To clean the field of the heart is to take out all of the vices, like weeds. The compassion of Satguru ji is like the rain. The crops of Bhagti will grow.
In this way, Sri Prabhoo Guru ji did a strict Tapp and composed a lot of Gurbani. The Gurbani came to him from Sach Khand. His praises spread far and wide to homes in foreign lands. They all said: “Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji.” Many people gathered and came to do the Darshan of the Giver of Mukti. Some did his Darshan and went back home but some decided to stay with the Prabhoo forever. There was a great crowd in Kartarpur. They ate Langar at 2 times a day. There was no shortage of food. Everyone in Kartarpur ate from the Langar. A lot of people came from far away lands. The Sangat came and couldn’t be counted. They did Guru ji’s Darshan and were happy. Many years passed like this. Guru ji instilled the message of “Nam, Dhaan and Ishnaan,” in all. The sounds of Keertan were always heard in Kartarpur. The good wisdom of Bhagti was shining brightly. There were Jaikaras from every direction of Guru ji. The Shabad and Simran were practiced a lot. There was a lot of discussions of Brahm all of the time.
Guru ji decided to test the Gursikhi. Listen ahead to the Katha of what the Gunkhaani did. Guru ji reduced the Langar to only once a day. He told the Sikhs: “plough the fields. Do the farming with love. Your wisdom will become pure.” He said this and took the Sangat with him. He made them do Seva all day long. He didn’t let anyone sit. When the Sikhs saw this, some returned home and took care of their work. Some stayed for four or five days and worked under hunger. They were burnt of hunger. They let go of the plough and asked for leave from Guru ji. They would go back home and do their work. About half of the Sangat left under the circumstances. Everyone was told by the Prabhoo: “now, instead of eating everyday, we will eat once in two days. Let’s get rid of the problem and plough the fields.” Ten days were spent like this. The people were anxious from the hunger and tired from ploughing the fields all day. Many more Sikhs went home. Very few remained. They ploughed the fields for 12 hours a day along with other instructions from Guru ji. These Sikhs were determined till death. They accepted death and didn’t want to leave under any circumstances. They did the Seva with great hunger. They became weak but didn’t go home. The Prabhoo said: “prepare Langar as it was before. Make the Sikhs satiated.” The food was at full levels again. The Sikhs ate till they were full, 2 times a day. They still worked all day long. The fields were green because of this. They worked hard and produced a lot of crops. They said to Guru ji: “by your grace, the crops are ready. What is your command?” Satguru ji said: “harvest the crops. Gather them but don’t re-seed.” The Sikhs took their sickles and cut the crops. They all harvested the crops and piled them up. The Sikhs came to Guru ji and said: “the crops have been harvested and gathered. The piles are really high. Give us your command.” Prabhoo ji heard this and went to the storage area. Guru ji stood there and was happy to see the crops. He said: “good work! Shaabaash! Your hard work paid off. The Seva you did for the Guru, listen to me now but you can do as you please.” The Sikhs said: “what is in our hands? We work by your words.” Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji said: “listen to my words with your ears: if we become greedy, nothing comes to our hands. Set ablaze all of these crops. Burn them all with fire. Let go of your greed.” The Sikhs were surprised to hear this. They said to each other: “why should we burn these? We worked really hard to harvest these in hunger. We went through pain to raise these crops.” Some said: “we can’t burn these.” They said this and moved back from the piles. Some talked amongst themselves: “we are under his command. We shouldn’t look at profit or loss. We should obey his command.” They took the fire and lit the piles of crops on fire. The crops were dry so they burned quickly. The people were surprised to see this. Some went back home seeing this. The way of the Guru could not be known. The wise Sikhs bowed to Guru ji’s lotus feet and said: “Jai, Jai!”
Guru ji came back to Kartarpur where the discussions of the Shabad happened. When some days passed, Guru ji started a new drama. He tied a knife to his waist and dressed like a hunter. He took many pigs in front of him and had a few dogs behind him. He stood outside of Kartarpur. The Sikhs were surprised to see Guru ji. Many lost their faith. Like a strong wind uprooting the trees, the Sikhs lost their faith. They came to Kartarpur and sat down. They said to each other: “looks like Sri Guru ji has become a Divana. He’s doing wrong things. How can we stay with him now? He’s speaking nonsense. We can’t see his form like this. He has pigs and dogs with him.” Everyone left Guru ji except for Bhai Lehna ji. He stood near Guru ji with his hands folded. He had given his body, mind and wealth to Guru ji. How could he leave? He had given everything he had to Guru ji. Sri Satguru ji at that point said a Shabad:
Sriraag Mahalla 1 Ghar 4..
(The Jeev) has one dog (greed) and two female gods (Asa and Trishna). In the early morning, they begin barking constantly till the evening.
Falsehood is the dagger; through deception, they eat the carcasses of the dead (deception). I have taken on the form of a Dhaanak (hunter), Oh Kartar! ||1||
I (the Jeev) have not followed the Master’s good advice, nor have I done good deeds. I (the Jeev) am deformed and horribly disfigured (as I don’t see my real form).
Your one Name alone, Lord, saves the world. This is my hope; this is my support. ||1||Rahao||
With my mouth I slander, day and night. I spy on the houses of others-I am such a wretched low-life!
Lust and anger dwell in my body, like the Chandaal (who cremates the dead). I have taken on the form of a Dhaanak (hunter), Oh Kartar! ||2||
I (the Jeev) have the noose in my mind (for others) although I appear gentle, dressed like good people. I am a robber-I rob the land.
I (the Jeev) appear wise but carry loads of sin. I have taken on the form of a Dhaanak (hunter), Oh Kartar! ||3||
I (the Jeev) have not appreciated what You have done for me, Lord; I take from others and exploit them. What face shall I show You, Lord? I am a sneak and a thief.
Nanak, I speak humbly as I ponder on this. I have taken on the form of a Dhaanak (hunter), Oh Kartar! ||4||29||
(SGGS 24)
Guru ji sang this Shabad in Raag, giving an Alaap as he sang in a high pitch. He recited the Shabad and wandered around the thick jungle. His face was really radiant like the sun. His form was scary. It was hard to look at him. It was like looking directly at the sun. He spent some time like this. Bhai Lehna ji followed him with his hands folded. He said: “listen Prabhoo, this drama that you are doing, everyone is shocked to see you like this. They are worried that you have gone senile. They lost their patience and left. There is nobody with you oh Master. I’m the only one here as I am never going to leave you. Whatever tests you do, I will tolerate them all. I have sold my body and mind to you. I have bought your love. You can leave me or kill me. I am your purchased slave. If you want to kill me, go ahead. If you wish for it in your heart, you can leave me alive. If my body is destroyed for you then I would consider myself as fortunate. This is my only wish in my heart: I wish to destroy my body for you. I don’t ever want to be in doubt seeing your Maya. Why are you doing such a drama?” Guru ji heard this and looked towards Bhai Lehna ji. He spoke words, to take people out of Hell: “this is what I feel like doing. I wish to stay alone. I don’t like the crowds. Why have you delayed in leaving me? Leave me and go away. Obey my words and don’t stay with me. Leave me and go back.” Bhai Lehna ji heard this and thought about this. He folded his hands and said: “I cannot disobey you, Guru ji. I will obey your every command.” Bhai Lehna ji left to go back. Guru ji looked towards Bhai Lehna ji and said: “let me tell you again: If you look back at me, then you will get what you deserve! Don’t stand near me. Run away and don’t come back!” Bhai Lehna ji heard these words and did not look back. He ran to Kartarpur like soldiers in an army running away. It was like the army lost and someone was going to give the news to the king. He came to Kartarpur and didn’t stop on the way.
Many Sikhs were sitting in the Dhera. Those Sikhs had no attachment of home or wealth. They came to Bhai Lehna ji and asked: “why are you like this? You are sweating and tired. You’re out of breath. Why did you run so fast? Tell us about Sri Guru ji. What did he say to you?” Bhai Lehna ji sat all the Sikhs down and bowed to their feet with love. He said to the Sikhs with sweet words: “to save the people of Kaliyuga, the Kartaar took an Avatar among us. Don’t see him as a human. Don’t doubt him. He is the Avatar of Sri Parmeshwar. He is the Giver of Mukti. Don’t see him as anything else. He was doing a drama to test us. We are his purchased slaves. If he wishes to keep us or kill us, that’s up to him. We gave everything we have to him. Why doubt what he does? If Sri Guru ji comes this way and does another drama, don’t get scared or be in doubt. If your head goes, then let it go. This tradition of testing has always been there. Sri Guru ji didn’t do anything new. The son of Ghaadi, Vishvamittar, tested Hari Chand. He stayed truthful and achieved bliss. Raja Shivi gave his own flesh for a pigeon. He received a high status for his patience. Raja Mordhuj’s mind was drenched in Bhagti. He passed the test that the Prabhoo gave.” Bhai Lehna ji said other Kathas and made the Sikhs understand.
After about 3 hours, Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji came back. The Sikhs got up, all of a sudden. They folded their hands and bowed. They were scared and amazed. Nobody said anything. Guru ji wore a red-copper kapeen with a Kulla on his head. He held a Kutka in his hand. There were no other clothes that he wore. He erased the bad wisdom of the Sikhs. He scared the vices out of the Sikhs. When the Sikhs bowed to Guru ji’s feet, Guru ji would hit them with his Kutka on their backs. The Sikhs were surprised. They moved back when they got hit. They couldn’t figure out what Guru ji was doing. Guru ji was erasing their sins. He hit everyone with his Kutka. Sri Guru ji then said: “why are you sitting here? Who are you? Go to your homes. There is nothing for you here now. Run away from here!” The Sikhs folded their hands and spoke in fear: “we are your Sikhs. We wish for Mukti.” When they called themselves a Sikh, Guru ji hit them with his Kutka again. When the Sikhs saw this, they ran away out of fear. Only a few remained. Guru ji asked the few: “since when have you been my Sikhs? Tell me quickly. Don’t waste time.” The Sikhs said: “since you made us your Sikhs. You are carefree. We are in your shelter. We want our pain to go away.” They wanted to speak but were scared. The radiance of Guru ji was like the sun’s bright light. The Sikhs couldn’t tolerate it. Prabhoo ji heard this and hit them with his Kutka again. The Sikhs lost their patience and ran away. They were hurt from getting hit with the Kutka. The Kutka was thick and Guru ji swung hard. The Sikhs ran away home. Very few remained. Sri Guru ji said to them: “if you are my Sikhs then obey me without delay. Come and follow me.” Guru ji walked on ahead. The Sikhs followed. The Sikhs that followed, they walked in fear. To test Sikhi, Guru ji did this drama. Only the one that had the Lord’s compassion would pass.
Guru ji took everyone to the thick jungle. There was a dead body on top of a pyre. There was a white sheet on top of the dead body. There was wood nearby. The Light of the Bedis stood there. The Sikhs came there. Guru ji said to all: “if you call yourselves my Sikhs, then obey my words. If you don’t want to go home then eat this dead body. If you don’t eat it then you will regret it.” The Sikhs were surprised to hear this. The Sikhs lost their patience. Some left and went home. Some hid in the jungle. Some stayed, being stubborn. Guru ji said to them: “if you stay here then eat the body. Don’t delay or else go home. Do one or the other.” Everyone was trembling in fear. They folded their hands and said: “we are your Sikhs. We won’t go home.” Guru ji hit them with his Kutka again. He said: “you deserve to be beaten. You call yourselves Sikhs but don’t obey me!” He kept hitting everyone. Everyone ran away out of fear. Nobody stayed other than Bhai Lehna ji. Guru ji said to him: “why are you standing? Why don’t you leave? If you are my Sikh then obey me. Eat the dead body. Don’t delay.” Bhai Lehna ji folded his hands and said: “my oath is that I will never disobey you. You are carefree. I am the Sikh in your shelter. You can keep me or kill me. I can’t leave your shelter.” Sri Guru ji said: “if you don’t want to leave me then eat the dead body.” Bhai Lehna ji walked around the dead body. Guru ji said: “why are you taking so much time?” Bhai Lehna ji said: “from which direction should I begin eating? I was waiting for your command.” Guru ji said: “start from the feet and eat till the head. Obey my command.” Bhai Lehna ji advanced quickly and took the sheet off the dead body. He was drenched in the Guru’s command. When he took the white sheet off, there was only Karah Prashaad. In front of Bhai Lehna ji’s eyes, the Karah Prashaad looked like a dead body. He was surprised to see the Tihaaval. Bhai Lehna ji bowed to Guru ji’s lotus feet. He folded his hands and said: “oh Parbrahm Kartaar the infinite, you are the Ikankaar who controls the whole universe. To save the people of Kaliyuga, you came in human form. Only you know your nature. Nobody else can know you.” The Compassionate One heard this and was happy. He looked at Bhai Lehna ji with blessings. He said: “my form will now be yours. Your form will become mines. Such an equality will form. I give you the whole universe after me. You will be the Guru in a good way. You will be seen. You will keep the seed of Sikhi. The Sikhs will all have faith in you. The complete Gyaan and Vivek will illuminate in you. You will be the Guru of the world and sit on the Gurta Ghaddi. The Sikhs will be dependant upon you and will follow you. You will be the support of the world. You will save the world and cut the pains of the Sikhs. There will be no one equal to you in this world. You kept the seed of Sikhi.” After saying this, the Gunkhaani came back with Bhai Lehna ji and sat in the Dharamsala. Everyone was told to come back without fear. Doing the Darshan of Guru ji, the pain runs away.