By the Master’s guidance are ended doubts, fear and attachment. Thus, saith Nanak, is attained the supreme joy.
Suhas was lying unconscious on a bed. Her eyes were closed and her breath was weak. Baba Naudh Singh Ji’s wife, whom subhag called mother, was sitting beside herandfanning. her face. The doctor, after his leave had gone to rejoin his duty. Baba Naudh Singh Ji was also away to another village. At home there were the elderly lady, her obedient son, his wife and subhag. As Subhag Ji was unconscious, the Baba’s son had gone to call the physician from the neighbouring village.
Though the old lady was not sad, yet she was mindful of subhag. Her heart was at peace and full of love and she was reciting the Psalm of PeaceSukhmani. Often she felt Subhag Ji’s pulse and opened her eyelids to see her state of health. At times she put the fan down and massaged her calves and thighs and this elicited from Subhag Ji a moan and momentarily it appeared that she was regaining consciousness. But soon she relapsed into the unconscious state. The mother often opened her locked jaw and put some water into her mouth, but she could not gulp it. Sometimes the mother put wet bandages on her forehead, but all efforts to revive her were fruitless, vain. Seeing no alternative, she started reciting Gurbani. She wished that Subhag Ji would regain consciousness, but at the same time she was afraid that Subhag Ji’s end was near. The idea of her death made her pray, “Lord ! Let this child be as you wish, let her soul remain in tune with you.”
Lord! save us from the hour of torment Remember your way of grace.
With strength of your own save your servant, And with each breath cherish him.
She folded her hands. Her whole body adopted the posture of obeisance and she recited in a melodious voice:
My heart to God’s lotus feet is attached.
Lord, Ocean of Joy, confer on me the supreme state,
To your sash you have attached your servant state, While singing your praise has come joy of devotion Lord, ocean of grace to fill my being, that nothing else! behold.
Prayeth Nanak, to your servant grant union,
And may your servant know no diminution of love.
Then she opened her eyes, moved the fan with her hands, wiped the sweat from Subhag Ji’s forehead and continued the melodious recitation of Gurbani. Once again she feared that subhag might die, but then she thought, “In case she dies, she will go to God’s abode. This separation will not be forever. Iam also to go there. If we are to be united ultimately, then why this anxiety and worry? I do not say that this should not happen and that should. I look for God's grace. Yes, I wish that being a noble soul, she should live and give us company in our congregation. But Lord! If you will otherwise, let her accept your will. I pray to you to let her be in tune with you. She is unconscious, but let her remember you with each breath.”
The Divine Friend is standing close by The Divine Beloved with my eyes have I beheldThe ambrosial Beloved pervasive in all beings, have I beheld. The thoughtless ones realize not His presence _ Close to ourselves. Man intoxicated by Maya and caught in illusion, finds not union. saith Nanak, The Lord close to us without the Master’s guidance is not beheld.
Wrapped in these thoughts she completed the recitation of Sukhmani. By this time the physician arrived. He felt Subhag Ji’s pulse and also examined her locked jaw. He looked ~ into her eyes noted her pulse and after thoroughly examining her, said, “She is out of danger. There is nothing to worry. She seems to have fallen into a trance and, as a result, she has lost consciousness. You are pious people. God is gracious. Soon she will be well.” The physician put some medicine between her teeth, loosened the locked jaw and sprinkled some rosewater on her face. He advised that she should be given a good massage. The old woman did as she was told. Subhag Ji cried, her whole body convulsed. Following the massage, she regained consciousness. She surveyed her surroundings and said, “Holy Nanak, I am yours, protect me. Lord! I seek your shelter.”
After a few moments when Subhag Ji was about to shut her eyes again, the mother came forward and said, ‘Daughter, you are with me, you are under the grace of God. Let there be no fear in your mind. This surprized Subhag Ji. In achoked voice she
- uttered, ‘Mother! Mother!’ She tried in vain to lift her arms to
embrace her. The mother understood her desire and she came to sit by Subhag Ji’s pillow, placed her head in her own lap and said tenderly, “You are blessed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, no fear can come near you. Be brave. A Sikh is never afraid of anything.” This encouraged Subhag Ji and she entered into the following conversation with the mother:
Subhag Ji— Whereis Baba Ji?
Mother— He is expected any moment.
subhag— Where is brother?
Mother— Son, come and show yourself to your sister.
Brother— Sister, you are in your own home. We are near you.
Subhag Ji— That is fine. lam glad that 1am among my own people.
Physician— It will be better if you keep quiet for some time.Let the medicine work, then you will gain enough strength to speak with ease. (Looking towards the old lady) She has
experienced something shocking and the depression has weakened her physically and mentally. Soon she will regain -her strength. :
The village physician stayed for a couple of hours. When subhag had fully regained her senses and had taken a cup of milk, the physician took leave after advising the patient not to exert or talk too much. He advised complete rest. The rest of the day and night passed uneventfully. Subhag Ji slept soundly and the next day she was all right but for some weakness in her legs as she felt some difficulty in walking.
The Baba was expected any moment. The Bdba’s wife was unable to understand why and how and what sort of shock had Subhag Ji undergone when God was there to protect them. But she thought it wiser not to broach the subject as she found that Subhag Ji fumbled when she tried to say something. - Understanding her feelings she reassured Subhag Ji and tried to keep her mind away from the past. All the same she herself was anxious to know the cause of Subhag Ji’s trouble. -
Two more days passed before Baba Naudh Singhreturned Ji. He listened to the whole story of Subhag Ji’s falling unconscious. He comforted Subhag Ji, encouraged her and said, “Listen my child, our Guru Ji has said that we should neither fear anybody nor cause fear to anybody. You seem to have been terrorstricken and terrified. By being afraid we make ourselves subject to the power of others and become helpless. A person is not comforted by words. By contemplating God, we are strengthened and thereby rid ourselves of fear. A person then becomes fearless. A Sikh has to guard against falling prey to fear. Ifa pious person does not fear others and does not cause fear to others; and in all circumstances keeps God in mind, he always enjoys spiritual bliss and peace of mind. But man is powerless and helpless. He is often tempted either by allurements or enmity, fears or illusions, and is left in a state of bewilderment. Our mind receives the impression of one whom we love. If such a person is in distress, his state of mind affects ours. If we have ill-will towards somebody, his mind is also affected by ours. Similarly hostility in the mind of another
person towards us affects us. If we fear somebody, his mind’s reflection supresses our own mind. Not to speak of only our mind, our body also falls sick. Dear daughter, those who trust in God are
Free from rancour,
Free from fear,
Free from infatuation, and Free from illusion.
A godly person’s mind is always in tune with the Almighty. He is always in high spirits and a state of bliss. A blissful mind is one which transcends all contradictions and doubts. Such a mind is free from all pressures. Itisnotaffected by the problems of this world, because it is one with the Supreme Being, and since it is always in the company of God, it is free from all fears and conflicts and is in a state of eternal joy. My child, sincere prayer is always a rewarding experience.”
- “It takes away all baseness from the human mind and liberates him who prays, from egoism and pride. One who provides a true proof of a sincere prayer surrenders himself to God and His will. The true proof of a sincere prayer is limitless and timeless joy. My child, true prayer ennobles us from within and makes us bloom and become self-reliant. It does not mean that one becomes an inanimate stone by being liberated from all influences. It means that one is alive, but free from all pulls and stresses. One becomes extremely flexible, kind, full of life and deeply attached to the welfare of others. In other words it means that the mind should be free from all evil pressures. My child, | have now said once again what I had told you earlier. Have you followed me?”
subhag said, “Father, Ihave followed what you have said, now! am free from all fears, but in a moment of crisis I lose my confidence.” The Baba said, “One must try again‘and again. Every shock strengthens us. My child, you have embarked on the golden road of Nam. Now no fear or failure will pull you down. Those who formulate theories only, have in fact no practical knowledge. But those who practise what they say
are the authentic men and women. Those who have chosen the path of truth are free from all egoism, it glows in the glory of God and when it experiences the divine light, it is the strongest . shield to withstand all pressures. But, if, instead of glowing in the glory of God, our mind goes astray and embarks on the path of enmity, infatuation, fear, illusion, jealousy, envy, slander, greed, gluttony andmammon-worship, itisrepeatedly hurt and injured; along with the mind, the body is also bruised. Thatis why when apersonisinitiated into religion, he is thought to be fearless and free from all petty considerations of enmity and hate. He is also instructed in the art of concentrating his mind on the Almighty. Those who are unable to concentrate are repeatedly tortured by petty problems. They do not understand that true joy comes from concentration and complete dedication to the Almighty. So, my child, for eternal bliss, learn to live in the eternal protection of the holy Guru Ji. - Dedicate yourself to Him and enjoy the moral support of the congregation. This will enable you to free yourself from all fears, illusions and depression. While praying our mind should be _ free from all distractions. Itis not a state of egoism, rather it is a state of mind free from all shackles of the ego. When our mind is strong and healthy, it is capable of resisting all mundane pressures.” . Now Subhag Ji had fully recovered and her mind was free from all confusion. The Baba wanted that she should tell him what had frightened her, so that the fear could be eradicated out of her mind for ever. Adeeply hurt mind takes the fear deep down into the unconscious, from where it spurts out on different occasions in various forms. The suppression of fear often leads to fits and swooning. If the person or the sufferer is able to share his fears with someone he trusts and who is also sympathetic in disposition, this neurosis can be cured. The Baba understood this psychological treatment. He wanted that she should tell him her experience only when she found herself strong enough to narrate the chain of events. He knew that the incident must be quite fresh in her mind and she would be able to narrate it in full detail and this way she would be able to
get cathartic relief. The Baba wanted to utilize the occasion to tell her how to overpower such fears in future also. However, the Baba’s wife was not in favour of an early disclosure lest subhag should lose control over herself once again. The Baba had assured his wife that there was no cause for worrying and told her that everything would be all right. The Baba tactfully enquired from Subhag Ji as to what had happened to her. .
subhag said, “Father, when you were away from the village one day I went to the village well. Near it saw fire and a Sadhu who was sweeping the space around the fire-place. I thought that some stranger had stopped there for a few days. With the sole intention of helping the guest! thought of asking him if he needed anything which the village could provide. When I paced towards him, I was stunned to see that he was the same fellow who used to be one of the many followers of the miracle-monger who had claimed that he had divine powers. His sight brought darkness before my eyes and my whole body shivered. I recalled the time when I used to go to - him to ask about my departed husband.I alsorecalled the death of my husband. I was in a state of trance and the figures of my parents and my brother appeared before me. I recalled how I had run for my life. [imagined myself sitting by flowing waters and recalled how that evil man had deceived and cheated me. I felt dizzy and giddy. Numbness gripped my whole body and! felt as if I had been turned to stone. I tried my best to return’ home, but my legs tumed to stone. I tried my best to return home, but my legs trembled and refused to move. wastemified to such an extent that this home, mother, brother, you and everybody who had blessed me and protected me here, went out of my mind. I forgot even God and His grace. I was nonplussed to such an extent that I forgot even the holy Name. The reason was that even in the bushes and plants I could see the peeping face of the evil man who had deceived me. I tried to hide my face with both hands, and tried to move, but fell on the ground. [do not know what happened thereafter.”
The rest of the incident was known to the family. Somebody from the village had informed them that Subhag Ji had been lying
unconscious in a nearby field a short distance from the well. The oldlady and her son went there and broughtSubhag home on a cot. The news regarding two men claiming to have supernatural powers was already making rounds of the village and it was being said that they were showing miracles. But after Subhag Ji’s affliction, the men disappeared in no time. Next day the fire-place was intact, but the miracle-mongers were gone. Somebody said that the police had taken them into custody and someone else remarked that they were detectives and were following somebody, The Baba fully understood the cause of Subhag Ji’s plight. He realized that human beings are after all human beings and when one is bitten once, one is afraid lest the same thing should happen again. But what he could not understand was, when the mind was in tune with the Almighty, how can one lose confidence? He once again tried to reassure Subhag Ji and said “Look, think of the advice given to you by him who had saved you from drowning. His advice was, in this wide world if you are dedicated to God, never, think that you are alone. You must béar truth and faith in your heart and think that God is there to protect you. You must always remember if you have God to protect you, why should you feel disheartened? You lost control over yourself. Your mind and your body suffered the shock and thank God you have been saved from the clutches of death. You should have complete faith in religion. The source of all strength is God's Name which one gets by living in the company of the holy and by attending holy congregations. If you let any idea of fear or greed or enmity or anything related to ‘your ego enter your mind you will feel the pangs of separation from Him. Our Guru Ji has said that egoism and complete submission to His will cannot abide together. God is free from all fears and if you let fear enter your mind, how will you devote yourself to Him? Why did you fear? You had done nothing wrong. Guru Ji has said, Only he is afraid who does wrong to others.’ You should have remained steadfast. If anybody was to fear, the miracle-monger should have feared you because he had sinned against you. God has created fear to punish the sinners and wrong-doers. One whom }
God wishes to reward, blooms in fearlessness”.
subhag said, “Baba Ji, | was terrified that the evil man had followed me even to this place. I did not know which new evil acthe would commit against me.” The Baba said, “Yourreaction was born out of weakness, so it was not right and proper. Earlier you were helpless and you were wandering as a lost person because you had not been blessed with the Name. That is why he succeeded in his evil designs. But now you have the holy Name which is the light which dispels all doubts and darkness. What could that sinner do now? Nowit was his turn to suffer. A sinner is never steadfast. Sinners are not punished by any king or ruler; rather they are condemned by their own sins and they are caught ultimately in a state of helplessness. Godly men live in a state of limitless energy, whereas sinners are ultimately trapped. Had he known that you are here, he would have run away. Who knows your appearance on the scene might be the real cause of his sudden disappearance? He might have recognized you and remembering his own deception he might have run away from this place. One thing is sure his sin must surely be torturing him. A sinner is never at peace’with himself. One who troubles others, sows the seeds of fear in his own mind and sooner or later these seeds grow into a tree which bears the poison to kill the sinner spiritually and physically. Be brave, my child, you are the daughter of the heroic Guru Ji. Why are you afraid of jackals?”
At the end of this discourse the Baba had a hearty laugh and clapped his hands, and with him laughed his wife and their son. Subhag Ji felt physically and spiritually strong. She thought that if she now happened to come across the miraclemonger she would show him his place. She was now strong enough not to be cowed down by him or anybody else.
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