1-11 The Snake gives Shade/ Rai Bhullaar is content

Oh Guru that gives joy and destroys the problems; I bow to you with my hands folded.  Your feet destroy the root of attachment and cover the fanaticism as the stars are covered by the sun.  Your feet are cooling like the moon from the burning rays of the sun.  They destroy all of the obstacles.  They gave your servants prosperity.  My mind is like a bee on your lotus feet.  I am a sacrifice onto you.

Sri Bala Sandhur Vaach..

The master of the universe, the Satguru, was growing in a beautiful way like flowers blooming in Basant, spring.  Like leaves and trees look radiant, it looks like the army of spring is ready, it is like the separated are met again; the small leaves have shed, the red flowers are blooming; it looks like warriors are wearing red clothes and getting ready for battle; the cuckoos see the mangoes growing and sing songs of joy; it is like a wife that is mad, is now happy seeing the first signs of her husband; the bees hummed over the nectar in the flowers; it is like someone singing with a Veena in front of the King of Basant; it was like beautiful birds singing sweet songs; like Bhatts doing Keertan; like the cool wind giving a sweet fragrance; it was like an upset wife not being able to hold on to her anger; it was like the white, dark, red and yellow Kusuma flower was newly blossomed; the leaves were sprouting on the trees, looking like Kalgis; like the radiance of the forest growing, that is how Guru Nanak Dev ji’s state was, as he walked through everything. 

Guru ji was tending the cows in the month of Vaisakh.  The compassionate one would see green grass and take his cows there.  It was afternoon and the sun was very hot.  Guru ji was tired and felt a little lazy.  The cows sat down and rested.  Guru ji saw a tree that had a great shade.  Guru ji rested under the tree and wanted to sleep.  The wind was fragrant.  Guru ji, the one with the sweet speech, made a bed of leaves and laid down on it.  He took a sheet and put it on top of the leaves.  As sleep took over his body, Guru ji closed his eyes.  He was the destroyer of worries.  He slept for 2 hours.  The shadow of the tree moved as the sun moved to the west.  The sun began to shine on Guru ji’s face.  Perspiration came onto his face like droplets of water on a lotus flower; like Amrit falling from the moon.  Shaishnaag saw this and wanted to block the sun from shining on to the Parmeshwar’s face.  Shaishnaag took on a very milk-white body and came to Guru ji.  He came as a white cobra.  He saw the house of joy and bowed to him with love.  He did 3 Parkarmas of Guru ji and did his Darshan.  He positioned his head above Guru ji and spread his hood to block the sun.  He was white and pure like the water of the Ganga.  He stood proudly high and was radiant.  It looked like he had made his seat on the ocean, as he does with Vishnu.  He gave shade to Guru ji’s whole body.  Shaishnaag did not move.  He stood there for a long time.  He was in bliss to be in the company of the Parmeshwar. 

The Hakim of Talwandi, Rai Bhullaar was travelling from somewhere with his army.  He came to the place which was a fortunate time for him.  His good Karma came to fruition.  His soldiers and officers were on their horses.  Rai Bhullar saw the cobra but thought it was a white sheet that was hanging.  He wondered why the person was laying down away from the shade and blocking the sun with a white sheet.  As Rai Bhullaar came closer, he saw the tongue of the snake flickering and realised that it was a snake and not a white sheet.  He noticed the big size of the snake and the wide hood he had.  He saw the snake standing tall.  He thought the child had died, due the bite of the snake.  He thought to himself: “If the child is alive, it must be an Avatar whom the white snake is serving.”  He sent a servant closer to see better.  As the servant came closer, Shaishnaag went back to the realm of the Pataals, going into the ground.  Rai Bhullaar took his horse closer.  He was shocked.  The noise from the horse steps woke up the gem of the Bedis.  His eyes, like the petals of a lotus, opened slowly.  His eyelashes were like black bees on a lotus flower.  Rai Bhullaar, on top of his horse, came closer.  Guru ji, the destroyer of sin, saw the Rai and bowed his head.  Rai Bhullaar got off his horse right away.  In a state of amazement, Rai Bhullaar hugged Guru Nanak Dev ji with great enthusiasm.  He kissed his forehead and respected him.  He was really happy.  He became humble in front of Guru ji, recognizing him as an Avtar of the Prabhoo.  He was filled with love.  From that day on, his faith and devotion towards Guru ji began to grow.  He did not waiver from his faith.  He saw Guru ji as the same as Parmeshwar.  He stood in front of Guru ji with devotion.  Rai Bhullaar was filled with emotion and could not speak, knowing that Prabhoo was standing in front of him.  He then mounted his horse and went to his home. 

While sitting in his home, Rai Bhullar thought to himself: “he will destroy my bonds to this world.  When he grows up, I will plead with him to save me.  I will sing his praises.  The status that Jogis look for, I will get that.  My good karma has awakened.  Khuddah has taken on a body and come to my city.  Meeting him was a great reward.  The Vedas and Katebas cannot describe his glory.”  He sent a servant to call Pith Kalu ji.  When Pitha ji came, he respected him and had him sit close to him.  He said to him: “don’t see your son as your son.  He is the Avatar that has come to your home.  You are fortunate.  I don’t see anyone equal to you.  Give your son food, clothes and respect.  Don’t ever disrespect him.  Don’t speak harshly with him as a father would do.  Keep faith and devotion in him as you would towards Parmeshwar.”  Rai Bhullaar told Mehta Kalu ji the whole event regarding the snake: “the snake came to block the sun from his face.  It hid when it saw me.”  Pitha ji said: “very well.  We will see his miracles.”  After saying this, Mehta Kalu ji left, not having faith or devotion in Guru ji.  The attachment of Maya was strong for Mehta Kalu ji.  A person behaves as the influencer influences; like a musician playing the strings on their instrument.  The wooden doll has no fault.  Joy and sorrow are the same for it.  It dances as it is made to.  Guru Nanak Dev ji controls the Maya.  As he wishes, that is what happens. 

Pitha ji and Guru ji came home.  Pitha ji was happy with the tending to the cows of his son along with the praise that Rai Bhullaar did.  Seeing Guru ji’s eyes, Pitha ji gave him a lot of love.  Every home of Talwandi spoke of the praises of Guru ji.  Men and women said to each other: “the king saw the snake give shade to Guru ji.  He respected him and hugged him.  He called them to his home and praised them.  The son of Kalu is powerful.  He doesn’t show himself.  He stays hidden.”

The spring was spent in this way.  Guru ji tended the cows.  The summer came.  It was very hot, like a jealous person’s heart.  Hot winds were waiving.  Men and women were hot.  It was burning like harsh words from a fool; it was like the pain of being born and dying by a person who does not do Bhagti.  The sun’s rays were very hot.  The smaller life forms went towards the water.  The water in the ponds dried up and there was only mud.  It was like a lover hearing the slander of his love.  Dust-filled twisters were spinning like intellect without the Guru.  The deer kept running towards mirages.  This would make them anxious.  The mind felt the same way, running after the mirage of joy behind the worldly pleasures.  They would not be satiated nor find peace or stillness.  The birds and animals looked for shade under trees.  The whole world was filled with pain.  When a person would go to Satsangat, they would be at peace.  Cold water felt good; like finding the Guru, being fortunate and reading Bani.  Guru ji was spending his time through this summer.  He would tend the cows under the shades of the trees.  The children would play where there was shade.  Guru ji would stay in the jungle all day long.  He would come home at dark.  The dust from the cows moving would be on Guru ji.  It looked radiant like Paraag on the lotus. 

Mata ji would take her son into her lap and hug him.  She would clean his face and look at him.  She would speak to him with love: “oh son, don’t go to the jungle to tend the cows anymore.  Sun shines on your body too much.  You have become weak, tending the cows.  Stay in the neighbourhood and play with joy and enthusiasm.  You stay in the jungle all day long.  My eyes long to see you all day.  The servants will go to tend the cows.  Stay in the home from now on.”  She had her son sit next to her.  Mehta Kalu ji came all of a sudden.  Mata ji said to her husband: “we only have one son and you have him tending the cows.  He travels through the jungle all day long.  His lotus-like face has become weak.  Don’t send him to tend the cows anymore.  His body will become weak.”  Both parents thought about this.  Their love was such for their son.  They did not send Guru ji to tend the cows from that day.  They kept him home.  Guru ji was radiant in the world.  He was the ocean of joy.  He came to illuminate Bhagti.  His body grew in this way.

1-12 Planting the Field/ The Shadow of the Tree stays still

Sri Chandi is the destroyer of the sinners with strong arms.  Her radiance is unbearable.  I bow to the feet of Chandi Sarasvati who gives boons.

Sri Bala Sandhur Vaach..

Sri Guru Angad Dev ji, listen to the Katha of the destroyer of 3 illnesses.  The rains came and clouds could be seen in the sky.  The good fortune of the Jagyasos came to fruition, as the one who gives peace and joy to saints, came to Earth.  The black clouds climbed the sky like Kalika.  The lightening flashed and sounded like someone was clapping.  The rainbow (the bow of Inder) looked like an arched eyebrow.  The thundering of the clouds sounded like screams.  The demons and the snakes got scared.  The Devatas and the peacocks, on the other hand, enjoyed the sounds of the thundering clouds.  The sounds would make them happy.  The lightening flashed like a dancing sword.  The herons flying in a line looked beautiful.  The croaking frogs sounded like children reading in a school.  The juvasa flower would burn by the rain.  Its roots burn like sins burning by the name of Hari.  The small streams joined the rivers which flowed into the ocean.  The seekers of Moksha become Brahm without any pain.  The small ponds crossed their limits, like a fraud committing acts of cheating in the ego of Maya.  The flying dust disappeared because of the rain; just as the bad wisdom runs away upon meeting Satguru ji.  The travelers settled into their homes like the mind becoming still by doing Simran of Hari’s name.  The drama that the monsoons did, listen to the Katha with love.

One day, Mehta Kalu ji called his son and gave love to his son; who has the moon-like face.  He said: “son, you are now wiser and older.  Don’t go with the cows to the jungle anymore.  Farm our own land.  Take two strong bulls with you.  Take servants along with you to plow the field.  Take 1.25 Maunds of seeds.  Plant the seeds after plowing the fields.  Water the field after and take care of it.  Protect the field from deer and other animals.  Harvest the crops when they are ripe.  If you manage to get a lot of crops, I will hire two to four more workers.  Work in this way and the home will become unbreakable.”  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji heard his father, who was tangled with the desire of money.  Guru ji said: “listen Pitha ji, I will do as you say.”  Pitha ji had the seeds weighed and had it picked up by one of the workers.  He sent them Guru ji and the worker off. 

Guru ji and the worker went to the fields and began to plow them.  They ploughed the lines and then planted the seeds.  When it was evening, they both came home.  Mehta Kalu ji was really happy to see his son.  There was a lot of prosperity in the hands of Guru ji.  I can only say as much as I am capable of.  On the third day, the plants began to sprout and greenery could be seen.  It was as though the earth was happy to be ploughed by Guru ji.  When Mehta Kalu ji saw the field filled with greenery, he was really happy.  He said to himself: “my son will be a great farmer.  I will establish a village for him.  He will make money in many ways.”  He started to think about the future in this way.  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji thought in his mind: “the desire for money in my father’s mind is growing by the day.  This should be dealt with right now.  The situation of gathering money should be finished.”  Guru ji stood on guard of the fields but he wouldn’t stop any of the animals from coming in.  The animals fed on the plants and vegetables.  Donkeys, horses, cows, deer and other animals came to feed on the plants.  They ate with joy.  The crops and vegetables were all eaten up in a day or two.  Not one plant survived.  When Mehta Kalu ji came to see the field, he saw the flag of the Bedis, Guru ji, sitting by the fields.  He saw the animals roaming around in the fields and Guru ji was not stopping any of them.  Pitha ji was really angry and said really harsh words from his mouth: “I am looking at my bad karma.  You are a home-destroyer son!  You have been like this since a young age.  You lose the things and come home empty-handed.  You are of age to earn money now but you do bad things.  What work for a living will you do when I am gone?  You will leave your home and stay with the Fakirs.”  Mehta Kalu ji noticed that his son was not even a bit concerned.  He spoke even harsher words: “what benefit was there for me for you to be born?  It would have been better that I remained as is.  There are sons who earn a lot of money and then there are sons like you, who lose everything.”

Mehta Kalu ji then went to the village and came to the house of the Brahmin to yell at him.  He said in anger: “your Vedas and Puranas all lie.  To tell you the truth, they are backwards.  It’s either that or you don’t know how to read them.  Maybe you are just lying.  You praised my son and said that there will be Chatters (royal canopies) over his head.  He is losing the wealth we had.  He has ruined the planted field.  He had the animals eat from the field and didn’t stop them.  Since he has been born, he hasn’t done anything to earn money.  He lost the wealth that I had previously gathered.  For this reason, your words are false.”  The wise Brahman then spoke about how Guru ji is praised: “listen Kalu, you are not thinking straight.  You are always opposed to your good son.  I have told you many times: he has come for the good of the world.  He is here to save the world.  He understands the meanings of the Bhagwat Geeta without even reading one word of it.  He has given me Gyaan.  I have come to understand that he will save many people.  Whoever does the Simran, they will reach Brahmgyaan.  I see Vishnu inside of him.  He has many powers and virtues.”  Mehta Kalu ji heard this and came home angry.

After this incident, the master of the universe remained detached from everything.  Only some people recognized his powers and called him “the powerful one.”  Those were the ones who did his Sangat.  The people with bad wisdoms did not recognize him; that he was the giver of Moksha. 

There was a tree outside of the village where the “Root of the Universe,” Guru ji would sit under.  He spent time alone there.  He didn’t speak or meet with anyone.  He didn’t ask for anyone either.  One day, Guru ji sat under the shade of the tree.  When it was the afternoon, Guru ji felt sleepy.  The Compassionate One laid out a nice sheet and laid down on it.  Guru ji slept on it for about an hour and a half.  During his nap, Rai Bhullaar walked by.  He was surprised to see Guru ji sleeping under the tree.  He stood there without saying anything for a while.  He said to one of his men: “look how radiant this son of Mehta Kalu is.  He is full of glory.  The one with many powers and radiance is sleeping here.  The shadows of the other trees are gone but the shadow of the tree which he is sleeping under, is still there.  Undoubtedly, he is a powerful Avatar.  He hides his truth from everyone.  His radiance is like the fire within the ashes.  If there is a true seeker, that person can find the fire within the ashes.  Whoever serves him, they will not come into the cycle of birth and death.  I have seen his miracle before.  The snake was giving him shade with love.  The shadow of the tree is still.  This is the second miracle I am seeing.”  Both of them folded their hands and bowed their heads on to the ground to Guru ji.  They left with a deep faith and went towards the village.  Rai Bhullaar ji began to make his wisdom pure.  His doubt and delusion began to decrease by the day.  He went to his home and sat down with bliss.  Mehta Kalu ji had reached Rai Bhullaar ji’s home as well.  Rai Bhullaar ji had him sit with respect and spoke to him: “you are fortunate, Kalu.  Such a child has been born in your home that made you blessed.  You are still harsh-natured, though.  Don’t speak to your son with harshness.  It is because of him that my village has become pure and peaceful.  Don’t disrespect him, even by mistake.  Give him food and clothes with peace and respect.  I was born in a house of Turks.  He can’t live in my home, otherwise I would have kept him here with respect.  I would have served his feet and had my life blessed.  I have made a nice set of clothes for him.  Take them and have him wear them.  Whatever gift I give him, if he uses it, it would be a blessing for me.”  Hearing Rai Bhullaar ji speak in this way, who was drenched in love and devotion, Mehta Kalu ji, engrossed in Maya and attachment, folded his hands and spoke: “by your grace, I have everything in my home.  You have given me a lot of items and money.  I have no shortages.  I have wealth and things of need.  After all this, I still have a worry in my mind that keeps growing.  I think about this day and night.  You praise Nanak ji a lot but I don’t see such a wisdom in him.  Whatever work I have given him to do, nothing was solved.  He has only caused damages.  He has lost so many things of the home.  Now, he had the animals feed from the fields.  Since he has been born, he hasn’t earned even a little bit.  He is detached.  He has no love.  He leaves home and sits outside of the village.”  Rai Bhullar ji responded: “you don’t know him.  You haven’t recognized him.  Your mind is engrossed in the desire for money; so how would you recognize the treasure of virtues?”

Mehta Kalu ji had a conversation with Rai Bhullaar ji and came home quickly.  He started doing some of his personal tasks and never understood his son’s virtues.  Sri Satguru ji did tasks as the Karta Purakh, the doer.  Oh Santokh Singh, do the Simran of Guru Nanak Dev ji and forget about anyone else’s support. 

1-13 Wisdom Given to the Vaid (Doctor)

I bow to the feet of Sarasvati, whose eyes are beautiful, like the petals of a lotus flower; whose great wisdom keeps the thoughts flowing.  This flowing river has the great words as the waves. 

Sri Bala Sandhur Vaach..

The monsoons were spent in enjoyment.  The winter came.  The winter is beautiful like Sharda, whose body is like the moon.  The sky was like the blue clothes worn by Sharda.  The clouds looked radiant.  The stars looked like diamonds in the clothes.  The beautiful swans flew within them.  The hands are beautiful as the soft lotus flowers.  The white body is like moonlight which calms the heat form the bad wisdom.  It makes the good wisdom grow.  In every home, the Pittars (ancestors coming during Pitru Sharadha) came as guests.  The travellers went back to their homes.  Clothes were offered to Ganesh and Chandi.  The kings attacked their enemies in other lands.  The white clouds were without water, like strength gone from an old body; like smaller beings running away; like Gyanis without desires.

The giver of Moksha, the beautiful one, the house of joy; was always in bliss.  In the winter, he broke the bonds and went into himself.  He become detached from the world.  The flag of the Bedis would stay in solitude in his home.  The saints with wisdom would go listen to him.  Guru ji would go to the saints.  He wouldn’t sit with the unwise.  He did Katha of Nirankaar.  He spoke to the saints with love.  The Virakat Sadhoos discarded the bonds of the world.  They saw caste, creed, gender, and wealth as the same.  They loved coming to Guru ji and listening to him.  The ones who played with Guru ji in childhood, It was as though he didn’t recognize them.  He stayed with the Udaaseen Sadhoos, the ones who had broken the bonds of the world.  They would come to sit with Guru ji. 

Guru ji’s mother got worried.  She came to her son.  She said to him: “listen son, think about this: think about your own tasks.  Why do you sit with Fakirs?  Make an effort for the life of a householder.  If you don’t want to farm, then learn how to do a business.  Do what will be profitable.  Son, take care of the household expenses.  Earn money with effort and bring it home.  When some Kshatriya sees you, they will think that you earn a lot.  They will then marry their daughter with you.  You will be praised in the world.  At this time, when people see you, they see that you don’t have any interest to work.  They laugh at you.  They call you “useless.”  They tell us: “your son is useless and he doesn’t want to do any work.”  They see the lazy and poor as unwise.  Some say you don’t have the strength.  The family laughs and makes fun of you.  They say bad words that feel like rocks being flung at us.  They are jealous.  How can we tolerate that?  We are like a Beri tree that has a banana tree growing next to it.  Stop being in the company of Fakirs.  Meet your own relatives and sit with the wise.  As other people do their work, think about the reputation of your father and do your work.”  When Guru ji heard his mother speak, he didn’t take notice to anything.  He put a sheet over his face and laid down.  He didn’t say anything.  He was in the state of Bhagti.  The house of joy stayed in his home.  He didn’t speak or walk in attention.  He was always within himself, in pure bliss.  People thought he was sick as he didn’t eat with joy.  He stayed quiet. 

Mata ji would love him and give him good food with sweets.  She would say: “you have become weak.  Why don’t you speak about the pain of your body?  Your face is pale and your body parts are loose and weak.  You don’t speak to anyone with joy.  Why don’t you meet your friends?  You should spend time with them.  You stay alone all day and all night.  You don’t even eat properly.  Seems as though you may have a stomach disease.”  Mata ji kept talking about a disease and wished to call the Vaid (doctor).  She was thinking of Shiv ji in her mind and praying to Chandi and Ganesh.  She prayed: “please cure my son’s body.  I will offer you gifts which are right for you.”  She bowed by putting her head to the ground towards the Husband of Lakshmi (Vishnu).  She grabbed her son and said: “son, tell me your pain so I can find you a cure.  I will call the Vaid today.”  The master of the Bedis remained quiet.  He didn’t respond to his mother. 

The relatives all came to see how Guru ji was.  Guru ji did not like this.  Guru ji didn’t eat or drink.  He just kept staring into the distance.  The whole family was upset.  They couldn’t figure out the illness nor the cure.  Everyone said to Mehta Kalu ji: “your son is in pain for sure.  How are you walking around without any worry?  You have only one son, who is sick.  Call a Vaid and get him well.  Don’t be greedy for money.  If your son is better, he will be rich.  Your son has let go of all pleasures and joys.  How will he love money?”  Pitha Kalu ji listened to the relatives.  His younger brother, Chacha Lalu ji was standing next to him.  He sent him to call the Vaid.

Chacha Lalu ji went to the Vaid’s home and told him the problem.  The name of the Vaid was “Haridas ji.”  His good karma was coming to fruition as he headed towards the house of joy.  Guru ji had a sheet on top of his body.  When the Vaid arrived, Pitha Kalu ji said: “listen Vaid ji, grab his hand and see what illness he has.  He stays laying down all day as though he is lazy.  He doesn’t wish to eat or drink anything.  He has gone pale and his body has gone weak.  Find his illness and cure him.”  The wise Vaid heard this and sat beside the master.  He removed the sheet and grabbed Guru ji’s wrist to check his nerves.  When the Vaid grabbed the hand of the Destroyer of Pain, Guru ji got up to give the Vaid wisdom.  The one with lotus eyes, Giver of Joy, the breaker of bodily bonds, the giver of Mukti, pulled his hand away and said to the Vaid: “you held my hand.  What is in your heart?  Tell me.”  The Vaid heard this and said: “oh beautiful child, I was checking to see which illness you have.  I wanted to see if you had Pith, Vai or Kaph.  I want to see if you have mucus or a blood disease.  These things cause all the problems in the body.  I will see what the problem is and give you a medicine.  Take care of yourself and take the medicine I give.  You will be cured.  You will be happy then.  You will feel hungry then.  You will get stronger.”  Hearing the Vaid, the lotus body, house of joy said to him:

Sri Mukhvaak: Salok M: 1..

The Vaid was called to give a medicine, he grabbed the arm to locate the nerve..

The naïve Vaid doesn’t know that the pain is in the mind..1..

(SGGS 1279)

“Humans have been infected with ego since the beginning.  Everyone is in pain because of this.  Being born and dying within this world, nothing cures this illness.  If you are sick yourself, how do you see others as not sick?  The medicine that cures the ego and pride; makes the unending bliss live in your heart.  If someone cures this, the real illness, that is the best Vaid.  That person will be free from the cycle of birth and death.  They will be without pain, forever.  To get rid of this illness, if you wish to cure it, listen carefully oh Vaid.  I will say all this for you.”  When the Vaid heard this, he was surprised.  He realised that this type of skill is very rare to find.  He had heard about such people but today he was seeing one of them.  He realised that the person in front of him was the Miraculous Avatar.  He had figured this out.  The wise Vaid folded his hands and said: “I wish to hear your words. The desire to hear this cure has grown in my heart, like a branch on a tree.  Please be compassionate and tell me so that my mind can be at peace.”  The lotus body, full of love, spoke beautiful sweet words: “the growth of attachment and ego within the body is the root of all the illnesses.  See the Aatma as separate from the body.  Understand the difference between conscious and unconscious.  See the desireless one as separate and independent.  Destroy the doubt that you are the body.  This is what will destroy the ego.  The virtues, money and praise of others, if one cannot tolerate this, this is the fever.  Be friends with all, this is the medicine for jealousy.  The joy of meeting friends, you should have the same joy when meeting others.  To be proud of one’s virtues, money and praises; this is a big disease.  Ego is a big disease.  See the glory of Hari everywhere; stay humble; this is the Chooran (mixture of powdered herbs) medicine.  Doing Simran will make one hungry to be One with Hari.  Vices, desires and greed are the coughs that grow on a daily basis.  They never die out.  See the world and its items as a myth.  These spicy and salty things cause destruction.  Lust, anger and attachment are the Vai, Pith and Kaph; which have dehydrated the wisdom in life.  The words of the Satguru are the medicines with grinded copper.  Eating it on a daily bases makes all of the pain go away.  To slander others is the disease of vomiting.  To see oneself as the lowest, that is its cure.  These types of illness go away by taking in the dust of the Satguru’s feet.”  As the lotus body one spoke, the Vaid become still and devotional.  He realised that he met the true master of the mind.  He is the one who understands all of the illnesses.  The Vaid folded his hands and bowed.  He then said: “I was unwise and couldn’t recognize you.  I thought you were sick and so I sat down beside you.  Whatever you wish to do, do it.  This is all your drama.  You are the great being with all the treasures.  Your words have pierced my unwise self.  I am free of doubt now.  I am cured.  I know that this happened because I came to your sanctuary.  Please bless me and free me of all my illnesses.  Make all the illnesses of my mind go away.”  Sri Guru ji said: “do Satsangat.  Your illnesses of the mind will go away in a few days.”  The Vaid was in joy.  He humbly bowed again.  He understood the greatness of the destroyer of bad wisdom. 

The Vaid went to his home and began to sit in Satsangat.  He did Simran of the Prabhoo.  He became deserving of Mukti.  His doubts were destroyed.  In this way, Guru ji blessed the Vaid: “do Simran of Prabhoo and keep Prabhoo in your focus.”

1-14 Going for the Khuraa Sauda (the Best Deal)

Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji is the ocean of joy and peace.  I bow to him with my hands folded.  His compassion saves the biggest sinners and grants them Mukti in the end.  I have the support of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s compassion.  I don’t have great wisdom, nor the skill to write.  My wisdom is small.  I am not deserving of a Kodi (small monetary denomination) but I ask for a diamond.  As Guru Nanak Dev ji gives me wisdom and makes me talk, I write his Katha which gives peace and joy.  I don’t have the power to write, not even one stanza.  This Granth is being written by his blessing. 

Sri Bala Sandhur Vaach..

Sri Bala ji says: “listen Guru Angad Dev ji, the Katha of the Satguru, which is full of peace.  For many days, the Bedi Great stayed in his home.  He didn’t go out for walks or do any other tasks.  Sometimes Pitha Kalu ji would trust Guru ji and be happy.  Sometimes Maya would cause doubts in his heart.  He would think to himself: “he is a house of skill when it comes to speaking.  He doesn’t know any way to earn money though.  People hear his words and praise him.  They don’t know about the damage and loss of money he does.”

The cold season came.  Listen what happened in that season.  The lotus flowers disappeared from the ponds, like glory disappears by the company of bad people.  People stayed close to burning fires, like officers hovering around their king.  The sun was not hot anymore.  It’s like a king had become lazy.  Men and women shivered from the cold.  The deer in the jungle were bothered by the cold.  It was like a thief bothering the subjects because the king was too weak.  People slept with comforters at night to save themselves from the cold; like people making their troubles go away by the dust from the Guru’s feet.  The sun felt nice.  It was as though wise saints giving hope to people.  The wind and water were cold.  The poor were getting anxious.  As the people would be without the Satguru, the saints are engulfed by the vices.

Guru ji, the master of the universe; the provider of peace to saints, would stay laying down in the cold season.  He didn’t meet or speak with anyone.  The treasure of virtues remained in solitude.  Two months passed like this and then Guru ji began to walk around.  If he wanted to eat something, he would tell his mother.  When Mata ji noticed that he was requesting certain foods, she thought they he was now free from the illness she thought he had.  She gave donations to Brahmins in joy.  She got new clothes made for her son.  She kept looking at her son’s face and saw herself as fortunate. 

Guru ji began to meet with his relatives and friends.  He began to sit with them and speak to them.  He sat with his father as well.  Pitha Kalu ji was happy with this.  He was happy that he was meeting and accepting the social life. Guru ji roamed the streets of Nankana.  He met with people and enjoyed himself.  Guru ji was about 14 or 15 years old then.  He was very handsome.  Everyone was attracted to him.  When he spoke, it was like flowers showering from his mouth.  People would go still, hearing him.  His eyes were like lotus petals.  His pupils were like black stars.  His eyebrows were like Kamadeva’s bow; or like the curvature in the moon.  He walked slowly.  His compassionate sight destroyed pains.  He moved with his own will.  He didn’t do any work.  He was here to save the world.  He spent some time like this. 

One day, Baba Kalu ji was sitting in his home.  He called his son, Guru Nanak Dev ji to him.  He had him sit near him.  He was going to tell him to earn money again.  He wanted to teach him how to earn money.  He loved him but wanted him to earn as well.  He was worried about him, as he was growing up.  He said to him: “son Nanak, you are our only son.  There is no one else to take care of the home.  You have let go of the worldly ways.  You are like a Vairagi Sadhoo who doesn’t work.  A Ghristi can’t do that.  You don’t work all day long.  Take care of the work while I am alive.  I would be happy then.  I will be without worry from you.  When you were born, I was relieved that you will be my support.  I thought that you would glorify my name.  I want you to earn money.  This will give me praises from others.  Everyone will know that you are good at working.  Just as people see the moon and praise its moonlight, if Rahu comes and eclipses it; that’s how you have become.  You have ruined my reputation.  You don’t have the wisdom to do any business or farming.  We are Kshatriyas.  We work for a living.  We don’t beg.  I am tired of telling you this.  You have not earned anything.”  Guru ji listened to his father like a Rishi sitting in Samadhi.  Pitha ji spoke to Guru ji with anger.  He spoke harsh words for a about an hour and a half.  He then went quiet.  Another hour passed.  Pitha ji calmed down.  Guru ji then spoke valuable words.  He opened the lock of joy for Pitha ji: “Pitha ji, forgive my past deeds.  I won’t ruin anything anymore.  I will do as you wish.  I will do it with love, as you say.  Tell me what I need to do.”  Pitha ji heard the sweet and humble words and felt good.  He thought that Guru ji was now under his command.  He said: “I am your father.  I get mad at you for your own good.  I first sent you to the fields.  You tending the cows but ruined our crops.  I wanted to have you establish a new village.  You would have ruled.  The villagers would have worked.  That wish remained only in my mind.  Just as a handicap wanted to climb the mountain, that is how I felt.  What is done, is done.  Take 20 Rajitpuns and go to another place.  Find a good deal and buy some things to do business with.  Use your intelligence to see the best business.  If you do a good deal now, I will give you more money.  You can establish your trade like this.  You can keep your profit.  I won’t ask for it back.  I will give you more.  Do a business like this.  You can get rich.  Make your money grow.  People will call you a “good son.”  Take Bala, your friend, with you.  Take him to do a good business.” 

Bhai Bala ji continued: “oh destroyer of pain Guru Angad Dev ji, a servant was sent to my home.  I went with the servant to Guru Nanak Dev ji’s home.  I went where Baba Mehta Kalu ji and the giver of Mukti was sitting.  They had me sit down with respect.  Pithaji patted my back with love.  He thought of me as his own son as well.  Pitha ji said: “listen Bala, you are wise.  Go with Nanak ji and find a good deal.  Find a profitable deal.  Go and help him.  You keep the money that I give.”  He gave me 20 Rajitpuns after counting them.  I got ready to go with the giver of Mukti.  He was the dispeller of pain.  I never stayed away from him.  I put a nice cloth on my shoulder.  Pitha Kalu ji took the both of us to the end of the village to see us off.  He kissed Guru ji’s face and gave him instructions to be careful.  As we left, Pithaji kept looking at us.  Guru Nanak Dev ji walked slowly and carefree.  He spoke to me about Bhagti, Vairagya and Gyan.  He gave me a lot of wisdom. 

On the way, we passed many villages.  We continued slowly.  As we travelled, there was a jungle we reached.  It was really peaceful in the jungle.  Guru ji looked towards it.  There was a beautiful Ashram in the jungle, where Sadhoos were doing Tapasya.  They were doing many types of Yog Asanas.  Some had their arms raised in the air and some were hanging upside down from the trees.  Some were standing on one leg.  They had denounced the pleasures of the world and wished to receive the ultimate bliss of Akaal Purakh.  Some were sitting in the Sidh-asana and some were sitting in the Padam-asana.  Some only survived on water.  Some only survived on air.  They had white ash rubbed on their body.  They had dreadlocks.  Some were totally naked and some had bark wrapped around their body.  Some were sitting near the fire and some were sitting in the water, up to their necks, and doing Tapasya.  Some were doing Simran of Bhagavan.  Some were only standing and doing Tapasya.  Some did not speak for many years and were determined not to speak.  Some controlled their senses.  They did not wish for the pleasures of heaven.  Some sat and did the Katha of Hari.  Some listened.  They recited with love and listened carefully.  Among them was one Mahant.  He was the idol of Tapasya.  He wore a sheet of bark around his body.  He was sitting on deerskin.  His dreadlocks were huge, like a crown of a king.  He sat and did the Simran of Parmeshwar.  Guru ji stood at the entrance and said to me: “I have found a great deal!  I don’t wish to leave it.  If someone finds a diamond on the path, the wise person does not leave it to buy a crystal.  If someone finds Amrit, they should drink it, considering themselves fortunate.  Pitha ji commanded us to find the best deal.  There is no other deal better than this.  We can look around but nothing will be better than this.  Give them the 20 Rajitpuns.  They can buy food and clothes with it.”  I heard this and said, fearing Mehta Kalu ji: “your father gave this money to buy like a Baaniya (merchant/businessman).  He wanted you to earn money.  You know your father.  He is strict.  You are wise.  Think about this.  Don’t blame me for anything.  You and your father can figure this out.  I am your servant.  I don’t want to get in the middle of the conflict.  You can do as you please.  I will follow you.  When you played with other children, I never left your side.  Whatever you command, I will do with joy.  You are omniscient.  Do as you please.”  I said this and gave Guru ji the pouch filled with money. 

We walked towards the Ashram.  We bowed to the Mahant and sat down beside him.  It was like Ram Chander ji sitting with August Muni.  The Prabhoo, Guru Nanak Dev ji, spoke sweet words: “you stay naked all the time.  Do you not have clothes or do you not wish to wear them?  It is winter.  The cold bothers the body.  Rain and heat must bother you.  Do you eat food or do you stay hungry?  Just as you stay naked, do you choose not to eat?  You are very radiant.  Your body is very radiant.  You have rubbed ash all over your body and made it dirty.  You shine like a saint.  You are wise, that I can see.  Please answer my questions.”  The Rishikesh Mahant, who walked on the path to Mukti, spoke: “if one takes on the form of a Sadhoo, they should wear clothes of abstinence.  Let me tell you about the food, if we beg, that is against our tradition.  Only contentment looks good on the Singhasan.  That is our throne.  We are kings of ourselves.  We are in bliss.  Karma is our servant.  It serves us in many ways.  Tapasya is our army.  We fight and defeat the army of Attachment, the king.  His army is jealousy, anger, desire, pride, and greed.  The canopy of Truth hangs over our heads.  The enemy sees this and gets scared.  We have received the unending joy.  We don’t think about food or desires.”  Guru ji heard this and was very happy.  He folded his hands and said: “I wish to know your name.  You are great who has kept their Dharma.  You only desire the Ikankaar.  You reject Parvirti (the way of Ghristis) and take on Nirvirti (the way of saints).  You are wise.  You move like a saint.  You grow the vine of peace.”  The saint said: “oh wise child.  You seem to be the treasure of virtue.  I can see the radiance of Nirankaar inside of you.  You are young and without ego.  You desire the Satsangat of wise saints.  My name is “Santrain.”  My Guru ji gave me the Siropa of Poverty.  He named me.  Poverty gives glory.”  Guru Nanak Dev ji was happy to hear the saint’s name.  It was like an artist hearing a beautiful poem.  He said to me: “I can’t let this deal go.”  He put the pouch of money in front of the saint and said: “take this money and give your disciples food.  I understood your tradition.  You are a true saint.  You don’t beg for food; therefore, you are a king.  The one who gives you without asking, you only accept that and eat from that.  Sri Kartaar has sent this.  Take this money and eat food with joy.”  The Mahant said: “you are young and not independent.  You are born in a high-class family.  You are under the watch of your father.  You set off to look for some tasks.  You will go back home empty-handed.”  Guru ji said: “listen Sant ji, it is my father’s command to find the best deal.  I am following his command.  He told me to find work which gives the most profit.  What is better than this?”  The Mahant heard this and said: “if you are determined to give us food, take the money to some village and bring the grains and foods.  We don’t go to the market.  We will cook the food ourselves.”  Guru ji heard this and the both of us then went to the nearby village called Chuharkana (now known as Farookabad).  We bought flour for 5 Rajitpuns.  We bought fine rice as much as flour, also 5 Rajitpuns.  We bought ghee for 3 Rajitpuns; Sugar for 3 Rajitpuns; Milk for 3 Rajitpuns and we paid the cart-puller 1 Rajitpun.  We had the food loaded and taken to the Ashram.  We placed the stuff in front of the Saint.  We then said: “give us permission to cook the food.  The Sadhoos can then eat.”  The wise Mahant said to the master of the universe: “the saints will eat by themselves.  You can go back home now.”  Guru ji and I got up and went back towards our village.  Kavi Santokh Singh ji bows to the feet of Guru ji by folding his hands and placing his head on the ground. 

1-15 The Khuraa Sauda/ Baba Kalu and Rai Bhullaar

Sri Guru Angad Dev ji, whose shelter makes all of the pain go away; the giver of bliss and Mukti; I place my head on the ground and bow to him. 

Sri Bala Sandhur Vaach

When we left the saint and came back, the other saints were really happy and said: “this great child was young but his speech was good and full of Bhagti and Vairagya.  He came and showed you a lot of love.  He was compassionate, soft and generous.  When he brought all of the food and sat down, why did you tell him to go?”  Hearing his disciples, the great Mahant said: “he was the Param Purakh, giver of joy and bliss.  He was omnipotent, wise and the treasure of virtues.  He keeps himself hidden.  He doesn’t show anyone who he really is.  Nobody can know who he is.  I couldn’t tolerate his radiance, that’s why I gave him permission to leave.”  They all sat down and began to eat the delicious food.  The Sadhoos had been hungry for 7 days.  They made kheer with sugar, ghee and rice.  They were satiated.  They were happy and said: “we think that Kartar himself gave us this food.  We wonder if he has taken on a human form.  He came and gave us this great food.  We have been hungry for 7 days.  We are now satiated, eating this food.” 

Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji headed back to his village with me.  When we came half way, the destroyer of worries, Guru ji, started to go into deep thought.  He stopped and didn’t go any further.  The treasure of virtue looked worried and said to me: “what did we just do?  What will we say when we go home?  Pithaji will be really angry.  He will swear at the both of us and yell.”  I heard this and said: “well, I am not at fault for anything.  I tried stopping you.  You did this bad thing on purpose.  You are now worried but you will have to take what comes your way.  You will need to fix this.  I am not worried a bit because you’re the one who spent your own money.  Secondly, I’m not wiser than you.  We are the same age but I follow your command.  Your father sent me as your servant.  That’s why I’m not at fault.  Only you know what’s bad and good.”  As we spoke and discussed, we came to Talwandi.  I went home, but Guru ji did not enter the village.  There was dried up pool nearby.  Guru ji sat by the pool.  When Mehta Kalu ji found out that I was back home, he got worried.  He sent a servant to call me.  I went to him.  He looked at me with anger and said: “where is the money?  Where is Nanak?  Why did you live him behind?  Did you not do any business?  Why did you go home without informing me?  In which village did you leave him?  If he was upset, why didn’t you bring him home?”  I heard this and told him the whole story: “there were some Fakirs in a jungle.  We walked and he sat beside them.  He talked to them for a bit and then gave them all the money for food.  He said: “Pitha ji wanted me to find a good deal.  This is a great deal.  I’m doing what he said to do.”  He gave them all of the money.  We then came home.  He’s probably hiding somewhere in the village, thinking that you will be really mad.  He didn’t come home for that reason.”  Hearing this did not calm his anger down.  Instead, it was like ghee to the fire.  He said to me: “show me where he is and come with me!” 

Speaking harsh words, Mehta Kalu ji and I went to where Guru ji was sitting.  When Mata ji found out about the money and that Pitha ji was mad and looking for Guru ji, she sent her daughter, Bebe Nanaki ji.  Mata ji got worried when she heard that Pitha ji was angry.  She sent servants and maids.  Other people gathered as well.  They all saw the dry pool, where the compassionate one was sitting.  Baba Kalu ji saw Guru ji and spoke really harsh words.  He held him by the arm and asked in anger: “where is the money?  You home destroyer!  What business and deal did you do?  You were born in my house and mixed my name into the dust.”  The lotus-faced one remained quiet.  His father talked to him but Guru ji didn’t say anything.  Baba Kalu ji spoke louder and with more anger.  He then slapped Guru ji on the left cheek, with his right hand, really hard.  With his left hand, he slapped Guru ji on his right cheek, just under the temple.  He slapped him really hard.  Tears flowed from Guru Nanak Dev ji’s eyes.  It was like he felt the pain.  It looked like two fish spitting out water.  His eyes looked like two lotus flowers in the water.  They were very radiant.  The tears looked like bright pearls.  The marks on his cheeks looked like bees sitting on the lotus.  His face looked like the moon without the craters, but with the shadow of the deer.  Bebe Nanaki ji came right away and grabbed Pith Kalu ji’s hand.  The other people that were there also stopped Baba Kalu ji and tried talking to him.  Bebe Nanaki ji took her brother and wiped his face with love.  She spoke to him with sweet words and gave him hope.  She slowly took him to the village. 

Mata ji saw the tears and was filled with love for her son.  She saw the tears and the love did not stop flowing in her heart.  She hugged him and began to cry herself.  Guru ji’s shirt got wet from Mataji’s tears.  She saw her son’s body and wiped him down.  She cried and said: “son, don’t do any work form now on.  Walk around the village as you please.  If you don’t do any work, nothing will be spoiled.  There will be no fights either.  Prabhoo has given us all the joys in our home.  Stay in your own joy.” 

The people that were looking on, quickly went to Rai Bhullar, where his court was in session.  They told him everything: “20 Rajitpuns were given to Guru Nanak Dev ji.  He, instead of doing a business, gave it to saints.  He is very compassionate and sweet.  He couldn’t see the saints hungry and without clothes.  Kalu slapped him very hard and scolded him very sternly.  He did not hold back and gave him pain.”  Rai Bhullaar ji heard this.  Rai Bhullaar ji had a deep love for Guru Nanak Dev ji.  His heart became drenched in love.  He called a servant and said: “go and bring the lotus-eyed one to my home.  Bring Kalu, who does not fear Hari, as well.”  After saying this, he became very angry.  His lips quivered and he felt a deep pain in his heart.  He took deep breaths and thought to himself: “I made a big mistake.  The one who is omnipotent, infinite, compassionate and benevolent; he was disrespected.  This is all my fault.”  He was upset and got angrier by the second. 

The servant brought Guru Nanak Dev ji to the home of Rai Bhullaar.  Rai Bhullaar ji saw Guru Nanak Dev ji and began to cry.  He saw the omnipotent one and a fountain of tears flowed from his eyes.  His tears fell to the ground.  He got up right away and hugged Guru Nanak Dev ji.  The tears continued to flow.  He made Guru Nanak Dev ji’s clothes wet.  Rai Bhullaar ji tried to speak but he was too overwhelmed with emotion.  His mind was drenched in love.  The ones that were nearby, all deemed Baba Kalu ji as too strict.  They were not happy with what he did to Guru Nanak Dev ji.  Rai Bhullaar saw the marks on Guru Nanak Dev ji’s cheeks and got angry.  He spoke harshly: “Kalu!  You are an angry person who has no compassion.  You are too strict.  You didn’t listen to a single word I have said.  You are without love, hot-headed and full of bad ways.  You don’t understand the spiritual world.  Your greed for money grows by the day.  You don’t see your calm son’s glory.  You are forgetting the way of humility and looking for joy in this world.  You don’t see the truth.  This son of yours doesn’t deserve to be living in your home.  Your ways are not the ways of the Kshatriyas.  It is like the Kalapbrish grew in the dessert; like pearls among peanuts.  I have seen your bad ways.  The ways of the Ishwar cannot be known.”  Baba Kalu ji was embarrassed in the court.  He said to Rai Bhullaar: “you are getting mad at me but think for yourself of who is really guilty.  I gave him money to do a business but he spent it on Fakirs.  He then hid outside the village and didn’t come home to answer my questions.  Bala told me the truth.  He told me of the dry pool that he was sitting in.  Since he was born and gained awareness, he has only ruined the house.”  Rai Bhullaar heard this and said: “your heart is stone.  You are determined to slander your son.  You don’t love your son, nor are you afraid of the Lord.  You do not understand spirituality, not even a little bit.  Greed has taken over your mind, which is void of devotion.  You don’t have the wisdom to understand greatness.  You are forgetting the Paras (philosopher’s stone) of your home within your heart and looking for a bunch of Kodis (low monetary denomination).  You are like a fool who got a diamond but still lives like a poor person.  How will you be happy?  Sri Nanak ji has been born in a Hindu home.  I was born as a Muslim.  I would love to keep the lotus-feet one in my home but it is not practical, given our ways in society are different.  Kalu, you are greedy for money.  You can take money for his expense from me.”  Rai Bhullaar ji sent a servant to the Khokhar queen’s home.  He brought 20 Rajitpuns and gave it to Rai Bhullaar ji.  He was about to give the money to Baba Kalu ji but he felt embarrassed and said: “there is no way I can take this money.  He always ruins things.  How will he run his home after me?  Think about this.  The money you are trying to give me now, who gave him all of the joys before?  I have everything because of your greatness.  You don’t let poverty come near me.”  Rai Bhullaar ji said: “take this now and after whatever expenses are, living and spending, of Guru Nanak Dev ji, take them from me as well.  You don’t know the greatness of your son.  The greed for money has clenched your mind.  You think earning money is what gives you joy.  You think your son is useless for following the righteous path.  The world and the Bhagat do not connect.  One wishes to acquire wealth and the other wishes to gain Mukti.  Whatever money you think your son has lost, take it all from me.”  Rai Bhullaar ji tried giving Baba Kalu ji the money, but he kept refusing it.  They went back and forth for a while.  The vizier then said: “Sire, if I may have permission, I wish to speak.  Kalu ji, you shouldn’t keep saying no.  You should obey the elders without thinking.  Don’t scold the lotus-eyed one.  Your son is here to guide humanity away from the bad ways.”  The wise Rai Bhullaar ji kept insisting and put the money in Baba Kalu ji’s hands.  Baba Kalu ji went home, upset.  He was embarrassed and depressed as he sat in his home. 

The people of Talwandi heard about this incident and talked bad about Baba Kalu ji: “he first slapped his son, without merci, and then he came home with the Raja’s money.”  People talked about the two things, of how bad they were.  Baba Kalu ji heard everyone talking bad about him around the town.  He started to remain quiet.  He stopped speaking to anyone.  He was always upset.  He thought of something to himself: “my life is damned.  It’s better to die than to hear all these things.  My reputation is ruined.”

Baba Kalu ji brought the money and came back to Rai Bhullar ji’s home.  He said to him: “Raja ji, take your money back.  People are talking bad about me in the town.”  The Raja let go of his anger and said: “think of it as a loan from the lotus-eyed one.  Take the money and don’t get mad at Sri Nanak ji again.”  Baba Kalu ji said: “since my son has been born, he hasn’t earned a Kodi.  How can this be a loan from him?  If he earns money, then what other problem would there be?”  Rai Bhullaar ji then said: “listen Kalu, you are not in your senses.  All of the money and wealth that you see in the world, it is all controlled by Sri Nanak ji.  It stays in his control, like a Pativrata woman obeys were husband.  All of the wealth, horses, elephants, chariots and palanquins; all of the honour and greatness that I have, I received all this by the compassion and blessings of the lotus-eyed one.”  In this way, Rai Bhullaar ji spoke to Baba Kalu ji.  He was in devotion and trying to make love and faith arise in Baba Kalu ji’s heart. 

His face is like the moon; his body is like Kamadeva’s body.  He destroys sins and makes the pains go away.  He gives bliss to the Bhagats.  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji went and did as he pleased in the village.