This old lady who was devoted to spirituality and the holy Name and also to the memory of her husband, found that the pain of separation was gripping her. She was worried about the world’s opinion as to why this lady, who was in place of mother to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, was crying in pain at bereavement. But her tears were not shed from any worldly motive; they were born of true love. Not from any worldly fear
was she crying. Her grief was rather the result of the feelings expressed in following words by Guru Arjan Dev Ji:
“The suffering of separation arises because the heart cannot be consoled in the absence of the loved one.” * (Var MaruP. 1100)
This was the first night when overcome with grief she had missed attending the holy congregation and found herself lonely. Still her heart was full of faith and poise. What was she lacking? The support of a noble soul. Her mind oscillated between grief and devotion and thinking of her loved spouse she would pray “May my sojourn on this earth be completed with faith and chastity.” Then her eyes would fill with tears and she would pray, “Lord eternal, you have called my life’s master to the shelter of your feet; grant me also that bliss.” This moved her to sincere fears such as mentioned by Guru Nanak Dev Ji when he says in Alahavnian’ that “Sincere tears are such as flow from true love. No one in the world is immune from crying, not even robbers and butchers, hard-. hearted men and those lacking intelligence. Cry also those with tender heart. Crying is a consequence of separation.” The feeling of separation is the king of the realm of love, as Baba Farid Ji said. The cremation ground is burnt out and dry. A heart without the grief of separation is such acrénation ground. Wild jungles cry that are rich with water. Eyes inspired by love cry not because of worldliness or ingratitude or God's denial but melting with love for the creation, shed tears. Their tears are a form of supplication at the feet of the Holy. The eyes of the Holy cry out of compassion for the world. They cry also at the faults of evil-doers and out of pity for the poor and the helpless. To cry out of repentance for sin, is to wash the soul clean as with soap. Noble souls when they cry out of noble feeling are not embarrassed to think what the world will say. They on the contrary proclaim the flow of their tears. Their state is like that of the woman in love. The woman looks expectantly towards the path full of tears and sighs out of passion for the sight of the beloved. Her heart is constant. The Guruin another place says:
“Out of feelings man laughs and cries, even his silence - arises from feelings.” (Var Asa P.473}
Why did the lady cry on the first night of separation? What tormented her was that the house was without the daily performance of prayer and the momingvisit to the temple. Her eyes that used to be full of the joy of the holy congregation were shedding tears over the pillow. Not out of ingratitude or despair, but out of being deprived of a true companion in the holy congregation. But then the lady taking support from the holy Word and supplication entered on the path of devotion.
The Doctor's wife remarked, “Sister, that lady had a high and noble soul. Her gnefarose from truelove foralife-companion devoted to religion. But my gnriefarises from the ties of flesh with a brother. I discover the greatness of holy company as the Baba and his family have come and consoled me. Moreover, finding me weak they have left you to stay with me so that you liftmeup through your noble company. Such is the greatness of the holy company whose praise is beyond expression.”
subhag replied, Sister, such feelings are now on the decrease. This has increased suffering. In the holy Granth Guru Ji has given great praise to holy company. Holy company is the true prop of seekers. The lady in our story tried all other means like devotion to the holy word, but her greatest prop was the holy congregation which gave her poise.
The Doctor's wife said, “This story has brought me great poise. I have every hope that holy company, will also give me support. Please resume the lady's story.’
Subhag Ji continued. “This devoted lady then came to, Anandpur where she met her beloved daughter. Her daughter, Jitoji embraced her mother warmly, but not finding her father _ asked where he was. The lady replied, “My child, your father has gone to the lap of the divine beloved. The veil of his body is lifted and his spirit is now free. Finding my mood full of sorrow I have come to Guru Ji's shelter to keep my devotion’s boat floating.” Her daughter Jito on hearing this also felt the pangs of grief, but her soul instantly rose to the higher sphere and although two pearls of tears fell from her eyes, she entered the
mood of absorption. Both mother and daughter sat side by side with minds absorbed in devotion. After some time Guru Gobind Singh Ji singh came there. Both had a sight of Guru Ji. Guru Ji | addressed the lady in Kabir Ji’s words, “On the day of my death I left behind joy. While I found union with the Lord, my companions engaged in devotion.” As the lady heard these words her spirit rose to a lofty sphere and she felt the Master granted men a sight of the Lord, and death had become invisible. |
“In holy company, the lady’s grief was transmuted to joy. Herself, she was now free from the touch of grief. In the holy congregation all shocks of grief turn into steps towards exaltation and wisdom. The heart steeped in faith knows that _ all that happens is for our good. The lady absorbed in devotion did now and then feel a tremor of grief. Her consciousness now was like ared hot piece of iron being shaped on the blacksmith’s anvil. God’s mystery is best known to himself, but then came a still miore terrible night to bear.”