Mata Ganga ji was extremely happy. She wanted to thank Akaal Purakh for curing Sri Hargobind ji’s Seetala and have a ceremony (Seetala is seen as a power possessing the patient. Once the patient is cured, it is a tradition in India to worship Seetala Mata or Durga Mata. Seetala is also known as Mata for short). She made all of the preparations and had her son meet the whole family. She sent a maid and called Karmo. She gave Sri Hargobind ji a bath and got him ready. The maid went to Karmo and said: “Mata ji wishes to have a ceremony to pray to Aad Shakti Durga and wants you to come.” The unfortunate one, Karmo, heard this and was upset that Sri Hargobind ji was well again. It was as though she had been bit by a poisonous snake. She started to think and her body just froze. She couldn’t get up as there was a deep pain she felt in her heart. After a while, she collected herself and got ready. She didn’t wear any colourful clothes or nice jewellery. She left with all the other senior women.
The women got together to worship Aad Shakti. Many maids were with them as well. They all sat near Mata Ganga ji. Sri Hargobind ji was sitting in Mata ji’s lap. Mata ji made her son bow to Karmo. Although Karmo wasn’t happy, she said a blessing: “may you live long, be handsome and prosperous.” The servants called Prithi Chand to come, who came and joined Baba Mahadev ji. Everyone met and celebrated that the trouble was over. Everyone wore expensive clothes and jewellery. There was a great crowd gathered in the house. As people came, they all congratulated Guru ji. Mata Ganga ji gave everyone much respect. The women with sweet voices sang songs of joy and showed their happiness. The young girls smiled and swayed as they walked and danced. They were like fish in the ocean of bliss. Everyone was extremely happy.
Sri Hargobind ji along with Mata Ganga ji, with women singing, walked towards the western side of the city where the place of Durga was. Many instruments were played along the way. Dhundhabs and Napheeryas were playing. The Sikhs sang Shabads along the way. They were all happy as they went. Prithi Chand and his wife walked along as well. They had smiles on their faces but their hearts felt like they were pierced with a sharp object. They stayed quiet and didn’t look anyone in the eye. They soon reached Durgiana and bowed in the temple. The all sat down and the Brahmin sat down to conduct the ceremony. A Pugri was tied to the Brahmins head and he was given many gifts. Sandalwood and incense were lit. A great big garland of flowers was offered to Devi Durga. Clothes of red colour were offered to Chandi along with coconut and betelnut. The Mother of the world was made happy in this way. Karah Prashaad was distributed. The Brahmin was given money for the ceremony along with clothes. The Brahmin was given food to eat first. Everyone was happy and shouted “Mata Bhagavati you are great!” They all then went back towards the city. The music could be heard miles away. A lot of donations were given to the poor and needy. Songs of joy were sung as they walked back. The traditions of the Sodhi family were carried out as they entered the city again. Everyone was given respect as they came home. Everyone was given Karah Prashaad and Langar. The people expressed their well wishes and said: “may Sri Hargobind ji live a long life.” Young women were called and fed Langar (in the worship of the Aad Shakti after curing of Seetala, young un-married girls are fed food as an offering to Durga). They were given new clothes and jewellery. The Brahmins recited holy scriptures for the offerings to Seetala Mata. They were given money for their prayers. Beggars and poor people were given respect and money.
There was a great celebration in the house of the Guru. Many Sikhs came and brought money. Guru ji gave a lot of donations and blessed everyone with their wishes being fulfilled. Money was circumvented around Sri Hargobind ji’s head and given as donations by Mata Ganga ji. Mata ji gave expensive clothes as well to the poor. The enthusiasm was high as the celebrations carried on. Many Sikhs came to meet Guru ji and bow to his feet. Men and women praised Guru ji and sang praises as he was the giver of joy. The celebration lasted for many days. Karah Prashaad was distributed openly. People came and did their Ardaas as to what they wished for. The keeper of joy, Guru Arjan Dev ji, would grant them their wishes. The Masands from different lands came and brought a lot of money from the Sangat. The leader Sikhs were given Siropas from Guru ji’s court. Many Sikhs came with their leaders. The Sangat came in great groups. They came and offered their Dasvands, singing Guru ji’s praises. Rare and expensive gifts were brought to Guru ji. They offered money with great humility.
On the Sankranti of Vaisakhi and Diwali, there were a lot of Sikhs gathering in Amritsar. Crowds would gather near Guru ji, just to see Guru ji. They only wished to see Guru ji. Guru ji, the Omniscient One, knew what was in every heart. He would grant their wishes and make them happy. He would give them the wisdom of reciting Satnam, which would give the Sikhs a lot of powers: “let go of desire, anger, ego, greed and attachment. See respect and disrespect as one; destroy your ego and accept the will of Akaal Purakh. Whatever Prabhoo does, be happy with that. There is only Prabhoo, that does everything. There is no one else who gives joy or sorrow. Say the name of Kartar Purakh, who never does injustice. Akaal Purakh does what is deserving for everyone. Consider Akaal Purakh as your friend, who looks after the poor and weak. Let go of all your worries and recite the name of Akaal Purakh in your heart.” Guru ji gave wisdom to all which showed the people the path to Mukti. The Sikhs would eventually acquire many powers by themselves. They did not wish to leave the feet of Guru ji, even though they had all the Riddhis and Siddhis. Who would want to leave such a bliss-giving Amrit and go towards the poison? The Sikhs stayed with Guru ji for the rest of their lives and did Seva. Guru ji was seen as the Devata of Devatas by the Sikhs. Guru ji had no joy or sorrow in his heart. He could be seen as a human but the human traditions and needs were just a drama for him. Guru ji’s radiance and glory was growing by the day. The fortunate ones would stay close to Guru ji. When the money came into the court, Guru ji would never touch it. The Masands would take care of it and spend where needed. Guru ji spent the money towards the good of all, whether it be Langar or the Kar of the Sarovars. His praises were painful for the haters. They were in pain and burning without real fire. They were fools and becoming enemies with Guru ji for no reason. They were burning in jealousy and giving fuel to their anger. Who can go and say to them: “let go of your ego and grab the feet of Guru Arjan Dev ji? Live in bliss and be rid of pain. Guru ji will give everything you ask for.” What can these unfortunate people do? They didn’t have the good karma. As Guru ji’s radiance grew, the fools would burn. How can the sun be hidden by a fool?
In the city of Guru Ramdas ji, many Sikhs gathered and began to live there. The vices in the minds of the Sikhs were like deer; the words of Guru ji were like lions who destroyed all of the vices. Kavi Santokh Singh ji bows to such a great Guru. Many days passed in this way. Listen all, to the next kathas which will give you the four gifts of Dharam, Arth, Kaam and Moksha.