2-11 Attacking the Paharis

In this way, Sirhind was destroyed.  The slanderers of the Guru were all killed, one by one.  The army then travelled onwards with a huge army.  When warriors heard, they all gathered their regiments and came.  Elephants, horses and Nagaras were many.  They looted many lands and ruined them.  The lands east to the Sutlej were all looted and destroyed by the army.  Bheem Chand was a big Pahari Raja who was the enemy of the Guru and fought many battles.  (Bheem Chand had died right after the battle of Chamkaur but his son became the ruler.  Baba Banda Singh ji was looking towards Kahloor next).

Baba Banda Singh ji first went to Anandpur.  He bowed to the place of Satguru ji.  He was happy to do the Darshan of Anandpur, where the Satguru did many joyful tasks and fought many battles.  Baba ji saw all of the Qilas.  He heard the history from Baba Binod Singh ji.  He understood what enmity the Paharis had and how they betrayed Guru ji.  He then advanced towards the Pahari kingdoms.  Bheem Chand’s capital was huge.  Baba Banda Singh ji looted and destroyed the land.  The Meeyas, Rajas and Ranas of the area ran away and gathered in one place.  Baba Banda Singh ji heard of this.  Where all of the Rajas had gathered, Baba ji went there to take the revenge of Guru ji.  Baba ji attacked without notice.  They didn’t know what happened.  Baba ji surrounded them.  All of the Rajas were eating at that time.  They were all enemies of the Guru and had earned grave sins.  They were all captured all of a sudden.  They were bare-headed and bare-backed.  They were 2200 in total, the Meeyas and Rajas.  Their noses were cut off and they were thrown alive into the wells.  The well was filled all the way to the top.  They died this horrible death by being squished to death.  This was the result of being the enemy of the Guru and earning sin.  Wherever Baba Banda Singh ji heard of other Pahari Rajas, he went to their places to kill them.  The 22 Pahari Rajas and their soldiers were killed to where they ran away. 

The Raja of Chumbyaal was scared, hearing of the destruction of the Pahari Kingdoms.  He had a very pretty daughter.  She had a moon-like face and was thin-waisted.  Here eyes were big and beautiful like a deer fawns.  It was as though Kamdev made her.  Her chest was high and firm.  Her voice was sweet.  Her face was clear like a mirror and her lips were red.  The Raja dressed his daughter with jewellery and gold.  She was so pretty she couldn’t be described.  Jogis would be mesmerized by her beauty, going into doubt by seeing her.  It would be hard to count how many wanted her, secretly.  Her black eyes were adorned.  There was henna on her lotus-like hands.  She was seated in a Dholi.  Many maids, who were young, were assigned to her for life.  She was sent to Baba Banda Singh ji Bahadhur.  She came to Baba ji at night like a fairy.  When Baba Banda Singh ji saw her beauty, he forgot the words of the Guru.  Baba Banda Singh ji was captured by Kamdeva.  He lost control and lost his patience.  His langote was tied till then but he had now broken it.  He forgot his own death at that point.  His mind lost control and was swung in the swing of Kaam.  He married the girl as he couldn’t resist.  He drowned in the river of desire.  He controlled all of the Pahari people under him.  Whoever came to fight him, they were killed and destroyed.  All of the Qilas were destroyed. 

After winning all of the Pahari areas, Baba Banda Singh ji took his army and turned backwards.  He travelled the whole Pahari area and turned with great delight.  He brought a lot of wealth.  He crossed the Sutlej and came into the Doaba area.  He looted many cities and villages.  He destroyed them all.  He came with a great force.  He killed all of the Turkana administration of Jalandhar.  He looted, beat and killed them all.  The other big cities in and around the area, the army destroyed them all and looted them.  The areas were all under Baba Banda Singh ji.  The army of the Turks that came, they fought and were killed. 

Baba Banda Singh ji then went to Majha.  He destroyed the huge cities.  Where Batala was, he took all of the wealth there.  Lahore and other big cities where the Turkana was strong, Lakhs of armies gathered and came to fight Baba Banda Singh ji.  They came with a lot of force.  Where the place of Chappa Chiri is, that is where the battle happened.  The battle was huge.  How much of the battle can I describe?  The whole Turkana was destroyed.  The ones who fought in Anandpur with Guru ji, they were all killed in this battle.  Zabbardast Khan was the big Sooba of Lahore.  He fought with Baba Banda Singh ji and was quickly killed.  The armies of the Umraavs, they were surrounded and killed.  The Umraavs were also killed.  The Turkana had no victory.  Wherever they fought, they lost.  The arrows of the Guru were really radiant that killed Lakhs of sinners.  I can’t even count how many of the enemy were killed.  They all fought and were killed.  The command of Baba Banda Singh ji extended to many lands.  Many subjects were under him and paid taxes to him.

During this time, a huge army from Delhi came.  There were Lakhs of soldiers, making noise as they came.  Baba Banda Singh ji heard of them coming and went to go to fight them.  He crossed the Sutlej and destroyed Ludhiana.  He then went to fight the Turks of Delhi.  Canons, swivel guns and riffles were fire.  Many arrows, axes and spears were used.  A huge battle took place.  That army were destroyed as well.  The villages and cities in that area were also looted and destroyed.  Baba Banda Singh ji then went towards Doaba.  He took all of the wealth and killed the sinners.  The Dakhni Naggar was then destroyed.  The huge army destroyed everything.  Gurdaspur was looted next.  Whoever came to fight, they were killed. 

In this way, the Parsang of the Katha was told to the listeners by Baba Ram Koer ji: many fierce battles were fought and the enemy was killed.  I came to meet Baba Banda Singh ji as well.  Many people had told Baba Banda Singh ji about me.  He met me with a lot of respect and joy.  He kept me with him.  All of the Desh that were revolting against Baba Banda Singh ji, they were all taken under his control.  He then wanted to go to Amritsar and see it.  The army was like a huge storm.  Thousands of Singhs came to meet Baba Banda Singh ji with joy.  Thousands of Dhundhabs sounded.  Many people, far into the distance ran away when they heard this. 

A great fear casted in Delhi.  Every land was in fear.  Many people and Navaabs left their homes and ran away.  The Turks ran away from the battlefield.  Delhi made a lot of strict preparations.  The administration gathered and had many discussions.  The sinners made preparations.  Baba Banda Singh ji had fortified Karnal.  Baba Banda Singh ji’s name spread wide.  The Turkana was all afraid.  The Soobas gathered and had meetings.  Their whole army gathered.  Many fought and died in front of Baba Banda Singh ji.  They would get beaten and run away in fear.  Lakhs of armies were destroyed.  The ones that fought, how would they survive?  The force and noise were loud.  Then they would run away in pain.  Many times, the Turkana met and fought Baba Banda Singh ji in anger.  The warriors would fight but they were shred to the bone.  They would come to get victory and run towards it but Baba Banda Singh ji would win every time.  He casted his rule over all.  He sent his own Thanaydaars everywhere to enforce the rule.  His rule and law were established in the villages.  They handled all of the law cases.  The rule took the taxes.  The leaders of the villages gathered the taxes and sent it to Baba Banda Singh ji.  The Turkana met in Delhi.  All of the rebels were afraid and stayed in Delhi.  They collected a lot of gunpowder and ammunition.  They fortified all of the forts.  The canons were set in many places at the gates.  They said: “we will fight from here.”

2-12 Baba Banda Singh’s State

Baba Banda Singh ji took control of the whole Panjab Desh.  He took the revenge for the sons of Guru ji, along with the Guru’s slanderers.  Sri Baba Binod Singh ji Trehan ji (descendant of Guru Angad Dev ji) was with Baba Banda Singh ji in all of the campaigns and battles.  Satguru ji sent him.  Baba Binod Singh ji advised the Banda well.  He helped him in everything.  He advised him on everything but when Baba Banda Singh ji got married, Baba Binod Singh ji tried to stop him.  He tried to remind him of Guru ji’s words.  Baba Banda Singh ji was advised but he still went ahead with marrying the girl, seeing her beauty.  Baba Binod Singh ji stopped telling him then.  In the same way, another Dholi was sent by another Raja.  The enemy was scared and sent his daughter.  Baba Banda Singh ji wanted to marry the second one as well but Baba Binod Singh ji scolded him to stop him.  Baba Banda Singh ji became egotistical and didn’t listen.  He said: “I will make her my wife.”  Baba Binod Singh ji saw Baba Banda ji as a bemukh.  As everyone was sitting in the court, Baba Binod Singh ji got angry and grabbed the hilt of his sword.  He wanted to kill Baba Banda Singh ji.  He advanced and said: “what is this fool thinking?”  Baba Binod Singh ji’s son, Baba Kahn Singh ji Trehan came and folded his hands to stop him.  He said: “don’t kill him.  It is not good for us.  His radiance will decrease in battle.  Satguru ji sent us to help him.  He took the revenge for the Sahibzadas.  If you raise your hand on him, it won’t be good.  Think about it.  It will be a disrespect towards the Satguru’s command.  The effort and strength we used in the battle would all be useless then.”  Baba Binod Singh ji spoke in anger: “look at the sins he is doing!  It is right to kill him!  He has disobeyed the Guru!  This Kafir has become a bemukh.  He wants to marry a second time.  He is saying that he is marrying a girl from a good and high family and wishes to have sons from her.  He is being stubborn and becoming a Manmukh.  He is under the control of his mind and has lost his Jatt (chastity) and Satt (control).”  Baba Kahn Singh ji tried to stop his father and told him to stop thinking about it and leave him alone.  In this way, the problem had started. 

The whole Dhera set off towards Amritsar.  They all went to do the Darshan of Sri Amritsar.  Lakhs of Dals came there.  Thousands of Singh warriors were there, holding spears, arrows and rifles.  They all bathed in the Amritsar Sarovar.  They did the Darshan of Sri Harmandhir Sahib.  They were all happy.  (Bhai Mani Singh ji was the Granthi at that time) Everyone sat inside.  Baba Banda Singh ji thought to himself: “there should be a Chaur waived over my head.  I am the leader of all and the head Sikh of the Guru.  I completed the tasks of the Guru which were in his heart.  Guru ji made me the leader of all.  My effort was pleasing to Guru ji.  I should become the Guru now.  I am rightfully the leader of the Panth now.  I have all of the signs of the Gurta.  The Khalsa should do my Darshan and follow my ideology.”  Baba Banda Singh ji said this to all.  When everyone heard this, they all disagreed.  They all said: “the Khalsa is not aligned with him anymore.  Baba Banda Singh has started his own traditions, which are not of the Guru’s way.  He had not taken the Amrit of the Khanda and does not keep the Rehit of the Khalsa.  If he wants us to praise him or hold him in high regards, we will place meat and alcohol in front of him.  He must accept the blue clothes.  Then we will tell him to meet us.”  When the whole Khalsa said this to him, Baba Banda Singh ji thought of his Vaishnav Dharam and did not accept the 3 items.  His conflict with the Singhs grew.  Hatred on both sides took form.  The Dhera split.  The Tatt Khalsa and the Bandai Khalsa split.  Many Singhs left the Banda and went to their villages.  They did not meet Baba Banda Singh ji again.  Many Singhs decided to go to Guru ji to speak of him: “he has become a fool and really egotistical.  He wishes to sit on the seat of the Gurta Ghaddi.” 

During this time, a huge army came and Baba Banda Singh ji fought only with his few followers, alone.  The powers in the Guru’s arrows did not remain.  Only a few Singhs stayed.  This was the Prasang of the Banda Bahadhur as he fought many great battles.  Now I will tell you the Katha of the Guru, as it happened.  Satguru ji resided in Abchalnagar with Guru ji.  Sometimes Guru ji would go hunting.  He would go into the jungle with his horse and come back.  Whoever came to his sanctuary with devotion, he saved him like a ship crossing one across a river.  Bahadhur Shah was in the Dakhan Desh at that time.  He had travelled the area and collected their pledges towards him.  He heard: “the Desh Panjab has been destroyed.  Many Soobas have been killed and Lakhs of armies fought and were destroyed.  It was as though their mothers had never given birth.  The Satguru sent a Sikh to ruin and destroy the Desh and mix it into the dust.”  The Shah found this out.  The complaints that came to him: “Sooba Wajeed Khan was killed.  Zabbardast Khan was killed in battle.  Syeds, Khans and the Mughals were killed in huge numbers.  It has hard to count how many were killed in battle.  Delhi is afraid.  Many are afraid to be looted at any time.”  The Badshah first sent a huge army and said: “fight him and kill him.”  He instructed them to make this effort.  Then he received the news: “your whole army was defeated and killed.”  The Shah figured out that the Banda was too strong and couldn’t be defeated.  The royal army was defeated after fighting.  The Shah was surprised to hear this.  He figured: “the Guru’s gift is too strong.  There is no other solution to this.  I should go to Guru ji to stop him.”  After deciding this, he travelled towards Guru ji.

Bahadhur Shah came close to where Prabhoo ji was.  He sent ambassadors and many officers.  They set up camp close to Guru ji.  They wanted to meet Guru ji but Sri Satguru ji denied their permissions.  He said: “the Shah made a promise to me and then broke it.  He did not complete even one of my tasks.  For this reason, I sent one of my Sikhs.  He killed the sinners and took my revenge.  The Shah cheated me and refused my tasks.  Now his Sultanate is spoiling quickly.  He wanted to complete my task when his power grew.  He could have done my tasks if he wanted to but I understood that he was making excuses.  I sent my powerful servant who killed the enemies of the Guru.  His radiance will be powerful.”  Guru ji said this to the Singhs and sent them.

The Singhs gave the ambassadors of the Shah, Guru ji’s message.  When the Shah’s men heard the message, they understood what Guru ji was thinking.  They then said: “please send Bhai Daya Singh ji with us so he can say all of this to the Shah.  He will then do what he thinks is right.”  The Singhs came back to Guru ji and gave him the message.  Satguru ji heard this and sent Bhai Daya Singh ji with them.  Bhai Daya Singh ji came with the ambassadors to Bahadhur Shah.  He spent the night there.  In the morning Bhai Daya Singh ji was called to the Shah.  He said everything to Bahadhur Shah: “you made an excuse to complete Guru ji’s task.  You cheated him.  Sri Prabhoo ji wanted revenge for sure so he sent his warrior servant.  He went to Panjab and caused chaos.  He killed everyone.  How could such big sinners survive?  Sirhind and other cities were destroyed.  The Panjab Desh is in chaos.  You should go to the Satguru and say your requests as it needs to be done.  He will forgive you and stop the Desh from further destruction.”  Bhai Daya Singh ji said what he needed to.  The Shah took Bhai Daya Singh ji with him and came to where the Dhera was in Abchalnagar.  They set up camp and pitched the tents.  His men came with him, setting up tents far into the distance. 

2-13 The Badshah asks for Forgiveness/ Taking the Radiance of the Banda

The Badshah spent the night.  The next day, the Gurjdhaar was sent to Bhai Daya Singh ji to meet the Badshah.  The Badshah asked: “tell me the way to do Guru ji’s Darshan so he doesn’t get angry.  He doesn’t want to meet me.  He knows that a lied.  I want to request him for forgiveness.  I want his anger to go away and make him happy.”  Bhai Daya Singh ji heard this and said: “I know of a good time to see him.  For many days, Guru ji has been going to the Godavari early in the morning.  He bathes and then stands near the shore.  He does a Tapp there for hours and doesn’t speak.  Go there and do his Darshan.  Make the Prabhoo happy and make your request.  He will be happy and stop his Banda by letting go of his anger.  Your people will be at peace in the villages and cities.”  The Shah heard Bhai Daya Singh ji’s advice and accepted it.  He got ready to go to the shores of the Godavari to do Satguru ji’s Darshan.  He took a few men with him.  He headed to where Guru ji was. 

Guru ji had bathed in the Godavari and was standing in Tapp.  Bahadhur Shah got off his horse from a distance and walked barefoot.  He took Bhai Daya Singh ji with him.  The others were asked to stay back.  Only Bhai Daya Singh ji and the Shah walked.  They stood in front of Guru ji.  The Shah had a shiny diamond worth many Lakhs.  It used to be on Tanna Shah’s crown, the Nizam of Hyderabad.  Nauranga had killed him to get the diamond.  It was a radiant and expensive diamond.  The Shah stood and was going to give Guru ji the diamond.  When he looked at Guru ji, he bowed and presented the diamond.  Guru ji opened his eyes and looked towards the diamond on Bahadhur Shah’s palm.  Guru ji, the Master, picked up the diamond and threw it into the river.  Bahadhur Shah was shocked at this.  He folded his hands and bowed to Guru ji.  He said: “forgive me Prabhoo.  Bless me now.  Forgive me, seeing me as your own.  See me as your wood; just as water sees wood as its own.  The water does not drown the wood because it raised it.  This is the greatness of great people like you.  I can only swim across by your support.  I made a mistake.  You are forgiving.  I lied to you in fear.  I was afraid that the Soobas would revolt if I said anything to them.  I had the noose of Shariya around my neck.  I have many huge obstacles in front of me.  I would have had to solve all these things to do your tasks.  Only then could I have taken your revenge.  I would have killed all of the enemies of the Guru in this world.  You are omnipotent and powerful in every way.  You have the ability to do anything you want to, in an instant.  To give me greatness, you wanted me to do your task but I didn’t do it out of fear.  You sent your own Sikh to take your revenge.  Be compassionate now and stop him.  He has killed all of the enemies.”  Guru ji stayed quiet as he listened to the Shah.  He was then happy and said: “whatever I wanted to say to you, you already said it.  You didn’t do what you said.  You were afraid of your Shariya enforcers.  Your Sultanate is damned now.  It won’t be stable.  You came to my shelter so I saw you as my own.  Till you are alive, I have given you this gift.  Your father had earned grave sins by which the kingdom and radiance of the Turks has been destroyed.  No Badshah will remain stable now.  Such has become the wish of Ishwar now.  You didn’t complete the one task I asked.  You got scared and lied.”  Bahadhur Shah heard this and was embarrassed.  He said: “Prabhoo ji, please stop the chaos.  Up to the point you have given me the kingdom, bless me and take away the troubles in my kingdom.  I get updates everyday.  The whole Desh is in chaos because of your Banda.  Nobody is at peace in Delhi.  They are really worried.  That can’t sleep at night.”  The Shah spoke to Guru ji while standing.

At the same time, 5 Singhs arrived with anger in their hearts.  They grabbed Guru ji’s feet.  Guru ji asked: “where have you come from?”  The Singhs heard this and told him everything: “the Banda has become egotistical.  He received the help from the Singhs and won the Panjab Desh.  He completed the tasks of the Guru.  He killed all of the enemies of the Guru, one by one.  He killed Wajeeda and mixed him to dust.  He then looted Sirhind as much as he wanted to.  He destroyed Sidhaura.  The Singhs fought the Turks with all their might.  Many battles took place.  The Turks were killed and their covers were uncovered.  The Desh is in chaos.  The enemy was killed and we achieved victory.  The radiance grew and the rule is established.  We receive taxes from everywhere.  We then went to the Amritsar Sarovar.  We bathed and had our sins wash away.  We went inside the beautiful Harmandhir to do the Darshan.  The Banda was egotistical and wanted greatness.  He wanted the Gurta from the Khalsa.  He has gathered a lot of wealth and money.  He knows this and now he has gone towards the wrong path.  The Singhs got together and did not give the Banda the respect as the Guru that he wanted.  They disrespected him for this wish.  They said: “we are not going to be with you any longer.  The Panth of the Guru has a different character.”  The Singhs brought blue clothes, madh (alcohol) and meat.  The Banda squeezed his nose and did not accept them.  The Singhs then separated and went back to their own villages.  The Banda did not keep the Brahmacharj.  He got married and became engrossed into the pleasures of the vices.  This is his wish now.  Sri Baba Binod Singh ji scolded him but he is not scared.  He has one son already and is not afraid.  He should be destroyed now as your words never go empty.  We separated from him without anger.  The Khalsa did not curse the Banda, fearing you.  We have been sent to you to give you the news.  The Banda has spoiled.  We tell you.”  Guru ji heard this and spoke to the Shah: “he will be without radiance now.  Don’t worry.  His time has come.  He became engrossed in pleasures and is now egotistical.  He will stop now without being stopped.  I have taken my revenge.  This is all I wanted to get done.  It is done now.  It is time for his end.”  Guru ji said to the Singhs: “the character of my Panth is not fragile.  It will not spoil nor will anyone be able to spoil it.  Stay in the Desh and remain warriors.  Leave the ones who have become Bemukhs.  You are the supreme Shiromani.  Stay fearless.  In a few years, the time will come when the kingdom of the Khalsa will come.  You will become the masters of the earth.  You will kill and be killed but will rule then.”  In this way Sri Satguru ji spoke the words.  Everyone was happy to hear them.  Bahadhur Shah bowed his head.  He went to his Dhera, casually.  He sent Parwanas all around: “gather a huge army and attack.  The enemy has become powerless.  Kill him now.  Don’t let him escape.  Surround him.  Sri Guru ji has told me his secret.  Make the effort to capture him.” 

Sri Prabhoo ji came back to his place.  The place where the diamond was thrown, is now known as Heera Ghatt.  Guru ji threw the diamond there.  It was at the shore of the Godavari.  The Shah was shocked when the diamond was thrown.  The diamond was really expensive but Guru ji threw it into the water.  [Upon throwing the diamond, the Shah was told by Guru ji to fetch the diamond from the river.  When the Shah went to the river, he saw millions upon millions of diamonds and gems, more expensive than his diamond.  The Shah understood the great power of the Guru and came back to bow to his feet.]

The Shah spent many days with Guru ji.  The Singhs went back to Panjab Desh.  The Singhs told everyone of what Guru ji said.  The Khalsa was at peace then. 

2-14 Shikaar Ghatt/ Nagina Ghatt/ Bhai Daya Singh ji goes to Sach Khand

Lakhs of armies got together to attack the Banda.  The Singhs backed off and Baba Banda Singh ji lost his radiance.  Many of his soldiers died.  They couldn’t stand in front of the royal army.  They would fight and then retreat.  They slowly lost all the battles.  They went to the mountains where the fort was previously known as Mukhlis Garh.  Baba Banda Singh ji made it into Lohgarh.  They stayed there and fought the army.  Thousands of men died.  The fort was surrounded.  There was no way to go in or out.  This is how his Katha was.

Now, listen to the Guru’s Katha with love.  The Shah’s camp had thousands of men.  The Prabhoo went hunting many times.  He would go to the Godavari.  Sometimes he would cross it to hunt.  The name is now Shikaar Ghatt where he used to hunt.  There was a way to go there.  Guru ji went into the jungle to hunt many deer to fulfill the Kshatriya Dharam.  Hearing the praises of Guru ji’s arrow, the Syeds, Mughals and Pathaans would come to see him.  They heard that in Anandpur and Chamkaur, Guru ji killed thousands with his arrows.  They heard that Guru ji’s arrows went through about 10 men before stopping.  That person would die right away, not asking for water.  They had seen the arrows hit but never seen them released by Guru ji, as some of these people were in the Turk army at that time.  The soldiers came and requested Guru ji: “please release them so we can see it.”  Guru ji heard this and understood their wish.  Guru ji released many arrows.  He snapped his fingers when he released the arrows.  The pull force of his bow was 9 Tonkas.  He pulled the arrows to his ear.  He would aim very quickly.  His arrows would pierce the target.  It was never a miss.  His archery skills were unmatched.  The biggest warriors were impressed with his skill.  They would bow and say: “Dhan!”  They would go back to their camps and talk about Guru ji, singing his praises.  Guru ji’s praises spread to all.  Many people saw his skills.  The Kavis would write poems about his skills.

One day, Guru ji sat near the Godavari with many others.  One Sikh came at that time and gave Guru ji a Nagina (gem).  He was a Shahukaar.  He bowed while gifting the gem.  Guru ji picked up the gem and analyzed it.  He then threw it into the Godavari.  The Sikh was shocked to see this.  He thought to himself: “looks like Guru ji did not know the value of this Nagina.  He thought it was light and threw it into the Godavari.  I can’t say anything to him now.”  He was regretting his decision to give the Nagina.  Guru ji sensed this and said to the Sikh: “if your Nagina was really expensive, then go and get it.  It must be near the edge.  It was really rare.  I didn’t know that.  You didn’t tell me it was really expensive.”  The Sikh quickly took his clothes off and went into the water.  When he looked under the water, he saw many other expensive gems.  There were piles and piles of naginas that were more expensive than his.  He saw piles of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and pearls.  Seeing the Prabhoo’s Maya, the Sikh was amazed.  He thought: “I was proud of one Nagina, there are many here.  There are many gems available to Guru ji at the snap of his finger.”  The Sikh left everything and came out.  He came out and grabbed Guru ji’s feet.  He said: “I was unwise.  I didn’t know your greatness.  You are the Master of the 3 Loks and are the treasure of virtues.  Please forgive my mistake.  You are the Benevolent One.”  Guru ji smiled and said: “do the Simran of Har Har and have faith.”  The place was named Nagina Ghatt. 

In this way, the Prabhoo did many joyful tasks.  One day, Guru ji was sitting in the Divaan when one rich Pathaan came.  He folded his hands, bowed and sat down.  He had a Dastavez (hukamnama by Guru ji which was signed).  He took it out and showed Guru ji.  It said 11,000 Rajitpuns as the price for horses, owing.  He said: “I had this written from you.  I didn’t come back because you were too busy in battles.  It has been a long time since you bought the horses from me.  I have your signed receipt.  You bought them in Anandpur.  I am showing you this now.  This is owed to me.  I wasn’t able to come before.”  Sri Guru ji heard this and said: “you definitely are owed this much.  I remember the value of your horses.  You became lazy and didn’t come back.  You did other tasks instead.  If I write you a note, you will get your money; if you have faith then I can write you a note.  You will get the money 30 years after I leave.  The Nishans and Nagaras of the Panth Khalsa will flourish.  They will be strong.  They will take the kingdom of the earth.  They will fight the enemy and destroy them.  At that time, the Sardar of the Singhs will be prosperous with Degh and Tegh.  He will be rich.  Show him the promissory note I write.  You will get your money plus interest.”  The Pathaan folded his hands and said: “to take interest is not honorable.  I won’t disobey you though.  I will take the price then.”  Guru ji was very happy and said: “Shaabaash!  Your honour is great!  The note I write for you, all of the Singh Sardars will believe it.  They will give you twice, 4 times and 10 times as much.  Take the money and keep it.  Your children will live off of it.  You will be in peace without a doubt.”  The Khan heard this and bowed at Guru ji’s feet.  He folded his hands and took leave.  When the Khalsa became really strong, they killed the enemy and took the kingdom.  The Pathaan met the Sardars and received a lot of money.  His children became rich.  The Singhs respected him and gave the money. 

In this way, Guru ji spent his days.  The time to go to Sach Khand was near.  Many Sadhoos of the Udaasi Samprada came.  They came to do Guru ji’s Darshan.  They bowed and stayed with Guru ji.  They ate Karah Parshaad and did the Simran of the Satguru’s wisdom.  A lot of Langar was made and distributed.  When the Degh was made and distributed, there would be a lot of noise then.  One day, Bahadhur Shah heard the noise.  He said to his Umraavs: “what is this noise I hear?  It looks like it’s coming from the Guru’s camp.”  He sent one of his men to see the reason for the noise.  The man checked and came back.  He folded his hands and said: “the Guru’s Degh is being distributed.  Many Khalsa are taking and giving the Degh.  They all speak out loud among themselves.  They try to get to the front.  They stop each other.  Some get angry with each other.”  The Shah heard this and thought: “looks like the Panth is hungry.  Their income is less in this Desh.  There are many to eat.”  The Shah began to send money for the Langar.  He said: “this is for the Degh.”  The money was used to make Prashaad.  When it was distributed, there was noise again.  It could be heard far into the distance. The shah sent money everyday but the noise was louder everyday.  The chaos did not die down.  After 8 days, the Shah thought the expense was still not enough.  He then sent double the money and said: “buy as much Langar as you need.”  As he sent more money, the noise got louder. 

Bhai Daya Singh ji casually came to the Shah one day.  The Shah asked: “I thought they were hungry.  I sent Lakhs but the noise gets louder.  What is the reason for this?”  Bhai Daya Singh ji said: “the loud noise within the Panth Khalsa, this was the word of the Sodhi Supreme (as he makes the Singhs loot the Degh).  It cannot be reversed now.  When the Degh is distributed, there will be noise.”  Bahadhur Shah was surprised to hear this.  He figured the army is really big so he kept giving a lot of money for the Langer. 

One day, Bhai Daya Singh ji came to Guru ji and sat beside him.  He bowed and sat next to Guru ji with joy.  Bhai Daya Singh ji’s body trembled.  He figured out that the end time of his body was near.  He bowed to Sri Guru ji and went to bathe in the Godavari.  He recited Sri Japji and left his Panjbhootak (made of 5 elements) body in an instance.  The Rababis came and began to sing Maru Raag.  Sri Guru ji asked: “who had a happening?”  The Sikhs folded their hands and said: “Bhai Daya Singh ji has left his body and gone to Sach Khand.”  Guru ji said: “what was the reason he left without meeting me?  Go Sikhs, take my message to his body.” 

Bhai Daya Singh ji’s body was placed on the pyre ready to be cremated.  The Singh came and said to Bhai Daya Singh ji’s body what Guru ji had told him to say.  Bhai Daya Singh ji got up from the pyre and came to Guru ji.  He bowed and said: “I was at the gates of Sach Khand.  As I was passing, I heard your command and came back.”  Sri Guru ji said: “you left without my permission.  I wanted to send a message to Akaal Purakh ji with you.  That’s why I called you.  Take my message with you.

Sri Mukhvaak:

Mittar Pyaarya nu, Haal Mureeda da kehna- give my beloved the description of my state

Tudh bin rogh rajaeea da odhan naag nivaasa de rehna – without you, the comforters feel like illnesses.  The beds feel like snakes on top of them. 

Sool surahi khanjar piyaala bing kasaeea da sehna – the cups are like sools.  The payala is like a daggar.  Without you, each second feels like a butcher’s knife.

Yarraray da saanu sathar changa bhatt kheriya da rehna– the ground of the friend feels better.  The jungle of my beloved is better. 

Bhai Daya Singh ji heard the message and bowed.  He went to Sach Khand then.  Prabhoo ji became depressed then and wanted to go to Sach Khand. 

2-15 Ram Koer ji Goes Back/ Mata Sahib Devan ji Going to Delhi

Guru ji saw his time to go to Vaikunth as very near.  Mata Sahib Devi ji, as she was staying close to him, he knew that she wouldn’t be able to tolerate this.  Bhai Ram Koer ji did this Katha.  As it happened, listen to it oh listeners.  I stayed with Guru ji as he was travelling to Abchalnagar.  I didn’t leave him.  My mother found out that I was going to the Dakhan.  She came after me and met us after some distance.  She bowed to Guru ji and made a request: “I only have one son.  The Dakhan Desh is too far.  Forget seeing the place, I haven’t even heard of the place.  See me as humble and in pain, I won’t be able to tolerate the separation from my son.  Please be compassionate and bless me.  Please send my son with me.”  Guru ji saw the love my mother had for me.  He realised she would be in pain without me.  He said to me: “go Bhai.  Your mother has come to get you.  She travelled a far way to get you.  How will she go back alone?  I can’t send her off alone.  She won’t be able to tolerate the separation of her only son.  Otherwise, I would have taken you.”  I heard this and stood in front of Guru ji.  I became humble and said: “my daily discipline will be broken.  I stay with you, all the time.  I only eat after doing your Darshan.  I don’t eat if I don’t see you.  If you are separated from me, I won’t eat.  How will this body live on without food?  Please find me a solution; then I can go back to my Desh.”  Satguru ji heard this and thought to himself.  He then spoke out loud for all to hear: “go hunting everyday.  You will see my Darshan when you go.  You will see me in front of you.  Whenever you wish to see me, go outside of your house.  I will give you my Darshan in the jungle.”  He said this to me and went off. 

Guru ji said to Mata Sahib Devi ji: “you should go to Delhi too.  Live with my other wife, Sundri ji.  The Sangat will do your Seva.  They will do your Darshan like they do mine.”  He said this to Mata ji but Mata ji did not leave Guru ji.  She also did Guru ji’s Darshan before she ate.  She had the same discipline as me.  I left with my mother.  I came back to Madhur Desh.  I went hunting everyday and I would see Guru ji in front of me. 

Guru ji went on ahead to Abchalnagar.  When he saw the end time of his body near, he thought to himself: “Sahib Devi ji will become a Sati and burn in the pyre with my body, if she stays here.”  Guru ji thought about this and wanted to send her off.  He wanted to send her to Delhi.  He said: “go and stay where my other wife is.  Don’t delay.”  Mata Sahib Devi ji folded her hands and said: “I speak to you with humility.  I bow to your feet.  Other than you, I have no other support.  I only eat after your Darshan.  If I am separated from you, how will I get your Darshan?  I will die from this pain.  What will become of me then?  I will be without support and die.”  Satguru ji had 6 Shasters of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji called for them and gave them to Mata Sahib Devi ji.  He said: “as you do my Darshan, do the Darshan of these Shasters.  Bathe in the morning and do the Darshan of these Shasters.  Do their Pooja and meditate upon me.  You will be able to see me as I will be, including the clothes that I wear that same day.  This is how your discipline will carry on.  Go and take the Shasters with you to Delhi.”  Guru ji convinced her to go.  He sent many servants and maids with her.  Mata ji had to go.  She was helpless and had to separate from her husband.  She thought of her Pativrata Dharma and left by doing her husband’s Simran.  She couldn’t disobey him.  She thought to herself: “if he had gone to Baikunth, I wanted to become Satti with him in the pyre.  I won’t be able to do that now.  For this reason, I will burn in the fire of separation.  I will stay many days in focus.  I will make my body dry up into a skeleton.  I will die with pain.”  She thought of all these pains.  She couldn’t leave her beloved master.  She folded her hands with humility.  She shed tears onto the feet of the Master.  She left Hazoor Sahib.  She kept looking at her husband and cried.  The servants picked up the Shasters.  They travelled ahead with respect.  She mounted a palanquin and travelled.  Her mind stayed with the Master.  She knew she wasn’t going to meet Guru ji in her body again.  This is the greatness of the body, meeting and separation.  She thought to herself: “if will keep patience like the earth.  The body is going die one day.  To meet, to separate; to be born, to die; to be a child, old and young; no state remains the same.  It is like the water in the river that flows continuously.  The whole world is an illusion.  It’s a lie.  What is true, can’t be see.”  She thought of all this and travelled.

Slowly, Mata ji came to Delhi.  The Sangat heard of her arrival and came to welcome her.  They all bowed to her with their hands folded.  They brought various types of gifts.  They brought her into the city with respect.  Mata Sundri ji received her.  Mata Sahib Devi ji bowed to her.  The two wives of Guru ji met each other.  Both mothers remembered their husband and their sons.  They cried thinking about them.  They said: “look at what the Dev has done to us?  During the end time, he sent us away from him.  Look how cold our hearts are.  We have been separated from our sons and our husband but we are still in our body.”  Both mothers met and cried.  The wives of the other Sikhs felt their pain and cried.  They tried to console them: “you are the wives of the Guru.  You shouldn’t think like that.  We are your servants.  We will serve you.  We will stay with you, day and night.”  They all spoke to the mothers like this.  Mata Sundri ji gathered her patience.  She took the Shasters of the elder Guru ji and laid them out on a beautiful bed.  The bed was covered with expensive sheets.  She bowed to them.  Both mothers would bathe in the morning and meditate on Guru ji.  They saw the Shasters as the form of the Guru.  They presented flowers, dhoop and sandalwood to them.  They did their Darshan and then ate.  The Sikh Sangat would come after.  They would see the Shasters as Guru ji.  They would bring many types of gifts.  The Pooja of the Shasters grew by the day.  The praises of the Shasters spread as they would fulfill the wishes of the Sikhs.  The Sangat understood the significance of doing the Pooja of the Shasters.

Mata Sahib Devi ji was always worried.  She stayed with Mata Sundri ji.  She thought of Guru ji’s form all the time.  She focused on him day and night.  Mata ji became weak by the day.  The pain of the separation was severe.  Her face was pale and her eyes were always shedding tears.  She couldn’t see her husband.  She did the Darshan of the Shasters and ate.  She ate little as she didn’t like to eat.  She spent the rest of her days as such.  She thought of her beloved husband all the time.  Mata Sundri ji took care of the Guru’s home’s transactions.  She was raising her adopted son, Ajeet Singh.  She fed him with love and made many types of clothes for him.  She would have the boy sit next to her with joy.  She got him many types of golden jewellery and dressed him up.  She put diamond earrings into his ears.  She was busy with his love.  The adopted son looked exactly like Sahibzada Ajeet Singh ji.  She bought him a very expensive and clever horse.  She had an expensive saddle made for him.  The adopted son, Ajeet Singh, would ride the horse around the city.  Everyone considered him as the son of the Guru.  In this way was the Katha of Delhi.  Listen on with love.