Attachment is like a ghost which possesses the mind. It doesn’t leave by any effort but runs away by the practice of the Shabad, the Mantra given by the Satguru.
I, Kavi Santokh Singh ji, have sung only a portion of the Katha of the Satguru. I couldn’t say it all. The glory of the Prabhoo is higher than high. My wisdom is lower than low. How can one compare to him? I have only a grain of an understanding of the glory of the Satguru, which is like the Sumer Mountain. If an ant wishes to cross the ocean, how would it do that? Now, the way Guru ji went to the Vaikunth, I will state it. Listen to it with love.
One day, under the shade of the Pippal tree, the Master of the Universe sat there in the morning. Guru ji saw that the cows and the mares were hungry. As the Sikhs would not leave Guru ji’s side, nobody was feeding the animals. He saw that the feed had not been given to the animals. Guru ji said to a servant named Bhai Kamala ji: “the animals are hungry. Go to the end of the fields and get green grass for the animals.” Bhai Kamala ji went to the end of the fields to get green grass. On the way, he saw three Jogis coming towards Kartarpur. It was in fact, Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu in disguise. They saw Bhai Kamala ji and said his name. They called him over and said: “Kamal, oh Sikh of the Guru, do a task for us. Take this Bibhuti and give it to Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. When you show this to him, he will give you a response. Bring his response to us. Go now and don’t delay.” Bhai Kamala ji saw the form of the 3 Jogis and noticed that they were really radiant. He was surprised. He couldn’t tell if they were Devatas are humans. He said to the three Jogis: “it is Guru ji’s command to collect grass. I will complete that first. It will take me an hour and a half. I will then give your message to him.” Vishnu ji then took some grass and made it grow with his power. He tied the bundle and gave it to Bhai Kamala ji. Bhai Kamala ji picked up the grass and was surprised to see this. He was mesmerized by the Jogis’ radiance and the powers they had: “I can’t tell who they are.”
Bhai Kamala ji came back to the village. Guru Nanak Dev ji saw Bhai Kamala ji and said: “Kamala, you came back pretty quick! Did you bring someone else’s cut grass? If you brought someone else’s grass by cheating them, don’t take this grass then. Don’t feed this grass of others to my animals. Go and take it back from where you brought it.” Bhai Kamala ji folded his hands and said: “I didn’t steal the grass. As I came quick, listen what happened, oh Giver of Peace: there are 3 Jogis sitting outside the village. They are very powerful. One of them picked up a fistful of grass and made it into a huge bundle. He put it on top of my head. They sent a message for you.” Bhai Kamala ji opened up the sack of Bibhuti and gave it to Guru ji in his hand. Guru ji recognized that it was the ash of Shiva. Guru ji said: “you brought me my calling.” Guru ji said that 3 times. Guru ji continued: “Kamala, go to the home of Bhai Sadharan and call him to me.” Bhai Kamala ji obeyed. After Guru Angad Dev ji was instructed to leave Kartarpur, Bhai Sadharan ji had done the Seva of Guru Nanak Dev ji, day and night. He would clean the clothes of Guru ji. He would wash the feet of Guru ji with joy. He did all of the Seva of Guru ji. He was his personal servant for his personal tasks. He did the Seva with a lot of love. (Bhai Sadharan ji was born in 1504 CE in the clan of Sehmi Tarkhaans. He gave many Sikhs the Gyaan in Kartarpur along with performing Keertan, taught to him by Guru Nanak Dev ji himself. His descendants carried on the tradition of Gurbani Sangeet in an unbroken lineage to modern times. Bhai Gurcharan Singh ji, Bhai Avtar Singh ji, Bhai Kultar Singh ji and Bhai Baldeep Singh ji are from that family. I, the author of Gurupurshotam, Jaswinder Singh, also trace the direct lineage to Bhai Sadharan ji) Guru ji called Bhai Sadharan ji to him.
When Bhai Sadharan ji came to see Guru ji, Guru ji got up and went outside of the village with him. All of the other Sikhs were told to stay. Guru ji went to meet the 3 Jogis. Guru ji seated Bhai Sadharan ji at a distance from where he could see everything. Guru ji proceeded to meet the 3 Jogis. The Jogis saw Guru Nanak Dev ji and said: “Jai Sacchidananda Sadohang!” The 3 Jogis got up and were really happy to see the Parmeshwar. Their eyes gleamed seeing Guru ji. They praised Guru ji in love. They praised with their mind, words and body: “Prabhoo, you are the beautiful home of joy. You are the Master of all the Loks. You are the Giver of Mukti. Your words are like arrows cutting the pain. You sustain the world and destroy it. May victory be to you! You took on the form of Bhaavan, previously. You were Raghav and killed Ravan. In the Yadav family, you came and killed Kans. You called yourself Nanak in Kaliyuga. You have thousands of heads (in the Sargun) but none (in the Nirgun). You have many hands and feet but none. You have unlimited eyes but none. You have many forms but are formless. You have thousands of names but are nameless. You have many ears without having any ear. The Brahmand is your Varaat form. Your eyes are the sun and moon. The 18 Bhaars of plants are your hairs. The oceans are your stomach. The rivers are your nerves. Your mouth is fire and your molars are the Jumms. The Dijpals are your arms. The 7 Loks of the Akaash are your head and the 7 Pataals are your feet. The earth is your torso. The 4 Vedas are your words. The Dharam is your front; the Adharma is your back. Death is your eyebrows; the winds are you breath. Hari, the life forms are all your forms. Whoever meditates upon your form, they don’t drown in this world. They receive Mukti and their bonds are broken. You are untouched by anything in every place. You destroy the Agyaan of your servants. We bow to your Lotus feet. You are still in the Gyaan. You destroy the hypocrisy.” The 3 Devatas praised Guru Nanak Dev ji in a beautiful way. Brahma then said: “you have changed your body into Guru Angad Dev ji. You established him as you wished. You illuminated the Satnam in the world. The chant (of the Name) is now being done. It is time to come back to Sach Khand, to your place.” Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji heard this and agreed. The 3 Devatas went back to their abodes at that time.
Guru Nanak Dev ji came back to meet Bhai Sadharan ji. They went to the place of his departure. There was a field of 8 Bighas there. Guru ji said: “listen Sadharan, this place, collect firewood for this place. If someone stops you from putting it here, don’t obey them. Keep the firewood here.” Guru ji told him the correct tradition and then came back to the village, near the Dharamsala. He sat under the Pippal. The Sikhs came to do his Darshan. The 4 Chadras that Guru ji would wear, he kept them with him. Two he took on his body and two were kept in the home. He only wore 2 at a time. One on his body and one around his waste. Saying the Guru’s name, the noose of the Jumms would break. Bhai Sadharan ji was told by Guru ji: “take two of my Chadras and wash them in the Ravi.” Bhai Sadharan ji obeyed and washed the 2 Chadras in the Ravi. He washed them with love. The Chadras were white. He dried them in the sun and brought them back to Guru Nanak Dev ji. The Light of the Bedis said: “take them to the home and clean the home. Only a few hours remain in the day so do it quickly.” Bhai Sadharan ji went to Guru ji’s home, where the Master stayed at night. With a lot of love, Bhai Sadharan ji broomed the home and then wiped it down. He had used cow dung to clean the area. He then came back to the Giver of Mukti. He folded his hands and said: “please see the home oh Kirpa Nidhaan. If there is any fault, please tell me so I may fix it.” Guru ji heard this and got up. He saw the Dharamsala and was really happy with Bhai Sadharan ji. He gave him Aatam Gyaan and destroyed his doubts.
Guru ji came back to the shade of the Pippal. The gathering of Sikhs was radiant there. Keertan was being done. The Naam was praised. Hearing this, the 3 illnesses were being destroyed. As Guru ji’s ways were, that continued. At Amritvela, 2:30 am, Guru ji would bathe and sit in the Dharamsala. The Keertan would then start. The sweet Raags were sung. Jap, Tapp, Gyaan and Dhyaan happened. The Sikhs sat and did Keertan with string instruments in their hands. The bliss was spread. The love of the Ikankaar drenched their hearts with bliss. Day and night, the love grew. The Sikhs did Guru ji’s Darshan. Their mindful filth ran away. The 9 types of Bhagti awoke in the heart. They were drenched in the one love. The duality did not come to their hearts. Just as the tree is generous, the Sikhs were very generous as well. Just as the fish loves the water, they chanted the Naam like a Chatrik looking for the Swanti drop. They were like a merchant who loves the ledgers. They were always thinking of how much Gyaan they earned. Their focus was like the Chakor towards the moon. Their eyes were like the bee for Guru ji’s lotus feet. Their hearts were pure and white like the waters of the Ganga. They destroyed the pains of others like it was their brother’s pain. They loved Keertan like a Jogi in Parmanand. They did Seva with love in their hearts. They received the highest status by Guru ji’s blessings. How can I praise those Sikhs who remained in the presence of the Guru at that time? Bhai Bhudda ji, Bhai Ajitha Chaudhary ji, Bhai Sadharan ji and many others. My wisdom is like an insect. How can a pick up the great mountain of the praises of the Sikhs? Those Sikhs destroyed their desires and wishes like the Garud killing the snakes. Lust, anger, greed and ego along with the attachment and Avidya; violence, lies, tattletale, slandering; they all ran away anxiously as the Sikhs walked on the path of Sikhi. It was like the elephant herd getting worried by the roar of the lion. Seeing the great radiance of the Guru, Kaliyuga became weak, like a helpless and weak man. The enemies of Gyaan, the vices; they were all worried of the path of Sikhi. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s Darshan was like an ocean. The Bhagti was the waves. Gyaan was the moon in the heart. The hot sun of attachment was running away. The Chits of the Sikhs were like Chakors, looking at Guru ji. The desires of the vices were in pain like the Chakva. Pain and pleasure; seeing them as the same, was the moonlight. The moon of Gyaan gave pain to the separated woman from her husband. It was pleasure for the chaste and pious woman. The gardens of virtues flourished. In this way, Satyuga came to Kartarpur during the last few days of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s life.
That Amritvela, Guru ji bathed in the Ravi. The Sikhs all met Guru ji and did Keertan in the Dharamsala. Prema Bhagti and Gyaan filled the Keertan. The Sikhs were filled with a lot of love. It made them joyous. Many Sikhs listened to Keertan and many sung. The Destroyer of Thoughts was sitting in the Sangat. As he listened to Keertan, he closed both of his eyes. He went into the Samadhi with the Endless Form. He was in pure bliss. His body was still during the Samadhi. He spent about 3 hours like this. He then opened his eyes and spoke words: “today is the great day for me to immerse into the Light. Bring all of the items needed for the cremation, quickly. Flowers, camphor, sandalwood, rose essences and kusha grass; bring all of the items needed. Be happy. Don’t be sad. Celebrate this event.” Hearing Guru ji’s words, the Sikhs began to shed tears from their eyes. The news spread in Kartarpur. Everyone began to cry. It was the Asoo Vaddi 7th when Prabhoo ji, the Guru of the world thought of leaving his body. The news spread throughout the villages. As people heard, they all came to do Guru ji’s Darshan to make their life a success. Some came mounted on their horses. They came quickly. The 4 Varans of Hindus, Turks, they all came, singing Guru ji’s praises. Men and women all came, running to Kartarpur. They said: “we don’t want to miss Guru ji. We want his rare Darshans, one more time. His Darshan destroys the sins.” Wherever the news spread, people forgot their tasks and came to Kartarpur. Brahamachaaris, Jogis, Jattis, Tappis; whoever found out, they all came running to Kartarpur.
The Complete Guru sat in the Dharamsala. His Name was the Churan to kill the illness of reincarnation. There was a great crowd in Kartarpur. They all said: “Dhan Dhan.” Guru ji’s face was radiantly red like the red before sunrise. Sikhs, servants and family members were all around Guru ji. His face was their support. The night of Bemukh ran away. The stars of sins hid. This is what happened to the people who came.
Listen to what happened in the home. The Prabhoo sat with patience. The Sikhs were the embodiments of compassion. They shed tears. The Kirpa Nidhaan said: “get up Sadharan and go quickly. Call Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das to come here.” Bhai Sadharan ji obeyed and went to the home. He said to the sons of the Guru with his hands folded: “Sri Prabhoo ji has made preparation to go to Sach Khand today. He is calling you to him. Come to his presence. Don’t delay.” Bhai Sadharan ji’s words were like water. Baba Sri Chand ji’s and Baba Lakhmi Das ji’s hearts were like wax. They did not have any faith. The words didn’t affect them. They said: “how can that happen all of a sudden? He was sitting in peace and bliss. We are not coming. We don’t believe you. This is like the fragrance of the flowers in the sky. I can’t believe this.” Bhai Sadharan ji came back to Guru Nanak Dev ji. He told Guru ji of what his sons had said. The Sikhs and servants were crying a lot. They did Guru ji’s Darshan and cried. The Keertan was being done. Hearing the Keertan, the stones began to melt. Guru ji had the area prepared and had Kusha laid out. The Sikhs shouted Jaikaras of Jai Jai Guru ji. They said: “Dhan Dhan.”
Mata Sulakhani ji found out about Guru ji’s decision to leave and her sons disobeying their father. Guru ji was preparing to go at night. The place was ready. Mata Sulakhani ji came to the Dharamsala. Where Guru ji was siting, Mata ji came there. There was a great crowd. Mata ji became anxious and began to shed tears. Faith arose in her heart. She humbly bowed before Guru ji. When Sri Guru ji saw his wife, he spoke words of peace: “what wish you have in your heart, say it to me. Don’t regret that you met me and didn’t say anything. Don’t regret this.” Mata Sulakhani ji became humble, like a vine becoming dry and weakened by the sun. She folded her hands and said: “oh Compassionate One, listen to me: tomorrow is your father’s Sharaad. You can do as you please but it would be good if you perform the Sharaad and then go, oh Destroyer of Pain. Do the Brahm Bhoj Langar and then go. Oh Kirpa Nidhaan, everything is in your hands. You are the destroyer and creator of the Trilok. To leave the body or to be born, this all happens by your command.” Seeing Mata Sulakhani ji’s humility and her good words, Guru ji, the Commander of Life and Death, the Friend of the Sikhs, spoke: “Chauni (Mata ji’s maiden name), you spoke good words. Prepare for the Bhog. On the 8th Vaddi, we will do the Bhoj for the Sharaad. I will stay on the 9th as well. I will leave my body on the 10th Vaddi of this month. Pick up all of the cremation preparations.” The Kusha, rose water and other items were picked up and put aside. The men and women all heard this and were really happy. They said “Dhan Dhan” and shouted Jaikaras. The whole place rejoiced at Guru ji’s announcement. It was like rain after a drought, the crops becoming green again. The people met and said: “we will get to do his Darshan for 4 more days.” Everyone stayed in Kartarpur and recited Shabads along with the Shabad’s discussions. They did Guru ji’s Darshan and made their eyes a success. They received joy and had their pains destroyed.