Giving the good wisdom and destroying the bad wisdom; your face is like the moon; I bow to your lotus feet, oh power of wisdom. I write the Katha that gives joy.
Sri Bala Sandhur Vaach..
Listen Sri Angad Dev, Guru Nanak Dev ji went forward towards the Ketu Mal Khand. Everyone in that area, including the Raja, worshiped the Sri Chandi there, with love. There was a huge Mela there when we went. It was at the Mandir of Kalika. Guru ji sat on the path to the Mandir. Many people came and went to the Mandir. They brought baby goats as offerings for the Devi. They bowed and had their wishes fulfilled. When the Raja came, he brought many people with him. He saw the three of us and said to his people: “these people seem foreign. We should capture one of them and offer him to the Devi.” Listen Guru Angad Dev ji, the people captured me. They were happy and played their dhols. They took me forward and said: “we have captured an awesome sacrifice! The Mother of the World will be happy and give us a boon!” At that time, Bhai Mardana ji came to me and said: “Bala, looks like your life is over. Death has surrounded you. They will chop your head and give it as an offering. They will worship the Gaurja and receive a boon.” I said: “you speak falsely. Only the body dies and lives. This body is made of the 5 prime elements. When it dies, the elements go back to their elements. The Aatma is never born nor does it die. It is never happy nor sad. It is never in fear. Nobody can kill the Aatma. It is the Sat, Chetna and Anand form. Fire cannot burn it; water can’t drown it; millions of weapons cannot cut it. The ones who see life and death, they live in the Ahankaar of the body. They are Agyaanis. When the end time comes for the body, nobody can save it by any effort. If it is not time for me to die then not one hair of mine will be harmed. Place, time and means of death needs to come together for death to happen. Only then can the body die. Nobody can save it then. If even one is not precise; one of place, time and means of death, then the Kaal will protect the body.” Bhai Mardana ji heard this and went quiet.
I was taken to the Mandir and Bhai Mardana ji came with me. Guru Nanak Dev ji came there as well. He didn’t say anything. He watched the drama. When we came to the idol of Durga, the Raja said: “take this man and offer him as a sacrifice. We will make the Devi happy.” The whole crowd gathered there. Men and women were watching this drama. One person took out his sword from its sheath. The sword shined and Bhai Mardana ji got scared seeing it. Bhai Mardana ji said: “Prabhoo ji, he stays in your company! Please protect him!” As soon as Bhai Mardana ji said that, the Kalika Devi roared loud and appeared right in front of her idol. A thunderous sound echoed in the temple, sending terrifying chills throughout the bodies of the attendees. The crowd got into fights with each other. The Chandi appeared in a fierce way. She took the sword from the man and swung the sword on the neck of the Raja. The Raja’s head rolled like a fruit falling from the tree. The Raja’s body fell to the ground. Blood flowed from his body. The people in the Mela ran away in fear. Nobody stayed in the Mandir except for the 3 of us. Guru ji, the Master of the Universe spoke to the Chandi: “the Raja was your servant. You saved Bala, my servant, and killed the Raja. The Raja wanted to impress you and offered you a human. Why did you do an unorthodox act in anger?” Sri Chandi Kaali then spoke: “listen Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, Parmeshwar ji: the beloved servants of Sri Hari, I protect them day and night. If unwise people want to gave them pain, my way is to kill them. This Raja was foolish. He wanted to kill a saint by bringing him in front of me. That’s why I got angry and saved the saint.” The Devi then disappeared. She is the Jagat Mata, Ishwari, Abhavi.
The whole city was in mourning. Men and women cried at the death of their Raja. The wise people of the city thought: “these 3 people are powerful.” The wise people all came to us with love and faith. They saw Sri Guru ji’s radiance. The son of the King came and stood in front of Guru ji. He bowed and said: “please forgive our mistake. We didn’t know of your greatness. Please make us your Sikhs and give us the boon of fearlessness.” Guru ji heard the request and became compassionate. He gave them his wisdom: “do the Simran of the Satnam. Do the Seva of saints with love and devotion.” Guru ji had the Raja cremated and installed the prince on to the Royal Throne. Guru ji named him, “Dharam Jas” and anointed the Royal mark on his forehead. A beautiful Dharmsala was made. They all did Keertan there together. Guru ji said: “keep your mind humble, all the time. Focus your attention in the Satnam, without any breaks. Bathe and give donations. This will give you peace and joy. Sing the glories of Akaal Purakh with love. Love the Satsangat. Spend your time in Sangat. You will then receive the Sikhi of the Guru. Earn my words.” For many days we stayed there. Guru ji gave them the good wisdom. Prabhoo ji then took leave from the area. We came to a new place.
We came to the Ramyak Khand next. We sat down near a city. Some people came to see Guru ji. They saw him as a saint and bowed to him. The Master of the Universe saw them and gave them the good wisdom: “do the Simran of Satnam, day and night. Do the Seva of saints with love. Don’t have the sight of dogs in your heart. Keep the sight of lions. Sorrow, joy, pain and pleasure; let it all go. Do Bhagti at Amritvela.” The people asked: “we don’t understand the “sights of dogs and lions.” Please explain this to us, oh Master. You are the saint that gives joy.” Guru ji then spoke: “understand what the sight of a dog is: one sees pain and joy coming from another human. He/she does not understand the ways of the Ishwar. The dog does not know the attacker, it bites the stick. It is unwise. The one who thinks like this, those Manmukhs are like dogs. When pain and pleasure come, the ones that see this as coming from the Parmeshwar; not from humans; Sri Kartaar does everything; as the lion leaves the weapon and attacks the attacker, that is how the Gurmukhs see pain and joy coming from the Parmeshwar and nobody else. The One Kartaar is the only one that gives. Have this sight and you will be saved. Practice making your mind still. Your desires and vices will be destroyed then.” Guru ji stayed in this area for some time. He gave them wisdom. He then took leave from them.
Guru ji then came to Bhaddar Khand. The Raja of the area heard of a saint coming. He came to meet Guru ji. He bowed and sat down with his hands folded. His name was Kaulnaab. He said: “out of the 4 Ashrams, which is the highest? I see you as a complete saint, so I ask you. Please clear my doubt.” Guru ji, the Compassionate One, heard this and said: “Ghrist is the best. It gives life to the other Ashrams. It provides for them as well. Just as the lotus is first born from the water, the water then takes care of it by giving it water, that is how Ghrist is. It is the root of the tree. The other Ashrams are its branches. Ghrist is like the ocean from which many pearls and gems come out of. From Brahmacharj (chaste) to Baan Prast (forest dweller) along with the Sanyasi (renouncer of the world), the Ghrist takes care of all. The Ghristi feeds them all by giving donations. The Ghristi does not send anyone empty-handed. They are like wells. If they don’t donate, the water not taken out of the well becomes dirty. If the water keeps coming out of the well, the water is replaced immediately with sweet water. The Ghristi is the same way. If they donate, they will be in joy in both worlds. Staying in this Ashram, one should practice to know the Aatma. They should do Simran all of the time of the Giver of Joy. Do Prema Bhagti and earn an honest living. Who can praise such a person to the fullest? When a cantaloupe is attached to the vine, when it is ripe it becomes sweet. If you break it from the vine and then make it ripe, it is less sweet and becomes stained.” The Raja heard this and was happy. He became humble and bowed his head. Guru ji stayed there for some days. The Raja kept Guru ji with love in his home. Guru ji gave him a lot of wisdom. The Raja started to do Simran. Bhagti became illuminated. The tradition of Gursikhi started there. Guru ji took leave from there.
Guru ji said to Bhai Mardana ji: “I have shown you 8 Khands thus far. The 9th is the Bhaarat Khand. I will show you the Bhaarat Khand now, where the home of your family is." Bhai Mardana ji said: "let's go Prabhoo where you wish to go. By your compassion I have seen all these different places. How else would people like us be able to see this?" He laughed and then realized that they were in Jammu. Guru ji saw a nice place and sat down. Guru Angad Dev ji, listen to the great Katha. Guru Nanak Dev ji said to me: "the great bear, Jaamvant, Jammu is named after him. There was a big cave where he used to live. He lived for a long time. He was very powerful. When Sri Bhaavan ji came to deceive Bal Raja, he mapped the 3 Loks with his 2 feet. He was the compassionate one; Jaamvant did 21 Parkarmas in 1 hour of Bhaavan while he was acquiring the 3 Loks in his grand form. He was really strong and really fast. How can we measure his strength? Then when Sri Ram Chander ji came, who took away the pains of the Bhagats. Jaamvant went to Lanka with Sri Ram ji. A great battle happened there. Jaamvant fought in the battle with valour. He killed many strong Daynts. In Dwapur, the Krishan Avatar came to lighten the weight of sins from Dharti. He came to Jammu to find a Mani. When he saw Jaamvant, he fought a great battle with him. They had a duel as both were strong. None could defeat the other. They fought for 28 days. None was victorious. Krishan ji turned into the form of Sri Ram ji. When Jaamvant saw Sri Ram's form, he quickly grabbed his feet. He gave Krishan ji the Suraj Mani and his daughter, Jamvanti. He asked for forgiveness. Sri Krishan ji then went to Dwarka and Jaamvant stayed there. This place was known as Jammu then." We spent 2 days there. Many people came to meet Guru ji. The people went to their king and said: "the Tappa, Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, is here. The world praises him." When the king heard this, he ran barefoot. He brought expensive gifts with him. He humbly bowed to Guru ji's feet. He offered the gifts and said: "you are the complete Sri Satguru. Please give me your wisdom. I come to the sanctuary of your feet. Make me your Sikh, oh Master of the Universe." Guru ji heard this and became compassionate. The Treasure of Joy spoke: "be just, according to the Dharma. Don't be greedy and unjust. See the world as a dream. Only the Aatma is the Truth. It is the One. Do the Seva of saints with love. Be compassionate towards the naked and the hungry. Do the Simran of Satnam with focus. Listen to and sing the glories of Hari. Spend your time in the Satsangat. If you earn this wisdom then you will become the Raja of the 22 mountainous ranges. Your tasks will be completed. After this life, you will be blessed and respected. The sins of all your births have been washed away." The Raja was happy to hear the wisdom. He did what Guru ji had instructed. His kingdom got bigger. He ruled the 22 mountainous ranges after a few years. He kept Guru ji with him for a few days. Guru ji gave the Dharma Wisdom and helped everyone practice it. Guru ji then took leave.
We then came to a village of the Banjaras (merchants). We spent the night there. Their leader had a son after a long time. He was without children for many years. He had a great celebration when his son was born. Many people came to his home to congratulate him. The Leader received everyone's well wishes with joy. Everyone gave him their blessings. Gulaal of many colours was thrown onto people. Guru ji sat in a garden. It was soon evening and the Banjaras went to their homes. Nobody came to see Guru ji. Nobody came to meet him or bow to him. They were filled with joy and pride and walked by. They didn’t respect Guru ji.
After a while, Bhai Mardana ji said to Sri Guru ji: "these fools are filled with ego over the joy of a son being born. They are stuck in attachment. They didn't respect you. They didn't give you any gifts, seeing you as a traveler or a Sadhoo; they should have come to welcome you. They are congratulating each other while meeting one another. How foolish are they?" Guru ji said: "this child that is born, he has come to receive his debt that his owed to him. In his last birth, he gave the father a loan. He has received everything now. He will die in the morning. When the child dies, the father will be in pain. He will cry over the child. They will be stuck in attachment like a noose. They will meet each other and cry together." After saying this, Guru ji came into love and sang a Shabad in Raag. Bhai Mardana ji got the command to play his Rabab in Sur and Taal.
Sri Mukhvaak
Ik Oankaar Satguru Prasaad..
Sri raag Mahala 1 Pahiray Ghar 1..
In the first watch of the night, O my merchant friend, you were cast into the womb, by the Lord's Command.
Hanging Upside-down within the womb, you performed Tapp, O my merchant friend, and you prayed to your Lord and Master.
You uttered prayers to your Lord and Master, while upside-down, and you meditated on Him with deep love and affection.
You came into this Dark Age of Kali Yuga without tradition (naked), and you shall depart again naked.
As the Pen has written on your forehead, so shall your Karma be with you.
Says Nanak, in the first watch of the night, by the Hukam of the Lord, you entered into the womb. ||1||
In the second watch of the night, O my merchant friend, you have forgotten your focus (on the Parmeshwar).
From hand to hand, you were passed around, O my merchant friend, like Krishna in the house of Yashoda.
From hand to hand, you were passed around, and your mother said, "This is my son."
O, my thoughtless and foolish mind, think: In the end, nothing is yours.
You do not know the One who created the creation. Gather Gyaan within your mind.
Says Nanak, in the second watch of the night, you have forgotten your focus. ||2||
In the third watch of the night, O my merchant friend, your attention was focused on wealth and youth.
You did not remember the Name of the Lord, O my merchant friend, which would release you from bondage.
You did not remember the Name of the Lord, and you became confused by Maya.
Drenched in your riches and intoxicated with youth, you wasted your beautiful life, uselessly.
You have not traded in righteousness and Dharma; you have not made good deeds my friend.
Says Nanak, in the third watch of the night, your mind was attached to wealth and youth. ||3||
In the fourth watch of the night, O my merchant friend, the Reaper (messenger of death) came to the field.
When the Messenger of Death captures you, O my merchant friend, no one knew the mystery of where you have gone.
So think of the Lord! No one knows this secret, of when the Messenger of Death came and took you away.
The false crying happened on your both sides. In an instant, you became a stranger.
You obtained exactly what you loved.
Says Nanak, in the fourth watch of the night, O mortal, the Reaper has harvested your field. ||4||1||
(SGGS 74)
When the night passed and morning came, everyone yelled: "the child has died!" Many women got together and cried. They pulled their hair and threw them. They cried and brought the body of the child out of the home. They buried the body of the child into the ground. They cried and regretted it in many ways. The whole city was in mourning. Seeing them, Bhai Mardana ji said: "they were so happy yesterday, now they are sad at the death of their child. Time is amazing. These people were stuck in attachment which gave them joy and pain. They didn't recognize the Karta who does everything." Sri Guru ji heard this, the Benevolent One, said:
Salok..
By the mouths that one receives congratulations and Lakhs of blessings..
I can see the same mouths crying now, they meet each other and beat their heads..1.
(Sri Nanak Parkash Granth)
After saying this, the Master of the World went on ahead. He was going to save many others and destroy the hypocrisy.