I - Thought
Mardana (to himself): I don't understand why he said 'Don't go to the town, stay with me'. When he intended to leave Dhaka, then I told him: This place is good. We sleep on time. We eat on time. We may stay here for some more time.
He said: No. There is some urgent work. We have to break a big house of deceit. We must go. We should move quickly. At that time he did not listen at all. In the city lot of people had become Guru-disciples and many rich people had become Lord-loving. Everybody had so much regard that they had tears in their eyes when they came to know that the Guru wished to depart. But he insisted and departed, saying, we have to break a house of deceit It is urgent. Now, we have come here and are staying in the forest for the last three days where there is no food and no water even. He is 'All powerful' godly soul. But, what could I do? This hunger is making me suffer. Secondly, I become nervous very quickly. No doubt, I am his close companion and beneficiary of his grace and I know he is a godly soul but I become nervous quickly and I become afraid. When I am hungry, then I feel irritated. I do not give him proper respect. Sometimes I do give but sometimes I forget. Being so close to him and getting into fear is a pain that is more than the pain of hunger. When we met Salis Rai in Patna, then he explained how people are suffering because they do not value anything properly. They do not appreciate properly, they do not recognize properly. At that time, I had made a promise to myself that I shall not be afraid again. I will see him as a godly soul and remain happy in whatever happens. But alas! The thin milk that I have drunk, I become nervous again and again.
Now, the hunger of three days has killed me. What should I do? O Lord, somehow I should also win over this hunger and thirst. Maybe, then I will surely go by his wish and won't get nervous. Once he had sung a verse.
Mardana kept talking to himself: O Mardana, God bless you. Remember what you sang yesterday. The frog lives in water where the lotus is, but he does not drink the nectar of the lotus. He is happy with the scum. The black bees come from a distance and drink the nectar. Yes, this verse is for me only. I live with the godly soul but like the frog I am after food, water and worldly comforts. Like the frog I do not drink the godly nectar. I do not become a black bee on the lotus. But what should I do? O Lord your ways are strange. How can a person sing the divine songs when his throat is choked with hunger? No, but he should become a black bee and sacrifice himself on the lotus. See, Mardana, your mom got five sons and they died. When you were born she thought, "Even this child will die. He has come only to make my body suffer. This child will give me some sentimental joy and die".
So, she named you 'Destined to die'. O ugly named, 'Destined to die', when you played and sang with Guru Nanak, then the benevolent and heavenly Guru changed your ugly name and named you Mardana (a strong man) and said to my mom, "O fortunate lady, your 'Destined to die' son, I have named him Mardana (a strong man). He will not live as per your deeds, but he will live on the blessings of the holy people who will listen to the soul-awakening Lord's praises from him. He will live and he will be a trigger of the gun of life spark".
0 'Destined to die' why don't you sacrifice yourself on the Guru who has given you life, who has given you a life spark and awakened your sleeping soul and who has made you an ideal man, without whom you cannot live even for a while, in whom you see the Lord, why don't you sacrifice yourself at his name?
Ah! My heart is going to collapse. Which door should I knock for food? If I had been patient, then maybe God would have sent food from the heavens. Now, I am roaming from door to door for food. How strange is this city? O God! Women and women, in the fields are women at the shops are women. How are they staring? No blessed woman says, "O traveler, have food". They stare and stare. I hope I won't be influenced by their evil eyes. But how could
1 be influenced? The benevolent Guru is my support. Oh! What is that? The entire market is quiet. Oh! What a temple? All doors are closed. Oh! The statue of a lion, so fearful it is? Oh! Is there a pair of lions standing or is it a statue? Oh! How the walls are painted black and blue? Oh! Somebody is looking down from the window up there. She is going to say, "O brother,
have food". Let me wait. Oh! Nobody has uttered a word. Nobody has said, "Eat something". O.K. Let me go ahead. But my steps are not moving. What is happening? Maybe there is no strength in me because I am hungry. No, I have enough strength to walk, but then why my steps are becoming dull? Mardana, be brave, the Guru told you, "Wait for some time, don't go to the city". When I insisted, then, he said, "Be careful, keep yourself alert. Keep yourself in high spirits. Your mind is very delicate. You are master of a subtle art. Your heart is so soft that you might get into trouble. If you are going, then remain in high spirits". Oh! My high spirits are gone. My steps are not moving. Well! How will the high spirits remain when one is hungry?
(Gave a blow to his stomach with his fist). Oh! My stomach, I am expressing reservation to my beloved Guru. Can a hungry person remain in high spirits?
Yes, upon the Guru's words. That is why he said, "Remain in high spirits". If a hungry person could not remain in high spirits, then why would the Guru say so? And it is evident. The Guru himself is hungry but he is in high spirits. Yes, the Guru is right and I am in the wrong.
II Fear - wonder
Meanwhile, one door of that dreaded house opened, but who opened could not be seen. Mardana looked inside. There was a verandah and further an empty courtyard. But then it appeared that a sheet is spread and a plate full of fried rice is lying there and steam is coming out and a slight fragrance of saffron and orange is being felt.
Hurriedly, he went in. The moment he entered, the door closed. Who closed the door could not be seen. Although he noticed the closing of the door without anybody visible closing it, but being attracted by the fragrance from the plate, he went ahead. There was no plate lying anywhere. It was a courtyard and on one side from a peg was hanging a full size skeleton of a human body. For a moment he felt afraid but then he said, O Lord, and felt a bit relaxed.
He had hardly felt relaxed that he looked towards another verandah where he saw two lion cubs near two pillars. They were staring at the newly arrived guest Now again he got afraid but even in the fear it struck his mind to check whether the lion cubs were tied to the pillars or not? Luckily, he found them tied. That gave him some courage but his steps did not move further and he stood there a bit satisfied. Now, suddenly there was a flurry near his feet He
saw two cobras went past his feet, hissing. Mardana was dazed. Neither he was fully conscious, nor he was un-conscious, nor he moved aside to save himself, nor he moved back out of fear. Neither he felt safe where he was standing, nor he felt safe to move forwards or backwards.
He felt giddy and his eyes closed. In bewilderment he opened his eyes. The snakes had vanished. The lion cubs were gone.
On a table, was lying a plate full of fried rice and fragrance was spreading. One slim and beautiful girl came and kept a glass full of water on the table. Another came and kept a chair for Mardana to sit. Another one came and kept a glass full of milk on the table. Neither anyone talked, nor made any gesture. It appeared like a puppet show.
Ill - Satiation
Now, Mardana saw behind. The door was locked. The peg was there but there was no skeleton there. One sheet was hanging. He looked all round but there was nothing that was strange or would cause fear.
Now, his appetite that had gone down out of fear returned and the smell of the fragrance from fried rice became very strong. He sat down. He said, O great Guru Nanak, and ate to his fill. Many delicious dishes came and he enjoyed.
He said: This city is of quiet people. Nobody talks, even gestures. O Lord! Save me. I hope nobody is playing magic or I might be dreaming. Is everything real or an illusion? But the stomach is being filled and the hunger is appeasing. So, it is real. One won't feel appeased by dreams or magic.
Having ate to his full, he felt sleepy but thought of going back also. He looked behind and started. From where he had entered, a bed was lying there, and a white sheet was also spread on it. He sat down. On sitting he lay down and on lying down he fell off to sleep.
IV - Sleep
Mardana had slept after eating well. He had a sound sleep but shortly he dreamt that two black cats with brown eyes were gazing at him. He was only thinking, that an arrow came and making a buzzing sound passed near his ear. He was startled and he woke up. There was neither the courtyard, nor the verandah, nor the snakes, nor the lion cubs, nor the cats, nor any food, nor any serving girls.
There was a big room, the walls of which were embedded with decorative glass and stones. The roof had some golden work done and carpets were laid on the floor. Mardana was lying on a golden bed. There was fragrance all round in the room giving a very sweet aroma of musk. He got up and sat down. He saw all round. Ah! How people are so comfortable in this world. The Lord has made everything so comfortable.
But Oh! What are the lights? I slept in the day only. Here the lamps are lit. It is night now. Oh ho! I have been tricked. I told the Guru that I shall be back in an hour or two and now it is night. What should I do? How will I find the way? O mind! Get up. Let's find our forest, O Lord, O Lord.
V - Mind captivated
He got up from the bed and walked towards the door. Suddenly, one beautiful woman got up from the ground and sat in front with knees bent and said: You give some order.
Mardana: Show me the way. I have to go.
Woman: Where?
Mardana: I have to go to my forest. Woman: What for? Mardana: I have to go to my master. Woman: If he comes here, then?
Mardana: Yes, he will come here, because I have been delayed. I am at fault but he is benevolent and has forgiveness. He will definitely come. Startled! Has he already come?
Woman: He has not come. He will come but not for taking you away. If he comes, he will stay here only. You do not go. In this darkness, you will stumble. Here, wild beasts roam up to the city walls. You stay here. Why do you want to leave the comforts of this place? If you are very keen, then you may go tomorrow. At least, for the night you rest here.
Mardana (looking towards everything): Who are you?
Woman: I am a disciple. I was once a queen, but since I saw the comforts of this house, I have not moved out. You will also see such comforts that you never saw before.
The talk affected Mardana's mind. From Talwandi to Dhaka traveling on foot, the heat of the sun, the hunger, the torrential rains and discomforts day and night he remembered all that and his heart trembled. He had tears in his eyes. The mind said, "Well after so many months of discomfort if one gets good sleep and eats well for a couple of days, then what is the harm"?
I agree we are the Lord's servants and messengers of His name, but even a messenger would run carrying the post when his body is healthy and fit. If the body fails then how would he carry the post? After a tiring time, rest is essential and is not against ethics. After two days and one night, a good sleep and eating to one's full is essential. Yes, I remember the Guru himself had said, "When you don't eat food, you lose your temper".
Now, you see, I am happy and in joy. I am delighted. This must be because of Name. It is O.K. At least one night I can sleep well. Tomorrow, I shall go and meet.
Mardana (with eyes closed): Daughter, if I sleep here tonight, then I hope no discomfort will be there? When I came, there were lot of fearful things.
Woman: No sir, you sleep comfortably and eat whatever you wish. This is a 'selfless service' and a rest house for the travelers. Whatever fear was there has gone. Be sure.
VI Mind-struggle
Mardana again went into thoughts. When I left, the Guru had said, "Remain in high spirits". Why did he say so? I had come just for a meal. What was there to remain in high spirits? Well, did he know that I would go to a temple where it would be self-less service and I should remain in high spirits? Well, he is great He may have just said it because it is foreign land and here people do magic and tantric practice. No. He must be in the knowledge of something. He can see through the past, present and future. He is an image of the Lord. No, no. O stupid fellow, the Guru's servant, he is the Lord. He knows everything. Now, what should I do? He must be waiting. O mind, I have no love for the Guru.
In this thinking, he went into a coma and was almost unconscious for a long time. When he regained consciousness he said, "O what a blunder have I done? No, no, my love connection with him has cracked. Somebody, please come and help me. My love cord tied to the Guru has become loose".
He said to himself: O singer, burn your stomach. You ate to your fill and then slept and the Guru sat hungry. O forgetful man, if you had any love for him then you would have carried the food and would have run to him and made the true Guru eat first. Then, you should have had the leftovers. Then, it was your love. But what should I do? If I had the love inside me, then only I could do something for the sake of love. This proves that you have no love for your beloved Guru. Now, what face shall I show to him? What excuse should I make and what should I tell what happened? Well, whatever has happened has happened. I will say, O I was dead 'Destined to die'. You gave the life spark and the Name spark. When you are inside my body I am an ideal man. When you are out then I am 'Destined to die'. I am like earth. I have no strength and no power. You blow air in the ears of a dead person and he becomes alive. When you are close to them they love you. When you get out of their mind the love-cord becomes loose.
They understand that whatever love they have in their mind is your grace.
What should I do? You are a redeemer of sinners. You be gracious and make me your own again.
When Mardana thought of grace then his eyes closed and tears fell from the eyes. That woman kept looking. When his eyes opened she said: I love you. Why did you cry?
Mardana: Nothing.
Mardana (to self again): O stupid 'good for nothing'. You did not realize Guru Nanak's godliness. You considered him just like a priest. Well, Guru Nanak and hunger, has hunger ever troubled him? Could he who is the Lord, ever be hungry? You have sinned in thinking that the Guru sat hungry and you did not take food for him. He is hungry only for singing the praises of the Lord. He has no other hunger. When he is above everyone, why did you think him hungry? When he is always satiated why did you think he was hungry? When, he is a giver why you thought he was a taker? You are a stupid fellow. He is neither hungry nor ever in suffering. He is in ecstasy and elevation. But no, no doubt he has no desire but you have a desire. You are not a godly soul. You have a wish. You are human. You are absolutely at fault. It was for you to do service to him. You should have had the love in you. If you had love for him then food would not have gone down your throat. Not for the sake that my beloved was hungry but for the sake that you could not eat till you saw your beloved eating food. Now, you have become sensible. Have you realized at what stage you have become sensible? First you made a mistake,
you made the love-cord loose. Then, instead of realizing the folly you said that the love-cord hasn't been loosened. He is always satiated. He has no hunger and steep. He lives immersed in the Lord's love. Well it is true and correct, but O stupid fellow, where has your love gone? He has no desires but since when have you become without desires. You are at his feet. How you dared to have food? How did your eyes close on this silly bed? O mind, don't deceive yourself. He is perfect but I am nothing without him. I am nothing and how should I love him but my clever mind steps in and says 'he has no need'. O mind, whoever trusts you he is drowned in both the worlds. O.K. Excuses making mind, now, at least get up.
Woman: Sir, you are crying. You don't speak out your mind. If you say something, it will be sorted out. Everything is here.
Mardana: I made a mistake. I did not take food for my master. I ate food and slept.
Woman: Oh! Is that all? Do you consider this house worthless? The moment you were offered food, the same moment food was sent to your master in the forest.
Mardana looked at the woman's face again and again. Then, his mind blossomed and said: Service should be such that the mistakes of guests are taken care of. O, Great service, O, Great hospitality. O mind feel comfortable. Now, I shall cut a joke. I will put aside discipleship and like a singer have fun. I will say, O you always fix food for me. Today, I fixed and sent you such delicious food. He will laugh. I will say two more such things. It will be good fun. O Mardana, What have you said? You will cut a joke and you will say, I sent it Fun is for a laugh or to hide a lie, then, with the master. O wretched mind, O 'Destined to die' you are a deceiver. Who should trust you? O.K. I am nothing but I am a servant of the perfect Well, that is the only support I am whatever I am.
How good are these people? What house of deceit can there be in this city where such pious persons are living, that Guru Nanak has come to set right?
See, they are giving me food and simultaneously sending to the Guru also. How much respect they are giving?
"Mardana, remain in high spirits". Suddenly these words echoed in his ears as if somebody had said it just then.
In bewilderment he thought: How should I remain in high spirits? It means these people should not be able to influence me. I should say my Lord is giving me nourishment. In whose mind he sits that person serves me food. He
only prompts, being the savior. He gives nourishment to everyone. Yes, I should remain in remembrance and I should not go into forgetfulness and get trapped by anyone who himself is a beggar. But again that will be thanklessness. If I do not thank the person who has done service to me then it will be thanklessness. How can I be in high spirits?
"O Mardana you have a subtle art of music in you. You love beauty whether it is of a voice or of flowers and trees or the stars and moon or solitude or of architecture. Your mind being an artist is influenced by an art. Don't see beauty outwardly. See inwardly". Guru Nanak told me all this. That must have been meant for today.
VII - Drug
Now, a beautiful woman came and placed a golden table in front of Mardana. She spread a golden brocade tablecloth on it. Then, she brought a jewel embedded flask and a glass and kept it on the table.
She said: Sir, you are tired. Please drink this.
Mardana: What is this?
Woman: This is grape juice from Kabul.
Mardana: Is it fresh or is it a distilled extract?
Woman: It is non-distilled.
Mardana: Is it intoxicating?
Woman: No, it is exhilarating.
'Drinking wine increases passions, says Nanak', the words echoed in Mardana's ears. O Mardana, is it a house of selfless service or a house of deceit? Is it service, love and devotion or is it intoxication of grape juice?
Can 'service, love and devotion' and 'intoxication of grape juice' go together?
Save yourself O stupid. All your piousness is going into the ocean. But what has religion to do with eating and drinking? My beloved Guru said: All eating and drinking is sacred when the Lord sends the nourishment. This is eating and drinking and is sacred. A person hungry since birth gets a boon and acts snobbishly. Is it exhilaration? Is it intoxication? Well, maybe a very little intoxication. Exhilaration is in Name also. But in Name you get awakenness and in this you may get sleep. Oh no. Already it is late at night. Let me go. I don't want to be disregardful.
He just got up and started walking.
Woman: Sir, pious man, where are you going? You have traveled the whole world. Now you stay here and preach from here. You make disciples and send out far and wide. Yourself you relax here.
Mardana: No, I want to go now.
Woman: Does your mind say so?
Mardana: Well, my mind does not say so but I have to go.
Woman: Is it good to vex your mind?
Mardana: But here, seeing this wine my mind is in distress.
Woman: Oh no, it is not wine. It is fresh grape juice that the sadhus generally drink. You take dry grapes put them in water for a couple of hours, then, you squeeze it and drink. This is only relaxing. This does not give intoxication. It is not wine.
VIII - Will power
On listening this, Mardana felt relaxed and sat down. Now, again his mind was in a dilemma, whether to go or rest here for the night? He looked at the comforts around and his mind succumbed to the temptation to stay.
He lay down. His eyes closed. He felt an elevation in his mind, then he was lost for a few minutes, then he got up in craziness and his throat opened.
Although it seemed night but in a sweet loving tune he started singing a divine song that meant: "Even if you are in palaces and surrounded by pearls and gems and fragrances of musk, saffron, agar and sandalwood, O mind, do not look at them otherwise you might go into the forgetfulness of the Lord's name".
This song was sung in such a sweet and soul awakening tune that the entire tempting influence of everything in the room became ineffective.
Mardana got up and walked in a bid to go out. With the speed that he walked, his forehead struck against a wall and he became conscious. Oh no, where am I? It is dark. There is no way out. Like a blind person he walked, groping in the dark all four sides of the wall. He counted the corners also but could not find any door. Now, what should he do or what should he not do? Helpless, he sat down. 'O Mardana, remain in high spirits'. What was the meaning? What has happened to me today? Where is my high spirit? This merciless stomach has killed me. Everyday you fill this well but again it is empty as before. So, I am well entrapped. I had delicious fried rice to my full.
I had a good sleep on a luxurious bed. The fruit is this. Now, what else? Now, I should try to climb a wall. He was in this thinking only that a voice from a window said: The walls are quite high. You won't be able to climb. Mardana: How should I go out?
Voice: Stupid is he who goes out from here. Has anybody who once came here ever gone out?
Mardana (to himself): O 'Destined to die' Guru Nanak is always true. He had warned me, "Don't go". Now, have you listened? "Has anybody gone out after coming here"? O my children, my house, my town, my lands all gone, I am grounded here. O Mardana, O my mind, children, Oh I remember my children but I do not remember the true Guru. The benevolent Guru must be worrying for you and you did not remember his love when in despair. You remembered the children. O my mind, you have not made me rise, I am where I was. I was so much in holy company and I sang so much of divine songs but when I was in extreme distress, I did not remember the true Guru in the first instance.
In the first instance, I remembered the sentimental relationships only.
O.K. You go as you wish and I will also remain in endeavor. At sometime at least I will get rid of you.
IX - Mesmerised
Mardana now said loudly: Well O.K. If I have a powerful master, then he will take me out from here.
Saying this, he sat down and tried to meditate. But soon a tune of music could be heard. Mardana's music loving ears got attracted to the same.
The tune was very sweet in Rag Malkauns. The prelude was so superb that it impressed Mardana who was a lover of music and he said: O wonderful! O wonderful! On one side he was trying to meditate, on the other side his ears heard the superb music that started attracting him this side unknowingly.
His uttering the words 'O wonderful' shows that he is being attracted unknowingly and he is getting absorbed in the beauty of the music, and helplessly, sometimes he says 'Well done', sometimes he says 'O wonderful' sometimes he says 'O God'. His head sways like a fir tree and his body shakes. The prelude that is being sung with sitar is exhilarating and giving ecstasy. Sometimes it appears as if violin is also being played simultaneously. This went on for a long time. Now, the tune changed. It was Raga Todi now.
It was so good that Mardana's mind got engrossed in the music. It is man's nature to get attracted to beauty. If he is not able to see, then he imagines. When we listen to the music, then hurriedly we look towards the singer and the instrument. If one is not able to see, then, the eyes imagine.
This attraction to beauty is man's nature. The mind keeps on imagining and giving it a name.
Now, Mardana's mind was totally engrossed in the music. He imagined figures but could not visualize a proper figure. The women that he had seen in the morning, he could not figure out anyone from them properly.
Meanwhile, a ray of light came from Mardana's back and it fell in the front where a stool in the shape of peacock was placed. Behind this stool, statues of swans were kept.
On the stool was sitting a young, extremely beautiful and charming singer woman in her thirties. Her eyes were so big, even bigger than the eyes of a deer. The eyes were throwing rays as if shooting arrows that gave some fear, some happiness.
Up till now, Mardana was engrossed in the music. Now, he saw the beauty. His body trembled. Then his hands and feet started getting cold. Even at this time, he suddenly remembered that the Todas of Nilgiri had practiced Tantricism or mesmerism and they shot the birds by staring at their eyes. The birds then cried and came and fell in their laps. Because of Rag Todi he remembered the Todas.
He had a feeling 'I am becoming semi-conscious'. Is it that I am being influenced by some evil eye? But in a semi-conscious state he thought: Music is the form of God. Music is divine. This ecstasy is divine.
Now, the woman stopped singing and started staring at Mardana's eyes. Mardana even forgot to blink. Behind her was kept a mirror that was reflecting a strong light that was falling on Mardana's eyes. In this way, Mardana got fully influenced by the woman. He lost control of his mind and the mind went under the control of the woman.
That is why, the Guru had told him to remain in high spirits. Also, he had said: O Mardana, you have a subtle art of music in you. You are a lover of art. Your mind is influenced by an art. Don't see beauty outwardly. See inwardly. Don't get influenced or you may loose your mind. But it is the Lord's miracle. Mardana got influenced.
Why would Mardana be influenced when the Guru's hand is on his head? The miraculous Guru knows his miracles. So, Mardana got influenced.
Initially, Mardana was influenced by the music. He became semi-conscious. His hands and feet became cold. His eyes stopped blinking. Then, they became like a stone figure. Now, he is fully influenced. He is sitting in semiconsciousness. He doesn't know anything.
Now, the curtains that were making the room dark were removed and light came in. The woman got up from the stool, came near Mardana and said: Who are you?
Mardana: I do not know.
Woman: Are you a singer.
Mardana: Yes, yes.
Woman: Then sing.
Mardana sang unconsciously.
Woman: Are you a man?
Mardana: Yes.
Woman: No, you are a woman.
Mardana: Yes.
Woman: Are you a ram?
Mardana: Yes.
Woman: Talk like a ram.
Mardana made a voice like a ram.
Woman: Yes, well done. Sit and enjoy puffs of air.
Woman (looking towards the other ladies): He thought he was great He has strained my nerves.
At this time, the sun was shining and strong sunrays were coming in the courtyard. The arrangements to show that it was night were dismanded. All the servants and maids were standing. Everybody bowed down and sang :
Noor Shah the great A great queen you are Great is your kingdom Great is your court
The courage that Mardana showed in not being influenced by the woman, nobody else had ever shown. In the first instance, Noor Shah the beautiful woman who has influenced Mardana with her hypnotism, was enraged that who is this man who is not being influenced by us and was afraid that if this man goes away un-influenced then I will be insulted in the presence of my
disciples. Now, that she has been successful in killing her prey, she is boasting and being praised in her temple.
Poor Mardana, he is semi-conscious only. He goes after the orders of the woman as iron is attracted towards the magnet. Whatever she says, he says and does. So much so that if she gives chilies to eat and tells it is dried date, then he says, yes it is very sweet. If she gives him a dried date to eat and tells this is sour, then he says, yes it is sour and makes a gesture of throwing it out of the mouth.
X - Bless
Noon declined. "Mardana went to the city. He has not returned". The ocean of goodness, Guru Nanak, sitting in the forest started worrying about his loving disciple and childhood companion Mardana.
He knew that the Lord has sent him here to break a big temple of deceit and Mardana has been involved in the process. Let me go and enquire and do service to the Lord as well.
So, the serene sea of tranquility, the ocean of power, the true Guru got up and went towards the city. He kept walking where his feet took him and finally reached the temple and stood there.
As chance would have it, the door through which Mardana had entered was open. The true Guru glanced inside and saw one fat strong woman with very big eyes standing there. Behind her were tied two lion cubs with chains to two pillars. Two or three more women were standing around her.
Mardana was sitting quietly. One woman was saying, O mistress, be merciful. Now reduce the influence. He is yours now. He is not able to go anywhere. He will be at your service now and he will become your disciple. He sings well. Your prestige will be enhanced.
Noor Shah: No miss. He is not an ordinary fellow. He is some powerful person. He will be fully influenced only when he remains in this intoxicated state for three days and three nights.
Second woman: O mistress, seeing his handsome face, I pity him.
Noor Shah: You are showing pity to a crocodile. What pity are you showing? Have I hanged him? He is sitting in joy. Whatever I tell him, he says and does. Now, I have said, eat bread. He is moving his jaws to eat. When I say, you are a ram, then, he makes a voice like a ram.
On seeing this, everybody laughed.
Now suddenly, Noor Shah's heart throbbed. There was no reason for that and her heart had never throbbed before. Today was the first day that her heart throbbed. In bewilderment she looked up. Her eyes had not even reached the door when there was a sweet and loud voice:
'Truth is the Lord'.
Now, she looked up. She? saw a magnificent figure standing in the courtyard.
She could not bear the dazzle from the Guru's forehead, and her eyes slid and closed. This also, was the first day that this hypnotist woman could not dare to look at somebody and her eyes closed helplessly.
Now, she wished that she should go inside and her disciples should deal with the newly arrived visitor. But her steps failed to comply with her wish. Then, again, she tried to open her eyes but again the eyelids slid and closed.
Then, she picked up courage in her mind and stepped back, but she could take only one step back and that also with great difficulty. Her feet stopped moving. Now, again she picked up courage and made a gesture to a maid.
The maid went in and hurriedly brought one silver plate full of food and delicacies. She came forward and offered the plate to the Guru. Another maid now ran and closed the outer door, which was inadvertently left open earlier.
Seeing the food, the Guru made a gesture of 'no' with his hands and said: It is not time as yet.
He was now standing like an immovable rock. His eyes were emitting radiance and his forehead emitted a bright dazzle. His lips were closed and his face showed a strong glow. His eyes were doing two things. One eye was blessing Mardana and one was staring with power at Noor Shah. His face was giving radiance and an awe-inspiring appearance.
In this temple, swiftness was the order of the day. Hardly the plate was refused that another tray came in which was kept a golden plate containing pearls and another containing gold coins. On seeing this, the Guru made a gesture of 'no' with his hands, that it is not required. Hardly the Guru had refused gold that about eight to ten children wearing gaudy dresses came and fell at the Guru's feet and sang a song:
O a great saint has come O a great saint has come To make this temple sacred
It was a nice sweet tune and delicate voices, so attractive to make your heart melt, but the powerful Guru stood there without moving. He raised his hand that was carrying a garland of marble beads and his finger settled on a bead. The other hand, also he raised, probably pointing towards Mardana or may be blessing the suffering humanity.
Noor Shah was standing and looking but her vision slid. She tried to move but she had no strength to move. By gestures she was asking the trained children to influence the Guru by different methods. Some time passed like this. Un-knowingly a few sadhus came and stood on the balcony and started gazing at the Guru but soon their eyebrows slid.
The Guru said: O Lord, you are great.
Then, Mardana held his ears and looked this way and that way and felt some restlessness.
Meanwhile, all those who were staring at the Guru with an evil design, some lay flat on the ground, some rested against a wall and sat down.
Noor Shah fell flat on the ground and started writhing and wriggling like a fish.
Now, the Guru went forward and said: Return the Lord's man. It is not good to make fool of saints.
Noor Shah looked towards Mardana and stared at him and said: You can go. You are free from my influence.
Mardana opened his eyes and saw it was afternoon. Unknowingly he got up and walked towards the gate. Then he saw, beloved Guru Nanak going out of the courtyard. He felt relieved to see the loving, cool, back of the Guru and he followed him. He was still enjoying the melodious music and imagining the face of the beautiful woman and the light reflected from the mirror but he did not remember anything else.
Meanwhile, they reached the forest and the true Guru sat down.
XI - Light
True Guru: O Mardana, It is afternoon. You went to the city. Haven't you brought any food to eat?
Mardana: Has food not reached you? The temple people said: We have already sent.
The true Guru listened and smiled.
True Guru: O Mardana, what day is today?
Mardana: Your Holiness, today is your birthday.
True Guru: You are my childhood companion. What have you done to celebrate? Mardana (with eyes in tears of love and repentance): Your Holiness, I am no good. One thing is, I do not realize your greatness. Secondly, I do not love you as the one and only one. Today, I have been analyzing my mind. Your Holiness, I am no good.
True Guru: O Mardana, First we have to analyze our mind. We have to see to its shortcomings and faults. Then we have to fight with the mind. Then we are able to rein the mind. Then we become free from passions and desires.
Then we get elevation of mind and the mind rises above sufferings, sentiments and grief and sees the Lord. If we do not see to its stealth and deception, then it keeps on deceiving us and making us suffer. Ideal man is he, who has known the stealth of his mind.
Mardana: But I am blind like earth.
True Guru: In our body, the animal instincts are supreme. They are controlling the mind and making us suffer. But we do not perceive that. You don't feel sad. You are an ideal man. One has to win over one's nature slowly.
First, we have to become human from animal. Then we have to become a saint. It is fortunate that you have understood the stealth of your mind.
Now, you will be able to rein it quickly. Don't try to rush.
Mardana (with tears in his eyes): My stomach is going to kill me.
True Guru: O Mardana, This stomach is like earth. This body is also like earth. But it is the body only, that is the arena and a wrestling is going on.
We have to win over the mind and go into elevation. We have not to kill the instincts. We have to rein them and elevate them and make them sublime. Our mind and body is like earth. We have to win over it. We have to win over it through holy company. You do two things:
1. Don't wash this earthly mind with earthly things. It has no effect.
It has to be washed with the Lord's name. The mind has to be reined. Never forget the Lord's name.
By remembering the Lord you will get the strength of the Lord. That will make it easy to rein the mind. Remain at the Lord's feet in His remembrance.
2. Don't strain yourself in remembrance. Do it in a relaxed way. Don't become impatient Have confidence. Don't forget the Name in hunger, pain, needs or suffering. Have faith and patience. Don't get panicky. Even panic is a desire.
The Lord Himself will help. At whose feet we have fallen, He gives the nourishment He is the eradicator of suffering. Now, you make sure that you do not become afraid under any circumstances. In fear, the remembrance goes. We are keeping the mind connected with the Lord by remembrance. That connection breaks. Then, the mind in its normal course is wandering and suffering only.
Happiness is in remembrance only.
O Mardana, this remembrance should not go.
This connection of mind with the Lord should not break.
You are fortunate. You have been blessed in searching your mind. Now, the Lord will bless you in reining your mind.
At this time, one Guru-disciple whose in-laws were living in this town came to have a glimpse of the Guru. He came and fell at the Guru's feet. The Guru blessed him and he sat down.
Then, he said: Lucky is this town that you have put your sacred feet here. Now the temple of deceit will be broken.
Mardana: Dear Teekhan, what temple of deceit?
The Guru was in meditation at this time. So, both of them went and sat at a distance.
Teekhan: Here is a woman magician's house. The entire town is afraid of
her.
Mardana: There is also a temple where they say it is selfless service. Teekhan (laughingly): That only, is the temple of deceit. Mardana: O Lord, O Lord. That is why my body is paining. I am feeling a hangover.
Teekhan: Why? Has the Guru already blessed?
Mardana: I have had a feast there.
Teekhan: I hope you have come back safe and sound.
Mardana: No. I could not come away. The Guru came and has brought me back. But dear Teekhan, what is this magic?
Teekhan: This is the seat of a Faqir. One woman is now on that seat. In her temple she has created a world. She has heaven and hell and lives like a queen. One does not really understand. She influences in such a way as the other person's mind goes under her spell. They do some other strange things also. She has different techniques to deceive people, like fear, bewilderment and greed. She gives threads, signets, amulets, etc to fulfill the peoples' desires. But nobody knows her secret. I was also going and coming sometimes but I wanted peace of mind and that I could not get there. I was fortunate to meet
the Guru at Dhaka and my wish was fulfilled.
Mardana felt listless. He recollected the lion cubs and snakes, the feasting and hospitality, the temple and the musical tunes. Everything came to his mind, the hypnotic spell and unconscious-ness, his helplessness and distress. He trembled.
Teekhan: Was she able to cast her evil spell on you?
Mardana: I don't know much. I got absorbed in the music and became unconscious. I got consciousness only when the Guru came and brought me back.
Teekhan: You have not remembered. At Dhaka, one day, the Guru had said that in these towns people are in Shako" worship. The sadhus are in tan trie practices. In Punjab, the Gorakh sect is popular. In the name of meditation people are suffering in tantric practices and supernatural powers. There is no piousness or religion. People are in empty rituals and mistaken beliefs.
Here Shakti worship and tantric practice and giving of signets and ash in the mistaken belief of fulfillment of desires, is prevalent.
The Guru has given guidance and awakening to the people. The Guru has come here probably to break this temple of deceit. He is removing darkness all over. He will remove this darkness also.
XII - Enervation
When the Guru came out bringing Mardana along with him, then Noor Shah was lying on the ground writhing and wriggling with pain. Her body was in pain and her head was aching and she was feeling restless. Her maids put her on a bed and carried her inside. Somebody was rubbing her body, somebody was waving a fan, somebody was sprinkling rose water and somebody was putting a spoon of syrup in her mouth. After sometime, everybody started slipping out one by one.
Today, in this temple another interesting thing happened.
Sarad, who was a Buddhist monk, first got up. He felt as if he has come out of a slumber. He looked up and mumbled, Oomph! Oomph! Where am I? I am a recluse. What am I doing in this temple? Oh! I am a disciple of a woman. I am writing magic, giving signets. I am collecting ashes from burials. I am giving false hopes to people. O my destiny, O my deeds, where am I?
Turn an Shah: O God! Was I in sleep or it was a hell of darkness? Me, a believer in God, a lover of my prophet, how I became a disciple of this
wretched woman? I was a holy saint exercising abstinence. I worshipped this wretched woman. It is a curse to me. O wretched woman, the fire of hell should bum you. You made a fool of everyone. You made me an instrument of magic in your temple of deceit. O God! Forgive me. O Prophet! Save me.
Saina Nand: Oh Ram! How long did I sleep? Where was I and where am I now? What is this? Me a pandit and a celibate, this is a woman, how I became her disciple? What did I do? O Lord! Strange are your ways. The desires, how they kill you? How I got trapped? How to get out of here?
Goran: I completed a fast for forty days living on a few grams of almond oil. Then I slept. Somebody came and pressed my feet Then, I do not know what happened. Then, I ate meat. Oh! I am a Jain. Even water, we first strain and then drink. We never eat food cooked by somebody else. Even while breathing, we keep a net on the mouth and nose. I ate meat. It is true. Yes it is true. O destiny! Hell with you. You have made my mind filthy. Oh ho! What is this? Let me die. O earth! You open up so that I may jump in the gash. O fire! You flare up so that I may jump in you and burn myself. Oh ho! (Biting his hand), How did I get trapped here? I ate meat Again he bit his hand.
O.K. I ate meat. Let me now pull off Noor Shah's meat. If I am a sinner let me be a sinner.
Like a wild animal, with a beastly mind he got up and ran. The others also ran behind. The rest of the maids and servants also ran with them.
In the temple, where an hour earlier, under duress of Noor Shah, no one could even straighten his head, now everybody's eyes have opened so well that they are running to pull off her meat.
All of them entered the room where she was lying down and wriggling. When they saw her wailing figure lying flat on the floor, everybody stopped.
Like a bucket of water thrown on a blaze they winced. Their hearts sank in fear and awe, seeing the eyes of the lioness like Noor Shah lying flat on the ground. One by one, their heads down, they went out.
All of them are crying and wailing, putting their heads on their knees, someone in some corner and someone in some lane.
Noor Shah went to sleep but for a short time only. When she got up, her pride was a bit down and she felt weak. Saying O Lord, she got up. She went and stood in front of a full size mirror.
She saw her own image and said: O ugly figure, skilled with intense training by my mentor, become strong like a lioness. See the entire house has become - rebellious. If you are lenient then you are gone. Set all these animals right and
rein them. But, O mind, whom have you seen today? Who has put his feet in your temple? All your brain and courage is gone. Who has put the temple on fire without a spark, without thundering has taken the prey away, without fighting has made the temple desolate? Then, I do not like to abuse him. I have no courage to talk evil of him. He has put my body on fire, but I cannot dare to say that he was bad. He is a big magician. He has broken all my magic. O Noor Shah, you have come across a bigger magician. Should I come to grips with him or should I fall at his feet? Coming to grips, will be losing to him because my entire inner strength by which I had made these Jains, Buddhists, faqirs, recluses, celibates, as my disciples is all gone. When I have no strength in my mind, how can I come to grips?
Best is, to fall at his feet. By falling at his feet I will get something and I may get back my strength. Maybe my prestige is enhanced.
That saint is godly and powerful and I influenced his disciple. He would not have been influenced, but I was clever and I noticed his love of music. So, I was able to catch him in his weakness. When his master is powerful, then of course he had to free his disciple. I made a mistake in influencing him.
But Noor Shah, who knows, the fish catchers spread their net and catch the fish everyday but sometimes a crocodile is caught, then, no fish and no net. Same thing has happened with me. But that does not matter. One should not lose courage. Let me go and fall at the feet of the master magician and bring back my gone strength.
The maids knew all the secrets. But some secrets she had kept to herself only. One was to lock the temple entirely.
Noor Shah got up, closed all the doors with keys and then she herself came out through a hidden door.
XIII - Blessed
The true Guru Nanak is sitting in meditation in a squatting posture. His lotus eyes are closed like lotus. There is radiance and dazzle on his face. His forehead is shining with a heavenly light. His entire body appears to be immersed in the love of the Lord in ecstasy. All round is showering a loving grace, a wondrousness and ecstasy.
At a little distance Bhai Mardana and Bhai Teekhan are sitting. Their eyes are closed and they appear to be immersed in the love of the Lord.
The sun is moving towards the west. Its rays are coming, some through the tree leaves and some straight on the back.
In the north, the clear blue sky is shining and giving a feeling of tranquility.
At this time, Noor Shah came. She brought a tray containing pearls, kept it in front of the Guru and bowed down.
When she was about to sit, she felt a sickness and a burning sensation.
In restlessness she moved back. She kept on moving back up to a distance of about twenty meters. Then she got some relief and sat down. Here, she sat down and looked towards the Guru but she could not bear the dazzle.
Her magician eyes could not bear the godly glimpse and closed again and again, but her mind was in chaos and she kept sitting. She said to her mind: O great master magician. I did not know that there was anyone bigger than Noor Shah. Anyway, I will take his blessings by falling at his feet. I must take. Now, be merciful. Don't kill me. Your Holiness, I made a mistake in influencing your disciple. Now, I have come as a slave. Nobody kills those who come for refuge. Please stop. Don't kill me. When I am at your feet, then why kill?
In this way, thinking the savior of the world as a master magician, she was accepting defeat, that the savior Guru opened his eyes.
A strong shower of godly grace fell over Noor Shah. She could not bear and she fell down. For a moment she was un-conscious, then she got up and felt coolness. She came forward step by step and coming near cried and said: You are big. I swear you are big. You return my strength and my disciples. I take your refuge. You keep my honor.
A smile came on the benevolent Guru's face and disappeared.
Noor Shah: O lord of graciousness, O master magician, please have mercy on me.
At this time, Mardana and Teekhan were sitting with eyes open. They were looking at the dazzle on the true Guru's face.
Yes, the dazzle that went into Mardana's eyes today never went away.
Although, he had already seen that no power that came against the Guru was such as it was not belittled, but the dazzle of this moment was with such a thrust that the Guru's graciousness, love and respect went deep into Mardana's heart. And don't ask about Teekhan. He was all sacrifice for the Guru in seeing him eradicating the suffering of humanity in this scene.
Beloved Guru: O Mardana, go and say 'O Lord' loudly in her ear and Teekhan, you go and say in the second ear.
Both did the same.
Noor Shah: Oh! What is this dreadful sound? I am gone, gone. I am dead. Oh! Gone. (After a moment) I have woken up. Where was I sleeping? I was living in the love of the Lord when I was young.
When did Noor Shah come? He loved me and said: She is intelligent. I learnt hypnotism. What was I? What did I become? What am I today?
It appears, I was healthy in childhood, then some fever came, and I spent the entire life in that fever. Today, the fever is gone. How has it gone?
Something is going out of my inside. What is it that has made me empty?
It appears to be some fever. By this emptiness I have not become hollow. I am feeling cool. I am getting consciousness.
Was this my body or a honeycomb of wasps where thousands of wasps were living? All have flown away.
Oh! Why this poison I could not perceive as poison? I was also a picture of poison. How could poison perceive poison? Oh Noor Shah get up. Who should get up?
By the grace of God, what coolness have you given? My entire blood has become cold. I had come to take strength. But whatever strength was left in me even that has gone. Oh! My prestige, my fame, my disciples, my magic, my supernatural powers, all is gone.
O wonderful! Get up. Coolness, this coolness is very sweet. That was all a fever, a fever.
O mind, see I am tranquil. I am fortunate. I have got an awakening. I should live in this awakening. There is a sensation in my body cells. My body cells have become a musical instrument. They are singing music. They are singing
O Lord, O Lord, O Lord. What is this O Lord? This only has awakened me.
O my mind you trapped people with music. Has this music 'O Lord' awakened you? O mind, now you keep yourself in this comfort. Let the prestige and fame go to hell. I should lie down at the Guru's feet and listen to the music O Lord, O Lord, O Lord, O Lord.
XIV - Everybody blessed
Noor Shah is walking. She has a basket on her head. She has carried the basket up to somebody's house and earned two rupees as labor. She has purchased rice and lentil with this money.
Then, entering her house through a secret door, she has cooked this rice and lentil. She said to her mind. Let me put this house on fire and go and live in the forest Then, she was afraid that she has not asked.
O mind, the benevolent Guru had not said that you do labor and earn, but I myself was scared of the dishonestly acquired money.
Again, she trembled and felt sick, but she remembered O Lord, O Lord.
Then, she picked up the cooked rice and lentil and took it to the forest and put it in front of the Guru.
"O gracious Guru, have food. I have brought food. This is not from my dishonestly acquired money. I did some labor and have honestly earned and have brought a little food". She prayed.
True Guru: Noor Shah, 'your honest earning', then, (smiling) well done. But O woman, today is my birthday and in your temple, people are suffering. How can I have food when so many people are in suffering? When their suffering goes, then only the food will go down the throat.
Noor Shah: O master of coolness, you are right. What a fool am I? O Lord, O Lord, O Lord, with closed eyes "O Lord, O Lord, O Lord".
Thus saying, O Lord, O Lord, she went like a dust storm and entered her temple. She went where all her disciples, some of whom were good saints, were sitting. She said to them: O stupid people, The Lord has come to earth in human form with a lamp of coolness and graciousness. You all get up. I, who had influenced you earlier, shall get you free. Come, your fever will go. Come and fall at the feet of the master of coolness. You will get priceless coolness.
All of them got up and like puppets followed her. Noor Shah came out with everybody and shouted in the market outside: Anybody can loot my house. It is open. Noor Shah left all doors of the house wide open and left. However, nobody dared to loot her house.
News spread like wild fire, in the entire town that Noor Shah with all her disciples is going away somewhere.
Noor Shah is walking. On her tongue is 'O Lord'. In her body cells is 'O Lord'. Her mind is tranquil. She is attracted towards the forest. She reached the forest and lay flat on the true Guru's feet. All her disciples fell at the Guru's feet.
True Guru to Sarad: The light comes from the source of light, the sun. Piousness comes from the source of piousness, the Lord. What shall we do with piousness? At the time of need, piousness deceived. Without an oarsman the boat is wasted away. (Patting on his back)
Imbibe a belief that 'Lord is there'. Be sure that all the time we have to be at his feet and with confidence, say 'O Lord'.
Coolness went into Sarad's mind. His mind became tranquil. The Name went down into his sub-conscious mind and he felt an elevation.
Then, Turn an Shah came and fell at the Guru's feet. The true Guru touched his head and said: Running after worldly desires, it is difficult to reach the Lord. It is like playing with snakes. Outwardly saying O Lord, O Lord and inwardly fuelling desires and passions in the name of the Lord. So, it is imperative that the desires will entrap.
O son, rise above desires and passions. Take refuge in the Lord. Say 'O Lord'.
Tuman Shah felt a sensation that he had never felt before.
He saw his inner self. His mind deviated towards the Lord.
He got elevation in his mind. He went into high spirits.
Then, the true Guru touched Saina Nand's head and said: Devotion has to be in the mind. The mind has to be turned towards the Lord.
The mind has to be reined. If the mind is let loose and it is not in the love of the Lord, then the praise from people is a snake in the form of ego and desires. It will bite.
The snake of ego and desires can bite when there is no guard. The Lord is the guard. Fall at His feet. Say O Lord, O Lord.
The dirt of the praise from the people was washed from his mind and his mind became crystal. He got into 'recitation of Name' and got elevation.
Then, the Guru touched Goran's head and said: By keeping fasts the body becomes weak. Laziness comes and desires increase. Neither the mind is reined nor the dirt of the mind goes. The desires dazzle. Have faith that Lord is on your head. Say 'O Lord'.
On saying O Lord Goran got a sensation of the presence of the Lord in his mind and body and his mind got elevation.
In this way, the Guru blessed everybody one by one and gave the Lord's name. Everybody got happiness.
Then, he said: O Mardana, What is the day today?
Mardana: O true Guru, it is your birthday today.
Now, the sun was setting. It became evening. Bhai Teekhan brought water. The Guru washed his hands. Noor Shah served food to him. The Guru, the savior, distributed food to everyone and he himself also ate.
Then, Mardana sang a divine song in praise of the Lord.
XV [Understanding the misunderstanding]
The night has passed. It is early morning. Mardana got up. He saw the true Guru sitting immersed in the love of the Lord. He heaved a sigh. Oh! I should have got up earlier. I should have had my bath, then served the Guru for his bath. O.K. Now, I should hurry up.
Saying this, he hurriedly got ready and brought his melodious rebeck and sat down. When the fingers moved on the wires, the divine tunes came out and his sweet melodious throat started singing.
Then, what was there? A godly ecstasy descended from the heavens.
Rest of the congregation, including Noor Shah also got up. They had their bath and sat down, some near, some farther. Mardana sang the divine songs from the core of his heart and the melody was heart piercing. Everybody got immersed in the love of the Lord. In this coolness, this happiness, this ecstasy, the congregation was immersed in the love of the Lord and rapture till sunrise. Now, Mardana finished singing. Teekhan had come along with his in-laws family and had brought milk.
In the city, the news had already spread that some godly soul has come, who has broken the temple of deceit of Noor Shah. She has left her house wide open and did labor to earn honestly and has taken food from that earning for the Guru in the forest. In every house, this was the story and everybody was eager to have a glimpse of the godly soul.
So, in the morning only, people started leaving the houses and came to the forest. It became a large gathering.
Mardana's divine songs and the Guru's godly glimpse had already turned everybody's mind towards the Lord.
When the milk came, the Guru said: Distribute it to everyone.
Then, the Guru sang a divine song himself and gave such a loving discourse that everybody's mind got immersed in the love of the Lord and the minds were turned towards the Lord.
In this way, all the people became his disciples and the true Guru put everybody on the true path of 'Recitation of the Lord's name with love'.
He explained to them what the fruit of Name will be, that your mind will be reined, and you will get immersed in the love of the Lord and get salvation.
Food was prepared there only, and everybody ate.
In the afternoon, when most people had left, then Mardana said: O true Guru, like, one feels light, if the load of a mountain is taken away from the
head, after yesterday's experience I am feeling like that. What was this magic and from where Noor Shah got all this?
The true Guru said: Noor Shah will narrate all this to you. Then, you can understand if you are able to understand.
On listening to this, Noor Shah said O gracious Guru it is this material world. It is all illusion and deception. But it is your wish. I will narrate:
My dad Mr. Narinder Nath was a middle class landlord in this town and was fond of service to sadhus. In our town, once came a faqir whose name was Noor Shah. He was pleased with the service of my dad. My dad got lot of faith in him. I was in young age. Once, I got an abscess on my finger.
The doctor said that without an incision it could not be cured. But I was scared of the pain by the incision and I was not agreeable. For four days, we tried different formulations and bandages but it could not be cured.
When Noor Shah came to know of it, he said to my dad, you call the doctor secretly. I shall come in the afternoon and get the incision done. You don't worry. I did not know all this. In the afternoon, he came and sat near me. Then he said: Daughter, you will get a sweet sleep. See towards my forehead. There is light on my forehead. There is a combination of five comets on my forehead. If you gaze, then you will see.
He kept on talking many things. I do not know. But later my dad told me that while gazing I went off to sleep. Then, he called the doctor and asked him to incise.
My dad said: She might get up with pain. He said: This is not sleep. She will not awaken. He looked towards me and said: Don't awaken.
Then, the doctor incised and put the bandage and went away. I got up only when Noor Shah himself woke me up somehow. My dad was very much impressed with this magic. When Noor Shah became old, he taught all this hypnotism and mesmerism to my dad. When he died, his disciples became disciples of my dad and started calling him Noor Shah. My dad loved me much. One day he said: This body cannot be trusted. Your eyes, forehead and mind are stronger than men. You learn this influencing. This will be good for you. This is difficult to find. Noor Shah was a recluse. He practiced Hath yoga. He traveled all over Afghanistan and India. In the end, in Nilgiris, South India, he came across a saint belonging to Toda caste, who taught him how to influence another person's mind. They considered it a power of the soul. He said: To do a miracle is the sign of a prophet or a big saint. Noor Shah was a big saint. He blessed me with this miracle. I give it to you.
Accordingly, my dad trained me in this tantric practice. After his death, all his disciples who got their desires fulfilled by wearing amulets etc that my dad gave, they gathered round me. My original name was Parbati, but they started calling me Noor Shah. I had lot of guts and I was clever too. I did not use this strength for doing goodness to others. I used it for influencing other people and bringing them under my charm. I was very successful in this art. You can see Jains, celebates, recluses, pandits and faqirs came under my spell and my fame increased. This is an art of deception. One thing in this is concentration of mind.
Till yesterday, I thought it was a heavenly strength. But now I have realized that to influence somebody is to bind one's self. I am telling the truth.
Till yesterday, I thought it was strength in me, but today, I realize it was a fever in the brain. People get imprisonment of body. I got imprisonment of my brain and mind.
(Falling at the Guru's feet) O gracious Guru, yesterday was the first day that I was not able to influence your disciple. I was perplexed but when he sang a divine song, my clever brain struck a remedy. I was good at music. I played such exquisite music that his mind got engrossed in it. Being engrossed in the ecstasy of the music, his mind forgot itself. Just at that moment I gave a dazzle of my beauty and his mind was influenced and came under my spell.
Mardana (in a fear): O true Guru, I was destined to be killed by this music.
True Guru: Mardana, Don't say like that. Music is divine. It has come from the heavens. All beauty has come from the heavens. Music is there to take you to the Lord's palace. It is man's stupidity that everything that has been created for the elevation of the mind, he uses it for creating a veil and a distance between himself and the Lord, and to entangle himself in worldly passions. O Mardana, The divine songs that I ask to you to sing frees our mind from the entanglements in worldly passions. But the music that she played was for worldly entanglement. Music is pure but its use has made it impure. Man's nature takes him to hell otherwise the Lord is showering ecstasy for him. Now, Mardana understood everything properly.
Noor Shah fell at the Guru's feet and then said: O gracious Guru, be benevolent. You are great that you are making people free from worldly entanglements. Somebody can take us out of a prison but nobody can take out anyone from his self-created worldly entanglements. Teekhan has rightly said, you only can remove the veil of forgetfulness and join us with the Lord.
O bestowal of Name and eradicator of sufferings, you are great.
Yes, Mardana, me stupid caught you from this music and hypnotized you so much that if I gave you spices to eat and told you 'it is sweet', then, you said 'yes it is sweet'. If I said, you are not a man you are a ram. Then, you made the voice of a ram. You excuse me and excuse my faults, but see brother Mardana, by the Lord's grace my faults became a blessing in disguise.
But no, what good my faults could do, I was burning and burning others, that the savior of the world has come today and doused the fire. I am cool now.
Mardana: I have now, understood the whole story of Noor Shah.
She was a hypnotist and I thought I have come to a temple of 'selfless service'. O master, I went yesterday, and yesterday only you got me free and I came, but according to me one night has passed in between. Yesterday, also you had pointed out that it is the same day. How was that?
Noor Shah: This, I will tell. The room, where you saw it was night, that was a made up room that was dark. In my temple, I have everything, hell, heaven, day, night, sun, moon, forest, city. I have created everything.
On listening to this, all her disciples had tears in their eyes. Then, the Guru sang a short divine song.
XVI [Doctrine]
Mardana (with folded hands in front of the true Guru): Your Holiness, excuse my boldness. We had bonded ourselves to worldly desires and you have freed all of us from the bond. But again we are bonded to your love. How is that?
True Guru: O Mardana, to be bonded in desires is a bodily passion. That bond is captivity and entanglement. Then, whatever 'love' Noor Shah expected from people influenced by her hypnotism, that bond is again captivity, imprisonment and slavery. I make you free from your own captivity and entanglement. I make you remove the veil of ego and see your soul.
You get ecstasy. Then, you go into remembrance of the Lord and meet the Lord. I don't require your love for any worldly gain.
Mardana: But we do love you.
Guru: When the soul is free, then its form is love. This is a pure love. It is not laced with worldly desires. The love with worldly desires is captivity.
The Lord frees you from that.
The Lord is pure love and pure love is Lord.
The freed soul is in the love of the Lord. Love is the form of the Lord.
Lord is the sun. The sunrays are love. Mardana, you understand. The darkness of worldly desires goes away with this pure love. You meet the Lord with this love. Love is freedom. Desires are captivity.
Mardana: O true Guru, I adore you. It is your graciousness that me wretched has been blessed.
Sarad: O true Guru, I spent my entire life in ascetic practices, penances, fasts and meditations. Why was I trapped?
True Guru: You all try to change your habits stubbornly and want to become famous. You think they are vices and cause of suffering and you want to go out of the suffering. Somebody thinks that the mind is the God. He doesn't understand that his ego has sat on the God's throne. Somebody thinks that salvation is in good deeds only. This human body is an abode. It is a temple. It is with some aim. All senses in this body are for some comfort. All the senses are a support to the body soul. They are servants to the soul.
But the mind is enticed by desires and passions, and they start controlling the mind, instead of the mind controlling them. When you feel the suffering, then you try to kill them stubbornly. But they are a support for the body.
That makes you dejected and sometimes ill. When, sometimes, the need for support comes, then you are without support and you fall.
The remedy is, not in killing the instincts, but to rein the senses and ride over them as a horse. Get out of their trap. You be the master of all the senses and instincts in the body, and rule the body as a king. Control the senses you have in you. Don't kill them. By killing them, you strike an axe on your feet. Then, you become dejected and say we have gone into thoughtlessness.
Noor Shah, no, no, Noor Shah is dead. Parbau' influenced you, but she did not understand that in binding you she also got into bondage. She was always in fear that you may not go out of her influence. So, she had to keep her influence strong all the time. Is it not a bond? But she considered her own bondage as fame. In this way, our own mind is deceiving us. So, analyze this mind. Try to see the stealth and deception of the mind. Then, rein the mind and free yourself from its trap. Then, you will feel the real happiness. Then, you will be able to see the almighty Lord and get eternal happiness.
But it requires constant endeavor. Perseverance is required. The mind, that has gone berserk since decades, cannot be turned in hours. The mind
has been looking outwardly for years. Now, turn it to look inwardly for some time.
The path for looking inwardly is falling at the Lord's feet.
Falling at the Lord's feet is 'Recitation of the Lord's name with love'.
Remain in the incessant remembrance of the Lord. Live in the presence of the Lord. When you are living in the presence of the Lord, then automatically your mind is reined.
Never forget the Lord's name.
At this time, Mardana, immersed in the Lord's love, sang a verse that meant:
O Guru, Bless me that I should never forget the savior Lord.
For forty minutes the entire congregation sang this verse in such love that everybody got immersed in the love of the savior Lord.
O Great Guru Nanak
After staying there for some days and blessing the Lord's name to everyone, the Guru departed.
Parbati demolished the temple of deceit. Whatever she had earned from her deceptive practices, she distributed to the needy and poor. She sat in the open and preached the Lord's name. All her disciples were made free and they went out to preach the Lord's name.
Where she sat, a gurdwara was constructed and limited free kitchen started with whatever small income came. The divine songs were sung everyday.
Parbati who was making living minds as lifeless has now become a saint and is giving life to lifelessly living people.
When the Guru departed, she asked for some token. The beloved Guru had a spear in his hand. He gave that to her. The spear is still kept there and people can see it.
O true Guru bless me that I should never forget the savior Lord.
Let us recite:
O Lord, O Lord, O Lord, O Lord.
Starting with at least five minutes a day.
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