After bidding farewell to the Queen of Raipur the Guru came to Manak Tabra where he had camped. A Gurdwara exists here. He departed from here and next halted at Toda Village. In the evening, it was time to attend the assembly where divine songs were sung.
The Guru while going to the assembly saw one meditative sitting in meditation under a tree, the Guru came near and stood there, looking at him. In a few moments the meditative opened his eyes. He felt as if Sri Krishna is standing. He thought that his meditation has fructified. Sri Krishna has come. Impatiently, he got up and clamped the Guru's feet
The Guru pulled his bow from his shoulder and moved its tip on the saint's back. As he moved the tip the meditative felt cool. Even after years of meditation he had not felt this ecstasy that he got from this touch. After a few moments the Guru put his bow back on his shoulder, bent a little and with his right hand lifted him by the shoulder, made him stand and asked: O dear meditative! What do you seek?
Meditative; O Lord! I do not know what do I seek? Distressed in the family, I became a recluse. Then, I practiced Hath yoga. One saint said that by Hath yoga one becomes god Shiva. I never got any happiness. Then, I consulted other saints but they also suggested meditation. But up to this day neither I became god Shiva nor did I meet the Lord. Today, O Lord you have come. My meditation has borne fruit. Your touch has given some miraculous ecstasy. O Lord you are great! O Lord you are great!
Guru: O meditative! I am a servant of the Supreme Lord. But I am immersed in His love. His love is there in my touch. His name is His form that gives ecstasy. That is why you got a sensation of His presence in my touch.
SRi KALGIDHAR CHAMATKAR (VOL - i)
Your meditation has not fructified. In your meditation it is your true longing for the Lord in your heart that has borne fruit Yes! Meditation is not bad if the aim is correct. If the aim is not correct, if there is no longing to meet the Lord, if there is no love for the Supreme Lord, if the love does not result in remembrance, if the remembrance does not give pangs, then what is the use of meditation? Whatever meditation you do, it shall only give discomfort and pain to the body. If you do not get company of an enlightened saint but meet an intellectual, then you might go to Benares and learn the Vedas and Philosophy and become knowledgeable. Even then, you shall remain away from the Lord because you did not have the aim to meet the Lord. The mind remained in the superficial knowledge of the scripture. The inclination of the mind towards religion did not become love. The love did not become remembrance. The remembrance did not give pangs. Then the real aim that was to meet the Lord remained set aside. So! Whatever knowledge you gained kept you in forgetfulness of the Lord. If one gets the company of somebody who believes in good deeds, then he will tell you that the prime good deed is charity. Then one keeps on giving charities and loses money but does not reach the Lord. The mind was not in remembrance of the Lord. The charity was not given in the name of the Lord. There was no pang of love for the Lord. The arrow was not aimed to meet the Lord. After giving charity one lost all and from giver became a beggar. O dear meditative! One who has the aim to meet the Lord, who has imbibed love of the Lord, remembrance of the Lord, he has met the Lord. One who has not loved the Lord, his meditation has gone waste.
Listening to these words, the meditative mind awakened as if from slumber. The mind that had got concentration from meditation understood the correct aim and path to meet the Lord. The glimpse of the true Guru created a wavy sensation of the presence of the Lord in his body. The glimpse again and again gave ecstasy. His body soul got immersed in the Supreme soul. Ke got so engrossed that he could not speak even.
The gracious Guru bestowed love on him by moving his hand on his head. Head bent, he stood on his knees.
It was evening. In solitude, tranquillity prevailed. It was time of meeting of day and night in the form of evening. It was time when wish and grace came face to face.
It was time for meeting of meditative and the bestowal of grace. It was time for meeting of 'desire to know' and the 'giver of knowledge'. It was time for meeting of a spread lap and filling it with Name of the Lord. It was time
for meeting of 'the lover5 and beloved. It was time for the meetrvj-of body soul and Supreme soul. It was time for meeting of disciple-soul and the Gurusoul.
The meditative is immersed in Guru-soul that is always immersed in the Supreme soul.
In the assembly the divine singing (Kirtan) finished. Everybody was anxious why the true Guru has not reached. They prayed everything should be all right.
Here, like a tidal wave having crossed sandy dunes, the Guru-sea is leaping forward to receive the disciple-river arriving after enduring hardships, obstructions, hindrances, bumps, thuds and falls. His wrist is resting on the shoulders of the meditative and giving him coolness, making his mind crystal and giving him sensation of the presence of the Lord in mind, heart and body.
In a sudden glimpse the meditative is swaying in love of the Lord.
The pious meditative is reciprocating in love and the Guru is enjoying the love coming from him.
Please! Great! Magnificent! Guru Gobind Singh! Bless that this glimpse of bestowal of love ever remains in the heart of your devotees. Great/ Magnificent Guru Gobind Singh! Great/ Magnificent Guru Gobind Singh/
The night passed as it passes since millions of years when man was not bom on earth and since when he was bom.
It was before daybreak that the musicians finished singing of divine songs.
The moment the singing finished, the beating of drum indicated departure.
The message of the drum became highlighted. It said: O Unmindful! You have to depart. Where you spent the night was not a permanent place of residence. It was a temporary stay. O Passengers! Saints of the Lord! Get up. We have to move.
Yes! O dear! Those who realized the world as perishable, they only remembered the Lord. Those who considered this temporary stay as permanent remained in the forgetfulness of the Lord.
When the beating of the drum stopped, the party started the journey. The Camel riders were in the front then other members of the party followed and on the handsome graceful horse rode Magnificent Beloved Guru Gobind Singh.
One hand is carrying a sword. The other hand is distributing the Lord's name.
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On one shoulder hangs the bow and on the other shoulder hangs the invisible bag of graciousness to allay the suffering of the people.
Moving slowly they reached Nada before noon. Kere lunch was already fixed. Devotees had already assembled with gifts to have his glimpse. Prominent persons of the village waited to receive the Saint-soldier Guru who had won victory over the combined army of the rulers of hill states. They desired friendship with him.
When the true Guru arrived everybody welcomed him with gifts. The Guru met everyone with love and blessed them the Lord's name. Food was served. Everybody ate the Guru's blessed food. Rich and poor all were served food.
The giver of nourishment to the world himself ate lunch. Then he rested for a little while. Before evening they departed.
The next halt was at Dhakoli. Here, they stayed for the night. The Guru's tent was fixed about half a kilometre north of the village. Here also, the devotees assembled in large numbers. Many more people came to have his glimpse. The arrangement for stay, food and other comforts and fodder for the horses was very nice. Early in the morning the musicians sang divine songs [Kirtan). Sacred sweet was served when the singing finished. Then the congregation of Dhakoli made a prayer that there is shortage of water here.
Magnificent Guru listened to them and said: O dear! Guru Nanak's house is a house of benevolence. He gives milk, curd, butter, what to say of water?
Saying this, he got up and started walking as if strolling. The congregation followed. At one place he stopped and pierced the ground with the spear that was in his hand: Water flowed out from there. The congregation felt wondrous.
A cool and sweet voice of O Great Guru! C Great Guru came out of every heart. Then, Magnificent Guru gave some money for constructing a proper well.
In the afternoon they departed.
Moving some distance they arrived at Nabha. Magnificent Guru and party were passing through the open lands when a congregation of Kambo disciples met singing divine songs [Kirtan) with cymbals and drums. They prayed to the Guru and made him stay there for the night. They served dinner with so much love and devotion. The Guru appreciated their love and blessed them the Lord's name.
He said to them: Do not worship stone idols or other created things (like sun or moon). Remember the Lord incessantly.
Then, one ascetic who had studied the Hindu scriptures spoke: In Gita, it is written: Take refuge of Lord Krishna. Shall we worship him as a prophet?
The Guru smiled and said: O dear! Fall at the feet of the Supreme Lord. The Supreme Lord is above everybody. He is above birth and death. He is above gods. He is the Supreme God He is the Supreme Master of all. He is faultless. Guru Nanak has ordered worship of the Supreme Lord.
Ascetic: Magnificent Guru! Then how shall we remember Him who is without form? Guru: O Dear! The world is enticed by ego and desires and is in the forgetfulness of the Lord. First you awake your mind from that sleep. Family man is in desires for his wife, son and wealth. Ascetic is in desire for fame that he has more followers. Everybody, whether he is a family man or ritualistic or a recluse or a Pandit is in desires and passions under some pretext or some excuse. When the mind is thinking of passions and other worldly desires, then what remembrance of Lord can he do? His mind is engrossed in whate/er he is doing. How shall he remember the unseen Lord. So, O dear! First awaken your mind from this sleep of sentiment and desires. This will go if you keep Holy Company. Then you will know what is perishable and what is imperishable. Then you will realize that these worldly desires are the veil between us and the Lord.
Ascetic: Then should we practice the rituals of Pandits. Is this the path?
Guru: No dear! These rituals that the Pandit prescribes trap you in superstitions. They do not take you to the palace of the Lord. If you wish salvation then you do the Spiritual work.
Ascetic: O respected Guru! What is that Spiritual work?
Guru: Recitation of the Lord's name incessantly. This is Spiritual work. This is the prime work. This is the prime worship. This is recitation but this is the prime remembrance. O dear! The remembrance of the faultless is recitation of His name. I do not remember any other worship. / remember His name in my mind Says, Nanak
But the stipulation is that side by side refrain yourself from vices. First turn yourself away from big sins. Then control your niind from bodily passions and vices. The mind is controlled by reasoning and good thoughts and strictness. The recitation of the Lord's name washes the dirt of vices on the mind. Also it turns the inclinations of the mind away from indulging further in vices. Then it turns the mind towards the Lord. In this way, with this sacred work one's mind becomes crystal. To remain in vices is being un-religious. Un-religious is indulging in vices. Vices are the dirt. Religiousness is crystal consciousness. The dirt of vices is washed by Spiritual work. What is that spiritual work? Recitation of "THE LORD'S NAME5'.
Ascetic: Then shall we get knowledge or meet the Lord?
Guru: Do not go into un-necessary argumentation and pettifogging and do not put people in that. You cleanse your mind with recitation of the Lord's name. Then you preach. You tell the people not to indulge in sins. Do not indulge in anything that is un-religious. Awaken your mind from the sleep of worldly desires. Remain in the incessant remembrance of the Lord. Remember that he sees you all the time. Remember that He is the savoir Lord, father, mother and loving Lord. Recite His name with affection towards him. Imbibe His name deep in your heart. What shall happen then? Your mind will become crystal. You will not indulge in vices. When you won't indulge in vices, then the fears, anxieties, sufferings and illnesses will go. Along with other sufferings the biggest suffering that is the cycle of births and deaths will also vanish. You shall get out of the cycle of births and deaths. When the fear is gone then you will get dyed in the love of the Lord. That will give you ecstasy and rapture. O dear! K you are interested in your salvation, then this is the path. If you wish to do goodness to the world, then this is the way. This path is not counting of mangoes. This is relishing the luscious mangoes. This covers everything like knowledge, devotion, yoga, meditation, worship.
To get the sensation of the Lord in your mind, heart and body, the path is to refrain from vices, awaken-ness from the intoxication of desires and incessant recitation and remembrance of the Lord's name. Recite the name with love incessantly.
After the discourse, the benevolent Guru like a comforting breeze left this place and blessed many people on the way, halting somewhere, moving ahead, spent the afternoon at Ghanola where he had stayed earlier while going to Paonta.
By evening, he reached Kotla near Ropar. Here, the Pathan Chieftains were very hospitable to him. They did not let him depart. They made him stay in their village and served him with extreme love. When the Guru left, he gifted them one spear and shield.
Moving from here, he reached Kiratpur. Many people as also his relatives came to receive him. Both grandsons of Guru Hargobind, Gulab Singh and Sham Singh came to welcome the true Guru. The true Guru went to the house of Guru Hargobind accompanied by the congregation. He sat in meditation in remembrance of his grand-father. Having met him in meditation, he got up in devotion, said prayers and then sacred sweet was served. The entire congregation felt ecstatic.
The night he stayed at Kiratpur. All family members and the congregation rejoiced. Early next morning, the true Guru decided to depart. He rode on
Prasadi elephant. The valiant rode on horses, some in front and some in rear. The true Guru travelled slowly and reached Anandpur.
When we read the line Anandpur colonized anew then we get an impression that the Guru colonized this town now. But it is not so. The ninth Guru himself colonized this town. The tenth Guru went to Paonta leaving it as a flourishing town. The Guru has used the word colonized that means that after he left the town, the hustle -busde waned, many people left but still some habitation was there, the villagers around bought wholesale merchandise from here. The Guru had also left some of his men here. But now he came and made it a hustiing-busding town again. He got constructed new buildings such as fort etc and colonized it anew.
The city hustled-bustled with devotees even before he reached Anandpur, first were the people who had settled earlier and were left back, secondly, Maternal Uncle had reached with a big caravan. Thirdly, people from the nearby villages came to welcome and have a glimpse of the Guru. Fourthly, devotees coming from different places came to know that the Guru has gone to Anandpur. They also dashed to Anandpur.
There was so much gaiety and enthusiasm for the reception of the Guru at Anandpur. Water was sprinkled on the roads in the town and leading to the town so that no dust should rise when the true Guru arrived. Thousands of men and women lined up the road in the town and outside the town. At many places devotees stood with baskets of rose petals to shower on the true Guru. As he moved forward he responded to the greetings and devotion and blessed everyone.
Then he got down from the elephant and walked down to the shrine of his dear father-Guru. With eyes closed he remembered his father-Guru and his unique sacrifice.
Then he walked four times round the shrine, said prayers and sacred sweet was served. Then he went to his old palace, the entire family ate food together and rested. In the afternoon he got ready and came to the audience hall.
He sat in the audience hall till evening. He blessed everyone and fulfilled their wishes. He allayed their sufferings. He blessed the Lord's name to everyone. When he left everybody bowed till he crossed the gate. Then the mine of benevolence Guru went to his palace and relaxed.
When the devotees came to know that the Gum has left the distant hilly land and has now come to Anandpur, then they flocked to Anandpur. Devotees kept coming and up to Deepavli their number became uncountable. The
congregation for the Deepavli celebration was uncountable. The offering that came was uncountable.
The Guru started spending the money with the aim that he had in his mind i.e. to imbibe the love of the Lord and to make their minds strong so that people are able to break the shackles of slavery and stand on their own feet.
From amongst the devotees who had come to Anandpur, he started recruiting selected young men for the army and trained them in the use of weapons. Thus he paved the way for bringing up a handsome, befitting and strong army. There would be none who would defect at the last moment or were not true to one's salt. Not true to one's salt means not true to one's employer. Such persons would not deceive and join the enemy as it happened at Paonta.
Equipment was needed for the army. Factories were set up to manufacture arms and ammunition, swords, guns, bullets, small cannons, big cannons, pincers, other implements and all such things were to be manufactured here. In case of war, forts, armories, cannon sites on battlements were required. Sites were selected and construction work started. The Guru engaged skilled workers for all these jobs.
It became necessary to have a market place in the town where so much activity had to happen so that everything would be available easily. Site for a market place was selected and construction work started.
In this way the hustle-bustle increased enormously and the population kept on growing tremendously. The Guru bought horses from distant places in large numbers. Leather factories came up for manufacturing the harness and saddles for the horses. Along with this he invited learned men and writers.
Whenever a fair was held, books of scripture were written and distributed in thousands to the congregation who came to the fair.
Pandits and highly educated teachers where appointed to impart education to the disciples. Not only Pandits, even Persian teachers were appointed.
Tailors, dyers, painters, iron -smiths, carpenters were employed for various jobs.
The Guru wished that along with spirituality the people should be brave and strong. Both the ideals were pursued with great fervor at Anandpur.
The army that came up now was strong and powerful. Stories of heroic deeds of past heroes were narrated to them to imbibe bravery in them. These stories were mostly in poetry and were called vaars. The musicians sang these vaars and filled the minds of the soldiers with valor. Then the soldiers were given lessons on intelligence and diplomacy. They were educated to understand things properly so that they would not be deceived. Anything that is thought
out from different angles is justified and one comes to a certain conclusion is called diplomacy. The Guru advocated diplomacy with honesty. Meaning: One should save one's self from a difficult situation with cleverness but in no way leave truth. One should not resort to hypocrisy, lies or deception of any kind. In this way the soldiers were told to be steadfast on the religious path and shy away from sinful acts at all times. For this purpose discourses were given and they were told to recite the scripture and understand the meanings and then more importantly go on the path that the scripture tells us. The devotees were made to understand the real aim of this human life and the reason why the Lord has sent us to this world.
A Guru-disciple should always do goodness to others. He should not be proud. If he has to die for the sake of religion or respect, he should not hesitate. He should not deceive anyone nor make anyone suffer.
The scripture tells us that the Lord's name is everything. Recitation of Name makes you meet the Lord. The Guru said the same what Guru Nanak had said:
Recite the Lord's name with love Give charity
Keep the body and mind clean Imbibe the Lord's name in the mind and do not let lies and deception come near.
These make the mind dirty. When the mind is clean, then one gets ecstasy while reading the Holy Scripture. One relishes the recitation of Name. One is enthused to go goodness to others.
Now with this Name, charity and cleanliness the Guru added bravery that was initially enthused by his grand-father Guru Hargobind.
Guru Hargobind said: Forgiveness is first bravery. Charity is second bravery.
If needed give your life for the sake of religion. This is the third bravery.
But the fundamental is recitation of the Lord's name.
The soldiers imbibed this ideal and the spirit of sacrifice in them. They were always in high spirits with mind attuned to the Lord. The result was that devotees came to Anandpur from far off places carrying their own arms and money and offered their services and were ready to sacrifice their lives. The victory in the battle of Bhangani made them more courageous and the fear of tyrant soldiers was gone.
In this way, the Guru was successful in his efforts. The devotees who came to have his glimpse carried swords when they came. They came with courage and fought when any hindrance came on their way.
Where the town is new and open land is not enough, then the local needs like fodder for the horses have to be met locally. However, arms and ammunition was mostly coming from outside.
The soldiers went for hunting in the nearby forests, made mock fights, target shooting and other drills and engaged themselves in other exercises but when it came to buying fodder, most of the shopkeepers would take money and sell but some refused to sell even when money was offered. The soldiers had no option but to use arms to buy things and pay. Then the shop-keepers would go and make complaint to the rulers. The news of the Guru raising a large army also reached the rulers.
The Minister of King Bhim Chand was a pious man and he always thought that the King should have good relations with the Guru. He understood the Guru's ideal that the Guru wished nothing for himself. His ideal is only to make the subjects free from the rule of tyranny of the invaders. He wished that the rulers should befriend the Guru and have good relations with him.
He understood the greed of grabbing of the rulers. Personally, he was sure that if the Guru succeeds it shall be for the good of all of us. He understood that although there are many kings in India but their short-sightedness, selfishness and jealousy is the root cause of slavery for the people. That is the reason why they do not have a united strength. When the complaints against the Guru's men reached the King's ears, then he explained to the King: We have already seen the Guru's strength when we lost in the battle at Bhangani. Now the Guru has come to his own town and living in high spirits. To create and raise an army is not his purpose. He is a prophet of the Lord. But he is moved by the suffering of the people due to their weakness of mind. He is infusing valour in them so that if need be people should sacrifice their lives for the honour of the country. He is neither our enemy nor jealous of our kingdom. This is certain. Then, why should we be hostile seeing his growing strength? We should see his strength useful for us. We should be diplomatic. Not to befriend him so much that the Muslim rulers may doubt. But we should have no friction with him. Having lost in the battle at Bhangani we feel the situation requires a solution. We can fight again or make a lasting and good friendship. This friendship can come to our rescue in difficult times. Aurangzeb is busy fighting in the south. Sometimes we are unable to pay the taxes. We may be in difficulty sometimes. Then, this friendship shall be a source of help.
All told, the King agreed to the suggestion of the minister to foster friendship with the Guru and in that line of action sent his Minister with lots of gifts to the Guru. On reaching Anandpur the Minister was accorded a welcome with
respect and a meeting was fixed. In the meeting he explained to the Guru that even for small skirmishes, the king is incited with slander and a biased feeling is created in his mind. The King himself wants friendship.
Then he was told the true facts from the Guru's side by maternal uncle and Guru himself.
The Minister was already aware of the true facts but even then he was told that the Guru has no animosity with anyone. It was from the King's side that threats came and we went and settled at Paonta. But it was the kings who provoked. The kings took along large armies under the guise of marriage and then threatened to pass through Nahan state. Then your king incited King Fateh Shah who had become our friend and overstepped social norms with our men who were invited to attend the marriage and our men were able to return safely with great difficulty. Then while returning, all kings got together and attacked us. In self-defence the Guru's soldiers had to fight back and ycu lost the battle and accepted defeat. Even after victory we never overstepped social norms. We are staying in our own acquired territory and not giving suffering to anyone. The devotees come here in large numbers and by keeping the army the town has flourished and your subjects are becoming prosperous and your income has increased. What is unjust that your king feels pain and agony?
Then the Minister said: The King wishes to come and meet you. Thp Guru listened to the Minister and said: The King is welcome with pleasure.
The Minister departed and after a few days the .King accompanied by two hundred soldiers came to Anandpur. Proper hospitality was provided to him. Next day the King came to the Guru's hall of audience to have his glimpse.
The Guru being on a Spiritual seat there was no cause to feel embarrassment in bending low. In the Guru's hall of audience everyone including kings, ministers, rich, poor, people in high jobs, merchants, all came and it was never considered low.
The King also came with gifts and met with respect. He was accompanied by his Minister and Army General and courtiers and from the Guru's side uncle Kirpal Chand, Nand Chand and other prominent persons brought him in.
In the audience hall the King presented gifts and bowed. The Guru welcomed him with respect and asked his welfare. Then more topics came up. The Guru explained to him that our men do not ask for anything more than grass and fodder and that also on payment.
King Bhim Chand was greatly impressed by the Guru's graceful talk. The King also said that the disciples who come to have your glimpse will be looked after well while passing through his territory.
This indicated that the disciples while passing through the territory of King Bhim Chand were treated unfairly. Since the disciples were now brave and armed, some conflicts might have happened. These must have been told to the King in a malicious way to poison the ears of the King.
Now it was made clear to the King that the unfair treatment meted to the disciples is from your men.
Then the King agreed that he shall look into it. In this way the King extended his hand of friendship which the Guru reciprocated and he departed.
The Guru got busy in his work that was to allay the suffering of humanity. The Lordseekers and meditative as well as disciples came almost every day from far and distant places to have his glimpse and blessings. The divine singing [Kirtan) went on in the morning and evening. The Guru gave discourses and with grace imbibed the Lord's name in the disciples' mind. People recited the Lord's name with love and got the sensation of the presence of the Lord in their mind, heart and body. They felt ecstasy in the Lord's name.
Anandpur became a Lord's town. Schools of learning came up and Anandpur became a hub for education. This was a time when Anandpur was at its peak for enthusiasm, zeal, fervour, happiness, love, joy, activity, and most importantly Spirituality.
The disciples came with enthusiasm from long distances and every house resounded with:
0 Great Magnificent Guru Gobind Singh! Saviour of the world!
The Guru got four buildings constructed so that if a war is forced on us then these shall be used as stores for ammunition and shall be a great advantage as forts.
The names of these are Anandgarh, Lohgarh, Keshgarh, Fatehgarh. Anandgarh, however, was the biggest and strongest.
Words of bravery and war and heroic deeds were created in poetry. Musicians sang these songs and filled the minds of the soldiers with valour. The musicians sang these songs while standing. While in the case of divine singing, the musicians sat down and sang.
Translators were called in to translate literature from Sanskrit to Hindi so that people could understand.
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