9-16 Dara meets Guru ji

While Dara Shikoh was in Kiratpur, he had heard of the praises of the Guru.  He left from there to see Guru ji.  He has happy to be meeting Guru ji.  Dara Shikoh was a very wise person.  He said to his Umraavs: “I have heard that Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji was the Peer of Peers who had a lot of power.  He was the azimuth of power.  He gave Gyaan to all.  He blessed many and is known in the whole world.  Whoever sat on his Throne after him, they were very radiant.  I have met many saints in many forms, wherever Guru Nanak Dev ji’s talk comes up, those saints would praise him.  Many people were shown the righteous path by him.  My father and forefathers were all given radiance by Guru Nanak Dev ji.  They had other Peers they went to but they bowed to Guru Nanak Dev ji’s house and praised it.  They always bowed to them like they were their Mureeds.  Some had the rope of Shriya around their necks.  Those foolish Maulanas had discussions but no Gyaan.  They only slandered the Gurus.  The Maulanas were like blind people holding gems in their hands.  We will move in the morning to meet Guru ji.  We will listen to his holy words.  Meeting saints is very joyful.  There is no bigger task than meeting saints.”

The wise Dara Shikoh and his men set up camp and stayed the night there.  They ate and rested the night in peace.  In the morning Dara Shikoh woke up and bathed.  He recited the Upanishads as part of his daily routine.  He then ate food after doing his daily recitations.  He got ready and headed towards the Sutlej with his men.  Dara Shikoh and his men continued for some time and then crossed the Beas.  They set up camp after crossing the Beas River.  There were 5,000 men with him.

Where Sri Guru Har Rai ji was, he received the letter of Dara Shikoh.  Dara Shikoh gathered the best jewellery, gems, expensive clothes and set off to see Guru ji.  His ministers went with him.  He walked slowly and reached Guru Har Rai ji’s court.  Dara took two trays and put diamonds, rubies, emeralds and golden coins in them.  He placed the trays at Guru ji’s feet and bowed.  He was wearing expensive clothes with golden jewellery.  His beard was long and black.  He wore a Toppi on his head.  To understand his own form, he said to Guru ji with attention: “I have spoken to many saints before to find the Brahm.  I wish to know the Brahm.  The saints blessed me with telling me about Brahm, which is not touched by sin or virtue; that is within all and detached at the same time; that which is like the lotus, living in water but not drenched in it; what is not touched; away from the senses; away from the mind; greater than great; self-illuminating; the one faster than the blink of an eye; the awareness in all life forms; as the Vedas describe; the one that is homogenous like space; the one above Sajaati (same species), Bijaati (different species) and Svaigat (same source) differences; the one who is above place, time and objects; the 4 Vedas describe this in the Upanishads.  I had the Upanishads translated into Farsi.  I had them written from scholars of Sanskrit in a beautiful way.  I have read this and pondered on it.  I saw the truth and untruth.  I have met many Sanyasis who blessed me with this knowledge.  My Murshid, Sai Miya Mir ji blessed me and took the darkness of Agyaan away from me.  He cut my birth and death cycle.  I stayed with him and practiced Brahm Chintan (the meditation of Brahm).  He helped me to turn inwards to myself.  I did the company of great saints who were Brahmgyaanis.  Day and night I studied this and the saints taught me this.  When my mind was still, I felt bliss.  The Turks started to criticize me.  They said that I had left the Shriya.  The strict Maulanas went against me, saying that I had fallen from the Deen-e-Islam.  I understood that there is no Hindu nor Muslim.  My younger brother is a rebel.  He sent his ambassadors to convince me to stop reading the Vedas.  They said that if I read the Vedas, I will become an infidel and go to Hell.  They said I will never be able to leave Hell.  They were fools who lived in darkness and tried to give me wisdom.  I tried to convince them but they were fools.  They slandered me.  All of the Turks called me an infidel but I know that they were stuck in Shriya.  I didn’t listen to them.  They were foolish, corrupt and egotistical.  These foolish ideas didn’t even touch me.  I was blessed by saints.  My wish to know the Parmatma got deeper.  I wanted to be still in my real form.  The pain of this mythical world is also a myth.  Just as fire burns everything; joy and sorrow burn a person.  Please bless me so that I am above joy and sorrow.  Make me still in my real form by which my birth and death cycle is erased.  I want the deep faith and devotion for the Brahm.  I want my doubt to be destroyed that I am the Jeev.  I am the Brahm and I want my awareness to be instilled in it.  I wish to destroy my ego and pride so that I am in bliss.  I wand to destroy the duality in my mind.  I wish to receive this reward for meeting you.  I have no other wish.  I wish to think of you who is without the beginning and end.  The pleasures of the world are not permanent and therefore I do not wish for them.  The ways of the world only exist till the body exists.  They body will get what its Karma allows it to get; food and water will come by themselves.  Whatever is in my Karma, will come to me without any efforts.  There is no use to apply these futile efforts.  I need to get what I really need.  Joy and sorrow will come by themselves but I wish to be not affected by both.  This is what I want.  I wish for my pains to go away.  I wish to be blessed my you.  Guru Nanak Dev ji blessed millions.  He is known in the world.  You sit on his Throne.  Give me the wisdom I wish for.  Show me the form that the Vedas talk about.  I wish to be still in it; which is away from the senses; from whom these senses receive their power from.  I wish to know the power that gives power to everything; the one that gives existence to all.  Please bless me so that my mind becomes still and is unaffected by attachment and hatred.  I wish to have support of the Satguru and the saints. 

9-17 Dara Shikoh Given Wisdom

Sri Satguru Har Rai ji is the giver of Bhugti (worldly pleasures) and Mukti.  He saw the pure heart of the wise Dara Shikoh.  He thought to himself: “he is born in the royal family of the Turks, but he is wise and virtuous.  He is like the Kalapbrish sprouting up in the desert; like a cuckoo being born into the family of crows; like a swan being born into the family of herons.  Some Dervish of Khuddah has blessed him.  His focus is set in the desire to know the Parmatma.  He is wise.  He wishes to cut the bonds of being born again.  His vices have died.  His desires have died.  His wisdom is pure.  He destroyed the noose of Shriya from his neck.  He wishes to walk the path of righteousness.  He has achieved some spiritual enlightenment because of his good Karma.  To enjoy the pleasures of a vast empire, women, wealth and other such traps of desires; he has destroyed these wishes in the company of saints.  He knows that this wealth and enjoyment will not last forever.  They will be destroyed like the morning frost.  One gets stuck in these pleasures and experiences pain.  One does not do Simran of Satnam.” 

Guru ji said: “Shaabaash!  Great work!  You have escaped from the ship of vices and desires.  You wish to fix your focus into your Aatma, the Brahm.  You wish to be in bliss, which is everlasting.  The Gyaanis do many tasks and practices to understand their Aatma within them.  There is nothing beyond this.  The task that you wish to complete, someone needs to help you.  The worldly tasks of Yagnas, digging wells, making ponds; these are amongst the highest, which give joy in this world and in the next; but you can’t do them alone.  If you start to do these tasks alone, you will not succeed.  Many tasks require a lot of help.  The powerful people can do these tasks who get help.  The one who receives help, the task is completed with ease.  Without help and without skill, there is doubt in the success of the task.  If you have help and you have skill, the task is done without worries.  The task of Brahmgyaan is really big.  It is the highest.  It is the hardest, but the Simran of Satnam can complete it with ease.  That Satnam is with the Satguru.  Whoever the Satguru gives this to, their task is completed with ease.  The Brahmgyaan is then illuminated.  The Guru saves you from many problems and obstacles by extending his hand.  Other than the Guru, no one else can show you the way.  It is impossible without the Guru to achieve the Brahmgyaan.  The Guru Granth Sahib ji has explained this.  Listen to this by giving me your ear:

Mahalla 1.. Sri Mukhvaak (from the Holy Words of Guru Nanak Dev ji)

Nanak, the ones who do not think of the Guru, they think they are wise..

They are like burnt sesame, left abandoned on the field..

Those abandoned on the field have no master, Nanak, it can have 100 masters..

They sprout and grow but only ash comes from them..3..

(SGGS 463)

Salok Vara Tay Vadheek.. Mahalla 1..

If you are a swimmer and want to cross the water by swimming across, then asks the ones that have crossed before you on how to cross..

The wise ones that know how to cross, they well tell you that whirlpools will destroy you..3..

(SGGS 1410)

Many read Granths and become wise.  They wish for the bliss of Brahmgyaan but they don’t do the Simran of the Satnam given to them by the Guru.  Their task does not succeed.  They are like the burnt sesame that only has ash.  Nobody takes care of them at the end time.  Whom the complete Satguru supports, they undoubtedly receive the Brahmgyaan.  They receive the faith from the Guru.  The one who wishes to cross the sea and has strength in his/her arms, they should ask a ferryman which will make their task easier.  They can find out where the water is deep or stronger.  Otherwise the waves and whirlpools cannot be known of their whereabouts.  There are some places in the sea that can pull you in and won’t let you go.  You cannot know where those places are.  They can pull in the ones swimming in the water and the birds flying above.  The pull takes everything in and doesn’t let anything go.  The flying birds are pulled in and drowned.  The ferryman can advise you well.  They will tell you to go left, right or straight to get across.  In the same way, the complete Satguru can show you the way.  The Satguru can save you from your desires, anger, ego and others.  The Satguru colours you in the colour of Satnam.  That Sikh is dead to the worldly pleasures while being alive, drenched in the colour of the Satnam.  Wherever and whenever the Sikh is in pain, the Guru supports them and relieves the pain.  The ones who are without the Simran of Satnam but listen to see their Aatma; it is doubtful that they will receive Brahmgyaan.  Who will destroy their vices?  Their coming and going from this world is not destroyed.  Without help, how will they get across?  Nobody can save them by giving their hand.  What will they do, who don’t have the Satnam?  They will suffer.  For this reason, listen to this wisdom: that which will destroy all of the pains and give you joy; think of the Master of the Universe.  The Prabhoo is infinite who helps the servants.  The One Brahm is everlasting, nothing else.  Listen to this without any doubts.  There is only One.  Nothing else.  If one understands this, he/she is the “Rathi” warrior.  That warrior can fight with 100, with attention.  That one needs help while fighting, the one that fights with his/her own vices.  Listening to this Katha will help them.  The Simran of Satnam is the help.  The vices and desires are destroyed then.  “Ayung Aatma Brahm”- my Aatma is the Brahm; the one who accepts this and incorporates it into his/her life, that is the “Maharathi” warrior with a strength to fight 10,000.  When there are more than 10,000 enemies, they wish for help, they become stronger.  The Simran of Satnam gives more power and makes the vices run away.  When one sees the all-pervading light, the doubt is erased.  The doubts of religion, caste, high, low, rich, poor, old, young; everything is destroyed.  This is the “Athrathi.”  He/she does not need any help.  They can kill many, all alone.  No vices sprout in them.  They are above sin and virtue.  They see themselves everywhere.  A person only makes efforts till duality exists.  To listen to Katha is the fire of the jungle which starts from the friction of trees.  The rain can extinguish this fire.  To accept the Katha and incorporating it into your life, this is like the fire in lightening.  It only flashes for some time and then disappears.  It is not destroyed.  It only hides.  When one sees the all-pervading light, that is like the fire within the ocean.  It is indestructible and doesn’t hide.  This is the Brahmgyaani.  Day and night, the fire exists forever.  It destroys the ignorance.  It destroys all of the vices.  Listen Dara Shikoh, become the lover of the Satnam.  Take the support of Simran.  Without a doubt, your focus will be fixed within your real form, the Aatma.  Slowly discard the thinking that: you are the body.  You are not the body, nor is it yours.  You are not the mind, nor is it yours.  The body and its relations are temporary.  Do not get attached to it.  Accept the will of the Prabhoo as sweet.  See the ever-existing form that is true.  What didn’t exist in the beginning and will not exist in the end; it is non-existent in the middle as well.  The body, which runs on food; the senses; the Mun (mind), Bhuddi (wisdom), Chit (desire) and Ahankaar (ego); you are above all this!  Believe this!  All these things don’t exist in the deep sleep as you are not aware of them.  That is the Aatma but you can’t see it because of the filth on the Bhuddi from your Karma.  I have shown you the way.  Do this task of Simran.  You will see your Aatma.  See the items of this world as temporary.  They will not exist one day.  Neither will your body.  Don’t get attached to these things.  These are given to you because of your past Karma.  Receiving and separating from them, joy and sorrow; stay above from all this.  Only the Aatma is true; only think about the Aatma.  There is nothing beyond it.  Knowing this, your bonds will be broken.  Knowing it with faith, you won’t be born again and will not die again.  Your problems will be destroyed.  This is the knowledge of the ultimate.  Hearing and saying this will give you peace.  Now tell me about your current state.  Where did you come from and where are you going?  What is your plan for the future?  Where do you want to live with peace?  Your enemy is really strong.  He is corrupt and wishes to capture you by using many tactics.” 

9-18 Dara Leaves Guru ji/ Battle with Nauranga

The wise Dara Shikoh heard the words of Satguru ji and began to do Simran of the Satnam.  He asked for Brahmgyaan.  Guru ji asked Dara about his current state.  Dara said: “my Umraavs betrayed me, seeing Aurangzeb’s power.  I couldn’t stay in Delhi.  I have lived in the mountains for a few months.  I am going to Lahore now.  I don’t have an army to fight Aurangzeb.  The Rajas and Rajputs of the land have joined Aurangzeb.  My brother has taken all of the royal treasuries and land assets under him.  He has Delhi and Agra now along with the 22 Soobas.  He has the 10,000 canons and 50,000 swivel canons.  The Rajas fold their hands and beg to him.  His wealth has grown.  He has many soldiers to fight.  My father, Shah Jahan, has been arrested.  He arrested my brother, Muraad Baksh, as well.  He gives them little to eat.  He gives them pain in jail.  He is corrupt, my younger brother.  He will kill me and the whole family.  He does some sort of fraud everyday.  I am going to Lahore to see what I can do now.” 

Sri Guru Har Rai ji heard Dara and spoke to give him patience: “the Rajas have a Dharam: wield weapons and fight the enemy on the battlefield.  You have to fight fierce battles.  You need to kill or be killed.  For your wealth, land, public, country, culture and your own, you have to fight.  Be brave and collect an army to fight.  Build alliances and get the Rajas on your own side.  There are many Rajas.  Take the ones who will be with you and fight.  Go to Lahore and take over the city.  You can use those soldiers and fight a war.  You have to fight for your right.  I will fight from your side.  My army will be with you.  Prabhoo helps the ones who make the effort.  If you give Aurangzeb defeat, even once, the Rajas will join you.  They know that you are a good person.  They like your personality.  I have 2 and a half thousand men who will be ready to fight.  I am with you.  If you want to fight, I can enlist more people.  You can fight where you want to.  I am ready to fight.  Don’t be scared.  I will support you.  I will help you and kill the Turks in any way.  Without war, there is no other way.  The situation you are in, only war is the option.  There is no negotiation now.  You can’t surrender.  If you don’t fight, you will have to run far.  You won’t be able to hide till Kabul.  You won’t be safe.  Delhi owns the whole area.  Your brother will send his men everywhere.  He will be the Emperor of Delhi.  The Soobas follow Delhi.  Take advantage of the current chaotic situation.  Aurangzeb is a tyrant.  If he gains full control, you won’t be able to do anything.  We still have time as he hasn’t won Multan or the north yet.  Find your friends and build an alliance.  The army should fight Aurangzeb.  I will enlist more men.  I will come to your aide.  I will call all of the Sikhs to fight.  They will help you with their full efforts.”

Dara Shikoh heard this and folded his hands.  He became humble and said: “I am determined for Aatam Gyaan.  I just want your help for that.  I don’t want my focus to be lost.  The world’s drama is for 4 days.  What will I do with the kingdom?  I will have to leave it one day.  It can’t be trusted.  The items of the world come and go.  They come as per my Karma.  If I need to fight, I will fight.  I will collect an army and fight till I can.  I will fight the enemy and destroy it.  What Kartar wishes to happen, only that will occur.  Nobody can stop the will of Kartar.”  He spoke such words that were lacking the ambition needed for a great warrior and king.  He had no wish to fight.  He bowed and took leave from Guru ji.

Dara Shikoh stayed in his camp at Goindwal.  He ate and slept at night.  In the morning, his spies came to meet him.  They said to him about Aurangzeb: “thousands of soldiers are coming to catch you from Delhi.  They have come to Punjab, crossing the rivers.  Many Umraavs have been sent to arrest you.  They are all against you.  They brought canons and swivel guns.  They are destroying everything in their path.  They will be here soon.  We want you to make preparations.  The army is coming to get you.”  Dara Shikoh heard this and got scared.  He prepared to leave.  He met Satguru ji and said: “Lakhs of soldiers are coming to get me.  There is not much time.  I am going to Lahore and control it.  The enemy is nearby.  If I leave for Lahore Auranga won’t be able to catch me.  I will go far.  I wish to take over Lahore.  If you can save me from Aurangzeb’s army, that would be great.  Please do this for me.  Don’t let the army cross the Beas.  Stop them here.  When I have a good distance, I will figure out what to do.  Please hold the enemy here.”  Guru ji heard Dara’s request and said: “why are you so scared?  Stay here.  I will fight.  The army will fight us first then they will fight you.  Our canons and guns are ready.  We will destroy the enemy.  Otherwise, wear a Toppi and sit down to do Simran.  Do the Simran of Parmeshwar and forget about the kingdom.  Be brave and fight with courage.  If you want the Throne of both worlds, I will give you whatever you ask for but you will have to stay.  If you want the Throne of the afterlife, then do Bhagti only.  If you want Delhi, you will have to fight.  I will give it to you.  You will rule the land.  Take the Takhat of the Deen.  It is everlasting.”  Dara Shikoh said: “Sri Guru ji you are the Master of the universe.  The worldly kingdom is temporary.  Help me in the afterlife.  Give me bliss that lasts forever.  I want to go where there is no pain or sorrow.  I obeyed my father and took the throne.  I didn’t want it.  Joy and sorry are in this kingdom.  It doesn’t give real joy though.  It only gives pain.  Other than Raja Janak, no king was happy.  I don’t wish to rule in this world.”  Sri Guru Har Rai ji then said: “you have the Throne of the Deen in your Karma.  You will be focused in the Prabhoo, forever.  Shaabaash!  Go now with care.  I will stop the army of Delhi.”  Dara Shikoh bowed at Guru ji’s fight and left.  He took his 5,000 men with him. 

Nauranga’s army came close to the Beas with canons and swivel guns.  They aimed to the other side.  They wanted to collect the ferries but Guru Har Rai ji had already taken all of the ferries under him.  Guru ji aimed his canons to the other side of the Beas.  They didn’t let anyone cross.  Guru ji had some of the canons fired as a warning for the army not to cross.  The canons and rifles fire.  The sky echoed loud.  The dust flew and made it dark like the black clouds in Saavan.  Guru ji had all of the canons set on the shore of the Beas.  The army was spread out to make it look like there was a big army there.  Their Nishans were unfurled.  They were made of Zarri and expensive cloths.  In the middle, there were many Nishans.  The Nagaras sounded.  There were many Nagaras.  The dust flew.  Nauranga’s army came as they thought it was Dara Shikoh’s army there.  They couldn’t figure out who it was on the other side of the Beas.  They stayed on the Doaba side of the Beas.  They sent spies to see who it was on the other side.

The spies went to the other side and saw Guru Har Rai ji with the Sikhs.  The Sikhs were ready to fight.  The spies took the information and came back to the officers.  The spies said: “Dara Shikoh has gone ahead.  This army is the army of Guru Har Rai ji, standing to guard Goindwal.”  When the Delhi army found out the truth, ambassadors were sent to Guru ji.

The ambassadors bowed and said to Guru ji: “Aurangzeb’s Umraavs would like to know why you are stopping our path for no reason.”  Guru Har Rai ji heard this and said: “we are standing to guard our own land.  We don’t want any one to loot our place.  We are standing in guard.  The Badshah’s throne is in chaos.  There are many thieves around.  We can’t trust anyone.  We have a right to protect our right.  We will leave first and then you can leave or cross the river.  We have no enmity with anyone.  We don’t know how you are.  We don’t want the two armies to meet.”  The ambassador came back and told his officers.  The officers accepted the words.  They stayed on the shore.  Guru ji wanted to cause a delay for a few days so Dara Shikoh had time to create a big distance. 

Satguru ji mounted his horse and had his army leave.  Guru ji moved slowly to delay the Delhi army.  The Sikhs kept firing warning shots.  For a whole day, the Delhi army wasn’t able to move.  On the second day, they moved slowly.  The river was higher.  Guru ji came to Doaba on ferries.  Guru ji came to Kiratpur.  Aurangzeb’s army then crossed the Beas afterwards.  Dara Shikoh easily reached Lahore and readied has 5,000 men.  He went into the fort and set up camp.  He took the wealth of the fort and took them under him.  He emptied the treasury and took it with him.  He stayed in Lahore for some time.  He rested along with the army.  When Aurangzeb’s army came to Lahore, Dara knew that it was in the Lakhs.  He got scared and took all of the wealth and gold.  He took his army and headed towards Multan.  He travelled slowly.  Aurangzeb’s army chased him again.  He was only a few miles ahead.  They didn’t let Dara go far.

Dara Shikoh took over the Multan fort and emptied the treasury.  He rested in the fort and then left from there as well.  He kept moving after a few days.  He then reached Tatha Bhukher Desh.  As he ran, the Delhi army chased him.  He crossed many lands.  He reached the country limits.  He was calm being in another kingdom.  He collected an army in Tatha Bhukher.  He spent many months there.  The Delhi army stayed within their borders and waited.  Dara was about 100 miles away.  They stayed in their own area.  Dara then headed towards Gujarat from Karachi.  He looted that area.  He was then faced with the Delhi army.  A great battle happened in Gujarat.  Many weapons were fired.  Thousands died.  Many were killed.  Canons were fired.  Bullets flew.  Many warriors fought with weapons.  They wanted to win for their own masters.  The warriors fought on their horses.  Many bullets were fired.  The spears and swords were used.  It was a fierce battle.  Many warriors died.  Many were injured.  The Nagaras played in every direction.  The canon balls spread fire.  The bodies piled upon each other.  The dust flew up from the horse steps.  Rivers of blood flowed.  The warriors fought and died.  They killed many.  When Dara saw that he couldn’t win as the Delhi army was huge, he saw his defeat.  He took his army and ran away.  He avoided war and set up camp after 100 miles.  Kavi Santokh Singh ji says: “in this way, wars were fought and Aurangzeb became the Emperor.  In 1658 CE, Aurangzeb gained the Throne.” 

9-19 Dara Shikoh Captured from the Takeeya

Dara Shikoh fought but couldn’t win.  He thought to himself: “the worldly things and statuses are garbage.  I spent my life for garbage.  I made efforts for the false kingdom.  It is good to let the attachment of these things go.  Kingdoms and wealth do not give you joy.  It is bad to even think about them or even make efforts towards them.  Some make efforts and still can’t get the kingdom.  One should accept what is in one’s destiny.  The kingdom is not in my destiny.  It would have better to only focus on my Aatma, which is the everlasting truth.  The Gyaan that cuts all of the bonds, I should achieve that.  I made many efforts to achieve the Empire.  Without Karma, I can’t get it.  I am going to leave everything and live without hatred and attachment.  I will go into the caves of the mountains and do Bhagti.”  After coming to this decision, Dara Shikoh left his army and the wealth he had with him.  He gave his soldiers his money, gold, diamonds and other assets.  The strong and brave warriors that stayed with Dara Shikoh were given the wealth.  They were made happy and told to go to their homes to their families.  Dara Shikoh sent his soldiers in different directions.  He kept one loyal servant with him.  Dara Shikoh took off his royal clothes and wore the black robes of Fakirs.  The crowned prince of Hindustan became a Fakir.  His Karma came into fruition where he began on the path of Bhagti.  He wanted to live in the mountainous areas and spend his remaining Karma there. 

Dara Shikoh travelled through Gujarat and came to the Pawaad area.  He saw a village of saints and Fakirs.  He rested at the Takeeya (home) of a Fakir.  Dara Shikoh and his servant tied their horses and went to the well to get water.  They were going to cook food.  The servant went to get firewood.  Dara Shikoh tried to make a fire.  He blew on to the collection of wood to stabilize the fire.  The ash flew and came onto his face.  He didn’t know how to light a fire with skill.  The Fakir of the Takeeya saw this and thought to himself: “this person is from a privileged family.  His forehead is wide and radiant.  He is calm and well-mannered.  He is very handsome and polished in his ways.”  The servant had come and saw the ash on Dara Shikoh’s face and beard.  He got depressed seeing his master.  The servant thought to himself: “my master was the Emperor of the whole country.  The greatest Rajas used to bow to him.  They would follow his commands.  His commands went far throughout the land.  He was a great Emperor.  Today he is trying to light a fire to make food.  Hundreds of cooks made delicacies for him.  He doesn’t know how to blow onto a fire.  His beard is filled with ask.”  The servant was upset at his master’s state.  He said to his master: “you stayed in the company of Fakirs.  You sat with them and listened to them.  The wise people stopped you from going to them.  You can’t run a kingdom by the wisdom of Fakirs.  I tried to tell you.  You didn’t think about your gain or loss.  You didn’t listen to anyone.  You did Simran all the time.  This is the fruit of your Karma.  I am sad to see you like this.  I am sadder to the fact that you are not sad at your own state.  I can’t tolerate this.  I am sad to see you like this.  I have stayed with you my whole life.”  The servant was upset at Dara Shikoh’s state.  He continued: “why don’t you look at yourself?  You have ash on your face!  You stayed in the company of the Fakirs.  You gave them gifts and foods.  You listened to them and look what they gave you.  You didn’t care about the responsibilities of the kingdom.  You didn’t care that the enemy was plotted against you.  You didn’t use politics.  You became just like your Sadhoos.  This is the reward you got.  It was wrong to do what you did.  You are a Fakir now.  Your friends and I said it to you many times not to stay in the company of Fakirs.  You didn’t listen to anyone.  Now you are suffering the pain.  The tight knots we tie, must be opened by our own mouths.”  The wise Dara Shikoh heard this and got mad at him: “you fool!  You don’t know these things.  You don’t know the greatness of the company of the Satsangat.  Look what I received from their company: I had an Empire.  There was no counting my wealth and land.  What the whole world runs after, I had it all.  I lost it all.  I am not upset at that.  I didn’t even think about this.  I wasn’t upset at even losing 1 Kodi.  The gain and loss of the kingdom, I was in the single state, regarding that.  My mind was not happy nor sad about it.  I was unaffected by this.  This is the greatness of the saints’ blessings.  I am not in joy or sorrow.”  The servant heard this but didn’t understand what was inside Dara Shikoh’s mind.  The Servant continued his rant about Fakirs.  Just as the value of the elephant pearl is not known to a merchant of Rattis (Gunja Seed), that’s how the servant was. 

As this exchange of words took place, the Darvesh Fakir who owned the Takeeya heard them.  He was an Aatam Gyaani and figured out Dara Shikoh’s state.  He figured out that it was Dara Shikoh who was at his place.  It was Dara Shikoh that Aurangzeb was looking for: “the army is looking for him.  The foolish Nauranga is looking to kill his brother.  He is at my place today.  He is a great soul that sits with saints.  He is a Satsangi.”  The Fakir wanted to meet Dara Shikoh.  He came close to Dara Shikoh and sat down beside him.  He spoke sweetly to him with respect: “you are great!  Your mother is great!  You have made all of the saints happy by doing their Seva.  You have seen the worldly objects as garbage which are destined to be destroyed one day.  You are not affected by the loss of your wealth and worldly objects.  Leave this world behind and don’t look back.  Let go of your attachments and desires.  Become detached and fearless.  See yourself everywhere.  The Karma left on your body; nobody can kill you till you are destined to die.  You can spend your time with joy or pain.  You will get what is in your fate.  Once an arrow leaves the bow, it can not come back.  Your destiny will play out as it is supposed to according to your Karma.  Your form is separate from all this.  You are above the one who does actions or who experiences.  The one who is not the doer or experiencer, stay in that form.  You are in the higher status.  By the blessings of the saints, you are fixed in that state.  See yourself as detached from everything.  You won’t die when your body dies.  You are not the body nor is it yours.  The pain of your body will not be felt by your Aatma.  The Aatma is not happy with the pleasures either.  You have received the never-ending bliss.  Stay in the “Ahang Brahm Asmi,” I am the Brahm state.  Let go of your states and only think of your real form.  Meet the ocean of bliss of Anand which Jogis do Tapasya for.  People have made millions of attempts to get there but that state has been revealed to you like an Amla on a palm.  You received this by the blessings of the Satsangat.”  The Fakir and Dara Shikoh spoke in this way.  The ego was gone.  Dara Shikoh did not see himself as the body, mind, wisdom or Jeev anymore.  Dara Shikoh heard the words of the Fakir and became even more still.  His desires were destroyed.  Now, Dara Shikoh decided not to hide anymore.  He turned towards himself.  Fear did not affect him.  He said: “I don’t care even if the enemy comes today to get me.  If the enemy wants to kill me, I’m going to die one day anyways; they can kill me today.  This body will die one day, that is the truth.”  As Dara Shikoh became determined, he didn’t need to go to the mountains now.  He was happy to do Simran in the jail.  He had given away most of his wealth to his soldiers.  The little money and gems he had left, he gave to his servant.  He gave him his clothes, jewellery and horse.  He gave him everything.  He said to him: “take everything and go home.  Sit in your home and take this wealth.  It should be enough to spend the rest of your days with your family.”  The servant was loyal.  He saw this and was shocked.  He began to cry.  There was nothing he could do.  He went to his home.

Dara Shikoh was fearless.  He destroyed his last bit of fear and ego.  He sat down in bliss.  There was no attachment left.  His Brahmgyaan shined through him.  Many people gathered to see Dara Shikoh in the Takeeya of the Fakir.  The people in nearby villages found out and came to see him.  Dara Shikoh said to all: “this body is Dara Shikoh’s but this is not him.  Oh enemies, come and capture this body!  Capture it or kill it!  Do as you wish!”  People heard this and were shocked.  They said to themselves: “why isn’t he afraid?  Why doesn’t he go and hide?”  There were spies there as well.  They went to the soldiers who were looking for Dara Shikoh.  Aurangzeb’s people were looking for him.  The spies told them where Dara Shikoh was.  The soldiers came and surrounded the Takeeya.  Dara Shikoh was sitting like a Param Hans Brahmgyaani, like the Master of the 3 Loks.  He was without fear.  The enemies came and saw Dara Shikoh sitting.  They arrested him and tied his hands.  He was taken to Delhi on an elephant.  The corrupt were happy that he was caught.  Nauranga was full of sin.  He put Dara Shikoh in jail. 

9-20 Dara Shikoh is Executed

The corrupt Aurangzeb was happy.  He had the noose of Shriya in his neck.  He wanted to kill his own brother.  He consulted his advisors.  He consulted the Maulanas and Dervishes that followed the Shriya Law.  They looked really holy from the outside as they followed the rules but they harboured jealousy and corruption towards others in their hearts.  Aurangzeb invited everyone to write their decisions regarding Dara Shikoh.  He wanted to hold his brother on trial and prove him guilty for disobeying the Shriya.  He wanted to declare him an infidel towards Islam.  He gave the Maulanas around the world instructions: “Dara Shikoh hasn’t been punished for not following the Shriya.  I think he should be killed.  Write your opinion and sign it.”  The Maulanas read this.  They were foolish, who did not know the Khuddah.  They responded: “he should be killed.”  They were all afraid of Nauranga and agreed to his opinion.  Fear is the mother of sin.  They were greedy and without characters.  They all wrote their opinions that Dara Shikoh should be killed.  Messengers were sent to different lands to write this.  Nauranga didn’t want the blame to fall on his head for executing Dara Shikoh.  He charged him with: “Ahung Brahm Asmi- he calls himself Khuddah.  This is blasphemy in Islam.  The only option is that his head should be cut off with a sword.”  The Maulanas gathered many precedents within Shriya Law supporting this decision.  Some only wrote this out of fear.  Some new the path to Khuddah.  They weren’t afraid of Nauranga and wrote the truth with pain in their hearts: “Dara Shikoh is wise in every way.  It is not right to take his life.  Whoever gives pain to others is deserving of punishment according to Shriya.”  Some saints wrote this and sent their opinions.  When Aurangzeb read those few, he burned with anger.  He felt his chest bursting.  372 decisions were written.  Some saints declared Dara Shikoh as innocent.  They called Aurangzeb as the guilty one.  The corrupt ones declared Dara Shikoh as guilty.  Aurangzeb rejected the decisions of the good saints as biased towards Dara Shikoh.  He only kept the guilty decisions.  He got angry at the good saints.  He had some of them arrested and killed. 

There was a Fakir named Sarmad who lived in the city.  He was a Brahmgyaani who was carefree.  He didn’t wear any clothes.  He was the son of a rich Armenian man.  He left everything and became a Fakir.  He was drenched in the love of Prabhoo.  Sometimes he would speak when he felt like it.  He said: “I made Dara Shikoh the Emperor.  His kingdom will last forever.  He has the infinite rule.”  Some people squealed on him.  They told Aurangzeb of what Sarmad said.  Aurangzeb was angry to hear this.  Wherever there were complete saints, they praised Dara Shikoh.  Aurangzeb would get angry hearing this.  He commanded: “take Dara Shikoh on a donkey and parade him around the 12 gates of the city.”  The Umraavs heard this and were shocked.  They were upset to hear this but couldn’t say anything out of fear.  They didn’t want the former Emperor of the land to be insulted in this way.  They were afraid of getting killed.  One Umraav gathered his courage and said to Aurangzeb with his hands folded: “you are wise, Sire.  This command is not deserving of sons of Badshahs.  The command to seat him on a donkey and to parade him; this has never been done before.  He is your elder brother.  This is against tradition.  It will be an insult to you too.”  Aurangzeb heard the wise ones and said: “put him on an elephant and parade him around the 12 gates of the city.  Insult him.  Take him to Sarmad after.  Say to Sarmad: “give him the Empire now!  He will be killed today.”  The servants heard the command.

Dara Shikoh was sitting in meditation, in his cell.  He was connected to his Aatma.  He was not in joy or sorrow.  Pain and pleasure were the same to him.  He broke the pride of his body.  He was not afraid anymore because he didn’t see his body as his real self.  An elephant with a howdah was brought.  Dara Shikoh was told to sit on the elephant.  A Sehra was tied to his head.  They told Dara Shikoh: “you will be executed today.”  When the people of the city heard this, they yelled out in pain.  They were all upset but didn’t say anything out of fear.  They were afraid of Aurangzeb, the tyrant.  Dara Shikoh was blessed by many saints.  He was blessed by Guru Har Rai ji, the Parmeshwar.  Dara Shikoh got up from his cell without fear.  He sat on top of the elephant.  He was paraded in the city and taken to all 12 gates of the city.  He was then taken to Sarmad.  The servants said: “Dara Shikoh has come to see you!  Meet him!  You said that you gave him the Empire.  You call yourself the biggest Fakir.  You should be ashamed of yourself for lying!  Your Badshah is about to be killed.  What Empire did you give him?”  Sarmad saw Dara Shikoh, the Satsangi Brahmgyaani.  He saw that Dara Shikoh was drenched in the love of Khuddah.  Sarmad began to shed tears.  He couldn’t speak, as he was overwhelmed with emotion.  Dara Shikoh was his disciple.  Sarmad was sad.  Dara Shikoh saw the love in his Murshid’s heart.  He moved his Sehra to the side with his hand and said to his Peer: “what we read; what we listened to and said: “I am Brahm”; what we said with determination; we said that for this particular time in our lives.  Saint ji, you know this.  You are wise.  Gather yourself.  Why do you waiver in the acknowledgment of your body?  It was your blessing by which I was able to destroy the pride of my body.  Bless me for a few more moments so I may pass this test.  This body is going to die one day; today or tomorrow.  Why worry about it?”  Sarmad spoke with patience: “I have given you the infinite kingdom.  Nobody can take it from you.  It will stay forever.  These earthly kings are garbage.  They are filled with ego.  They will die in a few days.  I will leave my body in a few days as well.  I will come to you.  There is no difference between us.”  They teacher and disciple spoke briefly.  The Mohavat rode the elephant further.

Dara Shikoh was taken to the place of execution.  Dara Shikoh was a saint now.  He had no attachment.  The uncompassionate executioner, destined for Hell, took a sharp sword and swung it on Dara Shikoh’s neck.  As Dara Shikoh’s head was cut from his body, a loud statement came from his heart that was heard by all: “Ahung Brahm!”  Everyone heard the phrase of determination.

In this way, Aurangzeb killed his elder brother.  His sin ruined his afterlife.  He killed his other 2 brothers as well.  For the kingdom, he committed many sins.  He was cursed by saints and Dervishes.  Listen to the Katha ahead oh listeners.  I will tell you the Katha of Sarmad.  Who was he?  How did he find the Path to Khuddah?  These questions will be answered ahead.  His Katha is a great one.  I will tell you how it happened and how Aurangzeb killed him.  The saints were upset when Sarmad was killed.  It was a great sin that Aurangzeb did.  As Kavi Santokh Singh ji said the Katha of the Saint, the Sikhs listened with love.