After receiving the Gurta Ghaddi, Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji’s powers increased to the infinite level. He was the form of Hari. Nine Niddhis, Riddhis and 18 Siddhis were standing in front of him at all times, with their hands folded, waiting for his command. There was nothing he couldn’t do in the three dimensions. No one could stop him. No Devata, demon or power could stop him to do what he pleased. They were all singing his praises. Inder and the other Devatas (the powers of the world) were in Guru ji’s command and sung his praises. They all bowed to him. He was the supreme. He was the Satguru. The Avatar of Akaal Purakh. If he wished to, he could send someone to Naraka (Hell). If he wished to, he could take someone from Naraka and send them to Swarga (Heaven). He could make a king into a beggar, and a beggar into a king. His one word could kill a person or make a dead person alive again. In anger or joy, whatever he would say, would become reality in an instance. He could destroy or bless right away. His completeness and limitless power could not be hidden but he would keep it to himself. As hard as he would try to hide it, it would still shine through. The Sikhs would see and test Guru ji’s power and understand that he was, in fact, the same as Guru Nanak Dev ji and the previous Gurus. He knew what was in every heart. He was omniscient. Guru ji’s Sikhs were also full with unlimited powers. Those Sikhs understood the power of Guru ji. Baba Bhudda ji and other Brahmgyaani Sikhs would bow and serve him. Other Sikhs came as well to serve him. They would come to him and do Ardaas for their wishes.
As Sikhs heard of Guru Ramdas ji’s departure, they came to meet Guru Arjan Dev ji, bringing him gifts. Seeing him, their wishes would be fulfilled. They would sing Guru ji’s praises as they were filled with faith and devotion after seeing him. Guru ji’s praises spread throughout the world: “Guru Arjan Dev ji was given the Gurta Ghaddi, this became well-known. The light of Guru Nanak Dev ji was in Guru Arjan Dev ji now. Prithi Chand lives in Amritsar and claims to be the Guru, repeatedly. Nobody worships him or brings him money or gifts. Nobody comes to bow their heads to him. He is not happy. He tries really hard to convince the Sangat but nobody listens to him. Guru Arjan Dev ji has been living in Goindwal for many months now. Sri Guru Ramdas ji sent Bhai Gurdas ji to Agra to be with the Sangat there. As soon as he heard that Guru Ramdas ji had left for Sach Khand, he started to make his way towards Punjab.”
Guru Arjan Dev ji gave a lot of donations to the poor and made them happy. They were fully satiated with what they received. The poor would call Guru ji the “Kalapbrish” (the wishing tree of Heaven). They called him the Avatar of “Chintamani” (a gem which fulfills all wishes). The villages near Goindwal Sahib, the beggars from there, all came to see Guru Arjan Dev ji. Their wishes were fulfilled by Guru ji. Everyone would leave, singing Guru ji’s praises. Guru Arjan Dev ji gave donations with both of his hands. People praised him for his donations. Guru Arjan Dev ji thought to himself: “my Pitha ji established the city of Amritsar. I wish to live there. Goindwal is the place of my Nannaji’s (maternal grandfather) family. They should live here in peace. They should stay here to grow and prosper. It is not right to stay here as thousands of Sikhs come here to meet me. The family is under pressure to take care of everything. It is not right to put them under these obligations.” In this way, Guru ji decided to go to Amritsar. The Master of the Universe, Guru Arjan Dev ji, spoke to Baba Mohan ji and Baba Mohri ji. He bowed to them and said: “my Pitha ji commanded me to do the Seva of the Amritsar Sarovar and told me that it is to be considered the same as his body. I am to serve it with faith and devotion.” Both the Mamma jis agreed and gave Guru ji permission to go. Guru Arjan Dev ji made preparations with everyone. He met the whole family, including his elders and cousins. He got on top of his chariot and headed towards Amritsar Sahib. He rested one night along the way and arrived in Sri Amritsar Sahib.
When Guru ji arrived in Amritsar, he first bowed to the place where his father, Guru Ramdas ji, used to sit. The ocean of wisdom then went inside his home, that was constructed by Guru Ramdas ji. He began to reside in Sri Amritsar Sahib. He remembered the command of the Satguru and began the Seva of the Sarovar. The Sangat would come from afar, bringing gifts for Guru ji and presented their Ardaas.
The Sangat from Agra headed to Punjab with Bhai Gurdas ji. They wanted to meet Guru Arjan Dev ji. They travelled, singing Shabad Gurbani with love. The Sangat would meet others along the way and did Keertan. They would rest the night. They would do Keertan in the evening, sitting down, as well as Amritvela. They did Keertan and Simran along the way. They wished to meet Guru Arjan Dev ji with faith and love. The love in their hearts grew by the day. Their leader was Bhai Gurdas ji, the Masand of Agra. As they reached the Beas River, the water was deep and the flow was very strong. There was no boat nearby by which they could cross. Bhai Gurdas ji stood by the shore, thinking what to do. He thought to himself: “we will need to rest here. In the morning, there may be boats that will take us across. The Sangat is tired and there is no preparation of Langar.” As Bhai Gurdas ji was thinking, there was a Sikh reciting Gurbani:
Dhanasri Mahala 5..
The word of the Guru resides in my heart and is with me all the time..
The water cannot drown it; the thief cannot steal it; the fire cannot burn it..1..Rahao..
(SGGS 679)
Bhai Gurdas ji heard the Gurbani and decided that Guru ji gave him the solution: “Guru ji has told us to cross the river by the support of the Shabad. We will not drown.” He turned towards the Sangat and said: “we were foolish and couldn’t figure this problem out. The Shabad of the Guru can take us across any ocean. Can the Shabad not help us cross this small river? Have faith in the Guru’s word and let’s all cross this river without delay.” Bhai Gurdas ji said “Satnam” out loud and entered the river first. The water level of the river lowered to knee-level. Everyone looked towards Bhai Gurdas ji and were amazed. The flow of the river that would have swept away an elephant, was calm and lower now. The Sangat also uttered out loud: “Satnam,” and followed Bhai Gurdas ji. The water didn’t go over anyone’s waist as they all crossed the river. The Guru’s Shabad was made as the boat, by which the whole Sangat crossed. The Sangat’s faith and devotion grew for the Shabad of the Guru. They knew that the Gurbani would help them cross the world ocean.
The Sangat soon reached Goindwal Sahib. They saw some of the kids playing in the street, who were the descendants of Guru Amardas ji. They were playing children’s games. As they were playing, some of the kids said: “this will happen if the Satguru wills it.” Bhai Gurdas ji heard this and thought to himself: “these kids have faith in the Guru’s will. Their faith is so strong in the Satguru. These children are the form of the Guru. Their faith is beautiful and so are their words.” He folded his hands and bowed to the children. He said: “great are these children, who have the faith for the Guru in their hearts.” The Sangat rested the night in Goindwal. They all did Simran of the Satguru. In the morning, everyone woke up and bathed in the Baoli Sahib. The Sangat met Guru Amardas ji’s family and bowed to them. Bhai Gurdas ji sat with his cousin, Baba Mohri ji, and heard about Prithi Chand’s doings. He heard the whole story and felt bad.
The Sangat and Bhai Gurdas ji soon set off towards Sri Amritsar Sahib. They rested one night along the way. Bhai Gurdas ji thought to himself: “if Guru Arjan Dev ji is the true Guru, then I want Guru ji to do something for me: when I bowed to the kids playing on the street for having faith in the Guru, I want Guru ji to recall this to me, without me asking. I will then have faith, that this is the fifth incarnation of Guru Nanak Dev ji, who is the true Guru.” He had this wish in his heart as they camped near Amritsar. They rested the night and woke up in the morning. The Sangat got ready and collected their gifts for Guru ji. They came to the place where Guru Arjan Dev ji was illuminating. They all bowed to his feet and presented their gifts. They were in bliss, visiting Guru ji. Love was over-flowing in their hearts. They were blooming like the lotus flower, seeing the sun; like the chakor looking towards the moon. They couldn’t take their eyes off of Guru ji. It was so much bliss. Guru ji saw the love in the hearts of the Sangat and blessed them all. Guru ji had everyone seated in the Sangat. They all had their wishes fulfilled. Guru ji casually spoke up: “Bhai Gurdas ji, tell me the truth: where the children were playing together, you saw them and bowed to them, what knowledge did you take from them?” Bhai Gurdas ji was over-joyed to hear this. He praised Guru ji in many ways: “the light that was in the four Gurus, is now inside of you. I know this. You are the master of all the hearts. What shall I say? You know what happened with the children. Those kids speak about the Guru’s will with each other. I heard them and thought to myself that these kids are great, who have faith in the Guru. They believe in the Guru, being the Master of the Universe. I understood that these kids were Saints, the form of the Guru. I bowed to their feet.” Guru Arjan Dev ji was happy to hear this. He said: “Bhai Gurdas ji, you are a great Sikh. The wisdom of the Guru is achieved by the blessing of the Guru. You do Simran of the Guru with love. Your faith was on the Guru’s Shabad and you crossed the Beas with the whole Sangat, without any boat or ferry. The Sikhs that see the Guru as the only doer in the universe, they never need to face any obstacle. You saw me everywhere. You had faith and devotion for me. Stay with me from now on. You are now fortunate. You are dear to me. Take the responsibility of reading and writing, the great Seva of the Guru’s house. There will be others from the Sangat that can take your responsibilities of being the Masand of Agra. I want you to stay with me from now on. I will send someone else with the Sangat of Agra.” Bhai Gurdas ji bowed and said: “your wish will be a command for me. Please give me permission to go back to Goindwal and meet my family. I will come back to you after that.” The gracious Guru said: “go to Goindwal and then come back to me.” Bhai Gurdas ji went to Goindwal and stayed there for a while.