9-1 Manglacharan/ Sri Guru Har Rai ji’s Daily Routine
The Purshotam is complete, omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. The Parmaatam; the sustainer of life; is unaffected my Maya. Sri Parmeshwar is the Master of Maya, pure, the feeder of all, the inspirer; no one can find its end. The Master is glorified in the universe. Life is sustained by the Master. Akaal Purakh has no species; is never born. The Master of Maya is the Jot; the king of kings. I bow to the Hari King.
The face is beautiful, like the lotus; is omnipresent; is present in the form of Bani. The Nine Niddhis, 18 Siddhis, and purity is given by the Bani. The Bani is the house of blessings and joy. The Devatas and Devis bow to it and praise it. It gives boons. The Goddess of knowledge, Sarasvati, the holder of the Veena; give me the boon and blessing to write the Katha of the Guru. I bow to your feet.
Parbrahm Karta Purakh came as Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji Avatar. He gives his servants joy. I bow to his feet.
Sri Guru Angad ji is the second Guru who gives joy by his Darshan. I bow to his lotus feet that gives bliss.
Sri Guru Amardas ji served the Guru at an old age. He did a strict Seva of the Guru for 12 years. I bow to the eldest, the Guru of the world.
Sri Ram Chander ji and Guru Ram Das ji. Ram Chander ji is the king. Sri Guru Ramdas ji is the Bhagat, therefore he is the Das. Chand and Das are the Rajogun and Satogun titles, respectively. They are the same form.
Arjun’s arrows were sharp. Guru Arjan Dev ji’s arrows, the Bani, pierces the vices in the mind. Arjun could not shoot the arrows of Guru Arjan Dev ji. The name is the same. Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji is the giver of joy and peace.
The great warrior and fire are strong. The fire burns the jungle; Guru Hargobind ji burns the sinners. Both are the same form, but different names.
Sri Guru Hari Rai ji and Inder are the two kings. Guru ji is the King of the world; Inder is the king of the Devatas. I bow to the feet of Guru Har Rai ji. Inder is not the Guru though. Guru ji is greater as he is the king and the Guru.
The same name and Jot, Krishan ji and Sri Guru Har Krishan ji; Guru ji as two Krishnas in his name: Hari and Krishan (Hari also means Krishan). One composed the Geeta, the other made a dumb man speak the translations of the Geeta.
Satguru Tegh Bahadhur ji, whoever does his Simran with respect, he comes to them without delay. I bow to his feet.
Taking the name of his grandfather; Har means Singh. Taking the Singh from the front and putting it at the end, Guru Gobind Singh ji is the same name as his grandfather.
I will start the Katha of the 9th Raas after praising the Satguru. I bow to the 20 feet of the Gurus, over and over again.
The katha of Sri Guru Har Rai ji now begins. Listen to this glorious Katha with great attention. Listening to this Katha makes good karma and destroys the sins. Sri Satguru Har Rai ji sat on his throne and was radiant. He is the Sacha Paatshaah. Only he deserves the Takhat. He woke up at 2:30 am everyday. He did his daily routines and bathed with 101 pots of water from the river. The servants would pour the water and Guru ji would bathe. He would wear his clothes and sit in Samadhi. He would connect with the real form, the Anand form of Akaal Purakh, which cannot be described. He would sit with his eyes closed, focusing his attention in his real form. He would not move. We would be in Samadhi with the Aatam Brahm form. Outside, the Keertanis would do Keertan. They would sing of the glory of Satnam. Many instruments of Taal and Sur would play. Everyone would listen with love. The Sangat would listen and do Simran of Vahiguru. The Keertan would start at Amritvela.
Guru ji would open his eyes when the sun’s rays would hit the earth. He would get up from his Samadhi. The Sikhs would grind Chandan and saffron for Guru ji. They would put a mark of the Chandan and saffron on to Guru Har Rai ji’s handsome forehead. Guru ji’s forehead was like a lotus flower. He would wear a Chola made of fine cloths on his handsome body. The Chola would have 101 pleats. His Cholas were beautiful. On his Dastaar was a Jigha with diamonds and gems. A Kalgi would be on top. His earrings would dance on his cheeks. His golden bracelets would have gems in them. He wore a flower garland around his neck. He was handsome beyond belief. He would wear fragrances and perfumes of attar. The friend of the weak, would smell of sandalwood and saffron.
Guru Har Rai ji would walk with his big Chola rested on his arm. He remembered his grandfather’s words when he broke a flower in the garden. He did this his whole life. His chola was really big but never let it flow loose when he walked. He would sit in the Divaan in the morning where Mridangs, Sarandas and Rababs played. The Sangat would listen to Keertan in peace. The Bani would destroy the pains of the world. The Sangat would come to do Darshan of Guru ji. Seeing Guru ji, the Sikhs would have devotion arising in their hearts. Love and faith increased in their hearts. Their wishes would be fulfilled. Sri Guru ji would sit in Divaan for a long time. He would bless the Sangat with joy. The Servants would be in bliss. They loved doing his Darshan. Prema Bhagti would come. Guru Har Rai ji would smile and laugh a lot. His smiles were full of radiance. After the Asa Vaar would be the Charan Kamal Chownki, followed by Aarti and Ardaas. Aarti would happen at 10 am. After the bhog, the Langri would come to do Ardaas for the Langar. He would take Guru ji’s permission to go back and give out Langar. The Sikhs would go to eat Langar after this.
Everyone would eat Langar to satiation. Guru ji would sit in the Sangat, radiant like the moon in the stars. The Langar was always made with the tradition. Everyone had to bathe before going into the Langar. The place where Langar was made was called the “Chownka.” The tradition of the Chownka was strict. Only the few people were allowed to go in who kept the highest level of purity and hygiene. Guru Har Rai ji noticed that many Sanyasis and Jogi Sadhoos began to come to the Langar. They were vegetarian so Guru Har Rai ji told the Langris to stop making meat in the Langar. The Sadhoos didn’t eat Langar when meat was made so the meat stopped during Guru Har Rai ji’s time. The meat was made outside of the Langar for the warriors. The Sikhs stopped eating meat, after hearing Guru ji’s command. Guru Har Rai ji stopped eating meat after his father, Baba Gurditta ji, passed away. He lived in Brahmacharj. He lived like Sadhoos.
Guru ji would eat Langar in the Sangat and then he would leave to be alone. He would rest on his bed for a while. At around 3 pm, he would call for his weapons. He would wear a sword with a golden hilt. The hilt would have diamonds and gems in them. He would wear a sword and look like a great lion. He would tie a quiver full of arrows which had strands of pearls and diamonds hung on it. He carried a fierce bow on his shoulder. He tied a kumerkassa and rode a strong steed. He would go hunt with the warriors. Many animals in the jungle were chased but not killed. This was a different type of hunt. It was harder. They had to catch the animals alive. Once the animals were caught, they would raise them and take care of them. Guru ji had a great zoo at Kiratpur. The warriors went with Guru ji to catch the animals. The Naqeebs and Bhatts would sing. The Nagaras would play. The warriors would catch the animals and feed them. Many types of panthers, birds and rabbits were caught everyday. Panthers, deer, rabbits and others would run. The warriors would chase the animals on their horses. They would tire the animals out and catch them. They would raise them and let them go. Guru ji would catch the animals as well. Thousands were caught and kept.
Guru ji would sit in the jungle then and do Katha. He would look radiant in the Sangat. The Rababis would come and sing Shabads in various Raags. Chaurs would waive over his head on both sides. Many Sadhoos and Sidhs would come to Guru ji for Brahmgyaan. It was as though Amrit was raining on everyone’s heads. Sangat from many lands came and brought many gifts for Guru ji. The mine of joy, Guru ji, the Sangat loved to see him. They gave gifts to the “Karta Purakh.” The Mevra did the Ardaas for the Sangat. Guru ji’s eyes were like the petals of the lotus flower. He would cast his sight on the Sikhs to bless them. The pain of the Sikhs would be washed away. Guru Har Rai ji was the king of kings. His mind and focus were still, all the time. His Singhasan was the state of being above time. The Satnam was his canopy; Brahmgyaan was the crown on his head. The glory of Parmeshwar was the Chaur over his head. His rule of law was the Bhagti of the Sikhs. He could not be quantified. The sinners who could not be delivered, Guru Har Rai ji would bless and release them from their pain. The Satguru had all of the great virtues. He was the king of kings. His army was Sat, Santokh, Jap, Tapp, Daya, Vairagya, Dheeraj, Dharam, benevolence, renouncement, abstinence and other virtues. Just as an Emperor changes his clothes and comes to the court everyday, that is how the 7th Guru was the different body of Guru Nanak Dev ji. It was the same One Jot in all of the bodies. The whole world figured this out. Millions of servants were blessed. It was hard to count how many were saved. Sri Guru Har Rai ji was with his servants at their end time. He would save them from the Jumms and give them Mukti. Just as a sun changes a Raas every month, (Sankranti), leaving one chariot for another (season), giving happiness in different forms; that is how the 7th Guru sat on the Throne. He gave radiance to the servants and the Gurta Ghaddi. He made the Satnam illuminate in the world. He gave Gyaan and joy to all. The Bhagats grew in the world. He gave wisdom to the Sangat: “do the Simran of Satnam. Have Bhagti in your heart. The life of a human being is rare. Don’t waste your life in desires and indulgence. Don’t grab the vices. See the items of this world as garbage. They are useless and temporary. Understand the best thing for yourself. Gain knowledge, the Gyaan, the true treasure of the world. Guru Nanak Dev ji has this treasure. Take it for yourself and your ancestors.” The ones who followed the wisdom of the Guru and lived by it, Guru ji was always with them and broke their bonds. Doing the Darshan of Guru ji would make the sins wash away. The heart would become pure. Hearing Guru ji’s words would give Gyaan. Sri Guru Har Rai ji was great. Love, Bhagti, Vairagya would engrain in the heart. Jog, Brahmgyaan was distributed to all. The Satguru was compassionate. The fortunate ones would come the sanctuary of Guru ji’s feet. The ones who were wandering for many births, they were taken out of the cycle of birth and death.
9-2 The Need of the Badshah/ Harde
The glory of the Satguru spread throughout the world. The Siddhis and Niddhis stood at his door. Hindus and Muslims praised Guru ji. They were happy to see him. Whatever wish they had, it was fulfilled at the Guru’s door. Guru Har Rai ji was the giver of Naam. Thousands came to him.
Shah Jahan was the Emperor in Delhi. People praised Guru ji to the Badshah. Shah Jahan had 4 sons. The eldest was Dara Shikoh. He was a master of Farsi and spent a lot of time with the Sufi Saints. He had translated the Upanishads into Farsi. He had the Lal Qila made. He was the “Vali Ahad,” the crowned prince, declared by his father, Shah Jahan. The second son was Sujah Mohammed. The third was Nauranga (Aurangzeb). The fourth was Muraad Baksh, who stayed with the Badshah. Dara Shikoh was hated by Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb made a plan to kill Dara Shikoh. He had the whiskers of a lion grinded and put into the rice dish made for Dara Shikoh. Aurangzeb bribed Dara Shikoh’s cooks to do this. Dara Shikoh became very sick. The best doctors couldn’t cure him. The Hakims, Vaids and Nazoomis, all gave up. Dara Shikoh became weaker by the day. Shah Jahan became worried as he was getting old. He loved Dara Shikoh the most, as he was a nice person. The doctors couldn’t do anything. The doctors had a discussion and came to a conclusion: “we can save your son if we get the Harde (Terminalia Chebula) that weighs 28 Tolas (14 Sirsai) and a clove that weighs 1 Massa. The whisker of the lion will come out then. This will cure him.” The best Hakims told the Badshah this remedy. Shah Jahan sent out his servants to go to every apothecary shop in the land.
The servants went to where the Hardes grew. They failed to find such a Harde weighing 14 Sirsai. They went to the mountains and foreign lands. They went to merchants who traded on ships. They checked the whole world. Shah Jahan got nervous as the time passed. The vizier of the Shah had heard from the Sikhs: “the Guru has great powers. He has everything.” The viziers thought: “the Badshah fought Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji. The Shah didn’t get along with the Guru. The Guru has left the world and now his grandson sits on his throne. The grandson has the same powers as his grandfather. This rare thing can only be found with the Guru. We will have to fold our hands to ask for the Harde.” The vizier then made a decision: “we will need to be humble because it is concerning the prince’s life. The Shah will have to go.” The vizier gathered his courage and said to the Shah: “the grandson sits on the throne of Guru Hargobind ji. Guru Har Rai ji is powerful. The Guru is without hatred. They take the pain away of the poor and weak. The thing that we need to save your son, is with Guru Har Rai ji. If you send a letter of request to him, he will give you what you need. Let go of your previous conflict.” Shah Jahan was happy to hear this. He wrote a letter right away: “your elders have always blessed us. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji met Babar and gave him greatness. I have heard that Guru Angad Dev ji blessed Humayun. Akbar went to Guru Amardas ji to get his tasks fulfilled. Jahangir talked to Guru Arjan Dev ji. I got into a conflict with Guru Hargobind ji. Many corrupt people instigated me to become his enemy. We fought wars. I sat down in the end and didn’t hold on to the conflict. I am now faced with a problem. My son is sick. We have looked everywhere for the cure but failed to find it. You have the cure. What we need is something very rare. Let the past remain in the past.” He wrote this letter and had it sent with an Umraav. He wrote the ingredients and sent the letter to Guru Har Rai ji. He sent horses, clothes and weapons worth a lot of money.
The Umraav went to Kiratpur with the Shah’s letter. He set up a Dhera and came to Guru ji’s court the next morning. Guru ji was radiant. The Umraav bowed and gave Guru ji the letter. Guru ji read the letter: “we need a Harde weighing 14 Sirsai. We need 1 Massa of a clove. We have heard that you have these items in your hospital that you have in operation. I heard that you also have the Gaja Mukta (the elephant pearl), I wish to see that.” The Badshah had made other requests that Guru Har Rai Sahib ji heard. Guru Har Rai ji heard the letter and smiled a little. His white pearl-like teeth sparkled. The Sangat saw this. Satguru ji said in the Sangat: “the great emperor, the Turk Emperor, he now has trust and love for the Guru. It is important to save his son. The Emperor is desperate and is asking us to save his son. He has faith in the Guru now. Dara Shikoh is a good person. He is the beloved of the Parmeshwar. He wishes to stay in the company of saints and rid himself of his vices.” For these reasons, Guru ji called for the 3 things. The treasurer was told to bring the 3 things: “bring those things here. Show the Sangat and weigh them. Complete the tasks of Emperor Shah Jahan.”
The treasurer went to the hospital and treasury to get the things required. The Harde was weighed in the Sangat. It was exactly 14 Sirsais. A clove weighing 1 Massa was weighed as well. It was as though nature weighed them before hand. The Gaja Mukta was sparkling, that came from the head of an elephant. The people of the Sangat were amazed to see these things. They said: “Sri Guru ji, please tell us the qualities of these things. They are rare and amazing. Tell us please.” Sri Satguru ji spoke of the qualities of the 3 things in the Sangat: “for the illnesses of the stomach, which kill the hunger; the digestive system dies down. Solid things don’t digest then. It gives the patient pain. The illness may last days, months or years. This Harde should be held in the hand for a half an hour. That person’s stomach will clear out. Anything stuck in the stomach will come out. The illness will come out. One should hold the Harde till the stomach is not cleared. This Harde can cure all illnesses of the stomach. The person will then feel hungry. When the person lets the Harde go, the release of the stomach will then stop. When the ocean was churned by the Devatas and the Daynts, Dhanantar Vaid (known to be an Avatar of Vishnu) came out. He came out holding a Harde of this species in one hand. In the other hand he had a leech. The leech was used to suck the bad blood out of a person. The many types of illnesses in this world have two causes: stomach illnesses and bad blood. The Harde would cure the stomach and the leech would cure the blood. These two things can kill the root of any illness. The wise Vaid brought these two things into the world. He taught many other Vaids and preached Ayurveda. Kaph, Vat, and Pith, when these are out of balance, one can become ill. There are other types of illnesses like this. When you hold the clove in your hand, the Vat and Kaph is cured. The Gaja Mukta comes from the head of an elephant. This is the only one in the land. Look how round it is. It is naturally round. Some put it in the nose-ring or other jewellery. These 3 things are rare. The Shah couldn’t find them either. They can’t be found anywhere else. Only the treasury of Guru Nanak Dev ji has them. The house of Guru Nanak Dev ji is great. There are no shortages here. Whoever has love and faith in the Guru and does an Ardaas, they can get anything they want.” After saying this, Guru ji gave the Umraav the 3 things. Everyone understood the glory of Guru Nanak Dev ji when they saw these things. The Umraav was happy and went back to Delhi.
The Umraav gave the 3 things to Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan was happy to see these things. Dara Shikoh was laying down on his bed. Shah Jahan knew that his son was going to be cured now. He wanted his son to be alive and also wanted to see the unique things. Shah Jahan’s happiness could not be quantified. The Emperor said: “I regret by actions of the past. I can’t say anything. I can’t figure this out. I am the Emperor of the land. Everyone obeys my command but I couldn’t find these things. The Lord is carefree. I got these things from the home of a Hindu. I had to ask for them. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have received them.” He took deep breaths after saying this. He went quiet and was worried. The wise prince, Dara Shikoh, was a Brahmgyaani, being the student of Sarmad. He saw the worry on his father’s face and said: “let go of your worries. The Fakirs are of the same caste as Khuddah. Fakirs have no greed. A Fakir has no religion. His power is known in the whole world. Sri Guru Nanak Shah’s home is full of bliss and joy. He has unlimited powers and gives Gyaan and treasures to many. He is the form of Khuddah. Don’t doubt him. We should do Bandagi, not regret that they are not Muslims. You already know all of this. Our elders were given blessings for this greatness.” Hearing his son, Shah Jahan said: “you are right! The ones who don’t have greed, they are great. The ones who are blessed by Alah, they are content and satiated. Their hearts are free of greed, jealousy and slandering. The world is full of greed and desire, which never leave you. The ones who have love and faith in Khuddah, they are forever pure. Understand the way of the Guru, who is the greatest. Greed and pride are the pain givers. I won’t ever be greedy or egotistical again. I won’t ever be complete because I am a human who does not have the Gyaan of my true essence. The Guru is the form of Parmeshwar.” The Badshah used logic and let go of his greed. He said the name of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji and bowed his head.
The Badshah called the best of his Hakims into the room. The Harde and the clove were given to them. The Hakims saw the two things and were amazed. They praised the things and said: “these things are very rare!” The medicine was prepared and given to Dara Shikoh. He was cured right away. There was a celebration when he was well again. Everyone, including the Badshah, said: “the house of the Satguru is great! He is always in the state of Raja and Yogi. He is omnipresent and illuminating in the world.”
9-3 Eating the Prashaad of Bridha Preman (Old Lady, Prema Bhagat)
The radiance of Sri Satguru Har Rai ji spread throughout the world in this way. The Sangat came from many lands to do the Darshan of Guru ji, bringing many gifts and having their wishes fulfilled. The Sikhs came and did their Ardaas standing up. There were crowds in Kiratpur everyday. Thousands came and did their Ardaas.
One old lady, who had a lot of faith, came to see Guru ji. She did Prema Bhagti by meditating on the form of Satguru ji in her heart. She focused on Guru ji’s form and was a sacrifice unto the Guru. She was very poor. She had no food to eat. She wished to do the Seva of Guru ji. She thought to herself: “how can I serve the Guru? I want Guru ji to eat food from my hands.” One day, she did some work in people’s home. She got 1 Taka for a whole day’s work. She bought food and brought it home. She cleaned her kitchen and washed her clothes. She bathed and wore her clean clothes. She did everything with cleanliness. She had a lot of love in her heart. She cooked 2 Rotis. She put some ghee and sugar on top. She couldn’t afford vegetables. She packed the Rotis in a bowl and covered them with a cloth. She did Simran of the Guru and left her home. She thought to herself: “how will I reach the Guru? Thousands are there. How will he take my food? I have been wishing for this for a long time. I want to do the Guru’s Seva. He is omniscient. He knows everything. I want Guru ji to fulfill my wish just as Bheelni’s fruit was eaten by Raghubir; just as Krishan ate the rice tied to Sudhama’s Dhoti.” The old lady thought about all this but the Satguru knew what she was thinking.
Satguru ji went hunting with the warriors. The Nagaras played. Guru Har Rai ji went the way the old lady was coming. The hundreds of warriors came, riding their horses. They had weapons in their hands. Guru ji’s glory was great. The old lady saw the big army coming, with flags unfurled and Nagaras playing. The old lady moved to the side and bowed from her heart. Guru ji was looking radiant and royal; wearing his Chola, weapons, Kalgi and Jigha. The lady thought to herself: “he’s going hunting now. He won’t eat food from a poor person like me. My Seva went to waste.” She saw Guru ji’s form and was a sacrifice unto him. Guru ji was around 20 years old then. He was strong and handsome. The old lady had a lot of faith and devotion. She stood on the side of the road to let the army pass. She stood with the food on the side. The warriors rode their horses by. A lot of dust flew form the horses running. Guru Har Rai ji came and stopped his horse in front of the old lady. He made everyone stop behind him. He moved his horse and went to the old lady. The omniscient Guru said: “I am really hungry. Mata, give me the food that you have prepared. I will then go hunting. I have to go far. I haven’t eaten anything yet.” The old lady heard this and was really happy. Guru ji did not wash his hands and took the food, out of love. He ate the food without washing up. He was the support of his Sikhs. Guru ji said: “this is delicious!” He ate the food and the 2200 soldiers looked on. The old lady said: “I am without support. I am your servant, Prabhoo. You kept my faith. The Khichdee that Karma Bhai made for Krishan, you ate the raw Khichdee with joy. I had 1 Taka and brought this Roti. I spent two days, making this food for you. I was wondering if you were going to eat it or not. This Roti was for you. You completed my wish. You are the “Deena Bhandu,” the friend of the weak. You don’t go to the homes of the egotistical. You don’t care for the royal food. You went to the home of Vidhur and ate his saltless saag. You see the love of your servants and complete their wishes. For this reason, you are known as “Bhagat Vatsal,” you nurture your servants. You are compassionate towards the weak. This is my determination that you are compassionate.” Guru ji ate the two rotis with ghee and sugar, like he had been hungry for a long time. He blessed the lady from his horse. He then rode off with his soldiers.
The soldiers were amazed to see this. They had doubt in their minds. They all got together and said to Guru ji: “Satguru ji, why did you take the Roti from the old lady? You didn’t wash your hands or gargle your mouth after. You ate on your horse and didn’t take your shoes off. Why did you not follow tradition today? You did a new thing today. You always wash up before eating and eat great food. You’ve never done this before. You eat in the pure Chownka. The Sikhs follow the strictest hygiene to make your food. Today was a unique thing. We are all in doubt, Prabhoo ji. We are shocked.” Satguru ji smiled and didn’t say anything. He didn’t respond and went hunting.
While hunting, he would only catch the animals. He caught the deer and tied them up with ropes. They all then came back home. The whole army came back. Guru ji then started the Divaan with joy. After the Divaan, everyone went home. The Sikhs and servants discussed: “when Guru ji goes hunting, he gets really hungry as he is young. We should take food for Guru ji so he doesn’t ask for food from someone on the street. He ate today without cleaning up. He asked for food from a poor old lady.”
The next day, the Sikhs prepared food and packed it up for Guru ji. They all went hunting at noon. Satguru ji traveled a few miles and the Sikhs pulled out the dishes and food. They said: “Prabhoo ji, food is ready. You get hungry at this time so we have brought food for you. We have brought sweet, salty and spicey food for you. You can eat with joy.” Satguru Har Rai ji heard this and said: “how can I eat without tradition? You didn’t follow the tradition. I am on top of my horse. How can I eat now? What is this off-time that you brought food? The food should be made with cleanliness. I haven’t bathed. That’s the right way to eat. How can I eat in the jungle. I am not hungry. I am going hunting. I can’t eat now.” The Sikhs folded their hands and presented their doubt again: “you took food from the old lady. There was no water to wash up then. We brought water today. You ate on top of your horse with joy. You didn’t wash your hands before or after. You didn’t gargle. We thought you might be hungry at this time. That’s why we prepared the food. We thought you are young and get hungry. You ate the lady’s food with joy. Why don’t you eat this food? We are in doubt because of this. Please tell us. Give us peace. Otherwise, we will keep thinking about this for many days. See us as your servants and tell us.” Sri Guru Har Rai ji heard this and said: “listen, the old lady made the food with a pure heart. Her heart was clean. She made the food with cleanliness. She had humility and devotion. She worked hard to earn the money for a whole day. She bought the food with her money. She could only afford 2 rotis. Not even for herself could she buy food. I am not greedy for good food. I only see the love of the Sikh. Prema Bhagti is delicious for me. I go to the devotee. I don’t care what people will say then. I am commanded by love. This is the Sanatan (old) tradition that I have always followed. I have been doing this for many Yugas. In Treta I went to Bheelni’s home to eat the half-eaten fruit she picked. She was Bheelni and a woman. I ate the fruit with joy. Love has no tradition. Do and do not is not thought about then. I don’t care for Vedic or social traditions at that time. I only see love and deal with the Bhagat. I love devotion and trust. The way of love is unique. I am full with love. I let go of all other tastes. Dhanna Jatt gave old buttermilk to Bhagavan; Namdev gave milk. Leaving Duryodhana the egotistical (and others like him), I went to Vidhur’s home. This is the story of love.” The Sikhs understood this and bowed to Guru ji’s feet. They said: “we can’t know your ways. Your ways are unique. They amaze us all. Guru Nanak Dev ji rejected the high caste people and went to Bhai Lallo ji’s home.” The Sikhs were drenched in love. They folded their hands and asked for Prema Bhagti: “please give us the path of love. We are under your support in this world and in the next. You are our support in every dimension. Please fulfill your promise. We are your Sikhs. Protect our honour.” Guru Har Rai ji heard this and became compassionate. He blessed everyone and smiled. He said: “you are my own.” Guru ji said this and went into the dense jungle. There was a deer with a black back that came out all of a sudden. His antlers were very big. Guru ji chased that deer. The horse jumped with all fours. Guru ji was very happy. He chased the deer for a while. The deer got tired. Guru ji brought the horse beside the deer and grabbed the deer by its antlers. Guru ji was very strong. The deer couldn’t escape. The Sikhs came and tied the deer with a rope. Guru Har Rai ji then came back home. Guru ji brought many animals back home and tied them in the zoo to take care of them. He would let the animals go after a while. Guru ji took notice of the food that the animals ate. Guru ji made sure the animals were not in pain. He would have their wounds treated as well. He would release the animals after a while.
9-4 Mukti to the Python
One day, Sri Satguru Har Rai ji was sitting in his court, the Sangat did his Darshan with joy. Their wishes were being fulfilled. The Sangat came from many lands to see Guru ji. The glory of Guru ji spread in every direction, like the moonlight on a full moon night. The glory spread throughout every home. Guru ji was the master of all the powers. He was omnipotent. Whatever he said form his mouth, would come out to be true. Whoever he would be happy with, that person would be in joy. If he was mad with someone, they would not last. His blessings and curses would never go empty.
Two Chaurs were waived over his head. Sandalwood essences were sprayed in the court. Guru ji wore a Chola with 101 pleats. He wore jewellery with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. The Sikhs would come and do their Ardaas. Guru ji would bless the Sikhs with his eyes. The warriors would come wearing shields and guns in the court. They would stand around Guru ji all the time. One Sikh got up and folded his hands. He said: “Sri Guru ji, you are the support of the supportless. How would a poor Sikh do your Seva? Without money, how can one do your Seva? What if he is so poor, that he can’t make ends meet; can’t do Seva for Langar; can’t get money, even after trying so hard; how would they make you happy? How would their lives be a success?” Sri Guru Har Rai ji said in the court: “the Sikhs who love me, I love them. They do my Simran all day and all night. The Shabad is illuminated in their hearts. Whoever gives food or clothes to such Gursikhs, that is Seva towards me. The poverty would be destroyed. I will tell you a history towards this. I will tell you how it happened: in one village, a poor Sikh lived. He was very poor. He had no food to eat. Him and his family ate with difficulty. They bore the pain of poverty. His house was of raw soil. In his house, lived a bird couple. The birds were Sikhs in their previous life. For some reason, they were born as birds because of their karma but they still had the knowledge. They knew of the greatness of the Guru. They saw the poor human family. The nest of the birds was on the roof. The birds saw the worry of the humans. They wanted to rid the humans of their poverty. They helped them by taking a few grains of their food and mixing them with the Guru’s Langar. It was a just a grain or two but they added it to the Langar. After some days, the poverty was gone. Money and food began to come into the home. They became prosperous. The work the human did, it bore fruit. The man would bring food into the home. His wife would dry it in the middle of the home. They would grind the food to eat it. The birds continued to take food from the home and brought it to the Langar. The Sangat would eat that food and so would I. They earned a lot of good Karma. The birds helped the Sikh in this way. The Sikh and his family were prosperous. Their wealth and food grew. There was no shortage anymore. They had good clothes and beds. The man built a strong and beautiful home by calling workers. The old home was torn down so the birds had to go somewhere else. The birds made a nest in a tree. The food from the human home stopped coming to the Langar. The humans began to go into loss. They slowly lost everything. Their contribution to the Langar stopped. Their karma stopped. The man became poor again. He was upset and came to me. He said: “Prabhoo ji, I only have you for support. Help me! I am your Sikh, please protect this honour. It is your reputation now. We were poor and then we became rich. Now, we are poor again. We are in trouble again. There is no one more powerful than you. You can do as you wish. You can save or kill anyone.” I heard his request and told him why he became prosperous. I told him about the birds bringing a few grains from his home to the Langar: “the birds brought grains for the Sangat. That’s why you were prosperous. When you tore your old home down to make a new one, the birds flew away and made their nest somewhere else. Your contribution to the Langar stopped. Whoever wants prosperity, they should bring food for the Satsangat. They should do as much as they can. Whatever they can. The one who gives Dasvand with love, I help them. I destroy their poverty and pain. You should start to give food for the Langar again. You will get a lot of joy. Do the work of Dharma and give a portion to the Langar. If a poor person gives food for the Guru, they will become prosperous. The Satsangat is my form. Whatever the Sangat eats, it comes to me. Their life on earth and the afterlife is a success. Give food to the Sikhs.” Guru ji said to the Sangat: “do this: take out Dasvand and give it to the Sangat with faith and devotion. They will gain a thousand times. Don’t think about the quantity. Do the Seva with love. Whoever will get to do this, they will be fortunate.” The Sangat heard this and said: “Dhan Dhan Satguru Har Rai ji. If someone gives with a little love, Guru ji gives them a lot. If someone gives as much as they could, even if it’s a little, they would gain a lot by making Guru ji happy. Why would anyone not do this?” The Sangat was really happy. They saw themselves as fortunate. The Master of the 3 Loks blessed everyone with his sight. He gave them wisdom. The Servants saw themselves as fortunate. They were happy to receive the wisdom. They would bow to Guru ji’s feet and be happy.
The next day, Satguru ji got ready with his clothes and weapons. He wore his royal jewellery. His eyes were like the lotus flower. His eyes were handsome. His arms were long. He wore a bow on his shoulder. There were pearls and diamonds on the quiver. They quiver had sharp arrows. He wore a sword with a gold and diamond hilt. His Gatra was made of Silk. Guru ji asked for his horse. The horse was strong. The saddle had diamonds and gems. The saddle was made of gold. Guru ji mounted his horse and grabbed its reins. The sevadaar went along with the Nishan. Guru ji rode the horse and made it go faster by making clicking noises. The horse danced like a peacock, like it heard the thundering of the rain clouds. The horse lifted his neck up proudly. There were golden bells around its neck that sounded great. It had bells in its legs as well, which made a pleasant sound as it ran. The horse looked like lightening dancing in one place. Guru ji rode the horse to the jungle. Guru ji raised the horse himself. The warriors followed Guru ji on their horses. The horses had become strong as Guru Har Rai ji would hunt by tiring out the animals instead of killing them. The warriors all rode through the mountains. Through the jungle, they would catch the animals and bring them back alive. They looked for animals and caught them. They caught bore, rabbits and birds. They would release the old ones and keep the new ones. They all rode near the mountain. The animals would see the men and run away.
Guru ji rode ahead. All of a sudden, a big python came out. Guru ji saw the python. The python was in pain. Many insects were cutting and eating the flesh of the python. They python would slap its tail in pain. The python was in great pain. It was helpless. The python was really long and wide. It was in great pain. It would be in pain when the insects would bite. There were many holes on the body of the python. There was no way the python could save itself. Millions of insects were eating it. Sri Guru Har Rai ji saw the python and recognized it. He took his bow and loaded an “Ardhchandrakaar” arrow. The tip looked like a crescent moon. Guru ji pulled the arrow and released it. The arrow cut the head of the python. The python died and became mukat. The python went to Sach Khand on a special vessel.
The Sikhs saw this and were amazed. The Sikhs asked: “Prabhoo ji, who was that? What sin was he being punished for? He was in a lot of pain. The insects were eating its flesh as it was alive. There were holes in its body. It was in pain and you were compassionate with him. You killed him with an arrow and gave him Mukti.” Guru ji heard this and said: “in its previous birth, he was a Pandit. He was knowledgeable and called himself a Guru. He taught many people but was filled with ego. He gave wisdom to everyone. He read Vedant but did not do Prema Bhagti. He was a fraud and set up a façade. He said: “Ahang Brahm,” I am Brahm. This was true but he did not believe it with his heart, even a little bit. He was attached to his children and his wife. He took money from everyone and saved it. He was never humble in front of saints and Sadhoos. He was always egotistical. He said: “I am the highest! I have read a lot of Vidya. The others don’t have this knowledge. I can’t bow to other people. Their intellect is lower than mines. They don’t know the correct Gyaan. I will tell everyone the real path.” He made a lot of people his students/disciples. He didn’t do any Simran. He Kept saying: “Ahang Brahm.” He didn’t have faith by which Prema Bhagti could come. He didn’t do Bhagti. He died in his own pride. He became a python. He couldn’t save his followers either. He didn’t have the power to. His followers became insects who fed on his flesh. They had given him money and had to take back what they gave in Karmic form. This happened because he didn’t do anything for the ones who gave him money. They ate his flesh to take back what they gave him. They gave him a lot of pain. They cleared their accounts. He was going to suffer in such life forms. I killed him to save him. He did my Darshan so his sins were washed away. He was very knowledgeable. He attained Mukti and went to Sach Khand because he met the Guru. All his sins are gone now. Without Gyaan, if one calls themselves a Guru, they suffer a lot of pain. If a Sikh follows a fake Guru, they will lose their human life. What will a Guru give to the Sikh without Gyaan? (There are two types of Brahmgyaanis: Brahmneshti- the one has seen the Brahm and has faith; Brahmshrotri- who has the Gyaan of the Shrutis and Vedas. The Brahmneshti can help the faithful become a Brahmgyaani in a second. The Brahmshrotri can answer the doubts of the disciple) They are in pain at the end. For this reason, oh Sangat, don’t ever eat the food from Pooja. They would be in pain and no one could help them. They will regret their doing and be punished by the Jumms. They should do the work according to Dharma and do the Seva of the saints. I will save such a person in every dimension.” After giving this wisdom, Guru ji and the Sikhs came back. The Sikhs were amazed and said: “Dhar Guru Har Rai ji.”
9-5 Bhai Gonda’s Dyaan state, One with the Feet
Bhai Gonda ji was a Bhagat of the Guru. He meditated on the form of the Guru. He did this as part of his daily routine. He thought of Guru ji all the time. He met Guru ji in his heart all the time. Guru Har Rai ji was the complete Satguru. Bhai Gonda ji spent a lot of time with Guru ji and did a lot of Seva. Guru ji was happy with the Sikh’s Seva. Guru ji said to him: “the area of Kabul, the Sikhs that live there, go there and spread the wisdom of Sikhi. See the area and preach the way of Sikhi. Whatever Dasvand is collected there, collect it and bring it to Kiratpur. Whatever is collected, use it to make Langar for the Sangat, visitors and the poor. Whatever is spent in Langar, consider that money coming to me. Whatever is left over after Langar, send that money here. Use the money for that area first though. The money is for the Langar and the expenses of the Sangat.” Hearing this command, Bhai Gonda ji left for Kabul. He bowed and headed off.
Bhai Gonda ji began to live in Kabul and preached Gurbani and Sikhi. The Sikhs gave their Dasvands. Bhai Gonda ji used the money to make Langar. The Kabul Sikhs were rich merchants. The poor also came to eat Langar. Bhai Gonda ji had a Dharmsala made. Nobody was left hungry in Kabul anymore; whether they were Muslim or Hindu. Bhai Gonda ji was drenched with the Guru’s name. He did Simran of Satnam, the giver of joy. He meditated on the Guru, all the time. He would sit for many hours at a time, thinking of Guru ji. He did a lot of Prema Bhagti. Bhai Gonda ji had a Dhoona of the Udaasi Matt. Guru ji loved Bhai Gonda ji’s way. Guru ji praised him in the Darbar: “Bhai Gonda does Seva with love. He thinks of the Guru all day and all night. He thinks of the Guru’s full form, from top to bottom. He thinks of the feet of the Guru. He recites Gurbani as his Nitnem as well.” Bhai Gonda ji meditated on Guru Har Rai ji’s form.
One day, Bhai Gonda ji woke up at Amritvela and bathed. He recited Sri Japji Sahib. After that, he closed his eyes and meditated on the form of the Satguru. He was focused and came into bliss. He thought of the Guru’s feet. In his meditation, he grabbed Guru Har Rai ji’s feet with love. He sat there with deep bliss. He was in the “Nirvakalap Samadhi,” the highest kind of Samadhi where one only sees the Aatma. He lost senses of his own body. He was only the One Aatma now. There was no two. Only One. It was a still state. His body was still. He didn’t remember who he was. He was one with the feet of the Guru. He did not hear anything, nor see anything. He was not aware of his touch sense either. Taste and smell did not experience any pleasure (or vices). His 5 Gyan Indriyas were gone. His focus was still. He was One with the Guru. He held Guru ji’s feet and sat there, completely still. The Sikhs around him saw this and didn’t disturb his Samadhi. He was one with the Darshan of the Guru. The drop of water mixed into the ocean. The difference was gone.
In Kiratpur, Sri Guru Har Rai ji was sitting on his Singhasan. He put his feet together and placed them on his stool. He didn’t move his feet, not even a little. Guru ji sat there since morning. It was noon and Guru ji sat there. Nobody knew why Guru ji didn’t get up to eat or hunt. The Sevadaars sat quietly. Nobody asked Guru ji anything. The Langri had prepared many delicacies. He came to do the Ardaas of the Langar to Guru ji. He folded his hands and announced the Langar but Guru ji did not say anything. The whole Sangat was surprised to see Guru ji quiet. Guru ji didn’t look at anyone either. This was the great drama of Love that the Master was playing. Only the omniscient Satguru knew this, no one else. After another hour passed by, the servant did another Ardaas. Guru ji didn’t say anything the second time either. Guru ji’s eyes were open but didn’t move or say anything. He sat their, still. People were amazed. Another 2 hours passed and the Langri did another Ardaas: “the food is ready. The food is getting cold. Nobody else will eat without you eating first. We will do as you command. Should we distribute the Langar?” Guru ji didn’t say anything again. The Compassionate One stayed sitting on his Singhasan. It was now around 4 pm, the Sikhs all came to request Guru ji: “Guru Gareeb Nivaaj, your ways are unique. We are limited with our minds and can’t understand your ways. We won’t understand this without you telling us. You sat here the whole day. You didn’t move your feet at all. The Langar was ready and is now cold. It is still there. Nobody ate. The Sikhs have questions as to why you haven’t eaten.” Guru ji heard the Ardaas and said in joy: “in Kabul, the Sikh, Bhai Gonda lives there. In his mediation, he had grabbed my feet. How could I make him let go of my feet? Without him letting me go, how could I go to the Langar? I was waiting for him to let me go. He kept a strict focus.” When it was evening, Bhai Gonda ji opened his eyes and woke from his Samadhi. He realised his senses again. He had let go of Guru ji’s feet.
Sri Guru Har Rai ji went to the Langar. He was under the control of his Bhagats. The Sikhs were amazed to hear this. They understood the deep love of the Sikh. The Compassionate One came to the Langar. Many types of foods were distributed. The Sangat, Sikhs, servants, and warriors all ate and satiated their hungers. They all heard the story from Satguru ji and understood what happened that day. They noted the day and time of this occurrence. They decided that: when Bhai Gonda ji comes, we will all go and ask the Sangat of Kabul about this event.
After many days, Bhai Gonda ji came to Kiratpur with his Sangat. The many Sikhs that came from Kabul, they came to Kiratpur to do the Darshan of Sri Guru Har Rai ji. They sang Shabads on the way. They came with a lot of love. The Sikhs were drenched with the love of Guru ji. They entered Kiratpur and came to bow. They presented many gifts to Guru ji. Guru ji was sitting in the court. The Sikhs did the Darshan of Guru ji. Two Chaurs were being waived over Guru ji’s head, like swans flying over the Mansarovar. The Rababis did Keertan in many Raags. They sang many Shabads. The many warriors made the court radiant. The Chobdhaars stood with golden maces. The Mevras did the Ardaas of the Sikhs. The wishes of the Sikhs were being fulfilled by Satguru ji. The Sangat of Kabul came. The warriors were standing and the Sikhs were sitting. The Sangat from Kabul brought dry fruits, horses, clothes and jewellery. Bhai Gonda ji was the leader of that Sangat. He met Guru ji and bowed. He then sat down. The Kabul Sikhs bowed. Guru ji blessed them all and completed their wishes. The Sikhs then started the conversation: “how did Bhai Gonda ji sit in Samadhi?” The Sikhs that lived with Bhai Gonda ji said: “yes! One day, Bhai Gonda ji sat in Guru ji’s meditation after bathing. He had his eyes closed and sat still. He sat there all day. He didn’t move at all. He wasn’t aware of his body. He was like a rock. Nobody said anything to him. He didn’t eat. His Indriyas were calm. When the sun went down, he returned to his senses. This happened one day in the Dharamsala. He sat for 12 hours in Samadhi. Why are all of you asking about this? How did you all now? Who told you?” The Sikhs of Kiratpur told them the whole occurrence: “Guru ji sat still for 12 hours. When we asked, he said: “Bhai Gonda is holding my feet with his focus. How can I go to eat Langar?” Guru ji sat on his Singhasan the whole day.” The Sangat from both sides heard this and were surprised. They all said: “the glory of the Satguru is really great! What can we limited people know?” Bhai Gonda ji’s glory was said by Guru ji in the Sangat. They all understood that the Parmeshwar is under the command of love. The Prabhoo is controlled by the Prema Bhagat. The one who would forget such a Prabhoo, they would lose their human life in waste.
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