The rage and oppression in the strategy and sword of Aurangzeb left no other option, for hordes of common people either of fear or greed except to embrace Islam. The boat-men, oil-men, weavers and the cattle-rearing tribe collectively embraced Islam. Quite a large number of washer-men as well as barbers and tribals became Muslims.
How these people were forced to embrace Muslim religion? A separate book is required to show that picture.
Here, we shall give the story of one husband and wife of Agriculture caste from Hoshiarpur who lived here in these days. Ail the friends and relatives of the husband were forced to embrace Islam and live with the agriculturist tribes.
Only this pair was left out.
Feeling alone in the world and surrounded by suffering, with a heavy heart they read the Muslim sacred sentence and embraced Islam. They were given the job of Gardener in the house of Dr. Abutrab Bahmni at Delhi.
Dr. Abutrab Bahmni was a descendant from the Bahmni caste of Golcanda.
It is said that one Muslim servant of a Brahmin named Gangu became a king in the south. In remembrance of his Master he adopted his surname as Bahmni. Although the kings in the south were Muslims but they became known as belonging to Bahmni dynasty. Aurangzeb tried many times to bring the south under his rule and he fought many wars there. These kings in the south were five in number and had separate kingdoms of their own but were united as brothers.
Aurangzeb tried many tactics to break their unity. One of these was to invite one or two members of their families and get secrets of the kingdom
from them. Everywhere there are people who are not on good terms with other family members and they become betrayers on receiving money.
Dr. Abutrab was one such betrayer who gave all secrets of the kingdom to Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb in return conferred upon him the degree of Doctor and a big chunk of land and a bungalow to live a luxurious life.
So, this Dr. Abutrab, a learned man, soft in nature, carefree towards religion, in merry living made a big garden in his house near the fort and enjoyed life.
The Punjabis of agriculture caste after initiation as Muslims were given the job of Gardeners in his house. They did get a good job and place to live but embracing Islam under duress was a pain that pierced their hearts like a thorn. But the weaiaiess of the mind that life should remain did not let them come out from this predicament. The oppression of the ruler had put them in this situation. Only the strength of the sword, the lustre of the sword could take them out and that they were not brave enough to use. They trembled. They spent life in this situation.
They knew gardening well. With their hard work the garden became flush green and flowers blossomed. Dr. Abutrab was delighted. Because of their good work he became very charitable to them.
He loved their children and gave rewards and gifts and kept them happy. The hapless couple considered all these comforts as rods of their prison like a bird living in a golden cage. They would not eat anything touched by Muslims. They never attended any function of Muslims nor invited anyone. When husband and wife sat together they heaved sighs that our religion has been wasted.
Sometime later, Aurangzeb required the services of Dr.Abutrab.
This was the time when the prophet from the heavens, the magnificent Guru Ji was staying at Anandpur and was busy raising an army, when the saviour of the world was showering the Lord's name and announcing that the Name of the Lord is a bridge on the worldly ocean of fire, when the vanquisher of sin was transforming the sons of India who behaved like women into Manhood and from Manhood to 'Man with courage of a lion', when the true beneficent was removing the ignorance of the people by collecting learned men to translate the locked up knowledge into Hindi, when the Lord of the heavens was sending rays of graciousness to the world.
Aurangzeb was getting news from his fanatics that a Power is coining up, the seed of a Kingdom is sprouting that shall give light for vanquishing sin and for inner happiness i.e. happiness of the soul. One sheath is being made
from which shall come out a double-edged sword, one edge of which shall vanquish sin and the other edge shall give 'love of the Lord'. It will finish your rule of tyranny and it shall preach 'love of the Lord5 and give inner happiness to the people.
Well! How could Aurangzeb sit unmindful on listening to this news?
Firstly he prompted the hill kings. But then he learnt that the hiii kings have already been defeated. Now he got news from his news-agent that more preparations are on. Then he decided to send a detective agent secretly. This job he gave to Dr. Abutrab. He was given special instructions: "Go in Hindu dress, as a visitor and stay there un-noticed. Then write what you see with your own eyes. You also send your own opinion. Then after knowing your opinion, whatever order we send, immediately change your robes, pose as a messenger, give the message that we shall send and get a reply and send it to us or you try to persuade him as a third person as per our message."
On receiving the order Dr. Abutrab started preparations to travel. He got a Sindhi dress stitched and became ready to depart.
Only one cook and one servant were to accompany him because he had to stay secretly. He considered the Gardener family faithful and since they belonged to that side, they were asked to go in advance and arrange two houses separate but near. In this way he sent his Gardener and his wife in Hindu dress in advance. They used to cry having lost Hindu religion and were eager to regain it but they thanked the Lord that at least they are able to wear a Hindu dress.
On reaching Anandpur they rented a house for themselves and started living as traders. Then they rented another house for Dr. Abutrab.
When the Gulaba family reached Anandpur, then the Muslim awe disappeared from their mind. The everyday five-time Muslim call for prayer in mosques, the disputes of Sharia, the 'penalties of kill or put to sword a nonbeliever5 vanished like a dream. The fanfare of horse-driven carriages, elephants, horses running in markets vanished from their minds. The noise of the market-place, the secret dancing in gardens, the drinking sessions in drawing rooms, all became a dream of the past. They got a house in a quiet, peaceful and secluded colony where if you go a little away from the city, it was all a kingdom of happiness and peace. The cool and beautiful river Satluj showered its beauty to the solitude and flowed in waves of peace.
The scenery of the hills, the mounts, the valleys and the greenery are turning the scattered mind into concentration of mind. When Gulaba and his wife saw this ecstatic solitude, their mind blossomed like a rose.
Slowly, they saw the goodness and greatness of 'Magnificent Guru Ji with the Plume'.
On one side they saw the salaried soldiers of the deceitful King. On the other they saw the congregation of people loving each other. On one side they saw the people outwardly smiling and inwardly jealous. On the other side they saw the spirit of sacrifice of the Guru-disciples and their true love.
Although Gulaba was in service of the detective and he was doing the work of a detective day and night but despite that the influence of this place created a different effect on his mind. He was doing the work of his Master but his mind was being pulled else-where unintentionally.
The sweetness of the divine songs (Kirtari) took them near the audience hall many times. Sometimes when the divine singing [Kirtan) was arranged on the bank of the river Satluj, then both of them stood behind trees and listened to the divine songs [Kirtan). The handsome face of the true Guru Ji that had a magical pull for the disciples influenced them also.
One day the coffin of a disciple of Guru Ji was being carried accompanied by a large number of devotees and the soldiers saluted the coffin with gunshots and the musicians played a sad tune to give respect to the deceased. The musicians also sang divine songs [Kirtan). What they saw now that the Godly soul, the 'Guru Ji with the Plume', the King of his disciples came near the coffin riding a horse, got down from his horse, touched the coffin with his sacred hand and said: Go! Son! Go and live at the Lord's feet. Great is your coming to earth. You have made your life fruitful.
Gulaba went near the bank of the river and asked one disciple. Who was this man who has been accorded so much respect? The disciple said: This disciple was a worker who earned with honesty for his food. Rest of the time, he spent in the service of the congregation of the magnificent Guru Ji. He fulfilled the needs of the disciples coming from far off places. He looked after the comforts of poor people. If somebody was ill, he wound arrange medicines for them. Since sometime he became more compassionate for the blind. Wherever he saw a blind man, he would bring him here and get him food from Guru Ji's free kitchen, He made them leam music to sing divine songs [Kirtan). He taught them tailoring, so much that they could even put a thread in the needle. Some would do weaving. About four days back he carried a blind man on his shoulder and was walking back when the soldiers of the King of Bilaspur caught him thinking him as a detective and took him to their kingdom. He was told to cut his hair and become an Idol worshipper but he did not agree to that. Finally, they gave him a cup of poison to drink. He
Precited the Lord's name and drank the cup and said: Maybe it is the Lord's will.
The king's men threw the body in the forest. But one disciple came to know of the happening and picked his body on his shoulder and brought it here.
In appreciation of his service to the people, his detachment from worldly desires and love for Guru Ji, sacrifice to save his religion, the congregation gave respect to him. The 'Guru Ji with the Plume' who loves his disciples more than sons has given so much regard to him that you have seen with your own eyes. All kings run their kingdom by giving fear and force but our true Guru Ji is the true King because he wins the hearts of his disciples with love and truth. The disciples are ready to sacrifice their heads but he loves them more than his own sons.
"Why have we embraced Muslim religion for this perishable body? How much shall we live? How much vicious are we that we have come to the town of the prophet to deceive him. It is a slur on our life, slur on our breath. We have desecrated the air, water and food. How good it might have been to invite death and gone to the Lord unblemished like this benevolent person." In this repentance the night passed.
It was daybreak. To their astonishment they saw the 'Guru Ji with the Plume' standing on the bank of the river on a plain portion of land. He was wearing a light sandal, an under-wear, a short shirt, a short turban. One body like a dead body was lying on the ground. The 'Guru Ji with the Plume' himself rubbed his hand on his head and said something to him and one disciple was standing close by. After a lapse of two minutes, the dead looking body got up and clamped Guru Ji's feet.
When Gulaba enquired more, then a disciple told him that the true Guru Ji sleeps very little. Many times he goes out quite early in the morning. In the assembly, however, he reaches on time. Today he sat on a platform on the bank of the river in meditation. He got so engrossed that it became daybreak. Then he saw one body floating on the waters of the river Satluj and two travellers walking on the bank. The Brahmin said: Possibly he might be a low caste. I cannot touch him. The other was Muslim. He said: The figure appears to be a Hindu. Let him die. The more they die the better.
The 'Guru Ji with the Plume' heard and said: He is the creation of my beloved Lord. The lifeless water in ignorance is going to destroy it. Saying this he jumped into the river and brought it out. With some effort he brought it to life.
SRi KALGIDHAR CHAMATKAR (VOL-I)
Such glimpses of the 'Guru Ji with the Plume5 glimpses of the congregation of the 'Guru Ji with the Plume' the miraculous-ness of the 'Guru Ji with the Plume' are filling their mind with a longing that might not be fulfilled because they realize that Hindu religion is narrow minded. We cannot become Hindu again. However, they prayed: O Lord! We have no goodness in us. You shower your grace and restore our religion.
The fountain of all knowledge, the mind of all virtues, the creator of all arts, 'Magnificent Guru Ji with the Plume' was also fond of gardening. He got gardens made at Anandpur. One was near the bank of the river. He got dug the bank of the river and made a beautiful flight of stairs and made beds of flowers and plants. Plants from all states were planted in this garden. Grapes and almonds, apples and pears, viola-odorata flowers and other fragrant plants, hill roses, many varieties of roses, cardamom and many type of flowers. It was almost a city of flowers.
Every year roots of saffron were procured from Kashmir and planted with such adeptness that it flowered at least once in a year and blossomed. High grass, reeds and shrubbery was planted on the river bank side of the garden. Jasmine, daisies, Basil, lily, Amazon, Amaranthus, dahlias, gul mohars, begonias, balsam, peppermint, rose-cactus, rose-happy, wanderer, morning glory, sesame, sea lavender and many more fragrant flowers. It is wondrous that since the magnificent Guru Ji was busy day and night in spreading the Lord's name, looking after the devotees and the task of allaying the suffering of the people that it seemed difficult to take out time. But the 'Guru Ji with the Plume' took out time to see the garden and appreciate the work of the gardeners. Because of his graciousness the entire garden bloomed and blossomed all twelve months cf the year.
Gulaba and his wife in their own flight of mind thought it impossible that our hands shall ever touch the 'Magnificent Guru Ji with the Plume's feet. It might not be possible that our hands do some service for the sacred Guru Ji, like a plucked hair or a broken tooth or a cut nail, they could not come back to the same situation that they were in the beginning. Having lost hope they thought that if we can be of any service to the saviour of the world even by remaining at a distance that shall be worthwhile.
In this thinking Gulaba's wife made acquaintance with Guru Ji's gardener's wife and slowly made way to do some service in Guru Ji's garden.
They made flower beds and planted gold mohurs in such a fashion that when they blossomed it read:
LORD IS THE ONE SA VIOR OF ALL MANKIND WE SHOULD NOT FORGET HIM
At another bed when the flowers blossomed they appeared as if a lady is standing. In this way they created a new art in the garden.
One day when the 'Guru Ji with the Plume' came to the garden along with his sons, these flowers blossomed. On seeing this new art of planting he smiled but did not say anything.
On the other hand their devotion increased. living in Guru Ji's land, a repentant heart did not require lessons. Seeing all the goodness everyday their mind got influenced enough and their devotion for the Magnificent Guru Ji went on increasing.
The holy company of Bhai Kesra Singh Ji, the senior gardener did wonders. They learnt Punjabi, read the scripture, did service, imbibed humility, remained away from vices and hypocrisy. They imbibed all the good qualities that they saw at Anandpur.
The winter became colder and the flowers started withering due to extreme cold. One day Gulaba and his wife noticed that the gardener is collecting flower pots of roses under a shaded area. When they asked the reason, then they came to know that the 'Guru Ji with the Plume's birthday is near. The decorations will be on a large scale and flowers shall become scarce. That is why these flower pots are being collected and placed in shade to save them as much as possible.
Bhai Kesra Singh Ji, senior gardener was not just a Gardener. He was very fond of service to humanity. Being in charge of the garden he often came across different type of people and would get good chances for service to humanity.
When Aurangzeb ordered assassination of Pandit Raghoba of Kanshi for the reason that he hesitated to agree to convert the temple into a Mosque, then Triaxnbka Bai carried her only son Tilak Nath and in the robes of a man slipped out of Kanshi.
She had got information that she and her children shall be persecuted.
Alas! There was no place in a country of the size of India for this widow where she could take refuge and be out of the tyranny of Aurangzeb.
She recollected that when Kanshi Nath a good friend of her husband was tortured by Aurangzeb men, then he slipped away from Kanshi and took refuge at the feet of the tenth Guru Ji, the 'Guru Ji with the Plume'. She thought
that in this un-bearable times of tyranny, if there was any place for me to go, then it was to go to the 'Guru Ji with the Plume'. So, after undergoing great hardships she reached Anandpur. As luck would have it, she came in contact with Karam Kaur wife of Kesra Singh Ji. On seeing her in a tired state, Karam Kaur took her to her hut and was hospitable to her.
Triambka Bai as also her son were both ill. Karam Kaur gave her a small room next to her own hut and arranged a doctor and medicines and she herself looked after her. She considered all this as service to humanity.
To console her for the losses Karam Kaur recited the scripture. For peace of mind she made her recite the Lord's name.
Now this lady, wife of a Pandit, became hale and hearty and started doing some service. She would pluck Chambeli flowers and make garlands that she sent through Karam Kaur for the 'Guru Ji with the Plume'. Karam Kaur had allocated one room for the Holy Scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Triambka Bai soon learnt Punjabi language and read the Holy Scripture in that room.
In course of time Gulaba's wife came to know of the service that Karam Kaur did without telling anyone.
One day Gulaba's wife said to Karam Kaur. Since we have discarded our religion we are not worthy of staying near you but this lady is Hindu, why have you not made her drink the sacred nectar and got her initiated by Guru Ji?
Then Karam Kaur said: It shall be done. My husband and I are collecting gifts to be presented to Guru Ji on his birthday that is coming near. This learned lady is writing poetry for the true Guru Ji. She will present it on that day.
Come with me and she took her along. In another hut she saw two young babies enjoying in a cradle and two hill maids were looking after their upbringing. On asking she was told that these two babies were born to a hill princess. Due to fear of her being killed, she put them in a small boat that drifted in a swift flow. My husband found them while bathing. We brought them and are looking after their upbringing. Money all belongs to the 'Guru Ji with the Plume'. We are only doing service to orphans. Guru Ji has preached us to do service to humanity. This shall also be a present on his birthday.
Then she opened a bundle. It contained forty to fifty handbooks of the Scripture Japuji. She told that she and her husband wrote all this in the night time. Guru Ji shall distribute these to the disciples with his own sacred hands on his birthday.
Karam Kaur found that Gulaba couple had developed great love and respect for the 'Guru Ji with the Plume'. She also loved them and wished that this couple should also be presented to Guru Ji on his coming birthday.
One day she took Gulaba's wife along and went to a friend's house and asked: O sister! What present are you going to give to Guru Ji on his coming birthday?
She replied: O sister! Who are we worthless to give a present but by Guru Ji's blessings, my hands have become fruitful. These two pairs of shawls, I have made. I shall present these if Guru Ji accepts.
Then they went to another house. There, they were told that one poor Rajput suffered wounds on his body and it became septic. We served him. By the grace of Guru Ji he has became alright. lie reads the scripture and wishes a glimpse of Guru Ji. We shall present him to Guru Ji, that he may give him refuge.
In another house the lady said: I have not been able to make anything because I was away to Hoshiarpur. But one thing has happened that my sister and her husband were always fighting. They have reconciled. Now they are living happily. They will fall at Guru Ji's feet on his coming birthday.
In this way Gulaba's wife saw all these happenings of love and service.
Somebody had made embroidered sheets. Somebody made copies of Scripture. Somebody had stored wheat flour. Somebody made a copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and got its binding done. Somebody had given shelter to widows, malady stricken and orphans and preached them to remember the Lord. Some had done service to blind, dumb or crippled. Some had got roads constructed as a service or donation in the name of the Lord.- Some had got a well dug.
All told, the devotees in eagerness to celebrate the coming birthday of Guru Ji had done some service and were exuberant to come to Anandpur so that they shall make these as presents in the hall of audience of the true King and get the blessings of the 'Guru Ji with the Plume' and shall be gratified.
Gulaba couple felt wondrous to see this service of love for Guru Ji. They wondered what mercy of the Lord has brought us to this land of Guru Ji, to this small heaven on earth in the burning world of jealousy, envy, greed and pride. When the entire country is burning in ego, here this heavenly piece of land is sending messages of peace to the entire country. The leading preachers who have been preaching the Lord's name for a year are coming to preset their service to the 'Guru Ji with the Plume'. The Gulaba couple when they see them, they feel delighted and their minds blossom. But when it comes
to the point that we should also be blessed with the sacred nectar tnat gives ecstasy then they feel sad and in despair. They think that we are like a cut string of the kite that cannot be joined.
They were passing time in these thoughts when Dr. Abutrab arrived.
Gulaba made his stay in the house rented for him but their heart shook. Their mind that was going on the path of goodness suddenly got a jerk.
They thought: For what vicious work have we come here. Shall we eat the salt of Guru Ji's betrayer and become partners in this betrayal. It is shameful to live such life and shameful to do such deeds. But now it is not that mind that had imbibed cowardice by living in an atmosphere of cowardice. Now the company of lions had made the mind courageous. The heart that earlier was enfeebled now thumps that we shall give away our life but we shall not depress our pent-up feelings. We shall prefer to die than live a sinful life.
On the other side the mind said: We are eating the salt. He is the master. We cannot deceive him. They became double-minded with no way to go out of it.
Dr Abutrab asked about the work they have done. They just put him off.
Finally, one day Gulaba took out a sword and kept it in front of Doctor and said: You are our master. We cannot deceive you. You listen to the truth and kill us. Saying this he opened his mind truthfully.
The Doctor heard everything and then said: O Gulaba, I am myself not a Muslim who believes in Sharia. My ancestor was a Hindu. Even after embracing Islam he remained in the service of Hindus. When he became a king, then he might have followed the Muslim religion. But since I am educated, I consider the religiousness of these Muslim priests as worthless. You may adopt any religion. You are free to do so from my side. You take care of the Muslim priests at Delhi yourself. Rest is the work that we have to do. We should find out some secrets and write to the King at Delhi.
Gulaba replied: O Master! You do what you like, but so far as we are concerned you dismiss us from you service. We shall surely not take any part in this sinful work. We shall live our life in recitation of the Lord's name and make our life fruitful. We wish to do service to the poor and needy. Whether you allow us to go or you kill, it is up to you. We have eaten your salt. For that you forgive us. It not, then we shall earn and repay you every penny. If you wish to kill us, then we are present.
The Doctor kept smiling and Gulaba took leave from him and came away with his wife. The Doctor did not bother. Whatever he saw and heard about Guru Ji, the Doctor wrote to the King at Delhi.
Next day the doctor became ill. The illness was so severe that it appeared he is going to die. He writhed in pain, tossed and turned in pain like a mad person. Sometimes the temperature came down hut again went up. It seemed to be typhoid. Both his servants who had come with him slipped away one by one. One of his nephews had accompanied him. He also slipped away in the thinking that this uncle is going to die. I should hurriedly go and take custody of the property.
When Gulaba and his wife saw this, then they thought: He is a Guru Ji deceiver. Why should we bother? It is good if he dies. But then Karam Xaur whom they had told all secrets made them understand: He is your Master and a creation of the Lord. Whatever good or bad that he is, the Lord shall give him the fruits of his deeds as per His system. You are not the giver of fruits of deeds. Why you want to take it in your hands what is in the hands of the Lord. You serve him as a needy and in distress and gain the blessings of Guru Ji.
This was not an ordinary talk. It was a principle that went deep into their mind. Both husband and wife started looking after the sick man. Night and day they kept awake turn by turn and nursed. After about twenty one days, the temperature came down. There was hardly any hope of his survival but 'Whom the Lord saves, nobody dares to kill/
On the one hand this unique service and on the other hand running away of the servants and his nephew made a deep dent on the Doctor's mind. His illness was such that he could see messengers of death at his door. The luxuries for which he sinned looked worthless. The mire from which the mind could not get out became lose. His body health restored but the mind did not come out of dejection. He feels the devotion of Gulaba and his wife and his heart feels their selfless service. He has also realized that whatever service they have done, it is because of this new religion that has gone into their heart. Then, they consider the 'Guru Ji with the Plume5 as a true Guru Ji and know that I am a betrayer of Guru Ji. Instead of ill will they have showered love on me.
Great is this religion! Great is the prophet! Great is his preaching! Great are his disciples!
This is the real true religion that is flourishing in this fortunate land.
His mind remained absorbed in these thoughts but he did not ask. Lastly, one day he asked Gulaba about the Sikh religion. Then Gulaba talked everything about religion. He narrated to him how the mind is elevated with recitation of the Lord's name. How much ecstasy the Lord's name gives? He narrated how the Ideal men' here do service in the name of the Lord without any ego. He narrated all what he had seen.
On listening to this the betrayer of the country, who never remembered God, Dr. Abutrab was dazed. But this daze was like a worm dazed smelling the perfume of rose.
On one side was the deceitful and tyrannical rule of Aurangzeb.
And this side is the fragrant heaven of truth and goodness. Slowly and slowly the doctor started walking and moving out to see the wondrousness of the Godly soul, the 'Guru Ji with the Plume5 and his beloved disciples.
The hapless doctor could never imagine that love of the Lord and sword can go together. Here, one could see with his own eyes:
All the virtues that man can imbibe were present in the 'Guru Ji with the Plume/
All the virtues that should be in a prophet were present in the 'Guru Ji with the plume.5
All the virtues that should be in the Lord relating to love of humanity and beneficence were present in the 'Guru Ji with the Plume.'
Now the crooked and coiled like vermicelli mind started becoming straight like the snake entering its burrow. The magic of wealth, the spell of comforts and the illusion of passions fell off his eyes. His mind became appreciative of beneficence, sacrifice and to endure suffering for another's good. The conspiracies of sin, the grabbing of kingdoms by deception, the selfishness of Aurangzeb, Guru Ji's Spirituality and use of sword to save the religion and allay the suffering of people went into his mind. Slowly, his sympathy for that side vanished and instead he imbibed love for Guru Ji.
One day, the doctor in deep thought went downside of Anandpur and reached the forest area. There he saw a young but sturdy man lying on the ground. His one leg had a wound that was infested with insects and he was unable to move. He had become enfeebled due to hunger. One disciple of Guru Ji came and placed some food in front of him. Then he went near and put some pine oil on his wound and on the entire leg. After some time when the Guru-disciple was about to leave, then the doctor took him aside and asked him: Who is this man?
Guru Ji disciple told his name.
Then the doctor said: He is a known criminal. By your doing service to him, you are readying him to do more crime.
The Guru-disciple replied: O pious man! What you say is right. But to kill a suffering person or be cruel to a dead person is no courage. Let him be healthy. He should get some strength. Then we shall challenge him and kill. Then it shall be our bravery. Now it is a slur on our honour, courage and
bravery to give more suffering to a sufferer. Who knows with my service his heart melts with emotion and he becomes good. It is better to transform a sinner than to kill him. Because our religion is to vanquish sin and not kill. This man might be a sinner but we have no right to axe him. To eradicate suffering is to have mercy on the fallen enemy. The Guru-disciples are not cowards. They are courageous. They are engrossed in the love of the Lord. But in practice they are alert and brave. They do not nurture hatred or ego in their hearts. They protect women, child, sick, poor, sufferer or weak whether he is a friend or foe. The Gurudisciples see the Lord omnipresent, here, there, everywhere. They respect his creation. They serve the suffering enemy like friends. However, in the battle field, they challenge and kill the betrayers of the country. They consider this as valour. I have killed two lions with my own hands. They used to jump on travellers and kill. The Guru-disciples have no animosity with Muslims. If they stop tyranny and do justice on being requested to do so, then our purpose is solved. Knot, then we have no option but to reform them with the sword. We just want to fight tyranny.
The Doctor said: You have said well. But you tell, why have you come in the service of Guru Ji to endure sufferings and face death needlessly after leaving your house and family and away from your friends and relatives?
The Guru-disciple replied: To make our life fruitful. 'The body has to die5. This we have realized. The attachment to body has gone. As such the desire for passions of the body has also gone. In this realization we come to the conclusion that this perishable body should be put to some goodness. According to Guru Ji's counsel, no better work of the body is visible except service to humanity. This is making the body fruitful. Then our aim of life i.e. to meet the Lord has been met when we started living in the incessant recitation of the Lord's name, in His presence. Our body soul immersed in the Supreme soul and we got eternal happiness. If you see deeply, then you will find that the world is in suffering. Everybody is in desires for his own comforts. Being uneducated, no one hesitates to give suffering to other people for his own comforts. This vicious desire is the cause of all suffering of the world. Next, the body becomes ill. Everybody is not a doctor. Even if he were, he cannot take preventive steps. Whenever he forgets to take precaution, illness will come. In this way many types of sufferings come. Along with these nobody has control over death. Nobody can stop it. Nor is there any time fixed for it. Nobody knows when it shall strike the body. When it comes untimely, then it creates extreme suffering in families, relatives and friends who had the support from the deceased. These sufferings are extreme. Then the body does not
remain young always. One is young then one becomes old aged. In old age even without any illness one feels despair. Now you see minutely. The forceful and rich by their greed and vices are putting the majority of people into suffering. How many hearts sleep at night in sighs? The jails are full of those who instead of enduring suffering for another's good are there because they gave suffering. They made virtuous women suffer. They made pious men suffer. They made thousands of blossoming hearts lose their blossom. The illnesses have Med thousands of beds saying alas! Alas! Death has brought suffering to millions. Thousands of widows are in wailing. Thousands of mothers are in wailing. Thousands die of hunger. People love passions that bring misery and death. If you see minutely, it is suffering all over. Now what is worth considering is that when Guru Ji counselled that the body is perishable and the attachment of mind to this perishable body is the cause of the cycle of births and deaths, then we detached the mind from the body but by detachment of mind neither the body goes nor it wishes to go. However it appears like a cover on the soul. When one is immersed in the love of the Lord, then one is in ecstasy like a fish in the sea of ecstasy. That is why the inclination becomes to allay the suffering of the people. When with some inconvenience to our perishable body, some suffering of anyone goes, some tearful eyes stop tears, some painful heart can be saved, some burning heart can become cool, then we love to do goodness. Our brothers think that if by our counsel or writing some brothers might get rid of ego and do service to the people, then why should we not put this perishable body in this service? In this thinking, we have given our mind, heart, body and money to the beloved Guru Ji and the Lord. We have nothing, we are nothing. All belongs to the Lord. Our soul is immersed in the Supreme soul in the sea of rapture. Our mind is dyed in the love of the beloved Guru Ji. Our body is effortlessly doing service to allay the suffering of His creation. This is the reason why the true King, Master without desires, passionless, full of graciousness is raising an army to fight the rule of tyranny in India. Otherwise he is always doing goodness to the entire world. He has no desires for a kingdom. He does not wish to rule. His wish is only to allay the suffering of the people. He wants to put in place a kingdom of pious people. We are at his feet and we go by his orders as he wishes. We fight, we die, we fight battles but considering it as a service and beneficence and not for giving suffering to the world. Our religion is not ego or enmity. Every disciple of Guru Ji is more pious even than big saints. We are dyed in the love of the Lord and our soul is immersed in the Supreme soul. Guru Ji has transformed our mind. It has become elevated and sublime. Our soul is awakened by the
love-spark from Guru Ji. We remember the Lord incessantly. O Friend! Do consider! For how many days is this life? This human life! Make it fhiitful. After talking all this the Guru-disciple went away.
The doctor's heart became pierced. The scholar that he was, the talk went deep into his mind. The betrayal that he did with his family or with his country and with his community in lieu of which he was awarded this prominence and luxurious living came in front of his eyes. Whatever sufferings he gave to his country-men, whatever agony he gave to pious families for his vicious pleasures, whatever miseries he gave to innocent people, all came in front of his eyes.
His deceptiveness that brought pain to the world, his ego, force and enmity that brought misery to many came in front of his eyes like a battle array.
In forgetfulness of the Lord, his betrayals, his vices, his ego came like multitude of figures standing before him and saying: You are our father. You have created us. We are your children.
At this time the doctor's heart bled, the pent up influences of sins rushed out and the puff of repentance went to his head and the eyes like rain dropped tears in torrents.
He sees his created sufferings and cries: Shame to my life! What a tree of thorns am I in this world that in thousands of kilometres my thorns are dropping, flying and spreading?
Have I come to this Supreme fountain of love to put stones in it and stop the flow of love and peace?
Me! Father of miseries, have I come here to betray the lord of love and live a life of luxury in its lieu?
O Lord! Alas! I had not born! Or I should have died at birth only! Alas! My mother should have strangled my throat! Alas! The maids hand should have moved wrong and I would have died on birth. I did not die when I got small pox. Even measles did not take my life. In the battle no bullet came near me. I never died of snake bite. The wine did not kill me. Now the latest typhoid also did not take me out of this world. Alasi Even death is wary of me.
What is the remedy left now?
Oh death! Who is it except you who can take me out of this world and make the earth free from a sinner like me?
In this distressed mind his hand went on the handle of the sword. He had just pulled out the sword out of the sheath that a strong hand clamped his wrist and said: Enemy of the world! Do not become suicidal. The door of Lord's grace is not closed for you.
The eyes that were filled with tears looked up but could not bear the dazzle of the divine face and the eyelids dropped. He fell at the feet of the 'Guru Ji with the Plume5 and prayer came out of his throat: I am not worthy of your touch. You keep your sacred hands away from this wretched body. I am a living demon.
But Guru Ji did not leave his wrist that he was holding and loved him on his head with his other hand.
Me and this benevolence! Me and this blessedness! Me and this mercy!
Me and this love! Me "You are not a human being. You are the
image of the Lord. This kindness, this courage, this benevolence, Alas! Alas! Alas! On me I am dazed", Saying this he became somewhat semi-conscious.
O Dear reader! See! The beloved 'Guru Ji with the Plume5! How much soft hearted, humble, alert and watchful is he for whom millions are ready to sacrifice their heads, at whose feet millions are ready to lay their heads, for whom Supernatural powers are standing in wait, who is a Guru Ji, a prophet, an incarnation, a true King, a poet, a learned scholar, a warrior, a Commander, a leader, leader of true diplomacy, saviour of religion, redeemer of sinners, desire-less from the world and desire-less even of the abode of gods.
There is the betrayer detective who would fall dead by the slap of a Guru-disciple. Here is the tender heart of the Magnificent Guru Ji who has reached to allay his pain of the heart. He does not see the pain of the betrayer as pain of a stranger.
The Magnificent Guru Ji's prayer "O Lord, Shower your grace and allay the suffering of the world" is evident.
Great is the beloved Guru Ji who loves even the sinners and betrayers, that is why he is said to be the redeemer of sinners.
Bhai Gurdas Ji has said:
Anybody would do goodness in lieu of goodness.
But 0 Magnificent! 0 treasure of Grace!
You only would do goodness even to the evil-doers.
By Guru Ji's grace he became conscious. However, the dark storm in his mind had vanished. He felt cool. By the touch of Guru Ji's feet his body felt coolness. The mind that was loaded with sin one hour earlier has become light. A new awakening has come. The world has become different. It is the same land but its beauty is different. The body is the same but dyed in a different dye. The mind is the same but the desires are not what they were. He touched the sacred feet again and again. His eyes filled with tears. He lifted his head and then put it on the feet again. The benevolent Guru Ji patted
on his back and said: O tree of sini Now become a lake of nectar. Recite the Lord's name so that it should pervade in the mind, heart and body cells and your body becomes a benevolence of virtue.
Ill
[Birthday]
The birthday of Magnificent Guru Gobind Singh Ji was nearing. The congregation increased day by day. Bhai Kesra Singh Ji prayed that this time, for Guru Ji's birthday celebration the arrangement for the assembly should be made in the palatial garden.
The true King who always loved his disciples said: Yes.
Thus, special importance was given to the work of decoration of the garden.
Both the senior gardener and his wife assisted by Gulaba and his wife worked night and day for this decoration.
Although the season was cold but the devotees had saved enough flowers. Now they planted those at different spots.
In this time in the afternoon, all the gardeners and their wives were busy in planting. Triambka Bai was singing some praises of Guru Ji when Dr. Abutrab entered the garden. He bowed to his servant Gulaba and said: I am thankful to you. My head bends under your obligation. It is your blessing that the most sacred hands have blessed me with the Lord's name. I cannot repay your gratefulness.
Gulaba and his wife replied in humility but their hearts were pleased limitlessly. Both of them immersed in thanks to the Lord. The Lord's name swelled in their heart and in the body cells. Their souls immersed in the Supreme soul. Their hearts became eyes and they saw the handsome face of the Beloved-Guru Ji in their hearts. Their eyes are closed but in thankfulness some drops of tears slipped down from the closed eyelids.
Seeing both of them in this trance the Doctor as also the senior gardener and his wife softly went away. But both of them remained sitting in this meditation of thanks.
Now, the golden bird of the evening had folded its wings of rays and hid itself behind the earth and the moon of ecstasy in the form of the Scripture Rehras was spreading its rays of light in the hall of audience of beloved Guru Ji. Bhai Gohar Singh Ji recited the Scripture in such deep love that the entire congregation got ecstasy. When the conclusion ceremony and prayer finished, then the true Guru Ji said to Brijraj Singh: You serve dinner. I have to go for
some work. One disciple's Super consciousness is mingling with lay Super consciousness. I have to bless him.
Saying this, he started off towards the river and entered the garden where the couple sat in meditation. lie stood there for a while, saw the couple in a trance, waited for a moment then went to another side of the garden.
At this time it became late evening. The moon like the half circle edge of a silver tray was giving dim light and the light from the rising stars was making it more radiant.
He made a round of the garden. He was glad to see the preparations and . efforts of the foursome and then came to the same place. He saw that side but could not find the couple there. When he moved a little farther, then he heard some voice of Alas! Alas! There was some rustling sound. When he walked further, then he saw the couple were doing some service to a child.
Actually what had happened was that a hill woman while she took water from the river, her child jumped from her lap and fell into the river? The mother's affection for her child made her shout: Help! Help! For the sake of 'Guru Ji with the Plume5 Help! Although Gulaba and his wife were in meditation but the words pierced Gulaba's ears and hit his sublime mind.
Who would stop on hearing the words: For the sake of 'Guru Ji with the Plume'? Without waiting Gulaba jumped in the river and brought the child out. Now they had wiped the body and were wrapping it in a dry sheet to give the child back to the mother when the true Guru Ji peeped in. The mother blessed the couple and went away.
In this time they got a glimpse of the true Guru Ji. Not just a glimpse? The true King from his lotus face blessed: Great are my disciples who see me everywhere!
Both ran to fall at his feet but they lay prostrate at one metre distance.
The honourable nature of Guru Ji, how could he bear? He moved forward, sat on one knee and rubbed his hand on the heads of both of them and said: The Lord's name has sat in your mind and made it pure and sacred. You have realized the soul. Your soul has immersed in the Supreme soul. When you fall at the Lord's feet then you meet Him.
He loved them on the head, clamped their arm with his sacred hands, lifted them and said: The false strings have broken. Now strong chains are connected. Love grips cannot break. Guru Ji walked ahead. The couple like a needle attracted to a magnet followed. Bhai Kesra Singh Ji was reciting Scripture. He had just finished recitation. He was started! Is it true? In the love-sphere of the sky, the moon, the 'Guru Ji with the Plume' is giving lustre.
SRI KALGIDHAR CHAV!ATKAR (VOL-I)
He ran and fell at his feet. On hearing the voice, Karam Kaur with wheatflour dough sticking on her hands came running and fell at Guru Ji's sacred feet.
The beloved Guru Ji smiled and said: Won't you show me the gifts? Kesra Singh Ji's wife bowed her head in modesty and regard and said: Nothing is ours. Everything is yours! Then Guru Ji walked ahead and everyone followed. He stood quiet at the hut of Triambka Bai. The figure of love was singing in love. She is singing in emotion and tears are flowing from her eyes: O saviour! 'Guru Ji with the Plume', give me refuge at your feet.
Everybody quietly listened to her prayer that was full of devotion and praise of the Lord. The 'Guru Ji with the Plume5 who was always immersed in the love of the Lord became emotional and his eyes filled with tears in listening to the devotional praise of the Lord.
Now the benevolent Guru Ji, the refuge for the refuge-less put his sacred feet in the hut and blessed the saintly lady with his hand on her head and said: O pious cow! Get up! Become a lioness and serve the lions.
On listening to Guru Ji's words of love and feeling his sacred hand on her head, like a bee she clamped Guru Ji's feet.
The true Guru Ji said: O daughter! Your sufferings are vanquished. The seed of suffering sprouts in the field of ego. Sprinkle the drops of nectar on this field and clear the field of this ego and live in inner blossom of mind. Be ready! The sacred nectar is ready for you. Consider yourself dead before the death comes. Now live in eternal blossom. Your soul is now immersed in the Supreme soul, live dyed in this love.
After this who knows what miraculous Guru Ji did? He reached the houses of many craving disciples. He loved everyone and met everyone.
Many, many devotees had come from far off distances and many places but Guru Ji only knows how he managed.
In the morning, every disciple said: Last night the true Guru Ji himself put his sacred feet in our house. He himself asked our welfare, loved us and blessed us.
The day ascended. Which day?
The auspicious birthday, the day on which the 'Guru Ji with the Plume' came to this earth as a child at Patna. The day on which the heart of earth blossomed that the vanquisher of sins has arrived, Guru Ji who made us understand the tyranny and sins, then taught us how to vanquish this tyranny and sins. Then taught us to recite the Lord's name and live in His remembrance. He immersed us in the love of the Lord. The virtuous Guru Ji!
Today, the daybreak is differently delightful. The dew drops are giving fragrance. The breeze blowing softy is giving ecstasy. See! The sun is rising fast so that it can see the rapture of the prophet's birthday quickly. How with a blossoming forehead, in delight, in smiles, with a lustrous look in auspiciousness it has risen? How sweet are the songs of the birds? How much blossom is on the flowers? How clear is the water of the river? How superb is the bloom of Guru Ji's garden in this autumn. How much excel of blossom the flowers and plants that have come from distances are giving to the blossom of the spring season?
The sun had hardly peeped when from all the four forts the devotees fired the canons.
At many places, the bands started playing exquisite music of happiness and gaiety. The entire valley of Anandpur became full of wondrous ecstatic delight.
All the armed soldiers under their respective Commanders, assembled at the ground according to the rules of parade as adopted by Guru Ji.
How nicely the Prince-sons of Guru Ji and the five Ideal Men are wearing decorations? How nicely decorated are standing the soldiers of the infantry and horsemen of the cavaliy in battle array on both sides of the road from the city up to the garden? How Bhai Daya Singh Ji riding a green horse is making all arrangements? How Prince Ajit Singh Ji after watching the entire decorations is delighted and is pulling the reins of his horse that moves like the fantail pigeon as if dancing on his ankles, fondling amd hopping, bending, twisting, pliant, turning in coquettish style?
See! In the garden how much delight the artistic planting of flowers by expert gardeners is giving?
How nicely is spread the crimson carpet brought by Sindhi devotees on the green velvety grass floor? On it is placed a throne with inlaid work done on it" and covered with silk and brocade that the congregation from Kabul had brought. How unique glitter is it giving? How elegant is the golden umbrella looking in the hands of the devotee?
At short distances guards are posted and are watchful.
The decorations done by the devotees, although look worldly but since they are done out of love and devotion they appear heavenly.
The sun has risen higher. The musicians started playing the trumpets of Kashmir. The moment the music was heard, the disciples started arriving. The congregations from Sindh, Multan, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Assam, Hissar, Ujjain, Dehradun, Amritsar, Ambala, Jaipur, Kabul, Ludhiana, Rohtak and other
SR! KALGIDHAR CHAMATKAR (VOL-I)
places, nicely dressed and singing divine songs (Kirtan) came one after the other and sat down.
The musicians from all states opened their musical instruments and together sat down.
Those who were appointed seats and those who were appointed preachers and the Cash Collectors all sat down.
And now the 'Guru Ji with the Plume', Magnificent Guru Gobind Singh Ji riding a horse came out of the palace. Ah ha! How graceful is the blue horse? How majestically is he sitting? How handsome is his face? How elegant is the plume decorated on the plain turban? The King of hearts, slim and agile, authenticator, armed, is sitting on the horse with splendour and sheen that is unbearable.
On Magnificent Guru Ji's glimpse again the canons were fired.
After this the entire army fired gunshots in salutation. Now the army bands played a melodious tune of welcome.
Slowly Magnificent Guru Ji reached the garden. The entire congregation stood up with heads bowed and hands folded.
Magnificent Guru Ji got down from the horse.
The entire congregation sang in chorus:
Welcome the gracious Guru Ji who blesses the love-spark that immerses the body soul in the Supreme soul and makes you meet the -Lord.
Then Magnificent Guru Ji sat on the throne and the congregation sang divine songs (Kirtan) in chorus.
Musicians from all states sang divine songs (Kirtan) in extremely exotic melody.
After this everybody presented birthday gifts, some of which we have already mentioned. At this time:
1. First, the prominent personalities from Bedi, Trehan, Bhalla and Sodhi families gave presents. Then the Preachers who were appointed by the ten Guru Sahibs presented themselves.
2. Persons who had suffered agonies and were saved by Guru-disciples and now were in thankfulness were presented.
3. Next were presented lots of dresses, warm clothes, blankets, silken dresses that the disciples brought with extreme love so that Guru Ji may distribute to the needy with his sacred hands.
4. Lots of hand-book copies of Scripture Japu Ji and copies of the Holy Scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji that the devotees had written with their own hands were presented for distribution by the true Guru Ji.
srikXlgidhar chamatkar • (X?6l^1)
5; Then a list of the good work done by devotees at: thfeir :6Wii place of residence in pursuance of Guru Ji's ideals was presented: df * '* w
6. Then horses ff orri distant States and countries for Madfficerit' Guru Ji's %rmf were presented. "* ' f-: :' K': % °
7. The skilled workers from all states who brought swords,- guns and different types of arms and ammunition were presented. * " - - J * ; *'
8. The money saved by the devotees, they offered themselves.
9. ! Next were the orphans that were brought up by devotees.'
10/Maiiy devotees who brought their sons to join the army were presented.
1 1 . The Preaches of religion narrated the work done by themf j
12. After this the poets narrated their poems of devotion and presented copies of the same.
When Triambka Bai sang her devotional songs, then the congregation said: O great Triambka Bai!
At this time, as per instruction of magnificent Guru Ji Bhai Mohkarn Singh Ji announced: We are one family, sons of the 'Guru Ji with the Plume5 and are sitting in his presence. In this love, we are one. At this time there should he none who has any sort of ill will or anger against anyone else. If so then they should stand up, come forward and embrace each other With love. Our heart is a temple of the Lord. We should not let anger or jealously enter in it.
Everybody listened to Bhai Mohkam Singh Ji's announcement but most of the disciples who had come for Guru Ji glimpse had already settled issues as they had a feeling that going for the glimpse of Guru Ji with any bad feeling against anyone is not purposeful. But still one or a few more got up and embraced their brothers and said: Past is forgiven and we are real brothers.
fThe Guru Ji said: Great are my disciples!
Then management side started their work.
1. The disciples who were to prepare the sacred nectar started preparation and distribution. People who wanted to drink the sacred nectar were so large in number that it went on for more than two and a half hours;
2. Meanwhile Magnificent Guru Ji distributed the items brought by the devotees to the preachers and the needy. Some of the dresses* were stitched by Mother Gujri Ji and Mother Sundri Ji themselves with their own hands.
3. Next the hand-books of Scripture were distributed. In these ; was one handbook written by him self. He ordered that Sri Guru Ji; Grdnth Sahib be placed iri a Gurdwara.
4. Horses were distributed to cavalry soldiers. ;
5. Some arrhs were distributed. The rest were kept iri the fort.
6. The young who drank the sacred nectar and wished to join the army were given jobs in the army.
7. Some were selected as trainees to become religious preachers.
8. Everybody got the blessing of Guru Ji.
9. The money was deposited in the treasury.
When all this was over, then the ladies sang divine songs [Kirtan) in chorus.
After this the 'Guru Ji with the Plume' opened the Holy Scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji on the throne and did the conclusion ceremony of 'Complete reading' of the Granth Sahib. This 'Complete reading' was arranged by Mother Gujri Ji in happiness of Guru Ji's birthday.
After the conclusion ceremony, the scripture Japu Ji was recited thenArti and Scripture Anand Sahib and then prayer and sacred sweet was served side by side. The congregation sang divine songs [Kirtari] in chorus.
Then the congregation dispersed. Everybody had lunch and rested.
In the afternoon, devotees thronged at the plain open ground. The Hockey players and Cricket players played their games. The other games like swordsmen with wooden swords showed their skills, the Arrow shooters showed their skills. Other players played other games like Javelin throw etc.
After this the army made two groups and displayed mock fighting.
In these programs it became evening. It was time for recitation of the Scripture Rehras. Then the congregation had dinner and then the fire crackers.
All over Anandpur every house lit candles in celebration of the birthday of 'Guru Ji with the Plume'.
At night disciples went on with the divine singing of songs [Kirtari) at different centres near their homes. Next morning was the conclusion ceremony of the full reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in the large hall of audience.
Dr. Abutrab drank the sacred nectar was named Dusht Daman Singh. He became in charge of the horses' stable of Guru Ji and forgot going back. He resigned his job and rest of his life, he spent in recitation of the Lord's name, meditation, doing goodness to others and service of the Horses' stable with love. He became too devoted to Guru Ji. So much so that he expressed affection and love to Guru Ji's horses. When a horse came back in the stable after Guru Ji's ride, then he would become emotional and with eyes full of tears say: O you are great that you have made your life fruitful in giving a ride to Magnificent Guru Ji. Thanks to the Lord that Guru Ji has made me high by giving me this service to his horses.
Gulaba couple drank the sacred nectar and were named Hira Singh and
Harwant Kaur and kept on with gardening in the company of Bhai Kesra Singh Ji.
Triambka Bai took charge of the orphanage. She was named Seoti Kaur. Her son was named Kanshijeet Singh. He became a valiatnt and sacrificed his life in one of the battles.
In this way, the 'Guru Ji with the Plume' lived with his honourable nature 'Whosoever takes refuge is loved'.
The map shows the picture of a two thousand kilometre long river on a few inches paper. Neither the water is there nor the flow but the viewer with the artistic lines imagines the water and flow.
In this way, we hope that the people with inner vision shall see the image of the Magnificent 'Guru Ji with the Plume', the benevolent, in his graciousness as also the emotions of the devotees on the birthdays.
o o o o