When the seventh Guru Ji left for his heavenly abode, then the eighth true Guru Ji after occupying the seat of Guru-ship shortly left for Delhi and after sometime left this earthly abode. The ninth Guru Ji stayed in Assam and neighbouring countries for a long time. The tenth Guru Ji sat on the Guru-seat and got occupied in gigantic tasks.
The Preachers-cum-Cash Collectors of Guru Ji erred in their duties.
Really speaking the Preachers-cum-Cash Collectors were ideal men of high character whom the congregation revered due to their singing of divine songs (Kirtan), devotion and doing good to others. They were made to sit on a high seat. They devoted their entire lifetime in service for Guru Ji. If one was a celibate then he did not make any property. If he was married and a family man, then he lived satiated in contentment. The Cash Collectors were those who had imbibed the Lord's name in their heart. Their character was very high. They imbibed the Lord's name in others. They were true ideal men. They collected the offerings from the congregation and deposited the same in Guru Ji's treasury. At the time mentioned above many old aged had died. Some of the Cash Collectors became greedy and showed their back to Guru Ji and harassed the devotees. That is why Magnificent 'Guru Ji with the Plume' dismissed the existing Cash Collectors and asked the devotees to send offerings direct to Guru Ji's treasury. The offerings that devotees were making to the Cash Collectors under duress, Guru Ji turned it to offerings with love and devotion.
At that time there were still some Cash Collectors who were honest and devoted. When Guru Ji called them, many did not come.
SRI KALG1DHAR CHAMATKAR (VOL-i)
Then Guru Ji ordered, "Catch them and bring them". He blessed those who were honest and devoted. The story of one such Cash Collector is given below:
Bhai Feru Ji was Cash Collector for a region between the rivers Ravi and Satluj. He did not present himself to Guru Ji on the first call Actually, the orders did not reach him.
On the second order of Guru Ji he immediately accompanied the devotees who had come to take him to Guru Ji. The devotees were respectful to him but he said that you tie my hands and pull me by my beard and take me.
The devotees did not dare to do that but himself he Dulled his beard and walked all the way to Guru Ji. When he reached the hall of audience of the true Guru Ji, there also he stood with beard pulled.
The complaint against him was that he has misappropriated the offerings since some years. The true Guru Ji looked at him. Love swelled in his mind. Again he looked towards him graciously. He closed his eyes then opened after a few moments.
He got up and embraced Bhai Feru Ji and said, "You have been sending me all the offerings. I received all. Who has caught you and brought you here? You are not Feru. You are Bhai Feru Ji 'True like your beard5.
Somebody softly said: O true Guru Ji! He has sent nothing.
The True Guru Ji replied: I received it direct.
Then Guru Ji said: He has been spending the entire offerings for the benefit of the poor. For himself he just ate from Guru Ji's Kitchen. Once I told him that the money spent for the poor comes to Guru Ji's treasury. He acted on that.
Bhai Feru Ji was an extreme devotee, extremely desire-less for self and was always immersed in Guru-love. He saw Guru Ji in the congregation. He wrote poetry also that is not traced entirely.
The 'Guru Ji with the Plume' himself with his own hands tied a turban round his head and gave him the honour of Bhai Feru Ji 'True like his beard5.
After being thus honoured he stayed in his region and blessed thousands of people with the Lord's name. He remained steadfast in Guru-Love and service to humanity till the end.
o o o o