In the northeast corner of the Ramsar Sarovar, sat Guru Arjan Dev ji. He was composing the Sukhmani Sahib Bani which was going to give peace and joy to the heart. The first Salok was an obeisance to the four Gurus- Aad Guru: Guru Nanak Dev ji; Jugaad Guru: Guru Angad Dev ji; Satguru: Guru Amardas ji; Sri Gurudev: Guru Ramdas ji. The first Ashtpadi stated the glory of Simran. The second Ashtpadi described the difficult path in the afterlife. The 3rd showed how the Naam is bigger than the Karmas. The glory of the Naam is greater, which Guru ji explains in great depth. The Brahmgyaani, Bhagat and Bairagis are talked about. The glory of the Sadh Sangat is discussed in one Ashtpadi. The importance and radiance of the great beings is stated. Guru ji mentions what happens to people who give pain to saints or speaks bad about them. He states: “Akaal Purakh is the Nirgun and the Sargun (the unseen and the seen), Akaal Purakh created the world and spread the net of Maya over everything.” The wisdom of the Vedas, Shastras and Shrutis was all taken and placed in Sukhmani Sahib. “Tat Tvum Asi” you are the Brahm. In the end, the glory of Sukhmani Sahib was written as well. The glory of Sukhmani Sahib is great. One will attain the highest status who recites the Sukhmani Sahib. If one recites it everyday, they will no longer be in the cycle of birth and death. The glory of Sukhmani Sahib could not be quantified, Guru ji already praised it. The omnipotent Guru said it the best. One who recites it in the morning with full focus, the sins of 24 hours are washed away and one is not born again. They will go to the feet of Akaal Purakh. Where Guru ji sat and said the Sukhmani Sahib, one should visit that place in Ramsar. There is a great benefit for visiting that place. Guru ji finished dictating the Sukhmani Sahib and got up. He did a lot of tasks that benefited the world. Guru ji dictated a lot of Bani everyday. Bhai Gurdas ji would write.
Another Katha comes now. It is right to write it now. There is a Vaar in Ramkali Raag written by the Domes, the Raagis of the Guru. Bhai Luddha, a Sikh, brought them to Guru ji. The Khalsa Asked Bhai Santokh Singh ji about this Katha. Kavi Santokh Singh tells the Katha. There was a Miraashi named Doom Balwand. His younger brother was Satta. They were both poor and tried to earn money in different ways. Balwand travelled to other places and portrayed his singing skills. Nobody valued him though. Bhai Satta stayed with Guru ji and sang Keertan in Guru ji’s court. By Keertan, Satta made a good earning. He had good clothes and good food to eat. Many Sikhs would give Bhai Satta money after doing Ardaas. Bhai Balwand eventually came home after failing to earn money in other lands. He came to Guru ji as well after he found out that his brother was making a good earning. He was upset and went to Guru Arjan Dev ji. He was a good singer and good poet. He praised Guru ji and wrote a Kabit: “I have come to your door; you are an ocean of compassion; you are like the Kalapbrish; you are great and you bless the sinners; you make the pain of the poor go away. You protected Draupadi; you saved the elephant from the crocodile; you killed the demons and protected the Devatas. You protected Prahalad; you made Valmiki into a Rishi by making him pure; you blessed Ganika who never visited a Teerath. Just as you blessed all these people, bless me as well.” He said this Kabit to Guru ji by coming close to him: “I seek your sanctuary. Nobody valued my Raag Vidya.” Guru ji gave him hope and said: “your wish will be fulfilled. Stay close to me and do Keertan. Sing the Raags with your brother, Bhai Satta. Stay here and you will make a good earning. You will get all that you need and want.” Guru ji gave Bhai Balwand a lot of money right away. Bhai Balwand came home with joy.
Bhai Balwand and Bhai Satta started to do Keertan in Harmandhir Sahib. Satguru ji was really happy listening to their Keertan and gave Balwand the name “Rai Balwand.” Rai means king. Guru ji started calling him Rai Balwand. The brothers sang with great “harkat” (singing technique) and applied the correct tones and pitches with love. They sang in Raags and Raagnis with enthusiasm. The Sangat loved their singing of Keertan. The Sikhs would praise them when they would hear them. Satta and Balwand’s ego began to grow. A lot of time passed like this and the two got prouder of their skills. The ocean of compassion knew that the Raagis’ pride was getting out of hand. They were proud of being singers. They had forgotten what their life was before doing Keertan for Guru ji. They were proud of their Raag Vidya. They did not see Guru ji as the saviour of the poor who grants them their good reputation. He is known as the “gareeb nivaaj.” After a while, it was time for Satta and Balwand’s sister to get married. Both of the brothers came to Guru ji’s home and praised him. They said: “see us as your servants and complete our tasks. We need money for our need. We need to hold a fabulous wedding for our sister. If the wedding is grand, it will be a praise for you.” Guru ji said: “don’t worry, Guru Nanak Dev ji’s treasury is endless. Whatever money is brought by the Sikhs tomorrow, you can take it all. The Satguru will complete all of the tasks.” Both of the brothers were happy as thousands were collected in one day.
The next day, Sikhs came to the court and presented many gifts to Guru ji. After the whole day, only 100 Rajitpuns came. There were more gifts that day rather than money. It was the play of Guru ji to purify his servants. Guru ji gave the 100 Rajitpuns to the brothers. The brothers were filled with ego and did not take the money. They threw the money back to Guru ji. They said: “are you playing with us? What wedding will we do with 100 Rajitpuns? Why don’t you give us money from your home treasury?” Satguru ji gave them hope and said: “Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji is omnipotent; he will fulfill your dreams. Take this much. Do more Keertan and more money will come. Have faith on the Satguru and do Keertan. You can take money everyday from the Satguru’s home. You won’t be given money just once. You can take money everyday. Our relationship is forever.” When Guru ji spoke with humility, Bhai Satta and Bhai Balwand took the money. They weren’t happy though. On their way home, they were saying bad things about Guru ji: “we are not going back to Guru ji. We are not going to do Keertan again. Our tasks are not complete. What was the use of staying close to the Guru?” The both of them did not return to Guru ji and stayed inside their homes.
The next day, Guru ji said to the Sikh: “the Rababis did not come today. Go and call them from their homes.” The Sikhs heard Guru ji and went to the home of Satta and Balwand. They told them Guru ji’s command: “get up! You are fortunate that Guru ji is thinking of you. Guru ji is happy with you. Come and see him.” Satta and Balwand heard this and said: “what are we going to attain by going to Guru ji? When we do Keertan, only then does the Guru’s court come in session. Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji then comes and sits in the Divaan. The Sangat comes and worships him calling him “Guru, Guru.” They do this because of our Keertan. They bring him many types of gifts. The Gurta Ghaddi exists because of us. If we don’t come, nobody will worship him or call him Guru. There will be no money coming to him. Without us, Guru ji would be sitting alone.” The Sikh tried to speak logic to the two brothers about their pride: “why are you speaking nonsense? Have you gone mad or are you drunk? You have gained praise because of Guru ji. Go to him and do Keertan. You are praised and the Sangat gives you money. Get up and listen to me. Guru ji will be happy with you.” The Sikh tried but he was not successful. The two brothers did not listen.
The Sikh came back and told Guru ji: “they are not coming. Those foolish people are filled with too much pride.” Satguru ji heard this and told another Sikh to go and get them: “go and call the Rababis. Tell them the Guru is calling you.” The Sikh went to the Rababis and said: “why are you here? If you have a problem, go and tell Guru ji. Nine Niddhis, Riddhis, Siddhis, Laxmi and other powers look towards Guru ji, awaiting his command. Whoever Guru ji commands, Laxmi goes to the Sikh that Guru ji wants her to go to. She does not delay. Why are you leaving such a Guru? Why are you not understanding this? Many Rishis and Munis wait for Guru ji. Guru ji is waiting for you.” The two brothers spoke with pride: “we received nothing from the Guru. We are not going back. We have left him. We will stay in our home. You can try all you want but we are not going to meet Guru ji.” The Sikh heard the harsh words and came back to tell Guru ji: “Prabhoo ji, those foolish people did not listen. They are filled with pride.” Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji, the treasure of forgiveness, was going to prove them wrong. Guru ji decided to go himself to bring the Rababis. Guru ji respected the singers of Keertan a lot. Guru ji knew that the Rababis had become proud of their Vidya. Guru ji decided to bring them with respect and give them more money. He wanted them to do Keertan so the Sangat could engrain the Keertan into their hearts. Guru ji thought to himself: “I need these great Rababis who can do Keertan twice a day.” Guru ji got ready. Guru ji’s personality was great, unto which Kavi Santokh Singh is a sacrifice.