Once, Guru Nanak Dev Ji set his sacred feet at Kandhar aj hustling bustling town of Pathans. He blessed the Lord seekers stuck in hindrances on the religious path namely, Yar Wali, Shah Sharaf, Khatri and some more. Guru Nanak Dev Ji left this earthly abode in 1539 A.D. and now it jbs 1693 A.D.
In a town named Ghazni that is 300 Kilometres I approximately on the road from Kandhar to Kabul is bom a beloved of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Yes! The same Ghazni from where Mahmood came and looted India seventeen times devastated and made Lahore a base for alien rule of strangers.
This place is mountainous and its height from sea level is similar to that of Shimla.
The beloved soul that has bom today was named ]Mand Lai. His father is Hindu. His name is Chhaju Ram, caste is Khatri. He left his loving hometown Punjab in search of livelihood and came to Ghazni and settled here. He was Master of Persian language and expert in managerial skills. He got appointment as Reader to the Ruler and lived a comfortable life giving comfort to others.
Self being educated, it was natural that he liked to ^ive the best education to his son. Chhaju Ram got his child Nand Lal Ji admitted in a very good school and himself taught him at home so that he becomes prpficient in learning.
Many children were bom to Chhaju Ram but they died. His age was fifty years when Nand Lal Ji was bom. His temperament naturally and because of these shocks was soft. He was religious minded and hacjl a great desire to have a son. Along with educating him well Chajju Ram also endeavoured that his son should have a religious bent of mind. At the age of twelve he had become proficient in Persian language. Seeing his up-coming son so proficient in
learning Chhaju Ram was extremely delighted and wanted him to study more and more.
In the meantime, one ascetic who was Guru Ji of Vaishnav sect of Khatris came to Ghazni to collect charities. Ghazni was populated by Pathans. To get such a chance was rare. Chhaju Ram himself was a Vaishnav, Ke thought it is fortunate that the ascetic has visited here. This would be the best chance to baptise the son. He should wear the sacred necklace and get the Holy hymn and become bound in the rituals.
In this thinking he fixed a date and called the ascetic to his house. The ascetic was pious and simple but he did not have true spirituality in him. He had no knowledge of the soul. He could complete the rituals of initiation but he could not satiate the thirst of the soul. Nand Lal Ji was a child with amazing intellect that his poetry in later age proves. Secondly since he had learnt enough, his mind had the reasoning and trend to explore. The child had read books on character building and other religious books. How could he be satisfied by the rituals of an ascetic that he thought was an empty ritual?
In the house all arrangements were made. The ascetic came to perform the ritual. When the auspicious time came, the ascetic picked up the necklace for tying around the child's neck.
Then Nand Lal Ji with respect asked: O pious ascetic! Why do you want to put this necklace round my neck?
Ascetic: O child! We will initiate you in Vaishnavism. You will be a Vaishnav devotee from today onwards. This necklace shall save you from the messengers of death. This shall be the signet that you are a Vaishnav devotee. Then I shall give you a Holy hymn. You shall read it every day at least once. You won't remain without a Guru Ji. You will be my disciple and I shall be your Guru Ji.
Nand Lal Ji: Excuse me O ascetic! By wearing this I shall be tied in bondage. I shall be your disciple and you shall be my Guru Ji. For the future, the door shall be closed for me. I shall not try to seek any Guru Ji. Maybe if I am able to get someone who may be able to give salvation, then I shall have to break this bond and that shall not be good. Please do not bind me in this ritual. When I come of age I shall find my Guru Ji. When I am satisfied, then I shall wear the signet.
Ascetic: O son! This is a tradition in the family. What you have said is very intelligently said. Maybe it is written on your forehead, you shall find a true Guru Ji. But there is no harm in wearing this now.
Nand Lal Ji: To accept a Guru Ji again and again shall become a play. I am
inclined towards Scripture that I can recite with my tongue. It should be praise of the Lord. My inclination is towards 'recitation of thq Lord's praise'.
Ascetic: O child! Your inclination is great. May thei Almighty give you the Scripture! I do not have what you desire. Guru Ji (who has shall himself give you.
Saying this, the ascetic went away to his residence.]
Father thought that the ascetic has got angry on ttiQ child refusing to wear the necklace. Then he talked to the son: O son! This a family tradition and it is necessary. If you do not agree then the family jshali get a bad name. Moreover the ascetic has got angry.
Then Nand Lal Ji with hands folded said: O father! J do respect your wish but the ascetic said that by putting the necklace round njiy neck, I shall become his disciple and he shall be my Guru Ji. But I have not perceived him as a Guru Ji. I shall search for a Guru Ji myself. To fix a Guru Ji today seems superficial to me. I do not like to bind myself in this way.
Father felt satisfied on listening to the words of thq son that were true. So he kept quiet. He thought what the child has said is correct I should not press him further, fie might feel despair.
Then the father went to the ascetic for forgivenes^. But the pious ascetic said: Your son already has lot of knowledge of religioji. He is a seeker of the Lord. He is in search of a real saint. He will get peace lof mind when he finds a real saint. To force such fortunate children is not proper. I am not the least angry. I wish that your family prospers. Ever remain ip delight.
Chhaju Ram bowed down but because of sentinent of love and fear of society he talked to his teacher at the school and his Colleagues to persuade him but Nand Lal Ji did not agree.
He said: I have a longing in me and I wish to search for a true Guru Ji. If I accept a guru now whom I do not perceive as a guru, then I shall be unhappy. Otherwise I do not wish to disobey my father.
After this, the father never talked to him on tbis subject. The matter ended and Nand Lal Ji got busy in furthering his studied
Another five years passed. Neither he wore the necklace nor married he remained busy in learning. At this time his dear Mother passed away. He had to bear the shock. There were only three members in| the house. One father, one mother and he himself, now two remained. Another two years passed since mother had died. He was still engrossed in his Studies. He got another
shock. His father passed away. The shock was too severe. He was left alone in a foreign country, foreign rule and foreign environment. But one has to tolerate whatever happens. He endured this shock also.
When the rituals of the father's death were over, then the relatives and friends suggested that we go to the ruler and request him to give the job that father was doing to you. You are intelligent and proficient. You will be busy. They say work is real worship. Accordingly a prayer was made to the ruler. The ruler was quite happy with Chhaju Ram and knew that Nana Lai is intelligent and proficient.
He said: I will give you the job that your father had. You are intelligent but since you have no experience, you do a job at a lower level and gain experience.
Nand Lal Ji understood what the ruler said but he became sad. This sadness increased so much that he decided to leave. He packed up everything and quietly accompanied a caravan, reached Punjab and travelled to Multan. He liked the place and decided to settle here.
He had brought money from Ghazni that was saved by his father. As such he was not in a hurry to seek employment. Here, he selected a place near Delhi Gate, purchased land and built a house. Soon this place became a Colony and became thickly populated. It was named Aghapur. Reason being that the servants who had come with him from Ghazni called him Agha. (Agha is a Persian word, meaning Master)
Nand Lal Ji had a social nature. He was very well educated and wealthy. Soon his contacts became large. Hisancestral relatives respected him. Although he was without a job but his circle of friends grew and they admired him.
In this way he got married to a girl from a wealthy Khatri family. This increased his superiority complex and his mind elevated. Already he used to meet saints and was in search of a true saint. He had not worn the necklace that the Vaishnav ascetic had suggested. He had not found a true saint that he was looking for.
Some time elapsed since he had married. He noticed that his pious wife gets up very early in the morning, has her bath and sits quiet for some time. Then she recites something in such low voice that one can hear the tune but cannot understand the words. The intelligent mind that he had, felt that there is something unique in my wife as compared to other ladies and that is due to whatever worship she does in the morning.
Then one day he said to her: O fortunate lady! Whatever worship you do in the early morning and the recitation you do later is something very good
and I like it immensely. It appears you are afraid that J might not lik-j it. That is why you recite so softly. I am not against worship. Do not have any fear. In fact I would love to listen.
In this way, she started reciting the Scripture loudjy as was her nature in her parents5 house.
When Nand Lal Ji heard the recitation of Scripture, xjiis ears filled with love, his heart felt coolness and his mind appreciated the meaning of the words.
In this way he came to know that this ScHpture is from Guru Nanak Dev Ji and my wife is not a Vaishnav. She belongs to a Sikh fajnily. She has love for Guru Nanak Dev Ji deep in her heart.
By listening every day, his love and respect for the| Scripture swelled and he thought: Maybe by having a glimpse of the fountain of this Scripture my deep wish of finding a true saint is fulfilled. Slowly he got good faith in Guru Nanak Dev Ji and recitation of Scripture became a habit.
In the city, everybody talked about his proficiency in Persian. Even the Chief of Multan heard about him. Judging his intellect the Chief appointed him as his reader. For a long time he stayed at Multan £nd carried on his job, he got prominence in the department due to his intellectual proficiency. His colleagues became jealous on this account. This jealdusy increased day by day. But this did not affect his job.
Ill
A day came when he thought this was not to his liking and he resigned his job and made him free but he continued to stay at Multan. When he was forty he got a son who was named Lakhpat Rai. After another two years another son was bom and named Iila Ram.
Upbringing of the children was an interesting responsibility that gave pleasure. For a few years his mind remained absorbed in this task. But the desire of meeting a true saint that made him refuse wearjlag the necklace from the Vaishnav ascetic was not fulfilled as yet. By recitation of Scripture his desire to meet Magnificent Guru Gobind Singh Ji who ws on the seat of Guru Nanak Dev Ji became intense.
One day at the Gurdwara the musician sang the following: 0 Farid Ji! See! How white your hair has gone Future is near. Too far the past has gone
It meant death is near.
Nand Lal Ji thought: I am already fifty. According to the Hindu scripture, it is time to renounce the world and in the Gurdwara also the message is clear.
How long shall I keep myself entangled in children and wife? I have known the path but when the Lord's prophet is on earth, then how unfortunate it is that I remain without his glimpse.
These thoughts went deep and made his mind detached from family. The desire to meet Guru Ji became intense. He took leave from his wife for meeting Guru Ji. He asked her to stay with children at her parents' house, made the arrangements and departed from Multan. Two of his servants from Ghazni had accompanied him when he came to Multan. He ordered one of them to stay with the family and one servant he took along with him.
Moving slowly he reached Lahore. He stayed here for some time, visited the assembly where divine songs (Kirtari) were sung and then reached Amritsar. His happiness knew no bounds when he saw the Golden Gurdwara. The divine songs (Kirtari) and the Spiritual atmosphere elated his mind. In the Spiritual atmosphere and the wondrous blossom that is always there at the Gurdwara his mind felt the sensation of the Lord. Now he became restless to have a glimpse of Guru Ji.
He left Amritsar and moving slowly reached Anandpur. Here he rented a house and stayed. He has reached good age and gained lot of experience in life. He has already met many saints but none met his eyes.
Guru Ji whom he is longing to meet is young, majestic, no renunciation and no detachment is visible.
It is but natural that a matured mind would look before he leaps.
On the other hand his mind is detached, in despair, in longing. The divine songs (Kirtari) have already dented his mind, reading of the divine scripture has made him understand that the Master of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's seat is not just a saint or mentor but a prophet. Not just a prophet but a prophet of the prophets, the Guru-Almighty. He has heard that even in childhood he showed all signs of a prophet. He is intuitive and saviour.
Considering both these aspects his mind decided: I should not go to meet him straightaway. I should stay at a place and wait and see whether he himself calls me or not. If this wish is fulfilled then it shall be sure and certain that Guru Ji is the real mentor and intuitive. Then he thought that this might be lack of faith or say test of Guru Ji. But his intelligent mind said that there are two types of materials that burn in fire. One those that bum the moment they come near or touch the fire like paper or butter. Second are those that take more time like aluminium or gold. Similarly, seekers are of two types. One those who get faith by just a glimpse, second search and test and then get faith. Considering the times or my searching nature I am the second type.
Again he thought: Would it not be disregard? B\; t my mind ic confident and without doubt.
In this thinking he sat at home. He did not tell anyone what was in his mind.
The longing to meet the true Guru Ji, he hid in his imind. ITie longing was deep in his inner mind but his outer mind wished to test. That craving in the inner mind swayed and in pull of pangs swelled bift the outer mind in its decision to test tried to press and stop it. In this tug the longing to have the glimpse of Guru Ji gave more pangs.
Several days passed, he sat in his house. His oxjter mind is stuck in its determination to test. But the inner mind is impatient ^nd jumps fervently and in pangs of love waits for a glimpse.
His servant who loves him from the core of his heart sees that his Master does not go out and remains sitting in the house. Hi£ eating and drinking is reduced. His face has turned pale. Often he heaves along sighs and his eyes that shone with his intellect and reflected his high knowledge on everybody are often full of tears and many times when he movers his lips or has a frown on his forehead, the tearful eyes shed tears and they silip down the cheek and shine like pearls in the bright beard as if they are loojdng for somebody with a deep longing.
The intellectual's servant who is in his service sjnce long and has deep love for his Master is baffled but he does not dare to £sk. He tries to give him all the comforts to make him feel at home but he is hesitant to ask. He is not sure what is in the mind of the Master and his asking rpight upset him more. A few more days passed. His servant tried his best to remain quiet but his distress and eagerness did not let him remain quiet and he stood with hands folded: O Master! What is your difficulty? What is lyour sadness? I cannot bear your sadness and restlessness. No doubt I am a servant but you do tell if I can do something that may bring comfort to your rrjiind. If this useless body cannot give comfort to its Master, then when shall I b'e useful? Be benevolent and order me.
Nand Lal Ji who was immersed in love was already in tears. On listening to the words of love he became more emotional and th^ tears that he was trying to hold back started flowing in torrents. He tried to speak but his lips wavered and throat stopped.
The beloved servant felt more distressed on seeing that my Master has some problem that is distressing him so much. Sometime passed like this. The servant is baffled in his love. The Master on one side is in the longing of his lord and on the other side is emotionally feeling the idistress of the servant.
After sometime Nand Lal Ji's tears stepped and he heaved long sighs. Ke felt cool and a bit comfortable. Now his lips opened and he said: O Child! Don't feel sad. I am not distressed. I have some longing in mind that is giving pain and comfort together. You have not to worry. Lord shall listen.
This side Nand Lal Ji was in love and pangs.
That side the true Guru Ji felt the pull of love. The love waves reached his heart and his heart melted. Many times he would look this side and that side and in wondrous restlessness say all right and then become quiet.
One day he gestured to a disciple. When he came near then he said: Go there, one person around fifty years of age lives there. His name is Nand Lal Ji. Go and tell him that Guru Ji has called you. Bring him along.
The disciple immediately went straight to that place and reached there.
Nand Lal Ji was sitting on a carpet in the outer room. His eyes were closed but filled. His forehead showed calmness but signs of longing. His servant went inside and stood with hands folded. After a few moments he opened his eyes.
Then the servant said: One person has come. He says I am the true Guru Ji's messenger and my message is that Magnificent Guru Ji has called you and the order is that I should bring you along.
On hearing the words, 'the true Guru Ji's messenger5 that was a sudden message of wish fulfilled, he stood up but in emotion he almost lost his consciousness.
The servant finished what he said but no response came. So he repeated the same.
Now Nand Lal Ji's inner mind said: Seei Your wish is going to be fulfilled.
He thanked the Lord in his mind. He coughed softly and as if he had not heard anything, he asked: What did you say?
When the servant repeated the message a third time, then his tightly closed eyes opened. He saw around and saw upwards and said: Thanks! O Lord! You have showered your grace on me worthless. Then he looked towards the heaven. Then he looked towards the servant and said: My dear! Thank you. I adore your tongue. Thanks. For a few moments he swayed his head immersed in love. His eyes filled with tears of love.
The servant thought: It appears my Master has gone half-mad.
Nand Lal Ji really looked crazy. His inner mind got a jerk by the sudden message of wish fulfilled for the glimpse of the 'Guru Ji with the Plume' and the resonance of the same was giving him ecstatic pleasure and his mind immersed in that pleasure. Obviously, it looked like craziness.
SR[ KALG1DHAR CHAMATKAR (VOLJ) 255
The servant in love of his master is emotional. ^Vith a melted heart his head swayed.
Time does not stop. For us it appears it is passing, jit passed. The moments that transformed the voices into wavy sensations passed. The inner mind that was capable to perceive the wavy sensations became [tranquil.
Then he opened his tearful eyes and said: O child! Your tongue is great! Go child, give respect to the messenger. I am coming.
He got up. He felt the body has no weight. It is made of something that is weightless. He got up and started walking. He had Ijiardly walked two steps when he stopped and said: Empty handed? O disrespectful! Empty handed?
Again he came inside, picked up some sweets aijid came up to the outer room, moved two steps and said: O disrespectful! See! Your turban is tied clumsily. Going to Magnificent Guru Ji and with this clumsily tied turban?
Again he came inside, tied the turban properly, wore a shawl, picked up a gift of sweets and walked.
Magnificent Guru Gobind Singh Ji is sitting in meditatipn in rapture. Musicians are singing ecstatic divine songs {Kirtan). The combination of the iongish tune of the violin and the twang of the rebeck is enthraJling. The musicians are playing the drum so softly that it appears their hanps are just touching the drums like a swan not swimming but just sliding on yater. The musicians are playing Sarang tune but sometimes they play Barwa mplody and then exotically return to Sarang tune. It is giving a wondrous ecstatic delight. They day is descending. The waves of the music are giving a Sppitual emotional feeling. The ears of the listeners are attracted towards the rjiusic and the minds are elated by the praise of the Lord and are getting sensation of the presence of the Lord. The true Guru Ji whose soul was always inmersed in the Supreme soul was sitting in meditation in this Spiritual congregation when the messenger brought Nand Lal Ji inside. ;
It would not have been proper to inform the tru^ Guru Ji at this time that he has come. He gestured to him to sit down in front of Guru Ji at a little distance and he himself also got engrossed in the senjsation-giving and ecstatic divine music.
The true Guru Ji is young in age. He has sharp features and is handsome. His face emits radiance and charms you. Beauty sprijigs out and spreads from his face like the rays of light from a lamp. Besides the bodily magnificence the heavenly gracefulness, the beauty and calmness aft this time is creating a
magical effect as if peace, beauty and wondrousness have merged into each other and are sitting in meditation.
Which beauty? Where the Lord of the Spiritual sphere is the beloved, one is immersed in His beautiful love, the Super consciousness is tied to the Lord's feet and the sensation of the presence of Lord gives rapture.
Which peace! Where one's mind is detached from the world and attached to the Lord.
Which wondrousness? Where the mind sees one aspect of the One Lord the creator the saviour and nourisher sitting on His throne and the second aspect as omnipresent here, there, everywhere pervading as love and revealing Himself in His name.
Magnificent Guru Gobind Singh Ji is sitting in meditation, not in renouncement and thoughtlessness but immersed in the love of the Lord, in His pull, in His love and has become 'One* with Him. He is living in this world with mind detached but attached to the Lord. He has the power to make your mind detached from the world and attach to the Lord and give you salvation here on earth and the next world too.
See! His grace gives you the wavy sensation of the presence of the Lord in your mind, heart and body. His grace makes you live in that sensation. He gives you the strength to immerse your body soul in the Supreme soul and live in blossom that shall ever remain in this world and the next world too.
Yes! The mind that was a poetic mind, the mind that was suffering in agony of pangs of love, the mind that had already become crystal so that it could immerse in the Supreme soul, today got a glimpse. The handsome had a glimpse of the King of handsomeness. The craving mind that had put hindrances of wisdom on itself and those hindrances were removed by the God of love, got a glimpse of the charming King of the heavens, the saviour of the world, the embodiment of graciousness, the Prince of splendour, the divine angel, the matchless elegant. Yes! He got a glimpse of the Master of radiance. Even his enlightened eyes could not bear the dazzle. It was a twinge but soothing. His mind said (silently): O King of graciousness! I cannot bear your dazzle. I have no strength to bear your splendour. O my lord! I cannot bear your handsomeness. O embodiment of brilliance! I cannot bear your lustre.
On sejgag the radiant face of Guru Ji that was un-bearable, the amorist mind was elevated. His eyes closed. His head bent and bowed and touched the ground in reverence. How much time passed in this reverence? Nobody knows.
The delightful and benevolent intuitive mind tht was immersed in the Supreme soul felt a pull. His enchanting nectar filled £yes opened. His nectar filled eyes that were showering nectar in torrent^ looked on all sides. Whomsoever he looked at got a sensation of the .presence of the Lord. Whosoever looked towards the shower of nectar, Jiis eyes got filled with nectar. All who looked at him, their eyes like a cup got filled with nectar up to the brim.
May Lord give the same nectar to us!
We who are reading this book in remembrance
We who are listening to even though centuries hope passed
The God of love is looking for the prey towards wfhich he has to shoot his love-arrows deep inside to kill. The target who on seeing the Godly lustre, had already said: I cannot bear your dazzle. The delicate amorist mind was already writhing. The amorist mind that already saw lpve-flames coming from closed eyes that already saw nectar being showereji from closed lips that already saw lustre on the serene face, he already clapioured: Who can bear the dazzle when the eyes open? Who can endure the un-bearable? That is why. he clamoured.
See! Those eyes have opened and are looking abound for their target.
Yes! The eyes in search found their prey. That wa$ the bent head touching the ground. One ray of love pierced the target. The !body trembled and the pull of love-rays made him raise his head. He got the incessant recitation of the Lord's name in his mind, heart and body cells and ecstasy. He was not able to raise his head but the pull of love made him lift his head. He looked at the benevolent. He stood up. His feet moved a few $steps and took him near the King of the heavens where the head bent and champed the sacred feet His forehead that was in strong desire to prostrate, intense longing to kiss and yearning to touch, fell at the loving feet. Yes! The arporist forehead touched the sacred feet of the fountain of love.
As and when Lord created the waves of beauty, the need of appreciation arose there and then. That is why Lord created appreciation along with it. Beauty and appreciation were created together. They were died in the same mould. Beauty has attraction for appreciation and appreciation has search for beauty. The confluence of both is delight.
At this time beauty and appreciation have met. Bjoth have come together. Yes! Beauty and appreciation have met. Both have niet and become 'One'. The amorist mind is immersed in ecstasy after finding the beautiful. The beautiful is immersed in the love and sacrifice of the almorist. The true Guru Ji is appreciative of the intense love of Nand Lal Ji.
The handsome and benevolent raised his hand and rubbed it on Nand Lal Ji's head and said: Nand Lal Ji! You are blessed.
Nand Lal Ji got up and with respect sat down. He was not in semiconsciousness. He was intoxicated in conscious pure love.
The mind that is pure and detached from worldly pleasures becomes crystal. Then it gets a wavy sensation of the presence of the Lord. That incessant sensation gives ecstasy. Bhai Nand Lal Ji calls it immersed. In comparison with others, he says: My religious brothers are always in full consciousness from head to foot. They are never intoxicated.
Nand Lal Ji whose mind was in admiration and love and whose head was touching the handsome Guru Ji's feet lifted his head. His eyes met Guru Ji's eyes. He could not bear the dazzle.
He writes: I cannot bear the dazzle from my beloved's eyes, if he gives one ray of his blessing, then my mind becomes elevated. For me this much is more than enough. Meaning: In his vision the true Guru Ji's power is unlimited.
That is why he says: For me one ray is sufficient that shall give the live sensation of the Lord in my mind. I have no strength to bear more.
The real Lord seekers wish for the Lord's name that gives ecstasy.
By one ray of Guru Ji's blessings Nand Lal Ji's mind got the sensation of the presence of the Lord in the mind, heart and body and he got ecstasy.
Nand Lal Ji was an intellectual who had good knowledge of the Scripture. He had knowledge of all religions. He knew Hath yoga practices. He knew breath control practices. Yes! He got ecstasy by one blessed ray from the eyes of the true Guru Ji. The name of the Lord that went deep into his mind also created a great dent of the greatness of the prophet Guru Ji in his mind.
The true Guru Ji opened his sweet lips and said: Nand Lal Ji you are blessed.
Now he got the strength to bear the dazzle from the true Guru Ji's eyes.
Nand Lal Ji who waited for nearly half a century got blessed. The moment he got the heavenly touch, the 'cloud of forgetfulness of the Lord' on his mind in which he was living, even though he was a poet, intellectual, researcher, in piousness, in charity since fifty years went away and the sun of 'remembrance of Lord' rose. His mind was awakened from the slumber of 'ego and desires' of the world. He is now in the incessant recitation of the Lord's name. He feels fresh and cool. He is enthused and in ecstasy. He feels as if his eyes that were closed till now have opened. He has got a new knowledge wherein his mind is elevated. There was knowledge that was shrouded under a veil. The veil has gone and it can be seen and felt now.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji has worked some miracle that the mounds of influences of ages on the mind have got burnt with one spark from his eyes. But has the
God of love gone away after burning the influences of ages? No he fcas sat as sublime-love in the mind, heart and body, even in the body cells as Lord is all love. He is above time and space but he pervades in the world here, there, everywhere in the form of love. He reveals Himself in jlis name. Like, to join paper is gum, to join bricks and stone is lime, similarly the joining material for the souls is love.
Our mind when it becomes crystal is the soul. Tljie Lord who is always living is the Supreme soul. Love is the cement to join |the soul with the soul. There is no other way to join the souls.
When, the poet, scholar and devotee came home after being blessed by the heavenly fountain of love, then his loving servant became extremely delighted. Today, he saw lustre on his pale and drooping face. Then he saw the blossom of the lustre. He saw a smile on his lips, blossom on his forehead, glitter in his eyes, agility in his feet and vigour in his aajms. He felt cool to see all that. Again he saw intently and realized that he isj more exuberant than what he was at Multan.
Seeing this transformation, he was so happy thathg had tears of happiness in his eyes. He fell at his feet showing how happy he feels.
It became evening, it is getting dark. It has* becoijne darker. Darkness is spreading. Suddenly the stars appeared in the dark sky and one could see the twinkling of the stars. It appeared as if the heavens have lighted lamps.
Bhai Nand Lal Ji is sitting on a platform in his outer room. The servant got free from work, came and sat near. He is a servant bit being in service for a long time, he is a well wisher and compassionate. He jbas a loving nature. As such he feels free to talk to his Master. Love and freedom stay together. But freedom and love stay at a distance. Freedom without love degenerates. But freedom with love remains in the lap of respect
Greasy with love and melted with freedom, the seiivant asked: O master! I do not wish to disturb you in your gladness. You are sitting in meditation. But seeing you in so much gladness I expect some rewarcj from that gladness.
Nand Lal Ji: O Child! Say, what you wish?
Servant: You came here with joy. Then you livec( here in seclusion. You sat in seclusion. Then you became so pale is if sick. I did not ask you I feared that your distress might increase but I was extremely anxious like a wood lying near a fire smoulders why my master is in grief? Why is he not happy? Why is he not in comfort? Today, that I see you so happy, won't you tell me
SR! KALG1DHAR CHAMATKAR (VOL-i)
what was that made you live in grief and what has happened today that you are in exuberance?
Naid Lai: Do you know that I came here in search of a Guru Ji?
Servant: Yes I know. But Guru Ji was here only.
Nand Lal Ji: He is not just a Guru Ji. He is the Almighty Guru Ji and was present here. But my own mind became a non-believer. Not a non-believer in God but I wanted to test. I wanted to test my beloved. I sat with the intention that if Guru Ji to whom I wish to sell my head is intuitive then he should read my mind and call me. If he is not able to read my mind then I will take it for granted that he is not intuitive. With this intention I sat at home.
Servant: Then what was the need to become pale in grief and longing?
Nand Lal Ji: O child! Since many years I cherished his pull in my heart. I came with great fervour and eagerness. After coming here when I blocked the fervour, then my body lost weight but the pull of love that was deep in the heart was something that could not go. That pull had gone deep in the heart after reading the Scripture again and again. It was not a new seedling that could be plucked in a moment. So, I became double-minded. I would block the pull but the pull would run to have a glimpse. A civil war in the mind is enemy of health of the body. In fact the pull increased when blocked. When it remained blocked then the mind sulked with grief. Then the heart meditated. How can one meditate on somebody not met? So I sat in prayer that you are intuitive, please give support to this innocent child of yours. Please send a messenger to call me. In this love-prayer I sulked and sulked. Saying this, his eyes filled with tears. He heaved a sigh then felt cool and smiled.
Again the servant said: O Master! Has my asking you disturbed your mind? Alas! I should not have asked you.
Nand Lal Ji: No child, I am not disturbed. I just remembered the pangs of love.
Servant: Well! Are you feeling comfortable now? Guru Ji, you have determined as perfect. Nand Lal Ji: Yes.
Servant: Guru Ji that you have found, is he so comforting to you as you are to me?
Nand Lal Ji (laughingly): Who am I? I am an insect. In what count am I? He is the true Guru Ji. He is the prophet. He is prophet of the prophets. Saying this, again his eyes filled with tears. In thanks-giving and exuberance love-tears flowed. Then his eyes closed.
When he opened his eyes the servant again asked. You have got your wish fulfilled. Thanks to the Lord.
Nand Lal Ji: Yes. The Principal has admitted me in his school after erasing all my faults. The worldly education takes time. The Spiritual education also takes time. But by Guru Ji has given me 'Lord's nam^ that has elevated my mind. I have got the sensation of the presence of the Lprd in my mind, heart and body. I am old but I feel as if I am newly born today. To be born from the mother's womb must have been distressing, the re$ult of which is crying. But this new birth has given profuse joy and wondrousne$s. There is detachment but with exuberance, thanks-giving and heart-pleasing. This detachment is not that one gets from seeing the perishable world and the shocks from ingratitude of the people that creates a feeling of disinterestedness and distress in the mind. It is detachment from worldly wealth but joy in the pearls of the Lord's name that I have found. In this joy there is no artificial iexuberance, it is filled with thanks to the Lord, ecstasy and prayer. Oh, my education. My whole life I read. Almost half a century has gone in reading. This elevation of mind, this intoxication of 'Lord's name' in full consciousness, this Name that has permeated in the body cells and gives incessant sensation of the presence of the Lord, I had never known before. O my accomplished mind, I was ignorant but I considered myself perfect.
RARE TREASURE
Sensation of the Lord Divine
Transformed my mind to shine
Who is the Miraculous?
Who gave this bottle of wine
How could it be mine?
Without endeavor to seek divine
This is a rare treasure
Secretly rained by Lord divine See O dear! The wealth that the Lord gave me, your share was there in that. All expenses of food, shelter and other amenities are bought from that wealth. It is for you and me. Today, I have got true wealth. In this true wealth, your share should also be there. Come! Tomorrow J shall take you there. You may also get some wealth of the Lord's name. You may also get a drop of the Name nectar. Our fortunes may remain together.
Servant (with tears in eyes): Yes master! You wish to give the Lord's name. That also should be through you from your hands. The wealth, the Lord has not given me directly. This wealth of Name also should be through you. O Lord! That is my prayer. Please bless.
Bhai Nand Lal Ji was today sitting in extreme devotion. He was drinking the Name nectar. He had found the cup of Name nectar full to the brim overflowing. He was drinking the same and was in rapture.
See! When one lives in the presence of the Lord, then everything becomes wondrous. When the servant said his prayer, Bhai Nand Lal Ji went into deep emotion. The servant's deep love for the Master gave a wondrous feeling.
His mind said: Don't be proud that you are an intellectual and God has blessed you. See! When God spreads his love then he does not care whether the person is intellectual or stupid or rich or poor. This servant is stupid with no schooling but how much love he has.
Again he said: O dear! I appreciate your love and respect for me but this is a different path. The Master of keys is the benevolent whom I have found today. He has given me wealth but he has not given me command to distribute. So, I shall get you your reward from there only.
Servant: It is the Lord's grace that you have got it. This is a true wealth that does not go. It shall remain with you. I am not in a hurry. Whenever I get, it is all right. For the time being, I am happy that I shall be serving a man of God and shall have your glimpse. Me poor, maybe if I get this true wealth I might not be able to endure. You are proficient. You keep it. I shall see godliness in your service. When the iron becomes hot it becomes fire. Men of God must become his image when they immerse in God. I should see you as an image of the Lord. Yes, you please go to bed.
Nand Lal Ji: You go to sleep. I have to keep awake. I am enjoying some ecstasy. If I go to sleep it might go away.
Nand Lal Ji has got the sensation of the Lord in his mind, heart and body. He has got detachment of mind from worldly desires. He has got true Spiritual life. He is absorbed in this ecstasy and living happily at Anandpur. He has a glimpse of the true Guru Ji often. In his mind he has the sensation of the Lord. He sees the Lord in nature ever present.
lime passed and his gladness increased. The early morning divine songs (Kirtan), the assembly in the evening and the glimpse of the true Guru Ji kept him swinging in the cradle of joy. His love for the true Guru Ji and reverence for him increased. Because of his closeness to the true Guru Ji he understood the true Guru Ji in all aspects. The more he saw him closely, the more wondrous he felt and the love and respect for the true Guru Ji went deeper and deeper into his mind. What he had felt in his inner mind, he saw the true Guru Ji as an image of the Lord with his worldly eyes also.
The true Guru Ji now calls him Bhai Ji and bestows his grace on him often.
Nand Lal Ji, in some of his writings, has himself mentioned that since the day I met the true Guru Ji I made it a habit to get up erly in the morning.
In this way time passed immersed in Guru-love. Re spent time engrossed in the Lord's name. Sometimes when he felt like writing, he wrote poetry.
Bhai Ji became so much engrossed in the love of the true Guru Ji that he forgot everything else. But the saviour Guru Ji wished otherwise. He was carefree but always in doing goodness to his disciples. He wished that Bhai Ji should remain in separation. In this worldly living if somebody finds a true disciple he would not like to separate him but the saviour Guru Ji is always in doing goodness to his disciples.
One day, the true Guru Ji said: Guru Nanak Dev Ji's path is 'living in the family with mind detached'. Have you renounced your family? Go and live a family life in the worldly ocean of fire. Work to earn but mind should remain attached to the Lord. This exercise is required.
Bhai Ji: Separation is death for me. How shall I live separated from you?
Guru Ji: Guru Nanak Dev Ji has told the way, the crane flies ithousands of kilometres away leaving the chicks in the nest. Who gives them food? Remembrance in their mind supports them. Remembrance is life. Remembrance is the support. Name is life. Remembrance is living. Recitation of Name is meeting. Living in recitation is no separation.
Bhai Ji, whose mind was attuned to Guru Ji's mind and whose Super consciousness was attached to Guru Ji's Super consciousness, in obedience departed.
The Lord tinkles the chords of attuned souls. He thinks of the Lord to show him where to go. His steps took him to Agra. He is attuned to the Lord who is the Master of destiny. The Lord took him to Agra and arranged a job for him. He got the job of Reader in the court of Prince Muazam.
See, the carefree student life at Ghazni, then separation of parents. Then living alone in India that was not his birth place, he felt as if in a foreign land. Then marriage, job and comforts. Then renunciation and feeling alone then visiting Amritsar and feeling wondrousness at Golden Gurdwara. Then Anandpur and self made imprisonment and pangs of love. Then Guru Ji glimpse, blessings and drinking the cup of Name nectar, the salvation while living and the ecstasy of salvation while living not knowing where the world is. It is Bhai Ji and the true Guru Ji and swings of love and sways of Super consciousness, the crystal consciousness, mingling and immersion of body soul in the Supreme soul.
See! How the knowledgeable Guru Ji has separated him from his own self and sent his loved one to the world of fire for some more goodness.
Yes! When the potter makes an earthen pot then he pats it with his hands but the pats work when the potter puts the other hand in the pot. The hand that he puts inside is the support of all pats.
After staying at Anandpur for almost a year, now Ehai Ji has separated to make himself strong in remembrance of the Lord while living in the worldly ocean of fire. This is a long period. Many years passed here.
In between he used to take permission from Guru Ji and visit Anandpur. He also visited his family at Multan often. His inner mind flourished more and more. That can be gauged from his poems.
VII
No particular events of his life at Agra are available except one or two. King Aurangzeb was not satisfied with the translation of some Arabic writing that his intellectuals did.
Prince Muazam told him: You give me a copy of this Arabic writing. Maybe I am able to give you proper translation of the same in a short time.
The Prince had much confidence and esteem on the intellectualness of his chief Reader.
Nand Lal Ji, with his enlightened mind was able to solve the knots in Aurangzeb's Arabic writing. When the Prince presented the translation to his father then he was quite satisfied. He said: Yes. This is the right translation.
But King pondered: Such nice translation and elucidation is beyond the intellectualness of the Prince.
He asked: Have you solved this riddle yourself or have you taken help from someone? The Prince did not hide anything and told the truth.
Aurangzeb showed a desire to meet the chief Reader.
Next day Bhai Sahib Ji presented himself in Aurangzeb's court. Here the solving of the riddle in the Arabic translation was discussed in detail.
When Bhai Ji elucidated all aspects of the translation, then Aurangzeb was amazed to see his intimate knowledge of Scriptures, his erudition and matchless intellect.
He gave five hundred rupees as reward and then Bhai Ji returned.
But the Bang's appreciation was accompanied by distress.
After he came out of the King's court, then Aurangzeb said to Prince: He is a Hindu. I do not like that. Convert him to Islam.
The Prince bowed his head and came to his residence.
He called Bhai Ji and said: Your intellectualness has become a devil for you.
The King wants you to convert to Islam. If you are happy to accept, then it is all right. The King will be happy and you will get an honourable high job. If you are not happy in this, then you see what you want to do. I have esteem for you. I won't force you. Whatever help you require, I shall give. But I am helpless. I shall not be able to save you.
Nand Lal Ji: You have given me a highly secret advice for which I am extremely thankful to you. You do me favour that you allow me to go. I shall make my own arrangements. I have no desire to change my religion. I have already found. I don't have to search for a religion any more.
The Prince said: As you wish, you may go. I shll remember you were very faithful. If I need you, then please do meet me. Now do not tell me anything and solve your problem. If you need my help any more, then inform me secretly.
In this way, he left the Prince's residence and met Daroga Giasudin.
Since he was in charge of all Darogas he was called Chief Daroga. This person was pious and Lord-loving. He had gained Spiritual knowledge from Bhai Ji. He was in the incessant recitation of the Lord's name. He was in ecstasy. His inner mind was in blossom. When Bhai Nand Lal Ji told him about his problem, then Daroga became sad.
When he told him: I am leaving shortly and secretly. Then Daroga became too sad. Separation from Bhai Ji was a loss to him. Bhai Ji's problem and the separation made him anxious. The heart that was full of Name now felt the pangs of separation.
He said: I shall go with you.
Daroga considered Bhaiji as his mentor. So, he wanted Bhai Ji's permission to go with him.
Bhaiji after some thought said: You let me go. Do not resign your job just now. You can take leave and then meet me later.
After such consultations, one night Nand Lal Ji accompanied by his faithful and loving servant from Ghazni departed from Agra and proceeded towards Anandpur. This servant was a holy company and a support and source of comfort
As per the Lord's will this servant left for his heavenly abode at a place of halt on the way.
What was the value of a servant in those days when servants were sold for a few rupees? But Nand Lal Ji, devotee of Magnificent Guru Gobind Singh Ji,
the prophet of freedom, had made his servant a holy man whom he loved more than a son. His mind felt sad on the sudden demise of his loving and holy servant.
For once, he thought: A respectful job is gone. The anger of the King is in the air, now this servant whom I could ask for a glass of water is also gone.
But Bhai Ji's mind does not waver. He understands that to bargain with the Lord is not love. Real love is to accept 'whatever the Lord does is good5.
The first step of man to rise from animal instincts to manly instincts and then saintly instincts is to change the animal instincts. They have to be changed and not killed.
They have to be changed to saintly instincts. This is educating the mind.
To kill the instincts is the way of Hath yoga. The body becomes ill when you kill the instincts. The instincts can be killed by Hath yoga but many times the mind goes reverse and the body becomes weak. By Hath Yoga if the mind becomes defiant then the body suffers. If the mind is not defiant and bends itself by Hath yoga, then the mind does not remain healthy. It becomes subdued and stifled.
Then, how to win the mind?
We have to win it by reasoning and counselling, by lecturing, by preaching, by listening to divine songs (Kirtan) and by reading the Scripture. In this way watchfulness comes in the mind.
When we do not go the Hath Yoga way to kill the animal instincts but use reasoning, listening to divine songs (Kirtan), reading the scripture and remaining in high spirits, then the inner strength that controls the mind becomes watchful. With that watchfulness, then we recite the Lord's name. By recitation of Name, the body and the mind remain healthy. The mind becomes well-educated, enlightened, remains in self control and remains in blossom.
A disciple is a disciple so that he imbibes Guru Ji's teachings.
Imbibing Guru Ji's teachings is to make oneself well-educated and elevate the mind and make the soul flourish. Then the sufferings, sorrows, separations, bad experiences are the experiences through which one leams to rise.
Name breaks the shackles of un-restrained and hidden relationship vices.
By recitation of Name, the five fires of the body, namely, sex, anger, greed, sentiments and pride are extinguished. Then they become a support for the mind to elevate. All five are transformed and become beneficial for the mind to rise.
One should not kill the mind. One should only kill the evil instincts from the mind. How to kill? These should be turned to saintly instincts.
Similar are the sufferings. The persons who are in recitation of Name, for them the sufferings of separation and family grief become stairs fcr the mind to rise while treading on the path of Name.
For Bhai Ji it was a big ordeal. But he is in detachment. He realizes that the world is perishable. He is not baffled to say: O Lord! I am your disciple. Why have you taken away my loving servant in my travel?
Bhai Ji is now a saint, a Lords' beloved. He is immersed in the love of the Lord. He understands that the marvel is that the mind should rise and accept suffering and despair as Lord's will. The soul should flourish more and more and remain in high spirit. The soul should immerse in the Supreme soul. As the mind was engrossed in worldly desires earlier, now it should remain engrossed in the incessant recitation of the. Lord's name.
When the mind is engrossed in incessant recitation of the Lord's name, then the mind becomes crystal or we say sublime mind or Super consciousness.
This Super consciousness is like a wire whose one end is tied to the Lord's feet and the other end to the mind. By induction of the Lord's name the Super consciousness becomes live. It is not an assumption. It is real. One feels the sensation. The pull of love in the Super consciousness is its strength. The one end that is tied to the Lord's feet sends waves of divine music. The resonance of the same at the other end sends waves of joy in the body.
Then, sufferings, comforts, sorrows, happiness and separation act as exercises. So, the ordeals, difficulties and sufferings make the mind that is in recitation, strong like the exercise with club makes the arms strong. It is difficult for everybody but it is true.
The Lord loves everybody. In difficult times He .Himself gives succour but the disciple, if he makes a condition that no difficulties should come to him then only he will recite Name, then the mind shall not become strong. It will rather become weak. It will become strong and rise only if it crosses the ordeals and considers them as Lord's will and accepts the Lord's will and wins over the ordeals with the support of the Lord. The more one crosses the ordeals in this way, the stronger he becomes.
We have to rise from animal instincts to saintly instants, gain experience and become well-trained. These are Guru Ji's teachings. Guru Ji teaches you to recite the Lord's name so that the dirt on the [mind is washed. Then one feels the ecstasy of Name. One feels the presence of the Lord.
The bodily pleasures become alien and get transformed into ecstasy of Name.
i i
What are the animal instincts? What are the habits that make you go after these instincts? Understand them and see how low a human has gone?
We have to bring virtuousness in our habits i.e. first we have to understand fair play and virtuous conduct. Then we have to imbibe righteousness, humaneness, goodness and spirit of service in us. Then we have to recite the Lord's name incessantly and immerse our mind in the love of the Lord.
In this way, we become 'Ideal Men' where all our actions are as a giver. We should not live in discontentment, meaning we should not live in desires. We should not desire for beauty, wealth, house, property, fame, promises and expectation of service from anyone. We have to change our habit of expectation of anything from anyone. We have to refrain ourselves from desires. We should remain without desires, generous and in the incessant recitation of the Lord's name, immersed so much in Lord's love that if overflows as bestowal.
At this stage our habit becomes to allay the suffering of people. The mind remains in the incessant recitation of Name and dyed in the love of the Lord. This incessant recitation keeps us in high spirits and does not let us stoop down from remembrance of Name or habits or action and deeds.
When we remain immersed in the love of the Lord, then we live in blossom, delight and eternal happiness. This blossom neither changes nor goes while living and after death.
With all this education we can say we are well-educated. It is called Name. It is called 'Education of Name'. Guru Ji's teachings give this education.
Bhai Ji's saintly mind did not go in despair and sorrow. He became emotional in pure love. He buried the body of his servant, prayed to the true Guru Ji for peace to his soul and prayed for strength: I may be able to swing the club that is heavier than before. You give me strength that my Super consciousness that is keeping me in high spirit might not become weak or bent, rather it should become stronger than before. Also, please bless that my Super consciousness should remain in flexibility and not become hard like dry wood like the consciousness of un-educated preachers that is dry, hard and non-flexible.
When the branch of a tree is connected to the tree, then it is soft and flexible. But when it is cut off, then it becomes dry wood and inflexible.
Similarly, when the mind is in remembrance, then it is connected to the Lord and is soft and flexible. But when the mind goes into forgetfulness of the Lord, then it is cut off and becomes hard and non-flexible like the cut branch of a tree.
SRI KALG1DHAR CHAMATKAR (VOL - i)
Three or four days passed like this. In detachment of mind he recited the name of the Lord more earnestiy and felt Guru Ji clqse by.
In prayer, reading the Scripture, singing of divine songs [Kirtan)^ recitation of Name and accepting the Lord's will, he overcame the sorrow and the Lord's devotee came up in high spirits: O Lord! You are my support. I am dependent on you. I will look at your door. You are high, you are the highest.
I had a little support from this servant because of |his love. I had a little support from this faithful servant because of his being | sympathetic. You are sympathetic and friend. You can provide any number <^f sympathetic servants and friends. I have to detach myself from all worldlyf supports and tie my Super consciousness to your feet. You are my strength. You are my only support. I am clinging to you by remembrance. I should remain connected to you always. This connection should never break.
He was swaying in ecstasy, remembering and talking to the Lord in his mind when his friend Daroga Giasudin reached.
O Lord! You are my high support. You have sent me a companion as a human support. Bhai Nand Lal Ji thanked the Lord. I thank you and I pray to you to give your support always. Whatever you shall give I shall accept but I should remain in remembrance of you always. Please keep the pull of love strong.
Now both of them travelled together and reached Anandpur. Bhai Nand Lal Ji wrote poetry. He wrote some poetry while travelling also. Finally, he completed a book and named it 'Prayer Book6. When they settled down at Anandpur, then they went to meet Guru Ji. Bhai Nanql Lai Ji carried the book. He met Guru Ji after a long time. Then, he presented the book to Guru Ji and fell at his feet.
Bhai Nand Lal Ji was now immersed in the Lord's l0ve. The Lord's name had gone deep in his heart. It is said that the Spiritual stpge of a person can be gauged only by someone who is himself Spiritual. Nowj since Name had gone deep in his heart, he realized the greatness of the Gurju, like only a jeweller can gauge the value of jewels. He felt ecstasy. His maid said: Whatever the Lord does, is for good. Probably, I never would have le ft the Prince's job and come in this ocean of rapture. The Lord showed the wajy. Now, stay here and like a river meeting the ocean, remain at the feet of th^ Guru Ji.
The true Guru Ji welcomed Bhai Nand Lal Ji with deep love. He lifted his head with his hands and said: You are blessed! Then h; e picked up the book, turned some pages and read some poetry. He was glad to read. He said: you read it out.
Bhai Nand Lal Ji stood up and read the book. The entire congregation was dazed.
The erudition was marvellous. The elucidation of the Holy Scripture was wondrous.
The appreciative Godly soul, the gracious, the loving Guru Ji took the book in his hands and wrote on the cover page with his own hands: It is full of Lord's nectar Its name is 'Soulawakening Book'
The true Guru Ji named the 'Prayer book' as 'Soul-awakening Book'.
Bhai Nand Lal Ji was humble. This book was full of praises of the Lord. The entire writing was full of what the Guru Sahibs preached and elucidation of Scripture was too good. Anyone who reads it shall become exuberant to recite the Lord's name and elevate his mind. The true Guru Ji named it 'Soulawakening Book'. Reading this book and by recitation of Name one shall get inner blossom of mind.
Giving an example, it says:
The ideal men of God appear to be worldly but actually they are detached. Their soul appears to be prisoner in the body but in fact it is attached to the Lord.
Outwardly it appears they are attached to their sons and wife
Inwardly they are attached to the Lord.
Outwardly it appears they have desires and greed
Inwardly they are in remembrance of the Lord.
They remember the Lord by the tongue and in the heart
The heart has become tongue and the tongue has become heart.
Salvation lies in recitation of the Lord's name.
The Crown of Guru-ship shall shine on Guru Ji's head.
I bow my head to the true Guru Ji.
Fortunate is the head that is standing at his door.
It has come out of the worldly ocean of fire and has got refuge
In the Lord's ocean of cool nectar
Fortunate are those who write the praise of the Lord.
Fortunate are the feet that tread on the path that takes you to the Lord.
Fortunate is the tongue that recites the Lord's name.
Fortunate is the heart that remembers the Lord's name.
After blessing immense showers on Bhai Nand Lal Ji Guru Ji looked towards Daroga and said: Mir Sahib! Are you fine?
Mir Sahib presented a gift to Guru Ji and fell at his feet.
Guru Ji blessed him with his hand and asked: Who is your mentor?
Daroga lifted his head that swayed with ecstasy. He did not speak but made a sign towards Bhai Nand Lal Ji.
Alam Singh who was sitting near Guru Ji's feet said: Guru Ji is he, who has no faults. Here is sitting the faultless Guru Ji. Bhai Nand Lal Ji is a disciple, an 'Ideal disciple'. What are you saying in the presence of Guru Ji?
Mir did not say anything but the benevolent Guru Ji, who was without desire for fame, carefree, King of Super consciousness, King of kings said: Alam Singh! You do not know that Bhai Nand Lal Ji has realized me. He is immersed my love. You do not know, he has been blessed with the power to bless others. He is a Guru-beloved. He will remember the Lord and make others remember the Lord. He is great. He will make others remember the Lord. Bhai Nand Lal Ji has become a Guru-beloved. His tongue and his pen will be the rows to cross the worldly ocean of fire.
On listening to these words Bhai Nand Lal Ji trembled. His eyes filled with tears in emotion. For some time he could not speak. Then he made a prayer: O Guru Ji! Bless me 'recitation of Name6.
Everybody had tears in their eyes in emotion. Even after getting so much praise from Guru Ji, Bhai Nand Lal Ji is so humble.
Magnificent Guru Ji, the perfect, listened to the prayer of his unique devotee, laughed and said: Nand Lal Ji! You have realized the secret of remaining immune from ego and you are immersed in the Lords5 love. It is recitation and remembrance that gives freedom from ego. When the mind becomes pure and free from ego and desires, then the Lord comes and sits on the throne of your mind. The snake of ego runs away by recitation. The radiance from the Lord comes to the mind by recitation. Then Guru Ji looked towards Giasudin. He blessed him with the Lord's name. He got ecstasy,
For sometime Daroga stayed at Anandpur. Theiji, as suggested by Bhai Nand Lal Ji he went to Agra.
Bhai Nand Lal Ji continued to stay at Anandpur.
He was immersed in the love of the Lord and Giiru love and Guru Ji's glimpse kept him in ecstasy always.
His family at Multan knew that Bhai Nand Lal Ji has reached Anandpur. They wrote letters and asked him to come to Multan. When Guru Ji came to know, then he asked Bhai Nand Lal Ji to go and meet the family.
Now it became like this, that sometimes Bhai Nand Lal Ji would go to Multan and look after the family and then when he felt a pull, he would came to Anandpur. Here, he had constructed a house where he lived.
Once in Guru Ji's Hall of audience there was praise of those devotees who stayed in their own houses and had their own kitchens and served free food to travellers or needy persons. Guru Ji's kitchen was free to everybody but those who stayed at Anandpur for long periods also served food free considering food as the best charity. When the true Guru Ji heard the praise, then he said: Yes. It is good.
The miraculous Guru Ji one day put on the dress of a traveller and went and asked food at some houses.
It was a bit early. Wherever he went, somebody said: It is too early, come again. Some said: It is not ready. Somebody said: Come at this particular time. Somebody said: We have to wait for prayers.
He returned without getting food from any house. Then the miraculous reached Bhai Nand Lal Ji's house. Bhai Nand Lal Ji said: Lentil is ready, wheatflour dough is ready you can take. If you sit then I shall make chapattis.
Guru Ji said: I cannot stay.
Nand Lal Ji brought lentil and wheat flour dough and refined butter and put it in front of him.
Guru Ji picked up the items and blessed him and came to his house.
When the congregation assembled then Guru Ji said: Amongst the householders Bhai Nand Lal Ji's kitchen is worth praising. Then he showed the lentil and wheat-flour dough and said: One should not say no to a needy person. Whatever is ready, tell him. If he wishes to take, then give. He made the people understand that one should treat the needy as if you are needy.
One day Bhai Nand Lal Ji brought a sword and belt and fell at Guru Ji's feet and said: You have raised an army of saintly men to fight the tyrants. You make me wear this belt and sword with your own sacred hands. I shall fight in the battle field with the other soldiers.
Guru Ji smiled. Then, he wore the belt and sword himself and asked one disciple to bring one pen. Again, Guru Ji said: O Nand Lal Ji (giving the pen)! Take. This is the sword for you. Whosoever reads your writings, he shall infuse kindness, religiousness, recitation of Name and good character in himself.
This shows Guru Ji's greatness. How he kept intellectuals out of battles and asked them to do something that they were best suited to do for the good of people.
Bhai Nand Lal Ji stayed at Anandpur for quite some time and recited the Lord's name. When Guru Ji perceived that he shall leave this earth after sometime, then he asked Bhai Nand Lal Ji to go and stay at Multan and preach Lord's name there and enjoy the ecstasy of Name.
Separation is never comfort-giving but Bhai Nand Lal Ji who was ever connected to Guru Ji and the Lord considered it a command of the Lord. In obeying the command he departed from Anandpur and reached Multan. Under his guidance Multan became a centre for preaching the Lord's name.
At Multan he got the news of Guru Ji's leaving Anandpur and then again leaving the Chamkaur Fort. He felt very sad. Later he heard Guru Ji's victory at Muktsar and his stay at Damdama.
When Guru Ji departed from Damdama moving towards south, then Aurangzeb passed away. Aurangzeb's younger son Azam who was in the south announced himself as the king defying the Will left by Aurangzeb. Kaam Baksh another son of Aurangzeb accepted his kingship.
The elder son Muazam was at Kabul at that time. He announced himself as king and started his journey to India. Azam had a large army but even Muazam was trying to occupy the throne. At this time Bhai Nand Lal Ji along with Hakim Rai met Guru Ji at Bhaghaur. Bhai Nand Lal Ji who was immersed in the Lord's love from head to foot now met him as a messenger. Guru Ji was too pleased to meet him. Then he heard the message of Bahadur Shah to help him occupy the throne at Delhi. Guru Ji listened to the message from Bahadur Shah and said: We shall help him to occupy the throne at Delhi. He should promise to do justice, remain truthful with no ego of Muslim religion, punish the tyrant officials, handover the criminals who did crime to us. Nand Lal Ji told this to the king who accepted all conditions.
In the battle between Azam and Bahadur Shah, Guru Ji's soldiers helped Bahadur Shah. Azam along with his two sons was killed. Bahadur Shah's victory was announced when he was at Agra. Guru Ji also came to Agra and stayed here for a few days. Nand Lal Ji also stayed there for a few days.
From here Guru Ji went to the south.
Bhai Nand Lal Ji passed away either at Agra or after reaching Multan at the age of seventy-two. He went to the Lord's palace so that he would be able to welcome the 'Magnificent Guru Ji with the Plume' there when he arrives.
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