When Guru ji informed all of the Sikhs, servants and maids about heading back to Amritsar, they all rejoiced and got ready with great enthusiasm. The carts, palanquins, horses and carriages were prepared to travel. Everyone was happy to go. The bulls and carts were loaded with the luggage and the belongings. The servants picked up everything and loaded them. Great big pots and pans in which Langar was prepared, were packed and loaded. The other plates and utensils were packed up and loaded. There were many rolls of clothing material that were loaded. The bulls were attached to the carts. Chariots were ready with expensive clothes. The chariots had two pillars on the front which were made of gold. The horses, that were really strong and clever, were prepared with bells in their necks. The saddles were laced with expensive cloths. They were attached to the chariots. After attaching the horses, the chariots were tested by riding a short distance and bringing them back to Guru ji’s home. Mata Ganga ji brought Sri Hargobind ji, carrying him in her lap. She came outside and sat in her chariot. She was very pleased and happy to be going to Sri Amritsar. Guru Arjan Dev ji, the Omnipotent One, sat in his palanquin. They all set off for Amritsar with great joy. Mata ji looked at her son’s moon-like face as she travelled. Many maids were around Mata ji’s chariots. Many Sikhs were around Guru ji’s palanquin.
The traveling party eventually arrived in Sri Amritsar. The Sangat in Amritsar celebrated the return of Guru ji with Dhundhabs, Nagaras, conches, Napheeryas, and Shehnais. The Mridangs were played with Rababs. The Rababis sang Shabads as Guru ji came, singing the Raags of joy. Guru ji had returned after 3 years of living in Vadaali to Amritsar. Guru ji brought all of the Sikhs and belongings back to Amritsar. As people heard in Amritsar, they all came to greet Guru ji and celebrate his arrival. Everyone was happy. They all gathered when Guru ji entered Amritsar and welcomed him. They came forward with enthusiasm as Guru ji came. They sang Shabads of love. They did Ardaas to Guru ji’s feet and expressed their joy to Guru ji. They bowed their heads and put their foreheads upon Guru ji’s feet. They extended well wishes to everyone and said to Guru ji: “welcome back! Live here with your beautiful son and meet us everyday.” The Sangat walked with Guru ji. The Sangat said: “please live here with peace and joy.” Mata Ganga ji was carrying Sri Hargobind ji. Mata ji got off her chariot and met the women of the city. They elder women said: “may your son live forever! May you be happy forever! Welcome back. Please stay here now. Accept our offerings and bless us with your divine vision.” The luggage and belongings were off-loaded and placed into the home of Guru ji.
Guru ji bathed and went to Harmandhir Sahib with the whole family. Mata Ganga ji picked up Sri Hargobind ji to take him to Harmandhir Sahib for the first time. They took a lot of sweets and Karah Prashaad. The whole family folded their hands and bowed to the Harmandhir. They did Ardaas for the family coming back and distributed the Prashaad and sweets. They circumvented the Harmandhir Sahib 3 times in the small parkarma. The 3 parkarmas represented munn (mind), bach (words) and karm (actions). The parkarma is done as a sign of devotion and sacrifice on to the greatness of the one whom around the parkarma is done. Mata ji did the parkarmas as well. The whole family sat for a while and then came back to their home.
Guru Arjan Dev ji also followed the traditions of the world. The traditions state that one should meet one’s elders when coming into the city. Guru Arjan Dev ji took the whole family and went to go see his elder brothers, regardless of their feelings towards him. He first went to Baba Prithi Chand’s home, taking a lot of sweets. Guru ji wanted to make his brother happy so he would reject his hatred. The servants went with Guru ji. Money, clothes and gifts were taken along with the sweets. The master of the universe, the humblest, Guru Arjan Dev ji approached his brother, Prithi Chand, and bowed to his feet. He respected him and then asked for permission to sit down. Guru ji sat on a lower seat than his brother. Mata Ganga ji went to see Karmo and bowed to her. She made Sri Hargobind ji bow to Karmo as well. She said to her son: “this is your Thaiji.” Karmo saw the forehead of Guru ji and noticed that it was very radiant. She saw his radiant face and said to herself: “this boy is the most beautiful boy I have ever seen.” She was not happy. She was burning with jealousy. Her heart was burning. She was speaking sweet words as a façade. She was burning inside. She said from her mouth: “Ganga, may your son live long.” She said those words to hide her true emotions. Karmo then had Sri Hargobind ji sit in her lap for a while. After some time, Guru ji sent a servant to get Sri Hargobind ji to meet his Thayaji. Guru ji took his son and made him bow to Prithi Chand. Guru ji said: “My brother, I received this son with your grace. He has brought a lot of joy to our house. Please see him as your servant and bless him. Please bless him with a long life. This is your son and servant.” Prithi Chand looked at his nephew and was surprised to see at how beautiful his nephew was. His heart felt weak. His own son could not compare to the beauty of his nephew. He said in fake voice: “may your son live long. May he be in joy.” His words were compared to a peacock. The peacock speaks sweetly but eats insects. Prithi Chand spoke like a thief. It was like poison hiding in milk. He didn’t want his brother to have a son. Prithi Chand asked: “how old is your son?” Guru Arjan Dev ji responded: “he is yet to be 3.” They made conversation of well wishes and updating each other of their last few years. Prithi Chand kept on looking at his nephew. After a while, Guru Arjan Dev ji picked up Sri Hargobind ji and asked for leave.
Guru Arjan Dev ji and the family went to Baba Mahadev ji next, his middle brother. They all bowed to Baba Mahadev ji. Baba Mahadev ji, although listened to his elder brother sometimes and sided with his voiced opinions, he was without hatred and jealousy. He was genuinely happy to see his younger brother and his family. Baba Mahadev ji picked up Sri Hargobind ji and put him in his lap as soon as he saw him. He hugged him tightly and kissed his forehead. He gave him many blessings: “may you be a brave warrior and be happy your whole life. You are the gem of our Sodhi family. You will be radiant like the sun. May you live long. May you cut the pain and troubles of your servants. Your glories will be sung in every direction. You will wash everyone’s sins away. May your body be big and strong. May you be handsome, tall and calm. You will live a long and happy life.” Baba Mahadev ji expressed his love for his nephew and gave him a lot of hugs. He asked his servant to bring money from his treasury. He took the money and circumvented it around Sri Hargobind ji’s head and gave it to the poor. He treated his nephew like his own son. Guru Arjan Dev ji said to his brother: “your love and prayers were answered and we received this son. It was your Ardaas that gave us this son. You blessed us. We faced a lot of danger in Vadaali, but you protected us from all of the troubles. Your prayers destroyed all of the danger.” Baba Mahadev ji said: “our father Guru Ramdas ji looks after all of us. It is his grace that protects us. He gave you this son. He protects his servants. He protected his own grandson. Whoever Guru Ramdas ji protects, they can never be in trouble.” The two brothers spoke for a little while. After taking his brothers blessings and permission to leave, Guru Arjan Dev ji and the family came back to their home.
All of the pain and trouble was gone and Guru ji lived in peace. The Sikhs and servants were happy to see the family. Sri Hargobind ji would play in the house and sit with his father when he returned in the evening. He only played in the home and didn’t go outside. He was beautiful. Kamadeva was jealous to see the beauty of Guru Hargobind ji. Guru Hargobind ji would eat delicious and nutritious foods after waking up. He was dressed in expensive clothes and jewellery. Wherever he would look, he would destroy everyone’s pain and troubles. Mata ji would have Sri Hargobind ji sleep next to her. She would place her hand on his chest and take care of him. She would bathe him and dress him in black and yellow clothes.
Some time passed and Guru ji’s body grew. His radiance grew as he grew up. He was now 3 years old. Mata ji said to Guru Arjan Dev ji: “Prabhoo ji gave us this son. Many troubles came but our son was protected by Akaal Purakh. Please have a big Langar. Let’s call all of the saints and great beings to eat Langar. This will make things better. They should be happy by eating. They will give many blessings. All of our pains and troubles will be gone.” Satguru Arjan Dev ji heard these words and gave out his orders with joy: “open the treasury and prepare for a great Langar. Make sure there is no shortage. Call everyone. Many people should come and eat what they wish to. They will eat and be happy. Get ghee, sugar and finely ground flour.” A lot of money was given to the servants and told to get a lot of food. The big pots and pans were taken out. Karah Prashaad was prepared along with Pooris. Many types of delicacies were prepared with sweets and gourmet food. As the Sangat came to sit, they recited Japji Sahib as the Langar was being distributed. Prithi Chand was given the first invitation along with Karmo. Their maids came as well. Baba Mahadev ji came with a lot of joy. Many other Sikhs came. Many Brahmins and beggars came. Many Sevadaars came and distributed the Langar. Everyone who ate was satiated with the food. Some Sevadaars gave Pooris and some gave ladoos. Kachoris and Pakoras were given with spices. Whoever ate, they praised the food. Nobody was left behind. Everyone who came got all the food they wanted to eat. They ate the food and gave their blessings. They said: “may Sri Hargobind ji live the span of four yugas. May he never be in pain.” Guru Arjan Dev ji gave everyone a lot of money for coming. Everyone praised Guru ji: “you are great Guru ji! Your Langar was great. May your son have a long life.” They went to their homes by praising Guru ji. Prithi Chand and Karmo were given gourmet foods. They showed that they were happy but they had corruption in their hearts. Baba Mahadev ji, on the other hand, was really happy. He had Sri Hargobind ji sit in his lap. He gave him many blessings. Baba Mahadev ji had no ego in his mind. He had understood that Guru Arjan Dev ji was the rightful heir to the Gurta Ghaddi. He was happy to see his younger brother’s amazing radiance. He was happy to see him as the Guru. He loved his nephew like his own son. He loved Sri Hargobind ji like the chakor loves the moon. He knew that he was Akaal Purakh’s form. He was happy seeing his brother. He praised his younger brother and went to his home.
People who heard about the grand Langar, came as soon as they heard. They all ate what they wanted to and praised Guru ji. The celebrations would begin every morning. The Dhundhabs would sound in the morning and the evening. The napheeryas would sound. There was happiness everywhere. There were a lot of donations given by Guru ji. The Sangat came with money and gifts.