he Guru had a band of devoted followers who were ever
ready to obey the Guru but Bhai Sain Dass and his wife Ramo were a Category apart. None could compete with them in their devotion towards the Guru. Their devotion can not be described in words. All the time they thought of him and they kept on reciting Gurbani as a matter of habit. They were absorbed and involved to such an extent that, at times, they neglected the physical needs of their body. They were lost within themselves. They were conscious of only the Guru. All of asudden they would head for Amritsar but on reflecting that they had not made any appointment, they would tum back. When it was announced that building of Akal Takht was to be erected and the construction work would provide him with an opportunity to render service at Amritsar. He had a mind to go there but then the thought that he had not been invited prevented him. And yet all the time he behaved as if he was _ participating in the voluntary service and was carrying a basket full of bricks.
Bibi Ramo did not lag behind. She procured a sheet of fine cloth and started lacing it with golden and silver threads. In Amritsar the pace at which the building was coming up coincided with the pace at which she progressed in her work. Her earnest desire was to present the silken sheet for decorating the new building on the day of its dedication. This wish of hers was amply fulfilled.
Along time passed in meetings and partings, in joys and SOITOWS, ups and downs, failures and successes. All these situations left their mark on their hearts. The devotion of Bhai and his wife increased with each passing day. Their love multiplied, their minds got enriched and their souls expanded.
The caravan of time was on the move all along. Then all of a
~ sudden the news came that the Guru had been invited to Delhi.
Every body felt concerned lest the events in the life of the fifth Guru may be repeated. Then they realised that the Guru was going to Delhi at the invitation of his followers. Bhai and his wife were more worried than anybody else because they had neither got any news nor had received the much desired invitation to come to Amritsar. They felt extremely restless. Their emotions were surcharged. They were at a loss to decide what to do. In those circumstances, they got the news that the Guru was proceeding to Delhi. They thought, “Who knows when will the Guru retum? Who knows whether we will be alive or dead when he returns? If the Guru had thought it necessary he would have either called us to Amritsar or would have visited us himself. He must have decided the course correctly. He must have weighed the pros and cons carefully. He is omniscient and knows everything.” All the same they were lost in the thoughts about the Guru. They were absorbed in such thoughts to such an extent that they forgot about themselves. Their whole attention was concentrated on the Guru. They were under the illusion that they were living in the company of the Guru and became oblivious of their surroundings and times. Indifferent to their hunger or thirst they did not know whether the sun was rising or setting. They completely ignored all their bodily needs. They had entered the world of spirit where body had no meaning. They were found sitting in meditation, motionless for hours together. Heat or cold did not bother them.
In this state of mind the Bhai heard the news that on the way to Delhi the sixth Guru would come for four days to Goindwal. The Guru had sent a message to Bhai Sain Dass that he might come to see him at Goindwal or Sultanpur. When the household got this news the Bhai was lost in meditation. Therefore, some body pressed his feet to wake him up for the Guru’s message. He was relieved of all his anxiety, and tears welled up in his eyes. Both husband and wife were unable to control their emotions. They thanked God for His benediction
and kissed the earth to express their gratitude. They could not believe that their prayer would be answered favourably and so quickly. They considered themselves the happiest persons on earth and thanked God for his grace. They sang in praise of God and sang of His virtues to have fulfilled their desire. They thanked God by singing from Gurbani that “God is great because He alone fulfils all the human desires. He alone makes . possible the meeting between the separated. It is by God’s grace that our impossible desires are fulfilled to our satisfaction. Only He cares for the uncared and the lost. He forgives our shortcomings and follies. Only He has the grace to bless the most wretched.” |
The news of the Guru's visit spread in the village. Whosoever had heard the happy news rushed to the Bhai's house to seek his permission to accompany him to meet the Guru. As the people poured in, the Bhai was elated and told them that it was their kindness that they would accompany him. He put it in this way that it would be through them that the Guru would bless him. He praised them for their offer to accompany him.
More and more people joined Bhai Sain Dass. In fact whosoever heard about it expressed the desire that he or she would also go. More and more requests delayed the departure of the Bhai. At long last, they proceeded in the form of a procession towards Goindwal. At Goindwal the congregation was in full swing. Every body wanted the Bhai and his wife to lead but at the point of entry into the enclosure, the couple remained behind. The Guru welcomed the people from Dalla. When he had accepted the offerings from all, he found that Bhai Sain Dass was standing at the place near the shoe racks. He appeared to be the personification of contentment. His smile revealed that he could see the Guru but could not muster courage to go near the Guru. He was content to stand where he was. He thought that he was contented with the memory of the Guru but now he was standing in front of the Guru. He thanked God who always gave more than one desired. With these thoughts in their minds, the husband and wife were standing there with
folded hands and reciting Nam. The Guru could nowsee them.
He was aware of the state of mind of the couple. Itwasimmense.
The devotion of the couple moved the Guru, he got up and like a cow meeting its calf he embraced the Bhai. When the Guru came towards him the Bhai could not control himself, and fell at the Guru’s feet. His wife Bibi Ramo also followed suit. The Guru lifted both of them, gave them his love and said, “You are elder to me. [willrequest you to treat me as your son. Therefore bowing before me is not proper.” Bhai Sain Dass said, “Free me from the bonds of formal relationship and grant me a place at _ your feet. My right place is at your feet. I wish to be accepted as a devotee.”
Those who have suffered the pangs of separation know very well what happens when two lovers meet. The Guru blessed the couple and showered grace on them. The Guru extended his stay by two more days just to oblige them. When the time for departure arrived, the Guru bade farewell but allowed the people from Dalla to accompany him upto Sultanpur.
They reached Sultanpur. Now it was time for taking leave. Everybody was feeling sad. Saddest was this couple. The Guru said, “Bhai Sain Dass, it will take some time before I return. Pay no attention to any ill-news about me. You must remain steadfast. With the grace of Guru Nanak all will be well.”