Winning the Play

One day, the son of Guru Har Rai ji came to the court of Aurangzeb and was seated with great respect. He was happy. The people who were strict on the Shariya, they were corrupt and wanted to cause conflict. They used many translations of the Quran to prove themselves wiser. There were many of them in the court that day. They would influence the Badshah. They were cheap in doing good deeds. They were always eager to cause arguments. They were foolish and unwise. They were egotistical. They would make the Shah happy to gain money. They started a discussion in the court by using the name of the Guru: “Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji was your elder Guru who took on the form as a Fakir and travelled the world. You all started a new way. It is not of the Hindus nor of the Muslims. Our prophets are unmatched in this world. They showed us the path to meet Khuddah. Whoever followed them, they knew the path to Khuddah. In which the desires arise in the mind, Sri Guru Nanak ji spread such a path. He sings with Raag and Taal, which make desires and vices arise in the mind. He then said: “we will go to the Bahist.” He spoke lies which can’t be seen. The traditions of the Hindus are not good. They worship idols with faith. They will all go to Hell. They won’t know the way to Khuddah.” Baba Ram Rai ji heard this and said: “Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s radiance could not be tolerated by anyone. Discussions and miracles, Guru Nanak Dev ji was unmatched. Gorakh and the Peers of Multan bowed to him after losing the arguments. He won Mecca and Medina. How many should I count for you? Many Pandits with great powers, he won them all. When the sun comes out, the darkness is destroyed. His Sikhs have great wisdoms. They can do what they wish. This is not a hidden thing. Poor and rich, they all know this. Just as the radiance of the sun allows the eyes to see, that is how Guru Nanak Dev ji was. Fools like you don’t understand this. The blind sit in one place and don’t know about the greatness of the sun. The sun that is praised by all, the thief and the owl don’t like the sun. The thief likes the darkness. That is how your wisdom is like.” The Ulama began to burn with anger, after hearing this. He couldn’t tolerate this pain to his ego. The Ulama began saying many things and talked bad about Guru Nanak Dev ji with cleverness. The son of the Guru could not tolerate this. Baba Ram Rai ji got angry at his daily bickering about Sikhi and said: “Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji is the Purshotam. He is the Guru! You can’t tolerate his praise and glory. The tongue by which you spoke badly about him, will not be able to speak again. This is your punishment. If anyone else speaks about Guru Nanak Dev ji, they will be in pain.” When Sri Baba Ram Rai ji said this, the Ulama could no longer speak. He tried speaking but couldn’t. He moved his tongue and lips but no words came out. As the fool spoke bad words, he was punished for it. He tried to speak but failed. He had gone dumb. He remained like this for the rest of his life.

The people of the court were amazed. One person then said: “there aren’t any stars out in the sky right now. Where have they gone? Where do they come from?” Baba Ram Rai ji said: “the stars are still in the sky. The sun’s light is very bright. That is the reason you can’t see the stars. When the Martand (Sun) sets in the west in the evening, you can see the light of the stars then.” One Ulama heard this and said: “Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji has said this in his Bani:

Sri Mukhvaak.. Mahalla 2..

If a hundred moons come up and a thousand suns come up..

After all this illumination, without the Guru, there is only darkness..2..

(SGGS 463)

The radiance of the Guru is more than the sun’s. The translation of this line is easy. I have a question towards this line though: you are called the form of the Guru in this world; you should have a bright radiance then. You can’t have the illumination of many suns. If the sun overpowers the stars, you should be able to overpower the sun. Show us the stars during the day. We will consider the line of Gurbani true then. Overpower the sun. Otherwise we will consider this as weak.” Sri Baba Ram Rai ji said: “the meaning of the Salok, you didn’t understand it. How would you understand this since there is corruption in your mind? You are not deserving of the translations of this line of Gurbani. I won’t talk about this line for this reason. I will, however, show you the stars in the day. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji is the master of the world. The 3 loks, Devatas, Daynts and humans follow him. The Sun will be overpowered and the stars will be shown.” When he said this, everyone looked towards the sky. The sun’s light lessened. The stars could be seen. Baba Ram Rai ji said: “can you see the stars now? This is the radiance of Guru Nanak Dev ji, who showed you the stars.” The Qazis looked up and saw only stars. They were all amazed. They understood Guru Nanak Dev ji’s radiance. He was the supreme. The news spread in Delhi: “he showed stars in the day. He did this miracle. He overpowered the sun.”

One day, Baba Ram Rai ji came to the court of the Badshah. He was seated with respect by all. The Shah wanted to play Chauper. The Shah called many skilled players of chess and Chauper. The Shah said: “we should play together and place some bets. Let’s play!” Baba Ram Rai ji sat in front of the Shah. The Chauper was laid out. 16 pawns and 3 dice were placed there. They were made of gold. The game was beautiful with sapphires, rubies, emeralds and diamonds. The game had 4 sides. The Shah played first by placing 1,000 Dinars. Both began to play with the dice. Baba Ram Rai ji would roll whatever he wished. He would kill the pawn he wished to. Whatever he wanted to save, he did. He made 8 pawns permanent and brought them home. The Shah’s 8 pawns were weak. Baba Ram Rai ji won the game. The Shah got angry as he felt embarrassed.

The Shah wagered 2,000 Dinars. He then rolled the dice. Baba Ram Rai ji would send his pawns home. The Shah’s would lose. Baba ji’s pawn would kill the Shah’s. The Shah used his skill to roll the dice but failed. The son of the Guru would roll whatever he wanted to. Nauranga couldn’t win. He lost 2,000 Dinars as well. The Shah was upset.

The Shah wagered 3,000 Dinars and started to play. The third game ended in the same way as the first 2. Baba Ram Rai ji won 6,000 Dinars. The Shah was upset and angry at this. He then wagered 6,000 Dinars. He wanted to win all his money back. The other players all helped him. None of their efforts helped. Whatever the Shah wanted to roll, that did not happen. Many were sitting with Nauranga, but what could they have done? Baba Ram Rai ji played alone. The Shah’s pawn were left behind. All of the Shah’s efforts resulted in failure. The skilled players tried to help but they couldn’t do as they planned to. 12,000 Dinars were lost by the Shah. It was then time for the Badshah’s Nimaaz. He got up for his Nimaaz but was very upset.

Baba Ram Rai ji won and took the money. He came back to the Dhera. The people of the court were amazed. The Shah had lost the game. Kavi Santokh Singh ji says: “everyone saw that there was no one in comparison to Baba Ram Rai ji. Whoever would face him, they would all lose. He was greater than all of them, in every way.”

9-47 Curing the Haija (Cholera) / Shade from the Clouds

Baba Ram Rai ji had been in Delhi for a long time. While he was there, the Haija illness (Cholera) had spread in the city. Fear spread in the city. Thousands had died. There was sorrow and sounds of crying from every home. There was chaos everywhere. People were afraid of dying. Many died and there was no sign of a cure in sight. The illness killed the poor and the rich. The scholars and the fools all called out for help. Men and women cried in every home. They pulled their hair and fainted from crying. Diarrhea and vomiting would happen to the infected. They would die within 3-6 hours. The Vaids (doctors) tried to cure the people but failed to keep up. There was nothing they could do. Who could do anything?

In the Badshah’s court, the discussions of the Haija happened all the time. They spoke about how many people died in a day: “today in this region, this many people died. The cemeteries and cremation grounds are full. Hundreds are buried and hundreds are cremated. There is crying everywhere. The Vaids are running around anxiously. They are running around with medicine. Their apprentices are going around to find medicine.” Many had died in the court of the Badshah. The survivors were scared. They said: “It is like the Day of Judgement. It is chaos. Thousands have died without delay. The medicine is not working. The diarrhea and vomiting are causing great pain.” The Shah heard the crying from a high place. He then thought to himself: “I will call the son of the Satguru. He can destroy this fear. The people will be saved by him.”

The Badshah came into his court and called for Baba Ram Rai ji. He spoke to Baba ji with humility when he arrived: “the Haija has spread in the city. I have called you for a cure. The ones that are alive are really scared. It would be a great act on your part if you save us from this chaos. If there is a cure, please tell us. If there is another way, tell us.” Baba Ram Rai ji heard this and said: “the pain of death that has spread, I will give you the cure. Wash my feet and give it to the people. The people will be cured. Their diarrhea and vomiting will be cured. Put this Charanamrit in their mouths. They will be cured. They will remain alive. They won’t die. This illness will finish like this.” The Shah was happy to hear this. He said all this in the court: “announce in the city: whoever is sick, come and take the washing of the feet.” One or two people in the court said: “this illness is in our home.” They washed Baba Ram Rai ji’s feet and took the Charanamrit to their home. They gave the Charanamrit to the sick. The disease was cured right away. They came back to the Badshah and said: “when the Charanamrit was given, the illness was cured right away.” The people who were sick in the fort, they were given Charanamrit from Baba ji’s feet. The illness was gone, permanently. The disease was gone. Many came to see the truth.

Baba Ram Rai ji went back to his Dhera. Many people came to wash the feet of Baba Ram Rai ji. They took the Charanamrit to their homes. They gave the Charanamrit to the sick, who were cured right away. Everyone praised Baba Ram Rai ji. The relatives of the dead were in regret and mourned for their losses: “we didn’t give them the Charanamrit. It would have cured them.” The news spread throughout the city. Many others came to Baba Ram Rai ji’s Dhera. Hindus, Turks, poor and rich, everyone was impressed by this. The scholars and fools all came to get the Charanamrit. They had hope of living. The illness that had spread in the city, the great pain that it had caused, the illness was cured. Many took the Charanamrit. They put the Charanamrit in glass bottles and took it home. If someone felt some pain, they would quickly take the Charanamrit to relieve the pain. In this way, the disease was cured. There was peace in every home. Baba Ram Rai ji’s glory spread. Everyone came to knew of the greatness of the Guru: “whatever you ask for you will get. He can save you from everything.” The glory spread like the moonlight. It was like the line of swans, the glory spread. The people said: “we have been saved. Our chests are calm and cool now.”

After the passing of many days, Baba Ram Rai ji came to the court and looked radiant. He looked like the moon among the stars. One day, the Shah went hunting with Baba Ram Rai ji. Not many people went them. They were on their horses. All of a sudden, a deer came out. The Shah and Baba Ram Rai ji both chased it with great speed. They went quite far into the jungle. The others were left behind. The deer couldn’t be hunted by both. After a few miles, they then successfully killed the deer. Aurangzeb and Baba Ram Rai ji were alone. None of the servants were with them. The two came back to Delhi. It was noon and the sun was shining bright. The Shah didn’t have his umbrella to save him from the sunlight. The Shah’s face began to wilt from the sunlight. There was no servant nearby to save him from the sunlight. The Shah said: “there is no one nearby. The sun is bright and hot. I can’t tolerate this. Do something. Do some shade for us otherwise I will dry up.” Baba Ram Rai ji said: “it’s really hot. I will give you shade. I will do it for the both of us then we will go.” A cloud came and provided shade to the both of them. It became cooler for them. They rode their horses towards Delhi. The cloud followed them. There weren’t any other clouds in the sky. There was no rain. People were amazed to see this spectacle. They said: “look at this miracle. He is in the shad without the umbrella.” They entered the city. Thousands came and bowed to Baba Ram Rai ji. The Shah was bowed to as well. The both soon came into the palace. Everyone was amazed to see the floating cloud over their heads. The Badshah sat in his home with amazement. The shade was gone from the Shah but remained over Baba Ram Rai ji. Baba Ram Rai ji came back to his beautiful Dhera. The shade went away from over Baba Ram Rai ji’s head as well after a while. Everyone was amazed to see this. In this way everyone saw the miracle. Kavi Santokh Singh writes the Katha in poetry.

9-48 Labor Pains Go Away/ Taking Down the Uzbek Wrestler

Nauranga’s Begum was pregnant. It had been 9 months and so she went into labor. Due to some complications, she was in great pain. The wise people tried to relieve her pain. The Hakims came. Toonas (spells) were done but nothing worked. The Begum was in pain. The baby was not being born. The Begum said: “I am in trouble. Do something.” Many other wise people were called by the Shah. They all used their skills but nothing worked. Many midwives were called from the city. They made their efforts but the labor was not successful. The child was stuck. The Vaids failed.

When the son of the Guru came to the court, the Shah spoke to him with respect: “my Begum is in labor. The child is not being born. Please find a solution. You are a great being. Jantras and Mantras are not needed when a person like you is near. Make her pain go away. Save her. We have read many Qalaams but no peace was achieved. The wise people have failed. None were successful.” Baba Ram Rai ji heard this and said: “I only have the Japji Sahib. It solves all of the problems. The ghosts, prayts and others all lose in front of it. Nothing can tolerate the radiance of the Japji Sahib. It is the most powerful in the 3 Loks. It cuts the pain and fulfills the wishes. It cuts the unlimited bonds of the world. There is nothing compared to Japji Sahib in Kaliyuga. Bring some water and I will recite the Japji Sahib. Take the water to her afterwards. The labor will be over right away. She will be in joy and the pain will go away.” The Shah heard this and called for water. It was placed near Baba Ram Rai ji.

Baba Ram Rai ji recited the full Japji Sahib. The Amrit that was made was then taken to the Begum. When the Amrit was poured into the mouth of the Begum, the child was quickly born. The labor pains went away. A baba boy was born. There was peace in the whole palace. Celebrations started in the palace. The son was named Bahadhur Shah. The celebration was done with eagerness. During Guru Gobind Singh ji’s time, he met Satguru ji with great eagerness. Bahadhur Shah was born by the recitation of Japji Sahib, that’s why he got to meet Guru Gobind Singh ji. Tara Azam, Bahadhur Shah’s elder brother, was killed by Guru Gobind Singh ji. Guru ji shot him with an arrow. Bahadhur Shah then became the emperor. Guru Gobind Singh ji made Bahadhur Shah the emperor and forgave him. This was because of Japji Sahib as well. Bahadhur Shah had to seek the shelter of Satguru ji.

The Begum heard of how the Amrit was made. She sent a lot of money and had faith towards the Satguru’s son. She had an Ardaas done. She understood Baba Ram Rai ji’s greatness. Many days passed from that point on.

One day, Baba Ram Rai ji came to the court. Nauranga was happy. He said: “let’s watch wrestling today.” There was an Uzbek wrestler. He ate a lot of food and was really powerful. He wasn’t smart and couldn’t do anything else. He would eat and then sleep. He would only exercise and eat. When he needed to wrestle, the Badshah would call for him. Aurangzeb called him to the court. Nauranga said to Baba Ram Rai ji: “listen Baba ji, this is a strong wrestler. There is no one like him in our country. Nobody can defeat him in wrestling. Nobody can face him. People see his size and get scared. Have you ever seen such a strong wrestler before?” Baba Ram Rai ji said: “I have kept a Chumaar servant who wrestles. He takes down many people.” Nauranga couldn’t believe him and said: “how can he face him? Nobody can defeat him. People run away seeing him. They lose their patience.” When Nauranga praised his wrestler, Baba Ram ji looked at his people. He called his Chumaar servant over. Nauranga laughed and said: “how can you compare your Chumaar servant with my Uzbek? He will be grinded by my Uzbek’s hands. Why do you want your man to be killed? Find a stronger person. Foreign wrestlers come to me. They have all lost. Some died. My Uzbek is known in foreign lands. Who can face him?” Baba Ram Rai ji said: “both are here. Let’s see who wins. Don’t be overconfident. They will wrestle in front of everyone. Let’s see who wins. If they fight, we will see what happens. Words are nothing. Call your Uzbek wrestler. They will wrestle.” The Shah called the Uzbek wrestler.

The Akhara was made. They both smacked their thighs and began to wrestle. Both were filled with immense strength. They used many tactics. The Sikh wrestled with the Uzbek. They slapped each other. They grabbed each other and flipped one another. They fought for a long time. The Uzbek was taken down after a while. The Chumaar put his knee on top. He grinded him. The Uzbek was defeated and became anxious. Everyone saw this amazing match. The Shah’s wrestler lost. He thought: “this Chumaar was nothing in front of my Uzbek. He was thrice his strength.” Nauranga said: “this must be your miracle. You gave your servant your power. What could the Uzbek do? A man couldn’t defeat him. Your power did. Foreign wrestlers fought and lost. Nobody defeated him. They got scared of him. Your servant is not strong. You gave him your power. It is amazing to see. Nobody can defeat the Uzbek. Your home has a lot of power. Nobody is as strong as you.” Baba Ram Rai ji came back to his Dhera.

The Shah’s wrestlers were shocked and said: “the Chumaar was weak in strength and money. Our man lost in front of him. We lost the match. People are taunting us. They say: “what happened to you?” People praised Baba Ram Rai ji. Many brought gifts. The Shah would send baskets of fruits and dry fruits everyday. The Badshah would call Baba Ram Rai ji with respect. He spoke to him with respect. Kavi Santokh Singh ji says: “the Badshah gave a lot of money and had his tasks fulfilled.”

9-49 Alaavdheen’s death is explained/ The Dream Explained/ The Ship Assembled/ Sulaimani Surma

One day the son of Sri Guru Har Rai ji came into the court of Aurangzeb. Some of the members in the court spoke casually. There was a person named Alaavdheen sitting there. He praised his own religion and addressed Aurangzeb by showing that he was wise. He tried to show other religions and inferior to Islam. Baba Ram Rai ji heard this and couldn’t tolerate what he was saying. Baba ji said: “do you know when you are going to die? You spoke many things with cleverness, the God of Death is coming close to you. You are blind from the inside. You are stuck in the worldly ways. You show others that you are a big Peer. You praise yourself.” The Shah heard this and said: “if you know when he is going to die, say it to everyone. When will the Messengers of Death take him? We will see when it happens.” Baba Ram Rai ji spoke: “he has 8 days of life left. He will die in the last quarter of the night.” The Shah and the whole court heard this. Everyone said: “he is never wrong. He will certainly die soon. If your age is done, nobody can save you.” With doubt, Alaavdheen came to his home. After 8 days, in the last quarter of the night, Alaavdheen’s age was complete. He died. The news came to the Badshah. His faith had become deeper. The news spread in Delhi about Baba Ram Rai ji: “the Guru’s son is the Peer of Peers. His words are never empty. Whatever he says, becomes true.” Hindus and Muslims followed him. They would do his Darshan and sit with him.

One day, Baba Ram Rai ji went to Nauranga’s court. Thousands bowed as he walked along the way and in the court. The whole court would stand up for him. The Shah got up and grabbed his hands. He had him sit close to him with respect. Many types of discussions happened about politics, religion and other topics. Baba Ram Rai ji said: “why did you remember me in your dream last night? What small blockage did you have that you thought of me? You remembered me in your dream.” The Badshah was really shocked. He thought to himself: “I did remember him in my dream. I didn’t tell anyone about my dream. He knows about this. I will ask him about it.” He said: “the dream I had, tell me what I saw. Tell me as it happened.” Baba Sri Ram Rai ji said: “you were near the Jumana. You sat on a boat and sailed on the river. You had a fishing rod in your hand. You were holding the hook and then went fishing. You didn’t catch any fish though. You remembered me and thought that if I was there, you would have caught some fish. This is what you dreamt of.” The Shah heard this and was amazed. He thought to himself: “nothing is hidden from him. Everything is exposed to him like a fruit on the hand.

On another day, The Shah called for Baba Ram Rai ji. He wanted to travel the Jumana with him. They stood near the shores. They called for a ferry. There was an older ferry that came. The better one didn’t come. Both of them boarded the old ferry. They decided to go alone. The other servants stayed back. The waters of the Jumana became higher. The current became fast. It pulled many trees near the shore. The current became fierce. A lot of water came. They made the ferry go fast. It crashed into the trees and broke in half. The water was really fast. The Shah said: “listen, son of the Guru, the ferry has broken! We will sink! I’m on one part and you are on the other. I don’t want to drown. Please say the words and join the ferry again. There is no other ferry nearby on which we can board. There is no other way out of this. The ferry needs to attach. Say the words, Baba ji!” When the Shah was worried, Baba Ram Rai ji said: “as you were connected before, become the same way. The two parts should join. Take us across.” When Baba Ram Rai ji said this, the ferry attached itself. They were saved. The ferry sailed as it did before. Where the current was fast, the Shah saw the miracle and was happy. He said: “you saved us from drowning today.” They both came home with love. The Shah kept on seeing the miracles.

One day, Baba ji came to the court and sat down. The discussions of the Sidhs had started: “if they want, they can disappear and not show their bodies. They can see others, but others can’t see them. They can go anywhere they please. They have these types of powers. They get these powers from the Seva of Gorakh Nath ji.” The Ulamas heard this and said: “this power is in the Lukanjan Surma. Whoever puts it in their eyes, they can see others but others can’t see them. Many practice this with many ways.” The Shah said: “there is no other than Baba ji that could have this power. If he blesses me, he can give me this power. I can take the Surma and see anything. Baba ji if you have this, can I see it?” Baba ji gave the Shah the Lukanjan. The Badshah was happy to receive this power. He put the Surma in his eyes. He disappeared in his court. He then went to his palace, where his Begums were. They were sitting there casually. The Begums didn’t have their jewellery on. The Shah took a necklace, bangles, anklets and earrings. He took them to his room. When the Begums looked for their jewellery, they couldn’t find them. They looked hard but couldn’t find them. They started shouting. They searched all around the palace. They said: “someone came during the day. We put the jewellery ourselves. Did some maid take them?” They all looked around the palace rooms. Nobody could figure out what happened. The jewellery was worth Lakhs. Many were gone. They sent news to the Shah about the theft. News spread. The Badshah showed the Begums: “here take them. I came to get them. I got the Lukanjan and didn’t reveal myself to you. I could see you. I took them. You couldn’t see me. Baba Ram Rai ji gave me the Surma. I tested it.” Baba Ram Rai ji showed his powers in this way. Kavi Santokh Singh ji says: “this miracle is well known.”

9-50 Resurrecting the Cow/ The Chaur of Tasbih/ Giving the Pearl

One day, the Shah went to the Gardens with the son of the Satguru. They enjoyed their walk through the gardens. It gave them a lot of joy. They both walked together. The servants were behind the both of them. The Shah and Baba ji had many discussions. They laughed as they talked. Baba ji answered all of the Shah’s questions. As they walked, there was a dead cow on the way. The Shah saw this. There was a calf nearby. It was a newborn. The cow had died in childbirth a few moments ago. The calf had not even taken its mother’s milk. Nauranga saw this and said to Baba Ram Rai ji: “I feel sorry for this calf. It’s small and young. Its mother has died. It has no one to take care of it or feed it. We are Turks but we still feel sorry at sights like these. Your elder Hindus worship the cow as a mother. The calf is in pain. What will it do if it doesn’t get milk? I am a Muslim (who eats beef) but still feel sorry for it. You should feel even more sorry for it. What bigger Dharma would this be if its mother is alive again? Resurrect it.” Baba Ram Rai ji thought to himself: “Nauranga is stubborn. He won’t move unless I make the cow alive again. He’s just standing there.” Baba Ram Rai ji asked for water. When the water came, Baba Ram Rai ji took water and said: “Satnam!” He splashed the water and said: “Vahiguru!” He wished for the cow to be alive again. The Badshah and the other servants were watching. The cow became alive again. It stood up. The calf drank milk from the mother cow. The people were amazed. They said: “he has powers without the hypocrisy.” Everyone was happy and amazed. The news spread: “the cow was resurrected!” The news spread in the city of Delhi. Everyone praised Baba Ram Rai ji: “he can resurrect the dead! This is not a small thing! His father must be really powerful. He sent his son with his powers. His greatness can’t be compared. Who can praise the Guru? Dhan is the Satguru and his son.” In this way, Baba ji was praised. They all talked about the occurrence. People from other lands came to Delhi and heard the news. They spread the news to their lands. The news spread to the 22 Soobas of Hindustan.

Baba Ram Rai ji came to his Dhera. The Badshah came to his fort with joy. Baba Ram Rai ji came to the court one day. His praise was spreading. The night before, the Badshah lost his Tasbih. Nobody could find it. He wondered if someone stole it as it was worth Lakhs. It had many precious gems in it. It was really shiny. There was no other Mala like it. The Shah kept it with him all the time. When Baba Ram Rai ji came into the court. The Shah spoke with respect and had him sit. He said: “my Tasbih has been stolen. I don’t know if it’s been stolen but I can’t find it. When I came home, I had it in my hand. I ate and went to sleep. Someone must have taken it. I may have lost it. When I woke up, the Tasbih was gone. My Begums and maids looked for it but couldn’t find it. I love that Tasbih. I threatened everyone but nobody told me about it. Nobody saw it. It was worth Lakhs. It was expensive. I won’t be able to get another one. I got that mala with great effort. The gems from around the world were in that Tasbih. The wise Nazoomis and astrologers looked for it but they couldn’t find it. Only if you tell me, then I can get my Tasbih back. Otherwise, I have lost it forever. There is not another Mala. It won’t be the same with all those gems.” Baba Ram Rai ji heard this and said: “your Tasbih is in your home. Your Begum took it. She stole it. Only she knows. It’s in her room in the southern area. In the south wall, there is a hidden cabinet. She has it in there. Find it.” When Nauranga heard this, he went to the Begum’s room and had the cabinet opened. Within a jewellery box, was Aurangzeb’s Tasbih. It was shining because of all the gems. There were diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies in it. The Badshah was happy. He took the Tasbih and came back to the court. He showed everyone and said: “if the Guru’s son didn’t tell me where it was, I would have never found it. It was hidden in a secret place where it couldn’t have been found.” He praised Baba Ram Rai ji. The enemies of Baba Ram Rai ji became more jealous.

One day, the court of the Badshah was in session. The Umraavs all came to the court. An English person came to the city. He had sent a request to see the Badshah. He brought expensive and unique items. He came into the court after some time. He gave the gifts to Nauranga and met him. There was an expensive pearl out of the gifts. It was round and fine. It was really shiny. It was of the most superior quality. The Shah saw this. The English man gave other gifts as well. The Shah was happy with the gifts. Whatever request the English man came for, was fulfilled. The English man then left. The Shah took the pearl and when to his Begum. He went to his favourite Begum and showed him the pearl. He said: “oh dear Begum, have this pearl fit into your jewellery. You will look beautiful with it. It came from a far away land. I love you the most out of all my Begums.” The Begum was happy to see the pearl. It was perfectly round and shiny. She said: “listen Sire, this is beautiful. I am happy. I am not satiated though. It won’t be enough with one pearl. If I put it in my nose ring, it won’t be good. I need another one like it. Find another one. What will I do with one? I will wear two in my nose ring.” The Shah said: “there is only one. It came from an Island in the ocean. There is none other like it. I would have called for it otherwise. Where would I look? If it was sold, I would buy it.” The Shah said: “I will look though. It will be hard.”

The next day, the court was called. Many officers gathered. Baba Ram Rai ji came to the court. The Shah had him seated with respect. The Shah then thought to himself: “I will have him call for the pearl.” The Shah said to Baba Ram Rai ji, while showing him the pearl: “I need another pearl like this. If I find another, my Begum will have two for her nose ring. It’s hard to find another like this. If you know where I can find another, I will pay for it. Can you get me another pearl like this one? If you have it, can you bring it? Your elder Gurus, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, gave my grandfather, Jahangir, a Mala. The pieces of the Mala were unique. There were 104 pieces in the Mala. I looked for those pieces but couldn’t fine them. If there is a pearl like this in your home, please call for it.” Baba Ram Rai ji heard this and said: “I will give it to you in the morning.”

The next morning, Baba Ram Rai ji brought an identical pearl to the court. The two were placed side-by-side. They were exactly the same. They couldn’t be told apart. It was given to the Shah, who happily took it to his Begum. The Begum received the second pearl and was happy. Kavi Santokh Singh ji says: “the Begum praised Baba Ram Rai ji. He made a pearl with his power.”

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