During the Seva of Sri Amritsar, Guru Arjan Dev ji headed to Goindwal one day. Guru ji was in his palanquin as the Sangat travelled with him. The Sangat was coming from different areas to Amritsar and had all their wishes fulfilled. They brought many types of gifts and placed them at Guru ji’s feet. They bowed while folding their hands. Guru ji woke up at 2:30am to bathe and sat in Samadhi. Guru ji would bathe in cold water and then sit in Samadhi with his focus in his real form, the Parmeshwar. This was the state where there was no sin or virtue; no joy or sorrow. It was the state of oneness where the Chetna was pure and in constant Anand (bliss). He was in this state out of Samadhi as well. The Rababis sang Asa Vaar and the Sangat listened. As they listened to the Gurbani, they heard various Raags that calmed their hearts. The Sikhs heard with full attention. The Raags made the love for Prabhoo go deeper in the Sikhs’ hearts. Their hearts moved away from jealousy and desire. Bhagti was born in their hearts. It was the Amritvela, when Amrit was dripping. The Sikhs heard Gurbani and were joyous. Guru Arjan Dev ji would get ready with a tilak of saffron and sandalwood paste. He would wear fine white clothes. He would meet the Sikhs in Sangat. Just as the sun comes up and takes the darkness away, that is how Guru Arjan Dev ji would take the darkness away from the minds of the Sikhs. The Sikhs would be calm and Guru ji would give them wisdom, the Gyaan. Just as the lotus flower blooms seeing the sun, the Sikhs would bloom seeing Guru ji. Jealousy, fraud and desire would run away from the Sikhs’ minds. Just as bees would come to smell the lotus, that is how Sikhs would come to Guru ji. The Divaan would carry on till about 10 am. Guru ji would do Katha and answer questions during that time. He would wash the sins away. The Langri would come and request Guru ji to come to the Langar with the Sangat and sit in the Pangat. The Langar would be distributed and everyone would eat along with Guru ji. Guru ji would get up when everyone would finish. Guru ji would then rest in the afternoon on his bed. He would get up after a few hours and take a bath. He would listen to Katha from the scholar Sikhs such as Bhai Gurdas ji and Pandit Bayni Prasaad ji. This Katha would have Bhagti and Brahmgyaan. After Katha, it would be evening and the time for Keertan. Everyone would listen to Keertan with love. Satsang was a big part of the day and it would be for the majority of the day. Guru ji would sit in the Sangat for the whole time and cut the pain and bad karma of the Sikhs.
Guru ji would wake up in the morning again. In this way, Gurbani was always sung. The Riddhis, Siddhis and Niddhis were always in Guru ji’s court, standing with their hands folded, waiting for Guru ji’s orders. Whoever Guru ji would bless; they would get everything they would want. He would give the Sikhs Prema Bhagti, Aatam Gyaan and break their bonds.
There was a person by the name of Bhai Bahora, who was a jeweller. He came to Guru ji’s court when he heard of Guru ji’s praises. He came with love and devotion. He placed his head upon Guru ji’s feet. He stood up and looked at Guru ji’s face for a long time. His mind was being purified looking at Guru Sahib. Guru ji saw the new person and gave him a blessed glance. Guru ji said to him: “welcome to Guru Nanak Dev ji’s home Bahora. Only truth is spoken here. Don’t speak the untruth here. Don’t hide anything. How do you spend your time? What do you do for a living?” When Guru ji asked, Bhai Bahora got scared and began to tremble because of Guru ji’s radiance. He folded his hands and said: “Guru ji, you are omniscient and know every heart. I can’t hide anything. I am a jeweller. That is how I earn money.” Guru ji said: “do any work as you please but do the work of Dharma. Don’t cheat and don’t hide something that does not belong to you. Make an honest living. Whatever you earn, take a portion out for Prabhoo and feed the needy. Then you should eat. Your mind will be pure then.” Bhai Bahora folded his hands. He was trembling and shedding tears from his eyes. He said to Guru ji: “oh Satguru ji, I am a sinner. I do the work of sin. Even if my parents and siblings would come, I cheat them of a quarter portion of gold. I cheat other people more. Whatever is made, I take a portion of that. I don’t know the difference between sin and virtue. My father and grandfather did the same work. I am a great sinner and I have come to your sanctuary. I can’t lie to you. I told you truthfully. This is because of your radiance. You are called the “saviour of the poor,” and your personality is to save the sinners.” When Bhai Bahora spoke the truth, Guru ji was happy. Guru ji understood everything and blessed him with wisdom: “why are you so stuck in fraudulent ways? You collected a pile of money by cheating people. When you die, the Jumms will come and strangle your neck with their noose. You will suffer for many lifetimes. Who will save you then? You will leave everything on earth. Only your karma will go with you. The results of your karma, you will have to endure. Your sins will get a hold of you. You will be alone then and suffer. You will regret your sins by beating your head and crying. For this reason, you should meditate and do Simran of Satnam. This time will not come back. Do Simran, day and night. You will be saved. Let go of your fraudulent ways. Just as a crocodile breaks a net and is freed, the Simran is your friend which will give you peace. Don’t let your mind go towards bad things. Sit in the Satsangat and spend your time with Sikhs by listening to Katha and Keertan. Earn an honest living.” Bhai Bahora heard Satguru ji’s sweet words, which cut desires and sins. He was fortunate. His mind became calm. Guru ji’s words hit his heart like sharp arrows. He was over-joyed and he cried tears of love. He regretted his ways. Guru ji’s words felt nice. He began to do Seva with faith and devotion. His love and faith grew. He did Seva for many days and his heart was cleansed. His desires towards the worldly attachments washed away. Guru ji then blessed him with the name of Akaal Purakh. All his tasks were completed then. He began to understand Gurbani and he was drenched in love. His mind was awake now. Bhai Bahora was in bliss.
Guru ji called Bhai Bahora and said: “your Seva has been accepted. Go home and do Simran. Do Satsang in your home and earn Dharma. Be drenched in Prema Bhagti.” Bhai Bahora then said: “Satguru ji, I am your servant. What work should I do for a living? Please tell me how I can be successful and not a cheat. I am in your command.” Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji said: “let go of your family business. Cook Langar for the Guru in your home. Feed the hungry people. Earn Sikhi and discard the awareness of your existence. Don’t see yourself as your body. See Akaal Purakh’s will in joy and sorrow. Stay humble in this world and don’t see yourself as something big.” Bhai Bahora heard these words and went back home. He kept Guru ji’s wisdom in his heart and was in bliss all the time. He was always focused on the Guru’s feet. Wherever Guru ji went, the Sikhs were in joy. Guru ji came back to Amritsar from Goindwal and continued working on the Sarovar.