Sri Guru ji’s feet are like the Kalapbrish which has a nice and cool shade. My mind is like the deer, burning in the heat of desire. It gets peace under the shade of Guru ji’s feet.
Sri Bala Sandhur Vaach..
Listen to the Katha, Guru Angad Dev ji. I will tell you how it happened. Guru ji gave Gyaan to Kaval Nain by showing him the Aatma. He showed him the Aatma inside of him and outside of him. Just as space and ether is everywhere, he showed him the Aatma. Guru ji then travelled on from there. Guru ji travelled slowly. He gave Mukti easily to his Sikhs. On the way, Bhai Mardana ji spoke: “this Raja was great. He was the greatest Raja. He has a lot of wealth. The other kings follow him. The 18 islands in this region, there are as many Rajas here. Can you tell me all of the names of the Rajas? Show me the ones I haven’t seen yet.” The Deen Dayala said: “first, Kaval Nain was the biggest but now Sudhar Sain is the highest king. I gave him this status. Listen to the 18 names: Sudhar Sain, Atka, Sukh Sagar, Madhur Bain, Sagar Sain, Nain Jot, Sukh Chain, Magan Rai, Asra, Panah, Sudh, Bibekoo, Turat Rang, Baal Singh, Sanbalak, Lal Ain, Rai Ain, and Kaval Nain. These are all the kings of the islands.” Bhai Mardana ji said: “you’ve only met a few of them. The other Rajas, will you meet them or not? Wherever you went, you gave them Gurmat.” Guru ji said: “I am not going to the other ones. Sikhi will spread by itself there. Where I went to show them Bhagti, the other Rajas will learn from them. Let’s go ahead. I will show you the Sumer Mountain where the Sidhs do Yog. Many other great beings live there. They do Bhagti of the Prabhoo. They are in joy.” When Bhai Mardana ji heard this, he folded his hands and said: “Mecca and Madina, both of them, I have heard of them many times. The Turks praise those places. They say that those places are beautiful. In which direction are those places? I wish to see those places. Guru ji, you are omnipotent, all-powerful and wise. Please complete this big wish of mine. Sri Prabhoo ji, you can go wherever you want to without delay.” Sri Guru ji heard this and said: “those places are really far from us. It will take us many years to get there.” (They were are in Asaam at that moment) Bhai Mardana ji folded his hands and said: “oh Giver of Mukti, you say it would take us many years to get there, but you can reach there at the blink of an eye. Prabhoo ji, please don’t make excuses. I really wish to go there. Please do whatever it takes and show me those places. Please complete my wish.” In this way, Guru ji heard those words and became happy. He said: “Mardana, I can’t refuse your request. Let’s go where you want to go.” After saying this, we all headed towards Mecca. Doing the Darshan of Guru ji, the doubts run away.
Where Bhukher and Sukher were located, we reached there in the blink of an eye. Guru ji wore blue clothes on his body. The Gunni Gaheer took a book under his arm. He wore a high hat, like Fakir’s wore, on his head. The Jagdeesh held a staff in his hand. He wore a Janyow around his neck and had a Tilak on his forehead. Listen Guru Angad Dev ji, Guru ji gave me a pot and a Musalla. I put a Saili around my neck (a black thread worn by Fakirs). Guru ji dressed like a Hajji. He made such a form to show his drama. Nobody could tell if he was a Hindu or a Muslim. Multan and other cities, many Hajjis got together to go to Mecca together. They had a Dhera set up there and spent the night. Where all of the Hajjis were sitting, Guru ji went right in the middle and sat down. I laid out the Musalla and Guru ji sat on top of it. He was the fire that burnt the pain. When the Hajjis saw him, they got jealous. They said to Sri Guru ji: “from which Desh have you come from? What is your name and where are you going? Are you Muslim or Hindu? We won’t let you go if you don’t tell us. You are dressed as a Hajji but wear a Tilak on your forehead. We are asking you this for this reason.” Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji said: “I am from the Beghumpura (Sach Khand – place without sorrow) area. Hindus and Muslims, I give witness to both. I don’t take the sides of people who are weak towards the truth. They leave the truth and hold on to the false. They don’t know about the light within all. They don’t understand. They are in doubt. The person came for Bandagi. The person let that go and held on to ego and attachment. Humans are animals and ghosts now. I give wisdom to all.” The Hajjis heard this and were shocked. They thought to themselves: “he speaks great.” The Peer of Multan was there as well. His name was Bahaaval Deen. He doubted Guru ji and said: “this book that you have, do you know how to read it or not? Tell us what is written in it.” Sri Guru ji heard this and said: “to read books, there are 3 ways: Ustakhaan, Gosht and Maghzeh. I will tell you in detail. To read the book and fight with others (eating bones), that is called Ustakhaan. To read and just stay sitting, living in your own ego, making others serve you, not letting anyone else talk; that is Gosht – eating of meat. To read and doing the Simran of the Naam, to know Allah in everyone, the light in all, to destroy the duality, attachment and conflict, to let go of all your ego from your heart, to accept the will of Khuddah on your head; that is the Magaz – to eat the best part.” Bahaaval Deen heard this and said: “why do you wear a Kullay cap on your head? Tell me.” The Nishan of the Bedis spoke: “the Kullay cap I wear, listen to this: the Dastaar is big and uses a lot of cloth. I wear the Kullay which uses less cloth. This shows that I have let go of the ego. Let go of your jealousy and grab patience. Remember Khuddah all the time. The inside of the Kullay cap teaches us to keep the mind clean from the inside. The cap is made of 4 stiches which explains the 4 doubts. Let go of the joy of the world and heaven. These are 2 doubts. Do not get drenched in ego and attachment. These are the other 2.” The Hajji heard this and said: “why do you wear a Kaphni (robe without sleeves)?” Guru ji said: “the Kaphni is like the shroud of a dead body. Only a dead body wears a Kaphan. The Guru is like the grave. One is to immerse into that, not moving any body part, staying in the Guru’s command. Don’t show your skills off. Keep it hidden in your heart. Do Bandagi and show your faults to all. Stay in the will of the Guru and be in joy. My name is Nanak. We are going to Mecca.” The Hajjis all heard this and thought in their hearts: “he speaks like a Hindu. He wants to go to the Kabbah with us. The path is long. He is looking for our company. We should refuse him. It is not good if he goes with us.” The Hajjis decided amongst themselves. The unwise people didn’t know Guru ji. They said to Guru ji: “there is a place on the way where we need to board a ship. To board the ship, the Kalma needs to be read. Whoever can recite it, they can go. The Hindus don’t know them. For this reason, go separately from us.” Sri Guru ji smiled and said to them: “when one is born, they are alone. There is nobody with them when they die either. One comes alone and goes alone. The wise people understand this. That person is successful.” Everyone spent the night there.
In the morning, the Hajjis got up and travelled on their way. They didn’t want Prabhoo ji to go with them. Guru ji said to Bhai Mardana ji: “Hindus can’t go. They don’t let Hindus go to Mecca. How can we go now? The Turks left.” Bhai Mardana ji said: “there is no one like you in the 3 Loks. Who can stop you? These Turks are nothing in front of you. They showed their anger in front of you. Please bless me and show me Mecca. Please don’t make excuses.” Guru ji laughed and said: “if you really want to go, sing the Shabads of the Prabhoo. The Prabhoo will fulfill your wishes. Take your Rabab and sing the glories.” Bhai Mardana ji heard this and was really happy. He played his Rabab and sung. He made the Raag live in his pitch. He sang with love and sang loudly, with happiness. After the whole Shabad was sung, we all lowered our necks to bow with our hands folded. When we raised our necks and opened our eyes, we saw the minarets of Mecca. We were in front of Mecca. Bhai Mardana ji said: “where are we? I can see beautiful minarets.” Kamal Badan laughed and said: “we are in Mecca! Your place of pilgrimage. This is where you wanted to come. Get up and look around.” Bhai Mardana ji was really happy. He wanted to see the city. Guru ji knew what he wanted. Guru ji got up, as well as Bhai Mardana ji. Guru ji walked slowly and beautifully. Guru ji sat near the Kabba of Mecca. He was dressed as a Haji. Guru ji did a beautiful Asana and sat down, looking very radiant. He uttered a Shabad in Raag Basant, singing in high Suras:
Basant Hindol Mahala 1 Ghar 2
Ik Oankaar Satgur Prasaad..
The nine Khands, the seven Deeps (continents), the fourteen Loks, the three Guns and the four Yugas - You established them all through the four sources of creation, and You seated them in Your mansions.
You placed the four Vedas, one by one, into the hands of the four Yugas. ||1||
O Merciful Lord, Destroyer of demons, Lord of Lakshmi, such is Your Power - Your Shakti. ||1||Rahao||
Your army is the fire in the home of each and every heart. Dharma is the ruling chieftain.
The earth is Your great cooking pot; Your beings receive their portions only once. Destiny is Your treasurer. ||2||
But the mortal becomes unsatisfied, and begs for more; Naarad (his fickle mind) brings him disgrace.
Greed is the dark dungeon, and demerits are the shackles on his feet. ||3||
His wealth constantly batters him, and sin acts as the police officer.
Whether the mortal is good or bad, he is as You look upon him, O Lord. ||4||
The Aad Purakh is called Allah now. The Shaykh's turn has now come.
The temples of the Devatas are subject to taxes; this is what it has come to. ||5||
The Kooja - Muslim devotional pots, Bhaang- calls to prayer, Nimaaz - prayers and Musalla - prayer mats are everywhere; the Lord appears in blue robes.
In each and every home, everyone uses Muslim greetings, Meeya; your speech has changed in the world. ||6||
You, O my Lord and Master, if you wish to make the Meers the King of the earth; what power do I have to challenge You?
In the four directions, people do their Salaam to You; Your Praises are sung in each and every heart. ||7||
Making pilgrimages to sacred shrines, reading the Simritees and giving donations in charity - these should bring profit to all.
O Nanak, glorious greatness is obtained in an instant, remembering the Naam, the Name of the Lord. Every minute should be regarded||8||1||8|
(SGGS 1190)
The 9 Khands, 7 continents and 14 Puris; 3 Guns and 4 Vedas; this is what you have made. The 4 Vedas are assigned to the 4 Yugas, which illuminate them. To protect Brahma, you killed Madh Kaitubh. The fire in every body is your army. Dharmraj is the police. The earth is established as the Langar/kitchen. It gives food to all. The Karma is the treasurer, giving the food to all. As one’s Karma is, that is how they are rewarded. The minds that are engaged in desires, day and night; they are always wandering with confusion. Without contentment, they are stuck in darkness, doing sins all the time. They are shackled in chains by the Jumms; they are punished and are in pain. The time has changed. It is the time of the Shiekhs. The Aad Purakh is referred to as “Allah.” The Mandirs of the Devatas are taxed for the pilgrims. Kooja, Bhaang and Nimaaz are the new traditions. People address each other as “Meeya.” This is the language used everywhere. Nirankaar Kartaar sits on their side now. Such a power, who has the power to stop your ways. I wish to earn an income so I have come to you. Reward should be given to the Hind-dwellers for going to Teeraths, reading the Simritees, giving donations and doing good deeds. Give them peace. Give me the greatness of the Naam, oh Sri Kartaar. May the Dharma of the Hinds remain stable. This is my work.” This Shabad was heard by all of the people of Mecca. People said: “this Haaji is wise. We should do his Darshan.” Many people came and brought Guru ji gifts. Some did Salaam to him. They praised Guru ji: “you are the home of virtues.”