The well-to-do Khatri of Lahore Harjas and his wife Sabhrai, were seekers after higher spiritual values. On having the joygiving sight of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, they thought “Why not try to establish some relationship with this source of divine light.” This led them to think of offering their daughter in marriage to Guru Ji. As this thought arose in their mind, they felt that the betrothal had been made. Guru Ji knowing the purity of their heart, decided to accept the offer. The devoted couple were a little apprehensive lest their offer should be looked upon as an act of impertinence, but Guru Ji graciously accepted it. When the day of nuptial arrived, Guru Ji was hesitant to go to Lahore with the wedding party. The old couple bowed to Guru Ji's decision, and anew Lahore was set up in the hills where the wedding was to be solemnized. Guru Nanak Dev Ji had discarded such ceremonials as would take the mind away from God. The second Guru Ji, too, discarding the current ceremonial had sanctioned such ceremonial as may be approved in the eyes of God. The Third Guru Ji, in the first place, removed the
restrictions on Langar or the community mess, and by composing the ‘Anand’ laid down the hymns for solemnizing marriages. The fourth Guru Ji, after composing Lavan or the wedding hymns ordained these to be the hymeneal for _weddings. A complaint was made to Akbar that these new innovations should be stopped. Akbar however, realizing the nobility and love of Guru Ji was convinced that he was preaching the true way. After passing through these obstructions, Sikhism had been emancipated. It did not need to take shelter behind material ceremonial. In their place was established a new ceremonial which sought refuge in God and enlightenment. The marriage of the tenth Guru Ji was solemnized according to the path indicated by the Guru Sahibs. Time continued to flow carrying along with it the daily happening of life like straws on the surface of water. sabhrai was passing her days in peace at Lahore. Her way of life was not disturbed, though occasionally news of the ’ Guru Ji's battles with the hill chiefs did cause a tremor of apprehension. But these were usually followed by reports of Guru Ji's victories. During those days a great storm was to blow into Sabharai‘s life. Her heart was fixed on the daughter and her divine spouse. In this attachment, there was greater devotion than is there in an ordinary relationship. Worldly attachments had been transformed into spiritual devotion. This keptherheartin a state of joy.Shecontinued to be engaged in the normal household duties, in carrying out the obligations towards her relations and obedience to her husband. surrounded by such influences she seldom thought of the evanescence of life. She had no apprehension that soon there . would be a long separation between her and her relations in Guru Ji's family. She occasionally visited Anandpur and felt the joy of meeting Guru Ji and his family. Her husband too was devoted to Guru Ji. As life was passing in this way, her husband to whom she was so deeply devoted, passed away. she now tumed a widow, which caused her heart to break. Her life’s joy was overshadowed by sufferings. She continued to find solace in the holy congregation, but still her heart was not at rest.
On the day her husband passed away, after the cremation and other obsequies, all her relations departed and she was left alone. This first night was terrible. This was the dark night of sufferings. The loneliness of the house was frightening. In the midst of despair and anxiety the holy words alone sustained her heart. The thought of her daughter too sustained her. But soon another distressing thought came: “Should this family also lose some member, how Shall life be sustained?” This thought racked her. To drive away such dark thoughts the sustaining influence of the holy Word came. She realized the truth of the holy Word of the Bani! which likened the world toa dream, which must be shattered and vanish.
Whenever the sustaining words of Guru Ji's teaching came to her mind, she got courage. She felt that the clouds of anxiety had disappeared and the moon of peace had made its appearance. Her life alternated between the peace of Gurbani! and the racking sorrow of separation. This alternation continued. This is how her first night passed.
Before dawn someone knocked at her door. It was the first occasion when because of her husband’s absence she had not gone to the morning congregation. The moming assembly at which ‘Asa di Var’ is chanted had gathered, which Sabhrai for the first time missed. Her feet which were used to walking towards the holy temple remained as if chained. The holy congregation draws its devotees by the force of love. This attraction of love is felt truly by those who have living faith. The arduous path of devotion is not known to ordinary folk. This is something that comes by absorption. As somebody knocked at her door, she realized that it was the force of the holy congregation that had come to wake her up. She rose, while her mind was contemplating Guru Ji's words: “Man why be in doubt; the Lord Himself shall protect you.” As she opened the door she beheld, standing before her the seventy years old Bhai Sujan Singh Ji with his luminous white beard and inspinng face. He was followed by afewotherdevotees.Sabhrai
1. The holy text of the Granth.
was overwhelmed at this love. She spontaneously fell at the
feet of the old devotee. He blessed her, caressed her head and
said. “My daughter, by God's will your husband has merged
into the divine light. What made you omit to join the holy company? Not today should you have been absent, but realizing the evanescence of the world should find eternal life. Death,
my daughter, is only a door passing through which we find
eternal joy at the Lord's feet. Death is not terrible or painful, but
the occasion for a new spiritual birth. [tis not good to be absent
from the holy congregation. We too have to go, where he has
gone. Why, therefore, fall into sorrow?"
When she heard these loving words she got ready and following the old gentleman reached the place of the holy congregation. In the holy congregation they were singing hymns in Rag Maru from the Granth Sahib and the hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The Day’s discourse also centred round the performance of good deeds and contemplation on God. Deathisnotevil.Itis are birth of the soul. The death of our loved ones is painful but this separation is not eternal. Our existence. is eternal. Death does not destroy us. We must engage in contemplation of the Lord. Sabhrai’s heart which was gripped by doubt, fear and despair was carried along the flood of divine contemplation. Thus was passed her first night of suffering. Her heart found rest through the holy congregation. She avoided sending the news of her husband's death to her daughter at Anandpur.Insteadshe herself set out for Anandpur. A few members of the congregation also set out along with her.