7-21 Mata Damodri ji goes to Sach Khand

Satguru ji stayed in Daroli for many days.  Many Sikhs came to meet Guru ji.  They did his Darshan and went back home.  Baba Gurditta ji established a new city named Kiratpur Sahib.  It was near the Sutlej in the hills of the Shivalik.  Many merchants came to set up their shops.  Many skilled people settled there.  Baba ji took care of all.  He made them all happy.  Everyone wanted to stay.  After some time, Baba Gurditta ji wanted to see his father.  His desire got deeper to go to see his parents.  He got his chariots ready.  Expensive chariots got ready.  Mata Natti ji took her 2 sons and got on top of the chariot.  Baba Dheermal ji and Guru Har Rai ji were young.  Baba Dheermal ji was around 7.  Guru Har Rai ji was still a baby.  The maids and servants got ready as well to go.  They all left Kiratpur.  Baba Gurditta ji mounted his horse.  He was tall and wide like his father.  His horse ran like a deer.  The whole family went to see Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  A Sikh was left behind to take care of the city.  Wise Sikhs were given the charge.  The settlers of the city came to see Baba ji off.  Baba ji gave everyone hope and left.  He had found out that Guru ji had left Amritsar.  He headed towards Moga.

Baba Gurditta ji and his family travelled for about 4 days to reach Daroli.  He came and bowed to his father’s feet.  Guru ji asked how everyone was.  Baba Gurditta ji told Guru ji of how he met Peer Bhuddanshah ji.  He also told him how the settling of the city went.  He said to his father: “the city is near the mountain.  When you will step foot there, you will make the place pure.”  Guru ji heard this and said: “great work!”  Guru ji gave his son a lot of respect for establishing the new city.  Guru Har Rai ji was in his mother’s lap.  Mata Natti ji bowed to Guru ji’s feet.  Baba Dheermal ji bowed to his grandfather.  Guru Har Rai ji bowed as well.  Guru ji took both of his grandsons into his lap.  He spoke to them with love and put his hands on their hands.  He wanted to see who was going to be the next Guru.  He noticed that it was going to be Guru Har Rai Sahib ji.  He casted his divine vision on him.  He gave him more love.   

Baba Gurditta ji went inside the house and bowed to his 3 mothers.  Mata Damodri ji was happy to see her son.  She gave him blessings.  Mata Nanaki ji and Mata Marwahi ji blessed Baba Gurditta ji with Guru ji’s happiness.  Baba Gurditta ji came out and met the Sikhs.  Everyone bowed to him.  Baba ji bowed to Bhai Sai Das ji and Bhai Bidhi Chand ji.  They all asked how each other was.  Everyone said: “this son of the Guru is very deserving of the Gurta Ghaddi.”  They all thought he was going to be the next Guru.  They didn’t know the future.  They all knew that he made his friends happy.  He was the destroyer of the enemies.  Mata Natti ji came inside the home and bowed to her mothers-in-law.  Mata Damodri ji was happy to see her grandsons.  She picked up both grandsons and kissed their foreheads.  Mata Natti ji bowed to Bibi Ramo ji.  Bibi Ramo ji blessed the boys with a long life.  Mata Nanaki ji and Mata Marwahi ji had Matta Natti ji sit with them.  Everyone was happy.  The whole family was together.

They all stayed together for many days.  Vaisakhi had arrived.  Many Sikhs came, bringing gifts.  Men and women came singing the Guru’s praises.  They did Guru ji’s Darshan.  The Masands set up Guru ji’s throne.  Guru ji sat on the throne with his weapons in his full royal regalia.  The chaurs looked like white swans.  The Mevra did the Ardaas of the Sangat.  The Masands came from far, with a lot of money.  They all said the Ardaas of the Sangat.  A lot of money came.  Guru ji made everyone happy.  Guru ji would give Dastaars and Siropas to the Masands.  Some brought 100,000 Rajitpuns and some brought 200,000 for the Langar and other things.  Some came from Sangladeep and some came from Kabul.  A lot of money came.  The Masands would come every 6 months.  Some came after a year, the ones that lived further.  They were all known to bring special gifts from their areas.  Some brought food and some brought horses.  Some brought money.  Some Sikhs came themselves to do Guru ji’s Darshan and washed their sins away.  A lot of money came and a lot of money was spent.  The gifts would come and then they would be given to the needy.  The Masands would bring their Sangats to Guru ji.  They would come and do Guru ji’s Darshan.  They would present their gifts and money.  Guru ji would sit and meet them all.  The gifts would pile up.  There was no end to the gifts.  The Sangat came with faith.  Their wishes were all fulfilled. 

The month of Saavan came.  The whole family was together.  They were gathered together and happy.  Mata Damodri ji’s life was coming to an end.  She felt her time coming.  She went to go see her husband.  She folded her hands and said: “you are the Prabhoo.  You are omnipotent.  You can do as you wish.  I was blessed to be your servant.  If I may have said something because of the lack of my wisdom, I don’t know your greatness, please forgive me.  It is my end time.  I am the servant of your feet.  I want to stay in your feet in Sach Khand.  I am unwise.  I did as much Seva as I could.  The Devatas don’t know your greatness.”  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji heard this and gave her hope: “you will always be with me.  The glory of the Guru’s home is great.  Men and women who have faith on the Guru, they receive the highest status.  You are my wife.  You will be blessed by yourself.  You will be with me forever.  You will never be away from me.  Everyone will leave their bodies in this world.  This physical body does not last forever.  Everyone leaves when its their turn.”  Mata Damodri ji was happy to hear her husband’s words.  She then went to meet the rest of the family.  She bathed and recited Japji Sahib.  She laid out a Kush Asan and laid down on it.  She thought of her husband and left her body in a second.  Her soul went to where Mata Ganga ji, her mother-in-law, was in Sach Khand.  She got on top of a jeweled vessel.  The whole family was shocked to see her leave her body.  It was 1688 (Vikram) when Mata Damodri ji went to Sach Khand.  Everyone began to cry.  Bibi Ramo ji was the elder sister, she was in shock.  She cried and said: “my younger sister was greater than me.  She made our whole family blessed.  She had our parents blessed.  She did her husband’s Seva and had all of us blessed.  She gave us Baba Gurditta ji.  She was the master’s wife.  We can’t even think how great her status was.  She saved many.   She was the mother of the world.”  Bibi Ramo ji cried, remembering her sister.  Mata Nanaki ji and Mata Mahadevi ji cried.  Mata Natti ji and Mata Khem Kaur ji cried.  The Sikhs all cried.  Guru ji told everyone to stop crying.  He said: “this is the way of the world that everyone has to go through.  Don’t cry in this shock.  This is not surprising.”  Baba Gurditta ji prepared the cremation.  He did as he was told.  Bhai Sai Das ji was very sensitive.  He had faith in his sister-in-law.  He fainted.  When he woke up, he cried and said: “oh fortunate one, we will never be able to repay you.  You made us Guru ji’s relative.  Inder and other Devatas wish to meet Guru ji.  They wish to be blessed by him.  We were with that Guru, day and night, because of you.  We were blessed because of you.  You left all of us elder people.  Oh Pativrata, why were you in a hurry?”  Guru ji made everyone stop crying.  Bhai Babak ji was told to do Keertan. 

Bhai Bidhi Chand ji and Bhai Painday Khan ji cried.  They said: “mother, you left your sons.”  Mata ji’s body was bathed by the women and new clothes were put on her.  A platform was prepared for her.  Expensive sheets were put on her.  The platform was picked up on to the shoulders of great Sikhs.  Baba Dheermal ji waived the Chaur.  Conches were played.  Maru Raag Keertan was sung.  A sandalwood pyre was made.  Baba Gurditta ji lit the pyre and began to cry out loud.  He remembered his mother.  Keertan Sohila was recited.  The Kapaal Kirya was done and everyone bathed.  Keertan was done.  Panchamrit was distributed.  Everyone slowly came back home.  Everyone came to give their condolences. 

7-22 Bibi Ramo, Bhai Sai Das and others go to Sach Khand

Wherever Guru ji’s relatives lived, news reached of Mata Damodri ji’s departure from this earth.  Baba Narayan Das ji and his wife (the parents of Mata Damodri ji-the descendants of Bhai Paro ji Param Hans) came to Daroli, crying.  Bibi Ramo ji and her husband were upset.  Bibi Ramo ji left her body after a few days.  Bhai Sai Das ji became depressed.  He left his body, leaving the worldly drama behind.  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji gave them all passage to Sach Khand.  Baba Gurditta ji did all of the cremations.  Baba Narayan Das ji lost 2 daughters.  He was really upset.  He and his wife stayed there.  They became detached from the world and saw the world as a myth.  A few days later, he left his body as well.  It was the way of Parmeshwar.  Mata Daya Kaur ji, the mother of Mata Damodri ji and Bibi Ramo ji, also left her body.  There was Sikhi in their family.  They were the descendants of Bhai Paro ji.  Satguru ji collected everyone’s ashes and placed them into the river. 

The Sangat came to pay their respects.  Five family members of Guru ji had died.  Everyone was shocked to see this.  Satguru ji sat and had a Divaan.  Keertan happened as everyone listened.  Baba Hari Chand ji came with his wife (the parents of Mata Nanaki ji).  Baba Duara ji and his wife (the parents of Mata Mahadevi ji) came.  Baba Parmanand ji and Baba Sundar ji came from Goindwal.  The children of Baba Datu ji came from Khadoor.  Bhai Rama ji and his wife came.  Bhai Dharma ji (the father-in-law of Bibi Veero ji) came with the whole family.  Baba Prem Chand ji and his wife (Mata Khem Kaur ji’s parents-in-laws of Baba Sooraj Mal ji) came.  They met Guru ji and the family.  Bibi Veero ji came.  She came and remembered her mother: “oh mother, I couldn’t see you before you left!”  The whole family cried.  It was a river of mourning, the tears in everyone’s eyes.  They thought of everyone’s virtues and cried.  They yelled out loud when they cried.  Satguru ji gave them all hope: “this is the way of the bodies of earth.  The will of the true Parmeshwar, see it as the ultimate truth.  Whoever has come, must go one day.  None of us will be here forever.  Why cry for others?” 

Guru Hargobind Sahib ji had the Sahij Paath of Guru Granth Sahib ji done.  Bhai Bidhi Chand ji did the Paath.  It finished on the 13^th day.  Panchamrit was made and distributed in great quantities.  Everyone’s mourning was gone.  Guru ji gave a lot of donations and had a lot of Langar made.  All 5 names were said in the Ardaas.  Baba Gurditta ji had a Pugri tied on his head, as per the tradition during the Bhog of his mother.  Many Dastaars came from the different families and dignitaries of the Guru’s home.  The whole family stayed together for some days.  Yagnas and Langar carried on for a few days.  The Brahmins, Sadhoos, Sikhs and other Sangat, were all given Langar with the 6 types of tastes.  Malpuras, Pooriyas, Pakoras and other delicacies were made.  Yoghurt with lentil dumplings, spices, coriander and salt was made.  Everyone sat in lines to eat.  Everyone ate to their hearts’ desires.  Everyone was given money after.  They all happily sang the praises of Guru ji.  In this way, everyone’s depression was lifted.  Guru ji gave hope to all.  Everyone went to their own homes eventually.  Guru ji gave leave to all.  Baba Sundar ji, Baba Parmanand ji, Baba Hari Chand ji, Baba Duara ji, Bhai Rama ji and Baba Dharma ji; all went to their homes.  Guru ji gave hope to his daughter, Bibi Veero ji.  He put his hand on her head and gave her his blessings.  He gave her leave with respect.  He told her to do Simran of Satnam.  The whole family had left. 

After some days, the Guru Bhagavan was sitting alone.  He thought of the future: “I need to think of the next battle.  It is time to fight another war.  It has been a while since the Turks had been killed.  The Badshah won’t send an army because Bhai Wazir Khan ji is with him, giving him wisdom.  Now I need to do something which makes the Turks tremble.  Delhi, Lahore, and Peshawar need to tremble.  The ones who bother the poor and weak, their wives need to cry.  I need to go away from the family.  I need to send them off and pick up the weapons.”  Guru ji called his son, Baba Gurditta ji.  He had him sit near him with respect and told him everything: “I don’t wish to stay here anymore.  The people by which this place was lit have left their bodies.  Take the whole family and go to Kartarpur with joy.  Take care of everyone there.  Give them what they need.  I have a big army now.  I am getting ready for war.  I will go to Malva with them.  Feed for horses is plenty in Malva.  Food for the army is in abundance there as there are many Sikhs there.  The warriors and horses will be happy there.”  Baba Gurditta ji folded his hands and said to his father: “as you wish.  I will do as you command.  I have a request for you: when the battle with the Turks start, please send me news, 3 days in advance.  I will come to be with you and fight.  You didn’t give me a chance to fight a battle yet.  I wish to fight.”  Guru ji heard his son’s brave words.  His eyes lit up like a lotus blooming.  He was happy and said: “you will see one of my battles.  For now, go and take care of the family.  Go to Kartarpur with them.” 

Baba Gurditta ji obeyed and got ready to got.  The horses and chariots were ready.  The palanquins were ready.  The porters brought the palanquins.  The strong bulls were attached to the carts.  The luggage was loaded.  Mata Natti ji carried Guru Har Rai ji and sat in her palanquin.  Baba Soraj Mal ji’s wife, Mata Khem Kaur ji sat in her palanquin.  Mata Nanaki ji got on a chariot.  Mata Marwahi ji was on another chariot.  Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji was on a horse.  He made his strong horse dance.  Baba Ani Rai ji and Baba Sooraj Mal ji were on their horses.  A silver palanquin was brought for Guru Granth Sahib ji to sat in.  The elder son was told by the Master Guru: “use sandalwood and incense for Guru Granth Sahib ji.  Give them a garland of flowers everyday.  Light a ghee lamp in the room that Guru Granth Sahib ji will sit in.  Bow to them everyday.  See Guru Granth Sahib ji as Guru Nanak Dev ji.  Do Pooja of Guru Granth Sahib ji everyday.  Make Prashaad everyday.  Recite Gurbani with the family.  I will come to you in a few days.  Wait for me there.  I will come to Kartarpur.”  Guru ji gave hope to the family.  The family all started to Kartarpur.  Bhai Painday Khan was told by Guru ji: “go with them.  Take care of Kartarpur.”  He went to Kartarpur with his wife.  He was happy to be going with Baba Gurditta ji at Guru ji’s command.  Everyone bowed to Guru ji.  Guru ji gave everyone hope with his sweet words.  He gave everyone the blessings of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s support.

The family travelled and arrived in Kartarpur.  Guru Granth Sahib ji was sat in a nice room.  They all worshipped them as Guru ji said.  Everyone lived in their homes with Guru ji’s blessings.  The whole family was happy.  They did a lot of joyous things.  The Sahibzadas got bigger by the day.  The 4 brothers sat together with joy and had many conversations. 

7-23 Arriving at Bhai Roopa’s from Daroli

After Guru ji gave leave to everyone and sent them off, he went outside of Daroli, where the army was camped.  He stayed with the army and had food.  Guru ji sat in Divaan and listened to So Dar.  It got dark after and Guru ji went back to the home, which was Bhai Sai Das ji’s house.  The house was empty.  It looked like a new home, that yet had people to live in.  Bhai Sai Das ji was not there.  When Guru ji used to come, Bhai Sai Das ji used to run to open the door and great him.  Bibi Ramo ji used to fan Guru ji.  He remembered their Seva.  They had a lot of faith.  The Sahibzadas used to be with Guru ji, who just left to Kartarpur.  One wife had died.  The 3 used to be there.  The maids and servants had all left.  The 2 grandsons used to be here.  They had left as well.  Guru ji played with them when they were there.  The house was empty.  Guru ji felt the quietness.  Bhai Bidhi Chand ji was sitting with Guru ji.  Guru ji looked at him and said words of Vairagya: “look how the love and attachment of the world works.  There is nothing true in this world.  Nobody stays with you forever.  One day a house is full; another day it is empty.  Sometimes there is greenery; sometimes it’s dry.  Somewhere there is birth and somewhere there is death.  Some places have Melas and some places there is separation.  Troubles come in life and sometimes, joy comes.  This whole world is always changing.  It never stays the same; never in the same state.  In all of this, the Gyani, though, does not get happy meeting anyone and does not get sad in separation.  The Gyani sees everything as false and does not get attached to anything.  Why mourn something that is bound to be destroyed one day?  The One that does not change, the Aatma, the Brahmgyaani only loves that light of Akaal Purakh.  That person is a saint who is always calm.  They are great beings.  I bow to those saints.  I don’t wish to stay in this house anymore.  I don’t see Sai Das anymore.  He used to do my Seva with Bibi Ramo.  They were my beloved Sikhs.  Their love made everything fresh.  Their love grew by the day.  Make preparations to leave in the mourning.  This is what I wish to do.”  Baba Bidhi Chand ji folded his hands and said: “this world looks like fog.  Death flows like wind.  A person’s life is over in a second.  Nobody lives forever.  The ones whom you are compassionate with, they do the Simran of Murari’s name and profit.  Otherwise, everyone leaves empty-handed.  Nothing stays.  They leave.  We will go where you wish to go in the morning.  You are pulled by love.  We came because of the couples’ love in Daroli.  They are not here anymore.”  They all ate and rested.  They were depressed though. 

In the morning, the Nagaras sounded to move out.  The strong warriors woke up and bathed.  They got ready and saddled their horses.  The Sikhs said: “looks like Guru Hargobind Sahib ji is going to battle.”  The Sikhs doubled their practice and massaged their horses.  They all wore their clothes and fastened their weapons.  The people of the village noticed that Guru ji was leaving.  They came to visit Guru ji.  They were all depressed.  They folded their hands and said: “Bhai Sai Das ji has achieved the highest status.  It was because of him, we met you.  He left us and now you are leaving too.  Maharaj, who will be our protector?  To whom will we tell our pain?  We are worried.”  The compassionate one said to them: “live here with joy.  It will stay in peace for a long time.  It is the birthplace of Baba Gurditta ji.  Sikhs will come to visit his birthplace and do it’s Pooja with faith.  Where his mother was cremated, do Seva of that place.  Make a special place there.  If someone has an obstacle in a task, come to that place and do an Ardaas.  Your task will be fulfilled.  Your wishes will be fulfilled.  The obstacles will be destroyed.  Do the Seva of Sikh saints.  Follow Sikhi and do the Pooja of the Guru Dev.  Do the Simran of Satnam.  Recite Gurbani.  Take this wisdom and live in peace, in this world and in the next.”  Satguru ji said this and called for his horse. 

Guru ji’s horse with the golden saddle came.  The horse was a powerhouse.  It flared its nostrils and blew many times.  It was clever.  Its vision was sharp like a beautiful woman’s eyes.  The servants had a hard time handling it.  The horse was very charming.  Guru ji got up and bowed to the feet of the horse.  He remembered Guru Nanak Dev ji and the elder Gurus.  He mounted his horse.  The villagers all bowed to Guru ji.  They then all moved back.  Guru ji bid farewell to all and started on his way.  The Nagaras played and sounded like thundering clouds.  3,000 soldiers rode behind Guru ji with guns and swords.  The army shouted jaikaras and made their horses dance.  Some fired their guns into the sky.  The warriors were very strong.  They all followed Guru ji. 

Guru ji headed towards the new village named Bhai Roopay, where Bhai Roopa ji and his parents lived.  Seeing his servants’ love, Guru ji named the village after Bhai Roopa ji.  He was going there to bless that place again.  The strong warrior-Guru headed that way.  On the way, Guru ji and the army rested one night.  They arrived the next day.  Bhai Sadhoo ji and his son, Bhai Roopa ji, found out about Guru ji coming.  They had a lot of love for Guru ji.  They had made a beautiful home in the village.  They wanted Guru ji to live in the home first.  They had painted the walls well.  The homes were beautiful.  Whoever saw them, loved them.  The Nagara sounded and Bhai Sadhoo ji and Bhai Roopa ji heard it.  They were happy to hear it.  They ran to greet Guru ji.  It was like thirsty people running to water.  They were happy to see Guru ji.  They did his Darshan and bowed to his lotus feet in the stirrups.  They held the reins of the horse.  They walked Guru ji home.  Guru ji asked them how they were.  They brought Guru ji to their new home.  They showed Guru ji their new home.  They said: “this is settled with your blessing.”  Guru ji said: “this is nice.  You did good.”  Guru ji reached the home and rested on the bed.  Bhai Sadhoo ji and Bhai Roopa ji remained standing and served Guru ji.  They did Guru ji’s Darshan and became green, as plants do, receiving water.  They said: “we are poor and Guru ji came to our home.  He is truly the friend and support of the poor and weak.”  They brought water for Guru ji from the well.  They served everyone.  They washed Guru ji’s hands and feet.  They did many types of Sevas.  Their love got deeper.  Guru ji saw their love and blessed them even more. 

Guru ji stayed there for many days.  The Sikhs served Guru ji and made him happy.  The master said to Baba Bidhi Chand ji: “Roop Chand does a lot of Seva.  I am under the spell of the Sikh who does Seva with love.  I gave that person my body and mind, who give me their minds.  My servant can ask anything from me.  There’s nothing I can’t give them.  I am telling you the literal truth.  Everything in my home belongs to the Sikhs.”  Guru ji called Bhai Roop Chand ji.  He had him sit close to him.  He was going to give a Manjhi to Bhai Roopa ji and make him a Masand.  Bhai Roopa ji said to Guru ji: “I am of the Shoodra caste.  Someone from a higher caste should get the Manjhi.  I wish to be your servant and do the Seva of your Sikhs.  I have no other wish, Sri Guru Dev.”  The giver of joy said: “my master makes the low, high.”  Guru ji gave Bhai Roopa ji a Manjhi as it was his command.  The Tika of the Sodhis put a Tika on the forehead of Bhai Roopa ji.  Guru ji said: “whatever you say now, will become true.  Your tasks will be successful.  Just as a sharp sword does not stop, your words will not be stopped.  Think about what you say now.  Curses and blessings will become true.  You will now get married.  You will have 7 sons.  Your family will grow from them.  Start Langar.  It will never stop.  You will receive the joy of the Guru.  Remain without ego and receive the rewards of the Guru.  As your love for Langer remains, the power will stay inside of you.  If you leave the Langar and become egotistical, you will then be like normal Tarkhans.  You received this greatness by doing the Guru’s Seva.  You have made your whole family blessed.”  Both father and son heard this and became happy.  They kept their ego low and did a lot of Seva.  Bhai Roopa ji’s mother was really happy.  She was Bhai Aakal ji’s daughter, who was a great Sikh himself.  Guru ji spent half of the month of Bhadron there in joy.  Guru ji blessed his Sikhs and gave them joy in both worlds.

7-24 Rai Jodh

The news spread to far off lands that Guru ji blessed Bhai Roopa ji.  Wherever the Gareeb Nivaaj went, he blessed all.  The people said: “he can make grains of sands into a mountain.  If he gets angry with someone, he can make the mountain into sand.  If he likes someone, he can make someone into a great king like Inder.  He is all-powerful and omnipotent.  The Devatas, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva don’t understand the Guru.” 

There was a village near Roopay called “Kangar.”  There was a Choudhary there named Bhai Jodh Shah ji.  He had a great army.  He was a great warrior who killed many enemies.  His ancestor was Mitha Mehar, who was a great king.  When Akbar became the Emperor, he ruled all over Hindustan.  Many kingdoms came into his rule.  Mitha Mehar had a daughter who was beautiful beyond words.  Akbar heard about her and said to Mitha Mehar: “marry your daughter to me.  I will make her a queen.”  Mitha Mehar thought to himself: “he is the Emperor and is very strong.  Many lands are under him.  If I don’t agree to his request, he will forcefully take my daughter.  There is nothing I can do in front of him.”  Seeing Akbar as very strong, Mitha Mehar replied: “if you wish to marry my daughter, come to my home with a Bharaat.  Do the Pheray and take her.”  Mitha Mehar didn’t want to send his daughter in a Dholi, as was the tradition of kings pledging their allegiance to a Chakravarti Raja.  Akbar heard the reply and agreed to this.  He became a groom and brought a Bharaat.  He married the daughter of Mitha Mehar.  He was happy and gave more Jageers to Mitha Mehar.  He gave him many titles.  The nearby villages came under Mitha Mehar’s command.  His wealth grew.  Since then, his family has ruled Kangar.  (Chaudhary Shameer was Rai Jodh’s grandson) His wealth and army grew.  Mitha Mehar had a son named Chain Beg.  He ruled the area after Mitha Mehar.  He received the tax of many Jageers.  Chain Beg had a son named Umer Shah.  He was like his father and grandfather.  He ruled and took care of his people.  Umer Shah had a son named Jodh Shah (Rai), the great warrior.  He was a Sikh of the Guru with faith and devotion.  His wife was a Sikh’s daughter.  She received the gift of Gurmat from her father and became a Gursikh.  She some how found out that Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was in the area.  She praised the Guru to her husband and created the desire in his mind to meet him: “the Guru is the master of the universe.  He has come to our area.  He is the 6^th form of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  If the good karma of your forehead has come to fruition, let’s go and meet the Satguru.  Your wishes will be fulfilled by seeing him.  Became his Sikh when you see him.  He is the giver of joy on earth and in Heaven.  Millions of people long for the dust of his feet.  Whoever serves him with faith and devotion, their worries are all washed away.”  Bhai Jodh Rai ji heard his wife and wished to see Guru ji.  He got ready to see Guru ji. 

Bhai Jodh Rai ji gathered many expensive gifts.  He saddled a horse with a nice saddle.  He gathered clothes and weapons for Guru ji.  He took his army, his brother Salaim Shah, his wife and gifts to see Guru ji.  They played the Nagaras and started on their way.  His wife was already a Sikh.  Bhai Jodh Rai ji sent a messenger to Guru ji.  The messenger bowed to Guru ji and said: “the Raja of Deena Kangar wishes to come and do your Darshan.  He is coming with devotion.  Does he have your permission to see you?  When you allow it, he will come to bow to your feet.”  Guru ji heard this and said: “he can come to the Divaan in the morning.  He is welcome.  How many soldiers are coming with him?”  The messenger said: “500 mounted soldiers are always with him.”  Everyone rested the night.

In the morning, Guru ji woke up at Amritvela.  He bathed and got ready.  He did his Nitnem and then sat in the Divaan.  Many warriors and Masands sat in the Divaan with Guru ji.  The Mevra did the Ardaas of the Sikhs presenting their gifts.  The Rababis sang Shabads in beautiful Raags.  The Rababs played with the Mridangs.  The Sikhs waived the Chaur over Guru ji’s head.  Round pillows adorned Guru ji’s throne.  The Sikhs came and bowed to Guru ji.  The Sooraj Mukhi fan was being waived to the Sangat.  It was making the sweat of the Sangat go away.  The Naqeeb Bhatts read out their poems in praise of Guru ji.  Many people came and presented their offerings in front of Guru ji.  Bhai Jodh Rai ji, dressed in his royal clothes and weapons, came.  He had his servants bring in the gifts for Guru ji.  He brought clothes, fruits, dry fruits, weapons and horses for Guru ji.  He bowed to Guru ji’s feet with humility.  Guru ji blessed him: “may you do the Simran of the Satguru.”  He was given the gift of Simran.  Bhai Jodh Rai ji saw Guru ji’s strong form.  He saw the radiance and serenity on his face.  Bhai Jodh Rai ji felt calm and blissful.  Guru ji’s body was big and wide.  His muscles of his chest, shoulders, biceps and triceps could be seen bulging under his clothes.  He was wearing weapons with precious gems.  He wore pearl necklaces.  His eyes were like lotus petals that rained the blessings of compassion.  Satguru ji greeted Bhai Jodh Rai ji and asked him how he was.  After the greeting, they both started talking about Shastervidya.  The discussion led to the stories of battles that Guru ji fought with the Emperor’s armies.  They had a long discussion for a while.  They talked about skills and Shastervidya.  Bhai Jodh Rai ji sat for an hour and asked for leave. 

Bhai Jodh Rai ji roamed the camp and saw Guru ji’s warriors and horses.  The warriors were big and strong.  The horses were strong as well.  Bhai Jodh Rai ji was very happy to see the army of the Guru.  He analysed that the army was a great one.  He came to his own camp.  He was attracted to Guru ji’s radiance.  When his wife saw the opportunity, she came to do the Darshan of Guru ji.  She bowed and sat by Guru ji.  She said: “I am a daughter of one of your Sikhs.  I have heard the praises of the Guru from him.  I have come to see you many times with my father.  Sometimes my father came twice a year to Amritsar.  He became a Sikh from your father, Guru Arjan Dev ji.  We have been Sikhs for a long time.  My in-laws were not Sikhs of the Guru.  I kept praising the glories of the Guru to them.  They heard the praises and came to bow to your feet.  I succeeded.  My husband was very happy to see you.  Please make him your Sikh.”  Satguru ji heard this and blessed the woman.  He gave her many boons: “Guru Nanak Dev ji will bless you.  Your family will be all Sikhs for generations to come.  They will grow in the world and be praised.  When I come in the 10^th incarnation, your great-grandsons will serve me by taking me to their home.  They will serve me, day and night.  I will bless your family at that time.  I will give them a lot of glory.”  The woman was really happy.  She bowed to Guru ji’s feet and left.

For many days, Bhai Jodh Rai ji and his wife stayed there.  After a few days, the wife went back home but Bhai Jodh Rai ji stayed with Guru ji.  He listened to Keertan, Katha and had many discussions on hunting and Shastervidya with Guru ji.  He listened to the battle stories of the great Sikhs like Baba Bidhi Chand ji and others.  He listened to the occurrences during the battles that Guru ji fought.  He heard that Guru ji killed 7,000 Turk soldiers in Amritsar and 14,000 in Sri Hargovindpur.”  Guru ji said: “Abdul Khan came with his 2 sons, Karam Chand (Chandoo’s son), Rattan Chand (Bhagvan Das Gherard’s son) and 15,000 soldiers.  It was a fierce battle.  Whoever ran away only got saved.  Otherwise, they all died.”  Bhai Jodh Shah ji heard this and was inspired to fight.  He said: “I would have loved to fought along your side.  I would have fought hard with your blessing.  We would have killed them all.  There is no one else equal to you.  I would have served you as much as I could.”  Guru ji heard this and said: “Jodh Shah, you are a great warrior.  When a battle is upon me, I will call for you.  It will be good for you to come.  The Turk enemies need to be killed still.  Their kingdom and radiance will all be destroyed.  I will take the kingdom from them and give it to my Sikhs.  The Turks are fools.  They are blinded by the intoxication of the kingdom.  They don’t see the greatness of Gurus and Peers.  They will be declared guilty.  Their kingdom will be taken.  The Sikhs will slowly become the kings.  I will fight fierce battles.  They will all be destroyed.  Only the ones who run away will be saved.”  Bhai Jodh Shah ji bowed his head and said: “your words will be true.  You can make an insect into the Garud; you can grind mountains into dust; you can make jackals into lions; you can make an ant kill an elephant.  You can settle the ruined and ruin the settled.  You can fix everything by your words.”  In this way, they had discussions everyday.  Bhai Jodh Shah ji’s army was ready for a battle as well.  They stayed in the camp of Guru ji.  He forgot about his home.  He put his wife in charge and stayed with Guru ji.  His love for Guru ji got deeper.  He didn’t want to separate from Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.

7-25 Masand Bakhat Mal/ Tara Chand

Many days passed for Guru ji staying in Roopa Village.  The Sangat came there to see Guru ji.  The Sangat came from far away lands.  There was always a crowd of Sikhs there.  They came in groups.  Groups would come and go daily.  They would sing the Guru’s praises as they travelled.  A lot of money, weapons and horses were brought.  Many unique clothes from different lands came.  They came from north, west, south and east.  The Sangat from Kabul came to see Guru ji.  There were very rich Sikhs in Kabul.  Two Masands came from Kabul named Bhai Bakhat Mal ji and Bhai Tara Chand ji.  They all set up camp in a nice place.  They all washed their hands and feet.  They gathered their gifts and went to go see Guru ji.  They wanted their wishes to be fulfilled.  They went to do Darshan of Satguru ji.  The came a long way to see Guru ji. 

Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was sitting in Divaan.  He was radiant like the moon amongst the stars.  He was like Inder in his court amongst the Devatas; like Sri Krishan amongst the Yadhavs.  The Sikhs stood around Guru ji with their hands folded.  Wherever Guru ji would look, the people would bow their heads.  The Guru had Brahmgyaan in his heart.  He was omnipotent, all-powerful and omniscient.  On the outside, he was like a king.  The Sikhs waived the Chaurs, while standing.  The Mevra would do the Ardaas.  He would announce the name of the Sangat and they would come forward.  Guru ji casted his divine vision on them.  When the Mevra announced the Sangat of Kabul, Bhai Bakhat Mal ji and Bhai Tara Chand ji came.  They were big and thick individuals.  They swayed as they walked.  They folded their hands.  They had thousands of Sikhs behind them.  The Masands bowed their hands and massaged Guru ji’s feet.  The Sangat bowed to Guru ji as well.  They presented their gifts.  Their eyes were blessed to see Guru ji.  They couldn’t be satiated, seeing Guru ji.  They said: “Dhan Dhan!  You are our protector in this world and in the next.”  The Masands then sat down after.  The Sangat stared at Guru ji, like Chakors looking at the moon.  Guru ji made conversations of greeting with all.  Everyone’s wishes were fulfilled.  Guru ji casted his blessings on all with his vision.  The Sangat was happy.  The Sikhs had a lot of love in their hearts.  Guru ji looked towards them over and over again. 

Guru ji asked the two Masands: “you came a long way.  How was the journey?  Which lands did you cross?  Did you go to Sri Amritsar as well?  Did you take another route?  I want to know about the journey.”  Bhai Bakhat Mal ji and Bhai Tara Chand ji folded their hands and said: “please listen to our request: we have come by the wish of the Sangat.  We came from Kabul, crossing Lahore.  We will go to Amritsar on the way back.  We were eager to see you.  We came straight here first.”  They spoke to Guru ji about the journey.  Guru ji heard them and said: “tell me, how is Shahjahan in Lahore?  Tell me what you saw.  How many soldiers are with the Badshah?  How far is the army from him?”  The Masands said: “we will tell you what we saw in Lahore.  The day we came to Lahore, we set up camp in a nice area.  We heard from the Turks: “tomorrow is Bakra Eid.  The Badshah will come out with a parade.  He will recite the Nimaaz of Eid with all.  The senior officers have all come to be with the Emperor.  People have gathered from other cities to watch the parade.”  When we heard this, we decided to stay the day and watch the parade.  We wanted to see the Badshah.  We spent the night there.  We woke up in the morning and got ready.  It was soon time for the parade and for the Badshah to come out.  Thousands of people watched the grandeur of the royal procession.  Elephants with golden chains came out.  Their matts were made of Zarri.  Their howdahs were shiny.  They had Gajgahs in their necks with silk ropes.  The army was huge.  There were a lot of soldiers.  The Badshah’s horses came.  They were not mounted by anyone.  They had golden saddles.  They had silk and zarri ropes.  Their saddles were beautiful.  They were embedded with precious gems.  The gems sparkled in the sun.  The horses were strong and big.  They were well-massaged.  The horses danced as they walked.  They put their feet down with poise.  The Badshah came out of his Qila.  The Nagaras and Ransinghas sounded.  Two horses came out before him.  The Badshah loved those two horses.  He keeps those horses with him all the time.  He keeps an eye on them all the time.  He peaks at them at night time too.  The horses were decorated.  They walked ahead.  We asked everyone about the horses.  The horses were like they were made by Kamadeva himself.  It was as though Kamadeva chiselled them out himself.  They were so beautiful.  We then thought to ourselves: “if Inder would have seen them, he would become greedy.”  The horses couldn’t be described.  There was so much to talk about in regards to these horses.  Some people said they were like “Daraya Ghoray” (water-horse/hippopotamus).  Their names were Gulbagh and Dilbagh.  Their names would make you love them.  If the river would be roaring through, they wouldn’t let the rider get wet.  It didn’t seem like they stepped on the ground.  It looked like they were flying.  We are really old now.  We have never seen such horses before.  The Sangat was happy to see them.  They said: “Guru ji should have these horses.”  They want you to have those two horses.  They want you to ride them.  You are radiant and so are the horses.  The Badshah has the horses but he doesn’t know how to ride them, nor does he know how to go for war and fight.  Those horses are for a warrior.  We thought: “our Satguru ji is really strong.  He would like good on those horses.  He would give his Darshan on the horses.  The Sangat would be in bliss to see him on those horses.”  We all decided, if Guru ji wishes, the horses will come to him.  The Sangat has good intensions.  Sri Guru ji, when you see those horses, you will then know what we are saying.  Seeing those horses would make you happy.” 

The rest of the Sangat from Kabul praised the horses.  They inspired Guru ji to see those horse.  Guru ji understood that it was the time for the 3^rd battle and the foundation was being poured for hit.  The chain of events was about to be set.  The Sangat stayed with Guru ji for a few days. 

Every time Guru ji would sit in the Sangat, the Sangat would start talking about the two horses: “there aren’t any horses like those two in the world.  You can travel the whole world, but you would not find such horses.  Everyone thinks that those horses are good for you.  They are clever, strong, fast and beautiful.”  Guru ji would nod his head in agreement as the Sangat would speak.  After a few days, the Sangat of Kabul wanted to go back to their homes.  They asked for permission.  Guru ji gave them leave by giving them Siropas.  They all had their wishes fulfilled as they set off.  They sang the praises of the Guru as they travelled home. 

The Sangat went to Goindwal and bathed at Baoli Sahib.  They then went to Khadoor Sahib and earned great Karma.  Next, they bathed at Taran Taaran Sahib.  After Taran Taaran, they went to Amritsar and bathed in the Sarovar.  They had Ardaas done there with as much Seva as they could do.  They stayed for many days there in joy.  The Sangat then went back to Kabul as their wishes were all fulfilled.  They spread the praises of Guru ji to many lands.  They said the praises as they saw it with their own eyes.