One of the maids went running to Guru Arjan Dev ji, as he was sitting in Samadhi. He was waiting for the birth of his son as well. He was doing the Simran of the Indestructible Purshotam. He was reciting the True Name on his bed. He was sitting alone, the ocean of wisdom. The maid came in to his room and bowed to Guru ji. She folded her hands and said: “Guru ji, a son is born! There is happiness everywhere! Mata ji is really happy. Congratulations!” Hearing the great news, Guru ji was filled with love and bliss. He folded his hands and bowed to Guru Nanak Dev ji, Sri Parmeshwar. It was Amritvela and he sat on his seat. He was about to recite Gurbani, as the love was pouring out of his heart. The great Avatar, Guru Arjan Dev ji, thought about his son with his divine vision and said: “he is a powerful Avatar and will do great for many. He will punish the sinners and wear the Peeree and the Meeree. He will start a new tradition by wearing weapons and sitting on a Takhat. His family will grow for ages to come. He will be the gem of the family. He will be radiant and bright like the sun. He will destroy the darkness of evil.” Guru ji’s heart was full of love which was going to come out in the form of Gurbani. It was the time of Asa and so Guru ji began to do the Alaap in Raag Asa. He began to sing the notes of Raag Asa and recited a Shabad:
Sri Mukhvaak.. Asa Mahalla 5..
The True Satguru has sent a child.. The long-lived one has been born according to the destiny..
He came into the womb to reside.. His mother’s heart was filled with joy..1..
A son is born, a devotee of Govind.. The pre-ordained destiny has been revealed.. Rahao..
In the tenth month, by the command, the baby was born.. The sorrow was gone and joy came..
The friends sang Gurbani with bliss.. This is pleasing to the True Master..2..
The Vine has grown and the lineage will go one.. The power of the Dharma has been firmly established..
What the mind wished for, the Satguru granted.. The worries are gone, only the thought of the One remains..3..
The child has faith and is proud of the father.. I speak as the Guru makes me..
This is not hidden.. Guru Nanak, greatly pleased, has bestowed this gift..4..7..101..
(SGGS 396)
Bilawal Mahalla 5..
All of the joys have been given by the Parmeshwar, which has confirmed the natural way.. He has become merciful to the holy saints, the whole family is in joy..1..
The Satguru himself fulfilled all of the tasks.. The long life of Har Gobind, the joy, comfort, well-being has all been taken are of..1..Rahao..
The forests, meadows, the three worlds are all flourished. He gives support to all beings.. What Nanak wished for, all has been received. All the desires have been fulfilled..2..5..23..
(SGGS 806)
Satguru Nanak Dev ji has given us a son who will have a long life. The sorrow of not having a child is now gone. A great joy has come. The tradition of the Gurta Ghaddi brought all of the rewards. Guru Nanak Dev ji is merciful. This gift is not hidden. Baba Bhudda ji is a great Sadhoo who has given us this gift from Guru Nanak Dev ji’s treasury. Har Govind is with a long life. There will be a lot of joy.”
Seeing the time of Asa, Guru ji sang the Shabad out loud with love. The second was sung in Bilawal, the Raag of joy. He sang these Shabads in gratitude of his son being born. There was a lot of celebration going on. The sun came up and the whole city found out. Whoever heard, they came to Guru ji to congratulate him. Many types of flowers were made into garlands and hung around the Guru’s home. Leaves of fruit trees were hung around the house. Many people came to celebrate. The Dhundhabs and Shehnais were playing to celebrate the occasion. The women of the city wore red clothes with a lot of golden jewellery. They came to give their well wishes to everyone. The young and fair girls of the city, who were beautiful and had voices of songbirds, sang the Shabads of Gurbani. They sang songs of joy as well. It seemed as though the wives of the Devatas came in disguise as humans to sing. There was a great crowd in the Guru’s home. The Devatas came in human form as well. They sprinkled sandalwood essence with saffron. There were fragrant smells everywhere when they came. They showered flowers upon Guru ji’s home. They threw pretty flowers and brought fragrant incenses. They came to see the 6th Avatar. They all sang the praises of Guru ji: “Guru ji is the sun of wisdom who is with contentment, peace and many powers. He is forgiving and gracious. The glory of his feet is great. He has come to bless the humans. He came in human form for this purpose. A warrior son has been born to you who will love the battlefield. He is named Har Govind. He will destroy the sinners and be filled with many virtues. He will be the lover of Dharma and be the strongest person with the greatest arms ever. He will wield weapons and rage war upon the Mughals. He will bless his servants with Bhagti and warriorism. He will protect the poor. He will not let the enemy stand in front of him. He will colour the earth red with the blood of sinners.” All of the Devatas bowed and went back to their dimensions. They praised Guru Arjan Dev ji as well: “you have illuminated the Panth in Kaliyuga. One can do Simran of Satnam and be blessed. Those people will be fortunate who walk on this path. They will receive Mukti and their minds will be calm. The Jogis and Bhogis will be blessed. They will do Simran and receive everything they want.” Guru ji was fulfilling all of the wishes. The Taadis, Bhatts and Dooms were singing their poems. They showed their skills and sang songs of joy. Guru ji gave them a lot of money. The artists said: “may your son live long for many eras.” Clothes and food were given to the ones who needed them. The servants and maids got a lot of gold. Guru ji gave a lot of donations. The dhols and Nagaras sounded. The Mridangs, Rababs and Sitaars played. The Rababis sang in many Raags. The glory of Satnam was everywhere. There was a great celebration. The drama actors came to show their shows for entertainment. The wrestlers came to set up their rings. The Sikhs came and brought food and money. The beggars came and shouted out Jaikaras in joy. They said: “may your son live long. Guru Nanak ji has fulfilled a wish which was in the hearts for a long time.” The poor gave their well wishes as well.
There was joy in every home of Vadaali. Men and women were all happy. When it was 10 am, Baba Bhudda ji and Bhai Gurdas ji came. They came to see Guru ji and the new child. There was a great celebration as they came. Dhundhabs played and Keertan could be heard. The son was born to Guru ji. Everyone came to see the child. Baba Bhudda ji was over-joyed. He folded his hands and bowed to Guru ji. He congratulated him: “may your son live forever. May he sit on the throne of Guru Nanak Dev ji and be a great warrior. May his praises be sung everywhere. Kingdom and wealth, he will have like Kings. He will have Jog and Bhog. He will live in peace and joy.” Guru Arjan Dev ji gave a lot of respect to Baba Bhudda ji and said: “you are the servant of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. You see joy and sorrow as the same. Just as there is fire, hidden in the ashes, in the same way, you are the master of all powers and have the full gyaan. Your words are irreversible and you can do the impossible. You are the greatest saint. There is no other Sadhoo that can compare to you. You are the apex of Sikhi. Your boon was fulfilled. It is your glory. You gave your servant a gift. Whoever you bless with love, they receive the four gifts (Dharam, Arth, Kaam and Moksha). You are a great Tapasvi who does Simran all the time. You are the head of all the Sikhs. Your glory can’t be sung. You are a Saint but in fact, are Parmeshwar.” When Bhai Gurdas ji heard these words, he folded his hands and said: “Guru ji, you speak the truth, oh omniscient Prabhoo. Baba Bhudda ji is the complete being who has been in the company of 5 Gurus. He has served them and been in bliss. All of the Gurus were happy with him. There is none other like him.” Baba Bhudda ji was praised by both. Baba Bhudda ji and Bhai Gurdas ji stayed in Vadaali that night.
The news reached Amritsar of the birth of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji. Guru Arjan Dev ji had a son. The Sangat of Amritsar got ready to go to Vadaali. Men and women got dressed in beautiful clothes. They collected money and gifts for the new child. The Sangat eagerly set off for Vadaali. They came and saw the celebration. They came and congratulated Guru ji. They bowed and placed their gifts. They said: “after a long time, a son is born. The son is to have the light of Guru Nanak Dev ji reside inside of him. May he live long. This son has gotten rid of the worries of Mata Ganga ji.” The women of Amritsar wanted to see the child and stood outside of the door. They were lined outside waiting to see the child. They bowed from outside, knowing the young Guru was inside. They came with faith and devotion. They said: “please let us see the Sahibzada.” Mata ji was resting. The midwives wrapped Guru Hargobind ji in blankets and brought him outside. The women saw the child and were amazed. Mata Ganga ji said to the women: “my friends, Baba Bhudda ji gave me this gift. His words were fulfilled and now we are in joy. He is the gem of the family. He is a beautiful child given by Guru ji. Oh friends, this night was a blessed one. My son was born this night. I am a sacrifice unto this night that passed. This child came with the blessing of Guru Nanak Dev ji.” The women of Amritsar saw the child and were over-joyed to see such a beautiful child. The women said: “he was born with the blessing of Baba Bhudda ji.” The Langar was ready and everyone ate. The Sangat from Amritsar went back home after eating. They talked amongst themselves as they walked home.
Baba Bhudda ji said to Guru Arjan Dev ji: “I would like to see the child as well. It is a great wish of mine to see him. When he came into Mata ji’s womb, I had the wish to see him since then. I saw signs in nature that he was a warrior Avatar. I saw many miracles which made me say the words that I said. Mata ji came without shoes to see me. She got this son after much effort.” Guru Arjan Dev ji told the maids: “take Baba Bhudda ji and have him see the child. Thank Guru Nanak Dev ji and show him to Baba Bhudda ji. There is nothing to fear as Baba ji is the one who gave the boon. Sri Kartar is the protector of the child. Do as Baba Bhudda ji wishes. Obey is every command.” The maids took Baba Bhudda ji and had him sit on a seat in the courtyard. Mata Ganga ji was told of the command of Guru ji. The Sahibzada was wrapped in beautiful blankets. Mata ji said: “this is Baba ji’s gift. We are the servants. This child is loved by Baba Bhudda ji more than us. He will see the child because he gave the blessing.” The maids took the child and brought him to Baba Bhudda ji. Baba Bhudda ji saw the child and got up. He stood up with his hands folded. He saw the child with soft and red feet. The baby lifted his feet to show Baba ji his feet. His arms and legs were big. His foot had the symbol of the fish, which signifies greats kings. In his right hand, was a symbol of a canopy, also a sign of kings. There was a symbol of a Chaur in his left hand. His nails and toenails looked like gems. His forehead was wide. His hair was black and lush. His eyes were like lotus petals. His eyebrows were like bows. Akaal Purakh, Sri Prabhoo ji, was in the form of a child. This was the form that Brahma and others praised. Baba Bhudda ji bowed to the child and was filled with joy. He said the name of the child out loud, saying: “his name is Sri Har Gobind.” He came back to Guru Arjan Dev ji. He took permission and went back home to his place after a few days.