2-16 Karoon Prasang

The praises of the Guru being the thread; Sarasvati/ Bani being the pearls; strung in the thread; whoever wears this necklace would be radiant in both worlds. 

Sri Bala Sandhur Vaach..

Listen Sri Guru Angad Dev ji, oh Root of Joy; Guru Nanak Dev ji travelled on to pacify the Hell.  Where the great foreign land of Rome is, ruled an emperor named Karoon (Hameed Karoon as per Bhai Mani Singh ji).  Guru ji came to Rome and saw the big city.  Many people lived in poverty there, men and women.  The people worked all day and night.  They never had money and were in pain.  They did not serve any saint or poor person.  The king and the subjects were the same.  They did not say the name of Sri Parmeshwar.  They were in pain for both worlds.  To give peace to these people, the Flag of the Bedis entered the city.  Where Karoon’s big palace was, Guru ji sat in front of it.  The palace had many guards at the front gate.  Guru ji said to the guards: “how is the king of this foreign land?  How much donations does he give to Fakirs?  How does he do justice for the public?  How much compassion does he have?”  The guards heard this and said: “he has made the public to be in pain.  Karoon is a very tyrant king.  He is very cheap and wishes for money all the time.  He does not donate even a little bit to anyone.  He has looted the subjects.  He had a brother named Haroon.  He had collected 40 Ganj of money.  Karoon has 45 Ganj of money (1 Ganj is 30 feet wide and 30 feet high).  He has collected the money of the whole land.  If someone comes asking for justice, he does not listen to them.  If he finds out that someone has money, he takes it from them.  He is without compassion and gives pain to all.  He does not listen to any other human.  The people of his land live in pain and sorrow.  Many villages and homes have been emptied due to people leaving.  Many died seeking justice.”  The Compassionate One heard this and asked the guards further: “how did he collect so much money in one place?  Do the people not hide their money?  Don’t they bury their money?  The money stays in their heart.  How did the king take all the money?  Money gives pain when it comes and when it goes.”  The guards spoke: “listen, oh great Dervish, there was a time when Karoon called all his Viziers and spoke to them harshly: “is there any more money in my land?  Tell me the truth!”  The Viziers got scared and said: “there is no more Rajitpuns left.  Just as the clouds are without water in the winter, that is how your land is.  Not one Rajitpun can be find in your land.”  Karoon called his daughter and said to his Viziers: “sell her in the market!  Whoever gives 1 Rajitpun for her, they can take my daughter and marry her.” 

The princess was taken to the market.  Her face was like the moon.  Her eyes were beautiful.  A 14-year-old boy came to the market and fell in love with the princess.  He went home to his mother and said: “mother, give me 1 Rajitpun.  I wish to marry the daughter of the Paatshaah.  She is very beautiful.  This transaction is very favourable.”  The mother said: “we don’t have 1 Rajitpun.  You can search the whole land and not find it.  If we don’t have money, why do you want to take the princess?”  The boy became stubborn and said: “get me the Rajitpun or else I will die.”  He laid on the ground and rolled around.  The mother cried seeing her son like this.  She took her son’s hand and said: “when your dead father was buried, 1 Rajitpun was put in his mouth.  If you can’t stay without the money, go and take the Rajitpun from our dead father’s grave.”  The boy was happy and went to his father’s grave.  He dug the grave and found the Rajitpun.  He took the money and went to the market in great joy.  He gave the Rajitpun and brought the princess home.

The soldiers told Karoon about the Rajitpun.  Karoon was surprised.  He had the boy arrested and presented in his court.  He was beaten up and asked: “where did you get this Rajitpun from?  Tell us the truth or you will be killed!”  The boy spoke the truth: “I took it out of my father’s grave.  If you can find even 1 Rajitpun in our home, you can send me to the home of the Jumms.”  When Karoon heard about this, he had all of the graves in his land dug up.  In some graves he found silver coins.  There is no bigger tyrant than him.”  The Treasure of Virtues heard this and spoke to the guards: “this guilty person will go to Hell.  It’s very unfortunate that he has earned the money in this way.  His life is damned in this world.  He is slandered here.  People will be happy when he dies.  When he goes to the court of the Parvadhagar, he will be found guilty.  When he will be in great pain, he will regret his actions, rubbing his hands in worry.  Listen to me, oh guards: go and tell your king that a Fakir has come to his door and wishes to meet him.  Tell him that the Fakir wishes to receive no donations.  There is nothing I wish for other than a meeting.  He can come and do my Darshan.  He can listen to my words.”  The guards heard the sweet words of Guru ji, they regarded Guru ji as a great saint.

The guards went to Karoon in the palace and folded their hands.  They said: “a Dervish has come to your main gate.  He is a new one and very radiant.  He speaks sweet words and has a great personality.  He is handsome and radiant.  He looks good to everyone.  He does not wish for any alms.  He just wants to meet you.  That is what he told us.”  Karoon heard this and came to his main gate.  He did the Darshan of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji.  He bowed and stood in front of Guru ji.  A crowd of people came with the king.  Guru Nanak Dev ji was sitting and collecting clay chips to put in a cloth.  Karoon saw this and said: “what are you doing collected those chips?  You seem like a Fakir but are doing a useless act.  Collecting these chips, what will you achieve?”  Guru ji said: “when I leave my body, these clay chips will go with me.  That is why I am collecting them.  They will help me in the afterlife.”  The king said: “oh Dervish, you are not thinking about this.  These chips won’t go with you.  They will stay with your body.  Not even grass will go with you.”  Guru ji said: “you are a tyrant in your own land!  You collected 45 Ganj of money.  How will they go with you?  You collected them with sins.  Look what happened to your brother; he collected 40 Ganj of money and died.  Nothing went with him ahead.  You collected even more than him.  How would your money go with you?  You will go to Hell and suffer a lot of pain.  Others will come and take your money.  You gave pain to others so you will go to Hell.  What will money do for you in Hell when you scream in pain?  When your Pranas leave, your men around you will take your money.  They will bury you after.  Think about this in a good way.  Wherever you saw or heard of coins, you used your strength and power to take them.  You collected money with your sins.  Nothing will go with you.  If you want what is good for you, give the money back to the people.  Listen to my words and let go of your sinful ways.  If you don’t listen to me, you will go to Hell.  There is fire burning for many miles/kos.  The Jumms will pull you around.”  Doing the Darshan of Guru ji and hearing his words, Karoon’s heart became soft.  He became humble and said: “whatever happened, has happened.  Please give me wisdom for my well-being.  I wish to see the Path to Khuddah.  Please give me faith in that path.  My Munn has jealousy.  I remain engrossed in money.  My greed does not go away.  How will I know the path to Khuddah?  Please be compassionate and give me wisdom so that my vices are destroyed.”  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji heard this and began to speak the wisdom of the Naseehat (teaching), which gives joy:

Naseehat Nama

Tilang Mahal 1..

Do good with what Khuddah gives you..

What you see in the world will not last..

The money and wealth will not last forever..

The millionaires or thousand owners will not remain..

The money is owned by the one who spends or eats from it..

It (money) is given or made to be given by the will of Khuddah..

If it (money) is with you, don’t keep it with you, don’t eat alone..

It is certain, the generous one will go to Heaven..

Be respectful, don’t be egotistical..

The world will not last, the courts/kingdoms will not last..

The elephants, the horses, the thousands of armies..

They will all cease to exist, it won’t take long..

The lover of the world says “this is my country.”

When the death comes upon the head, there is no “mine” or “yours”..

Many have gone before you, playing their instruments..

That only remains, who is the True Khuddah..

You come alone and leave alone..

As one leaves, nobody goes with you..

When the accounts are checked, what will you respond with?

You will yell in regret and be in pain..

You showed your strength to earn the money..

You ate, spent and lost it without cause..

In the end you regretted and yelled Hai hai..

You will go to the court and be punished..

Damned are your earnings..

You were deceitful and looted the world to eat..

You drank capfuls and ate Kebobs..

Look oh people, how many have been ruined!

Whose human you are, he has made you..

In the greed of the worldly things, you forgot the Sahib..

You didn’t do the Ibaadat nor did you keep the honour..

You did not give justice to your subjects, when they came to you, asking for it..

You sat in your palaces..

You played in your harems where (fragrant perfumes are sprayed) the smell is pleasant..

You did not ask about what was happening outside..

The bastards killed the poor..

The villages were ruined and not established again..

They shouted and called for you but you did not listen..

The Lakh holders and Crore holders were plenty..

The millionaires or thousand owners will not remain..

They are called rulers but can’t rule..

They are lovers of the world, walking around intoxicated..

You looted many countries, wearing and eating..

The fires of Hell will kill you; burn you..

Don’t use your ego to see, oh lover of the world..

It won’t remain forever so don’t think it will..

Picking up the chessboards (courts), it won’t take him long to do..

Whose world is this?  Whose homes and operations are they?

In a few days you will leave; nothing is permanently held..

Don’t be greedy for more, oh lover of the world..

You won’t be embarrassed by doing good deeds..

You won’t be wearing the cloak of slander when you leave..

If you became lazy, you will be beaten..

Daughter or son, you won’t be able to receive their respect..

You will regret your sins, don’t terrorize others..

The fire of Hell will burn your grave..

Sheiks, Prophets, many kings and Khans..

They are not seen in the world, there are no signs of them..

It is like the shadow of the moving pigeon or animal..

Many have become soil, no one asks for their names..

Gathering 40 Ganj of money, the honour was ruined..

Look Karoon, who is worried..

Not the donors remained, nor will the world remain; it is destructible..

You yourself will see with your eyes, this world will cease to exist..

You did not regret while committing sins..

Baba Nanak does the request with Bandagi, you will need to go to the shelter of such the Khuddah..

(Sri Nanak Prakash Granth)

Karoon heard the words of Guru ji and was shocked.  His heart softened like wax.  He was afraid of his future state, where he was going to be punished.  He thought to himself: “what will happen to me when I die?  The messengers of death will tie me and beat me.  I was a tyrant.  I did not do good for anyone.”  Karoon thought to himself and spoke: “I was ignorant and lazy.  I was asleep.  I don’t know where Khuddah is.  I heard the examples from you and am now scared.  Please be compassionate with me and tell me the Path to Khuddah.  The river of greed for money flows strong.  I am drowning in it.  I can’t get to the shore.  You are the compassionate ferryman who has given me his hand to take me across.  The attachment of family is a dark well.  I have been in this well for a long time.  See me as your follower and take me out.”  Hearing the request, the Compassionate One spoke: “till faith and devotion does not come, you can’t find the path to Khuddah with words.  You must do Bandagi all the time.  Keep your mind still and humble.  Keep it low.  Till you love the world, you won’t be able to break the bonds of the world.  The people you see in the world are the friends of good food and drink.  They are your friends till they get to eat.  When they don’t get anything from you, they become your enemies.  This concept of “mine” and “not mine,” is only till you have money.  Where there is no money, they won’t even look at you.  Think about all this in your heart and renounce the attachment for your family.  The ones whom you love, are only in love with money.  They are of no use to you in times of pain.  The one who supports you in joy and sorrow is only the One Khuddah.   To love the world is of no benefit.  When the pain comes, everyone runs away.  The love of Sri Prabhoo ji is great.  Therefore, love the Sri Prabhoo ji forever.  The Simran of the Prabhoo will release you at the time of death.  You will be in joy here and there.”  When Karoon heard such words, he became humble and grabbed Guru ji’s feet.  He said to Guru ji: “I will do as you say.  I won’t be able to do anything else.  I come to your sanctuary.  My faith is in your lotus feet.”  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji spoke when he saw Karoon humble: “release all your prisoners from your jail.  You have arrested people for no reason.” 

Wherever his jails were, Karoon sent messengers to release the prisoners.  He gave the money back to the people whom he took from.  He had the people sent back to their homes with respect.  Guru ji said: “do the Simran of Satnam.  This will give you joy forever.  From now on, protect the poor and weak.  Let go of your tyrant ways.  The money you collected with sins, give it all away in the name of Khuddah.  Do Bandagi with humility.  Think about your own good in your heart.”  Karoon obeyed Guru ji.  He did what he was told.  He sent his Soobas to make Langar.  The country of Rome became calm and peaceful.  Donations began to happen because Sri Guru ji went there.  The tyranny stopped.  Many people began to come.  They brought gifts for Guru ji and bowed to his feet, the Givers of Mukti.  Sri Gobind ji was the Sat, Chit and Anand. 

Karoon spoke with his both hands folded: “you have blessed me a lot.  I was going into a deep and dark well.  You took me out with your hand and destroyed my pain.  I have been blessed.  I have hope now in my heart.  You are definitely Khuddah who has come to tell me the path.”  He bowed to Guru ji’s feet over and over again.  He was humble and had a lot of love.  Guru ji spoke with compassion: “Karoon, this path is straight to Khuddah.  You have been blessed.  Your big sins have been crushed.  You are thinking of Kartaar now.  The bonds of the world will be broken for you.”  Karoon said: “this is because of your compassion and blessing.  You cut the chain of greed from my neck.  You showed me the righteous path.  You blessed everyone in this land.” 

Guru ji spent some days in the land.  The people were in joy now.  The wisdom of Simran and charity was given to all.  The ones who obeyed were blessed.  The fear in the land was crushed.  Karoon was put on the righteous path.  Guru ji then got ready to leave.  Karoon said: “please be compassionate and stay with me.  Why do you wish to leave?  I am your servant in every way.  You saved the whole country.  If you wish to leave, then tell me: when will you give me your Darshan?”  Guru ji heard this and said: “do the Simran and you will be blessed.  Focus in your heart.  This is my Darshan.  This is the way to meet me.”  After saying this, Guru ji, the Master of the World, took leave and travelled to another land.

2-17 Habash/ Chola/ Ram Chander Katha

Her light illuminates in the world.  Her light saves many in the world.  The one who rides the swan; she is victorious and gives victory to others.  Oh Mata (Sarsvati Goddess of Wisdom/ Gurbani), please illuminate my wisdom.

Sri Bala Sandhur Vaach..

Listen Sri Guru Angad Dev ji, oh Giver of Joy, the Treasure of Virtues: Guru Nanak Dev ji travelled on.  The Compassionate One went to the foreign land of Habash (possibly Abyssinia, Ethiopia, Africa).  The king was corrupt.  If Hindus came to his land, he would have them killed.  This was known around the area: “if he finds a Hindu, the king kills them.”  The Satguru came there to make people chant the Naam.  The people were crocked there.  Guru ji wanted them to walk the straight path.  Guru ji came to make them stop doing the bad deeds and give them the wisdom of the righteous path.  A Chola came from the sky and landed near Guru ji.  Its colour could not be understood.  The make of the chola was interesting and amazing.  There were many types of writings on the Chola.  Hindi, Farsi, Arabic, Turki and Sanskrit letters were written on the Chola.  Guru ji put the Chola on.  The colour of the Chola was radiant and natural.  Where the king lived, Guru ji went and sat near his residence.  When a man came out of the village, he was surprised to see Guru ji’s Chola.  The whole village found out.  They all came to see Guru ji’s Chola.  The people went to the king and spoke with humility: “a Darvesh has come into the village.  We have never seen such a Chola that he is wearing.  The Chola has the 30 Siparas of the Koran written on it.   The whole Koran is written on it.  5 types of writings are written on the Chola properly.”  The king heard this and called his Vizier.  He said to him: “there is a Darvesh that has come outside.  Take his Chola off and bring it.”  The Vizier obeyed and went outside.  He came to Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji with some soldiers.  He stood there and said: “take your Chola off and give it to us.  The king is calling for it.  Don’t disobey.  You will be in pain otherwise.”  Sri Guru ji laughed and said: “if you can take it off, you can have it.”  The Vizier and the soldiers tried to take the Chola off.  They tried their best but failed.  When they pulled it, it did not pull nor did it rip.  They were all surprised. 

The people told the king of what happened.  The king spoke in anger and ego: “he seems to be a Hindu.  Drown him in the river.”  The Vizier came back to Guru ji with anger.  There was a deep river nearby.  They picked up Guru ji and threw him into the river.  The Chola did not get wet.  The water did not drown him.  Guru ji came out of the river and sat near the shore.  People were surprised to see this.  They were shocked and told the king: “he did not drown.”  The king said: “throw firewood on him and burn him.  Take a lot of wood and light it.”  The Vizier came to Guru ji and brought a lot of firewood.  They stacked them around Satguru ji.  They lit the fire all around Guru ji.  Guru ji was not touched by the fire.  The fire cooled down.  The wood became ash.  Satguru ji sat on top of the ash.  The king heard about this: “the Fakir is magical.  Kill him in front of me.”  The king came to where Satguru ji was sitting.  He said: “bring boulders and put them on top of him.”  The people brought boulders and put them on top of Guru ji’s chest.  They said: “he will now be killed.  Let’s go home.” 

The next day, Guru ji was sitting on top of a boulder.  The people were shocked to see this.  They said: “this Fakir can’t be killed.  We don’t understand this.”  They went to the king and said: “the one whom you buried under the boulder, he is sitting with his 2 companions and singing something.”  The king was amazed.  He said: “oh Khuddah, what is this?”  He spoke to his ministers.  Some wise ones said: “he seems to be the form of Khuddah.  Others don’t have these kinds of powers.  Go and worship his feet with faith.  You tried everything and failed.  You tried to kill him but he did not die.  Be humble in front of him.  Grab his feet and ask for forgiveness.  We have seen his power.  Let’s listen to his words.”  The king trembled in fear, hearing this.  He thought to himself: “I have made a big mistake.  I hope my land is not ruined.”  He gathered many gifts and came to Guru ji.  The king had black skin.  He was really scared and became humble.  He came and grabbed Guru ji’s lotus feet.  He folded his hands and said: “I made a lot of mistakes.  Please forgive me, oh Ocean of Virtues.  You are the Peer of Peers.  Are you Khuddah?  You are mysterious.  We don’t understand you.  I will follow what you say.  I won’t make the same mistake again.  I won’t disrespect a Fakir again.  I was unwise.  Please bless me and don’t get angry.”  Guru ji saw the humility in the king and became compassionate.  He spoke words of wisdom: “if you stop killing humans then you will be forgiven.  If you don’t stop, you will be punished in Hell.  You will be in pain.”  King Laajbardh heard this and said: “since I came to your feet, I can’t even break a piece of grass now.  Whatever you say, I will do.”  Guru ji said: “if you obey me then do the Simran of Satnam, which gives joy.  Do deeds for Khuddah.  In your land, start Langar.  Make sure no one remains hungry in your land.  Give clothes to whoever comes to your land, without clothes.  Help the poor.  Stop your sinful ways.”  The king listened and started to do all the good deeds.  He started to do the Simran of Satnam.  He made Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji his Peer.  He became Guru ji’s Mureed and served him well.  Guru ji stayed in this city for some days.  His praises spread in the homes.  People served visitors and saints.  They chanted the Naam of the Parmeshwar.

One day when Guru ji was sitting down, oh Guru Angad Dev ji, I said to Guru ji: “the Avatar of Sri Prabhoo ji, Sri Ram Chander ji, the one who killed the clans of the Daynts; the Lanka in the ocean, which has no path to reach, he put rocks in the ocean and made a bridge and made the monkey army cross it; I wish to see the Lanka.  Please be compassionate and show me the Lanka.”  Guru ji heard this and said: “Bala, I can’t refuse you.”  Guru ji left Habash right away.  We came to the ocean shore in a blink of an eye.  Guru ji sat near the place where the bridge was built by the Raghuvir (Ram Chander ji).  There was a Shivling there that was radiant.  Bhai Mardana ji spoke: “how is this Shivling here?  He established this?  It is a great reward to do its Pooja.  Tell me about this.  You know past and future, oh Omnipotent One.”  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji said: “listen Mardana to the Katha: when Ram Chander ji came here with the monkey army, he saw the ocean and said: “how can we cross this ocean?”  The people said: “build a bridge.”  Ram Chander ji accepted their idea.  He first did the Pooja of Shiv ji.  He worshipped the Shivling and then gave permission to build the bridge.  Before starting any task, those who worship their Guru, their tasks become easier.  Those people are peaceful.  Since then, the Shivling has been here.  Raghubir has established the Shivling with love.  He wrote his own name of “Ram” on the rocks and tied the bridge which was beautiful.  This is the place known as “Rameshwar.”  The bridge was known as “Ram Setu.”  Bhai Mardana ji said: “I have a doubt.  Why did the Raghubir do this?  He was omnipotent.  Where he was standing, he could do anything.  Why did he do the Pooja of Shivji?  This is one doubt.  Another doubt, oh Omniscient One is: why did he write his own name and place the rocks in the water?  Why did he do this?  Please destroy my 2 doubts.  It seems that he didn’t have strength or power; so he used the support of others.”  The Compassionate One heard this and spoke: “listen Mardana, by your ear: the greatness of the Naam is the greatest along with the Bhagat.  The greatness of the Bhagats is because of the Naam as well.  Within Devatas and humans, the glory of the Naam is known as the highest.  Shamboo Shiv is the greatest Bhagat.  He does Bhagti all the time.  He sits in Bhagti for many Yugas without opening his eyes.  He focuses on the Parmeshwar continuously.  Vishnu is the Satoguni, which radiates the white colour.  Shiv ji meditates upon Vishnu and so he is white.  Shiv ji is Tamoguni.  Tamogun is black and because Vishnu ji meditates on Shiv ji, he has become black.  Both of their bodies have switched with each other’s colours for this reason.  Don’t see any difference between the two.  They are two but their Jot is one.  Now listen about the writing of his name on the rocks, I will destroy this doubt of yours.  Only some have seen the form of Ram Chander and become blessed.  By chanting the Name, crores will be saved.  The glory of the Naam is bigger than the one whose name it is.  He saw the “Ram” name as higher than him.  The bridge was tied in this way.  He killed the egotistical Daynts.”  Bhai Mardana ji asked: “I wish to hear the Katha of Raghuvir ji with love.  Why did he cross the ocean by tying a bridge?  Why did he go to the Lanka to kill the Daynts?  Tell me the whole Katha.  Nothing is hidden from you.”

The Great Satguru ji spoke: “there was a great king named Dashrath who was from a great family (the Surya Vansh).  He had 3 queens: Kaushaliya, Kaikaee and Sumitra.  4 sons were born to these 3 women.  From the eldest, Kaushaliya, Ram Chander ji was born.  Kaikaee had Bharat and Sumitra gave birth to Lachman and Shatrugan.  These 4 were more handsome than Kamadeva.  They grew up playing when the king of Munis, Vishwamitra was preforming a Yagna.  The Daynts would interrupt the Yagna.  They made Vishwamitra stop the yagna.  Vishwamitra sat in Dhyana and looked with his powerful vision.  He knew what was happening in the world.  He saw that the Devatas were in pain because of Ravan.  They went to the shelter of Akaal Purakh and sang his glories.  Sri Kartaar ji listened to their prayers.  Sri Vishnu ji took an Avatar as Ram Chander ji to kill the Daynts.  When Vishwamitra ji saw this, he came to Ayodhya.  Dashrath respected the Muni.  Vishwamitra asked for the king’s eldest son.  He took Ram Chander ji back to his Ashram with joy.  On the way, Ram Chander ji killed Taraka.  Two other strong Daynts came.  Ram Chander ji killed Mareech with a headless arrow.  He fell at the doors of Lanka.  Ram Chander ji then killed Subahu Daynt.  The Rishi, Vishwamitra ji, was able to complete his Yagna.  At that time, Raja Janak’s messenger had come to invite the Muni to the Swaimvar (choosing of a husband) of Janak’s daughter.  The Muni went to the Swaimvar with both the princes, Ram and Lachman. 

They arrived in the city of Raja Janak.  Many other kings had gathered along with other people.  The challenge was to break the bow of Shiv ji.  Whoever would break the bow would be able to marry the daughter of Raja Janak.  None of the kings were able to pick up the bow.  Ram Chander ji got up with the permission of Vishwamitra ji and broke the bow of Shiva.  The daughter of Janak, whose name was (Mata) Sita ji, she put a flower garland around the neck of Ram Chander ji.  Raja Dashrath was called.  He brought a Bharaat and came to Mithila.  He had all 4 of his sons married with the 4 daughters of Raja Janak (2 were his own daughters and the other 2 were his brother’s).  They all came back to Ayodhya and spent some days there.  Bharat went off to Kashmir to visit his Nana (maternal grandfather).  Ram Chander ji was in his home.  Dashrath saw the state of his body and wished to give the kingdom to his son, Ram Chander ji.  He analysed the time of the royal coronation and made preparations.  Kaikaee heard about this and became anxious.  She thought to herself: “my son should be the king.”  She became greedy and wanted Bharat to be the king.  When her husband came to her, she was upset and did not speak.  Dashrath got scared and said: “oh one with the moon-like face, why are you angry?  You can take what you want.  Who has upset you?”  Kaikaee spoke of her wish: “complete your promise.  You have given me two wishes that you would complete.  If you don’t complete my wishes, I will be upset.  If you complete them, I will live on.  Otherwise I will die right now.”  The Raja said: “take what you wish.”  Kaikaee said: “I wish for my son, Bharat, to be king.”  The king could not refuse.  He damned Kaikaee but completed her wish.  Kaikaee’s second wish was for Ram Chander to be exiled for 14 years to the forest.  When Dashrath heard this, he lost his will to live.  Ram Chander ji obeyed the two commands and went to the jungles with Sita Mata and Lachman.  The subjects of Ayodhya cried seeing this.  They did not want to be away from Ram Chander ji.  Dashrath ji left his body in depression.  He completed his promises but left his body.  When Rishi Vashisht ji saw all this, he quickly called for Bharat to come back. 

When Bharat ji came home and saw the bad natures, he was hurt and upset.  He cursed his own mother and cremated his father’s body with proper traditions.  He cried and left Ayodhya.  He came to where Ram Chander ji was in the jungle.  He met his brother with anxiety.  He bowed to his feet with love and devotion.  He said: “oh master, please forgive our mistakes.  Come home or take me with you.”  The Ocean of Truth, Sri Ram Chander ji thought about everything and gave hope to his brother.  He gave his brother his sandals and sent him back home.  Bharat ji took the sandals of Ram Chander ji and placed them on the Royal Throne of Ayodhya.  (Bharat ji ruled Ayodhya in his brother’s absence and lived in a hut outside the royal palace.  He dressed like a hermit and ate what his brother ate in the jungle.)

After a few days, Ram Chander ji came to the Ashram of August Muni.  He stayed there for a few days and then went to another place in the jungle, which was the place of Ravan’s sister, Soopnakha.  He made a hut there and lived there with Sita Mata and Lachman ji.  One day, Soopnakha came to see them.  She was attracted to Ram Chander ji’s handsome face.  She said: “love me and marry me.  Otherwise I will defeat you and kill you.”  Lachman heard this and became very angry.  Lachman cut Soopnakha’s nose and ear. 

Soopnakha went to Ravan and told him what happened.  She said: “there is a beautiful woman with Ram and Lachman.  I went to capture her to bring her to you but they cut my nose and ear.”  Ravan heard this and got really angry.  He made Mareech into a golden deer.  Trimundang was sent.  When he heard of Mareech’s death by Ram’s hands, Ravan went himself disguised as a Jogi. 

Sita Mata ji had seen the golden deer and asked Ram Chander ji to hunt it.  Ram Chander ji chased to hunt the deer.  Lachman ji followed after a long time, when Ram ji did not return.  Ravan saw an opportunity as Sita Mata was alone.  He said: “Alakh,” and played his bells.  He came begging for alms.  Sita ji saw the Jogi and brought food for him.  Ravan grabbed Sita ji and flew to the sky.  When Ram Chander ji came back, the hut was empty.  He wondered where his wife was.  He became anxious and yelled out for Sita.  He couldn’t find her anywhere.  He lost his senses.  In the jungle, Ram ji met the Vaanars, Sugreev and Hanuman ji.  They all became friends as Sugreev’s wife was taken by force by his brother Baali.  Baali took over Sugreev’s kingdom with deceit.  Ram Chander ji killed Baali with one arrow and completed Sugreev’s task.  The Vaanar army was sent to look for Sita Mata.  Hanuman ji came to Lanka and saw Sita Mata sitting there.  Hanuman killed many Daynts and burned the Lanka.  He came back to Ram Chander ji and told him where Sita Mata ji was.  Ram Chander ji took the Vaanar army and attacked Lanka.  He came here and tied the bridge of Rameshwar.  Angad was a great Vaanar.  He went to Lanka and told Ravan to give Sita Mata ji back.  Ravan did not listen.  A great battle raged.  The death-filled Nagaras played from both sides in Raag Maaroo with the flags flying proudly.  Kumbkaran was killed first by Sri Ram Chander ji.  Meghnaad was then killed by Lachman ji.  Trimundang was killed by Hanuman ji.  Ravan was killed by Sri Ram ji and Sita ji was brought back.  They all went back to their home.  Ram Chander ji sat on the Royal Throne and ruled for 10,000 years.  He then went to Vaikunt.  This is the Katha of Ram Chander ji.  It is a blessed Katha.  Mardana, this is a summary.  The Katha is really long and great.  It destroys the sins.  I will take you to the beautiful Lanka now.  There are homes made of gold and diamonds there.” 

2-18 Lanka Parsang/ Meeting Bibheekhan and Hanuman

Oh donner of the quiver full of arrows and the bow, Guru Gobind Singh ji, you are the home of bliss and the giver of Mukti.  You are the destroyer of sinners.  You live in the hearts of your servants and destroy their fears.  I bow to your Lotus feet, which give joy.

Sri Bala Sandhur Vaach..

Sri Guru Angad Dev ji, listen oh wisest one, Bhai Mardana ji spoke to Guru Nanak Dev ji: “the bridge that Raghuvir tied, let’s walk on that, oh Great Guru ji.”  Guru ji said: “when Ram ji returned from Lanka, he broke the bridge.  The way does not exist anymore.  There are some symbols remaining of the bridge though.  He used the power of the Naam to tie the bridge.  We will take the power of the Naam and cross the ocean.”  The Jagan Nath then crossed the ocean in this way.  He walked on the water and did not get wet.  We followed.  When we were half way through, we saw a really big sea creature.  It was 100 Kos long.  Guru ji walked on the sea creature.  When he got to the head of the creature, Bhai Mardana ji got scared looking at the creature.  He was shocked and said: “Sri Prabhoo ji, by your radiance, the creature didn’t eat us.  Otherwise it would have eaten us up.  Just as a grain easily fits in the mouth of a human, we would have been nothing but a grain for it.  We have seen a sea creature before but this one is much bigger.  How many Kos are these creatures?  Please tell me.”  Prabhoo ji said: “watch the drama.  Don’t have doubt seeing the Maya of Parmeshwar.  The previous creature was 35 Kos.  This one is 100 Kos.  Its species is called “Tim.”  There is one that can swallow it in whole.  That is called Timangal.  There are really big ones.”  After saying this, Guru ji went quiet.  When the soil from the feet of Guru ji touched the creature’s head, it was able to speak.  Guru ji asked the creature: “who are you and how did you become a fish?”  The creature became humble and said: “listen to how I became a fish: it was there at the time of Janak Raja.  I did a strict Tapp.  I would stand in the water in cold or heat.  I had patience as the water was up to my neck.  One day, Raja Janak came to me casually.  He said to me: “you did a strict Tapp and it is complete.  Let go of this Tapp now and go to the Satsangat of Sadhoos.  Go there and do Seva in a good way.  Your Munn will receive Gyaan in this way.  You will undoubtedly receive Mukti.”  I bowed to his feet and said to him: “I will do this Tapp for one more year.  Then my Tapp will be completed.”  The Mukat Raja said: “I told you good teachings but you did not obey.  For this reason you will become a sea creature and live in the water.”  I heard this and became scared.  I wanted to ask about the end of the curse.  I asked: “how long will I be a sea creature?  Will I receive Mukti or not?”  Janak said: “in the time of Kaliyuga, the Compassionate One will take an Avatar.  When his feet touch you, your curse will be destroyed.”  I asked Janak: “how will I know of him?  Tell me everything.”  Janak said: “listen Munni, when he comes to you, his feet will touch you and you will remember everything.  He will give you Mukti and go onwards.”  I know that you are the Sri Guru Nanak Nirankari ji.  Please bless me.  Keep me in your shelter now.”  Guru ji heard these words and said: “your age is only 24 hours now.  You will leave your body.  Till then, do the Simran of Vahiguru.  I will give you Mukti and then go.”  The creature did Simran for 24 hours.  He left his body and the curse was destroyed.  He left his body and became the form of Chaturbhuj Vishnu.  He had earrings in his ear, his colour was black like clouds.  His body was handsome, like a second Kamadeva.  He praised Guru ji and went to Vaikunt.  He sang: “jai jai Satguru!” 

The Light of the Bedis travelled on.  We came close to Lanka.  Big Daynts were wandering the shores.  They were like black mountains walking.  Bhai Mardana ji got scared seeing them.  He lost his patience and said: “the Rakshishes will come and eat us.  They won’t take long to kill us.  Let’s not go close to them.  Let’s go somewhere else.”  Guru ji said: “you recite and listen to my words all the time but you still don’t think of good things.  Your mind is stuck in the big Maya Attachment.  Your body is possessed by ego.  You haven’t destroyed your doubt yet.  When ghosts possess a body, that person forgets his own body and becomes the ghost.  Mantras need to be read by exorcists.  The ghosts leave then.  The person remembers who he is.  Till he was possessed, he is in pain.  When the ghost leaves, he is in joy.  The ghost of ego has possessed your body.  You have forgotten your real self, the Aatma.  The Shabad of the Guru is the Mantra that destroys the sense of your body.  The ego of your body would be destroyed.  You would then see your Aatma and know who you really are.  Mukti and bliss are achieved.  The bonds are broken along with the noose of the Jumms.  It is like the snake shedding its body and leaving it.  It does not go back.  When the ego of the body goes, the person does not go back to the same status.  Till he dies, the person sees his body as destructible.  He does not feel the pain of the body.”  Bhai Mardana ji said: “you are the Treasure of Virtues.  You have the great Yog.  When I am blessed, I will be able to see my real form.”  We spoke to each other and then the 2 strong Daynts came.  They stood and spoke: “where did you come from?  Why are you sitting here?”  Guru ji said: “I am Ram, oh guards.  I wish to meet your Raja, Bibheekhan.  When he comes out from the palace I will meet him.”  The Asuras heard this and went into the city.  They gave their Raja the news: “in the great gardens, there are 3 humans.  They said: “we are Ram, the messengers of Parmeshwar.”  They wish to meet you.”  Bibheekhan got up right away.  He ran barefoot towards the gardens.  Many Rakshishes went with him, who were huge like mountains.  Their nostrils were like deep caves.  The 2 guards were ahead.  They all came to Guru ji with love in their hearts.  Bibheekhan placed gifts and bowed with devotion.  He said, “Ram Ram,” and sat near Guru ji.  Guru ji asked how he was.  Guru ji said: “listen Lankesha (King of Lanka), you have been separated from Ram Chander ji for a long time.  Did you meet him again or not?  You are the greatest Bhagat amongst the Daynts.”  Bibheekhan recognized Guru ji as the complete saint.  He folded his hands and said: “listen Sant ji, since I separated from Ram Chander ji, I have been doing his Simran.  I didn’t see myself separated from him.  His Naam lives in my Chit.  I meditate on the Giver of Mukti.  I am always in bliss.  The bodies meet but are destined to separate.  The ones who really meet, never separate because the Naam Mantra is inside their hearts.  When Sri Ram ji came to Lanka, I tried to convince Ravan to give Sita Mata back to Ram ji so he could rule with joy.  He got mad at me and kicked me in the chest.  He disrespected me in the fully filled court.  I tolerated the pain of his kick and became humble.  I saw the shelter of Ram Chander ji.  I thought of going to him: “when he destroys Lanka, Ram ji would win.  He will give me the kingdom of Lanka.”  I thought of this and went home.  I was humble and went to Ram Chander ji.  When I did the Darshan of Ragunath, the wish for kingdom was destroyed.  My thoughts became pure.  I thought to myself: “the kingdom is a great ocean of pain.  The tasks of the world are a deep well.  One can’t come out of it.”  I became detached from the world and bowed to Ram Chander ji.  The Omniscient One already knew what I was thinking.  He said from his mouth: “come Lankesh!  Sit down here.”  I folded my hands and said: “I don’t wish for a kingdom or any land.”  Sri Raghupati ji said: “when you left your home, this is the wish you had.  You wanted me to give you the Lanka kingdom.  This is my way.  Understand this Bibheekhan.  When a Jagyaso leaves his home with humility, I fulfill his first wish.  I then give them the beautiful state of Mukti.”  He said this to me.  I have the support of his Naam all the time.”  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji said: “you are great Bibheekhan!  You attained the status of Chiranjeev.  You stayed in your body and focused on the Ram Naam.  The Rakshish are all afraid of you.  They obey you and are your servants.  They don’t give pain to anyone.  They all have faith in Prema Bhagti.”  Bibheekhan heard this and said: “the Bemukh Daynts were all killed by Ram ji.  He gave me the kingdom and went to Ayodhya.  I was with him along with the Bandar Dal.  When we went there, I was given the wisdom from Ram ji: “Ishwar’s Avatars come to this earth for specific tasks.  They complete the tasks and go back to Vaikunth.  The people sing the glories of the Avatars and achieve joy.  The saints are my “Nit Avatars.”  The “Namit Avatars” come to complete specific tasks.  Meeting them, the sins are washed away.  There is no difference between the saints and me.”  Ram Chander ji said this to me.  My pain was gone.  You are a saint.  I see you as Sri Ram Chander ji.  You are the Giver of Joy.  Please give me wisdom.  There is no difference between you and Ram ji.  I have seen that Ishwar is the same everywhere.”  When Guru ji heard this, he uttered Bani:

Sri Mukhvaak Ramkali Mahalla 1..

The Gurmukh tied a bridge by the support of Vidhata.. The Lanka was looted and the Daynts were pacified..

Ram Chand killed Ravan and Ahiravan (Mahiravan – the ruler of the Patals)..  The secret was given to him by the Gurmukh, Bibheekhan..

The Gurmukh made the rocks float on the ocean..  The Gurmukh saved the 33 Crore (Devatas)..

(SGGS 942)

Sri Guru ji said: “listen Bibheekhan, you are the Gurmukh who gave Sri Ram ji the secret (to killing Ravan – he told Ram ji that the Amrit was in Ravan’s navel.  Only bursting his navel would kill Ravan).  Ram ji killed Ravan and completed his tasks.  Ram ji thought of the Guru’s Shabad and made the rocks float in the ocean.  The Shabad of the Satguru is the greatest.  Leave the shelter of the 33 Crore Devatas.  Contemplate on the Shabad of the Satguru in your heart.  Ingrain this wisdom that I have given you into your heart.  See the whole world as a dream.  Recognize the One Aatma everywhere.  Do the Sangat of saints; this is where joy is, day and night.  This is the good wisdom.  It will give Mukti to sinners.” 

Bhai Mardana ji spoke: “I have heard that Hanuman ji lives here too.  Sri Prabhoo ji, show him to me.”  Bibheekhan heard this and spoke: “where Ravan’s resting place is, Hanuman sits near there.  He does not bow to anyone besides Sri Ram ji.  He does not obey anyone else.”  Guru ji said: “I will come into the form of Ram along with Sita on my side.  Call him and show him to us.  We are here now.”  Bibheekhan sent a Daynt to Hanuman.  The Daynt said: “Sri Ram ji has come with Sita Mata.  He is calling you.  Bibheekhan has gone to meet them.  I came to inform you of this.”  Hanuman ji heard this and got excited.  He left with the Daynt, with joy in his heart. 

Guru ji changed his form into Sri Ram ji’s form.  I was made into Lachman.  Bhai Mardana ji was formed into Mata Sita ji.  Hanuman ji came there.  His body was huge like the golden mountain.  He had a gurj resting on his shoulder.  He bowed to the Lotus feet of Guru ji.  He sat down with bliss in his heart.  He opened his eyes wider to see Guru ji.  He got goosebumps and was really happy.  His love overflowed for Sri Ram ji.  Guru ji then spoke in the form of Sri Ram: “listen to my words, Hanuman, my beloved: see me as omnipresent in your mind.  When you see me everywhere, you will always be connected to me.  You will never separate from me.  Every body that you see, see them as Sita.  Sita then takes on the form of Raghubir as well as Lachman.  See the Bandar Dal, Baali and Jaamvant as Sita.  Sita is Angad and Sita is Sugreev.  She is also the Daynts, Ravan, his sons and Bibheekhan.  Sita is Maya.  There is no one else besides Sita.  Everything you see is Sita, the Maya.  Sita is everywhere, taking the existence power of Ram.  Ram is the Chetna.  The whole world was made by Sita with Ram’s Chetna.  Sita nourishes the world and Sita destroys.  Sita uses the Chetna of Ram.  Ram is omnipresent, existing in all.  Without Ram, there is no heart.  There is Sita and there is Ram.  There is no third.”  Hearing the sweet words, Hanuman was drenched in love.  He was happy and said: “you showed the Truth.  Keep me with you.”  In the form of Sri Ram ji, Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji said: “where Katha and Keertan happen, that is where I live forever.  Listen to Keertan with love.  Staying there will give you the same reward as staying with me.  Love the Satsangat.  You can go back to where you were now.”  Hanuman ji bowed and went to the cremation place of Ravan.  He came there quickly.  He made another body of himself and went to where Katha and Keertan would happen. 

Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji came back to his original form.  Myself and Bhai Mardana ji were in our original forms again.  We took leave from Bibheekhan and went to another place.  Santokh Singh bows to the Guru as the Adhyaaya is completed.

2-19 Palakh, Shaalmali, Kush, Krauch, Shaakh and Pushkar Deep

You Destroy the darkness of ignorance and give the Gyaan to the eyes.  Sri Sarasvati, you give great wisdom.  Victory be to you!  Please come and live in my words.

Sri Bala Sandhur Vaach..

Sri Guru Angad Dev ji, listen to the Joyful Katha.  Bhai Mardana ji said to Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji: “please show me the Deeps (Dveeps).  This is a wish in my heart.  I wish to see the 7 Deeps.  You are omnipotent in every way.  You can go wherever you want to.”  The Compassionate One said: “the Jambu Deep is the best.  It is 100,000 Jozens.  It is in the middle of the 6 other Deeps.  The Sumer Mountain is in the middle, like the stamen of a lotus flower.  It is radiant.  Sumer is 1 Jozen.  Some are below and some are above.  There are many Jamun plants growing here and therefore it’s called “Jambu Deep.”  I showed you the 9 Khands, within them, the Bharat Khand, it is in the middle.  Virtues, Yagnas, and Tapps, whoever does these in the Bharat Khand, one can reap the rewards in the other Khands.  I can’t refuse you so let’s go and see the 7 Deeps, as they are.”  Sri Guru ji led the way.  We crossed the ocean, which was 100,000 Jozens.  Guru ji crossed it in the blink of an eye.  We came to the Palakh Deep.  Many Pippal trees grow there so it’s called Palakh Deep.  The humans are beautiful here.  They experience joy by their wishes.  The people live to 1,000 years here.  They live like Devatas.  There are 7 rivers that flow here.  Every type of pleasure is here.  The houses are made of gold.  Where Guru ji sat, many people came and bowed to his feet.  They said to themselves: “he is a saint from another Deep.”  They brought nice gifts of sweet fruits.  They sat around Guru ji with surprise.  Sri Prabhoo ji said to them: “you are all happy here.  They way this Deep is, tell me everything.  Joy and pain, tell me whatever is here.  Let go of lies and tell me.”  The people of Palakh Deep said: “we have every type of joy here but we have 3 types of pain.  We will tell you what they are: whom we see bigger than ourselves, we are jealous of them.  Seeing the ones smaller than us, we are egotistical towards them.  The ones who are equal to us, we slander them.  The people are in pain from these 3 things.  Everything else is good.”  Guru ji spoke: “listen to my words as true: these 3 pains can go away and you will always be in bliss.”  The people spoke with their hands folded: “please give us wisdom by which we may be in bliss.”  Guru ji said: “Ram is in everyone.  There is no one else.  When you see this in your heart, you won’t see duality or jealousy.  When you are determined with this, you won’t be in pain again.  Chant the Satnam.  Do the Simran of the Satgur and make Karah Prashaad.  Do an Ardaas and give the Prashaad to the Sikhs.  Your doubts will run away.”  Hearing the sweet words of Satguru ji, the people had faith and became Sikhs.  Satguru ji stayed for some time and then travelled on.

The Palakh Deep was 200,000 Jozens, Guru ji crossed it quickly.  We reached an ocean.  The water was sweet as sugarcane juice.  The ocean was 200,000 Jozens.  Prabhoo ji crossed the ocean and his toe did not get wet.  None of us were wet.  We followed him.  Guru ji took us to the shore.  We reached the other side quickly.  The name of the next Deep was Shaalmali.  It got its name from the Simal tree.  Guru ji sat near the city.  Many people came to see Guru ji.  They bowed and sat down.  They would then go back to their homes.  They said to themselves: “this saint is from another Deep.”  The king came to know about Guru ji’s arrival.  The king gathered expensive gifts and came to bow his head.  When he sat down, Guru ji said: “take these gifts back with you.  They are of no use to me.  You don’t do the Simran of the Naam.  Your life is damned.”  The king folded his hands and said: “please give us your wisdom by which we will follow.  You are the saint that is the form of Parmeshwar.  Your glory is the most beautiful I have ever seen.”  He praised Guru ji.  Guru ji then said: “chant the Naam of Satnam by your mouth.  Do this forever.  Make the Panchamrit of the Guru and distribute it.  You will be in joy in both worlds.”  They obeyed the words of Satguru ji and took the Pahul of Guru ji’s feet.  Many people became Guru ji’s Sikhs.  He made them practice Simran, Charity and Ishnaan.  Guru ji spent some days there in the palace of the Raja to destroy their pain.  Guru ji then took leave and went on ahead.

After 400,000 Jozens of the Shaalmali Deep, we reached the ocean which was made of alcohol.  The ocean was as big as the Deep.  Guru ji made us fly over the ocean of alcohol.  We crossed to get to the other shore.  It was called the Kush Deep, named after the Kusha plant.  The good deeds done in Jambu Deep, the rewards were reaped as the pleasure in Kush Deep.  Guru ji sat near a Puri.  A lot of people came to Guru ji.  They were surprised to see Guru ji.  They placed their gifts and bowed to Guru ji.  The people spoke to each other: “this saint is from another Deep.  He crossed a huge ocean to come here.”  Seeing the surprising ability, the people all came to bow to Guru ji.  They saw Guru ji as powerful, omnipotent and the Giver of Mukti.  They saw him as the saint who could destroy the pain.  They came for Guru ji’s wisdom.  By Guru ji’s Darshan, the people received Bhagti.  Sri Guru ji said: “Mukti is received by the Satnam.  Do the Seva of the saints with your heart.  Denounce the indulgence of pleasures.  Don’t wish for them.  The good deeds you did, you are spending them by indulging in pleasures.  Become deserving of the highest status by chanting the Naam with a pure Aatma.  Destroy your bad intentions.”  The people heard Guru ji and started to do Simran.  The Naam was chanted with pure minds.  They became pure by Satguru ji’s Darshan.  They were drenched in Bhagti.  They became Guru ji’s servants.  Many came and took the Pahul of Guru ji’s feet.  They were in joy then.  Guru ji made them chant the Naam and illuminated the Prema Bhagti.  Guru ji took leave from this Deep.

Crossing the 800,000 Jozens Deep, we came to the ocean of ghee.  The Deep was as big as its ocean.  Guru ji walked over that ocean which was crossed in the blink of an eye.  We saw a city and sat down near it.  It was the Kraunch Deep.  The people were beautiful here.  They indulged in many pleasures and stuck to their vices.  When the people saw Sri Guru ji, they came with love.  They bowed and sat near Guru ji.  The king heard of Guru ji’s arrival and came to see him with faith.  He praised Guru ji’s glory.  To give the people wisdom, Guru ji spoke sweet words: “the Death Bhagvan is really strong.  He can eat the whole world.  Devatas, Brahm, Vishnu, Shiva and others; Naags, Humans, Daanavs; other capable people, nobody can escape death.  Just as seeds are grinded by the grinder, nobody is saved in front of the death.  Fear the Parmeshwar and go to his shelter.  Nobody is equal to him.  The seeds that stick near the head of the grinder, those seeds are saved.  Understand this.  When you chant the Naam, you will come out of the cycle of birth and death.  Become detached from the pleasures and do the Simran of the Satguru with faith.”  Giving the people wisdom, Guru ji stayed here for a while and started the tradition of Satsangat.  Prema Bhagti was illuminated here.  Guru ji then took leave.

Crossing 1,600,000 Jozens, Guru ji left it and came to an ocean of milk.  It was as big as the Deep.  Prabhoo ji walked on top of that ocean and crossed it in the blink of an eye.  We arrived in the next Deep.  Rivers of milk flowed there.  The mountains were made of sugar crystals.  The women were really beautiful.  They were like the Apsaras of Heaven.  Where the Raja lived, the Light of the Bedis came there.  The name of the Deep was Shaakh.  The people experienced a lot of joy, as much as they wished.  When the people saw Guru ji, they recognized him as very powerful.  They came and brought gifts.  They bowed to his feet.  They wanted to hear Guru ji’s wisdom.  They sat near him with love.  The Master said to them: “chant the Naam, which will assist you in your end time.  The Parmeshwar’s Chetna can not be known.  Everyone lost, trying.  The Chetna is invisible.  The Munnis and other saints call the Chetna infinite.  There is no one equal to Parmeshwar.  The form is amazing.  Without the Chetna, not one Indriya (senses) can function.  The Chetna is hidden and prevalent.  Many bodily functions can’t be seen.  They are all happening by the Chetna.  Nothing can be compared to it.  Go to his shelter and receive bliss.  Wash the impurities of your mind.  See the Bishay Anand, the joy of the pleasure of the world, as really small.  It’s like water in a bowl.  The water can be dirtied, cooled and heated.  There are many problems with this pleasure.  Now listen to the Bhajan Anand: it is like the water of a river.  It is the bliss of chanting.  The water increases and decreases.  The more you listen to Keertan, the more blissful it becomes.  The sins can be washed away with this.  Now understand Gyananand: it is like the water of the vast ocean.  It is without faults and remains the same.  Whoever experiences this, they swim across the world ocean.  For this reason, chant the name of Sri Ram.  Receive the Gyaan and be in the home of bliss.  See this body as the tree of Karma.  Its branches are good health.  Water it with the deeds of Dharma.  The Simran of the Naam are the flowers.  The Gyaan is the fruit.  One is drenched in the bliss.  Think about this and let go of your desires and vices.  Do the Simran of the Name of Kartaar.”  The wisdom that was given, everyone became humble.  Guru ji stayed here for some time and then travelled on. 

We crossed the Deep that was 3,200,000 Jozens.  We came to an ocean of honey.  It was as big as the Deep.  We crossed it in the blink of an eye and came to the Pushkar Deep.  Guru ji led the way.  Guru ji came to a city and gave the wisdom of the Satnam to all.  He taught them how to serve the saints.  Prema Bhagti was practiced.  Prabhoo ji then reached the 7^th ocean, made of yoghurt.  Guru ji stood at the shore and said to Bhai Mardana ji: “this is the 7^th Deep.  The ocean and Deep are 6,400,000 Jozens.  The water is sweet.”  Bhai Mardana ji heard this and said: “what is beyond this?  How are the people and how is the land?  How does one reach that place?”  The Omniscient One spoke: “Devatas, humans, or Daanavs are not there beyond here.  The land is made of gold.  There are huge mountains there.  It is called “Lokalok.”  It is really vast.  What surrounds the 7 Deeps, they are the mountains of Lokalok.  There is no other land there.  Everything is on this side.  Sun and moon are on this side.  Stars and galaxies are on this side.  There is only darkness ahead.  If 12 suns were to come up, it would still be dark.  Let’s go back to Jambu Deep, where the land is pure.”  Guru ji made us all fly back with his wish.  We came back Jambu Deep.  He came with his wish, leaving all the Deeps behind. 

2-20 Discussions with the Sidhs

Sri Guru ji’s feet are like Lotus flowers.  Meditate on them everyday.  This will give strength to your wisdom and you will be able to find your real form.

Sri Bala Sandhur Vaach..

Sri Guru Angad Dev ji, listen, oh Omnipotent One, we came to the Jambu Deep.  We came peacefully and casually.  As we came, we met the Sidhs.  Where the place Gorakh did his Tapp, Guru ji sat there.  All of the Sidhs came to Guru ji, bringing him one sesame seed.  They put it in front of Guru ji and said: “share this with everyone!”  The Sidhs had used their powers to hide the water in the well.  The Omniscient Guru knew what was going on.  Guru ji said to me: “Bala, grind this sesame seed in a mortar and pestle.  Mix it with water and give it to everyone.”  There was a river that flowed quite far from where they were.  Guru ji yelled out loud to call the river.  The river came to Guru ji, right away.  It was like someone calling for their cow that they raised.  I filled the water in a bowl and mixed the grinded sesame seed into the water.  I give the water to all of the Sidhs.  The Sidhs that had gathered were embarrassed as they tried to make fun of Guru ji’s teachings of charity. 

Mangal Nath, the wise, spoke: “you are the great Avatar of Kaliyuga.  You are the Alakh Niranjan form.  You are omnipotent in every way, possessing all of the powers.  These foolish Sidhs tried to compare themselves to you but now they are embarrassed.  They felt pain.  They are Manmukhs who don’t know your glory.  They are engrossed in their own egos.  The ones that recognize you as the Akaal Purakh, they know that you are the Home of Virtues.”  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji heard this and said: “Mangal Nath, listen: without the Naam, Mukti cannot be achieved.  Without the Naam, the person goes to Hell.  The ones who are Bemukh from the Naam, they feel a lot of pain.”  Bhangar Nath heard this and said: “without Jog, Gyaan and Mukti cannot be achieved.  How are you saying this about Naam?  You don’t know our ideology in your mind.”  Guru ji said: “in the Sri Naam, when the mind is still in it, Ishwar becomes compassionate and gives Gyaan in the heart.  Without Naam, there is no Jog.  Think about it (it is the Naam you recite in Pranayama).  For this reason, all of the Siddhis have the Naam, which gives joy.  The Naam is the greatest.  It’s like the best ship that takes you across.”  Guru ji uttered a Shabad to embarrass the Sidhs:

Ramkali Mahalla 1..

You preach to the world (that the world is a myth) but set up your own house.  Abandoning your Asan of contentment, how will you find the True Lord?  You are attached to possessiveness and the love of sexual pleasures.  You are not a renunciate, nor a man of the world. ||1||

Yogi, remain seated in contentment, and the pain of duality will run away from you.  You beg from door to door, and don’t feel ashamed. ||1||Rahao||

You sing the songs, but you do not understand them yourself.  How will the burning pain of greed within be relieved?  Through the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, let your mind be absorbed in the Lord’s Love, and you will intuitively experience the charity of contemplation. ||2||

You apply ashes to your body, while being hypocrites.  Attached to Maya, you will be beaten by the clubs of the Jumms.  Your begging bowl (heart) is broken; it will not hold the charity of the Lord’s Love.  Bound in bondage, you come and go. ||3||

You do not control your seed and semen, and yet you claim to practice abstinence (Jattis).  You beg from the mothers but are lured by the three qualities.  You have no compassion; the Lord’s Light does not shine in you.  You are drowned, drowned in worldly entanglements. ||4||

You wear religious robes, and your patched coat assumes many disguises.  You play all sorts of false tricks, like an entertainer.  The fire of anxiety burns brightly within you.  Without the karma of good actions, how can you cross over? ||5||

You make ear-rings of crystals to wear in your ears, but Mukti does not come from learning about the Gyaan.  You are lured by the tastes of the tongue and sex organs.  You have become an animal; this sign cannot be erased. ||6||

The people of the world are entangled in the three modes; the Yogis are entangled in the three modes.  Contemplating on the Shabad, sorrows are dispelled.  The pure and white Truth is achieved through the Shabad.  The one who contemplates the truth from the myth is a Yogi. ||7||

The nine treasures are with You, Lord; You are potent, the Cause of causes.  You establish and disestablish; whatever You do, happens.  One who practices celibacy, chastity, self-control, truth and pure consciousness, O Nanak, that Yogi is the friend of the three worlds. ||8||2||

(SGGS 902-903)

You become hypocrites and show off to the world to inflate your ego.  Seeing the nonsense, you don’t earn anything.  How will you receive bliss without chanting the Naam?  The ones who see the world as a myth, the don’t show off for ego.  Chanting the Naam with a till mind, the Master meets them.”  The Sidhs heard the Shabad and were embarrassed.  They became quiet and couldn’t answer back.  They said: “Adesh, Adesh.”  The Sidhs went to another place.

There was a place called Gorakh Matta.  The Sidhs went there and did their Asanas.  Some sat on deer skins; some put their arms on a Bairaagan.  Some rubbed ash on their bodies.  They were egotistical and sat quietly.  After the Sidhs came here, Guru ji came as well.  Guru ji said to all: “Adesh.”  The Master sat near them.  There was a dry tree nearby.  Guru ji sat under that tree.  The tree became green right away.  Many leaves came out right away.  The Sidhs were amazed to see this.  They were jealous and said: “from which Guru did you learn this from?  Tell us the name of your Guru.  By which pain did you become detached.  Which pain does not let you go home.  You keep travelling to new places.  You don’t stay in any one place.  How much power do you have?”  The Flag of the Bedis said: “I am the Sikh of the Truth by my mind, words and actions.  There is no one bigger than the Truth.  The Shabad is my clothes.  I have lost the bonds of attachment of the world.  I am poor.  I have no powers.  I travel the world for this reason.  The words of ego, the travelling of the world with ego, this power has only been given to you by the Parmeshwar.”  While saying this, night fell.  Everyone went to their own places.  The Sidhs sat in their Asana. 

Sri Guru ji said: “get up Bala.  Its cold.  Get some fire.”  I went to get fire.  The Sidhs followed me.  I took some fire by picking up a piece of the Dhunni (wood and dung) but the Sidhs took it away from me.  I had nothing so I came back and told Guru ji everything.  Guru ji said: “shake your clothes.”  When I shook my clothes, 4 pieces of dung came out.  I grinded the pieces of dung.  By Guru ji’s words, the dung grew.  I then lit the fire.  The Sidhs were amazed seeing this.  They said: “where did they get that from?”  They used their powers and sent a strong wind.  The trees that were strong, were uprooted.  Soil and stones flew.  We covered our faces.  The tree where Guru ji sat under was about to fly away, Guru ji grabbed it with his hand and said: “stay here!”  When the tree was touched by Guru ji’s hand, it became still and implanted.  The wind blew all night long.  The Dhunnis of the Sidhs flew away but not Guru ji’s.  It was soon morning and Guru ji hid the Dhunnis.  When the Sidhs got up to see their Dhunnis, none of them could find theirs.  Only Guru ji’s Dhunni remained.  There was no other fire anywhere else.  The Sidhs used their powers but they couldn’t make fire to appear. 

Gorakh said to Bharthari: “go to Sri Guru Nanak ji and get fire.  There is no other place with fire.”  Bharthari came to Guru ji and said to him: “we wish for fire.”  Guru ji said: “bring an earring and one sandal of Gorakh.  If you give me these, I will give you fire.”  Bharthari came back to Gorakh and told his Guru what happened.  Gorakh decided to give the things and thought he would call them back with his power.  He gave the sandal and an earring to Bharthari.

When Bharthari placed the items in front of Guru ji, the fire was given to him.  The Sidhs all lit their fires and heated the freezing cold.  Gorakh realised that he was powerless.  He sat without patience.  He was drowning in the river of worry.  He didn’t know what happened to his powers.  Seeing the state of their Guru, Bhangar Nath got angry and wanted to use his power to bring back the earring and sandal.  His powers did not work and he lost.  They came to Guru ji and said: “please fill my bowl with milk.  Please don’t delay.”  Guru ji took the bowl and dipped it in the well.  It was filled with milk.  Bhangar brought the milk back and gave it to everyone.  Everyone drank the milk and were satiated as the milk did not finish from the bowl.  Everyone was amazed to see the miracle.

Shamboo Nath shook in anger, knowing Gorakh Nath’s things were with Guru ji.  He came to Guru ji and said: “it is the time of Purbi (the time of holy baths).  Why don’t you call the Ganga?  You are powerful.  We can all take a bath right here.”  Guru ji said to Bhai Mardana ji: “get up and take my stick.  Go to the shore of the Ganga and run a line from there to here.  Don’t look back though.”  Bhai Mardana ji obeyed and went to the shore of the Ganga by Guru ji’s power.  He dragged the stick from the Ganga back to where Guru ji was.  The flow of Ganga followed him.  It was just a little distance left when Bhai Mardana ji was in doubt: “I wonder if it is following me or not.”  He looked backwards.  As he looked back, Ganga stopped moving.  He continued to drag from that point but the Ganga no longer followed him.  He was surprised and came back to Guru ji.  He told him everything.  All of the Sidhs were sitting there as he spoke.  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji heard this and said: “if you hadn’t looked back, the Ganga would have come here.  You brought it for many Kos but it’s close by.  Oh Sidhs, you should call the Ganga from there.  It’s really close.  Mardana brought it many Kos.  Bring it here so all of us can bathe.”  The Sidhs got together and used their powers in every way.  Nothing happened.  The Ganga did not move.  The Sidhs were embarrassed as they lost.  They saw Sri Guru ji as more powerful than them.  Many bowed to Guru ji’s feet.  Some were still egotistical. 

Machinder Nath then spoke: “give us sweet fruits to eat.  Stay here.  Don’t go anywhere.  I want to see your powers if you can feed us or not.”  Where Guru ji was, there were many trees of Reetas.  Guru ji looked towards one branch of the Reetas.  It was above his head.  The other side was over the Sidhs.  The branch that was on Guru ji’s side, he looked at the Reeta fruits and made them sweet.  Some of the fruits fell in front of Machinder.  Machinder saw the fruit and picked them up.  He ate them and noticed that they were really sweet.  He said to the Sidhs: “these were bitter before but they are really sweet now.  I can’t stop eating them.”  The Sidhs heard this and some of them got on top of the Reeta tree that was close to them.  They wanted to test the fruits.  They broke some fruits and ate them.  They were really bitter and couldn’t be eaten.  They regretted biting into them.  Sri Prabhoo ji said: “the ones that are in my direction, they are sweet.  The ones that are on your side, you should use your power and make them sweet.”  The Sidhs used their powers but couldn’t make them sweet.  That Reeta tree still exists, even till today.  Half are sweet on the tree and half are bitter.  The power of Guru ji can be evidently seen.  The Sidhs got jealous seeing this. 

Night soon came.  The Sidhs got together and tried to do a trick.  They dug a hole and put a clever child sit in it.  They put soil on top of him.  The place was leveled with a little hole for the child to breath.  They said to Guru ji: “if you want your Pooja to happen in every place then call the Dharti (Earth) to you and ask her who she belongs to.  If she responds then she is yours, then nobody will stop you.  You can get your pooja done.  If you don’t find yourself powerful then we can do it for you.”  Sri Guru ji smiled and said to the Sidhs: “only the Master of the universe is powerful.  I don’t have even a little bit of power.  You are egotistical over your powers.  Show me your powers if you have it.”  The Sidhs heard this and said: “oh Dharti, if you are ours then answer us 3 times.  Say that you belong to the Sidhs.”  The child heard the que and spoke: “I am under the command of the Sidhs.”  The Sidhs asked a second time and the child responded again.  When the Sidhs asked a third time, Satguru ji spoke in between: “you can still speak?”  As soon as the child heard that, he died.  No answer came.  The Sidhs kept asking but there was no response.  The Sidhs were shocked.  After a while, they dug the child out to see that he had died.  They were embarrassed and lost their strength.  They came to their seats and went quiet, like the wife of a thief.  Praan Nath and Mangal Nath came to Prabhoo ji.  They made many requests and praised him: “you are the form of the Niranjan.  The earring and sandal that you have of Gorakh Nath, please give them give along with his powers.  Please make the child alive again.  Sri Guru Nanak ji, please be compassionate.  These people don’t know anything because they are egotistical.  They are fools who keep doing bad things and regretting it.”  Guru ji saw them as his beloveds.  He heard their requests with love.  Guru ji gave the earring, sandal and power back.  He laughed and said: “in the ocean, if a drop falls into it, it’s of no use.  Your Guru’s power is like a drop.  It doesn’t affect me.  Take this sandal and touch the child’s head with it.  Make him a live again, quickly.”  The two Naths were happy and took the 3 things.  They took the earring and the Sandal along with the power.  When Gorakh got the items back, he received his powers again.  The child’s head was touched with the sandal.  He was alive again.  The Sidhs wanted to go somewhere else.  They all said: “Adesh, Adesh.”  They went to their own lands.

Guru ji stayed there one more day.  In the morning, Guru ji wanted to leave.  The name of Gorakh Matta was changed to Nanak Matta.  This name was beautiful.  Sri Guru ji left from that place.  He wanted to bless everyone.