5-11 The test of Lal Singh’s Dhaal

A Sikh from the east came to see Satguru ji.  His name was Bhai Lal Singh.  He wished to have the Darshan of Guru Gobind Singh ji.  He brought a gift for Guru ji to the best of his abilities.  He folded his hands and bowed to Guru ji’s feet.  He sat in the Divaan at the front.  He had brought a very expensive Dhaal (shield).  The Singhs started to look at the Dhaal and admired it.  The Singhs all looked at it and praised it: “it’s very nice!”  Guru ji noticed a bit of a commotion in the Sangat.  Guru ji said: “I don’t think the Dhaal is very nice.  It’s an average one.  A good Dhaal should withstand a bullet.  This Dhaal seems like the bullet would go right through it.  There’s no point in praising this Dhaal.”  Bhai Lal Singh couldn’t tolerate Guru ji’s words.  He spoke in pride: “the hide on my Dhaal is very hard.  A Bullet can’t pass through it.  The bullet would hit it and fall.  I spent a lot of money on this Dhaal.”  Kalgidhar ji heard this and said: “bullets are fierce.  When bullets hit, it is not easy to deflect it.  Wherever it hits, it makes a hole.  Nobody can withstand its force.  Nothing can stop it.”  Bhai Lal Singh was angry and said: “why don’t we get a rifle and test it now?  The bullet will not be able to penetrate the Dhaal.  It will hit and fall.  It won’t go through.”  Guru ji noticed that the Sikh was stubborn.  It was the time of So Dar and so Guru ji stopped him by saying: “it’s evening now.  We will test the Dhaal tomorrow morning.  We will test it with a rifle.”  Bhai Lal Singh went quiet.  Everyone listened to Rehraas Sahib and went home after.

Bhai Lal Singh went to his camp.  He was regretting being stubborn in front of Guru ji.  He thought to himself: “I was being a fool.  I spoke in front of Guru ji.  In the morning when Guru ji tests the Dhaal, the bullet will surely go through it.  Guru ji’s bullets are fierce.  I ruined it for myself.  Only the Karta Purakh can protect me now.”  He thought hard and decided to go to 5 Singhs.  He brought Karah Prashaad and food to 5 Singhs and said to them: “oh 5 Singhs, I want you to eat food from my effort.  I wish to have my reputation saved.”  The 5 Singhs stood up after eating and did an Ardaas: “Guru ji, please protect this Sikh’s honor.”  Bhai Lal Singh had this Ardaas done without Guru ji knowing.  All night long he did Ardaas to the Guru to have his honor kept.

The next morning, Bhai Lal Singh brought his Dhaal.  Guru ji said: “bring me my rifle.  Lal Singh, hold the Dhaal.”  Guru ji gave the rifle to Bhai Aalam Singh ji and said: “aim for the Dhaal and shoot.”  Bhai Aalam Singh ji obeyed and shot the Dhaal.  The bullet didn’t go through.  It hit the Dhaal and fell on the ground.  He packed the gunpowder and fired again.  The bullet did not penetrate the second time either.  He was surprised to see what was going on.  His closer aim was useless as well.  The third time, he got ready to shoot.  He shot the 3^rd shot and it did not go through.  Guru ji came into Bir Ras and said: “give me the rifle, Aalam Singh!  I will shoot!”  When Guru ji took the rifle, he knew that Bhai Lal Singh did an Ardaas with 5 Singhs and Karah Prashaad.  That was the reason the bullet did not go through: “he secretly did an Ardaas to me last night and protected his honor.”  Guru ji held the rifle in anger and said to Bhai Lal Singh: “take anyone else’s help now.  I have picked up the rifle.  Watch your Dhaal crumble with my bullet now.”  Bhai Lal Singh knew that the Dhaal will break, now that Guru ji was going to fire.  He folded his hands and ran to Guru ji’s feet.  He said: “forgive me!  I was a fool, being stubborn in front of you.  You can make the whole earth crumble.  This Dhaal is nothing in front of you.”  Guru ji then said: “you were stubborn.  You made alliances with Sikhs all night.  You gave Karah Prashaad to the Sikhs.  You did many Ardaas all night long.  Apply more strength.  Do what you can.  I will destroy your Dhaal today.  It won’t survive.”  Bhai Lal Singh folded his hands and said: “I was referring to other people’s bullets, not yours.  Your bullet can break the Sumer Mountain, the one that never moves.  Oh Satguru ji, please protect my honor.  I am your servant in your sanctuary.”  Guru ji was happy and said: “go and pick up your Dhaal.  You should trust your weapons and kill your enemy with confidence.  You should test it first though.  You should only keep good weapons which can destroy the enemy and that can save you.”  Bhai Lal Singh bowed and picked up his Dhaal.  Everyone sat down in the Divaan.

In the Malva (Jungle) Desh lived a Jaat named Kapoora.  He gathered 1,100 Rajitpuns and a strong horse for Guru ji.  He had these items sent to Guru ji.  Guru ji looked at the horse and noticed that it was really strong.  Guru ji had the horse tied up in his stable for his personal use.  He named it “Dal Shingaar.”  Guru ji had it tied in a special stable.  The stablemen took care of the horse well.

One day, Guru ji was going hunting.  He mounted Dal Shingaar and went deep into the Jungle.  In the south, there was a city named Ujjain.  Many Sadhoos came with the Sikhs to meet Guru ji, from Ujjain.  They wanted Guru ji’s Darshan.  They met Guru ji while Guru ji was coming back from his hunt.  Guru ji and the Khalsa had dead deer, wild bore and other animals tied to their horses.  Guru ji was cutting up meat and feeding his hawk.  Guru ji’s hands were red with blood.  Within the Sangat there was a son of a Shahukaar.  He was with his family.  He kept a Vaishnav lifestyle and so he was a vegetarian.  He did not consume alcohol or meat.  He was a Baaniya (merchant caste).  When he saw Guru ji cutting the meat and feeding his hawk, he was surprised and filled with doubt.  He thought to himself: “what kind of Guru is this?  I travelled thousands of miles to see him.  His ways are so unorthodox.  He has committed “Hinsa,” and has no compassion.  He killed a bird and is feeding it to his hawk.  He has killed many deer.”  He thought all about this while the omniscient Guru knew what the Baaniya was thinking.  Guru ji spoke in front of all: “this bird that I killed and am cutting up, he was a thief in his last life.  This hawk was a king.  One day, this thief got caught.  My name was Dusht Daman then and I was doing Tapasya.  The thief denied that he had stolen anything.  The king asked him many times but the thief did not listen.  The thief took a false oath on my head.  The King was my Sikh and had devotion towards me.  When the king heard the thief swear on my head, he trusted the thief.  It has been hundreds of thousands of years now, both have taken birth.  The sin of taking a false oath, the thief was born as a bird.  He is suffering his sin.  Oh Sikh Sangat, listen to this.  This is the repayment that I am fulfilling.  Never swear oaths.  Look at the Hell he is living in.  I will now bless and save him.  I made them complete the Karma.  If someone swears a false oath, they have to take 1,000 births.  They suffer in Hell for a million births.  They will be destroyed in conflict.  My Sikh will never swear oaths.  That person will not be my Sikh if they do.  They will face many troubles.  Never swear upon the true Guru.  The liar is never stable.  True oaths give births as well.  The false oaths will have no stability.  The sins need to be repaid.  Don’t ever do bad deeds.  If the Guru comes in between, they become a part of the sin.  Never take your Guru’s oath.  Even if it’s true.  The liar goes to Hell.

5-12 Har Gopal Ujjaini/ Dyaan Singh Maajriya

When Guru ji was telling everyone about the past lives of the bird and hawk, the Langri came with a plate of food for Guru ji.  He had brought delicious food for Guru ji.  Har Gopal Ujjaini, the Baaniya, was sitting as well.  His father was a devoted Sikh named Bhiswambher Das.  As Guru ji was about to eat, Har Gopal Ujjaini thought to himself: “I hope Guru ji doesn’t give me food from his plate.  I don’t want to eat from his hands.  There maybe meat in his plate.”  Satguru ji was omniscient and knew everything.  Guru ji said to the Langri Sikh: “where the Sudh Chownka (pure kitchen/ vegetarian) is, get food from there for this Sikh.”  The Baaniya heard this and felt at ease.  Faith arose in his heart towards the Satguru.  He had Langar and felt great.  He ate and rested the night.  He couldn’t sleep at night.  He doubted the ways of the Guru: “my father came here before.  What kind of a Guru is this?  My father made a mistake.  This Guru kills animals and eats their meat.  The Sikhs eat meat too.  This Guru has no compassion.  The Shastras say that: one should renounce alcohol, violence and other women.  One should not go close to gambling and other things.  The Dharma of the Sadhoo is pure and simple.  I don’t see that Dharma in Guru Gobind Singh ji.  He does not follow the way of the saints.  I brought 500 Rajitpuns.  Should I give this to the Guru or not?  My father gave me this money.  This Guru is not like Gurus.  He doesn’t have the Guru’s traditions.  He kills animals.  I will go home in the morning.  I want to be the Sikh of a Vaishnu Guru.  Meat and alcohol will not be there.  Only good discussions.  My father gave money for the Guru.  I was going to give 100 Rajitpuns but I am not going to give anything.  I do not accept him as a Guru.  He does not do Karam Kaand.”  In this way, Har Gopal thought of all this all night long.  He did not sleep. 

In the morning, Har Gopal attended the Asa Di Vaar.  He bowed to Guru ji’s feet.  The Khalsa and the Sikhs were present.  Guru ji called for two bottles.  Sri Guru ji spoke towards Har Gopal: “listen Sikhs, all of the tastes are of the mind.”  The Sikhs nearby said: “the tastes are of the tongue.”  Some said: “tastes are because of Karma.  You can only taste of you have the Karma for it.”  Others said: “tastes are of the Jeev.”  Another said: “tastes are of the nature.”  One other said: “tastes are the Dharma of the body.”  Har Gopal Baaniya Sikh said: “a Jeev tastes only devotion.”  Guru ji heard this and said: “your father Bhiswambher Das was a devoted Sikh of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  Give him a message: “the devotion and faith that the Guru gave to you, I take back from you.  Don’t ask for devotion.”  Har Gopal heard this and said: “Prabhoo ji, I don’t understand.  I am your Sikh as well.  Please explain this to me.”  Guru ji heard this and smiled.  Guru ji said to Har Gopal: “since when were you my Sikh?  You are the Sikh of the Vaishnav tradition.  Find a Karam-Kaandi Guru for yourself.  Take his wisdom and keep it in your heart.  Give this message to your father.  He will understand this.”  Har Gopal Baniya got up right away and grabbed Guru ji’s feet.  He bowed to Guru ji’s feet.  He said: “oh true Paatshaah Satguru, forgive me Keep me in your feet.  I am a fool.  Don’t let me go.  I didn’t know your greatness.”  Guru ji patted Har Gopal’s back and said: “happiness and hate is not within me.  I forgive you.  Let go of me feet now.”  Har Gopal heard this and sat back down again.  He regretted his mistake. 

Har Gopal stayed in Anandpur for one month.  He did Darshan of Guru ji and was in joy.  When he was about to leave, Guru ji gave him Prashaad and said: “eat this and give it to your parents.”  Guru ji gave him a Sarblo Karah as well.  It was 4 tolas heavy.  Guru ji said: “whatever wish you have in your heart, do Pooja of this Karah.  It will fulfill your wishes.”  Har Gopal took the gift and bowed to it.  He placed 600 Rajitpuns in front of Guru ji.  He took leave and went back home.

On the way home, Har Gopal started to think again: “I gave the Guru 600 Rajitpuns and only got a Sarblo Kara from him.  He gave me this and a message.”  He travelled and kept thinking about this.  He travelled and reached Chamkaur.  He walked the dirt road and regretted his time in Anandpur. 

There was a village named Maajri.  A person named Bhai Dyaan Singh ji lived there, who was plowing his fields when he saw Har Gopal.  He noticed a Sikh coming from Anandpur and wanted to feed him food.  He went up to Har Gopal and said: “where are you from?  Who are you?  Where are you going?  It’s time to eat.  Eat food before going on.  Tell me your story.”  Har Gopal said: “I am a Sikh who came for the Guru’s Darshan.  I am from Ujjain, in the south.  I came this far distance just to see Guru ji.  I met Guru ji and gave him 600 Rajitpuns.  I bowed to his feet but I didn’t feel any happiness.  I didn’t find his ways as good.  He didn’t give me anything when I left.”  Bhai Dyaan Singh ji understood what type of person Har Gopal was.  He said: “what did Guru ji say?  What did he give you?”  Har Gopal said to Bhai Dyaan Singh ji, the Sikh: “my father was a Sikh.  I gave 100 Rajitpuns and met the Guru.  I gave another 500 when I left.  I stayed there for a month.  My father told me to come this far.  The Guru took 600 Rajitpun and told me to keep faith in Sikhi.  I saw Guru ji’s way but didn’t like them.  I am regretting my trip.  I am going home now.”  Bhai Dyaan Singh ji understood that this person was void of devotion.  He said: “you are my brother.  Come to my home and eat food.  Don’t regret anything.”  Har Gopal was hungry and so he went to Bhai Dyaan Singh ji’s home.

Bhai Dyaan Singh ji and his wife served Har Gopal well.  They made good food and had him stay over the night.  Har Gopal spent the night in peace.  In the morning, he got ready and was about to leave.  Bhai Dyaan Singh ji said: “if it be your wish, give me the command of keeping the devotional Sikhi that Guru ji gave to you.  I will give you 600 Rajitpuns.  Give me the Kara and the Prashaad.  Sikhs can make these trades.  Sikhs have love for each other.  I want Guru ji’s command.  A Sikh does not cheat another Sikh.  We are to feed another Sikh.  If you have faith on Guru ji, then you can take the command of Guru ji.  If you don’t, take the money and give me Guru ji’s command.  If you are hungry for money, I will give it to you.  Take your money.”  Har Gopal was happy and said: “I only like money.  What am I going to do with the command of the Guru?  I didn’t like this Guru.  Give me the money and take the command.”  Bhai Dyaan Singh ji got really happy.  He was greedy for Guru ji’s command.  He got the deed of his land and took his wife’s gold and dishes to pawn them out.  He sold some gold and pawned his land and personal items.  He got 605 Rajitpuns and placed it in front of Har Gopal.  He folded his hands and said: “I am giving you 5 Rajitpuns extra as interest.”  The Baaniya was happy and took the money.  The fool didn’t know that he lost everything by giving Bhai Dyaan Singh the Guru’s command.  He thought to himself: “Dyaan Singh lost everything.  He thinks he is smart.  What will this fool do with the command of the Guru?  He sold everything and gave me money.  What do I care?  I got what I wanted.  I won this.”  He stayed another date and left the next day.  He thought Bhai Dyaan Singh ji lost. 

5-13 Bhiswambher Das Ujjaini

Har Gopal, the Baaniya, kept walking home.  The Karah Prashaad he got from Guru ji, he had with him.  As he was travelling, he opened the bunch with the Prashaad in it.  When he opened it, he saw meat in it instead of Karah.  He didn’t want to show anyone.  He was embarrassed to show anyone.  He tied up the bunch again.  He was very annoyed with his father for being Guru Gobind Singh ji’s Sikh: “what kind of a Devata is this?  Eating meat destroys the Dharama.  What kind of a “true being” did my father serve?”  He travelled ahead towards his home.  Another village came where he made a transaction.  He analysed emeralds and pearls to buy them.  He bought some and went ahead to sell in another place.  He reached Palli in Rajasthan and sold the gems there.  He made a lot of money with his effort.  From the 600 he made 3,000 Rajitpuns.  He soon reached his home.

Har Gopal met his father with joy.  He told him: “the Guru that you have made for you, I have met him.”  He showed his father the money he made and said: “I did this business on the way and made the money.” Bhiswambher Das was surprised and asked his son: “how did you make this money?  How did you find Guru ji? Did you test him?  How did you meet him and what did he say to you?”  Har Gopal opened the bunch of Karah Prashaad and gave it to his father.  Bhiswambher Das bowed to the Prashaad.  He held it with great faith.  It was Karah Prashaad.  He gave some to the whole family.  He gave it to his son as well.  Har Gopal was surprised that on the way, he saw meat.  It was Karah again.  He told his father the miracle and told him about Guru ji: “on the way, I looked into the bunch and saw it as meat.  Now it’s Karah.  I sold the Kara and his words to another Sikh.  I made all that money with the money I got again.”  The father heard this and shook his head in disbelief.  He said: “son!  The Guru is complete and true!  I sent you to get diamonds but you brought glass.  You didn’t do good.  I can see your intentions.  Your heart is dirty.  You don’t have faith so what will the Guru’s word do for you?”  Har Gopal’s mother heard this and was upset.  She said: “oh son!  Why did you sell the Guru’s blessings?  Why did you not have faith on Guru ji?  Your father has seen that the Guru ji is omnipotent and the complete Akaal Purakh’s form.”  Har Gopal heard his parents and got angry.  He said: “I wasn’t happy going there.  I saw the Guru’s way and didn’t like it.  That’s why I sold his words to a Sikh.  I got 600 Rajitpuns and traded gems on the way to make more money.  I sold them for 3,000 in Palli.  I made more money with money.  3,000 is enough for the rest of our lives.  What were we going to do with the Guru’s words?  A man without money is like a Sarovar without water; a bird without wings, in pain; if you have money, you are like Vishnu.  You can do whatever you want.  This has been seen already.  It does not need examples.”  Bhiswambher Das said: “money won’t last forever.  Don’t be proud of money.  It doesn’t take long for this money to go away.  My true Guru is complete.  You didn’t meet him with faith.  You had bad intentions.  Your mind is restless.  You Bhuddi is dirty.  Don’t slander the Satguru.  Don’t talk about Sri Prabhoo ji like that.  If you go with me, it is good.  I am going to go and ask for forgiveness.  Meet Guru ji with a clean heart.  Have faith and devotion.  You will be at peace then.  The life is only 4 days long.  You saw money and fell in doubt.  You lost the principle with the interest.”  The father spoke to his son but the son didn’t listen.  He was without faith and devotion.  He didn’t listen to his father.  The father stopped speaking when he figured out it was no use.  He knew something wrong was going to happen in a few days.  He was upset along with his wife.  But he couldn’t convince his son.

Har Gopal continued his business.  He gathered a lot of money and collected 10,000 from the 3,000.  He became more egotistical.  The fool became proud.  He didn’t know what Ishwar had planned for him.  He started to lose his money after a while.  He soon lost his wealth and had to sell his stull.  He eventually started to think about Guru ji.  His house was about to be sold.  Love for Guru ji started to grow in his heart.  He fell to his father’s feet and said: “save me!  Let’s go to Guru ji.  I want to be in his sanctuary.”  The whole family got together to go to Anandpur.  They walked slowly and reached Bhai Dyaan Singh Maajriya’s home.  The whole family met the Sikh with love.  Bhai Dyaan Singh ji set up a room for the family and gave them food.  They started talking about Guru ji.  Bhai Bhiswambher Das ji said: “listen, you are my Guru Bhai.  You bought the words of the Guru, filled with love, from my son.  When he came home, I was ruined.  Tell me what will I do without the Guru’s words?  It is in your hands to save me.  Please be gracious with me.  I come with humility.  Do something that Guru ji will be happy with the both of us.”  Bhai Dyaan Singh ji said: “I will go with you to Guru ji’s feet.  I can’t make the same mistake your son did.”  They slept the night and got ready the next morning.

They all arrived in Anandpur where Guru Gobind Singh ji was sitting.  They all ran to Guru ji’s feet and said: “oh forgiving one, we are in your shelter.”  Kalgidhar ji laughed.  The generous Guru asked them how they were and didn’t say anything else.  They all camped in Anandpur and met Guru ji.  They ate Langar everyday.  They spent 3 days there.  Along with his son, Bhiswambher Das ji came to Guru ji with great regret.  He stood up in front of Guru ji and folded his hands: “forgive us!  Oh complete Prabhoo, you are patient.  Even If the seed is good, sometimes a branch can grow the wrong away.  We are fools with corrupt minds.  We are ungrateful and back-stabbing. We are filled with desires.  We are named “servants” but we don’t serve you.  You are the gracious master.  You are the Gareeb Nivaaj.  It is your promise to save us.  You are the pacifier of the sinners.  You give joy to all.  Your nature is to save sinners.  You don’t see your servants’ sins.  Please make the bad branch, straight.  Look upon me with the divine division.”  Guru ji smiled and told him what happened in the past: “Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji met the Sidhs.  He reached your grandfather’s home, Nanoo Pandit.  Nanoo Pandit did Guru ji’s seva with devotion.  When Guru ji was about to leave his home, he asked Guru ji some question and Guru Nanak Dev ji laughed and said: “when you take another birth, I will be in my 10^th incarnation.  I will answer all your questions then.”  You were your grandfather and I am in the 10^th incarnation now.  I have kept that conversation of yours as a debt.  You can ask me what you want to.  You are Nanoo and I am your Guru.  This meeting is bigger.  You have been my servant for many births.  This is how we were to meet.  You son is at no fault.”  Bhiswambher Das was amazed and folded his hands.  He said: “Bhai Dyaan Singh is prospering now.  He has no shortage.  He has great wealth.  The words of simplicity you gave to my son, I wish to take the word now.”  Guru ji said: “I give that same word to you now.  You won’t have any shortage from now on.  Eat and spend as you please.  Your wealth will grow from now on.  Destiny is very strong.  It will shower with force when it comes to fruition.  You are our beloved but your son was without faith.  You have faith.  I will complete your wish tomorrow morning.”  Guru ji went to his home.  He ate and slept the night. 

5-14 101 Ardaas

Satguru ji came into the Divaan to bless the Sikhs with Mukti.  The Baaniya Sikh bowed and stood in front of Guru ji.  Satguru ji spoke sweetly to the Sikh: “tell me Sikh, what is your wish?  You are a pure Sikh of my Charanpahul.  You are the only one in the south, so great, as there are very less Sikhs in that direction.  There is no one equal to you there.”  Bhiswambher Das ji folded his hands and said to Guru ji: “Prabhoo ji, I am poor now.  I have lost everything.  Please make my wealth increase.  After that, I will ask for other things.  I want my wealth back.”  Guru ji heard this and smiled.  Guru ji said: “don’t worry, you will have twice as much as you had before.  When you leave from, you will be prosperous.  Go home and prepare Karah Prashaad.  Put a clean cloth on top.  Do 3 recitations of Anand Sahib with devotion.  Recite Japji Sahib while making the Karah.  After the Ardaas, take out 5 portions for the Satguru and give them to 5 Sikhs.  Be pure of mind and body.  Those who know the secret of the Ardaas, the world’s strongest Mantras are nothing in from of them.  The Rehit of the Ardaas is stronger than other Mantras.  The recitation of Japji Sahib is the highest Ardaas.  It gives Siddhis to saints.  The Sikh should do their business according to the Dharma.  The Guru gives them prosperity then.  A Sikh should call other Sikhs to their home before doing Ardaas.  Distribute the Karah to the Sangat.”  The Sikh spoke: “my land is a difficult area.  Please tell us the utilization of all the Ardaas.”  Satguru ji said: “listen Sikh, do the Karah Prashaad.  If you can’t make it, then just use gurrh or fruits.  Keep pure and do Simran along with the Sikhs.  The radiance of the Naam will make everything successful.  Listen to the Ardaas:

1. Dharam Beej – Ardaas for good children before getting married.  Be chaste and only be with your wife. 

2. Growth of the child in the womb.

3. Completion of the gestation period. 

4. Painless delivery. 

5. A smooth birth and a good life. 

6. Guru Pooja for the newborn child.  The Gurmantra given to the child.

7. The cleansing of the breast nipple when the child starts to drink milk.  

8.  Before the child drinks milk.  May the child be strong. 

9. When the child wears clothes, the child should wear the Rumalla of Guru Granth Sahib. 

10. The child eating solid food.  The child be healthy. 

11. The Child goes to the Guru’s home. 

12. When the child begins to sit, wearing clothes and playing with other children.  When the child begins to read, it should remember the Guru and be given the Pahul of the Guru, while coming to the Guru.  These are 14 now. 

15. Wield weapons and mount the horse. 

16.  Destroy the sinners like deer.  

17. Before eating, may the pain be gone. 

18.  When sick, may the body be healthy and the illness decreases. 

19.  Meet saints and receiving the wisdom of the Satguru. 

20. May the tasks be completed.  May the Satguru guide me.

21. Finding a good mate and living in peace. 

22. May the Satguru protect me and may my Bhagti be complete.

23. May my home and possessions be protected from theft. 

24. May administrative/governmental work be successful by the Guru’s grace. 

25. May the Satguru bring abundant rains during droughts.  Not to blame the Guru for the damage.

26. Asking for forgiveness when a mistake in Rehit is made.

27. Asking for forgiveness on the path.  May the Satguru be the guide to the right path.

28. During the death of the elders, may they be in peace.  The Bhog Ardaas.  May their mistakes be forgiven.

29. When the mind is in the trap of vices, may the Satguru be forgiving.

30. May the business be prosperous, may the Satguru save me from hunger and thirst.  May I be successful.

31. During the wedding, may the couple remain together.

32. If a sinner bothers you, may the enemy be destroyed.

33. If a bad shadow bothers you, may the Shaheeds protect you.

34. Before sleeping, may I sleep like a peaceful king.

35. Prosperity.  May the animals grow.

36. For faith and devotion, may love come into the heart.

37. May the gardens be fruitful.  May the vines bare fruit, more than in the past.

38. For the new home.  May the Manmukhs bow before me and be good neighbours.

39. Entering a new home.  May the possessions increase.  May I live here forever.

40. While planting, may mother earth keep the seed well.  May the harvest go a good one.

41. Digging a well.  May the water be unlimited and pure.

42. When distributing the seeds, may the possessions grow.

43. May I have good business relations with good people.  May I be content.

44. May the Satguru protect my secret work.  May I be successful.

45. Being successful while being abroad.

46. When the home is breaking, may the Guru protect it.  May the Guru assist the Bhagat.

47. Protection when the treasure is taken out or put away.

48. If an illness spreads, may I be protected.  May there be peace everywhere.

49. For the good people who are in jail.  May they be released and meet me. 

50. Starting a wedding.  May it be by the Guru’s maryada.

51. Before buying a horse.  May the horse be healthy.

52. Before getting an elephant.  When I mount it, may I be successful.

53. Calming the wandering mind.  The mind is like a river, may it flow peacefully by the grace of the Guru.

54. When the mare gives birth, may the horse be a good one.

55. May the wedding ceremony be good.  Bless your Sikh

56. Being caught in bonds by an enemy in rage of hate.  May the Guru find me and save me.

57. To be influential in getting the task done.

58. Before starting Keertan.  May listening to Gurbani be fruitful and may I receive Naam.

59. To remove obstacles, may the Shaheeds assist me.  May the enemies be stopped.

60. Meeting Sadhoos, may my mind be humble and may I be rewarded.

Oh Bhiswambher Das, I have told you Ardaas for prosperity.  You have love in your heart like no other in the south.  Listen to the Ardaas:

61. To be saved from the problems of the world.  May my mind be focused on the Guru’s feet.

62. May my mind be joined to the Guru’s feet.  May my mind be focused.

63. May I be saved from the mistakes of youth.  May Satguru ji be with me.

64. May I not be a tyrant to my servants or workers.  May my mind be soft like wax.

65. May I be a truthful keeper of other’s possessions.

66. May my deeds be peaceful on my body

67. May I be rich. 

68. Be the administrator of the storage.  May I have good relations with the officials.

69. May I be a good Vizier.  May I be tolerant and may I show sincerity.

70. May I be radiant like the sun when I am meditating.  May I be focused, day and night.

71. Before going to war.  May I be in peace.

72. Getting on top of the palanquin, may I be protected.

73. May I be saved while under the influence of a bad planet.

74. May the tide be good.  May Varun Devata come himself and hydrate the crops.

75. May my hair and Dastaar be protected.  May the Satguru protect my honor: my hair and my Dastaar.

The Sikh is my best friend, my child, in the Sikh is where my focus is.  The Sikh is the treasure of joy.  Whoever serves the Sikh, that is the same as serving me.  Listen Bhiswambher Das, whoever places 5 Kodis everyday and does Ardaas, he/she will get a lot of money along with the joy and peace.  That person will be in the love of the Guru.  Remember my teachings and sing Gurbani.  Keep the Rehit and be a Devata.  Bathe at Amritvela and do Simran.  Then do your household work.  Speak less, stay truthful, control your mind; these will make your problems go away.  It is easy to kill the mind if the body is in bondage.  Your work should be pure, give money towards the works of the Guru.  Don’t accuse anyone of faults, don’t find faults and don’t get into fights.  Every Sikh’s wish should be: in wealth, property and clothes or with broken shoes, may my mind remain connected to the Guru.  Egotistical, chatterbox who gives pain, killer of young girls, seller of daughters, they are Bemukhs; beware of them.  Don’t’ meet with them.  This will save your wealth.  One should not follow women under the influence of desire.  One should not make children their friends and trust what they say.  Do not lose your concentration in battle.  This will keep you away from pain.”

Har Gopal was given the Charan Pahul and made into a Sikh.  The Sikhs sitting nearby said: “now he is blessed.”

5-15 101 Ardaas

Bhai Har Gopal ji had become a Sikh of the Guru.  His father, Bhai Bhiswambher Das ji folded his hands and said to Satguru Gobind Singh ji: “what if no Tyar-bar-Tyar (a Sikh who keeps the Rehit) Sikh is available and one wishes to take the Charan Pahul, what should one do?”  Satguru ji said: “listen Bhiswambher to the way: have faith on my words and love for my feet in the heart.  The 10 Avatars of the Guru, know them as One.  See the Bani of Guru Granth Sahib ji as the 11^th Guru.  Wash the Rumalla of Guru Granth Sahib ji and take it as the Pahul.  Prepare Karah Prashaad and distribute it.  Keep faith on the Guru.  Seeing Guru Granth Sahib ji as the 11^th Guru, take a Hukamnama and give a new name to the new Pahuli from the first letter of the Hukamnama.  Take the Mantra of the Guru and only have faith on the Guru before doing any task.  The Sikh should marry his daughter to a poor Pahuli Sikh, instead of a wealthy non-Sikh.  Let go of the ways of the world and take the Pahul of the Khanda.  If it is not available, take the Charan Pahul.  If one has taken the Khanda Pahul, that Sikh should not take the Charan Pahul.  The one who has taken the Charan Pahul can take the Khanda Pahul.  Both type of Sikhs are to keep good relations with each other with love.  See the state of the person to see which Pahul should be given.  Just as the teeth and lips are related, that is how both Pahulis are.  There is no difference.  Do not see caste, class or birth as higher or lower.  The Pahulis are all the same.  One is not higher than the other.  Don’t discriminate between class, caste, creed or status.  Once a person takes either Pahul, they are full Sikhs.  Meet and greet with Sikhs.  Do not cheat another Sikh.  Return loans taken from other Sikhs.   If one cheats another Sikh, they will not get shelter anywhere.  Love the Naam.  Chant the Naam and have it reside in your Puranas.  Preach the Naam.  Take joy in the Naam.  Naam is your best friend.  The one who lives for the Dharma and follows the path of the Guru’s way; the one who eats for the body and not for the desires; the one who lives in Vairagya, that is a true Sikh.  Just as a traveller goes to another land and has the wish to reach the destination, one should travel towards his/her own Aatma and renounce all other pleasures.  Listen carefully friend, how one should travel towards the Aatma.  Everyone will leave this world.  I will go and so will you.  To make Vairagya grow in the heart, understand that no one comes and no one goes.  When Gyaan comes, the desires disappear into us just as the dreams go away when one wakes up.  There is no birth or death after that.  There is only the Aatma existing between lives just as the state of being awake exists before and after dreaming.  This is the Yoga I am describing.  There are 5 Ardaas towards Yoga.  The first is for the chanting of Sohang Hansa (76).  “I am the Parmatma, there is no difference.”  May I understand this.  The second (77) is: oh Satguru, may the Kundalini be straight with the Purana Apaan practice.  The third (78): when the Anhad sound rings, may I remember the Naam of the Satguru.  The fourth (79) may my focus reach the deep Gyaan and awareness.  The fifth (80) may I receive the 4 gifts of Dharam, Arth, Kaam and Moksha.  All 4 gifts are in the hands of the Satguru. 

6^th (81): may the shadow of Maya stay away from me. 

7^th (82): May the Satguru take care of me when I come to his sanctuary.

8^th (83): May I use the Mala and think of the Satguru. 

9^th (84): May I do Seva of the Satguru who saves one from Hell.

10^th (85): May the fire of desire not burn me.  I wish to be calm.

11^th (86): May I not be in doubt.  May the Guru protect my wisdom and remove the doubt.

12^th (87): May the Satguru protect the character of the Sikh.

13^th (88): May I spend my whole life with the Satguru, like a child lives with his/her parents.  (May I not need to give any sacrifices. This is an alternate translation)

14^th (89): May the Satguru keep me dedicated my whole life.

15^th (90): May I follow the Guru’s word with determination.

16^th (91): May the Satguru show me the path.

17^th (92): May I be respected in the world.

18^th (93): May my family’s honor be protected.

19^th (94): May I meet the saints and be related to them.

20^th (95): Prabhoo, may Nirvana and humility stay in my heart.

21^st (96): May my mind be pure.

22^nd (97): May I be adorned in every world and see the beauty all around me.

23^rd (98): May I consider the arrows in my quiver as the Guru.

24^th (99): May my Kataar complete all the tasks.

25^th (100): May my honor remain.

26^th (101): May I remain at the feet of the Guru with honor. 

The 101 Ardaas will make the pain of 100 years go away.  The Guru will make the Sikh’s sins go away.  The Sikh will receive Moksha.  The Ardaasia that does Ardaas to the Guru, their feet should be worshipped.  That Sikh will be peaceful who does these Ardaas.  Give Dasvand to the Satguru and live by the rules of Sikhi.  Bathing, donating and Simran of Satnam; this should be the way of the Sikh.  Do this all your life.  Do not go to another’s wealth or woman.  Keep faith on the Guru’s feet.  Recite the Bani of the Satguru.  This will destroy the cycle of birth and death.  Do not cut the hair.  Do not cry over another’s death.  Stay away from bad deeds.  Guide the family on the righteous path.  Do not sell fruits or do business of food.  Fruits are for travellers and food will become expensive otherwise.  Do not do business of wood, grass or leather.  Don’t give loans to low people with the nature of Chandaals.  Don’t take loans from prostitutes.  Don’t fight with anyone.  Don’t let go of your Rehit.  Don’t be compassionate towards bad people.  Get rid of regret and desires.  Don’t sit in the middle of an intersection.  Don’t give a broken dish or broken bed.  Don’t use them either.  Don’t sigh when things don’t go your way.  When going to the Gurduara, don’t wash your feet partially.  Wash them properly.  Don’t chew your fingernails with your teeth.  Don’t laugh or speak nonsense while eating.  Don’t pat your belly after eating.  Don’t cry or laugh in front of the Guru.  By doing any one of the above-mentioned things, one will lose their wealth and become poor.  Don’t sleep or eat while travelling.  Don’t excrete bodily waste on the path on which people travel on.  Don’t bow to the feet of cows or the Brahmins.  Don’t criticize or talk bad about the food that has been eaten.  Do the meditation of the Parmeshwar in solitude.  Don’t worry about anything.  Stay away from worries.  Don’t think too much.  The sinner woman is bad for a Sikh.  The friendship of an ambassador of a king is not good.  It is like a knife.  Don’t stay awake all night for no reason.  Only stay awake to do Simran.  Do not over indulge in sexual activities.  Lazy messengers and a Sikh who is not in practice; raw and dry meat; reject these.  Do not have physical relations with women outside of marriage.  Keep your Indriyas in control.  Stay away from hypocrisy.  Don’t show off.  Don’t be an atheist.  Don’t be jealous.  Don’t blame, slander or worry about anyone.  Live in the world like birds living in the trees.  The birds are not attached to the trees they live on.  They leave and make new nests.  Think about your real form all day and night (Brahm Chintan).  Have Vairagya and think of the world as temporary.  The body, Puranas and the 3 Gunns are separate from the Aatma.  Listen to the Shastras and discard your ego.  Don’t love anything in this world.  Reduce your responsibilities in the world.  Have hope.  Let go of everything, slowly.  If you see someone with less intelligence, give them wisdom.  Make your Apaan Puranas (breaths) pure by doing Simran.  Don’t eat too many times in a day.  Don’t praise yourself.  Lying, bad deeds and praising your woman, do not do these things.  Don’t be greedy.  Don’t be in the company of fools, wrestlers or actors.  Send your sons to Sadhoos to be educated.  Don’t spend too much time in the Darbar of the Guru.  One can become sleepy or start thinking too much; which is a form of disrespect.  Don’t talk about how much Simran you do or other private things about yourself.  See everyone as equals.  While judging, don’t be bias.  Don’t raise about the indulgences of pleasures.  Be still-minded when eating or drinking; only think of Parmeshwar.  Keep your eating and company, pure.  Whichever Sikh does this, their home will be full of wealth.