2-51 The Sermon of Gyaan/ The Mishri of Bhagti
I bow to the tongue that says the praises of Guru ji. It is like the swan that loves the Mansarovar and cannot leave it.
One day, after testing all of the Sikhs was done, Guru ji was sitting in the Dharamsala. To give the Gem of the Trehans the Aatam Gyan, Guru ji called Bhai Lehna ji to him. Guru ji said to him: “Lehna, you have done a lot of Seva. Ask about the highest gyaan. You have worked very hard in your Seva. There is nothing that I can’t give you.” Bhai Lehna ji heard the compassionate words. He sat in front of Guru ji to receive the good wisdom. He folded his hands and bowed his head. He bowed to the Master’s Lotus Feet. He spoke humbly: “I wish to know my real form. I don’t know who I really am. I am stuck in joy and sorrow, deeply. Attachment and hatred, I am stuck in day and night. I am not in the single state while in pain and pleasure. Please tell me everything. I will be happy to know all this. My heart is filled with the darkness of Agyaan. Your words are like the sun. Please illuminate the Gyaan and show me my form.”
Sri Prabhoo ji heard this and said: “oh fortunate one, listen to the deep meanings which will erase the falsehood and pain of the world. The Aatma is the light that is self-illuminated. It is without attachment or hatred. It is indestructible. It is never happy nor sad. It is never born nor does it die. It is always in the blissful state, completely in the single state. Understand the Aatma in this way. It is the witness of the 3 states of awake, dream and Sakopat (deep sleep). It is unaffected by anything, completely independent and separate. This is your form. What you see of your body, thinking it is the actual form, is just the illusion. Just as the red flower shining behind a crystal, makes the crystal look red; you perceive the body as your Aatma because of this reflection. You feel like you are the body but it is not true. The 5 primal elements made combinations with each other to form 25 different combinations. The body and mind are made up of these 25 combinations known as the “Panchiskaran.” Before the solid (space, wind, fire, water and earth) came to be, the concept, the power of the element was created (sound, touch, sight, taste and smell). The solid is only the physical form of the element. The body and the Antiskaran is made of the power of the Primal Elements. The Antiskaran is made of 4 concepts: Munn (makes efforts), Bhuddi (judges and describes everything), Chit (finds meaning of use), Hankaar (the ego). The Aatma Ram is away from these 4. The Antiskaran is part of the Maya. The Aatma is the energy source for the Antiskaran. The Satogun in the Antiskaran, its reflection causes the consciousness to exist. The clean Antiskaran (purified by Seva) can see the Aatma. The dirty Antiskaran (by the filth of Karma- good and bad; from many lives) cannot see the Aatma, like a dirty mirror. For this reason, the people have forgotten their real form. The Jeev sees itself as limited. The Jeev takes on 3 bodies for this reason and keeps coming into the world: the Sthool Sareer (solid body), in which the Jeev casts Ego and attachment towards and feels pain; the Ling/Sooksham Sareer, which is comprised of the 10 Indriyas (5 Karam- hands, feet, urethra, anus and voice; 5 Gyaan- skin, eyes, tongue, nose and ears), 5 senses (sound, touch, sight, taste and smell), Munn and Bhuddi. That is a total of 17. This is the Ling Sareer. By good and bad Karma, one comes to experience them through this body. This body comes into this Lok and travels to the Parlok. The body that works this is even deeper. That is the Kaaran Sareer. It is really small and difficult to understand. It is the Agyaan, the doubt, the Maya. It is the reason for the darkness. The other bodies are seen because of this Agyaan. In Gyaan, the world is not seen. The Aatam Ram is separate from all this. It is without joy and sorrow. It is illuminated by saying Nayt Nayt -eliminating the other bodies. Cancel what you see of yourself that is not infinite. You are not the body, Munn, chit, Bhuddi or Hankaar. One distinguishes the Aatma (by eliminating the finite) and immerses into the Nijananda- the ultimate bliss.”
Bhai Lehna ji heard this. He folded his hands and said: “by saying Nayt Nayt, can one achieve the Aatam Gyaan? Tell my Great Guru.” The Wise Gyaan Guru spoke sweet words: “oh fortunate one, listen to how Nijananda is achieved. Understand first the 5 Koshes. First take the ego and Bhuddi out of the body that it is not you. The first is Anmay Kosh. It is the outside body which runs on food. It is seen as yourself while you are awake. It is not the Aatma. It is insentient without the Aatma. The Aatma has no body parts. The Praanmay Kosh is inside the first Kosh. It is not the Aatma either. It consists of the 5 Pranas (and 5 Karam Indriyas). The Manomay Kosh is next. It is the Munn and the 5 Gyaan Indriyas. The Munn controls the Gyaan Indriyas. It is not the Aatma either. The Munn sleeps in the Sakopat state (deep sleep) so therefore it can’t be the Aatma. The 4th Kosh is Bigyaanmay Kosh. It consists of the Bhuddi and the 5 Gyaan Indriyas. Away from these, when one is in sleep, who you see, that is not the Aatma as well. The Aatma is separate. Deeper than the 4 Koshes is the Anandmay Kosh. When good Karma comes to fruition, the consciousness gathers and touches the Anandmay Kosh. This is where pleasure lives. In fact, no worldly item has pleasure. Pleasure is only experienced when the awareness focuses and touches the Anandmay Kosh due to Karma. Without focus, pleasure is not experienced. In the Sakopat (deep sleep) state, that is where the consciousness goes. There is no greater pleasure or joy than when one is in the deep sleep. This is not your Aatma form. Away from the Anandmay Kosh is the Niranjan form, the form away from Maya. It does not have any body parts (Niravayav). It is beyond beauty. It is never born nor does it die. It does not deal with joy or sorrow. It never takes birth nor does it die. It is away from love, hatred, attachment, Maya, illness, separation, indulgence and birth. It is the Sat, Chetan and Anand from. It is great. See yourself as that form. The Aatma has no change and therefore it has no vices. The body is just the illusion. It is like Agyaan in the rope. The illusion makes the rope look like a snake which gives rise to fear. Some will see the rope (in the dark with little light) as a flower garland and some will see it as a crack in the ground. The lightly-lit state forms because of the Aatma’s relation with the Antiskaran, forming a mish-mash of reality vs illusion. If one becomes aware with Gyaan (knowledge), one can know that it is nothing but a rope. (The whole world is actually only Brahm. The Jeev sees the world as a serious and actual thing, not as an illusion. There is, in fact, nothing to achieve and nothing to possess from this world of illusion) The whole world is shrouded in Agyaan. The world (perception of) is destroyed with Gyaan.”
Guru ji casted his blessed vision and stopped the Agyaan. He made Bhai Lehan ji see the Aatma. Bhai Lehna ji was immersed in the ocean of bliss. Bhai Lehna ji went into Samadhi. His Samadhi was set into his infinite form. It was like millions of suns, shining brightly. He was blessed with light. The Agyaan was all gone. Not even a little bit remained. After a long time, when Bhai Lehna ji opened his eyes and saw Guru Nanak Dev ji sitting in front of him. He bowed to Guru ji’s lotus feet. Bhai Lehna ji praised Guru Nanak Dev ji:
“I bow to your lotus feet oh Guru, Gyaan of Gyaan. You destroy the attachment and give the great bliss. I bow to you oh Ishwar of all the Loks; you are the controller of all the Loks. You are in every place; you nurture all of the life forms in every place. You do the destruction. I bow to you who destroys the whole universe. You are the Giver of Mukti. You destroy hypocrisy and throw it away. You took on a human body, seeing the pain of the life forms. You are compassionate; infinite; timeless; endless. You saved millions upon billions of sinners. You destroyed pain. You are the giver and the saviour. You are the greatest Ishwar and the greatest knower. Are the greatest support and the greatest victor. You are the blissful form and the Master of Maya. You live with your lovers. You are the complete Prabhoo. You love your servants. Your form is great which is in the heart of the Gyaanis, both visible and invisible. You control Maya. There is no one equal to you. What can I say? You are the greatest treasure and the omniscient one. You are the Aad form and the ancient one. You are self-illuminating. You are love and pure. You are the master of the supportless. Your form needs no support. You are without form. You are the only form. Your form is above Maya. You can’t be described, eaten, spoken or quantified. You are without attachment. You can’t be defeated. You can’t be seen. You are without form. You can’t be counted. You are without bodily functions. You are forever. You are the great victor. You are above Maya. You protect the servants. You are the (only) consciousness. In the jungle of the mind, lust and anger live as elephants. Your words are the lions that kills all these vices. You are the sun that destroys the darkness of attachment. You are without desire. You are without sections. You destroy the ocean-like pains of the two worlds like August Muni. You are beautiful. I bow to thee, I bow to thee, I bow to thee; to your form.”
In this way Bhai Lehna ji praised Guru ji and remained at his feet. Whoever listens to this praise with focus, they will receive the reward of all the fruits. Bhai Lehna ji said: “you are Dhan, Guru ji! Your ways are great. You showed me the amazing form of Akaal Purakh. You destroyed the gates of doubt. You connected me to the Parmanand.” Hearing this, the Cloud of Gyaan, the Compassionate One, was really happy. All of the Siddhis and powers that existed in the universe, Guru Nanak Dev ji brought them to stand in front of Bhai Lehna ji to make them his servants. Guru ji said: “Purkha, you now have the Brahmgyaan. The duality is gone from your heart. All of the powers of the universe, you are now their Master. You can do as you wish without delay. You can do as you wish but listen to what I have to say: accept the will of Akaal Purakh. The time of Kaliyuga is scary. Many unwise people will be born in Kaliyuga. The Gyaan of “Ahang Brahm,” that you have been given, whoever has it will be in bliss. It will always be in your heart but never say it from your mouth. You are the Brahm but don’t say it from your mouth. Teach others to always be servants and therefore you must always speak of love and Bhagti. Spread the Prema Bhagti to all, by teaching the Sikhs of humility. Speak of Prema Bhagti and love the Satsangat. Never make others know of who you really are. Don’t show how powerful you are to anyone. Spend your time in the Seva of the Guru. People will see your character and get inspired to do Bhagti. They will do what you do. See yourself as the lowest. Never have ego in your heart. If one is a Brahmgyaani and says he is “Ahang Brahm (I am Brahm),” he is already Brahm and without vices; the people of Kaliyuga who become such person’s Sikhs, their hearts won’t be pure; if they hear their Guru say this, they will say: “our Guru says that he is Brahm.” The people will do unorthodox things. I’ll tell you everything. The Gyaan is like ghee. It his really dense and pure. The people who have the Kaph Dosh, if they eat ghee, they won’t be able to digest it and it will cause other problems. Their chests will become more congested. They will be in pain. The ghee would make them more ill. Their body won’t get better. They ate it for peace but it caused further damage. The people who have the Pith Dosh, if they eat ghee, they will have diarrhea. This won’t go away. The wise people will then eat ghee in a better way. They would add mishri (sugar crystals) to the ghee. The sugar would help digest the ghee. It would taste better too. Listen to the way of ghee: if the gyaan is given to fools, it will be bad for then. The Kaph is like being egotistical. Their ego will grow. They will see themselves as the highest Brahm. They will do facades to gather followers. They will let go of Prema Bhagti and never bow to anyone. This would be like congestion in the chest. They will be in pain due to the cycle of birth and death. Forget peace, they will be in pain. The person with Pith (heat) Dosh, they are stuck in the vices. They will hear this and do more sins without fear. They will get stuck in their desires. They will go to Hell then. To be stuck in desires and vices is like diarrhea. The mishri is Bhagti. Bhagti added to Gyaan will make their wisdoms pure. They will undoubtedly have Gyaan in their hearts. Prema Bhagti will make them pure from the outside and the inside. They will never be in pain. They will be in peace and receive the highest status in the end. This is the best way by which the Jeev will be blessed. There is no other way in Kaliyuga. Bhagti and Gyaan will give the Kaivalya Mukti. If the person who wishes for this Mukti, they should go and find the Satsangat in the world. Do Seva with love. Listen to the words by giving your ear. Lust, anger, greed and other vices; this jungle is only cut by the axe of the Satsangat. The darkness of Agyaan, the Satsangat is the sun for it. The Satsangat is the thick shade from the heat of the vices. The Satsangat is like the ocean which has many gems and pearls. Maitri -friendly personality; Mudita- to be happy of others’ success; Sat – truth; Santokh – contentment; Karuna – compassion; Chima – forgiveness; Khaar – saltiness (the harsh words that stop you from sin); Dheeraj – patience; Gyaan; Vairagya – detachment; Vichara – to think of the Jeev-Eesh difference; Bhao Bhagat – Prema Bhagti; these are the doors to Mukti. Sam – to control the mind; Dam – to control the Indriyas; Jog and others; are grown in the Satsangat. Whoever immerses into this ocean, why wouldn’t they receive the bliss status? The Satsangat is the best effort of all the Sadhanas. Meeting the Satsangat, everything can be achieved. Whoever did the Satsangat, they received Mukti and their doubts were destroyed. If one does Satsangat with love, without a doubt they will be blessed. The others who will do Satsangat in the future, they will easily receive Mukti. Oh fortunate Lehna, for this reason you must carry on the Satsangat tradition. Do the Prema Bhagti in a good way. The Gyaan will come to the heart in this way.”
2-52 Giving the Takhat to Bhai Lehna ji/ The Glory of Japji
Make your mind the paper. Make the good wisdom the ink. Write the glory of the Satguru and you shall receive the highest status.
Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, the Treasure of Blessings, gave the wisdom of Brahmgyaan to Bhai Lehna ji. Some time went by. Sri Param Lehna ji did a lot of Seva of Guru ji with love. As the tree bows with more fruit, so did Bhai Lehna ji become humbler with the Gyaan. Guru ji saw the deep humility and gave him more blessings. He saw that Bhai Lehna ji had the ability to tolerate the intolerable, the ability to harness the greatest powers. The Giver of Mukti was really happy. The thought of Guru ji increased by the day upon Bhai Lehna ji. The Sangat met each other and said: “Sri Lehna ji is blessed by Guru ji. It seems as though Guru ji is really happy with him and will give his Takhat to him. Baba Sri Chand ji and Baba Lakhmi Das ji, it seems as they won’t get the Ghaddi.” In this way, the discussions spread. They sat with each other and spoke: “when the Compassionate One tested Sikhi, Bhai Lehna ji remained still every time. It is right to give the Ghaddi to him. This is not surprising.”
When Mata Sulakhani ji heard of this, she felt pain in her heart. She was worried and came to the Sangat where the Master was sitting in the Dharamsala. She saw both of her sons sitting near Guru ji. Bhai Lehna ji was serving Guru ji’s feet. Many other Sikhs sat around Guru ji. Mata ji came there with a depressed mind. She sat in front of Guru ji and said: “listen father of Sri Chand, Gunkhaani; why are you thinking an unorthodox tradition? The traditional way of the world, do that. Your sons are deserving in every way. You don’t love them though. Your family will spread because of them. The praise spreads through children. Your name remains because of them. Your children keep the name of the family. You have rejected your virtuous sons and you love your servant. The powers and status you have, you want to give them to your servant. You are going to give him the greatness. Many other Avatars that came before you, none have thought of this. They have never given the greatness to the servants over their sons. Nobody made the servant sit on their seat. This is not a good thing you have thought of. What is in your heart, your sons will burn in their heart. They will see the injustice and be in pain.” The Bhagat Vatsal heard this and sat quietly for a long time. At that time, a cat was carrying a mouse in her mouth. She chewed a bit of the mouse and threw the rest out. The dead mouse landing in the middle of the Sangat. The Sikhs scared the cat away. The mouse was on the ground. When Guru ji saw the mouse, he spoke, to make his wife understand. He said to Baba Sri Chand ji: “this dead mouse doesn’t look good here. Pick it up and throw it outside of the Dharamsala.” Baba Sri Chand ji said: “I have seen many magicians. They can make feathers into pigeons and make it fly away. You have certainly done something like that. You are doing some sort of drama again. You had done a drama with pigs and dogs before. You also showed a dead body to everyone. You then made the body into Karah Prashaad. I know that this is another trick of yours. I don’t wish to see such tricks. I would never pick up a dead mouse.” Baba Sri Chand ji went quiet. Guru ji said to his other son: “Lakhmi Das, son, listen: pick up the dead mouse and throw it far away.” Baba Lakhmi Das ji said: “listen Pitha ji, this is not right that you say this to us. I would never touch this. I can ask the servants to pick it up.” He then went quiet as well. Guru ji looked at Bhai Lehna ji and said: “get up, oh beloved of Kartar. Pick up the mouse and throw it away.” As Guru ji was mid-sentence, Bhai Lehna ji quickly got up and picked up the dead mouse. He threw it far away from the Dharamsala. Guru Nanak Dev ji said: “oh daughter of Moola, wise woman, look with your eyes and think about it. These are our sons before you. Look at them and look at the son of another. Your sons did not obey me. This servant is always obedient. Nothing is in anyone’s hands. Everything is by the will of the Kartaar. Whoever is blessed by him, he will get the seat. The land that is lower, the water (of virtues) gathers there. Where the high hill is, not a drop of water stays there.” Mata ji saw this with her own eyes. She got up and went to the home.
After a few days, Guru ji wanted to do another test. Guru ji was a ship to take everyone across this world ocean. When night came, Guru ji was laying down. His sons and other senior Sikhs were in the same room. Guru ji called his son, Baba Sri Chand ji at midnight. He said: “take my Chadras and wash them. Dry them and bring them back to me.” Baba Sri Chand ji said: “I am tired. I am resting. My hands are too soft. They get cold at night with cold water. I will get the servants to wash them in the morning. I can’t do this right now.” Guru ji then told his younger son to go but he also refused. When Guru ji told Bhai Lehna ji: “Purkha, wash my 2 Chadra clothes.” The fortunate Bhai Lehna ji got up and picked up the 2 Chadras. He went to the Sarovar to wash the clothes. It was freezing cold. As he was washing, in the middle of the night, the sun came up. It was like noon. Bhai Lehna ji was surprised to see this. The clothes were washed and dried in the sun. He brought the clothes back to Satguru ji’s home. He placed the clothes down and bowed to Guru ji. Guru ji lifted Bhai Lehna ji and said: “oh wise one, never a person such as you as ever been born in this world. How was the night when you washed the clothes?” Bhai Lehna ji said: “only you know your ways, Master.” Satguru ji said: “the seat will go to the fortunate one. Without destiny, they can’t get it, even after millions of births.” Satguru ji wished to test further.
One day, Guru ji was sitting with the Sikhs. The two sons of Guru ji were there as well. Mata Sulakhani ji was there too. Guru ji took a copper bowl and threw it where the used water was gathering, in the mud. The dirty water from washing the dishes was settling there. Guru ji said to Baba Sri Chand ji: “the bowl fell into the mud. Take it out and give it to me. Wash and clean it first.” Baba Sri Chand ji heard this and said: “I am wearing expensive clothes. I can’t go into the mud. The water is used water. I won’t go there. Many servants that serve me, they will obey me without delay. Command them. They will take the bowl out. If I do it, my honour will be lost in front of them.” The Master then said to his other son: “Lakhmi Das, take out the bowl and wash it.” Baba Lakhmi Das ji heard this and said: “Pitha ji, you are very wise. You are making us do the dirty work. You are lowering our honour among everyone. This is what you do. I won’t do it.” Guru ji looked towards Bhai Lehna ji and said: “oh fortunate one, the bowl is in the mud. Take it out and wash it.” Bhai Lehna ji was wearing expensive clothes as well but he heard the command and did not delay. He jumped into the mud and did as he was told. He was determined to obey Guru ji. He took out the bowl and washed it. His clothes were dirty with mud. He was so dirty that he couldn’t be recognized. Everyone saw this and said: “Dhan Dhan.” The Sikhi of the Guru is sharper that the edge of a sword. Those people are great who become Sikhs and become Mukat. The Kirpa Nidhaan was very happy with Bhai Lehna ji. He spoke with sweet words: “fold your hands and bow before Kartaar. There is no comparison to you. You will achieve the highest status.” Bhai Lehna ji heard this and bowed to Guru ji’s Lotus Feet. He bowed his head and felt a great bliss. For many days, Bhai Lehna ji continued to serve Guru ji’s feet.
One day, Bhai Boora ji (Baba Bhudda ji) thought to himself: “I do a lot of Seva as well. I obey Guru ji but the blessing of Guru ji is heavy upon Sri Bhai Lehna ji.” The Omniscient Sri Guru ji sensed this. To test Bhai Boora ji, Guru ji thought of a plan. One night, while Guru ji was laying down, Bhai Boora ji and Bhai Lehna ji were close by. The Home of Joy spoke: “Boora, go outside of the home and see how much of the night is left. Tell me how much night is left. Tell me if it’s my time to bathe or not.” Bhai Boora ji went outside to check. He came back and said: “Prabhoo, it is midnight. Half of the night remains.” Guru ji said: “it can’t be so. There are only 3 hours left for the night. Go and check again. Tell me without thinking with your naïve mind.” Bhai Boora ji checked again. He said: “it is midnight Guru ji. I have checked properly. It is midnight.” Guru ji said: “only 3 hours remain. You didn’t check properly.” Bhai Boora ji went outside a third time. He looked up at the stars to determine the time. He came back and said: “by my calculations it is midnight.” Three times he didn’t accept Guru ji’s words. He didn’t understand Guru ji’s wish. The Giver of Mukti looked towards Bhai Lehna ji and said: “go outside and check how much of the night remains. Tell me what remains.” Bhai Lehna ji did not delay and went outside. He looked up at the stars and said: “oh Sri Gunkhaani, it is midnight.” Guru ji said: “check properly. There are only 3 hours left. That, is correct.” Bhai Lehna ji thought about this: “it is midnight indeed but whatever Guru ji is saying, we servants aren’t understanding it. We are limited and he is complete and omnipotent. There must be something we are not seeing.” After thinking about this, Bhai Lehna ji said: “Prabhoo ji, my eyes are lazy from sleep. I’ve made a mistake and said it was midnight. I understand that it is indeed only 3 hours remaining. Whatever hours of the night you have passed by, that is what has passed. I can only see a portion of it. Whatever you wish to remain, remains as the night. You are the keeper of time. You are its Master. Please forgive my disobedience. I have no qualities. You are always forgiving. I was unwise and couldn’t see properly. I spoke falsely and spoke what I saw.” Seeing the humility, Guru ji was really happy. He knew that his servant was the greatest. He had passed every test he had put him through. He was the gold that was pure after the 12 fires. He was pure. The servants were tested in every way. Bhai Lehna ji had no fault remaining. Guru ji saw Bhai Lehna ji as deserving of the treasure of Gurta. He decided to enter his Jot into Bhai Lehna ji. He made up his mind to give him the Gurta Takhat. He wanted to take on a new incarnation, in a new body. He was going to enter the new body. The Ocean of Joy, the indestructible One, the cutter of the noose of his servants; he had no form, no body, no colour, no attachment, no illness, no sorrow; who was called the Akaal (timeless); the complete Sri Parameshwar; the Purshottam who could not be quantified; who has no caste, no creed, no mother, no father, no brother, no difference, no end; that Kartaar took on an Avatar as the form of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. The animals and plants were created by him. He created the signs of men and women. He was the beautiful Jot. He was the king of kings and emperor of emperors. He was the great one without a beginning; who has no end; who can’t be cut; who is meditated upon by Sadhoos; that is Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. He was determined to go into Sri Guru Angad Dev ji’s body. Sri Parmatma, the Omniscient One, the one who gives status to all; the destroyer of all; the destroyer of pain; whose chanting of his name, the sins run away; who was unmeasurable in himself; the root of the universe; the destroyer of hypocrisy; the blesser of servants is his way; Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji had made the decision to live in the body of Sri Lehna ji.
To bathe in the Airavati (Ravi) Guru ji got up. Sri Bhai Lehna ji went with Guru ji as his servant. Guru ji’s feet was Bhai Lehna ji’s support. Sri Guru ji removed his clothes to bathe. He went into the Ravi and stood in the middle. He had destroyed the pains of his servants in both worlds. Sri Lehna ji bathed as well. Bhai Lehna ji came out of the river and sat in Samadhi at the shore. He instilled his breaths in the Dasam Duar. He was in full bliss. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s beautiful form that was in his heart, Bhai Lehna ji went beyond his body, into his Aatma. He was in his heart and in bliss. He sat still in Samadhi, focusing on the form of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. Bhai Lehna ji was in Samadhi. He was focused on to the form of the Guru. Guru ji was tied in the rope of love. He stopped his Tapp in the river and came to the shore. He saw his servant, Bhai Lehna ji. Bhai Lehna ji was in Samadhi and unaware of his body. Bhai Lehna ji was focused in his Aatma, One with the light of Guru Nanak Dev ji. The form that he was meditating upon, Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji pulled his form away from Bhai Lehna ji’s focus. Bhai Lehna ji noticed the form of Guru Nanak Dev ji disappear from his heart. Startled, he opened his eyes right away. He saw Guru Nanak Dev ji standing in front of him. He folded his hands and bowed to Guru ji.
Guru ji had love and compassion in his eyes. (The Devatas looked upon this blessed time. They sang the Raags of Joy, for Parmeshwar was going to enter into a new body. They sounded their conches, rang the bells and shouted Jaikaras of Guru Nanak Dev ji and Bhai Lehna ji) Guru ji raised Bhai Lehna ji and took him to the Dharamsala. The Giver of Joy to the Sikhs, made Bhai Lehna ji sit in the middle and called all of the Sikhs. Bhai Boora ji, Bhai Bagheerath ji, Bhai Sadharan ji and all of the other Sikhs came. Guru ji called both of his sons as well. Guru ji looked at Bhai Lehna ji with great compassion. He placed 5 Paisas and a coconut in front of Bhai Lehna ji. He did 3 Parkarmas around Bhai Lehna ji. Guru Nanak Dev ji folded his hands and bowed to Bhai Lehna ji, transferring the Gurta Ghaddi of Akaal Purakh, with all its powers and abilities, to Bhai Lehna ji. Bhai Lehna ji saw this tradition and got scared. He was surprised to see this. He wondered at the unorthodox tradition that Guru ji had just done with him. He said to Guru Nanak Dev ji: “you are the Kartaar, the Master of all creation. You are the High Parmeshwar, the Sri Maharaja. The body that you had just bowed to, this is deserving of great pain (this body should be in pain from leprosy.” As soon as Guru Angad Dev ji said this, the lesions of leprosy began to form on his toe. As the lesions were about to go upwards, Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji grabbed Guru Angad Dev ji’s toe and stopped the illness from spreading upwards) Guru Nanak Dev ji then spoke with compassion in his eyes: “Purkha, stop! Stay quiet. Don’t say that again. Whatever you say now will become reality. Don’t say such words again. Obey by command. You are now the Guru of the world. The world is your servant now. You will be known as “Angad” from now. You have been formed from my “Ang” (my body part). Make the Simran of Satnam illuminate in the world. Spread the tradition of Sikhi, everywhere.” After saying this, the Prabhoo radiated two forms of himself at the same time. It was like the Sri Ganga raising a wave inside of her. Guru Angad Dev ji became very radiant. (He felt the unlimited bliss. He was the Sri Parmeshwar himself. His face glowed brighter. He was the Infinite One, higher than any Devata or any saint) It was like a torch being lit by another torch. Guru Nanak Dev ji made the Ganga flow the opposite way. He made the Sikh into the Guru. He gave the Gurta Ghaddi to his Sikh servant. In this way, he seated Guru Angad Dev ji onto the Takhat of the Universe.
Guru Nanak Dev ji then said to everyone: “whosoever obeys me, come and bow to Guru Angad Dev ji. As you saw my form, in the same way, see Guru Angad Dev ji. Follow him in the same way.” Hearing Guru Nanak Dev ji, Baba Bhudda ji, Bhai Sadharan ji, Bhai Mansukh ji, Bhai Bagheerath ji and others got up. They saw Guru ji’s wish and bowed to Sri Guru Angad Dev ji. The two sons of Guru Nanak Dev ji did not get up though. They remained sitting, filled with ego. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji said to his sons: “you should get up and bow as well.” The sons said: “he is your servant! We are your sons. We are higher than him! How can we bow to him? We can’t do this unorthodox thing.” After saying this, the sons got up and went home. They didn’t obey their father’s command. They did not understand their father’s heart. They didn’t see his greatness. Sri Guru ji did not say anything to them.
Guru Nanak Dev ji said to Guru Angad Dev ji: “you are to bless the world. Take on the Mool Mantra. Say the Mool Mantra. See my Bani as the treasure of virtues. Gather the Pauris and recite the Bani to me. Tie this tradition and bless all. The ones who are born after me, the Bani will give them Mukti. Make such a ship that one can be blessed, boarding it. The world will be saved.” Sri Guru Angad Dev ji heard this and bowed. He gathered the Pauris of Japji Sahib and recited them in the order as we known it today (it was not in order at that time. Guru Angad Dev ji set the order). Guru Angad Dev ji decided the order and recited the Japji Sahib with bliss and Guru Nanak Dev ji gave his approval towards the order of the Pauris. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji called the Bani “Jap.” Guru Nanak Dev ji then spoke of the greatness of Japji Sahib: “whoever wishes for Sikhi, they should wake up in the last watch of the night and bathe. They should then recite Japji Sahib with awareness and think of its meanings in their heart. They will undoubtedly receive Mukti. The ones who love to serve Sri Japji Sahib (as Japji Sahib is the form of the Parmeshwar) they will be close to me. The ones who recite this with a wish in their heart, the wish will be fulfilled suddenly. All of the Jantras, Mantra and Tantras are in this. The strongest Bhoots, Prayts and Daynts wouldn’t be able to harm the Sikhs. They won’t come near the Sikhs, the ones who recite this with love. The Jeevs who have human life and don’t recite the Japji, they would be wasting their lives for nothing. This is the Yoga Mantra for the Sikhs. It will give joy to the Sikhs in both worlds. The Sikh who does not memorize the Japji, they are only Sikh by name and clothes. There is no tradition greater than this; do the Seva of Japji that makes the mind pure. The Kamdhenu, Chintamani and Kalapbrish are not even a sesame seed’s worth in comparison to Japji Sahib. I have spoken little praise of the Japji Shaib. The unwise will never understand it. The greatness is unspeakable.” Kavi Santokh Singh ji speaks: “Japji Sahib is the giver of joy. Oh foolish mind of mine, always serve the Japji Sahib everyday. What the Munis, Devatas and Devis wish for, they wish for the human life and recite the Japji Sahib. Only that person will understand the Sikhi of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji who does the Seva of Japji Sahib. The noose of the Jumms will be cut. They will receive the status of being without end. This is what the Devatas wish for. They will receive everything. What can we say? When the end time comes, nobody can help you. The person regrets while rubbing their hands. They say: “why did I waste my human life? The Human life was rare that I received. I dressed as a Sikh. It was the time of Kaliyuga. Guru ji is happy with little Seva.” The one missing this opportunity is like climbing the Sumer and then falling from it to Rasatal. Everyone should memorize Japji Sahib. It washes the sins of many births. The mind becomes pure with it. One receives Mukti and the bonds break. The one who practices the Shabad, no other task is left for them.”
2-53 Wisdom to the Sikhs
The Simran of Sri Sarasvati (the Devi of Knowledge and Arts) is like a sharp axe. This axe cuts the trees of obstacles, clearing the path in the jungle of problems.
Sri Guru Angad Dev ji stayed for some more days (less than 5) at Kartarpur. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji spoke to Guru Angad Dev ji: “you should go back to your place. It is my command that you not stay here. My time for leaving my body is very near. It’s only a few days now. Go to Khadoor.” Sri Guru Angad Dev ji folded his hands. He put his head to Guru Nanak Dev ji’s feet and said: “your command is upon my head. Oh Master of the Universe, I would like to ask you a question: when the time to leave your body is near, should I be here at that time? If you give me permission, I will come back here.” The Light of the Bedis said: “don’t come back here to me. I will come to you in your heart. Nobody will know this. I will come and meet you in a hidden way. My Light will come into your heart.” The words of the Guru instilled in Guru Angad Dev ji’s heart. He didn’t wish to leave but he couldn’t disobey. He got ready to go right away. Guru Angad Dev ji bowed in the Ashtanga way in front of Guru Nanak Dev ji with humility. He bowed to Guru ji’s feet with love. He had left his mind at the feet of the Gunkhaani. Only his body travelled to Khadoor. He took leave, the Sukh Raas. He slowly came to Khadoor, to his home.
The people of Khadoor came to meet Guru Angad Dev ji. They all bowed to Guru Angad Dev ji. They asked how he was. The King of the Trehans respected everyone who came. He hid the unlimited powers that he had received. He didn’t make himself known to anyone as the new Guru. He did not tell anyone that he was the Master of the Loks, the Creator, Sustainer and the Destroyer. Whoever came to him with a Jagyaso mind, they would serve Guru Angad Dev ji. Guru Angad Dev ji would give them the wisdom of Gyaan. He cut their bonds of attachment with the wisdom. He kept his radiance hidden. It was like the sun hidden in a pot. The way he tolerated the intolerable and hid his unlimited powers, nobody has every been able to do that. There was never such a person in the past, present or future. He was the creator of all the universes, who nourished them all. It was like hiding the whole ocean into a seashell. It was like holding the space of the universe in his fist. He remained sitting in Khadoor in his home, hiding his powers. Kavi Santokh Singh bows to his feet and sings his praises. I bow to Sri Guru Angad Dev ji, the Parmeshwar.
The Katha continues in Kartarpur. Listen oh listeners with love and eagerness. The praise of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, don’t get depressed about him. Listen to his wisdom and cut the bonds of attachment. Where the Darbar of Sri Guru ji was, there was a Pippal tree there. Its shade was thick and radiant. Guru ji would sit there from then on. His eyes were filled with compassion. He destroyed the sins. He looked towards the Sangat and spoke of the highest Gyaan. He spoke the sweet words of Gyaan. Since Guru ji had done his drama of the Dhaanak form, the Sikhs that had ran away, they all came back. They found out that Guru ji did the drama to test the Sikhi. They regretted running away. They came to Guru ji’s presence and spoke to Guru ji to have their mistakes forgiven. They remained with Guru ji and served his feet to receive bliss. The practice of Shabad was continuous. Keertan was sung and the meanings were discussed. The praises spread through to the Turks. The fortunate ones came to do Darshan of Guru ji. They heard Gurbani with love and focus. Guru ji blessed them as well. People from many lands came to Kartarpur. They bowed their heads to Guru ji’s lotus feet. They did his Darshan and made him their Peer. They said: “this is Khuddah in human form.” Many Turks came and became the Mureeds of Guru ji. They listened to Guru ji’s words and had the doubts cleared from their hearts. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras came. They all touched Guru ji’s feet. Guru ji was the supreme Gyaan. He was the cloud of Gyaan. The people served Guru ji and sat around him to hear his words. They folded their hands and said: “Dhan Dhan.” Satguru ji sat in the middle of the Sangat. It was like the moon among the stars. Guru ji gave wisdom to all:
“Listen Sikhs: you have human life which is rare. It is priceless. See your own real form and be successful. The pleasures of the senses exist in the species of animals as well. The wisdom of Brahm does not exist anywhere else other than the human life. Think about this in your hearts: who am I? What is the reason of the world? Make the distinction and understand the difference between Sat and Asat (infinite and finite). Let go of the Asat (world) and embrace the Sat (Brahm). The body and the universe are made of the 5 Primal Elements. See all of this as the Asat which depends on the Sat. Just as the rope is true and the doubt of the snake is supported by the rope; the doubt of the snake is false; see the Hangta and Mamta as false. Love the real form of yourself. Come out of the whirlpool of doubt. Meet the Satsangat and make your life a success. Without thinking of the Sat, the life is a waste. If you receive the human body, do the Simran of the Naam. Otherwise it will be a waste and based on pain. The 3 states of life (child, adult and senior) one stays in them. The person is in pain when he is born. He is born as a small body. It has no strength and foolish. The mother lays the body down and does the housework. In this state of childhood, it has many faults: doubt (illusions) or forgetfulness, jealousy/suffering, wandering, desire, dependant. Firstly, see it as powerless. Nothing can be done by the baby on its own. It is unwise and doesn’t understand anything. It is filled with doubt and keeps looking around, grabbing random objects. The child is jealous and greedy. It keeps burning as it can’t get what it wants. Just as a monkey can’t remain still, that is how the child is. It keeps wandering around. It always desires different objects. It depends on others. The baby is unwise. It can’t speak and always remains impure. It wants things but can’t say anything. It is always afraid of its mother and father. It is always disrespected by being scolded. It is like a dog going to different doors and receiving disrespect. Childhood is the mind of pain. There is no joy seen. For this reason, do the Simran of Sri Kartaar. You have human life so make it successful.
The child then becomes an adult. The ghost of lust possesses it. The Chit blooms with desires. Many types of desires bloom in the mind, like a pauper near a rich person. It makes desires. The adult is captured by different desires. They live inside the person. The ghost of lust sucks the blood of the Jeev. It throws the person into the pothole of desire for women. It never comes out of the hole. The birth is wasted. The person experiences the pleasures and sees it as life. These pleasures are the reason of pain. It is like a golden pot, containing poison. It drinks the poison seeing the beauty of the golden pot. The pleasure of the woman is like the golden pot. It indulges in lust and feels pain. Adulthood is like a dark night. The 5 thieves overpower it (lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego). Sat, Santokh, Vairagya, Vichaar, Shaanti, this is the wealth of the body. The thieves rob this wealth by which the Jeev takes birth after being poor. The one who is aware of these thieves, the wealth of the Aatma is protected. Those people are Dhan who keep this wealth. They are still in bliss all the time. Their way is beautiful. Adulthood is your archenemy. Lust and anger are your enemies. They strike at you, constantly. They cut the mind to pieces. Just as the heavy rains in Saavan make the flow of the rivers strong; in the same way, that is how desire becomes strong in adulthood. The ocean is deep and vast. Fish, turtles, alligators and whales live in it; it is hard to cross it but boarding a ship makes it easier. The adulthood is with vices. It is hard to cross it. The Satsangat is a great ship. The Simran of the Naam are the sails of the ship. Come to the Satsangat to cross the world easily. You will be in bliss which is the shore. You won’t be able to cross without the Satsangat. Do Seva with humility.
Just as adulthood quickly eats childhood, old age eats adulthood. Old age eats away at the primal elements and makes one weak. The Bhuddi gets destroyed. The eyes can’t see anymore. The ears can’t hear. The head begins to shake. The desires grow. The fire gets worse. The skin loses its elasticity. The beauty fades away, like a tree is eaten away by insects. The woman, son and the rest of the family leave you as you are not beloved to them anymore. One is grappled by the cough and makes a lot of noise. One is without power but the anger does not go away. It’s like an owl living in a tree, that’s how one just sits on a bed, staring around. The old age is like a vulture. It kills the deer-like youth. A person becomes helpless. Everyone looks at him and laughs at him. Old age is the root of illnesses. It is the home of pain. The hair becomes white, like a Chaur being waived over the old age. It is the messenger of Dharmaraja. They wish to take over the whole body. It is like the message of death. The white hairs are here to destroy the beauty. The death quickly grabs you then. The person is in great pain then. Nobody can get away from this. Many strong people have been eaten by death. The age is nothing more than a handful of water. It does not stay. The body deteriorates by the day. The states of the body are just states of pain. If the age passes without the Simran of Hari, the body is a waste. If you want to be blessed, go and meet the Satsangat. Listen to the words and accept them. After accepting them, do the Nidhyasan of implementing them into your life. You will be in bliss. When the practice becomes determined, the real form shines through. Your real form is the same as the Sri Nirankaar. The world is an illusion of the Munn. It is destroyed then. Wherever you see, you only see the One Master. The attachment and hatred are erased, spontaneously. The person crosses the ocean of pain, easily. They become the crown of all and illuminated. The ones that are stuck in the ego of the body and wealth, they never experience peace. They are affected by the vices. The pain described before, understand this: there is no peace in wealth. If there is more wealth, the person tries to earn more. The person becomes worried. If the person sees the wealth go, his life comes in danger. To keep the wealth, he has to go through pain. He always fears the king or thieves. He keeps the money hidden in the home. The wealth was never useful to anyone who dies. If one loves wealth too much, he becomes a snake in his next life. For this reason, understand that it is not good to love wealth. Do the Simran of the One, with focus. The ones that die from wealth during their life, they never die. The are always in bliss then. As a person who drowns in water, dies and then floats, he does not drown again; in the same way, a person who is dead towards money does not sink again. Wherever there is water in the ocean, the person floats. That is how it is. Let go of your ego and focus on the Naam. Erase the desire and duality from your mind. See the Aatam Ram inside of you. You will easily receive bliss in this way. The ones who are bound to the attachment of the family, see them as really unwise. They see their son, wife, father and mother as their own, without wisdom. They think they love them. They take many births, over and over again. He has many families in every birth. He has many wives, sons, fathers, maternal grandparents, paternal grandparents and many mothers. He leaves them all. Sometimes he dies and sometimes he just leaves them. He does not come back to take care of them, whom he never wanted to leave. These relations are just like crossing the river on a ferry. The attached one feels a lot of pain. Live without attachment. At the end time, nobody will be with you. If you do the Satsangat with love, you will be saved in this world and in the next. Erase the ego of your body. See your real form and receive the great status.”
The Gunkhaani gave wisdom to the Sikhs, everyday. The Aatma is mixed in the non-Aatma. Guru ji showed the Aatma to everyone, distinguishing it from the body. He showed the Sat from the Asat. He destroyed their Hangta (me) and Mamta (mines). Whoever heard the wisdom and instilled it into their hearts, those thousands received Mukti. Whom the Master looked upon with blessings, he destroyed their duality and gave them Mukti. The Sikhs listened to the Shabad and destroyed the bonds of being born and dying again.
2-54 Getting Ready to Immerse into the Light
Attachment is like a ghost which possesses the mind. It doesn’t leave by any effort but runs away by the practice of the Shabad, the Mantra given by the Satguru.
I, Kavi Santokh Singh ji, have sung only a portion of the Katha of the Satguru. I couldn’t say it all. The glory of the Prabhoo is higher than high. My wisdom is lower than low. How can one compare to him? I have only a grain of an understanding of the glory of the Satguru, which is like the Sumer Mountain. If an ant wishes to cross the ocean, how would it do that? Now, the way Guru ji went to the Vaikunth, I will state it. Listen to it with love.
One day, under the shade of the Pippal tree, the Master of the Universe sat there in the morning. Guru ji saw that the cows and the mares were hungry. As the Sikhs would not leave Guru ji’s side, nobody was feeding the animals. He saw that the feed had not been given to the animals. Guru ji said to a servant named Bhai Kamala ji: “the animals are hungry. Go to the end of the fields and get green grass for the animals.” Bhai Kamala ji went to the end of the fields to get green grass. On the way, he saw three Jogis coming towards Kartarpur. It was in fact, Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu in disguise. They saw Bhai Kamala ji and said his name. They called him over and said: “Kamal, oh Sikh of the Guru, do a task for us. Take this Bibhuti and give it to Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. When you show this to him, he will give you a response. Bring his response to us. Go now and don’t delay.” Bhai Kamala ji saw the form of the 3 Jogis and noticed that they were really radiant. He was surprised. He couldn’t tell if they were Devatas are humans. He said to the three Jogis: “it is Guru ji’s command to collect grass. I will complete that first. It will take me an hour and a half. I will then give your message to him.” Vishnu ji then took some grass and made it grow with his power. He tied the bundle and gave it to Bhai Kamala ji. Bhai Kamala ji picked up the grass and was surprised to see this. He was mesmerized by the Jogis’ radiance and the powers they had: “I can’t tell who they are.”
Bhai Kamala ji came back to the village. Guru Nanak Dev ji saw Bhai Kamala ji and said: “Kamala, you came back pretty quick! Did you bring someone else’s cut grass? If you brought someone else’s grass by cheating them, don’t take this grass then. Don’t feed this grass of others to my animals. Go and take it back from where you brought it.” Bhai Kamala ji folded his hands and said: “I didn’t steal the grass. As I came quick, listen what happened, oh Giver of Peace: there are 3 Jogis sitting outside the village. They are very powerful. One of them picked up a fistful of grass and made it into a huge bundle. He put it on top of my head. They sent a message for you.” Bhai Kamala ji opened up the sack of Bibhuti and gave it to Guru ji in his hand. Guru ji recognized that it was the ash of Shiva. Guru ji said: “you brought me my calling.” Guru ji said that 3 times. Guru ji continued: “Kamala, go to the home of Bhai Sadharan and call him to me.” Bhai Kamala ji obeyed. After Guru Angad Dev ji was instructed to leave Kartarpur, Bhai Sadharan ji had done the Seva of Guru Nanak Dev ji, day and night. He would clean the clothes of Guru ji. He would wash the feet of Guru ji with joy. He did all of the Seva of Guru ji. He was his personal servant for his personal tasks. He did the Seva with a lot of love. (Bhai Sadharan ji was born in 1504 CE in the clan of Sehmi Tarkhaans. He gave many Sikhs the Gyaan in Kartarpur along with performing Keertan, taught to him by Guru Nanak Dev ji himself. His descendants carried on the tradition of Gurbani Sangeet in an unbroken lineage to modern times. Bhai Gurcharan Singh ji, Bhai Avtar Singh ji, Bhai Kultar Singh ji and Bhai Baldeep Singh ji are from that family. I, the author of Gurupurshotam, Jaswinder Singh, also trace the direct lineage to Bhai Sadharan ji) Guru ji called Bhai Sadharan ji to him.
When Bhai Sadharan ji came to see Guru ji, Guru ji got up and went outside of the village with him. All the other Sikhs were told to stay. Guru ji went to meet the 3 Jogis. Guru ji seated Bhai Sadharan ji at a distance from where he could see everything. Guru ji proceeded to meet the 3 Jogis. The Jogis saw Guru Nanak Dev ji and said: “Jai Sacchidananda Sadohang!” The 3 Jogis got up and were really happy to see the Parmeshwar. Their eyes gleamed seeing Guru ji. They praised Guru ji in love. They praised with their mind, words and body: “Prabhoo, you are the beautiful home of joy. You are the Master of all the Loks. You are the Giver of Mukti. Your words are like arrows cutting the pain. You sustain the world and destroy it. May victory be to you! You took on the form of Bhaavan, previously. You were Raghav and killed Ravan. In the Yadav family, you came and killed Kans. You called yourself Nanak in Kaliyuga. You have thousands of heads (in the Sargun) but none (in the Nirgun). You have many hands and feet but none. You have unlimited eyes but none. You have many forms but are formless. You have thousands of names but are nameless. You have many ears without having any ear. The Brahmand is your Varaat form. Your eyes are the sun and moon. The 18 Bhaars of plants are your hairs. The oceans are your stomach. The rivers are your nerves. Your mouth is fire and your molars are the Jumms. The Dijpals are your arms. The 7 Loks of the Akaash are your head and the 7 Pataals are your feet. The earth is your torso. The 4 Vedas are your words. The Dharam is your front; the Adharma is your back. Death is your eyebrows; the winds are you breath. Hari, the life forms are all your forms. Whoever meditates on your form, they don’t drown in this world. They receive Mukti and their bonds are broken. You are untouched by anything in every place. You destroy the Agyaan of your servants. We bow to your Lotus feet. You are still in the Gyaan. You destroy the hypocrisy.” The 3 Devatas praised Guru Nanak Dev ji in a beautiful way. Brahma then said: “you have changed your body into Guru Angad Dev ji. You established him as you wished. You illuminated the Satnam in the world. The chant (of the Name) is now being done. It is time to come back to Sach Khand, to your place.” Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji heard this and agreed. The 3 Devatas went back to their abodes at that time.
Guru Nanak Dev ji came back to meet Bhai Sadharan ji. They went to the place of his departure. There was a field of 8 Bighas there. Guru ji said: “listen Sadharan, this place, collect firewood for this place. If someone stops you from putting it here, don’t obey them. Keep the firewood here.” Guru ji told him the correct tradition and then came back to the village, near the Dharamsala. He sat under the Pippal. The Sikhs came to do his Darshan. The 4 Chadras that Guru ji would wear, he kept them with him. Two he took on his body and two were kept in the home. He only wore 2 at a time. One on his body and one around his waste. Saying the Guru’s name, the noose of the Jumms would break. Bhai Sadharan ji was told by Guru ji: “take two of my Chadras and wash them in the Ravi.” Bhai Sadharan ji obeyed and washed the 2 Chadras in the Ravi. He washed them with love. The Chadras were white. He dried them in the sun and brought them back to Guru Nanak Dev ji. The Light of the Bedis said: “take them to the home and clean the home. Only a few hours remain in the day so do it quickly.” Bhai Sadharan ji went to Guru ji’s home, where the Master stayed at night. With a lot of love, Bhai Sadharan ji broomed the home and then wiped it down. He had used cow dung to clean the area. He then came back to the Giver of Mukti. He folded his hands and said: “please see the home oh Kirpa Nidhaan. If there is any fault, please tell me so I may fix it.” Guru ji heard this and got up. He saw the Dharamsala and was really happy with Bhai Sadharan ji. He gave him Aatam Gyaan and destroyed his doubts.
Guru ji came back to the shade of the Pippal. The gathering of Sikhs was radiant there. Keertan was being done. The Naam was praised. Hearing this, the 3 illnesses were being destroyed. As Guru ji’s ways were, that continued. At Amritvela, 2:30 am, Guru ji would bathe and sit in the Dharamsala. The Keertan would then start. The sweet Raags were sung. Jap, Tapp, Gyaan and Dhyaan happened. The Sikhs sat and did Keertan with string instruments in their hands. The bliss was spread. The love of the Ikankaar drenched their hearts with bliss. Day and night, the love grew. The Sikhs did Guru ji’s Darshan. Their mindful filth ran away. The 9 types of Bhagti awoke in the heart. They were drenched in the one love. The duality did not come to their hearts. Just as the tree is generous, the Sikhs were very generous as well. Just as the fish loves the water, they chanted the Naam like a Chatrik looking for the Swanti drop. They were like a merchant who loves the ledgers. They were always thinking of how much Gyaan they earned. Their focus was like the Chakor towards the moon. Their eyes were like the bee for Guru ji’s lotus feet. Their hearts were pure and white like the waters of the Ganga. They destroyed the pains of others like it was their brother’s pain. The loved Keertan like a Jogi in Parmanand. They did Seva with love in their hearts. They received the highest status by Guru ji’s blessing. How can I praise those Sikhs who remained in the presence of the Guru at that time? Bhai Bhudda ji, Bhai Ajitha Chaudhary ji, Bhai Sadharan ji and many others. My wisdom is like an insect. How can a pick up the great mountain of the praises of the Sikhs? Those Sikhs destroyed their desires and wishes like the Garud killing the snakes. Lust, anger, greed and ego along with the attachment and Avidya; violence, lies, tattletale, slandering; they all ran away anxiously as the Sikhs walked on the path of Sikhi. It was like the elephant herd getting worried by the roar of the lion. Seeing the great radiance of the Guru, Kaliyuga became weak, like a helpless and weak man. The enemies of Gyaan, the vices; they were all worried of the path of Sikhi. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s Darshan was like an ocean. The Bhagti was the waves. Gyaan was the moon in the heart. The hot sun of attachment was running away. The Chits of the Sikhs were like Chakors, looking at Guru ji. The desires of the vices were in pain like the Chakva. Pain and pleasure; seeing them as the same, was the moonlight. The moon of Gyaan gave pain to the separated woman from her husband. It was pleasure for the chaste and pious woman. The gardens of virtues flourished. In this way, Satyuga came to Kartarpur during the last few days of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s life.
That Amritvela, Guru ji bathed in the Ravi. The Sikhs all met Guru ji and did Keertan in the Dharamsala. Prema Bhagti and Gyaan filled the Keertan. The Sikhs were filled with a lot of love. It made them joyous. Many Sikhs listened to Keertan and many sung. The Destroyer of Thoughts was sitting in the Sangat. As he listened to Keertan, he closed both of his eyes. He went into the Samadhi with the Endless Form. He was in pure bliss. His body was still during the Samadhi. He spent about 3 hours like this. He then opened his eyes and spoke words: “today is the great day for me to immerse into the Light. Bring all of the items needed for the cremation, quickly. Flowers, camphor, sandalwood, rose essences and kusha grass; bring all the items needed. Be happy. Don’t be sad. Celebrate this event.” Hearing Guru ji’s words, the Sikhs began to shed tears from their eyes. The news spread in Kartarpur. Everyone began to cry. It was the Asoo Vaddi 7th when Prabhoo ji, the Guru of the world thought of leaving his body. The news spread throughout the villages. As people heard, they all came to do Guru ji’s Darshan to make their life a success. Some came mounted on their horses. They came quickly. The 4 Varans of Hindus, Turks, they all came, singing Guru ji’s praises. Men and women all came, running to Kartarpur. They said: “we don’t want to miss Guru ji. We want his rare Darshans, one more time. His Darshan destroys the sins.” Wherever the news spread, people forgot their tasks and came to Kartarpur. Brahamachaaris, Jogis, Jattis, Tappis; whoever found out, they all came running to Kartarpur.
The Complete Guru sat in the Dharamsala. His Name was the Churan to kill the illness of reincarnation. There was a great crowd in Kartarpur. They all said: “Dhan Dhan.” Guru ji’s face was radiantly red like the red before sunrise. Sikhs, servants and family members were all around Guru ji. His face was their support. The night of Bemukh ran away. The stars of sins hid. This is what happened to the people who came.
Listen to what happened in the home. The Prabhoo sat with patience. The Sikhs were the embodiments of compassion. They shed tears. The Kirpa Nidhaan said: “get up Sadharan and go quickly. Call Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das to come here.” Bhai Sadharan ji obeyed and went to the home. He said to the sons of the Guru with his hands folded: “Sri Prabhoo ji has made preparation to go to Sach Khand today. He is calling you to him. Come to his presence. Don’t delay.” Bhai Sadharan ji’s words were like water. Baba Sri Chand ji’s and Baba Lakhmi Das ji’s hearts were like wax. They did not have any faith. The words didn’t affect them. They said: “how can that happen all of a sudden? He was sitting in peace and bliss. We are not coming. We don’t believe you. This is like the fragrance of the flowers in the sky. I can’t believe this.” Bhai Sadharan ji came back to Guru Nanak Dev ji. He told Guru ji of what his sons had said. The Sikhs and servants were crying a lot. They did Guru ji’s Darshan and cried. The Keertan was being done. Hearing the Keertan, the stones began to melt. Guru ji had the area prepared and had Kusha laid out. The Sikhs shouted Jaikaras of Jai Jai Guru ji. The said: “Dhan Dhan.”
Mata Sulakhani ji found out about Guru ji’s decision to leave and her sons disobeying their father. Guru ji was preparing to go at night. The place was ready. Mata Sulakhani ji came to the Dharamsala. Where Guru ji was siting, Mata ji came there. There was a great crowd. Mata ji became anxious and began to shed tears. Faith arose in her heart. She humbly bowed before Guru ji. When Sri Guru ji saw his wife, he spoke words of peace: “what wish you have in your heart, tell me. Don’t regret that you met me and didn’t say anything. Don’t regret this.” Mata Sulakhani ji became humble, like a vine becoming dry and weakened by the sun. She folded her hands and said: “oh Compassionate One, listen to me: tomorrow is your father’s Sharaad. You can do as you please but it would be good if you perform the Sharaad and then go, oh Destroyer of Pain. Do the Brahm Bhoj Langar and then go. Oh Kirpa Nidhaan, everything is in your hands. You are the destroyer and creator of the Trilok. To leave the body or to be born, this all happens by your command.” Seeing Mata Sulakhani ji’s humility and her good words, Guru ji, the Commander of Life and Death, the Friend of the Sikhs, spoke: “Chauni (Mata ji’s maiden name), you spoke good words. Prepare for the Bhog. On the 8th Vaddi, we will do the Bhoj for the Sharaad. I will stay on the 9th as well. I will leave my body on the 10th Vaddi of this month. Pick up all of the cremation preparations.” The Kusha, rose water and other items were picked up and put aside. The men and women all heard this and were really happy. They said “Dhan Dhan” and shouted Jaikaras. The whole place rejoiced at Guru ji’s announcement. It was like rain after a drought, the crops becoming green again. The people met and said: “we will get to do his Darshan for 4 more days.” Everyone stayed in Kartarpur and recited Shabads along with the Shabad’s discussions. They did Guru ji’s Darshan and made their eyes a success. They received joy and had their pains destroyed.
2-55 Guru Stotar/ Getting Ready to Immerse
The Ego is the seed, the Hangta (the false sense of seeing the body as the self); the attachment, Mamta (possession), is the root; love and hatred are the branches. The world is the leaves; pain and pleasure are the fruits. By the Bhajan of the Guru, the tree is destroyed.
The Asoo Vadhi 7th was spent in the way in the previous Adhyaaya. The people of the nearby villages stayed at Kartarpur. They stayed the night who had love for the Guru’s Darshan in their minds. At Amritvela, everyone got up and bathed on the 8th. They then did Satguru ji’s Darshan and bowed their heads to Guru ji’s Lotus feet. They listened to Kirtan with a focused mind. They didn’t let any vice enter their hearts. On the 8th, the sun came up and lit the day. Many kinds of foods were made. The Giver of Joy got up from the Dharamsala and went to the home to meet Mata Sulakhani ji. The Brahmins began to do the Sharaads. The Sadhoos, Brahmins and others came and did the Simran of Guru ji. Doing Guru ji’s Simran gives Mukti. Guru ji had the Sharaads done. Guru ji was following the traditions of humans and society, otherwise his ancestors did not need Sharaads. They were already Mukat. The Parmeshwar did the drama. He did the tradition of the Sharaads. The main point of the Sharaads was to distribute Langar. Everyone, along with Guru ji, came to the Langar and ate the Langar. Everyone was called to come. They all obeyed and came to the Langar. Pandits, Sanyasis, Bairagis, Jogis and fortunate ones all came. Many types of saints and Sadhoos came. Guru ji called them all to sit in Pangat. The 4 castes of Hindus came and sat in their places. Many Sikhs and servants came to sit in Pangat. The command was given: “first sing the Satnam. Give Langar to everyone. Give them what they wish for.” Guru ji sat on a high place. The Omniscient One saw the Sangat eat the food. The Langris set the food in the plates, all around. They gave so much food in the first servings that a second was not needed. The Sangat couldn’t be counted. There was no shortage. Panchamrit, Kachoris, Pooris, Kheer; all of the Sadhoos ate with delight. Ghee was added to the kheer. Yoghurt with Vadas were given. Subzis were distributed. Basmati rice was distributed quickly to everyone. The food was unlimited. The Sangat was great in numbers. There were thousands. Everyone was satiated. Some took food to their homes. Guru ji commanded the Langris and distributors: “you should eat yourselves now. Keep the Langar going on for the rest of the day. If someone comes at night till 10 pm, give them food.” Guru ji then came the Dharamsala and gave his Darshan to all.
The news spread far and wide: “Guru ji is going to Sach Khand.” The rich and the royal heard. They left their tasks and came to Kartarpur. Hindu or Turk, when they heard, they came as fast as they could. They ran like a pauper seeking the philosopher’s stone. They all surrounded Guru ji. Men and women came with eagerness. They left their homes unlocked, like Virakats. The people from the villages came like they were possessed. Nobody waited for anyone. They all came to Kartarpur. The ones who couldn’t walk, whether they be weak or handicapped; when they heard the news, they were filled with an unfamiliar strength and made the effort to come. They came with eagerness. People heard that Guru ji was about to go and then changed his mind. As soon as they heard this, the people gathered their strength to come and have their sins washed away. Sri Guru ji commanded: “give Langar to all. Low or high; King or Rana; eat from the Langar first. Nobody is to cook in their homes. Come and eat in the Langar.” The Sikhs were told this. The 8th Vadhi passed in this way. There was a great crowd. People came in the thousands. As thousands would move, thousands more would come. They met each other and sang: “Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji! Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji! Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji!” There were Jaikaras everywhere. The Sikhs were washing the filth from their Antiskaran. Guru ji, the Ocean of Compassion, looked towards all and fulfilled their wishes. Brahmins, Vaishyas, Kshatriyas, Shudras, Turks and other saints came. The Peers of Multan, Medina and Mecca, whoever had powers, they came with their powers, quickly. They did Guru ji’s Darshan. Anbiyas, Auliyas, Pagambhers and Prophets came with their powers. Everyone was commanded to eat Langar first. The Langar was continuous. There were countless crowds. The Langar was unlimited. The people were amazed to see this. They said: “where is all this food coming from?” Their wisdom deceived them. They said: “Dhan Sri Guru ji.” There was a crowd around Guru ji. They saw themselves as fortunate and said: “our life is a success that we saw the Guru of the world’s face at this time.” The 84 Sidhs, 9 Naths, and Jattis came as soon as they heard the news. They came with Guru Gorakh Nath ji. They came quickly to Kartarpur. They did Guru ji’s Darshan with joy and said: “Adesh!” Prabhoo ji welcomed them with respect and spoke sweet words. They all set up their Dheras near the shores of the Airavati. They were happy to meet Guru Nanak Dev ji. Guru ji’s face was red like the morning sun. Everyone kept staring at his face. The faces of the Sikhs were blossoming like the lotus seeing the sun. They stared at Guru ji like the Chakor looking at the moon. Guru ji’s body was like the full moon. The Sikhs did his Darshan and received joy. They were all in bliss in their hearts. Guru ji’s radiance was bright. The Kavi cannot describe it as my wisdom is less. Billions of suns were not as bright as him. Shaishnaag, Ganesh, and Sarasvati were present. Even they couldn’t fully sing Guru ji’s glory.
On the 9th Asoo Vadhi, all of the Devatas took on human forms and came to Kartarpur. Inder, Chander, Surya, Pavan, and Kuber came. Brihaspati, Varun, Jayant and others came. 33 Crore Devatas all came to Kartarpur. The 4 Vedas took on Human forms and came to Kartarpur. The Vedas sung Guru ji’s praises in many ways. They were happy to see their Master. There was a great celebration when the Vedas and the Devatas praised Guru ji. They sang the Guru Stotar:
“We bow to the Adi form that resides in all. You are the beauty of the moon; the radiant light of the sun. You are the force of the wind. You are the flow of the water. You are the spread in the space and the patience in the earth.
You are the heat in the fire and the depth of the ocean. You are the Santokh in the Brahmins and the valour in the Kshatriyas. You are the drive for success in the Vaisyas and the will of Seva in the Shudras. You are the ask of the beggars and the generosity of the donors.
You are the power in the kings and the poverty of the poor. You are the stillness of the still (plants) and the power to move of the movers (animals). You are the compassion in the compassionate; the harshness in the harsh. You are the shortage in the shorts and the completeness of the complete.
You are the completeness of the complete form and the seed of the seeds. You are the anger in the angry and the joy in the happy. You are the Tapp of the Tappis and the light of the illuminated. The ones who have the Tatt Gyaan, they see your reflection within them.
You are the Master of all the Loks; you are the cause of all causes. You create all and sustain it; you nourish. You are the destroyer, there is no one equal to you. You reside everywhere. There is no place without you.
You live in all; everything is inside you. You are connected to all while being unattached to all. You are unaffected and without attachment. You are without a beginning; you are not born and independent. You give Mukti to all. You have no cause (creator) to you. You are independent; you can’t be cut; you have no body parts; you are without lust (vices); you destroy the pain.
You are without end; you have unlimited power and wealth; you are the Master of all. You destroy the attachment. You are the support of the 14 Loks; your form is beyond beauty which makes all happy. You are without the filth of Maya; you can’t be destroyed; you can’t be created; you know every heart. You are always spoken of as Nayt Nayt. Your story is never finished. You are the master of past, present and future.
You took on the form of the Guru and gave the wisdom of the Satnam. You destroyed the hypocrisy and did not leave a lace of ego. You are the Bliss form; you destroyed the conflicts. You are the giver of Mukti. Everyone bows to you. I bow to thee (mind), I bow to thee (words), I bow to thee (actions), oh Gobind ji.
You spread Prema Bhagti and established Sikhi in the world, Guru ji. The paths to Mukti of previous times, you analysed them in Kaliyuga and made them easier. You established a new path. You made straight tracks for the people and gave them the good wisdom. Oh Prabhoo, I bow to you, I bow to you, over and over again, I bow to you! We take the shelter in your feet, save us. You destroy pain; give joy; destroy sin. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, you are the doer and the cause.”
The Vedas along with the Devatas praised Guru Nanak Dev ji and stayed in Kartarpur. Many people came. The Jaijaikaars were shouted out. From every path, there were many people coming who wanted to do Guru ji’s Darshan with eagerness. Many came in crowds. The people could not be counted. For many Kos in every direction in Kartarpur, there were tents all over. They stayed at night. They stayed up all night and did Keertan. At midnight, Sri Guru ji commanded: “sandalwood, rose, musk and other fragrances; bring them all and sprinkle them in the home. Lay out the Kusha aasan and sing the Keertan of Satnam. The Brahmins that are the good reciters of the Vedas, tell them to recite the sounds of the Vedas without delay. Every person should recite the Satnam. Make the sins of your lives go away.” At that point, the conches were blown and the Jaikaras were shouted. The Sikhs filled with love, sang the praises of Kartaar. They did Guru ji’s Darshan and were filled with compassion. The Sikhs became still. It was like they were pictures on a wall. There was a great crowd in the Dharamsala with Shabads being sung in Raags. Sikhs like Bhai Razada ji were singing. The people that were present at that time, Guru ji looked at everyone and made their cycles of being born again go away.
Mata Sulakhani ji came with her hands folded. She bowed and humbly did 3 Parkarmas of Guru Nanak Dev ji. She had tears in her eyes. She sat near Guru ji. The Light of the Bedis saw the dim light on his wife’s face and said: “one Sikh should go and get Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das. Go quickly. They won’t get my Darshan after this.” A servant quickly went to the home and requested the sons: “the Satguru is calling for you. Come, get up and go. It is the time for Guru ji’s immersion into the light. Meet him. You can say and listen to him. Bow to his feet.” The sons laughed and said: “just as the 7th of Asoo Vadhi passed, he didn’t go then; he called us then and he is calling us again. He will go today as he did that day.” Both sons did not come both times. They saw Guru ji as an average human. He was the Ikankaar form. The sons did not understand that. Hearing the sons’ words, the Sikh came back to Guru ji. He told Guru ji what the sons had said. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji heard this and stayed quiet. He sat in the court. The sounds of the Vedas could be heard. Thousands did his Darshan.
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