he betrothal ceremony was over. Everybody had a nice
time. Then next moming a congregation was held where Gurbani (Asa Di Var) was recited. Everybody participated in the recitation. After prayers and rituals were completed, Narayan Dass Ji got up with folded hands and said, “It will be very kind of you if an early date is fixed for solemnizing the wedding.” Guru Ji smiled and said in a reassuring manner, “Narayan Dass Ji, why do you worry. There is no problem. Inabout two months time from now we shall visit Dalla to complete the wedding ceremonies. You may go back now to your village to make the necessary preparations.” Narayan Dass Ji and Sain Dass Ji left for their village and on the way they visited Khadoor, Goindwal and Sultanpur. Immediately on reaching Dalla, they started making arrangements. Narayan Dass Ji’s elder daughter Ramo who was Bhai Sain Dass Ji’s wife, helped her mother in the preparation. She was duty bound to extend a helping hand as it was her younger sister’s wedding, more so because her sister was to enter into Guru Ji's family. She was conscious of the fact that nothing but the best things were to be prepared — and selected. The items must be of the highest quality and value because these were to be offered to Guru Ji designate. The prospective brother-in-law, who was the heir apparent to spiritual seat was always before her eyes and upper most in her thoughts. Ramo herself was busy in preparing the nuptial dress for the bride-groom. She was herself full of joy when she thought that her father was a Sikh, her husband too a Sikh and now she was going to become a close relative of Guru Ji. She thanked God for His blessing. The state of mind of Bhai Sain Dass Ji who selected the best possible things was the same. He did not consider Hargobind just a relative of his. He was-more
than his brother-in-law. He was Guru Ji designate. Everybody was totally involved in the preparations for the wedding. Their joys were not mundane but spiritual.
Two months passed with great fanfare. The whole family of Narayan Dass Ji enjoyed the period of hectic preparations. The mother and daughters were busy in preparing the various items for the wedding whereas father and son-in-law were busy in arranging groceries and looking after the arrangements for the stay of the marriage party. Everybody in the village offered his might and material to make the ceremony a grand occasion. A large number of people living in the village were the followers of Guru Ji, so every body was busy in doing something. Everybody was feeling honoured that Guru Ji had accepted the daughter of the village and made her his daughter-in-law. The ladies were busy in their own way. Some one brought head gear. Every woman requested Narayan Dass Ji’s wife to accept her humble offering. The prestige of the village was involved, so, no effort was being spared to make the arrangements fool-proof. Everybody wanted to give some . wedding gift worthy of the occasion. Damodari’s future mother-in-law was the person whom every woman was aiming to please and to be worthy of her love and attention. Narayan Dass Ji’s wife gracefully accepted the gifts on behalf of her daughter and thanked all for the help being rendered to her. She was besides herself with joy to think that it was all due to her worthy daughter that every body was extra gracious towards her.
The period of two months was over. As all were busy in making preparations, the time passed off quickly. On the other side, the bridegroom’s mother Ganga had also.completed all the preparations. Guru Ji headed the marriage party which comprised of close relatives. The marriage party halted first at Khadoor. Bhai Dato Ji, an important personality of the town, joined the marriage party. The next halt was at Goindwal where Guru Ji went to see Bhai Mohan Ji to get his blessings. Bhai Mohan Ji and the members of his family were already with the marriage party. Then the marriage party proceeded in a
procession towards Sultanpur to pay obeisance at the shrines connected with life-events of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. On the next day the marriage procession reached Dalla. The bride’s party was waiting at the outskirts of the village. The bride’s people were singing the psalms commensurate with the occasion. The singing and recitation had made the atmosphere colourful. The marriage party was accorded a warm welcome. Though it was an occasion of wedding yet, it looked as if it was a spiritual gathering. The whole village was echoing with the melodious music and soulful recitation of Gurbani. Every house in the village was decorated for the welcome.
Normally the Sikhs celebrate every occasion with the musical rendering of Gurbani. But the arrival of this marriage party had turned the occasion into a spiritual get together. After receiving the marriage party and after entertaining the guests the hosts requested Guru Ji to sanction some project to commemorate the happy occasion. Guru Ji accepted their request. In that area no camels were available. The people had to walk long distances to fetch water. The water-level was very low. Therefore digging of wells was ofnouse. Atsome places very deep wells with stairs for going down to fetch water, were dug with great effort and expense. Guru Ji decided to solve this chronic problem of the village once and for all. Inthe afternoon Guru Ji selected an appropriate spot and ' Inaugurated the digging. Guru Ji asked Bhai Saloh Ji to stay back to supervise and help in the digging. Every person in the village contributed resources and _ physical labour. The project was completed ahead of schedule. This step-well still stands in commemoration of the fifth Guru Ji's visit and sixth Guru Ji's wedding. This is an evidence how the Guru Sahibs tried to solve the problems of their followers. As long as the marriage party stayed in the village the religious congregation continued and the entertainment of the visitors went on smoothly. The wedding ceremonies were completed as per programme. The mother-in-law blessed the bridegroom. and offered him greetings, gifts and good wishes. The sisterin-law, instead of making the teasing and taunting remarks,
which are a tradition on such occasions to add to the fun and frolic, paid her obeisance and said, “Your visit has pleased us beyond measure. Your visit has proved a boon and blessing.” The mother-in-law was all praise for the bridegroom whereas the sister-in-law was standing in a posture of devotion. Bhai Sain Dass Ji was all smiles. He was overcome with love. The father-in-law Narayan Dass Ji was looking very pleased. Every member of the family wanted to offer his or her obeisance to the bridegroom. Ramo, particularly, was bursting with joy. She was bent in a posture of prayer thanking God for His benefactions. The bridegroomreplied to every body sgreetings and good wishes with thanks, gratitude and words of love. He said that it was all grace of the Almighty. “The greatestblessing,” he said, “Is that God's blessing makes even a beggar, the king of kings?” Ramo thanked the bridegroom for his kindness. Everybody was so overjoyed that lines from Gurbani were dancing on everybody's lips. Allthe people who had assembled there started singing holy psalms. They were singing “whereas Guru Ji goes, that place becomes holy. A true believer _ remembers God in all the circumstances.” When the news of © this strange scene reached the fifth Guru Ji who was taking rest in a room situated at a distance, he was visibly pleased and said, “Hargobind is an able person, Bhai Sain Dass Ji and his wife, Ramo, are the ideal Sikhs and the residents of Dalla have won our hearts.”
For three days Guru Ji and the marriage party. stayed there. Narayan Dass Ji served them to the best of his ability and offered valuable gifts. When the time for departure arrived, Narayan Dass Ji said, “I know my limitations. I have not been able to serve you well. You have been very gracious in accepting my hospitality. 1am grateful to you that you gave me an opportunity of serving you. I cannot forget your magnanimity and large heartedness and have come to seek your protection.”
Guru Ji embraced Narayan Dass Ji and said affectionately, “Bhai Narayan Dass Ji, God lives in you.” All this time Bhai Sain Dass Ji and his wife were standing beside with folded hands.
They said, “We are like stones, only your grace can give us the energy to swim across. You have given us the gift of Nam. You know the state of our minds. Nothing is hidden from you. You are the source of grace and you have uplifted and elevated nonentities like us. We have been great sinners but we have the satisfaction that we have come under your protection. Be kind to us. Be gracious enough to accept us in to your fold. We know our worthlessness. You have made us worthy of your love.
These touching words made Guru Ji love them. As an expression of love in return, Guru Ji patted Bhai Sain Dass Ji and said, “You have won our hearts. You have served us as a friend does to a friend. The heart of a friend is the source of all joy. You have certainly won our hearts. Your qualities have made us love you. You live in our hearts. You are one among us.” And thereafter the marriage party departed with the palanquin of the bride.
Oaagaagug