A handicapped person would climb the mountain, the dumb would be able to speak; the coward would be victorious like a warrior; if Akaal Purakh is compassionate.
Sri Bala Sandhur Vaach..
Guru ji went on to another land where he blessed the saints and the unwise. Myself and Bhai Mardana ji walked behind Guru Nanak Dev ji, obeying him. We saw a village on the way and saw a nice tree. Guru ji decided to sit under the tree. The villagers saw Guru ji and came to visit him, seeing him as a saint. They had love in their hearts as they bowed their heads. They brought food and made requests to fulfill their wishes. Guru ji heard their words. There was compassion in his eyes. Guru ji stayed there for many days. He blessed the people. Guru ji was the king of Rishis and Giver of Joys to his Sikhs. Doing his Darshan would destroy sins. After staying there for some days, the people did Guru ji’s Seva with love.
One day, the people got ready to leave their village. They packed their luggage and boarded their carts. The Omniscient One saw this and asked the people: “why have you packed up your stuff on carts? Where are you going, leaving your village? What pain is making you leave? Your family is going with you. Are you afraid of some king? Is there a big problem? Tell me.” The villagers folded their hands and spoke of their pain to the Destroyer of Pain: “listen Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, Giver of Joy, in our village, a fire breaks out after some time. We are leaving because of that. We come back after a few days to make our homes again. This happens every 6 months. Somebody comes and lights the fire, every 6 months. We leave and live in another village with fear. If you come with us, we can all do the Seva of your feet. You are the form of the Benevolent saint. Whatever is your wish, you can do.” Guru ji was filled with compassion and spoke: “take on the Sikhi of the Guru. Your homes won’t burn again. Chant the Name of Satnam. Discard the fear from your heart. You will have your wishes fulfilled. You will be in joy. You can live in your homes in peace. There won’t be a fire here. Make a Dharamsala here. Do the Seva of saints that come. Understand the glory of Keertan.” The people heard this and were happy. They became Sikhs, right away. They did not leave their village. They obeyed Guru ji and stayed. They brought their luggage to Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. They were still afraid of the fire and had doubts. The men and women all sat with Guru ji. Guru ji said to them: “chant the Naam.” The people came to Guru ji with the fear of the fire. As they sat there, a scary Daynt came. The people saw it. Its feet were deep towards the Patal and its head touched the skies. Its beard was brown. The people sitting with Guru ji saw the Daynt. The Daynt’s eyes were red with anger. He thought to himself: “they are here, not fearing me. I won’t spare them. I will kill them.” The Daynt’s teeth were big and sharp. He licked his lips. He held a torch of fire in his hand. He terrorized the people. The people got scared. They went pale and their mouths dried up. They were petrified in fear. They closed their eyes with fear. They said: “we will die now. To whose feet do we go to for protection? We used to be afraid of the fire but now we are fearing for our lives. We used to run away but we stayed because of the Compassionate Saint. We don’t know if we will survive or die now.” Seeing the men and women who were trembling with fear, Guru ji looked towards the Daynt. The bad intentions of the Daynt were destroyed by Guru ji’s glance. The Daynt became anxious and fainted. He fell to the ground like an old tree being uprooted by the strong winds. The Daynt fell. He couldn’t move anymore. The Guru of the World, where his feet were, the Daynt’s head fell there. Guru ji noticed that the Daynt became humble when he fell. Guru ji touched his foot with the Daynt’s head. Guru ji, the Giver of Joy, as soon as his foot touched the Daynt’s head, the Daynt got up. It was like someone getting up by the Sanjivni plant after being injured by many weapons. The Daynt saw Guru ji’s bright radiance and became humble. He said to Guru ji: “please forgive my mistake. You are the Parmeshwar in the form of a Sadhoo. I didn’t know of your greatness. You are the great Purakh, Treasure of Virtues. I would terrorize these people and burn their homes. Now that your Lotus feet have come here, these people are now fortunate. Please bless us all. You are benevolent. I am the servant of your servants. You can keep me as you please. I will do as you say. Destroy my pain.” Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji heard the Daynt’s words, which were drenched in faith. Sri Guru ji said: “make a Dharmsala in the village. Gather and do Keertan. Do the Simran of Satnam and wash your sins away. You (the Daynt) should bring water on top of your head to where the people do the Bhagti of the Parmeshwar. Do their Seva. Your heart will become pure. The sins of your births will be washed away. You will become deserving when you do the Simran of Satnam. You will receive Mukti when you die.” The Daynt obeyed and bowed.
A beautiful Dharmsala was constructed. The Daynt did Seva with humility. Sri Guru ji sat in the Dharmsala. He told everyone to do the Simran of Satnam. Keertan was done with joy. Guru ji taught them the way of Bhagti. The nearby villages heard and came to do Guru ji’s Darshan with love. They all came to bow to Guru ji. They learnt Bhagti and destroyed their bad wisdom. The tradition of Sikhi spread in that land. The bonds of the world broke for them. The men and women met each other and said: “he is the body of Parmeshwar. He is benevolent.” Like hawks serving sparrows, the Daynt was serving the people. The lion was put on to tend the goats. For many days, Guru ji stayed there. He spread the way of Sikhi there. He made everyone do the Simran of Satnam. The land was now on the righteous path from the wrong path. Guru ji then wished to go to a different place. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji was the benevolent Guru. He took leave from the village and travelled on.
Guru ji came close to a place near the ocean shore. The Master saw a village there. He sat under a tree. Every 6 months, a tsunami would come and destroy the village. The village would drown. Guru ji spent 2 days there. On the third day, he saw the people pack up and leave the village. They had packed up everything. Guru ji said to them: “where are you going? Why are you leaving your home and village?” The people heard this and said: “come with us. Don’t stay here. The tsunami will come from the ocean. Our village will be flooded. Our homes will be swept away. The fields will be flooded. We will come back later and build our homes again. There is nothing for us here now.” The Compassionate One heard this and said: “take on Sikhi in your hearts. Listen to the wisdom and do the Simran of Satnam. Your homes won’t be destroyed again. If you don’t trust me then you can go. I will stay here. Your homes will be still here when you come back. I will give you the wisdom then.” The Master of the Universe said this and sat down. The people of the village went to another place.
There was no tsunami and the ocean could not flood the village. After some time, the people came back to their village. They saw their homes still standing as they left them. They understood that Guru ji was omnipotent. They decided to become Sikhs. They all gathered and collected some gifts. They came and bowed to Guru ji. Guru ji gave them the Pahul. The villages near the ocean were all saved. A Dharamsala was constructed and Sikhi was illuminated. Simran, charity, Naam and bathing began to happen. They all did the Simran of the Satguru. They had love for Prema Bhagti. Guru ji stayed for many days and gave his wisdom. He then took leave and travelled on.
There was an island in the ocean called Haaroo Desh. Guru ji wished to go there. Guru ji said to Bhai Mardana ji and me: “chant Vahiguru and follow me.” We all walked on the water of the ocean, chanting Vahiguru. Guru ji chanted another Mantra though. He was chanting “Sohang.” He walked and the water did not touch his feet. When we came into the middle of the ocean, Bhai Mardana ji stopped chanting “Vahiguru” and started to chant “Sohang.” He was trying to copy Guru ji and be equal to him. As he chanted Sohang, he began to sink into the ocean. He fell into the water and began to drown. Sri Guru ji tuned his head backwards to see what was happening. He saw Bhai Mardana ji drowning into the water. He was all wet. Guru ji said to the drowning Bhai Mardana ji:
Sri Mukhvaak..
Ramkali Mahall 1..
What the Guru says, earn that..
What the Guru does, why do you wish to copy it?..
(SGGS 933)
Bhai Mardana ji heard this and understood what had happened. He began to chant Vahiguru again. He came out of the water and became as he was before. He walked on top of the water. In this way, we crossed the ocean. We arrived at the island and came to the Haaroo city. Guru ji saw a tree and sat under it. The Raja and the people of the island followed a Sarevra of the Jainism faith. They all had the wisdom of Jainism and followed it. When the people wanted it to rain, they would go to their Jaini Sarevra. The Sarevra would use Jantra Mantras to make it rain. He made everyone do his Simran. Whichever parent would come to him for sons, he would give them sons. If someone wanted money or some other item, he would fulfill their wishes. The people did the Simran of the Sarevra. They never did the Simran of the Satnam.
Bhai Mardana ji began to sing the great glories of Sri Kartaar. Many people came and listened to the Shabad with love. The love grew in their hearts. After the Shabad, they asked: “tells us the meanings of what you were singing.” Sri Guru ji said: “do the Simran of Hari. This will benefit you in your end time. Renounce the small pleasures of the vices. Do the Prema Bhagti with love.” The people heard this and said: “our Guru makes us do Simran of his own name and says that there is no Akaal Purakh. He says: “just as a tree is grown from a seed, the tree grows the seed again; that is how a human is born of another human. There is no other creator or sustainer.” This is the wisdom he has given us. He has explained this to us with many examples.” The people said this and went back to their homes.
It had not rained since Guru ji came to Haaroo Desh. It was supposed to be the rainy season. The fields began to dry out. There was no other solution. Sri Guru ji pulled the powers of the Sarevra. The Sarevra was the Guru of the whole city. The people came to the Sarevra for the wish of rain. The Sarevra starting chanting his Mantras but nothing happened. He tried many things but people were depressed. They came back to their homes and were worried. This gave them pain. Some people came to where Sri Guru ji was sitting. Guru ji said to them: “why are you worried? Did you suffer some damage?” The people said: “without water our fields are drying up. Our Guru usually made it rain but he couldn’t do it this time with his Mantra. This has made us worried. There is no other solution for the crops.” Sri Guru ji said: “do the Simran of Satnam. It will complete your tasks in both worlds. Stop doing the Seva of the Sarevra. Only look towards the shelter of the Ikankaar. Whatever you ask for, you will get. You won’t be worried again. Don’t waver. Have faith. Make Karah Prashaad and do an Ardaas. It will rain then.” The people heard the words of Sri Guru ji and went to their king. They told him everything. They gathered and made Karah Prashaad with love. They did an Ardaas with their hands folded. As soon as they were done, the rain clouds came. It started to rain a lot. Everyone was happy. The Raja and the people came to bow to Guru ji. They said: “you are the giver of bliss and Mukti. You are worthy of worship. You are the moon of Dooj (the 2nd). Bless us with your wisdom. We will become your Sikhs and do your Seva. We have seen your powers. We come to your shelter. Please take care of us.” Guru ji gave them the Pahul of his feet and blessed everyone. He gave them the wisdom of Satnam and broke their bonds.
The Sarevra was embarrassed. He came to Guru ji for a discussion. He sat down and spoke to Guru ji. After hearing the Sarevra’s words, Sri Guru ji, the Jaganath, uttered a Salok:
Sri Mukhvaak Salok M: 1..
They pluck the hair out of their heads, and drink filthy water; they beg leftover food.
They spread their feces and smell the bad smell; they see water and shy from it.
They pull the hair on their heads like they are sheep; their hands are filled with ashes.
They have renounced the work of their mothers and fathers; their families and relatives cry out in distress.
They have no last rites, no feasts and no one lights the lamps for them. After their death, where will they go?
The sixty-eight Teeraths give them no place of protection, and no Brahmin eats their food.
They remain dirty and impure forever, day and night; they do not apply the ceremonial tilak mark to their foreheads.
They sit together in silence, as if in mourning; they do not go to any court.
With their begging bowls hanging from their waists, and carry fly-brushes in their hands; they walk along in single file.
They are not Yogis, and they are not Jangams (followers of Shiva). They are not Qazis or Mullahs.
Ruined by the Merciful Lord, they wander around in disgrace, and their entire troop is damned.
The don’t kill lifeform but only He gives them life; no one else can protect them.
They go without giving alms or any cleansing baths; their heard are bald and covered with dust.
The jewels came from the water, when the mountain of gold was used to churn it.
The sixty-eight Teerath were established by the Devis and Devatas, where the festivals are celebrated and hymns are chanted.
After bathing, the Muslims recite their prayers, and after bathing, the Hindus perform their worship services. The wise always take baths.
When dead and while alive, they are saved, when water is poured on their heads.
O Nanak, the bald-headed ones are filled with Satan’s ways. They are not pleased to hear these words.
When it rains, there is happiness. Water is the key to all life.
When it rains, the corn the sugar cane, and cotton grow; which provides clothing for all.
When it rains, the cows always have grass to graze upon, and housewives can churn the yoghurt into butter.
With that ghee, sacred Home and Yagnas and feasts are performed; all these efforts are blessed.
The Guru is the ocean, and Sikhi is the river. Bathing within it, glorious greatness is obtained.
O Nanak, if the bald-headed ones do not bathe, then seven handfuls of ashes are put upon their heads. ||1||
(SGGS 149-150)
The Jaini heard this Shabad and was embarrassed. He wanted to use his powers to scare Guru ji. He began chanting Jantras and Mantras. He used his full power but nothing happened to Guru ji. When he figured out that Guru ji was stronger, he then had faith in Guru ji. He became humble and took the Charun Pahul. He renounced his ways. He did the Simran of the Satguru with love. He started doing Seva. Guru ji had a Dharmsala made. Sikhi was established in that place. The Sarevra was instilled as the head of the Order. Guru ji made the whole city do the Simran of the Naam. They were walking a crocked path before but were now straightened out. When Guru ji wanted to leave, the Raja came to Guru ji and said: “stay in our land forever. See us as your servants and let us serve you, oh Master of the Universe. We will do as you say. Separating from you will give us pain.” Sri Guru ji said: “read and listen to Bani. That will destroy your pain. When you have a wish in your heart, make the Satguru’s Karah Prashaad. Place a Takka and do the Ardaas. The Sri Kartaar will fulfill your wish. Meditate on my form. I will come to fulfill your task.” The Raja then said: “please accept my gifts.” He placed many diamonds and gems in front of Guru ji. He thought of Guru ji’s feet in his heart. He placed many plates of pearls. They were shiny and expensive. Guru ji said: “these pearls are garbage for me. The true pearl is the Name of Hari; which I have strung in my Munn. It is radiant in both worlds. It is never destroyed and keeps you without sorrow.” Bhai Mardana ji said: “take some pearls. They are shiny and beautiful.” Guru ji said: “what you are looking at is just pain. The Name of the Parmeshwar gives joy. Mardana, you have that pearl already. Chant that name with love. Don’t ever love these pearls.” Saying this, Guru ji took leave and set off on his travels. He illuminated Prema Bhagti in the world.