2-1 Manglacharan/ The Pathaan Employees

Ik Oankaar Satgur Prasaad.

Sri Vahiguru ji ki Fateh.

I meditate on Guru Nanak Dev ji and Guru Angad Dev ji.  I do Simran of Guru Amardas ji and Guru Ramdas ji, the giver of bliss.  I meditate on Guru Arjan Dev ji and Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  Guru Har Rai Ji destroys all obstacles.  Meditating on Guru Har Krishan ji and Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji, I do Simran of Sri Guru Govind Singh ji who gives peace.  My mind is like a bee encircling the feet of the Gurus.  I wish to get Brahmgyaan from the Gurus and bow to them just as the bee wishes to extract the sweetness from the flower.

The Second Rut start.

Sarsvati Devi is whiter than winter clouds.  Naarad, mercury and the martbhaan flower are white but not whiter than Sarasvati.  I bow to Sharda (Shar=greatness, da=giver) at her feet and begin the Second Rut.  The history of the Guru will be said with great love.  Whoever listens to this, will achieve unlimited bliss.  Listen oh listeners, listen with love.  Your faith will grow.

Peer Buddhu Shah ji went to his home in Sadhora, after a few days.  In the village of Daamala, there were homes of some Pathaans.  The Pathaans were employees of the Emperor’s army.  They worked in the army and raised their families.  These particular Pathaans were against the Emperor and were fired.  There were 500 of them, living in Daamala.  The Emperor sent a command to all Soobas and senior officers that: “these 500 Pathaans are not be given a job as they have been fired by the Emperor.  They are criminals of the Emperor.  Whoever gives them a job, they will be punished by the crown.”  The Pathaans had no other way of earning a living.  They were worried.  They went to many other Navaabs and Soobas for a job, but it was useless.  Jobless, they reached Sadhora.  They camped nearby and went to Peer Buddhu Shah.  They met the Peer and presented some money as they bowed.  They sat down close to the Peer.  Peer ji asked them: “from where have you come from?  Why are you here?”  The Pathaans told Peer ji: “we have come to you because we are without work and food.  Nobody gives us jobs because we were fired by the Emperor.  We are now going back home because nobody gives us a job.  We need somebody who is not afraid of Aurangzeb.  Only that person would keep us.  There is no warrior in this world that can be fearless and give us a job.  We are soldiers, we only know how to fight.  We are unemployed.  We will farm in the villages but we do not have much fields or wealth.  All that we had saved, was spent on food.  If you can please help us, we would be grateful.”  Peer Buddhu Shah heard their plea and thought to himself: “there is only one, Sri Kalgidhar, that can keep these Pathaans.”  Peer ji said to the Pathaans: “listen Khans, there is no one that doesn’t fear the Emperor.  But, there is one such person.  The person who sits on the throne of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  He fears none.  Only the Guru can keep you in his protection.  If you wish to be employed by him, I can make a request to him.  There is no other way.  Only Guru Gobind Singh ji is the fearless one.  He is gathering an army.  He keeps the best young men in his army.  I spent a few days with him in Paonta Sahib.  He does not discriminate between religions and hates none.  Any one who comes, has their wishes fulfilled.”  Out of the Pathaans, one of the leaders, Bheekhan Khan, spoke: “Peer ji, we follow you.  If you can get these 500 Pathaans a job, you will save their families.  You will be rewarded by Allah and we will forever be grateful to you.  The Quran says that whoever helps a hungry person, they are rewarded well.  Please help us get us jobs.  Please do this for us.  Please come with us to Paonta and give us a reference.  500 households will get food.  We have no other way and we are desperate.”  Two other leaders: Kaalay Khan and Hayaat Khan spoke: “Peer ji, only you can help us now.  Please help us get jobs.  Otherwise, we will have to sell our weapons and horses.  If our horses and weapons are sold, we will be ruined.  We won’t be able to become soldiers again.  We will become slaves.  The Guru will not refuse your plea.  We are your servants.”  They begged Peer ji to help them.  Buddhu Shah felt sorry for them and said: “okay.  I will go with you and give you a reference.  Be loyal to him for the rest of your lives.”  They all rested the night at Sadhora.

In the morning, they all got ready and headed to Paonta Sahib, on top of their horses.  The 500 Pathaans were mounted as well.  On the way, they spent a night and then headed again the next day.  They reached Paonta Sahib and camped there.  In the morning, they saw that Keertan was happening, the Ranjit Nagara was being played and the soldiers were massaging their horses.  Peer Buddhu Shah sent a person to send Guru ji a message that: “the Peer is here with 500 Pathaans for the army.  The Peer is here to give a reference.”  At night, they rested.  In the morning, the Pathaans were happy that they were going to get a job.  As Guru ji’s court was in session, Peer ji went to Guru ji and bowed.  Guru ji asked him how he was.  Peer ji said: “Guru ji, I am well, with your blessing.  I have brought 500 Pathaans (pointing to them outside of the court) for employment in your army.  The Sardaar is Kaalay Khan.  Pathaans are known to be great warriors.  They face the enemy with their chests wide open.  Their families and generations are known to be fighters.  They live amongst weapons.”  Guru ji then said: “ask the Khans to come inside.”  All of the Pathaans came on top of their horses.  The four leaders were Bheekhan Khan, Kaalay Khan, Nijaabhat Khan and Hayaat Khan.  The 500 soldiers were mounted on their horses as well.  Guru Sahib wanted to see their military readiness.  Guru ji asked Nand Chand: “enlist these soldiers, Nand Chand.  Each mounted soldier is to be paid 1 Rajitpun and the leaders are to be paid 5 Rajitpuns.”  All of the Pathaans were very happy and said: “Dhan Guru Gobind Singh ji.”  Peer Buddhu Shah had helped the Pathaans who were wandering around trying to get a job.  Devan ji brought his notebook and enlisted all the soldiers.  He called the soldiers individually.  Where the flow of the Jamuna is strong, their camps were set up as a separate regiment.  Buddhu Shah was given great respect by Guru ji and given a Siropa.  Peer Buddhu Shah was happy that Guru ji accepted his plea.  He stayed with Guru ji for about 4 days and returned to Sadhora.

Peer Buddhu Shah and all the Pathaans would sing the praises of Guru ji for being so fearless and generous.  Guru ji helped the Pathaans live a respectful life.  Satguru ji would go hunting everyday at the playing of the Nagara.  He would kill lions and bears.  The wild bores and cheetahs were all killed and no longer bothering the villagers and mountain dwellers. The jungles were cleared of the dangerous animals and the cows and bulls were now free to roam without fear.  In the radius of 80 km, everyone lived without fear.  Guru ji would hunt everywhere.  The people would say: “Guru ji has brought life into this area.  This place is blessed because of Guru ji.”  Guru ji would go into open fields and inspect the whole army.  He would teach them archery, shooting and spear throwing.  He would have them fight each other too, for practise.  Mammaji and Sango Shah ji would train the soldiers.  The Pathaans would ride their horses and do target practice.  They were good fighters and so were the Sikhs of the Guru.  They would throw spears from far, learning from Guru ji.  Guru ji would show them how to draw arrows with strength.  They would practice for 7 hours a day.  Guru ji would watch as well as practice.  Guru ji would spin munglees (heavy clubs for muscle building) for hours on end.  Guru ji’s body was as strong as iron.  Everyone would be paid by Guru ji.  Some would take money; some would take food instead.  Some would say not want anything and only ate Langar.  Guru ji’s army and wealth grew by the day.  The Sangat would bring money and gifts everyday.  The treasuries were always full.  Sometimes Guru ji would go hunting and sometimes the army went on their own.  They would hunt as much as they wanted.  The sounds of the guns would be heard all the time.  Guru ji’s radiance would grow.

The Pahari Rajas were worried seeing Guru ji and said: “we hope the Guru doesn’t take our kingdom from us.  He is a powerful warrior.  If he likes any of our kingdoms, he can attack at any time.  We won’t be able to face him.  He is too strong.  He will defeat us without delay.  There is nobody more courageous and fearless them him.  We will either die in a battle against him or run away in fear.”  Their minds were not at rest, seeing the Guru’s strict practice regime.  Guru ji’s army was growing by the day.  His radiance and power were growing.  The Rajas were thinking in this way. 

2-2 Ram Rai’s Masand

Sri Satguru Gobind Singh ji’s wealth and power grew on a daily basis.  The army grew as well, which made the Pahari Rajas afraid.  Sri Ram Rai ji heard Guru ji’s praises that: Guru ji’s power was growing on a daily basis.  Baba Ram Rai ji had love in his heart now and wanted to see Guru ji.  He wanted to speak to Guru ji.  He thought for many days.  He wanted to meet him but was afraid of what people would say.  He didn’t want to go to Paonta Sahib because it would make him look inferior.  His own Sikhs, who called him the Guru, would have doubts about him.  He knew that Guru Gobind Singh ji was the real Guru, greater in power and status.  Ram Rai was his nephew.  He thought to himself: “I couldn’t take the throne from my father and it went to my younger brother.  The Guru Ghaddi went from Guru Har Krishan Sahib ji to Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  Everyone knows this but I still have a status.  Thousands of people call me Guru and have faith in me.  They see my miracles and powers and believe I am the Guru.  I can’t go to Guru Gobind Singh ji.  If I go to Paonta Sahib, people will call me the lower one.  The Sikh Sangat that follows me, they will be in doubt.  It is better if we meet somewhere in the middle.  I can leave from here and Guru ji can leave from Paonta and we can meet.  Both of us will be okay then.  If we meet at another location, we will both be good.”  He thought like this for a while and told his closest Masands.  He sent him to Paonta Sahib with a message and a lot of gifts for Guru ji.  He sent clothes and jewellery with the Masand.  He instructed him well to speak to Guru ji, secretly.

The Masand reached Paonta Sahib, about 40 km away.  When the Masand saw Paonta Sahib, he saw a great crowd.  He saw horses upon horses and a lot of weapon-carrying soldiers.  He saw Sikhs, Pathaans and Udaasi Saints.  He was shocked to see so many people and so much wealth.  The Masand told the guards: “please tell Guru ji that Ram Rai’s Masand is here.”  Sri Kalgidhar ji heard and said: “get him to stay the night and give him food.  I will see him tomorrow.”  Guru ji told Devan Nand Chand: “please receive the Masand and give him a room and serve him well.”  Devan Ji prepared a room and gave him food and feed for his horse.  He rested the night and waited for the Guru’s court.

The next day, Guru ji’s court was in session.  The Sangat came with clothes, horses and weapons.  The Mevra would do the Ardaas from the Sangat coming from different places.  The warriors were in the court sitting together.  The five brothers were standing around Guru ji.  They were tall and wide like their maternal grandfather.  Mammaji Kirpal Chand ji was sitting down.  Guru ji would look towards the Sangat and destroy their pains and problems just by looking at them.  Devan Nand Chand bowed and said: “Guru ji, the Masand of Ram Rai ji is here.  What is your wish?  He would like to meet you.”  Guru ji said: “yes call him.”  The Chobdhaar was sent to call the Masand.  The Chobdhaar brought the Masand. 

The Masand came to the Darbar with all the gifts he brought.  He saw the Darbar and wondered if he was in heaven.  It was better than what he had heard.  He saw the golden canopy and the Singhasan with Guru ji sitting on it, it looked like Inder was sitting in heaven.  He bowed to Guru ji’s feet and sat down.  He saw Guru ji and was in bliss.  Guru ji asked him how he was.  The Masand said: “Guru ji, Baba Ram Rai ji has sent me to you to tell you that he wishes to see you.  He hears your praises and wants to meet you.  He has some personal reasons for not coming to Paonta.  He wishes to meet you in private at a different location.  He thinks about some reasons and didn’t tell me why he can’t come but he really wants to meet you.  He can’t come here.  He found out that you come to hunt near Dehradun.  If you would let us know when you will go for a hunt in that area, we would come from there too and set up a meeting place.  Whatever he wants to speak to you about in private, it can happen there.  He doesn’t want to stay overnight and wishes that you bring only a few people.  Baba ji will bring a few people too.  He doesn’t want people to know that you two will meet.  He wishes that you only bring your most trusted Sikhs.  He wishes to meet in private.”  The Masand said this to Guru ji, up close to Guru ji’s ear.  Guru ji heard and Mammaji heard, nobody else.  Mammaji said: “why does Baba ji want to keep it a secret?  The Guru’s house is all one.  It is the family of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  Kalgidhar ji is on the throne.  The whole world knows that Guru ji is the real Guru.  The Bedis, Trehans, and Bhallas have accepted this fact as well.  Except for Dheermal, all the Sodhis brought Dastaars as well.  The family of Baba Bhudda ji has given Guru ji the Guru’s Tilak.  Guru Gobind Singh ji is the true Guru.  He has the power of Akaal Purakh.  Everyone in the Gurus’ families have accepted this.  There is no point to doubt this.  The best thing would be is: to come to Paonta Sahib and stay a few days.  It would be a memorable experience, full of bliss and peace.  This is his home as well.  All the descendants of the Gurus are respected highly here.  He will be respected greatly.  The whole world knows how great Baba Ram Rai is.  He showed the greatest miracles.  The whole world bows to Baba Ram Rai.  He will be treated with great respect.  Sangat from other lands respect him.  Baba Ram Rai showed the Umraavs of Aurangzeb of how great the Guru’s house is.  He will be treated as a hero.  In the court of the Mughal Emperor, he won many scholars and Maulanas.  His glory is growing.  Meeting the Guru will not lower his status.  Don’t keep this doubt.”  The Masand then responded: “Mammaji, he thought really hard before he sent me.  He won’t tell me but he can’t come here.  He wishes to meet during Guru ji’s hunts.  You hunt everyday, we can meet there.  This is our request.  Please fulfill our wish.  You are greater than us.  We just request one meeting.”  Guru ji then spoke: “ok.  I will do as Baba Ram Rai wishes.  The Jamuna’s waters are dark and beautiful.  Tell Baba ji to come to the Jamuna’s shores.  We will meet next Sunday the Dooj Thithi and we will meet in a boat.  I will come from the opposite shore.”  Guru ji said to Mammaji: “the Sangat of Ram Rai is corrupt.  They are without the true Guru’s wisdom and are thick-skulled and hard-headed.  The Masands are not afraid.  They are egotistical and are after the money.  Baba Ram Rai is afraid of them.  That is the reason why he doesn’t want to come here.  His Masands will cause him problems if he comes here.  I have sensed what is the truth.  Baba Ram Rai’s future will be bad because of the Masands.  Just like a king’s officers become too powerful, they kill the king.  If the king’s army rebels, they can kill the king.”  Guru ji told the Masand: “tell Baba ji to keep a close watch.  Stay alert.  Come to the Jamuna.  I will come in a boat on Sunday.  We will meet there.”  The Masand was happy and said: “thank you very much.  We will come for sure.  You accepted our request.  I will leave right away.  Please let me leave.”  Guru ji gave the Masand a Siropa.  The Masand bowed to Guru ji and left on his horse.

The Masand came back to Dehradun and said to Baba Ram Rai: “we are to meet in the Jamuna on Sunday.  We are to take less people.  Guru ji will come for a hunt with his trusted people.  We will then have a meeting as you wish.  He accepted your wish.  I talked very discretely and cleverly so you can meet this Sunday.”  Baba Ram Rai was extremely happy and gave the Masand a lot of money.  He waited for Sunday.  He asked the Masand about Guru ji’s power: “how much army does he have and how faithful are they?  How much Sangat comes to meet him?  How much money gets collected?”  The Masand folded his hands and said: “his power, Sikhs, and wealth grows by the day.  He is like a king.  His income is in the Lakhs and is expenses are also in the Lakhs.  It is just like Guru Hargobind Sahib ji’s time.  Just as he lived like kings, that is how Guru Gobind Singh ji is.  He has many soldiers.  It is double-quadruple the size of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji’s army.  It is growing on a daily basis.  It can’t be counted.  He is like a great Emperor.  He is like a lion.  His radiance is great.  The biggest Emperors do not match his radiance.  His vision and sight are very sharp.  He is extremely intelligent.  His sits on his throne, the throne is unmatched by any Emperor.  When he sits on his throne, with his Kalgi, weapons and jewellery, he puts many kings to shame.  His glories cannot be said.  Nobody can match his sight.”

2-3 Meeting Ram Rai on the Boat

It was Sunday.  Baba Ram Rai ji took some of his Sadhus and Sikhs: Bhai Gurdas, Tara Chand and Pamma Masand.  They all mounted their horses and headed out.  Satguru Har Rai Sahib ji’s son, Baba Ram Rai, was very happy to be going to meet Guru Gobind Singh ji.  Baba Ram Rai and his group headed towards the daughter of Surya, Jamuna.  Sri Kalgidhar ji got ready and mounted his strong steed.  Daya Ram Purohit ji went along with Guru ji.  Sangha Purohit was his grandfather and Jaati Malak ji was his father.  Jaati Malak ji was the general of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji’s army.  The five brothers (Sangho Shah, Jeet Mal, Mari Chand, Gulab Rai, Ganga Ram) and Mamma Kirpal Chand ji went as well from Paonta Sahib.  The rest of the soldiers stayed in Paonta Sahib.  The few of them went alone and travelled along the shores of the beautiful Jamuna.  Devan Nand Chand was riding next to Guru ji and making conversions.  Sangho Shah and Jeet Mal ji were speaking to Ganga Ram ji.  They had their guns, bows and swords, all ready.  Mari Chand and Gulab Chand were very strong warriors.  Guru Sahib would refer to the five brothers as his “Pandavs.”  Guru ji stopped and spoke to the five brothers: “let’s all ride our horses as fast as we can and show our weaponry skills.  We will ride and practice striking with our guns.  Baba Ram Rai still has some time to come.  In the meantime, let’s practice and see whose aim will be the best.”  The shores were very clean and Guru ji wanted to take advantage of the few people.  They all had the strongest horses that were able to speed off like lighting.  Guru ji told the five brothers to go first.  Each warrior was an expert marksman.  They were all awesome at Shaster Vidya.  The Devan (the grandson of Umar Shah) was close to Guru ji and went next.  He was showing how to strike from both sides.  Daya Ram ji was inspired and sped his horse off too.  He showed his skills with his weapon while riding his horse.  Mamma Kirpal Chand ji was next.  He showed his skills.  He was the most senior and experienced.  He shot his gun, fired an arrow and used his sword.  He showed the different trots and gallops of his horse.  He showed everyone the different walks of his horse.  He showed all his skills to make his nephew happy.  Guru ji observed everyone’s skills.  Sri Kalgidhar ji then said: “it’s my turn now.”  His horse was already ready to go, seeing the horses ride fast.  The horse wanted to beat the speed of the wind.  The deer’s fawn was no match today.   He picked up speed and took longer strides as he ran.  Guru ji fired an arrow and threw a spear at the designated spot.  He took his sword out and showed how to strike on top of a fast horse.  They all praised each other’s skills.  Guru ji said: “this is how we will fight when the time comes.  This is how we will destroy the tyrants.” 

They then rode their horses slowly along the shores and reached the spot where the boats were tied.  Guru ji got off his horse and tied it.  There were tall, green trees there and the water was dark and blue.  The Jamuna, who would wash away the sins, was waiting for Guru ji.  The ferrymen saw Guru ji and the other soldiers and brought their boats close to the men.  Guru ji was young and tall.  The ferrymen were mesmerized by Guru ji’s appearance.  Guru ji noticed that the place he was standing on was an area where elephants came to drink water.  He and the soldiers saw the elephant footprints and started to talk about them.  Guru ji, the carrier of the bow, said: “look Mammaji, this is where elephants drink water.  Many elephants come here.”  Guru ji then came close to the boat and boarded the boat along with his brothers and Sikhs.  Guru ji signaled the ferryman to go.  The ferryman sailed away.  Guru ji was admiring the pureness of the water.  He could see deep into the water.

Baba Ram Rai ji, riding in with his Sikhs, reached the other side of the shore.  He saw Guru ji from afar.  His eyes felt a coolness and his mind was at peace.  He tied his horse and told a ferryman to take him to Guru ji’s boat.  Guru ji told the ferryman to take the boat towards Baba Ram Rai. Baba Ram Rai was eager and quickly boarded the boat.  The two boats met and Baba Ram Rai came into Guru ji’s boat.  He folded his hands and bowed at the feet of Guru ji.  Although Baba Ram Rai was 20 years older, he was still his nephew, as Baba Gurditta ji was his grandfather and was the brother of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  Guru Gobind Singh ji was born to Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji when he was in his late 40s.  This was the reason for their age gap.  Baba Ram Rai went to touch Guru ji’s feet but Guru ji held his hands and had him sit right close to him.  Ram Rai saw Guru ji’s moon-like face and couldn’t stop looking at him.  It was like the chakor looking at the moon.  He was in a trance looking at Guru ji’s radiance.  It was as though thousands of suns were in one place.  Having many powers himself, Baba Ram Rai saw the unlimited power in Guru Gobind Singh ji.  He sensed that Guru ji was omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent.  He could do what he wanted to and no one could stop him.  He was the light of Akaal Purakh.  He knew that his glory was going to grow even more.  Baba ji looked at Guru ji and sensed that Guru ji was the unlimited power of Akaal Purakh.  They asked each other how each they were doing.  Baba Ram Rai ji did not have any children, despite being married four times.  (Earlier in his life, he was jealous of his brother, Guru Har Krishan Sahib ji.  Since Baba Ram Rai had the gift from his father: his words coming out to be true, no matter what he would say, he cursed his brother of dying from the Seetala illness.  Guru Har Krishan ji had already cured the people of Delhi from Seetala and other illnesses.  His praises were sung in Delhi which made Baba Ram Rai jealous and so he used his gift from his father to curse his brother.  When Guru Har Krishan ji was told about the curse, he refused to reverse it because it was his father, Guru Har Rai ji’s gift.  He accepted the curse but also made a comment in passing.  He said: “since my brother burns with jealousy and is greedy to be the Guru, he will be burned alive and will not have any kids.”  For this reason, Baba Ram Rai had no children).  Seeing Guru Gobind Singh ji, he wanted to repent for his sins.  He had love and joy in his heart.  Bhai Behlo’s sons Bhai Gurdas and Tara Chand; along with Pamma and Taru Masand came with Baba Ram Rai ji.  Guru ji had 8 warriors with him.  Guru Gobind Singh ji and Baba Ram Rai were then alone in a boat as everyone else went back to the shores to wait for them.  Baba Ram Rai ji thought about all the family conflicts and his part in them.  He felt bad about cursing his brother and of having ill-intentions for Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  His mind was now pure.  He wanted to tell Guru ji.  He was happy to see the true Guru as he had not seen the Guru since his father banished him.  Baba Ram Rai asked Guru ji: “how is Anandpur?  I have heard that there is conflict between you and the king.  How did this happen?  You forgave him and came to Paonta.  You didn’t fight Bheem Chand.”  Guru ji then spoke: “the fool Bheem Chand wanted to cheat me.  He wanted to take my Parshaadi Haathi and the Kabuli tent.  He didn’t ask them from me.  He wanted to borrow them and not give them back.  Baba ji, you know very well that no one can cheat the Guru.  I was ready for war.  Bheem Chand decided not to fight because his son’s wedding was upon them.  They didn’t want mourning during the wedding so he became a coward.  On the other hand, the King of Nahn called me here.  I am close by to you.  There’s always a reason of why Parmeshwar sets certain events in motion.  I wouldn’t have met you, had I not come to Nahn.  I made a new home close to the Jamuna.  There are many reasons for me to come here.  It is very peaceful here.”  Baba Ram Rai ji then said: “your wishes can never go empty.  Guru ji, I feel that my time to go is about to come.  Please bless me.  Whatever differences we had, please don’t keep them in your heart.  My Masands are corrupt.  I have no children, so they want to take over my Sangat.  Please fix my group.  You are wise, please see what you would like to do.  You are the gem of our Sodhi family.  You are the
Patriarch of the Sodhis.  You are the sun to dispel the darkness. You are a great Avatar.  You are not ordinary and I have thought long and hard, and came to the conclusion that there is not greater Avatar than you.  Guru Nanak Dev ji made a ship to cross this impossible world.  Many types of people in this world caused conflicts in this ship of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  The ship is now in pieces.  There are many sects in the Panth now.  You are now the captain.  Please make it one again so the Sangat can cross this world, in peace.  I heard from the senior Sikhs that my father stood for 6 hours once in one spot and pondered: that the ship of Sikhi was in pieces.  He said: “it is in pieces, but a great Avatar will bring it back together again.”  Since then, I have wondered who it would be.  Now that I’ve seen you, I am confident that it was “you” my father was talking about.  Please purify everyone.”  Guru ji thought: “Baba Ram Rai is a good Guru.  He has well wishes for Sikhi.  He guides the Sikhs well but the corrupt people around him are the problem.  He has well wishes for the Sangat.”  Guru ji looked towards Baba Ram Rai’s Sikhs standing near the shores.  Ram Rai’s Sikhs had their back towards them.  They didn’t respect Guru ji’s presence or their Guru, Baba Ram Rai’s.  They were standing facing the other way in the most disrespectful way.  They were foolish and unfortunate.  They didn’t respect any of the Gurus.  Their old bad karma had come forth.  They couldn’t see the true Guru.  Guru ji could hear everything.  The Sikhs of Ram Rai were doubting the true Guru, calling him young and eager.  They were trying to mock Guru ji’s age and warriorism.  Guru ji then spoke out loud so everyone could hear: “Ram Rai, you are a true Guru indeed, but your Sikhs are fools.  Your Sangat is full of ghosts.  They face their backs to the Guru.  The Guru will not help them in the world hereafter.  This is their fruit.”  As the boat neared the shores, Guru ji then looked towards Bhai Gurdas Masand who was standing close by to Baba Ram Rai ji now and said to him: “tell me, son of Behlo, I’ve heard your brother will be able to shoot arrows at me (referencing Bhai Gurdas’ earlier statement in private with Baba Ram Rai).  Where will the power come from?  Was it not Guru Arjan Dev ji that gave you the power?  You dare to shoot it upon his throne?”  Bhai Gurdas was caught off guard and felt embarrassed.  He got scared looking downwards.  He folded his hands and said: “Prabhoo ji, you are the one that gives us power.  All our tasks are completed due to your radiance.”  Guru ji then said: “your brother is a good archer.  He is a warrior.  His name is Tara (star) but now consider this star to be gone.”  Bhai Gurdas and Tara Chand folded their hands and trembled.  They had sinned.  They had spoken bad words towards the Guru in the past and were now scared.  In this way, Guru ji met Baba Ram Rai in the Jamuna.

Baba Ram Rai got off on his side and mounted his horse.  His Sikhs left along with him.  He did not speak about the conversation to his Masands.  They all got off their horses and went inside their homes. 

2-4 Kapaal Mochan

Sri Kalgidhar ji was still in the boat and wanted to see the sights.  He invited the others back to the boat and decided to sail back to Paonta Sahib.  He was happily observing the scenery along the way.  The boat was flowing with the current of the river.  There was beauty on both sides of the shores.  There were lines of green trees and other bushes.  There were fruit trees as well.  Guru ji’s boat was sailing slowly.  He was praising the Jamuna and nature.  There were beautiful flowers that he would point out to the other Sikhs and brothers.  He would tell them about the different plants and give them knowledge of what the herbs and plants were used for.  The water of the Jamuna was pure.  The water is a very dark blue colour where Paonta city is established.  The boat is sailing to Paonta.  The horses were being walked along the shore by sevadaars.  The sevadaars had their own horses as well.  Guru ji didn’t want to ride the horses back. 

There was a place to sit near the shore of Jamuna where there was no mud.  It was a flat area on a hill.  Guru ji stopped the boat there and got off.  He had Langar there and spent the night.  He woke up at 2 am and bathed in the Jamuna.  He sat on the high area and began to write Gurbani.  The first Bani he wrote was Krishna Avatar.  He wrote about the love of Radha and Krishan.  (The Bhagwat Purana has 12 Skandhas.  Guru ji translated the 10^th Skandha.  It was 90 Adhyaays, which is the Krishna Avatar Bani.  Ved Vyaas ji wrote 18 Puranas.  After he wrote 17 Puranas, he was not at peace.  He asked Naarad Muni why he wasn’t at peace.  Naarad ji was the Avatar of Bhagti and did Keertan Bhagti.  Naarad told him that only Bhagti brings peace.  He gave him the Bhagti Mantra: Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevai (I bow to the power that resides in all).  He told Vyaas to meditate on this mantra.  Vyaas recited this mantra for a long time and then wrote the Bhagwat Purana.  The history of Dhroo, Prahalad, Gaj Gharaa and other devotees are all from the Bhagwat Purana.  The 10^th Skandha is of Krishan ji’s life.  It is all about Bhagti) It was written in Chands and Svaiyas.  He wrote the Raas Mandal first, while Krishan ji was in Brij.  Krishan ji would do Raas Leela (playing the flute and dancing) with the Gopis (the Gopis represent devotees and Krishan represents Parmatma.  It is the story of life.  The message of the Raas Leela is: there is nothing else in this world.  There is only Parmatma who plays with all the devotees).  Guru ji wrote the Raas Mandal in poetic, artistic styles by comparing characteristics with ultra-beauty. 

Guru ji would bathe in the Jamuna everyday, and sit at the same spot (later became known as the Kavi Darbar place), while scribes (Bhai Mani Singh ji) would pen his words.  The water would run and hit the rocks against its shores.  Guru ji would sit there from 6 am to 10 am and speak Bani everyday.  He would be alone with the scribes.  He wrote a lot of his Bani in vernacular form but supported in poetic verses.  As he spoke the Bani of Krishan Avatar, nobody was allowed to meet Guru ji.  The guards would not let anyone come as he was speaking the Bani.  People from far away places knew not to come see Guru ji at that time.  Guru ji would still his mind and speak the Krishan Avatar Bani.  He then wrote Birhenatak (the sad verses of the Gopis when Krishan ji left Gokul).  When Radhika was sad, the Gopis tried to convince her.  Krishan ji then came to convince her himself.  The Gopis then danced with Krishan ji.  Guru ji wrote all those chapters.  (This is the story of Bhagti.  It is the most devotional type of love)  Guru ji wrote the story of love.  Devotional love.  After the 444^th Svaiya, Guru ji would end each Svaiya in a systematic way that would end in one of the 35 consecutive letters of the Gurmukhi script starting from Kakka.  Guru ji played with the script in an artistic way.  This is how the Svaiyas of Krishan Avatar were written.  The wise Paatthis (reciters) of Sri Dasam Guru Granth ji can see this miraculous, artistic masterpiece.  The beautiful poetry is added to Guru ji’s Granth.  The water would flow pass the rocks where Guru ji would sit.  In the month of Kathak (October/November) he would sit and speak the Bani.  At noon, we would saddle the horses and go hunting.  The Sikhs, Masands and other seniors would then come and hold court. 

There was a time during the Kathak month where a lot of Sangat had gathered at Paonta.  Guru ji had to give a lot of Siropas.  Guru ji sent servants to buy Siropas from the nearby towns.  They went to the markets to buy the Siropas.  There was a town called Sadhora and Booreeya.  The Sikhs all reached those areas and bought 200 Dastaars.  There were no more Dastaars in the other towns.  They needed more but came back with what they could.  The Sangat was too many.  It was the Panchami (fifth day after the new moon) and Guru ji went for a hunt.  Guru ji was at the foot of the mountains and set up camp.  He stayed there for about 5-6 days.  He hunted there for those days.  In the same area was a place called Kapaal Mochan Teerath.  (Brahma had committed blasphemy by looking at his daughter in an immoral way.  Shiv ji severed one of Brahma’s heads.  The head stuck to Shivji’s hand and wouldn’t come off.  He then went to different Teeraths to find a solution.  The place where Kapaal Mochan is, is where the head came off) Near Kapaal Mochan is Rin Mochan (the Pandavs washed their weapons here after the Mahabharat war).  Guru ji celebrated the Pooranmaashi of Kathak there.  There was a great celebration near Kapaal Mochan and Rin Mochan on the full moon there.  Guru ji wanted to see the ancient Teerath of Shiva and the Gurduara of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  Guru ji said to the Sangat: “let’s go see the celebration.  We will hunt in the area and then see the celebrations.  We will return to Paonta after that.”  Preparations were made to go with all the soldiers.  With the sound of the Ranjit Nagara, everyone headed towards Kapaal Mochan.  They set up camp there.  The people in the area heard about the arrival of Guru Gobind Singh ji.  The people attending the celebration came to visit Guru ji.  Thousands of Sikhs came to bow to Guru ji in his tent.  Their wishes were all fulfilled and they were at peace.  It was about two days before the full moon.  The crowd was getting bigger as the day arrived. 

The Masands made a request to Guru ji with their hands folded: “Maharaj, we have travelled through the villages and we were unable to gather Dastaars.  We only have 200 so far.  We need 1000.  We travelled everywhere but couldn’t find cloth.  Please advise us what to do.  You gave us the money but there is no stock.”  Guru ji then set some plays in motion.  He thought to himself: “all these people who come to the Teerath, they come for good karma, but end up performing sins.  The people wash their dirty hands in the pure Sarovar of the Teerath.  They need to be given wisdom.  We can take their Dastaars.  But if we take their Dastaars, they will complain that: the Guru has taken our Pugris (turbans).  If they wish to fight, then we will have to fight.  The fight won’t solve anything.  That won’t work.  Something must be done which will fix everything.”  Guru ji called his soldiers and said: “go and wander around the mela.  Make sure you have your weapons on you and keep an eye on everyone, like police.  Whoever washes their dirty hands in the Sarovar or excretes human waste near it, grab them.  Whoever does that close to the Sarovar, take their Pugris.  Don’t beat them though.  Just scold them harshly and take their Pugris.  Go now and give the sinners what they deserve.  Next year they won’t do this again.”  The soldiers went to the mela and wandered near the Sarovar.  They kept an eye on everyone.  Whoever urinated near the Sarovar, they grabbed them and took their Dastaars.  They scolded them: “you fool.  Are you here to earn good karma or bad karma?  You should keep the holy Teeraths pure.  Not make them dirty.  You should bathe and leave.  Don’t do this again.”  The people would get scared and run away, embarrassed.  They all talked amongst themselves: “it is true.  We shouldn’t do that.”  The soldiers collected all the Pugris and placed them in one pile.  They did this for three days and collected a lot of Dastaars from the people who would vandalize or pollute the holy place.  All the people who came would talk about the soldiers and said: “Guru Gobind Singh ji is doing good.  He is teaching us how to respect holy Teeraths.  The ones who disrespect this place are foolish.  The foolish people don’t know proper etiquette at Mandirs and Teeraths.  People’s sins should wash away here, instead they do more sin.  Guru Gobind Singh ji is great.  He is very wise and did good by scolding the foolish people.  Nobody was beaten.  They took their Pugris and scolded them.  That was great.  He is a great Saint.”  The people praised Guru ji.  The foolish ones understood the right etiquette.  The collected Pagris completed their task and the Pandits were happy.  The Pandits came and bowed to Guru ji. 

About 700 Pugris were collected.  Guru ji told the Sikhs to give them to the Dhobis (launderers) and have them washed.  They were washed and brought back to Guru ji.  They were clean and white.  They were added to the new ones as well.  Guru ji gave them to the Masands to be given out as Siropas to visiting Masands and Sikhs.  The Sikhs were given permission to leave and they left for home.  Guru ji stayed here for a while and hunted as well.  The Teerath is an ancient place.  Sangat came with love and devotion bringing money and gifts.  They bowed to Guru ji’s feet and had their wishes fulfilled.  They praised Guru ji.  Guru ji bathed at the Teerath and made preparations to go back to Paonta.  The Ranjit Nagara sounded and the whole Sangat went back to Paonta Sahib.  They rested one night along the way and reached Paonta the next day. 

2-5 Raj Kaur

Living in Paonta City, the army and horses of Guru ji increased daily.  There was bliss and happiness everywhere.  The Sangat would come and be in bliss.  From wherever the Sangat would come, they would bring weapons and clothes.  They would bring horses from Turkistan and other parts of the world.  The horses were brought by all the Sikhs.  The whole world knew that Guru ji wanted to receive weapons and horses.  The Sikhs would try to impress Guru ji with the best weapons and horses, spending a lot of money.  The Sikhs would not hold back when buying the best weapons.  When they would present their gifts to Guru ji, they would be in peace.  They would receive many blessings.  They would give Saifs, sharp Teghas, Bichuas, Bank and Khandas.  There are many types of weapons that would come.  When the Sikhs would give them to Guru ji, Guru ji would look at and admire the Shasters.  He would talk about the type of metal used and comment on how well it was made.  He would praise the craftsman.  Guru ji would bless the Sikhs bringing the best weapons.  Guru ji would love horses as much as weapons.  He would inspect the horses and see their style of trotting and galloping.  The Sikhs would go back home and start to think about the next year and try to bring even better weapons and horses.  They would go and locate the best material in different areas of the world, which would have the best horses or the best weapons.  There was always a crowd in Guru ji’s court.  People came in the thousands, folding their hands, waiting to bow to Guru ji.  Their wishes would all be fulfilled as they would come.  They would be not be satiated looking at Guru ji’s face.  It was so peaceful to look at his divine face.  They would stand there, just staring at him.

Kavi ji now turns to some history about Baba Ram Rai ji.  Listen to Ram Rai ji’s history now, oh listeners.  There was a Nanak-Panthi Sikh who followed Baba Ram Rai ji.  (Although many Sikhs did see Baba Ram Rai as Guru, but they still followed the same lifestyle as the Sikhs that followed the true Guru and read Gurbani.  Baba Ram Rai would fulfill his Sikhs wishes, using the Spiritual power given to him by his father) He was in a far away land and did an Ardaas to Baba Ram Rai to help him.  Baba Ram Rai ji had many powers and he sensed that one of his Sikhs was calling him for help.  Baba Ram Rai ji went to go help the Sikh.

Baba Ram Rai ji had four wives: Mata Punjab Kaur ji, Mata Raj Kaur ji, Mata Malooki Bai Ji, and Mata Laal Kaur ji.  Raj Kaur was the eldest and recited a lot of Gurbani.  One day, she got into an argument with her husband, Baba Ram Rai.  (It is historically known that she was upset with her husband the day he changed the line of Gurbani to impress Aurangzeb) She was upset at her husband for making a mistake and she wanted to leave him.  She had decided to leave Dehradun.  She wanted to go to a place and do Simran of Akaal Purakh.  She told her husband that she was leaving him.  Ram Rai ji said to her: “you’re leaving?  Wherever you go, nobody will help you.  My Sikhs will be wherever you go.  You will have to live where there is my Sangat.  Nobody else will look after you.  You will make my Sikhs worship you, but you have no power of your own to have people worship you.  You can’t make any Sikhs of your own because you have no powers, no Tapasya.”  Raj Kaur got even more angered hearing her husband.  She said: “wherever your Sikhs live, I will not live there, nor will I even go there.  I will go where people don’t know you.  I will live there.”  She then left from Dehradun taking some of her servants.  She sat in a palanquin and travelled slowly, along the mountain ranges.  She would stop to rest the night.  She would see if there were Sikhs in the area and inquire as to which sect they belonged to i.e. Dheermal, Ram Rai, Meenas or ones that followed the True Guru.  The Sikhs would come to see her, bringing money and food.   They came regarding her as the daughter-in-law of the Guru.  She would not stay where there was Ram Rai’s Sikhs.  She wouldn’t take money from them either.  Other Sikhs were okay.  She was looking for a place where there were no Sikhs at all.  She travelled many villages and found at least one Sikh.  She would leave then.  She came a long way and reached where the temple of Mansa Devi in Manu Majra village was.  She stayed the night there.  People asked who she was.  The servants said to them: “she is the wife of Baba Ram Rai.  The daughter-in-law of Guru Har Rai ji.  She wishes to stay in your village and make her home here.  She wishes to live the rest of her days here.”  The villagers heard this and disrespected her as they heard Ram Rai’s name: “we don’t know any Guru.  Take her away from here.  We don’t believe in any Guru.  There are no Sikhs here.”  Raj Kaur heard this and was happy that there were no Sikhs here.  She liked the area too.  She wanted to spend her whole life here and do Simran.  She convinced the people of the village and calmed them down.  She succeeded and slowly made a home there in Mani Majra.

A few months passed since Mata Raj Kaur ji came to Mani Majra.  Summer passed and it was now the rainy season of July.  It rained a lot.  When it was midnight, it rained a lot and Mataji’s home’s roof broke.  The rain came inside and flooded her home.  The servants tried to patch the hole but were unsuccessful.  Mata Raj Kaur was distressed in the night.  She sent a servant to the leader of the village to call him to her home.  She wanted a beam to be placed so the roof can be fixed.  She wanted about 6 people to come and help with the renovation.  The servant went to the Chaudhary of the village and told him the situation.  He said: “Mata ji will bless you and your obstacles will be gone.  Please come as the roof has broken.”  He told him everything.  The Chaudhary was a greedy person and didn’t pay too much attention.  He said: “it’s too dark and too wet.  I can’t do anything right now.”  The servant came back to Mata Raj Kaur and told her what the Chaudhary said.  Mata Raj Kaur heard the response and said: “go and call the junior leader.  Go call the smaller Chaudhary, the Jaat.  Tell him to bring his family and a beam.  Go quick.”  The servant went to the junior Chaudhary’s house.  He said to him: “Mata ji’s roof has collapsed.  Please come and help us.  Your wishes will be fulfilled.”  The junior Chaudhary thought: “this Mata ji is related to the house of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  Whatever blessing she will give will truly be fulfilled.  Maybe I will become the bigger leader.”  He took a beam and a few people.  He headed towards Mata Raj Kaur’s home.  When he arrived, he met Mata ji.  He folded his hands and said: “Mata ji, I am here by your command.”  Mata ji said: “fix the roof so the house doesn’t flood.”  The people began to fix the roof.  They lit devas to see where the work was to be done.  They raised the beam and fixed the roof.  It was raining hard and the workers worked all night.  In the morning, the roof was fixed.  Mata Raj Kaur was really happy and said to the junior Chaudhary: “ask me for a blessing.  What do you want?  Guru Nanak Dev ji will give you what you ask for.  You are my son now as you came to help me.”  The junior Chaudhary said: “Mata ji, you are all-knowing.  It is hard to be under someone else’s command.  If you are gracious, please give me kingdom.  I am poor.  My family and I are always looking towards someone else to provide for us.  If you bless us, we will be wealthy and have plenty.”  Mata ji heard the Jaat’s wishes and said: “your family will rule.  Your wealth will grow (this person’s generations ruled Manu Majra till 1947).  The Chaudhary that did not come at my request, he will become your employee.”  Mata ji blessed the Jaat.  He became rich and his wealth grew on a daily basis.  They became the kings of Manu Majra.  Kavi Santokh Singh met their family and saw their palaces and horses.  Mata Raj Kaur died in that place after living out the rest of her days.  The people of the area worship her at her temple.  She was the eldest wife of Baba Ram Rai ji and this was her story.  The other three wives lived with Baba Ram Rai ji.