Isn't it astonishing? The heart is inside the body and in the core of heart was hidden a love-spark. It was made safer by putting curtains over curtain. It was kept hidden far from envious eyes. But the inimical and the detective eyes are too sharp. How their evil-eye peeped in and noticed the invaluable love-spark. It is again astonishing that they have made tunnels to extinguish it and have put cannons in readiness. How the shots are coming? Shall this lovespark in my heart extinguish? Shall my mind that had become enlightened with this love-spark be filled with darkness of loneliness? Ah! O Benevolent! Giver of the love-spark! Please be merciful and save me from these detective enemies. If this love-spark of mine is lost, then it shall be a death-kneil for me. O Lord! Save me! It is strange! I was sure that this love-spark inside me is out of sight of my enemies. But the enemies have shot arrows of maliciousness into my ears in the guise of sweet and compassionate love that have pierced my heart deep. They have shot bombs of slander and insinuations in the guise of sweet talk for my gain. Yes! Agony! My mind is full of smoke, suppressed resentment. I have pain. I do not know whether my love-spark exists there in my mind or has vanished. I peep inside but I cannot see anything but confusion and battle5' One tall, beautiful, serene but thoughtful natured lady is thus talking to herself.
She pinched her forehead and said: Oomph! Oomph! She looked up sometime and sometimes down. Then she became quiet and thoughtful and said to her mind: O vicious friends! O well wishers of my body and enemies of my life! You are not my friends. As a lady with all the comforts without life in it is a stinking dead body, similarly, without a love-spark life is like a dead and dry river bed or a dead tumble. You want to extinguish the love-spark or
say life-spark of my life. Your words of love are poison. Your sympathy is not to rid my agony but to put me in agony. You are not soothers of pain but ruthless givers of pain. Possibly, I stand duped of my treasure hidden in my deep inside under million of curtains by misunderstand your love. Oh Me! Oh my mind! This kingdom and this magnificence, is it not temporary? How many kings owned this kingdom? They have all gone under the earth. If the heads of all the previous kings were to be put in a row, then the line might cover the entire earth and still more would be left. In what count do you stand? If the kingdom goes then what do I lose? If one becomes a beggar, then what? The heart without a love-spark is dead heart. Is it kingdom to keep a dead heart in the body all twenty-four hours? Yes, if one has to sit on a palm leave mat with a heart having a love-spark in it, then it is no less than a kingdom of heavens. When the heart is a king, then you own a kingdom. If the heart is a beggar, then the kingdom of body is the ink of disgrace. O dear moon of faith! Turn your reins, turn your direction. Come to my heart, send your waves of love, send your rays of love and let the love shine. O faith! You only can rid me of my suppressed resentment. O dweller of heaven, O light of heaven, O light of the Lord's sphere. Who else's support can I look for in this wander? You give support and save me. With your support I can take my feet out of this marsh. O faith! When you were shinning in me, then I was in ecstasy. Without you I am in distress. I am in despair without you as the partridge is in despair without moonlight. O moon of faith! If you have hidden yourself, then do not let the hope of regaining go away. In the hope of regaining you, this time of distress shall pass.
Ah ha! What a nice tune? How loving is it? It is late evening. It is getting dark. The sun has gone. The moon and stars have not risen as yet. It is cloudy. There is darkness in my mind also. O Hl-speaking, O Back-biting. O Maliciousness. You have ruined my hustling bustling house. O Moon! Rise and give light. (Tried to hear)
O Mind! If you shun love of the kingdom, then the moon of faith shall not come under the clouds. The threats of losing the kingdom are coming as shadow over my faith.
(Tried to hear) How sweet is the song from the Scripture? It is giving coolness. It is so comforting. O mind! Listen attentively:
If the Lord gives kingdom, then what is my greatness?
If He gives begging, then what do I lose?
0 mind! Recite the Lord's name that shall give salvation.
The queen got up and went to the place from where the voice came. At the other end of the garden, one old lady sat immersed in love of the Lord.
She had recited a verse from the Holy Scripture. The queen recognized her and in emotion with tear-filled eyes fell at her feet
The old lady opened her eyes, lifted the queen's head, embraced her and rubbed her hand on the queen's back. Was it a hand or magic? Within moments the queen's mind elevated. It got out of fear and mistaken beliefs. She regained her love-spark. She got full sensation of the presence of the Lord in her mind, heart and body. Her mind blossomed. She got ecstasy. The divine sensation went into her body cells. She got immersed in the love of the Lord. She is still in the love-embrace of the saint lady and her mind is in rapture. She is unmoved. She is enjoying the ecstasy in the lap of the saint lady.
Time passed in this love-embrace. The stars twinkled. The moon rose high. The moonlight spread like a white sheet. It is cold. It is extremely cold but the cool moonlight is ecstatic and is giving more comfort to the elevated mind. The body is at ease in the cool moonlight. The mind is in blossom. The moon of love has risen in her mind that is giving moonlight of love. The saint lady realized the intensity of cold and made the queen stand up. The queen got up. She has sheen on her face that is shedding coolness and sa'credness to one who looks at her. She has an ecstatic feeling that indicates that the queen is immersed in the love of the Lord.
The saint lady walked holding the queen's head on her chest. The saint lady understands that the queen is in ecstasy. So she walked supporting the queen's head on her chest through the garden and took her to the palace from the garden door and entered the queen's room. Two maids were already waiting and the candles were lit on the candle stand.
The saint lady made the queen sit on the sofa and gave extra cushions to relax. The queen is in trance. The saint lady now sent a message to Prince-son to come.
Prince son was worried and had already visited the garden several times but did not like to disturb the queen who was in tears of emotion. The Princeson whose face blossomed like a rose saw the closed eyes of Mother and felt somewhat restless but the saint lady spoke: O Dear! There is no cause to worry, the queen is fine.
The Time-keepers remain alert in .their job. They kept on striking the gong and reducing the night time. It was past mid-night when the queen opened her eyes. She heaved a sigh. She saw her Prince-son and saint lady sitting close by.
Seeing the sad face of her Prince-son she said: Darling son! Mother was in despair today but this godly lady has saved me. My mind is in blossom
now. At this time the saint lady said: It is late night. Better, everybody goes to sleep.
Queen: My mother who gave me birth left me in the worldly ocean of fire without oars and without light. But O saint lady! You have taken me out from that ocean. O saint lady! I was in deep despair today. I cried. Maybe I cried in weakness. But to cry for love's sake washes the dirt of the mind. Isn't it so? Isn't it a medicine to cleanse the mind?
Saint Lady: One who has got a love-spark of the Lord in the mind, then the Lord saves the person from drowning with his own hands. Lord is the saviour.
Queen: It was not in my control. I do not know how the secret of my Guru-love leaked out? For the last few days the neighbouring hill kings were sending messages of threat that if you side with the 'Guru Ji with the plume', then we shall seize your kingdom. Today the Minister said so much malicious words against the saviour Guru Ji so that my connection with the beloved Guru Ji should break. He said such words so that I should dislike the benevolent Guru Ji. I do not know why my ears did not burn. Even my maids and servants did back-biting against the benevolent Guru Ji. I had a sword with me. Me coward! I had no valour that I should have pierced my body with my sword and gone to the Lord's palace with pure ears. I have no goodness in me. I do have a small kingdom but the ego of having a kingdom is big. It is your grace that you blessed me with Guru-love. Today my enemies pushed me to despair. I was in great distress. I felt I was alone. My own self became a demon to eat me. It did come to my mind that the maximum suffering for my faith in the true Guru Ji for my Guru-love can be loss of kingdom. Let it go. When faith, love and support are present then comforts or sufferings do not make any difference. But the aloneness did not go. Your sweet scripture and your loving embrace pulled me out of hell. O Saint-lady, why did I listen to the malicious talk? Why did I not stand like a rock? Why did I not tell them that their talk is all nonsense?
Saint Lady: Daughter! Guru Ji love is grace and is precious. It is difficult to keep up this treasure. This world is a sphere of anxiety and fear. When we get into love of the Lord then we get a sensation of the presence of the Lord. Then only the fear and anxieties vanish.
Queen: O Saint-lady, you are more than a Mother to me. Tell me, how this fear and anxiety goes. I gave so much in charity and I kept fasts. I cried in repentance and tried rtiy best to push out this fear and anxiety from my mind but to no avail. You have got some magic that it goes away.
Saint-lady: O dear! Our true Guru Ji has explained this very nicely. This is the dirt of the mind. It goes with the Lord's name.
Queen: How do I get the Lord's n ime? How do I get Guru Ji's grace?
Saint Lady: O dear! The Holy Scripture that you recite with love takes you towards love of the Lord. The Holy Scripture is full of praises of the Lord and it imbibes Lord's name in the body. It prompts you towards love of Lord.
0 dear! The scripture prompts you to recite the Lord's name. By recitation of the Lord's name by the tongue or silently the mind becomes elevated and feels a wavy sensation of the presence of the Lord. That gives ecstasy. Recitation of the scripture, singing the praises of the Lord and recitation of the Lord's name with love, all combined is the true path to meet the Lord. It is Guru Ji's grace that has prompted you towards love of the omnipresent Lord. You are already in love of the Holy Scripture. The beloved Guru Ji is expected to put his sacred feet in your kingdom shortly.
Queen: It is your goodness. I had no Spiritual knowledge. But I can say it with certainty that the Scripture does give ecstasy. It cools the mind. Today I forgot. I should have recited the Scripture. If I had recited the Scripture, then surely I would have felt cool.
Saint Lady: It happens. One forgets. See! At the end it was the Scripture that you listened to and felt coolness.
Queen: It is true. I was saved by listening to the Holy Scripture. You are a true saint. I should worship you.
Saint Lady: I cannot listen to my praise. I can listen only to beloved Guru Ji's praise. I was nobody, none cared for me. It is Guru Ji's grace that I am honoured.
Queen: Saint-lady! I am sorry, when I am in thankfulness, then unknowingly
1 speak like that.
Saint Lady: It is up to the Lord to bless salvation. Lord is the creator of the universe. Lord is the nourisher. Lord is the saviour.
Queen: The Lord is formless, limitless and indescribable. How does He bless salvation?
Saint Lady: like, to create the world He does not require any assistance similarly He does not require any suggestion or assistance in giving nourishment. Similarly, He is not dependent on anybody's suggestion for giving salvation. He Himself creates, nourishes and blesses salvation.
Queen: When we come to know of His love, His goodness, His being a nourisher and His being a saviour, then we get attracted to Him and wish to know how to meet Him? He is the unseen Infinite and we are unable to peep into the unseen.
Saint Lady: To get an attraction for Him is His bless. As a saviour the Lord blesses.
Queen: What you say is true? Buc O dear! The thirst to have His glimpse makes me restless. I wish to meet Him. One day you had said: "When one has thirst for meeting the Lord, then one should not remain in-active". Then some questions come to my mind:
1. The Lord is the Supreme lover. He is without fear or enmity. He is the Supreme soul. He loves everyone. Due to His love, He is the nourisher and saviour. Who should tell us all His love, His goodness, His mercy, His bless and His praises? How do we come to know of the Lord's attributes? If you had not told me the Lord's attributes, then how could I become thirsty to meet Him?
2. When one is thirsty, then one becomes eager to meet Him. One wishes to fly to meet Him. You say, it is all His grace.
Saint Lady: The saviour has put His command in our soul. By virtue of that command everything happens by itself but we do not understand His will. We have turned our mind away from the Lord and got enticed in worldly desires. That is why the saviour sends his beloved prophet in human form. He is in human form but his virtue and nature is above humans. He is an image of the Lord. He is Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji came to this earth and told us all goodness, virtue, mercy and most of all love of the Lord. On listening to all that a wish came in our mind that we should get rid of vices, perceive the visible world as perishable, love the Lord and meet Him. To enable us to fulfill our wish he wrote the scripture and preached singing the praises of the Lord with music. Then the beloved Guru Ji gave us Name of the Lord. O Queen! This is the path that the saviour has told us to tread on.
In this way He has given us the knowledge of His being a saviour.
Queen: O Saint Lady! You excuse me. I do not have any doubt in my mind. I have a longing to meet Him. I say whatever comes in the mind. You do not mind it. You blessed me. I read the Holy Scripture, recited the Lord's name and listened to divine songs (Kirtan). I have got devotion. You say that Guru Ji has given us the message of love of the Lord and the path of recitation of Name. I get pangs to have a glimpse of the true Guru Ji. Sometimes I feel restless. The desire to have a glimpse of the true Guru Ji whom the Lord has sent to join the separated with the Lord and who makes us feel the presence of the Lord swell in the mind like a tidal wave. But O Saint Lady! Only with your benevolence we can get the blessings of the true Guru Ji.
Saint Lady: The true Guru Ji is the saviour. He is the saviour of all mankind whether in human form or in the unseen form we should not consider him bound in time and space. The true Guru Ji is always living. To feel that he is the saviour and to get salvation, the path is: "Guru Ji is always absolutely close to us. We have to remember him in every moment. The practical way of remembrance is recitation of Name by the tongue."
Queen: Please elucidate to make me understand better.
Saint Lady: Do not think that the true Guru Ji is not there or far off. Rid this thinking. Think that he is there, here, close to us. One who has a feeling that Guru Ji is here close to me, then he has the support of Guru Ji. This support gives fearlessness in the mind. You have not met Guru Ji. You have not fallen at his feet so far. Yet, do you not feel that the true Guru Ji is yours and you are of the true Guru Ji?
Queen: I shall get lost and die if this feeling goes away from my mind? I love the true Guru Ji. The true Guru Ji loves me. I am at his feet.
O Saint Lady: Pray! O true Guru Ji! I am yours. I am at your feet.
O Son! Pray! O true Guru Ji! We are yours. Bad or good, we are yours. Wandering in forgetfulness, we are yours. O beloved! We are yours.
Saying this Queen's eyes filled with tears and she went into trance. After a gap of time her eyes opened and she said: O Saint Lady! When do we get a glimpse of the true Guru Ji?
Saint Lady: O daughter! When you feel that the true Guru Ji is close to you, then this is meeting him. This longing becomes a bridge between us and the true Guru Ji. Showers of blessings from the true Guru Ji come through this connection.
Queen: O dear Saint Lady! You have elucidated so well then you say you are nobody. But I have great love and regard for you.
Saint Lady: Well, I am only a disciple of the true Guru Ji. I have fallen at his feet. I speak out that he is creating a holy congregation, nothing more than that. Those who are immersed in Guru-love are saints and their company is fruitful but I am not even a saint nor am I worthy. The Lord has appointed Guru Ji as saviour of the world. Similarly, Guru Ji has appointed the Holy Granth Sahib and the congregation. The Name that the Lord gave to Guru Ji, he has put it in the Holy Scripture. You know the fifth Guru Ji bowed down to the Holy Scripture saying that this is the "Science of the soul." The tenth Guru Ji respected it and gave it to the holy congregation to adopt it as Guru Ji and preach it further as the "Science of the soul." The true Guru Ji preaches recitation of the Lord's name and asks those who have imbibed the Lord's name in their hearts to preach further. The Guru-soul is immersed in
the Supreme-soul. Guru Ji is the image of the Lord. Guru Ji loves everybody. For those who are engrossed in Guru-love, he says "They are mine, they are my image."
Queen: Beloved Guru Ji is great! Miraculous Guru Ji is great!
Saint Lady: O darling! The Lord is the saviour. Guru Ji being one with the Lord is also the saviour. Guru Ji is allaying the suffering of the people. The 'Ideal Men5 who are immersed in love of the Lord are preaching the Lord's name further as per the wish of Guru Ji.
Queen: O dear! Today my sinful ears heard the back-biting of the true Guru Ji who is so great, so high, merciful, blissful, whose remembrance I nurture in my heart and I enjoy your pious and saintly company. I was deeply distressed. But thanks to the Lord that you whose company is life-giving and holy saved me.
Saint Lady: O dear! This back-biting has given great suffering in the world. It has ruined the minds of faith and devotion. It has created estrangement between true friends. It has created estrangement between a loving husband and a loving wife. That is why Guru Ji said that back-biting is a big vice and we should refrain from it. We should never listen to back-biting. But if it comes insistently, then we should keep our mind strong like a rock. If one feels distress, then we should recite the scripture and pray to lord.
Queen: What you say is true. Excuse me if I may ask? When do we get a glimpse of the beloved Guru Ji?
Saint Lady: Time is near. Beloved Guru Ji shall visit us soon.
Queen: I adore your words. You are great!
Saint Lady: Tell me! Is your mind out of fear now?
Queen: I was really afraid that after knowing that I have become a Gurudevotee, the neighbouring kings might grab my kingdom. This fear has gone away by listening to the scripture that you recited to me: It is the Lord's will if He gives kingdom. It is His grace. If He gives begging it is His will. I should remain happy in any circumstances. When Guru Ji has given us the biggest treasure i.e. rapture of Name, then we should live in that rapture. Then we are happy to get a kingdom and we do not go into despair in begging. Former is the Lord's grace and second is the Lord's will. Again when we have faith that Guru Ji is always close to us and he is our strength, then what is there to be afraid of? We have to remain at his feet and remember him. He is a pillar of support for us. He shall take care of our fears and anxieties.
Saint Lady: When one is steadfast in recitation of Name and has Guru Ji's support then the mind remains in blossom without fears. Those who
have got the support and strength of the Lord, why should their mind fear those who axe living in fears and anxieties? A person who is fearless, his fearless-ness has an effect on the other person. The mounds of vices of the person living in fear tremble on being influenced by the fire of sacredness of the fearless person.
Queen: You are right. You have spoken the truth.
Saint Lady: I have repeated whatever I heard from Guru Ji.
Prince: O Grand lady! When shall we get a glimpse of the true Guru Ji?
Saint Lady: The true Guru Ji has departed from Paonta. On the prayer of King Medni Prakash he is staying in the forest area of Nahan state. I am sure he will reach this side soon.
Prince: O Grand Lady! Are you sure that he will come this side? In case of any doubt may we send a messenger to pray to him? -
Saint Lady: There is no need to send a message nor anyone has ever told him regarding your love for him. But it is his natural repute to reach where there is love. As such it is impossible that he may go on seme other route and not respond to your love and give his glimpse.
Queen: O respected lady! What you say is true. But our love is no match. It is your graciousness that we do pin our hope that he will come here and bless us. To send a message is disrespectful. Who are we without any virtuousness in us that we dare to invite the Magnificent Guru Ji. But O Lady! It is certain that if Guru Ji blesses us and makes us his own then we shall get eternal blossom of mind.
Saint Lady: Surely, he will come and bless a life-spark. I have full confidence.
The bank of the river Yamuna where ih§ true Guru Ji laid the foundation of the city of Paonta and where now exists a beautiful small but tall Gurdwara is a wondrous natural scenic spot The beauty of the flowing water cf the river and the delightful, natural scenery are captivating to the mind. In fact by seeing such places one can imagine how much appreciative was the true Guru Ji and how much fondness he had for. natural scenery. How much wondrous was his selection of beautiful scenic spots?
When Guru Ji devotees won the battle of Bhangani and came to Paonta, then the devotees were eager to invade King Fateh Shah's kingdom but Guru Ji stopped them to attack King Fateh Shah. They did agree not to attack but when Guru Ji noticed their enthusiasm in their hearts, then he thought
that they might not be able to control their enthusiasm. So instead of suppressing their enthusiasm it would be better to divert their minds towards construction and rehabilitation of the city of Anandpur and fortify it.
Accordingly, preparations to depart were made. Importantly, the travel arrangement for the wounded was necessary. Stock of medicines was to be procured and doctors were to accompany them. When ail arrangements were complete, then the convoy departed.
The first halt was at Laharpur. Here the beloved Guru Ji stayed for ten to twelve days. He went out for sight-seeing and hunting. Here was the game sanctuary of Bang Sikander Lodhi. He used to come and stay here and go for hunting.
One Mughul official Mukhlas Khan had constructed a fort here and named it Mukhlasgarh. Later Banda Bahadur occupied this fort and named it Lohgarh. He stayed here for a long time and fought the army of the rulers a number of times.
A Gurdwara stands where the true Guru Ji stayed and is named Tota Sahib. About one kilometre from this place is a village name Tota: The inhabitants of this village who were called Ranghars stole loaded camels of Guru Ji's convoy and were subsequendy caught.
Guru Ji said: This village is Tota (meaning: Loss). Even now people call it Tota. It is also written that on the prayer of King Medni Prakash the true Guru Ji halted and stayed at Laharpur for ten or twelve days. Budhu Shah Ji came from Sadhaura and Guru Ji blessed him immensely. The congregation assembled in the morning and evening and sang divine songs (Kirtan). Many devotes came to meet the beloved Guru Ji. He blessed everyone with the Lord's name.
When the true Guru Ji decided to stay here for a few days, then he asked maternal Uncle Kirpal Chaad to take the wounded .and the rest of the convoy and soldiers and proceed to Anandpur.
The true Guru Ji retained some valiant and the drum beaters here and sent the rest of the convoy to Anandpur.
On the thirteenth day, when the assembly session concluded, Guru Ji looked towards the heavens, then towards the north and south. It appeared as if he is reading something in the unseen cosmic book. Then with tear filled eyes he sat in meditation for some time. Then he said: Let us depart tomorrow morning. When the foot-runner asked about the route, then he ordered: We shall go up to Tabra in the kingdom of Ramgarhia. The first halt shall be Tabra. Next halt shall be where it is the Lord's will.
The miraculous true Guru Ji who was always exuberant with Spiritual radiance is moving, riding a beautiful horse accompanied by a few valiant. Rest of the army and paraphernalia followed.
On the way he saw one Brahmin gazing at the sun and bowing to it.
Guru Ji laughed and said: The Lord has created everything for the benefit of man. The sun and light, air and water, earth and sky all are created for comfort of man. He created man superior to all else on earth and all else for his comfort. But see he has forgotten his superiority. His superiority was in the service and love of the Lord. lie has forgotten the Lord and trapped himself in worldly desires. He tries to acquire whatever beautiful things in the world he can. He has further gone into mistaken belief that the beautiful things over which he has no control are the creators. The result is that from those things that would have given him comfort, he is afraid of them and fears them. Under their awe-inspiring influence he wavers and bows to them. The superior that he was, he has become a slave.
Then Alam Singh said: O saviour, please elucidate.
Then Guru Ji said: Man is the master of his body organs. He is the master of his mind and senses. But he has become a slave to his own body senses. He is afraid of everything that is more powerful and is greedy to acquire everything that gives pleasure. In this way he has become powerless. If he had recognized the Lord and remained devoted to him, then he would have got the support of the Lord and would have felt superior to everything on earth. I have taken your mind out of these mistaken beliefs and made you valiant, not for grabbing by use of force but for making you God-fearing and to live an awakened life, a life in the remembrance of the Lord, a life of inner blossom of mind. Even as one individual, you are an 'Ideal man5 and thus can lead a million. If the lifelessly living people tread on this Lord's path, they will also become 'Ideal men'. One who has got the sensation of the presence of the Lord in his mind, heart and body and his body soul is immersed in love in the Supreme soul, whose Super consciousness is awakened and lives in high spirits, he is my 'Ideal man' and can lead a million. As an 'Ideal man', you are the master of your mind, you are the master of your body senses, you are the master of your body organs. You are the master of your body. In this way you are dominant on space, air, water, sun and heat etc. but if you get entrapped in worldly desires, then you will lose your strength. Remain steadfast in remembrance of the Lord and live in high spirits.
See! That man is trembling in fear of the sun and is bowing down to it and rubbing his nose on the ground. But in reality the sun is under the
command of the Lord. When we are immersed in the love of the J grd, then we are at His refuge under His protection. Why should we be afraid of the sun?
When the body soul is immersed in the Supreme soul, then we are the masters of the world. The Brahmin should have told the sun: O Master of light! The light, warmth and healing rays that you have, give me some so that my body remains strong and serves me better. People are afraid of air. But air is good for health. People are afraid of water and offer it to deities. But water is nourishment. Similarly, light and the sunrays are for the comfort of mankind. If man recognizes the will of the Lord, then he is the master. One who recognizes the Lord's will is adept in making others understand the Lord's will. He can benefit most from the created world. But the dominating spirit cannot come in your Super consciousness unless your soul is immersed in the Supreme soul. Without being dyed in the love of the Lord if we think ourselves higher than others, then it is the ego in us. When our soul immerses in the Supreme soul and we get Super consciousness, then the mind is elevated. That is the real high spirits.
In this way the true Guru Ji elevated the minds of his disciples and asked them to remain in high spirits.
Now they reached Tabra. Nobody expected a reception here. But the true Guru Ji had already told his soldiers that the Lord will do all arrangement for us. We need not worry.
The King had already got information that the true Guru Ji is arriving. He had ordered his subordinates to make all arrangements for Guru Ji's stay. Tents were already fixed, food was ready and all comforts were provided. The Bang himself came, bowed down and presented a sword, five hundred rupees, one horse and many blankets. Guru Ji gifted a dagger to the king and said: Till such time that you keep this with respect, your kingdom shall remain. Guru Ji blessed the Lord's name to the King. His mind was elevated. He got the sensation of the presence of the Lord in his mind, heart and body. He got inner blossom of mind.
Bhai Gian Singh Ji writes: The heirs of the king have still got the dagger and they keep it with great regard. In the afternoon Guru Ji got up to depart. Then he departed.
Ill
One day all sat in the King's audience hall. The saint lady and the prince talked about faith and devotion. Then the queen felt a godly sensation. She
felt a longing, a craving and a pull to have a glimpse of the true Guru Ji. Then, she prayed in her mind: O True Guru Ji! Please come and give us your glimpse. The Queen's mind was still absorbed m the prayer with eyes closed when Durga maid came running: O Great Queen! Some dust is visible at a distance. Maybe some king has invaded with his army.
Rajeshwari maid came panting: Minister is standing at the door outside.
He says: We had advised you not to befriend Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Now King of Ramgarh, King of Jaswar and King of Kahlur or maybe some more of those who are inimical to Guru Ji seem to be heading towards us. Please order whether we should accept their subjugation or shall we fight back? It is a sudden offensive. We are not in preparedness. However, we bow our heads to you and await your orders. I have given instructions to the Defence Minister to order troops to get ready.
The queen went into deep thought.
Kutrol Bai (Came running): Army General, Prime Minister, Defence Minister, all are present in the waiting room. Some troops are ready. One contingent has gone forward. Everyone is waiting for your orders.
Queen: Kutrol Bai! Are you sure it is the enemy?
All: Hear the sound of drums.
Queen: What sound is this?
Kutrol Bai: This is the signal of the enemy's first victory that they have crossed inside our border.
Saint Lady: Wait a bit. (listened attentively and paused). This is the drum beat of my beloved true Guru Ji that signifies he is on travel. The melody that it is giving indicates that we are in a friendly state.
Queen: I do not understand these tunes but my mind is not feeling afraid, instead I have a feeling of happiness. If you are sure, then I shall order troops to wait. I should not do some wrong in haste.
Now the beating of drums stopped and the trumpets started blowing a melodious tune. It was in a unique raga. The saint lady recognized the raga and said: O dear queen! Be not afraid. This is not from any enemy. Nobody in the country knows how to play this tune except our beloved benevolent Guru Ji. Rid the fear and ride in delight. This tune indicates: "Magnificent Guru Gobind Singh Ji has arrived."
What was in the words "Magnificent Guru Gobind Singh Ji has arrived"? The words were waves of magic. The queen went into trance. The handsome and suave elder Prince as also the younger Prince became exuberant.
More and more maids came from outside but stood stunned on coming inside. The Queen is overjoyed and in heavenly exuberance. H* - mind is cool and in ecstasy. She is in humble devotion. She feels a sacred sphere around. Everything made her engrossed in love of Guru Ji. She remained absorbed for a few moments and then said: O Saint Lady! I cannot control my Guru-love inside. The true Guru Ji is ours and we belong to the true Guru Ji. Here goes my fear of family traditions and public opinion. What is pride of a kingdom or tradition or public opinion in comparison to the blessings of someone who has himself come as a saviour sent by the Lord, who himself reaches to bless the sinners.
Let the people laugh. Even if you are angry, even then I am moving towards the road in obeisance from where the beloved of the Lord is coming. I am leaving the veils behind and going to lie down on the dust that has become sacred by the beloved's sacred feet. Come! O Saint-lady, make me dust of the sacred feet of the beloved or make me satiated with clamping the feet of the image of the Lord.
Saying this, the Queen's face became serene and showed luster. Accompanied by her sons, she came and stood outside the verandah. The Saint-lady held her left hand and went along with her. On her right hand was the Prince encircled by her right arm and the maids swarmed behind. Her subordinates were waiting outside. In a sweet and serene tone, softly she said: Prirrife Minister, Defense Minister, Home Minister and all of you, follow me along with the army. The redeemer of sins and the savior of sinners, the powerful warrior has come.
He has won us without shooting an arrow. His refuge gives eternal salvation.
Was it an order or a flash of lightning of the Queen's splendor? Although they did not understand the meanings of the words but like chessmen they went as directed.
Guru Ji's contingent was at a little distance. The Queen moved forward and reached the road on which the savior Guru Ji was coming. She tries to gaze but her heart swells, her mind is elevated, her longing and craving wells up to the head. She sees a curly dazzle that does not let her see properly. She gazes, then looks down: Oh! Me! Without goodness! Am I really going to have a glimpse of the Lord of sacredness?
Again she raises her head and looks up. Now the redeemer of sinners reached very close. The throbs of the craving hearts slowed down the hoof beats of the green horse. The elegant horse that was used to leaping fast is moving softly and slowly.
The Queen powerlessly and magically pulled, reached near the horse. Her muscular swan like neck for which the entire kingdom bowed, bowed down.
See! How the Head of the kingdom whose intellectual wisdom was sought by the entire ministry of the kingdom has bowed down. See, the intellectual, respectful Head with the crown is clamped to the sacred feet of Guru Ji from the heavens. In the stirrups are" the loving and lotus like feet and on the sacred feet is lying the love-filled head. Yes! The moment she heard the drum beats of Guru Ji's drums, she forgot whether she was a Queen or an ordinary human. She forgot all protocols. With eyes filled with tears of love, like a breeze, she moved her delicate, soft feet and dashed to touch Guru Ji's sacred feet. The moment she touched the sacred feet her mind elevated and she got the sensation of the presence of the Lord in her mind, heart and body cells. She got ecstasy.
On the other side the elder Prince's head is touching Guru Ji's lotus like
feet.
The saint lady Sabhran Kaur is standing with head bowed as if in meditation. Her eyes are closed but love-tears are falling from the closed eyes like drops of rain. Next to her stood the younger prince head bowed waiting a chance to touch Guru Ji's feet.
Seeing so much love the true Guru Ji was so much overwhelmed that his eyes filled with tears of love and benevolence. See! The lips of faith and devotion move and pray: Me! Your servant, please get down and put your sacred hand on my head.
The true Guru Ji now got down from his horse. The Queen, the elder Prince, the younger Prince again bowed down. Ail the subordinates of the queen bowed down.
Guru Ji lifted the heads of all three and started walking slowly. It became sunset. The sun hid itself in the west.
Guru Ji's soldiers were provided a nice place to stay. All comforts were provided. Soon the congregation assembled and sang divine songs. Guru Ji changed his dress and then came to join the singing of divine songs.
The Queen and her courtiers also sat with the congregation. The singing of divine songs was so enthralling that even a flying bird would stop to listen. Now the cooks of the palace came and said: Dinner is ready. Then the true Guru Ji and everyone ate a sumptuous dinner.
Then the queen requested: O Savior! Please make my hands fruitful. These hands have worn gold but not done any service. If you put your sacred
feet in the palace and have lunch there tomorrow, then these hands that have not done any service shall cook food and serve. Please be benevolent and accept my prayer. Magnificent Guru Ji agreed to come to the palace and have lunch.
At night Guru Ji rested. The valiant also relaxed. But the Prince and the Queen went and started redecoration of the audience hall to welcome the true Guru Ji. The courtiers also got busy in decorating the path and other arrangements for tomorrow.
The Queen herself supervised the decoration of the audience hall. A sandalwood settee was placed in the center. A silken carpet was laid on it for the true Guru Ji. Sheets were spread in the entire hall for the congregation to sit. Saint-lady Subhran Kaur came and prayed to the true Guru Ji that in the morning the congregation may assemble in the audience hall and the musicians should sing divine songs there only. She told the true Guru Ji that the Queen herself has supervised the decoration of the audience hall. Then she told Guru Ji about the service of the Queen, the elder Prince, the younger Prince and the courtiers that they were doing with love and respect.
The true Guru Ji appreciated their love and service and ordered that the musicians should go to the audience hall with their musical instruments and sing the divine songs [Kirtan) there. Others were also asked to assemble there in the morning.
Early morning the musician's sang the divine songs [Kirtan). For nearly three hours the congregation listened to the divine hymns [Kirtan). Everyone felt as if he had a dip in a nectar-filled Spiritual lake. When the singing finished, then the Saint-lady gave a dress as present to the true Guru Ji. The true Guru Ji accepted the gift of love and wore it on the top of his shirt. The day ascended. The true Guru Ji got up. First he went round the fort. He talked to the elder Prince with love. Then he talked to the ministers and other prominent persons who had come to pay respects to him.
In this way it became noon. Nobody knew where the Queen was? The true Guru Ji had just asked about her when with eyes red she came out of the kitchen and asked the true Guru Ji; Shall I serve lunch?
On seeing her love and humility, the true Guru Ji, said: The scale that bends carries the weight. Then he got up and went to the dining hall.
The true Guru Ji and the congregation ate lunch with as much delight as the love with which it was prepared. Now Guru Ji got up to depart. The Queen wished that the true Guru Ji may stay for some days and bless her subjects. But she knew that he has to bless many people and has to reach quickly. So she
obeyed Guru Ji's orders. She offered one bundle of gold coins at Guru Ji's feet and asked both the princes to fall at the true Guru Ji's feet and prayed: Please bless my sons. We are your servants.
The true Guru Ji said: Your son is a saint king. He shall be a king as also a saint. You are his mother, his guide, his support The benevolent Guru Ji again said: He should keep unshorn hair on his head. Then he blessed the younger prince.
The Queen appeared a bit hesitant to unshorn hair. She felt afraid of the hill kings and the Muslim rulers.
Then the true Guru Ji said: Do not fear anybody. Their rule is going to end shortly.
Then the Queen readily agreed. Guru Ji was pleased and he gifted one sword and a shield. He also gave one book of Scripture. She accepted that with both hands and head bowed.
Next moment Guru Ji departed. The queen accompanied the true Guru Ji up to the outside of the fort.
When Guru Ji finally departed again he blessed: Your rule shall remain for long. Remember the Lord. You shall get salvation.
After blessing the Queen, the true Guru Ji like of shower of cloud departed to shower his blessings at another place.
o o o o