11-1 Manglacharan and the 22 Sodhi Gurus in Bakala

The Sat (everlasting truth), Chit (consciousness) and Anand (bliss), exists evenly within the physical and the formless.  The Ishwar has the Gyaan of self.  The Jeev does not know this.

The Mangal of Kavis 

You are the beautiful Mandir of all virtues, oh Sarasvati.  You are white like mercury.  You are serene like the moonlight.  You are fragrant like sandalwood.  You wear the Tilak of vermillion.  The rice in the vermillion is radiant like moon in front of Mars.  I fold my hands and bow to your feet which give bliss to the poets, like lotus flowers give joy to bees.  Oh holder of the Veena; oh destroyer of pain; give me wisdom so that I may say the radiant praises of the Gurus.  (Kavi Santokh Singh Ji asks Mata Sarsvati for her blessings as he writes the glorious history of the Gurus.  Mata Sarsvati is regarded as the Goddess of Art and Education.  Each power of Akaal Purakh has its own distinct personality and scholars and saints have recognized the power of Art and Education to be the Goddess Sarasvati). 

Namaskaar to Guru Nanak Dev ji: whose glory is bright like white flowers and is spread everywhere; the one who won the world with his power.  You are the giver of joy.

Namaskaar to Guru Angad Dev ji: whose patience is solid as the Earth; is the best at tolerating the intolerable; is the giver of Mukti and bliss.

Namaskaar to Guru Amar Das ji: whose Gyaan is still and solid like the Sun’s (who was given the Gyaan by Ishwar); who destroys the darkness of ignorance of others; who gave many powers to others. 

Namaskaar to Guru Ram Das ji Sodhi: who shined in the house of the Sodhis like the Sun in the sky.

Namaskaar to Guru Arjan Dev ji who preached the True name of Akaal Purakh “Satnam” to whoever came to his shelter; broke their bonds in this world and in the next. 

Namaskaar to Guru Hargobind Sahib ji the great warrior who carries Braham Gyaan in his heart but who is the strong and brave warrior, drenched in the Bir Ras (warrior spirit) on the battlefield. 

Namaskaar to Guru Har Rai Sahib ji who absolves the sins of his servants.  He made his poor servants into kings.  Their radiance still shines in the world. 

Namaskaar to Guru Harkrishan Sahib ji who is a child by body but who’s knowledge is unmatched.  One receives Mukti by doing his seva.

Namaskaar to Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji who sacrificed his body like a piece of grass for the religion of Hind.  He saved the tree of Hind from being uprooted and protected it on earth. 

Namaskaar to Guru Gobind Singh ji the sovereign, independent and idol of Bliss.  He gives Mukti to his servants.  I bow to his feet with both of my hands folded. 

22 Gurus in Bakala

I will now state the Katha of the Satguru in this Eleventh Raas.  I will state the Katha of Satguru Tegh Bahadhur ji as it happened.  By the influences of the Masands, the Sangat was in chaos.  The Sikhs went to where the Masands led them.  They did not get to meet the Satguru, the giver of joy.  Who would they go to that would relieve their pains and fulfill their wishes?  The wise Sikhs were upset.  There was a lot of noise in Bakala.  The Masands came with a lot of Sikhs to Bakala.  The Masands led them.  The Sangat was not at peace or bliss seeing the fake Gurus.  The Sodhis had the Sikhs worship them.  The Sikhs were not at peace.  As Guru Har Krishan Sahib ji told the Sikhs, before going to Sach Khand (the home of Akaal Purakh) that the next Guru is in Bakala, 22 people, who were from the Sodhi family (the Sodhi Family were the Kings of the Lahore area before the Mughal and Pashtun invasions.  Guru Ram Das ji was from that clan) had set up their stages in the town of Bakala, claiming to be the Nineth Guru.  All the claiming Gurus had their own Masands (Masands were people appointed by the Gurus as leaders of the Sangat in particular areas). They would tell everyone to come to their particular spot to do ardaas and to bow their heads (Matha Tekna) to the self-proclaiming Guru they were loyal to.  The Masands were divided amongst the self-proclaimed Gurus (but conspiring collectively).  They just wanted the money of the sangat that the Sikhs brought for the True Guru.  When the Sikhs would come to see the fake Gurus, the Masands would preach out loud and say, “this is the true Guru!  He will fulfill all your wishes.  He is the one on the Ghaddi of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  Bow to him with your hands folded.  Respect him.  Make him happy and your wishes will be fulfilled.  Think of his feet, day and night.  He will protect you in both worlds.”  But this was not true and the Sikhs would return without the feeling of peace they would normally get from seeing the true Gurus of the past.  The Sikhs did what the Masands told them to do.  They bowed but their pain and doubts were not gone.  Their wishes were not fulfilled.  They were upset in their hearts.  They would then go to another Guru and worship him. 

The Sikhs talked amongst themselves: “we don’t feel fulfilled after bringing the Gurus gifts.  We give them money because the Masands tell us to.  It is not right to keep the money of the Dasvand in your home.  We have to give it.  We don’t see any powers in them.  Our prayers are not being fulfilled.”  Many other Sodhis came to Bakala.  They set up their Dheras and sat on Manjis.  They were trying to fool the Sikhs.  They only had the wish of taking the Sikhs’ money.  When it came time to helping the Sikhs, they couldn’t do anything.  They had no powers.  They were just hyenas.  Only the Satguru could do that.  The Satguru is the lion.  The fake Gurus just set up an act.  It was like an actor becoming a Chakravarti Raja.  Who would obey such a king?  The Devatas do not obey anyone other than the true Satguru.  Satguru Tegh Bahadhur ji was the flag of the Dharma.  His patience was like the earth’s.  He stayed hidden and didn’t say anything to anyone.  His face was radiant with joy.  It was always in peace.  He was focused in the bliss of himself.  Nobody understood his reality.  Guru ji would sometimes go out to ride his horse.  Some Sikhs would see him then.  Nobody knew his greatness and so they didn’t even know that it was the true Satguru riding by them on his horse.  Neither the Masands nor the Sikhs knew it was him, riding around the crowds.  They thought he was just another Sodhi, born in the family of the Guru, living there.  Guru ji stayed in solitude most of the time.  Only some times did he come out during the day.  He didn’t show his Gyaan and greatness to anyone.

Dheermal, the Grandson of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji and son of Baba Gurditta ji, set up a huge stage in Bakala and was receiving Sikhs for their Ardaas.  Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji was totally quiet.  Nobody even thought of Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji as the Ninth Guru.  For a long time, Dheermal and the other Sodhi so-called Gurus were deceiving the Sikhs by proclaiming to be the true Guru and taking their Dasvands.  This chaos grew within the Sangat. 

Mata Nanaki ji, the mother of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji, the wife of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was very intelligent and knowledgeable.  She was smart in every way.  She had seen the traditions of the Guru’s home from a long time.  She was respected in the Sangat.  She was very beautiful and radiant.  Peace and wisdom were clearly seen on her face.  She was praised in the Sangat.  She was the wife of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  She understood all of the ways of the Guru’s home.  She had forgiveness and compassion in her heart.  She was always content.  Her focus was always turned inside towards her True Self.  She knew that her son was One with Akaal Purakh and liked to stay alone.  She knew that he had great forgiveness in his heart and that he loved to stay connected to Akaal Purakh.  Just like the True Gurus before Tegh Bahadhur ji, she saw the exact same virtues possessed by him as her husband, Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, her grandson Guru Har Rai Sahib ji and her great-grandson Guru Harkrishan Sahib ji.  She saw the same virtues of the Gurus in her son.  She was concerned of why Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji did not want to come out and proclaim his right.  She remembered the words of her husband.  He had told her “Your son Tegh Bahadhur will be a very inspiring and powerful Guru of the world who will give birth to a son that will be glorified throughout history and time.”  Knowing all this and remembering those words, Mata ji became worried day and night.  The Sikh Sangat was in chaos.  There was no stability. 

One day Mata Nanaki ji thought deeply and went to go speak to her son.  She sat next to her son and spoke to him in sweet words.  The wise mother said: “Oh son, you are the Guru Avatar in this world.  I know this in my heart that the Eighth Guru was referring to you.  You are the Sun and the Sikhs are in darkness without your sight.  Without the sun, there is only darkness.  The Sangat is in doubt.  Till the Sangat doesn’t have faith, the darkness will stay.  Your relatives will shine like stars.  Dheermal is shining like the moon and is glorifying himself amongst the Sikhs but the Sikhs are not gleaming with happiness upon meeting him.  The lotus only blooms by the sun, not the moon.  The hearts of the Sikhs are the lotus.  When you shine, the Sikhs will be at peace.  The pollen of peace will only come when the sun shines.  Many Sangats are wandering anxiously.  The Sikhs will get peace if you come.  The Chakvas, who love the sun, are in pain right now.  Without seeing you, the Sikhs will not be at peace.  There is night in the Sangat.  How will the Sikhs walk on the path of Sikhi without you?  The Gurta Ghaddi is a big chariot.  It is how the Guru rides it like the Sun riding his chariot.  When you shine in your chariot, the Sangat will walk on the path of Sikhi.  You are sitting quietly.  This won’t work.  There are Lakhs of millions of Sikhs and only you are their support.  You need to give the Sikhs the opportunity of your divine visit and make them feel happy”.  Upon hearing his mother speak, Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji bowed his head and touched her feet but remained silent.  He did not speak or make any other gestures.  Guru ji then focused his attention inwards again.  Mata ji sighed and understood once again what her son wanted: “he doesn’t want to be seen as the Guru.”  She thought many things about the Panth.   She wanted her son to sit on the Gurta Ghaddi.

11-2 Bhai Ghareeaa and Dwarka Das come to Bakala

Mata Nanaki ji tried convincing her son to take the helm and come out as the true Guru in many ways.  She was determined to make this into a reality.  The intelligent mother knew that: joy is only achieved by effort.  She thought about the traditions of the past Gurus.  She called a Sikh to write a letter to the descendants of Guru Amar Das ji.  She wanted to call them to Bakala.  There was a Sikh named Bhai Ghareeaa ji who lived in Goindwal.  Mata ji had the letter written and sent to Bhai Ghareeaa ji.  Bhai Ghareeaa ji was blessed by Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  She wanted him to come to Bakala and convince her son.  She thought to herself: “my son will listen to him as he is a devoted Sikh.  Other Sikhs will come and do his Darshan.”  The Sikh brought the letter to Goindwal.  He travelled and reached the place where the descendants of Guru Amardas ji lived.  The family had many Parm Hans Brahmgyaanis.  The whole family of Guru Amardas ji was seen as swans within the Sikh Panth.  The Sikh bowed at Goindwal and gave the letter.  The Sikh told the Bhallas of what had happened. 

Mataji’s letter was given to the descendants of Guru Amar Das ji.  The head of the Bhalla family (Guru Amar Das ji’s clan name) was Baba Dwarka Das ji.  Baba Dwarka Das ji took the letter and read it: “from the Mother of Sri Tegh Bahadhur.  Baba Dwarka Das ji, you are benevolent.  You are the giver of joy.  You are respected in the Panth.  You are wise.  You are radiant.  You bless all.  You are the eldest in the Guru’s home.  Nobody will disobey you.  You are from the family of the elder Guru.  There is chaos in the house of the Sodhis.  It has come to the point where you need to come here and straighten this out.  Please come and sort out this problem.  The Gurta Ghaddi is empty.  The Sangat is in doubt.  They are being deceived and led astray.  There are hundreds of thousands of Sikhs here but they are not at peace.  It is like a ferry without a ferryman.  It is stuck in a whirlpool, spinning endlessly.  If the king hides, the army runs without aim.  The Sangat is confused.  Many Dheras are set up here because Guru Har Krishan ji has pointed to Bakala for the next Guru.  The Sangat wants the decision.  They wish to have the Darshan of the Guru.  The Sangat wants you to make the decision of who is the real Guru.  My son does not come out of the home.  He does Bhagti all day long in his room.  He doesn’t want anyone to know of him.  Please come and see the situation.  You decide for yourself of what is right or not.  Instal the next Guru and destroy the chaos.  Test who is eligible and ineligible.”  Baba Dwarka Das ji read the letter and decided to go.  He said: “Bhai Ghareeaa ji, you have been called too.”  Bhai Ghareeaa ji was an elder Sikh.  He knew of the traditions of the Guru’s home.  Baba Dwarka Das ji accepted the request gladly and left right away with Bhai Ghareeaa ji and other members of the Bhalla family.  They all headed towards Bakala. 

As Baba Dwarka Das ji, Bhai Ghareeaa ji and the others approached the outer limits of Bakala, they stopped to think of what they should do next.  They were related to all the Sodhis.  They discussed: “if we go to Tegh Bahadhur ji, Dheermal, being egotistical, will get mad.  He calls himself as the greater one.  If we go to Dheermal first, that just won’t be right.  Both homes are equally related to us.”  They sat outside of Bakala and thought of all this.  After a while, Baba Dwarka Das ji spoke: “Ghareeaa, you are a Sikh from a long time of the Guru’s home.  You have seen the ways of the Guru’s home.  You have seen the Gurus up close.  Don’t think of anything and make a decision of where we should go.”  Bhai Ghareeaa ji said: “don’t get confused.  In Japji Sahib it says: “Thaapya na jai, keeta na hoe, aapay aap Niranjan soe – he can’t be installed; he can’t be made.  He is self illuminating.”  Tegh Bahadhur Sahib is the true Guru.  No (weak of a) person can remove him from his status.  Nobody has the ability to install him.  He will illuminate himself, by himself.  He already has the Ghaddi.  Let’s not think too hard.  Let’s go to his home.  Let’s go and meet Mata Nanaki ji first.”  They all decided and entered the village of Bakala with joy.   

The Bhallas entered Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji’s home and met Mata Nanaki ji.  Observing Baba Dwarka Das ji as the descendant of the Elder Gurus, Mata ji got up and bowed to him.  Bhai Ghareeaa ji bowed to Mata ji’s feet.  Mata ji blessed the old Sikh.  They all asked each other of how they were doing and talked and updated each other about their families and their day-to-day lives for a while.  Bhai Ghareeaa ji then asked Mataji in an excited manner: “if the Guru was to be from your home, what would you give to the Satsangat?  What would you feed us and the Sangat?”  Mataji responded with joy, saying: “I promise to spend 10,000 Rajitpuns for the sangat.”  Bhai Ghareeaa ji was very happy to hear that.  He got up and did an Ardaas with his hands folded.  Baba Dwarka Das ji, the descendant of the Guru, took a coconut and Kumkum and headed towards the room where Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji was.  He took the Gurmukh, Bhai Ghareeaa ji, with him.  He went to Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji and bowed.

Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji saw Dwarka Das ji and got up with excitement.  He met Baba Dwarka Das ji with great joy.  Guru ji was happy to see the descendants of Guru Amar ji.  He stood up and hugged Baba Dwarka Das ji.  They all asked each other of how they were.  They all sat down then.  Guru ji respected the guests.  Baba Dwarka Das ji was happy to see the radiance of Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji.  He saw the light inside Guru ji and felt the presence of Bhagti in the room.  He began to praise Guru ji.  He said: “you came to save the world.  You took an Avatar for this reason.  Why are you hiding here?  Sit on the Singhasan and bless the Sangat with your Darshan.  They are waiting for you.”  He requested Guru ji in this way.  Without waiting for a response from Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji, Dwarka Das ji immediately brought the coconut and Kumkum and placed the mark of the Guruship upon the forehead of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib with his hand.  The mark was made of sandalwood paste and saffron.  He then put the coconut and Kumkum in front of Guru ji and worshipped him.  Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji didn’t say anything.  The other Sikhs in the home witnessed all this.   The Sikhs all bowed their heads towards Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji and placed their money in front of him.  It’s as if the whole universe was waiting for this event.  Seeing all this, Mata Nanaki ji was overjoyed.  She gave a lot of money to the poor and the beggars.  She was a sacrifice unto this time and day.  She saw the mark of the Guruship on her son’s forehead and was happy.  The faithful and devoted Sikhs came and bowed their heads to Guru ji. 

The rich Masands were egotistical.  They didn’t understand the greatness of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji and didn’t accept his ascension to the Gurta Ghaddi.  The Sangat of far away lands was not coloured in the Guru’s blessings for this reason.  The Sangat was always looking towards the Masands for their directions.  The Masands only praised the Guru who paid them.  They said: “only we can make the Guru.”  The Sangat gave money to who the Masands pointed to.  All around Bakala, the Sangat had set up their camps.  The Masands of different lands would come there and go to bow to the different Gurus.  The Sangat tried to figure out who the real Guru was but they were confused.

Baba Dwarka Das ji spent many days with Satguru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  Only sometimes would Guru ji speak to Baba Dwarka Das ji and discuss the Truth from the Myth: “other than the witnessing consciousness, everything else is an illusion.”  Other than conversations of spirituality or knowledge, Guru Sahib would remain quiet.  He didn’t listen to anything else.  He only spoke of love and Vairagya.  Guru ji was the sun of Brahmgyaan, shining brightly.  On whomever his ray of Bhagti fell upon, their darkness of doubt was gone.  The love for the Prabhoo would illuminate in their heart.  Sri Guru ji gave a lot of money to Baba Dwarka Das ji.  After a few days, Baba Dwarka Das ji was given leave with great respect.  Baba Dwarka Das ji went back home but Bhai Ghareeaa stayed with Guru Sahib.  Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji, the Compassionate One, spent a lot of time like this.

11-3 Bhai Makhan Shah ji

The unrest within the Sikh sangat continued as Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji did not wish to be revealed as the True Guru.  There was chaos in regards to the true heir of the Gurta Ghaddi.  There was no knowing where the true Guru was.  The Sikhs wanted to find the true Guru. 

There was a great devoted Sikh by the name of Bhai Makhan Shah ji.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji was a great business man, and a travelling merchant with a deep devotion for Gursikhi.  His support was Sikhi.  He had deep faith and did Simran.  He would buy great amounts of commodities from one country and sell to other countries.  He was an importer/exporter.  There was a time when Bhai Makhan Shah ji had loaded a lot of merchandise on to his ship and set sail.  He wanted to sell the merchandise to other countries.  He had purchased the items from a different country.  The journey ahead was a long one.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji was an experienced sailor but this time, the sea had great waves and the wind blew violently.  There were many creatures and fish in the ocean.  The waves were quite high.  The ship was practically flying because of the wind.  The ship was deep into the sea.  The helmsman tried to steer the ship but it was hard to control.  The weather was so destructive that the ship went off-course and into a different direction.  The wind came from the unwanted direction.  As the ship became aimless, there was a small inhabited island that the ship came across and got stuck on to the beachhead (elevated part of the sandy beach).  The island was inhabited.  It was just a jungle with nothing.  The wind forced the ship to get stuck deeper in the sand.  The waves kept hitting the ship.  This made the bow of the ship to go up higher.  It was hard to take it into the water.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji got worried.  He and his men were deeply worried.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s men attempted for many days to set the ship free but they were unsuccessful.  They tried to dig the sand around and under the ship but the ship did not budge.  His men were very intelligent.  They used their intellect and skills.  He had about 400 armed men and 400 employees.  They all tried unsuccessfully.  The ship didn’t move.  The men were upset.  There was only one glimmer of hope for Bhai Makhan Shah ji.  He thought to himself: “only the Satguru can save me now.  Where no one can help you; just as the scary place of Jumms, only the Satguru can help the Jeev.”  The Sikh thought of the Guru.

Tired and hopeless, Bhai Makhan Shah ji strolled towards the water and washed his hands and feet.  He folded his hands and prayed in his heart to the “Jot form,” light, of the true Guru.  He stood and prayed: “Oh Prabhoo Satguru, you are the hope of the hopeless.  You are omniscient and omnipresent.  You know the troubles of all.  Just as King Dhrupad’s daughter (Draupati) was saved in the royal court, she only thought of you; you covered her honour.  You saved your servant in the middle of the court.  King Yudhister lost his wife and kingdom in gambling.  He lost because he didn’t think of you.  You didn’t come to his help for this reason.  For this, he was exiled to the forest.  When they did your Simran, you fulfilled your old promise of protecting your servants when they remembered you.  You came to their aide.  I am forever your servant.  Please help me and please help my ship out of this trouble.” 

Satguru Tegh Bahadhur ji, the Patient One, the Omniscient One, heard the Sikh’s Ardaas.  Guru ji was always in a single-state.  Only some knew Guru ji’s name.  Guru ji didn’t meet or speak to anyone.  He didn’t show his greatness.  He didn’t want anyone to know his powers.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s plea came from his heart and the True Guru heard his cry.  Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji had no wish to be praised for anything but this time, he knew that if he did not help Bhai Makhan Shah ji, the reputation of the House of the Guru would be affected.  If he would help Bhai Makhan Shah ji, the Sikh’s devotion would go deeper.  Guru ji came to Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s help at the blink of an eye.  Guru ji completed Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s task. 

Bhai Makhan Shah ji continued praying in his heart and decided that if his ship would move today, he would give a great donation of 500 golden coins to the Guru’s durbar.  His men had been trying for days with different tactics and various strategies.  Just as Bhai Makhan Shah ji was praying, his men got a second wind and pulled hard with a great grunt.  The ship was finally free!  The ship came into the water.  The men pushing was just an excuse.  It was the Guru who freed the ship.  The men rejoiced and patted themselves on the back.  They said: “we used all our strength and freed the ship!”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji heard this and thought to himself: “they had been trying for many days.  Nothing happened then.  They tried for many days and used all their strength and schemes.  When I prayed to my Satguru, I only had hope on the Satguru; the ship was freed.  Only I know the truth.  What would these fools know?  The blessing of the Guru did this.  The one who is ungrateful towards the Guru, he faces problems in both worlds.  The sins that happen in the world can be repented in front of the Sadhoo.  The sins can be washed away.  There is no solution for the ungrateful one though.  The pain of being ungrateful is felt for Kalapas.  That is for being ungrateful towards normal people.  If one is ungrateful towards the Guru, that suffering continues for 1,000 Kalapas.  That ungrateful person can’t be described.  The ones who cause damage to the Guru, they can’t be freed.  They are in trouble.  These men of mine don’t know the greatness of the Guru.  I know who really helped me.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji thought of all this and set sail.  The Satguru completed the task of the Sikh. The ship was back on track and soon enough, Bhai Makhan Shah ji reached his destination.  He reached the area of Gujarat and unloaded his merchandise.  After selling his merchandise, Bhai Makhan Shah ji had made a really big profit.  He was richer than before.  So rich that he hired more staff of a few hundred men who were armed and ran his day-to-day business.  The Sikhi in Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s heart became deeper.  He kept doing Simran of the Satguru.  He recited Gurbani.  He could no longer stay without seeing the Satguru.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s wish to see the true Guru was making him anxious.  He prepared a great number of gifts and headed towards Punjab with his men.  He was eagerly looking forward to seeing the Guru.  He did Simran of the Satnam.  It was a long journey.  He stayed the night and travelled the day.  He crossed Malva and saw the mountains and jungles.  He didn’t stop.  Ganga and Jumana are deep rivers.  He crossed them all.  He crossed the way and wished to see Guru ji.   He had brought his family along, as well as 500 men.  Hearing the glories of the Guru, every one in his family and crew were anxious to see the True Guru.  His wife and children all had faith.  They would set up camp at night.  The 500 men he had were armed.  They all travelled in a Vaheer.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji had a lot of money and gifts with him.  They set up camp at night and travelled during the day.  He soon came close to the place where Guru ji was.  He began to meet many Sikhs along the way and saw the love for Sikhi in their hearts.  He came to know that Guru Har Krishan ji had departed for Sach Khand and that the new Guru was in Bakala. 

11-4 Bhai Makhan Shah ji reaches Bakala

Bhai Makhan Shah ji, the great merchant, travelled towards Punjab.  He travelled the long way.  Along the way he came to know that Guru Harkrishan Sahib ji had left this world and went to Sach Khand.  He had also proclaimed that the next Guru, the light of Guru Nanak Dev ji. was in Bakala.  He also heard about the 22 Gurus sitting in Bakala, claiming to be the next Guru and receiving gifts from the Sikhs.  He thought to himself: “till the Sun does not come out, the stars remain twinkling in the night sky.  It seems as though the true Guru has not revealed himself yet.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji fell into doubt.  His mind was not at peace.  He said to himself: “I have made a lot of money in profits.  When my ship was stuck, Satguru ji helped me.  I decided that when I would see the true Guru, I would put the dasvand and the expensive gifts in front of the Guru.  I made a lot of money.  I want to give the true Guru the money.  How can I recognize the true Guru?  By not knowing who the true Guru is, how would I be able to give the dasvand?  Guru Har Krishan ji left this earth.  What is meant for the lion, how can I give it to the elephant?  How would I be rewarded?  Till the true Guru is not found, it is not right to give the money.  Where should I look to find the true Guru?  How will my wish be fulfilled?  Guru Har Krishan ji said that the Guru is in Bakala.  The Guru must be in Bakala then.  I should have faith on the Guru’s word.  The elders speak of this.  The Sikh without faith, will not be rewarded with Sikhi.  They won’t be rewarded for their work.  Faith is the root of Sikhi.  Without faith, Sikhi is destroyed.  Without roots there can’t be fruits.  Mukti is the fruit.  This is evident in the world.  With faith, the wisdom of the Guru can stay.  That person’s problems will be destroyed.  I should have faith in the Guru’s word.  The Guru is definitely in Bakala.  I will find the Guru.  I will tell the sangat when I find him.  If I return home without finding the Guru, my coming here would have been useless.  I will think of myself as unfortunate my whole life.  Guru ji will show himself.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji thought about this and prayed to Guru ji’s feet.  He had many doubts but he held his faith.  He travelled to Bakala and thought: “how will I see him?  If he hasn’t revealed himself, then he should reveal himself to me.  Other Sikhs are meeting the other Gurus staking claim.  The Sikhs are going back home without seeing the Guru.  I can’t do this.  I can’t meet the fake Gurus.  I won’t go home till I see the Guru.  I will find the Guru and then give him my gifts.  I will listen to the wisdom from his mouth.  I will think of making my life a success.”

Bhai Makhan Shah ji crossed the rivers Sutlej and Beas and set up camp near Bakala.  He set up a special place for all the gifts he brought.  He set up a Dhera in an open place.  Hearing about Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s arrival, the 22 Sodhi Gurus sent their Masands and messengers with rich foods.  The Masands were told to respect Bhai Makhan Shah and praise the Guru.  They invited Bhai Makhan Shah ji to come visit them.  The Masands would praise the Guru they were attached to and would give examples of why their Guru was the real one.  They would praise their own Guru: “only our Guru is the all-powerful One.  Our Guru is the true one.  The other Sodhis are spreading their own name without reason.”  They would say bad things about the others, saying they are the fake ones.  “Our Guru is real.”  The Sodhis all sent their own Masands to pull Bhai Makhan Shah ji towards them.  They slandered the other Gurus and praised their own.  All of the Gurus wanted to be worshiped.  Their eyes were on the money and gifts that Bhai Makhan Shah ji had brought.  They were filled with greed and were trying to convince Bhai Makhan Shah ji to come to their own camps.  They thought that If Bhai Makhan Shah ji would become their Sikh, their praise would spread to other lands. 

Dheermal’s Masands were very healthy and wore rich clothes.  They came to convince Bhai Makhan Shah ji about Dheermal.  Sheeha Masand (Dheermal’s top and most trusted Masand) came with Siropas, Prashaad and gifts.  He praised his Guru: “Dheermal is the true Guru.  It was his Ghaddi that came back to him.  He is the grandson of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji and the eldest son of Baba Gurditta ji.  Baba Dheermal is omnipotent and can do what he wishes.  These other Sodhis can’t compare to him.  His father, Baba Gurditta ji, was great and all-powerful.  He fulfilled everyone’s dreams and wishes.  One day he looked at a dead person and made him alive.  His father told him not to do that because it was interfering in God’s ways.  A long time passed after that.  Baba Gurditta ji would fulfill the wishes of the Sikhs.  He would give his Darshan to the Sikhs and bless them.  He had all of the virtues of the Guru.  He was eligible to be the Guru.  The Sikhs thought he would be the next Guru.  They prayed and had their wishes fulfilled from him.  He was the most eligible among the Sodhis.  His forehead was verry radiant with the Jot.  One day Baba Gurditta ji went hunting and saw a dead cow.  The cow was with a beautiful calf.  Baba Gurditta ji looked at the cow and told a Sikh to say Waheguru and splash water onto the dead cow.  He said to the Sikh: “the calf will die if the cow is not resurrected.”  The cow was alive again.  It got up and spoke.  All the Sikhs praised him.  When Guru Hargobind Sahib ji heard about this, he called his son and said: “this is not a good thing that you have done.  You have been told that before.  It looks like you don’t want to stay in this world.  You will continue to do this from now on then.  Birth and death are a part of this world and Akaal Purakh does not like this type of meddling.”  Upon hearing his Guru Pitha ji, Baba Gurditta did not speak a word and went to a place where he was alone.  He quietly left his body.  He obeyed his Satguru Pitha ji.  Till this day, people go to his place and do their ardaas.  Whoever does Ardaas there, Baba Gurditta ji fulfills their wishes.  That is how powerful he was.  Baba Gurditta ji had 2 sons, Baba Dheermal and Guru Har Rai Sahib ji.  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji thought about all this and did not give the Guru Ghaddi to any of his 4 sons.  He saw his grandson as the eligible heir and made Guru Har Rai ji the next Guru.  The grandson was great.  He had all of the virtues.  He was obedient towards the Guru.  Guru Har Rai Sahib was very devoted to the Guru.  One day, Guru Har Gobind ji was taking a walk in the garden.  Guru Har Rai ji was there too.  They walked in the garden with many colourful flowering plants.  Guru Hargobind ji sat in the garden.  Guru Har Rai ji came to his grandfather.  He ran to his grandfather.  The Chola he wore was really wide and made of a fine fabric.  On the path that Guru Har Rai ji ran, there was a beautiful flower that had just blossomed that very morning.  His Chola got caught on the flower and pulled it off.  The plant was without a flower.  He then came to his Pitamah.  Where the flower broke, Guru Hargobind ji passed it and saw the broken flower.  Guru ji asked: “there was a beautiful flower here.  Who broke it?”  The servants folded their hands and said: “it broke by Sri Har Rai ji’s chola getting caught.  His Chola is wide so it got pulled.  It wasn’t anyone else.”  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji heard this and stated: “if one is to wear heavy clothes, they should be more careful while walking.” From that day onwards, Guru Har Rai Sahib ji obeyed his grandfather and would carry the fall of his chola on his arm.  He wore a chola with 101 pleats that he would collect and rest on his arm as he would walk.  He obeyed his grandfather for the rest of his life.  He did this for the rest of his life.  He didn’t let his Chola free when he walked.  He obeyed his Guru in this way.  He took the weight of the Gurta Ghaddi for 17 years.   After Guru Har Rai Sahib ji, it was his son Gur Harkrishan Sahib ji who sat on the Gurta Ghaddi.  You already know about him.  After Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, the Ghaddi has come to the home of Dheermal ji.  Ram Rai ji was renounced from the Gurta Ghaddi.  He is not eligible.  Guru Har Rai ji and Guru Har Krishan ji have gone to Sach Khand.  Who else would be eligible besides Dheermal?  Guru Har Krishan ji has proclaimed that the Guru is in Bakala.  Oh Bhai Makhan Shah ji, tell us, who else would the true Guru be besides Baba Dheermal?  He even has the Guru Granth Sahib ji that was written by Guru Arjan Dev ji.  Whoever has the Guru Granth Sahib ji, that person should be the Guru.  That is who can fulfill all of the wishes.  Dheermal is the greatest.  He is the great Guru.  Dheermal comes from the family line of all the Gurus.  He father and grandfather were the Gurus.  His brother and nephew were the Gurus.  He is the Guru after all of them.  This is evident in the world.  Before this generation, nobody else can get the Gurta Ghaddi.  Think about all this.  See him as the Guru and worship him.  He is indeed the true Guru.”

11-5 Bhai Makhan Shah ji at Bakala

On the first day that Bhai Makhan Shah ji had arrived in Bakala, one by one, all of the Masands of the Sodhis came to Bhai Makhan Shah ji to convince him of their Guru being the real one.  The Masands praised their own Gurus.  The reason why they came was for greed.  They were caught in the waves of greed.  They wanted Bhai Makhan Shah ji’s money.

When night fell, Bhai Makhan Shah ji was in deep thought.  He thought to himself: “what should I do now?  These Masands are trying to pull me towards them.  They are greedy.  The true Guru is not like this.  The true Guru is the true provider.  He would never beg.  The true Guru gives us everything.  Why would the true Guru send his people to convince me to come to their camp?  They were practically begging me to come because of greed.  They made up so many praises.  They praised their own Guru and slandered the others.  It’s like the poor people running around for the Hoondi of the Shahukaar.  If the Guru’s money goes to the wrong person, that’s not good.  Guru ji saved me in the sea.  I became rich because of his blessings.  The Guru’s gifts should not go to the wrong place.  That would be really bad.  I know that these are all fake Gurus.  I can’t decide who is the real or the fake though.  I want to do the Darshan of the real one.  Then I will be happy.  How can I find the real Guru?  Who will fulfill my wish to take the money?  My coming here would only then be successful.  I want to see the Guru and give him the money.  I wish to bow to his feet.”  He kept thinking of all this as he was laying down on his bed.  He then thought to himself: “I will put 2 gold coins in front of all the Gurus.  This way, the true Guru would ask for the rest of the coins that I had promised to give in my heart.  I will find the true Guru this way.  Only he should be worshiped.  Only the true Guru will know about my ship getting caught in the sea.  This is the only way.  There is no other solution.  I will worship the true Guru’s feet.”  Making this decision, Bhai Makhan Shah ji had a feeling of hope.  He laid down on his bed and went to sleep.

The next day, he woke up early and took a bath.   He focused his attention on to the light of the True Guru.  He got dressed in new clothes.  He collected some gold coins, gathered some of his armed men and entered the town of Bakala.  He decided to go visit the place where Guru Granth Sahib ji was.  He went to Dheermal’s Dhera first.  He did Ardaas of 5 gold coins to Guru Granth Sahib ji and paid his respects.  He thought of the Satguru Master in his heart as he stood and did his Ardaas.  Next, he went to Baba Dheermal’s room and placed 2 gold coins in front of Baba Dheermal.  He sat down with his hands folded.  In his heart, he said a prayer, “oh true Satguru, if your supreme light is in front of me in the form I see right now (Baba Dheermal), please ask me for the rest of the coins I had promised to give you.  If you helped my ship, I am sitting here now.  You are the Omniscient One.  You know every heart.  Tell me that you know why I am here.  You assist everyone who remembers you.”  Bhai Makhan Shai ji kept saying this.  He kept thinking: “please show me once that you know me; so my faith becomes deeper.”  Baba Dheermal was a radiant and handsome person.  He was sitting on a big stage and was leaning on a big pillow.  The Chobdhaars were holding golden maces with diamonds and gems embedded in them.  They stood in front of Baba Dheermal.  There was a big fan (like the sun) fanning Dheermal.  Servants were waiving Chaurs (royal whisks) over Dheermal’s head.  Many Masands stood with their hands folded.  People were coming to do their prayers in front of Baba Dheermal with their hands folded.  Baba Dheermal was wearing expensive clothes with a beautiful Dastaar.  The Dastaar had a Kalgi Jigha on it.  Dheermal noticed Bhai Makhan Shah ji and spoke to him.  “You are a great Sikh of the Guru’s house.  You come with great gifts for the Guru.  All your wishes will be fulfilled.”  Dheermal gave him a very expensive Siropa.  The Mevra brought the Siropa and gave it to Bhai Makhan Shah ji.  Dheermal thought to himself: “this man is very rich and powerful, but he only gave 2 gold coins.  It is probably because he came to pay his respects for the first time and will eventually come back again.  He will give more money when he comes back.  Where else will he go?  He will stay here a few days.”  Dheermal inspired Bhai Makhan Shah ji with nice words.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji thought to himself: “if he is the true Guru, he should speak about the ship being saved.”  He kept thinking: “he calls himself the greatest of all the Sodhis.  He is the son of the Guru.  Many Sikhs from many lands are coming to him.  They are all bowing to his feet.  When Guru Har Rai ji was given the Ghaddi, to give him respect, the 6^th Guru gave Dheermal some Sikhs (rumours spread by Dheermal’s Masands) as a following.  They all call him their Guru.  When Guru ji was in the body, many people would follow him as the Guru.  They gave him their gifts and did their Bhagti.  Baba Dheermal enjoys a lot of wealth.  He didn’t talk about my ship though.  If he is truly that great, he should know of my situation.  The true Guru saved me in the ocean.  Why isn’t he asking me for the rest of my promised money?  The Guru completed my task.  If he is the Guru now, he should know the truth.  He is praising himself.  I don’t find it pleasing though.  He doesn’t know what is in my heart.  I don’t believe in him.  If he can’t hear me now, how would he have heard my prayers thousands of miles away from here to save me?  I doubt that he is the true Guru.  He has no radiance of the Guru on his face.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji was upset.  He was humbled as his wish was not fulfilled.  He folded his hands and said: “please give me leave.  I will come back.”  As Bhai Makhan Shah ji was getting up, Dheermal extended his hand and gave sweet Prashaad to Bhai Makhan Shah ji.  Baba Dheermal said: “may the Guru be by your side.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji bowed and left the Dhera. 

After visiting Dheermal, Bhai Makhan Shah ji visited the other Sodhi Gurus and placed 2 gold coins in front of each Guru.  He bowed to them all and sat with them for a while.  He did the same Ardaas in his heart with patience.  He had faith that the Guru was in Bakala.  He wanted the Gurus to talk about the incident in the ocean: “the Guru should ask for his money.  The one who has the power will ask for it.”  None of the Gurus asked for the rest of the money.  Nobody said: “I helped your ship.”  The fake Gurus all welcomed Bhai Makhan Shah ji.  The Masands would praise the Sodhi, making up fake stories.  The Sodhis would raise their hands in blessing ways.  They gave him Siropas.  They would all praise themselves but no one recalled the ship incident or asked for the gold coins that Bhai Makhan Shah ji had promised in his heart.  All the Gurus would say, “you are a great Sikh.  The Guru has given you a lot of money.  You follow Sikhi well.  Excellent!  You came to see us from a far distance.  You brought your whole family.  Excellent!”  The Gurus all praised Bhai Makhan Shah ji.  They tried to make him happy.  They would do the same traditions as the real Satgurus did.  They gave the wisdom of the Guru.  It’s as if the Lion of the jungle had hidden himself and the deer (or hyenas – in an alternative publication) have come out and proclaimed themselves as the king of the jungle.  The fake Gurus did the same tradition as the real Guru but they couldn’t fulfill the wishes of the Sikhs.  Only the lion can do the tasks of the lion.  The deer can never be the lion.  Bhai Makhan Shah ji continued his visits and placed 2 coins in front of all the Gurus.  None of these people could read his heart.  They were not omniscient.  Depressed and sad, Bhai Makhan Shah ji went back to his camp.  He was upset and stayed in his Dhera.  He thought to himself: “what should I do now?  How can I find the Guru?  I am unfortunate.  My trip was a waste.  As the Lion sits in the cave; the Sun is blocked by the fog; the King retreats to his Runvaas (where his queens live), that is how it feels that Guru Sahib is in solitude and not illuminating out in the open.  The Darshan of the Guru was not done.  I couldn’t give him the money.”  Bhai Makhan Shah ji thought about all this.  The second night was a tough one for Bhai Makhan Shah ji as he spent it in deep thought.