ganga, whatever is mixed with it, also becomes the Ganga water.  Impure water becomes pure.  You have made the bad people into saints.  You gave all your servants Mukti.  You are like the ocean; the water comes into and becomes past of the ocean.  The Sikhs become a part of you.  This is your way.  You blessed unlimited servants.”  I saw all this.  I saw the three Gurus like this.  Their tasks were unspeakable.  What else can I say?  I can’t say it all.  You are omnipotent.  Nothing is hidden from you.  You are the same Guru.  You know what you did in those 3 forms.” 

Guru Hargobind Sahib ji listened to the Katha of the Gurus from Baba Bhudda ji and went into Samadhi.  His body went still.  Nobody spoke in the Divaan.  Guru ji stayed like this for 3 hours.  He then opened his eyes and looked towards Baba Bhudda ji.  He said: “wow!  Oh Baba Bhudda ji, you are a great Sikh.  You are the beloved of all the Gurus.  There is no other Sikh like you.  You spoke the amazing Katha that gave me bliss.  Only you know the Katha of the Guru.  You know the ways of the Guru’s home.  That’s why I asked you to say the Katha of the Gurus.  Whatever you said was true.”  The Sikhs were happy to hear this and said: “Dhan Baba Bhudda ji.”  Everyone knew of the glory of Baba Bhudda ji.  They all bowed to his feet.  In this way, Guru ji did his tasks.  He saved the saints and destroyed the sinners.  He was a great warrior with deep courage.  He had great patience.  He was strong on the battlefield.  He was undefeated and had strong arms.  He kept a 9 Tonka bow in his hand.  His sharp arrows were in his quiver that pierced the chests of the sinners.  His arrows were like cobras.  He killed all the enemy.  No one could face him.  Only the ones who ran away, survived.  The ones who surrendered also survived.  He kept his powers hidden and acted like other humans.  His servants were great as well.

6-50 The Sangat from Kanshi/ Hawk and Quail

Baba Bhudda ji, the great patient one, stayed with Guru ji for many days.  He had gone quite old and so his body had become weak.  He wished to go back to his place.  His time to leave his body was approaching.  He was the Sikh of Guru Nanak Dev ji and had done Darshan of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  He had seen the ways of 6 Gurus.  He stayed with the wise Gurus, who were the saviours.  He gave the Teeka marks to all of the Gurus.  Whoever he gave the Teeka to, that person became the Guru.  There was no one else like him in the house of the Guru.  Whatever he said, became reality. 

One day Baba Bhudda ji said to Guru ji: “you are omniscient and know everything, without anyone telling you anything.  I wish to go back to my village.  My age has come to its completion.  Be compassionate and complete my wish.  Give me a boon.”  Guru ji said: “there is nothing I have hidden from you.  My body, mind and wealth are yours.  It was given to me by your compassion.  I am your servant.  Command me what you wish for.”  Baba Bhudda ji heard this and praised the Guru: “this is your greatness.  This is not a new thing for you.  You have always been like this since the beginning of time.  The Vedas and Puranas say this too.  The saints agree.  You give praise to your servants and make them look bigger than you.  You did this in every Yuga.  You broke your own promise on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.  Bhishma Pitamah was determined to make you pick up your weapon.  You completed his wish and broke your promise of not picking weapons.  You made Bhisma look bigger.  How many examples can I give?  No power can find your end.  All I want is for you to live in my mind.  You are unmovable like the Sumer Mountain.  Stay in my mind like that.  When my time comes, please come when I call you.  Gareeb Nivaaj, while I am dying, I want your form to be in front of me.  I want you to drop what you’re doing and come to me then.  Please accept my wish.”  Guru ji said: “it shall be so.”  Baba Bhudda ji bowed to Guru ji; Guru ji bowed to Baba Bhudda ji.  Bhai Jodh ji, Bhai Ajita ji and Bhai Jeeva ji all bowed to Guru ji as well.  The four of them remembered Guru Nanak Dev ji and left. 

Bhai Gurdas ji stayed with Guru ji, seeing his wish to keep him close.  He stayed with the treasure of peace.  Many Sikhs went to see Baba Bhudda ji off.  They all walked for a long distance.  Baba Bhudda ji bowed to Satguru ji and had him go back while Baba Bhudda ji continued his journey home. 

The village of Baba Bhudda ji was called Jhanday-Ramdas (when Baba Bhudda ji’s grandson was born, the new village was established.  Baba Bhudda ji wished to call the village Ramdas but Guru Ramdas ji wished to call it Jhanday, after the name of Baba Bhudda ji’s grandson.  Guru Ramdas ji decided to honor both and called it Jhanday-Ramdas).  Baba Bhudda ji was born in Kathu-Nangal but established the new village and made it his home.  Baba Bhudda ji came back home and told everyone the praises of the Guru.  He did Simran of the Guru. 

Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was the creator of all joys.  He was in Sri Hargovindpur.  People came from many lands, bringing him expensive gifts.  Their wishes were all fulfilled.  They would sing the praises of the Satguru.  Many came and many left.  Sangat came constantly in groups.  They would see the moon-like face of Guru ji and be happy. 

One day, Guru ji went hunting with his warriors.  He took hawks, cheetahs, dogs and other hunting animals.  They went to the jungle to hunt.  Bhai Bidhi Chand ji and other Sikhs were with him.  They hunted a lot.  Deer, wild bore, birds and other animals were hunted.  They looked into the bushes to hunt.  Guru ji came back and sat at the high place.  It was called the “Damdama.”  While he rested, the Sangat from Kanshi came.  Within that Sangat, there was a really wise Sikh.  He wanted to see Guru ji, quickly.  He left his group behind at the Beas and ran to where Guru ji was.  He did not eat meat or drink alcohol.  He did good deeds and wanted to make his afterlife a success.  He came to Guru ji at the Damdama and bowed, while placing his gift in front.  He bowed to Guru ji’s lotus feet.  As he was bowing, Guru ji was holding a hawk in one hand and a quail in the other.  He was feeding the hawk the meat of the quail.  Both his hands had blood on them.  The Sikh saw this and doubted this.  He thought to himself: “this is the throne of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji.  What the Guru ji doing shows lack of compassion.  He is supposed to be the Gareeb Nivaaj.  I left Kanshi to come here, so far away and see this being done.”  He thought about all this but Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji knew what he was thinking.  Guru ji said to him: “what you are thinking of in your mind, these are the tasks from the root.  You won’t understand this.”  The Sikh was amazed to hear this.  He became humble.  He folded his hands and said: “oh treasure of blessings, you are omniscient.  You know every heart.  Nothing is hidden from you.  What can I say?  I have no ability.  I just saw your way and fell in doubt.  I don’t know your inside.  I only saw what you are doing.  You were feeding the quail to the hawk.”  Guru ji told him the history of the 2 birds in his hands: “this quail was a ferryman in his last birth.  He took money and took people across the river in his boat.  Guru Ramdas ji had a Sikh who is now this hawk.  For some task, this Sikh was sent by Guru Ramdas ji.  He came to the ferryman and told him to take him across the river.  He had a task for the Guru.  He boarded the boat and started to cross the river.  The ferryman asked the passengers for money while in the middle of the river.  The Sikh only had 5 Paisas.  He gave the ferryman the money but he wanted more.  The ferryman kept getting mad at the Sikh for giving him less money.  The ferryman said: “the Turks have implemented the Jaziya tax.  The 5 Paisas you are giving me, I need 20.  Otherwise, I can’t take you across.”  The Sikh said: “I am not lying.  I don’t have any more.  The task of the Guru will not be complete otherwise.  Take the money.  The Guru will bless you.  Don’t fight with me.”  The foolish ferryman did not agree.  He got angry and threw the Sikh into the water.  He pushed him hard, without compassion.  The Sikh drowned in the water.  As he was dying, he got angry.  He wished to eat the flesh of the ferryman as he did not respect the Guru.  He died after thinking this.  The Sikh became a hawk.  The hawk came to me in some way.  The ferryman became a quail.  The revenge is complete.  Both will die.  They have no other task to be born.”  As the quail died, the hawk died as well.  A light appeared in the sky.  They died in the hands of the Guru so a vessel came to get them and took them to Sach Khand.  They both went to heaven to stay in peace.”  The Sikh from Kanshi folded his hands and said: “what is this light in the sky?  These two birds died and the light came.  The light disappeared in a second.”  Guru ji said: “the two birds went to heaven.  The light was from the vessels that came to get them.”  The Sikh folded his hands and bowed.  He saw the ways of the Guru and went back to his Sangat.  He told them of what happened.  They had devotion and came to do Darshan of the Guru.  Guru ji came back to the village and had a Divaan.  The Rababis did Keertan.  The Sikhs listened to the Keeran and felt happy.  The Sangat placed their gifts in front of Guru ji.  They bowed and felt at peace, seeing Guru ji.  Satguru ji casted the vision of blessings on to everyone.  The pains of the Sangat were gone.  Their wishes were fulfilled.  Guru ji asked how everyone was.  Everyone sat down in bliss.  Where the people were from, they told Guru ji of their traditions and ways.  Guru ji would tell those people the history of the places they were from.  They all sat in Divaan till evening.  They all listened to So Dar.

Guru ji went to his home and the Sangat went to their camps.  The Sangat from Kanshi stayed for many days.  They heard the words of Guru ji and felt joy.  They all asked for leave and left.  They went to Amritsar before heading back home.  They bathed in the Sarovar and other Teeraths such as Goindwal, Khadoor and Tarn Taaran.  In this way, Guru ji carried out his tasks.  Thousands of Sikhs stayed with Guru ji.  Guru ji gave them Mukti and Bhugti.  Sikhi was growing by the day.