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Bhai Dhesa‘s request for permission to go to the village Daroli

was granted and he started on his journey. He had experienced the spiritual light. Discourses of Bhai Sain Dass were not mere theories. These were powerful statements which opened Bhai Dhesa’s spiritual vision. The Bhai’s words were not like the thundering clouds which produce mere sound and noise. These were quiet pourings of rain which brought water, coolness and fertility. The water flowing from the hilly springs provides nourishment to living beings and vegetation. The Bhai's advice had filled Dhesa‘s vacuity of mind. On reaching the village he started putting the Bhai’s advice into practice. As he advanced in this practice, the emptiness of his mind receded and its vitality increased. As his mind was filled with light and power, he found the Bani more fasinating. He would. often sing and recite at random from the Bani. The memories of his association with the Bhai gladdened him. Dhesa’s wife who had suffered on account of her husband’s earlier bad association, was now very happy to find her husband living an ideal life. She enjoyed her conversations with him and considered him an ideal partner. Dhesa started visiting the shrine and began to participate in the community singing of the Bani. He had now found internal peace. Love for his fellow beings grew within him. Those whom he earlier used to taunt and ridicule had now become the objects of love. As time passed, this practice gave him strength of character and he continued climbing up the ladder of spiritual bliss. What was it that had transformed him? It was the carrying out of those acts which filled the mind with happiness, cured his lethargy and urged him further to live a socially purposeful live. His actions increased the joy in him, joy increased his strength and his

gains urged him to serve humanity ceaselessly; and this happy routine continued.

With the passage of time, Dhesa was transformed to such an extent that everyday he was the first to reach the shrine. He was a rich man, a high caste Brahman but he himself would ' sweep the floors, move hand fans in summer; light the fire to give warmth to the assembled congregation in winter and look after the kitchen at the shrine. As a transformed man, his dealings with others had undergone a change. Earlier he used to grab as much as possible, but now he enjoyed giving. Earlier everybody was full of complaints against him, but now everybody was all praise for him. Earlier his servants, neighbours and others, used to suffer at his hands, now they were comforted by the same hands. Whenever anybody in the village faced any problem, Dhesa was the first to come to his help. Whenever a traveller stopped at the village inn fora night, Dhesa would send food for the stranger. He reached out to help the needy in the neighbouring villages too. These actions had transformed him from a callous person into a sympathetic personality. Now he was a friend to every one. His benevolence had brightened his face and given him spiritual strength. He had now started enjoying reciting the Bani. He devoted his entire space time to the recitation of the Bani, meditated over it, tried to mould his life in accordance with the teachings of the Gurus and enjoyed the melodious Kirtan. Another source of his joy was that he was always full of gratitude for Bhai Sain Dass and longed for his company. He was of a nimble mind; even now he could think cleverly. He thought of a plan. He knew that Bhai Sain Dass was born in the village of Daroli and had lived there before his marriage, though after his marriage he had left the village to settle down at Dalla. Dhesa thought of persuading the Bhai to return to his native village. But then he thought that his plan smacked of selfishness. After thinking over the matter for a few days, he came to the conclusion that Dalla had many prominent sikhs, whereas there was no pious natured Sikh in Daroli, who could be looked upon as well versed in the affairs of the faith. There

were hardly thirty people in the congregation. He thought that if the Bhai returned to his native village, the attendance at the congregation would increase and his presence would transform the life in the village. After thinking over all the aspects of his proposal, one day he presented his plan to the congregation. After a frank discussion it was resolved that Bhai Sain Dhesa’s departure from Dalla may not mean any loss to Dalla, but it will resuit in a tremendous gain to Daroli.

Afew days later some prominent personalities from Daroli presented their proposal to Bhai Sain Dass at Dalla. The Bhai ~accorded them with a warm welcome and arranged for their comfortable stay. When the next morning service was over the persons from Daroli presented their proposal to the congregation in the following words:

“You are the blessed Sikhs of the Guru. We have come to © seek your blessings.” The congregation asked the visitors as to what was their wish. The visitors said, “We have come to request you to put a crown on our heads by letting Bhai Sain Dass to become our leader in Daroli.” This wish on the part of the visitors put the congregation in a dilemma. How could the people at Dalla afford to lose Bhai Sain Dass, but at the same time how could they afford to refuse the request? The matter was discussed by both sides. The visitors explained to them that they were feeling handicapped in organizing their religious affairs. It was a big village, but the attendance at the congregation never exceeded thirty. If they had a person of the stature of Bhai Sain Dass as their leader, they would be able to do wonders. Bhai Sain Dass was the fragrant seed of the sandal-wood tree which would grow into a forest.

After a prolonged discussion the people from Dalla decided to leave the final decision to the Bhai himself. Though parting with the Bhai was an agonising decision, at the same time the people at Dalla could not afford to say no to those who had come with high hopes. They decided to bear their loss cheerfully and put not pressure on the Bhai to stay on. The Bhai thought over the whole matter and then gave his consent by reciting a couplet of Kabir:

Kabir is the Master’s faithful dog.

There is a string around his neck.

In whatever direction the Master pulls it, he goes that way.

If the Bhai had an ordinary person‘s mind, he would have flatly refused to leave a place where he was living very comfortably. But he had, since long crossed the barriers of ‘me’ and ‘mine’ which tempt ordinary human beings. He was happy to obey the will of God. He was happy to Serve God in whatever capacity he was wealth. He was happy to serve God in whatever capacity he was placed by the Almighty. Anyone who rises above his ego knows that God's will is supreme and such a person is happy in every place and in every occupation. Whatever duty such persons are offered, they accept it as an assignment by God and perform it with their utmost devotion and dedication. Such persons echo the Lord’s. will.

Bhai Sain Dass had given his consent to leave Dalla for Daroli, but what about his father-in-law Bhai Narain Dass and mother-in-law Prem Devi, with whom he had been living all these years? They did not treat Bhai Sain Dass as their son-inlaw, he was their own beloved son. The parents, who had only two daughters, were put to a hard test. Their younger daughter was wedded to the Sixth Guru and was away. The elder daughter was living with them and because of her, there was hustle and bustle all around. Bhai Narayan Dass could not imagine his life without Bhai Sain Dass at his home. He was unable to think how he would spend his time without his daughter and son-in-law. He also knew that one day everybody was to bid farewell to the world. Who knows who would go first? He knew that one day death would separate even the closest of friends. Nobody knew how far and how long one was to meet and live with one’s dear and near ones. He knew tat nobody could live in this world for ever. Ifeverybody was bound to part, then why worry about death? He was of the view that if separation was inevitable, one must devote one’s mind and attention to God who is eternal and immortal. When

one thinks that way, one learns to bear the shocks and separations of life. These thoughts brought tears to the eyes of Bhai Narayan Dass. He though that only God knows when one would meet the beloved ones again. He thought that it was just a coincidence that human beings meet and are knit in close relationships. The thought of separation pained him not because of his love for his blood relations, but because Bhai Narayan Dass was fond of the congregation which was the handiwork of Bhai Sain Dass. One does not wish to part company with pious persons because in the company of the pious one finds spiritual peace and enlightenment. One does not wish to part with a person who had shown the way to Spiritual bliss. All separations involve sorrow. A fish separated. from water writhes in pain; this was the condition of Bhai Narayan Dass. The Guru says, “whosoever gives me the tiding of the divine beloved is worthy of all respect and love.” What happens on such occasions? Does love sweep a person away and make him restless? No, true love is never swept away. It always focusses its attention on the will of the Almighty, devotes and dedicates itself to Him. The pangs of separation give us new and fresh energy to achieve still greater spiritual heights. The affection of our dear ones afflicts the mind and the body and makes one sad, whereas true love enables one to rise above the ego and self. Their affection makes one weak and restless, but true love gives us strength to face all hardships. True love ennobles the seeker and enables him to make unheard of sacrifices. When Narayan Dass was approached for his permission, with folded hands he sang the couplet of Kabir; “Lord, everything belongs to you. J have nothing to call mine. When you take away what is yours. What have I say? I only render back to thee what is thine.”

Prem Devi was also lost in deep thoughts. She was unable to imagine her life without her son-in-law, who was more of a son and who had become a holy man. But when she thought about the request and the need of the people from Daroli, she reconciled herself to this and said, “I have left everything to be decided By God.” Where was Ramo’s heart? Her eyes were

closed and she was all devotion and lost in meditation. She said, “You have given me life and light. You are great and greater are your ways and actions. I am the weakest among the congregation and therefore, I shall feel the separation most. Give me the strength that am able to carry out your wish. Lord ! give me courage.” She muttered to herself:-

Give me courage in charity.

For the gift of courage I have come to you. Give me that courage to remain steadfast in my faith and determination. |

Tam lost in the stormy river of life.

I have neither the boat nor the strong arms. IT know neither swimming nor sailing

The wind is strong and I am lost.

The waves are strong and high.

Only you my Lord can save me.

Give me in charity the courage of faith.

she was lost in uttering this prayer. Her eyes were filled with tears, but otherwise, she was unperturbed. When the people in the congregation turned their attention towards her and asked her opinion, she stood up in devotion, folded her hands, bowed her head and thought, “I am nobody, I have nothing to be proud of. lam capable of doing nothing.” But she could not bring these words to her lips. This way the people from Daroli succeeded in achieving their aim. After getting the Bhai's consent the visitors returned to Daroli.

After a few days, when everything was taken care of and settled, the Bhai started for Daroli. There was not even one person in Dalla who had not come out to give the Bhaia warm send off. Everybody made obesiance to the Bhai and the Bhai himself was paying his regards to the elders and giving love to the younger ones. It was a touching scene. The Bhai then asked all of them to return to their homes but nobody moved. They did not like to part from him. Itwas with great difficulty that the Bhai could separate himself from the people. As long as the Bhaiwas visible, people kept on looking and continued waving

their hands in farewell and wishing him a happy journey. The Bhai kept on walking as long as the people standing at the

outskirts of the village were visible. When they were out of his sight, he got onto his horse and his wife entered the palanquin. After passing through various villages, the Bhaireached Daroli. He had taken every possible care to travel unnoticed and reach there unannounced, but the people of Daroli anticipated the joyful event. The Bhai was an ideal person, beloved of the Guru, true to his word and dedicated to action. He had got the inkling that the people from Daroli would come out to receive him. The Bhai stopped by the side of a roadside well and from the nearby shop he got parshad, sacred sweet pudding, which was to be offered to his the hosts. He was yet at a distance of about two miles when he sawa large group of people advancing to welcome him. The people were playing musical instruments and singing hymns. The Bhai alighted at a distance from the crowd. | |

That was how the people of those times used to welcome their important guests. Both parties used to distribute sweets and at the moment of meeting settle their affairs as if they were in the holy presence. Theirs used to be the meeting of hearts and souls. Both sides would sing songs of joy. Quite some time had passed but nobody was moving. Both sides were carrying food to share with others. Both the parties rested and made their offerings in God's name. A prayer was uttered and thereafter everybody joined in the feasting.

This scene of love, devotion and dedication relates to the period when human hearts were full of love for God and the Gurus. Then God’s name used to be on every lip. Love gushed out effortlessly like a water-fall. It became a congregation of true Sikhs and their minds and hearts were enlightened.

In those days, the Sikhs felt a sense of belonging to one another which sprang from a selfless zeal to serve others without seeking any material rewards or personal gains. In fact, the Sikhs were then steadfast in their faith and devotion; pure of heart, upright in thought and eschewed evil. They were drawn towards each other by a common feeling of sharing

human values. Because of these bonds of human brotherhood and fellow feeling the Sikh fratemmity was developing on the right lines towards noble human goals.

After a warm welcome by the Sikh sangat of village Daroli, the Bhai along with his hosts headed towards the village. The Bhai along with his hosts headed towards the village. The Bhai had come after a long absence to hsi native village to repay the debt of gratitude with a message of divine love to the land of his birth. Arrangements for his stay were made in a room within the precincts of the village shrine. His divine love like a monsoon downpour washed the whole village. Great and blessed were the Guru-inspired men; equally blessed was _ the Sikh sangat whose humility, righteous ang and love for fellow beings was unsurpassed.