tor-es fro

Hemkunt

STORIES FROM

SIKH HISTORY

BOOK-II(Guru Angad; Guru Amar Das, Guru Ramdas and Guru Arjan Dev)

Kartar SinghGurdial Singh Dhillon

Edited byP.M. Mc.cQrmack

~Hemkunt Press

A-78 Naraina JndI. Area Phase-J New Delhi-ll0028

© Hemkunt Press 1971Fourteenth Revised Impression 1988

Nineteenth Impression 1992

ISBN 81-7010-016-X

P · 1;>" -(l~; .nee 1'»4.••-thJ .

This book is copyright in all countries which are signatories to theBerne Convention. No portion of the book may be repn"nted orreproduced in any form without the permission of ihe publishers.

In this seriesBook I (Guru Nanak Dev)Book II (Guru Angad to Guru Arjun Dev)Book III (Guru Hargobind to Guru Teg Bahadur)Book IV (Guru Gobind Singh)Book V (Sikh Martyrs) .Book VI (Banda Singh Bahadur)Book VII (Maharaja Ranjit Singh and thereafter till 1989)

Moral and religious in~=' t°.:oglad to find, is now beingrehabilitated in our schools. Our coun is secular. It is true, but there isno denying the fact that religious and oral education has a very usefulfunction to serve. It is in this context that the Sri Prakasa Committeerecommended moral instruction at the Jchoollevel in order to develop thepersonality of students.. : I

Modern psychology has emphasizeh that if the child is given properguidance at his formative stages itlwill greatly help inteyate hispersonality.

The great figures ofthe past speciall the heroes ofhistory have shownmankind how to fight successfully a

8g inst evil and· face th~ Ch.~u.enges

from time to time. Among the great her es of Indian History are the' SikhGurus. Through their example, they challenged superstition, inertia,tyranny and bigotry. Their life sto }is a beacon light which givesinspiration to all who seek guidance' the path of truth and righteousaction.

The youth of todaY,more than any .ther section of society, is at the ,cross-roads. School students are daze by the march of exciting eventsand the great tensions ofthe modern world. Science may throw light on thephysical world, but it is only the teachings ofgreat saints and sages whichoffer. a glimpse into the spiritual world\ Any educational system whichdoes not take into account the moral tlevelopment of the student willremain inadequate and ineffective. I Jm glad to know that thoughtfuleducationis~ are devoting their attenti~~ ~ the moral e~ucation of theyoung. In this context, the efforts of Pinnclpal G.S. Dhillon and Prof.Kartar Singh deserve all appreciation.

In this book the. authors have presen ed a number of stories from thelives of Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das, uru Ram Das and Guru AIjanDev in a broad and vivid manner. Thes , I am sure, will be a source ofinspiration to our growing young.men.

The pictures and sketches given there n, I~ sure, will create a lastingimpression on their minds. I sincerely ho e that the series ofStories fromSikh History which they have planned will go a long way in moulding thelives of the young Indian students. '

4th February, 1972 GAN:QA'SINGHPh. D., D. Litt.

1. A Durga Worshipper at K rtarpur .2. Work and Service L .3. Who should Take Guru N ak's Place?4. Guru Angad' and the Tapa I5. Humayun and Guru Angarl6. The Home of the Homeles~7. Guru Amar Das Hides Hitbself8. Gangu Shah I9. Akbar and the Guru'sLan~ar .

10. Sri Jetha and BibiBhani t11. Sri Rama or Sri Ram Das .~12. Sweet Humility Always Wlins13. A Childless Couple's Pray r14. Falsehood Fails, Truth Su ceeds15. A Lesson in Humility16. Thy will is Ever Sweet, '0 Lord'17. Tam Taran and Muslim ghars18. Baba Langah19. Jahangir and Guru Atjan20. Tortures

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1A Durga Worship er at.Kartarpur

Sri Laihna was a pidus man who lived atKhadur in the district of Amritsar. He was ~shopkeeper. He was a good and honest man.He was very rich. He used to worship thegoddess. Durga. Many other people of hisvillage did the·· same. e was their leader.Every year a large grou of them used to visitthe temple of that go ess. The temple is~alled Jawalamukhi. Ii lis in the Himalayas.Bhai Laihna used to go Jith these worshippersof Durga as their lead9r. On hi~ hands andfeet he wore bells. He used to dance before.the goddess. The bells u~ed to tinkle when hedanced.

He went on doing thi till he grew to be anold man. In his village here lived a Sikh or.follower of Guru Nana I. His riame was BhaiJodha. 'He was not a Jorshipper of D'urga.'No Sikh worships any god or goddess. AllSikhs are worshippers of one God. BhaiJodha did not visit Du ga's temple. On the

7

I

other hand, he used to think ofGod. He usedto recite or read aloud the holy songs or

,hymns of Guru Nanak. One day, Sri Laihnaheard him singing one of those sweet, sacredsongs. He liked it very much. He requestedBhai 10dha to teach it to him. Bhai 10dha didso with pleasure. He also told him of GuruNanak. The Guru was an old man by thattime. He lived at Kartarpur.That town isnow in Pakistan.

Sri Laihna made up his mind to see theGuru. A short time after that he, and hisfellow-villagers started on their annual visitto lawalamukhi. They halted for the nightnear Kartarpur. While his companions tookrest, Sri Laihna started towards the town. Hewas on horseback. He was eager to see, GuruNanak.

On the way, he met a tall, strong andcheerful looking old man. '0 good man,' saidSri Laihna to him, 'kindly tell me the way toGuru Nanak's place.'

'Follow me, dear brother,' replied the oldman. 'I am going that way myself.'

The old man led the way on foot. Sri

8

Enter there. That is the place, dear friend.

9

Laihna followed him- on horse-back. Soon,they reached the town. The old man pointedtowards a gate and said, 'Enter there. That isthe place, dear Friend.'

Sri Laihna went in. He tied his horse to apeg in the compound. Then he looked aboutfor the Guru. A man guided him to the doorofa room and said, 'The Guru,is in that room.He is alone. Go in and see him, brother.'

Sri Laihna entered the room. He wasgreatly surprised -at what he saw. The oldman sitting there was the same who had ledhis horse to this place. Sri Laihna felt veryupset. He said to himself, 'I did a wrong thing.

- I rode while the Guru walked before me.'

Guru ,Nartak guessed what was passing inSri Laihna's mind. 'Don't be upset, my -brother,' said he. 'You did nothing wrong. Idid my duty. You are my guest. I am yourhost. It is the duty ofa host to serve his guests.I did that. I did nothing more. Come, sit nearme. Let us talk.' Let us get to know eachother.' .

'How kind and sweet he is !' thought SriLaihna. He sat near the Guru. Soon they

10

were talking like old, intimate friends. SriLaihna learnt many new and good thingsfrom the Guru. His heart was filled with deeplove and respect for him. He decided to give upworshipping Durga. He would worship Godinstead of the goddess. He would become aSikh or follower of the Guru. He threw away

,the bells from his hands and feet. In themorning he met his companions. He said tothem, 'I do not wish to go to Jawalamukhi. Ishall not worship any goddess any more. Ihave decided to worship God in Guru Nanak'scompany.' His companions went away. Heremained with the Guru. He becamehis Sikhand became to be known as Bhai Laihna.

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2Work and Service

Bhai Laihna's companions left for Jawala-mukhi. He stayed at Kartarpur. After a fewdays, he said to himself, 'Let me go to myvillage. Let me take leave of my family andfriends. Then I shall come back and stay withthe Guru for good.'

He did not stay in his village for more thana few days. He soon got ready to return toKartarpur. He wanted to be with the Guru.He wanted to serve him. He wanted to learntrue wisdom from.him.

Before starting he said to himself, 'I musttake with me something for the Guru. He runsa free kitchen. Scores of people take theirmeals from there..They do not have to payanything for the meals. t should take somethingforhis langar or free kitchen for all. But whatshould it be ? Yes, let it be as heavy a load ofsalt as I can carry on my head.'

He went to Kartarpur on foot. He carried aload of salt on his head. It was as heavy as he

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could carry. He placed the load of salt in theGuru's langar. Then he went out to seethe

. Guru, who was working jn the field.

He reached the field and saw that the Guruhad prepared three bundles of grass for hiscattle. He wanted someone to carry themhome. He asked his two sons to do so. Theysaid, 'Such work is not fit for sons of theGuru. Some other Sikh should do it. Perhaps,that man, coming this way, might agree to doit. Let us wait for him.'

Bhai Laihna heard these words. He wasglad to get a chance to serve the Guru. Hesaid to the Guru, 'Let me carry the bundleshome.' He carried the three bundle~ of grassto the Guru's place. The grass had been takenout from a paddy field. It was wet.-nrops ofmuddy water fell from it, now and then. Theyfell upon his clothes. His clothes were madeoffine silk. The drops ofmuddy water spoiledhis fine, new silk clothes. But this did notworry him. He was glad to obey and serve theGuru. The Guru was greatly pleased with hisnew Sikh, Bhai Laihna.

The Guru taught the golden rules of his13

religion to all who came to him. He alsoworked in the fields like a farnier and he also'thought of God all the time. He repeated Hisname and so did all his Sikhs. Some workedin 'the fields. Some worked in the commonkitchen. Some brought dry wood for thelangar. Others worked to make articles needed .for the Guru's family. They did not want anypayment for such work. They did it all out oftheir love for the Guru and his Sikhs. It wasall a labour oflove. They also thought of Godall the time. The Guru loved them for this.

Bhai Laihna began to work like otherSikhs. He worked more actively than the rest.He loved to obey and serve the Guru. He didwhatever the Guru wished him, to do. Hefound real joy in doing this. 'He thought ofGod at all times. He repeated His Name. Heleamtand recited the Guru's hymns.

The Guru began to love Bhai Laihna verydearly. His love for Bhai Laihna/was greaterthan his love for any other Sikh. It wasgreater even than his love for his own twosons. They did not obey and serve him as wellas Bhai Laihna did. '

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Bhai Laihna began to be respected highlyby all Sikhs.

They began to call him Bab~ Laihna. Byserving and working for the Guru, BhaiLaihna became Baba Laihna. But this factdid not produce any feeling of pride in him. Itdid not make him think himself better or'higher than the rest. Rather, it made himhumbler, more kindly and more eager toserve the Guru and his Sikhs. As a consequence,he grew more and more popular; more andmore deeply respected. The Guru's love forhim went on increasing, day by day. -

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3\

Who Should Take Guru Nanak'sPlace?

Guru Nanak used to say, 'Every Sikhshould obey his Guru without asking anyquestions. To obey and serve the Gurushould be the Sikh's rule oflife. , Baba Laihnalived and acted in accordance with the Guru'swishes. He obeyed all orders ofGuru Nanakmost readily and joyfully. He asked noquestions. He never said, 'Why or what for ?'

Guru Nanak tested Baba, Laihna severaltimes. Every time Baba Laihna,was found tobe up to the mark. Here are some of thosetests.

(i)One winter night it rained very heavily. A

part of the wall of the Guru's house fell. Hesaid that itmust be built up again at once. H~called upon his sons to do the work. Theyrefused to do it. They said, 'It is midnight.,The night is dark and cold. Moreover, it is nobusiness ofours to build walls. When itisday

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we shall call masonS and coolies. They win .build the wall.' .

The Guru said, 'It is th~ Guru's work. Itmust be done by his Sikhs. There is no needof masons and coolies. It must be done rightnow.' '

-The Guru looked at Baba Laihna. The

latter at once got up. He began to build up thewall.' After a time the Guru saw the waH builtby Baba Laihna. He said, 'The wall is notstraight. Pull it down and build it again morecarefully.

Baba Laihna obeyed at once. He built upthe .wall again very carefully. -But the Guru

- was still not satisfied. Baba Laihna pulled itdown once more. He builtit up again with theutmost care. When the Guru saw it, he said,'The wall should not have been built here. Itshould be moved back about half a foot.'

Baba _Laihna obeyed without asking anyquestion. He pulled down the wall again. Hebuilt it up in the place desired by the Guru.But the Guru was not satisfied. Baba Laihnaagain pulled down the wall. He began to buildit again with 'great care.-

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Upon this the Guru's sons said to BabaLaihrta, 'You can never please him. Give upthe work.'

But Baba Laihna, replied, 'A servant hasto do his master's work. It is for the master tochoose what that work should· be.'. . (ii) . .

One day, the Guru was holding a cup. It-slipped from his hand. It fell into a pit ofdirty.water. The Guru told his sons to take it out ofthe dirty pit. They refused to do so.

The Guru then looked at Baba Laihna.Baba Laihna entered the pit at once. Hebrought out the cup. He then washed it withclean· water and gave it to the. Guru.

(iii)The Guru used to get up three hours before

day and go to bathe in the Ravi. Baba Laihnaalways went withhim. He sat near the Guru'sclothes, while the Guru bathed. One daythree other Sikhs decided to do as BabaLaihna did. They wanted to please the Guru'as Baba Laihna had pleased h~m. They wentwith the/Guru. It was the winter season. Soonbhwk clouds ga$ered in the sky. A cold windbegan to blow/ Then hail began to fall. :The

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, The thre~ Sikhs went away

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three Sikhs could not bear the cold. Theywent back home. But Baba Laihna did notmove. He waited there till the Guru cameout. The Guru said, 'The qthers went away.Why didn't you do the same ?'Baba Laihnareplied, 'A servant should not run awayfromhis master. How could I go,· leaving mymaster here ?' .

Guru Nanak gave a few more tests to BabaLaihna. He was 'successful in every one ofthem. Guru Nanak was fully satisfied. Hesaid to Baba Laihna, 'You have become asdear. to me as my own self. You are myAngad,' a part of my ang or body.

After a time the Guru felt that the time forhis leaving the world was at hand. He seated·Sri Angadon the Guru's throne. He told BhaiBudha tqp~t a tilak, the mark of Guruship,on his forehead.

He placed five paise and a coconut beforeSri Angad. Then he bowed before him. 'Youare now Guru Angad,' said Guru Nanak. Hetold his Sikhs to bow before the Guru.

Thus through work, service and obedience, .Sri Laihna became Guru ~ngad~ the secondGuru Nanak.

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4Guru An'gad and the Tapa

Guru Nanak chose'Baba Laihna to takehis place after him. He changed his name toSri Angad. Then he seated him on the Guru'sthrone. He appointed him the Guru in' hisown place. Thus Gum Angad became thesecond Guru of the Sikhs.

Guru Angad lived at Khadur Sahib, nearTam Taran. His home was inthat village. Helived there with his family like a house-holder. At the same time, he acted as theGuru.

In that· village there lived at that time asadhu. He was a jogi. His name was Shiv·Nath. People called him Tapa. He tried all hecould to appear a truly religious man:: Butreally he was -not truly religious. He was onlymaking a show of religion. He was proud. Hewanted the people to worship him as a Guru. 'Some jats of that place did worship him as aGuru. He was much pleased with them.

But Guru Angad was becoming popular. '21

Everyday more and more people began to'gather around him for advice and help. Theyliked his teachings. They began to regard himas their Guru. The number ofpeople going to ,the Tapa became less and less. He began tobe less and less popular with the people. Thismade him bum with anger against, GuruAngad. He said to himself, 'I must get himturned out of this place.' '

One year, there was no rain.' Not even adrop of rain fell during the rainy months.Crops began to dry up. Fields could ,not beploughed and prepared for the next crop.There was a fear of famine. All the' tanksbecame dry. Cattle could not get enough:water to drink. They died in large numbers.,The people were very worried. They did notknow'what to do. Some of them went to the ITapa. They begged him to save them. Theyappealed to him to cause rain to fall.

The Tapa said, 'How can you expect rainto fall here? You are doing something totallyagainst true religion., The rain-god is angrywith you. 1 am,ajogi, a truly religious man. Ihave no family. I give my whole time andthought to religion. You have stopped coming.

')'l,

to me. You do not worship me. Instead, younow worship a family man. You regard himas your Guru. Ask him to cause rain to fall. Ifhe refuses or fails to do so, tum him out ofyour village. I shall then cause rain to fallwithin twenty-four. hours.'

The jats were simple people. They were· ingreat misery. They were very much in need ofrain so they decided to do as advised by the,Tapa. They went to the Guru and said,'Kindly cause rain to fall or leave the village.If you go away, the Tapa will cause rain tofall. We shall be saved.'

The Guru said, 'It is God alone whocauses rain to fall. But ifmy going"away from'here can get you' rain, I shall gladly go.'

The Guru left Khadur. The Tapa readmany mantras. He did many things to please .the rain-god. But rain did not fall, The peoplebegan to shout at the Tapa in great anger. Hedid not know what to do.

By that time, Sri Amar Das arrived atKhadur. As you will see, Sri Amar Das wasto be the third Guru. He heard. what hadhappened. He felt sad and angry. He said to

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the·people, 'The Tapa has played a trick onyou. He has made you do something verybad. I'll tell you how to get rain. Take theTapa into your fields. Wherever you take him .before sunset, rain will fall in plenty there.'

The people cRughthold of the Tapa. They.. i dragged him from field to field. Rain fen.wherever he was taken. Everybody wanted todrag him into his own fields. Thus draggedthis way and that the Tapa breathed his last

Guru Angad heard· all this. He called forSri Am-ar Das and said to him, 'You shouldhave a more generous heart. All happensaccording to God's Will. It is not right for usto feel anger against any man whateverhappens. A Sikh should always do good evento evil people. He should return good forevil. He should forgive all wrong-doers andshow them how to follow the right path.Never do such a thing again. We shouldaccept God's Will, most readily andwillingly.'

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, 5

Humayun 'arid Guru Angad, Babar had come from Kabul with a large

army. He wanted to be emperor ofIndia. Hiswish was fulfilled. He became the fJISt MughulEmperor of India.

He died after a few years. His son, Humayun,became the Emperor in his place. But a fewyears later Sher Shah Suri made up his mindto become the emperor of India. So he

. decided to drive away Humayun and take histhrone. He fought a number ofbattles againstHumayun. Hum~Yun was defeated. Reranfor his life.

, Mter some time, he reached Lahore. He-decided to see some holy men or saints. Hewanted that they should pray for his successin getting back the throne .of Delhi. Hebelieved that the prayers of holy men weregranted by God. So he thought,' IfI can find a

, really holy man, my wish can be fulfilled. He :will pray for my success in getting back mythrone. His prayer will be granted. I shall

25 .

again become the emperor of India. Butwhere to find such a holy man ?'

Some people told him, 'Your father metGuru Nanak at Eminabad. He begged theGuru to pray for'him. The Guru agreed topray for your father's success. His prayerwas granted by God.?

'Thert/ s.aid Humayun, '~, too, shall seehim. I shall beg him to pray for me. His,prayer will again be granted. I shall get backmy throne. But where is he ?'

He was told, 'Guru Nanak is no more inthe world. He chose Guru Angad to take hisplace after him. Gtirru Angad lives at Khadur,near Tam Taran.' ,

Hearing this Humayun got ready to go toKhadur. He took \with him a number of

\ "things. He wanted to offer them to t1)e Guru.In due course he reached Khadur. He went tothe Guru's place on horseback. He did not getdown from the horse on reaching the Guru'spresence. He remained sitting on, the hors~.He thought that the Guru- would get up tomeet and greet him. When the Guru did notget up, Huniayun thought, 'He has insulted

" me. I must punish him.'26

"Your sword comes out to strike men of God."

27

At thatJime the Guru's mind was fixed'on-God. Sikhs were singing hymns. The G'urudid not notice Humayun. At this, Humayunbecame angry. He said to himself, 'I am theEmperor. He is a mere fakir. He has notstood up to show respect to me. He has paidno heed to me.'

Thinking thus, he drew his sword. Hewanted to cut off the Guru's head with thesword. The Guru opened his eyes. He lookedat Humayun. Then he smiled and said, '0Emperor, your sword comes out so readily tostrike men of God. But it could do nothingagainst Sher Shah. Where was it then ?'

Humayun felt ashamed. He put back hissword into its sheath. He got down from thehorse. He went to the Guru and bowed beforehim and begged the Guru's pardon~ Then hesaid, '0 holy man of God, pray for me. Pray'to God that 1 may get back my throne.'

The Guru replied, 'I shall pray for you..You will get back your kingdom after some'time. But dQ not forget God even then. Be ajust, and kind ruler.'

'Humayun was pleased. He bowed to theGuru and went away. After some time, he gothis throne back.

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6The Home of the Homeless

Sri Amar Das lived in his village Basarke,near Amritsar. He was' ove~ sixty years ofage. He was--a shopkeeper. -His nephew, hisbrother's son was married to Guru Angad'sdaughter. Her name was Bibi Amro. It washer practice to get up three hours before day.Then she bathed and began to recite theJapjiand other hymns of Guru Nanak..

Early one morning Sri Amar Das wassitting on a cot on the roof ofhis house. Heheard Bibi Amro singing Guru Nanak's sacredsongs. The hymns had a strong effect on him.He liked them very much. He- sat listeningattentively.

After daybreak, Sri Amar Das asked BibiAmro, 'Whose hymns were you reciting?Where and from whom did you learn them ?'She replied, 'They are Guru N anak's hymns.I learnt them from my father. He is thesecond· Guru of the Sikhs. You may learnthem from me.' .

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Sri Amar Das learnt the hymns by heart.Then he asked her to take him to her father.

, /

He added, 'I want to become his Sikh.'

, She did as he wished. They reac4ed KhadurSahib. He went straight to the Guru. SriAmar Das was an uncle of Guru Angad's_son,;.in-Iaw. He was also more than twentyyears older than the G~ru. Hence, on seeing'Sri 1\mar Das, Guru, Angad stood up toreceive him. But Sri Amar Das fell at theGuru's feet. He said, 'I am here not ,as arelative of yours. I have come to be yourservant. Please make me a Sikh. Letme serveyou.', Guru Angad Dev granted his wish. Sri

Amar Das began to live at Khadur Sahib. Hespent his time in serving the Guru and hisSikhs. All the time he kept his mind fixed on

"God. He learnt by heart a large number oftheGuru's hymns.

, He got up four or five -hours before day. Hewent to the river Beas. The river was aboutfive kilometres from Khadur Sahib. He bathedin the river. He brought from there a pitcherof water for the Guru's bath. Rain, hail 'orstorm could not make him fail in this work. It

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"should be remembered that Sri Amar Das'was over sixty years old.,

Mter giving the water to the Guru for hisbath, Sri Amar Das began to work in theGuru's langar or free kitchen for all. Hesupplied well-water for use in the kitchen. Hebrought firewood from theforest. He cleanedand washed th~ utensils. He did everythingelse that was required to be done. '

Twelve years passed in this way. Once hestarted towards the river as usual. It began torain heavily. At the same time a strong windbegan to blow. The night was dark. Sri AmarDas reached the river. He started back withthe pitcher of water on his head. He had towalk knee-deep in water in some places.

, Because of the rain, the wind, and the dark,he lost his way. There was a weaver's housenear the path. His foot struck against a peg.He fell into the hole ofthe weaver's 100m. Buthe did not let the pitcher fall from his head.

The weaver woke up on hearing the sound. of Sri Amar Das's fall. He said to his wife,'Somebody s~ems to '. have fallen!, into the100m's hole. I wonder who is out in thisweather and at this hour.' His wife said, ~It

.3l

must be the poor homeless Amru. He has lefthis home, family and business. He has takenshelter with his nephew's father-in-law. Heworks day and night in order to get food.What should I say about the Guru who takessuch work from such a man ?'

Sri Amar Das was pained to hear herwords against the Guru. He said, 'You havegone mad. That is why you say such thingsagainst the Guru.' Saying this, he went awaywith .the pitcher of water for the Guru's bath.

The weaver's wife actuallywent mad. Theweaver went to the Guru in the ~oming: Hetold the Guru what had happened. He beggedhim to pardon the madwoman's error. TheGuru said, 'Sri Amar Das is not poor andhomeless. He shall be a home for the homeless,a shelter for the unsheltered, the strength ofthe weak and the protector ofth.ose in trouble.The peg against which he struck his foot willgrow green. The weaver's wife shall becomewell.'

After that he bathed Sri Amar Das. Hedressed him in new clothes. He seated him onthe Guru's gciddi or throne. He placed five

32

copper coins and a coconut before him. Heordered Bhai Budha to put a tilak mark on hisforehead. Then the Guru- bowed before SriAmar Das. He then said, 'Sri Amar Das isGuru Amar Das now. He will be the Guruafter me.'

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7Guru Amar Das Hides HimselfGuru Angad had chosen Sri AmarDas to,

take his place after him. Some time after thathe said to Guru Amar Das, 'My time to gofrom the world is coming near. When I amgone, go to Goindwal. Live there and savepeople by your teachings.' Guru Amar Dasobeyed his Guru's last order.

After Guru Angad's death, his son Sri·Datu _sat on the Guru's throne at KhadurS_ahib-: He made it knowuto all, 'Amru (GuruAmar Das) was my father's servant. He is myservant now. My father's gaddi (throne) is

~·inine. I am the Guru.'

But the Sikhs did not accept him as theirGuru. They said, 'Our true Guru is GuruAmar Das. He was chosen by Guru AngadDev.' So they all went to Goindwal. Sri Datu

_was left alone. Naturally enough, this made-him angry.

Guru Amar Das lived at Goindwal. HisSikhs gathered around him. There was always

34

a large crowd of his foiIowers at this place. \The Guru became more and more popular,day by day. This fact made Sri Datu bumwith anger. He decided to tum out the Gurufrom Goindwal also. He went to Goindwal.On reaching the Guru's place, Sri Datu saw alarge number of Sikhs gathered there. SomeSikhs were singing hymns. The Guru sat withhis eyes closed and his mind fixed on God.

Sri Datu went up to the Guru's seat. Hesaid in a loud and angry voice, 'Only yesterdayyou were a water-carrier in our house. Todayyou sit here as the Guru. Qet away. Thisthrone is mine.' Saying this, Datu gave theGuru a kick in the back. The Guru fell fromhis seat. Datu took his seat on, the Guru'sthrone. The Guru did not feel angry at all. Hewas perfectly calm. He got up and began topress Sri Datu's foot. At the same time hesaid, 'Please pardon me. I am old. Mybonesare hard. They might have hurt your tenderfoot.'

Then the Guru left that place. Early nextmorning he left Goindwal. He did not letanybody know where he was going. He wentto his home-village, Basarke. There he shut

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"Get away Tho '_ 0 IS throne 0 0. IS mmeo'"36 --

himself in a room outside the village. On thedoor he wrote the following order, 'Whoeveropens the door is no Sikh ofmine, nor am 1hisGuru. '. Thus did the Guru hide himself fromall.

Sri Datu sat on the Guru's throne atGoindwal. 'I am now the Guru,' he said tohimself. He became very proud. But theSikhs did not go near him. They would noteven look at him. After·a few days~ Sri Datudecided to go back to Khadur Sahib. Hegathered all the wealth that he found in theGuru's place. He loaded it on to a camel andstarted towards his home. On the way robbersfell upon him. They took away the camel withits load. One of them struck Sri Datu on thefoot. It was the same foot with which he hadstruck the Guru. It swelled up and causedhim great pain. The pain did not leave him tillthe end of his life.

The Sikhs did not know where the Guruhad hidden himself. Some looked for him inthe forest nearby. Others looked for him nearthe banks of the Beas. They all failed to findhim. At last they requested Baba Budha tofind out where the Guru was. He thought out

,37

a plan. He and the Sikhs bowed towards theGuru's vacant seat. Then they prayed for thesuccess of their plan. After that the Guru'smare was let loose. The Sikhs followed her ata short distance.

The mare went straight to the Guru's roomoutside Basarke and stood before its door.The Sikhs were glad. They felt sure that theGuru was in that room. But then they read hisorder written on the door. This made themsad. Baba Budha came to their help again. Hesaid, 'We dare not disobey· the Guru. Wemust not open the door. But all the samesome one has to go into the room and bringout the Guru. I will do that.' Saying this hemade a hole in the backwall of the room. Heentered the room through that hole. Hebegged the Guru to show himselfto his Sikhs.The Guru agreed and then he returned withthem to Goindwal.

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8

Gangu ShahThere was a merchant named Ganga Das.

He was generally called Gangu. He lived anddid business in Lahore. He fell on evil daysand suffered loss after loss in his trade. Hebecame extremely poor. When he was rich hehad 'many friends. When he became poor, allhis friends and relatives left him. They evenlaughed at him.

Gangu decided to leave Lahore and gosomewhere else. He had heard a good dealabout Guru Amar Das and his greatness. Hemade up his mind to see him. Accordingly, hestarted tpwards Goindwal. Reaching there,he tried to see the Guru. He was told, 'Everyperson wishing to see the Guru, must firsttake food from his free kitchen. That is therule.' Gangu agreed to follow that rule. Hewent to the kitchen where he saw people ofallcastes, Hindus and Muslims, .sitting side byside and taking food. Gangu was a high-casteKhatri. He had his pride ofcaste. He hesitated

39

at first to sit and dine with the low-castes.Then he thought,_'I must see the Guru. Hewill help me. I must give up my pride ofcaste.I must take food from his kitchen.'

Accordingly, he took food from the Guru'skitchen. He was then permitted to see· theGuru. He fell at the Guru's feet and said, 'I

. am very unfortunate. I have lost everything.But I have found you. I have come to seekyour protection, 0 Shelter ofthe shelterless !Help me, save me.'

The Guru said to him, 'Go to Delhi andstart your business there. Luck will favouryou. You will become wealthy again. But becareful. Don't let wealth tum your head.Always remember God. Help those whoneed your help. Serve and respect the holymen who visit you. Remember one thing.Those who forget God become unhappy inthe end.'

Gangu agreedto live and act as advised bythe Guru. He then touched the Guru's feetand went away. He went to Delhi. He started .business there~ As the Guru had. said, .luckfavoured him. He became wealthy again inno time.

40

After some time, a poor needy Brahmin ofDelhi came to the Guru. He bowed beforehim and said, 'True King, I have a daughter.She is of age to be married. But I am poor. Icannot meet the expenses ofthe marriage.Kindly help me.'

The Guru felt that the·Br~hminwas reallyin need. He decided to help him. He gave th~Brahmin a letter addressed to Gangu. In it hewrote, 'Give this poor needy Brahmin whathe needs.' The Brahmin went to Delhi, metGangu, gave him the Guru's letter and toldhim what he needed.

But wealth had turned Gangu's head. Hislove for money had become stronger than hislove for the Guru. He said to himself, 'I haveearned my wealth with my hard work. If Igive money to this man, the Guru will sendmore persons for simi1~r help. If I refuse tohelp this man, the Guru will not send anyoneagain.' -

Thinking thus, he refused to help the poorneedy Brahmin. The latter felt very sad. Hereturned to the Guru and told him what hadhappened. The Guru gave him the needed

41

money from his own pocket. The Brahminwent away full of joy, and performed hisdaughter's marriage.

After some time Gangu's luck turnedagainst him. He began to suffer loss after loss.He became poor once again. He said tohimself, 'I disobeyed the Guru. This bad luckhas come to me for that reason. 1 must go tohim, and beg forgiveness.'

So he went to Goindwal.. But he did nothave the courage to meet the Guru. He beganto serve in the kitchen. He worked very hard.All the time, he kept repeating God's name,and reciting the Guru's hymns.

After some time, the Guru sent for him. Hefell at the Guru's feet, and begged forgiveness.The Guru granted it to him. Then he gave hima white dress and said, 'Gangu Shah, you arenow a true Sikh. Go and live according to therules of the Sikh faith. Make others do thesame. You will be happy. Your name will livein the world.'

Gangu Shah bowed and took leave of theGuru. He spent the rest ofhis life in living andacting as advised by the Guru. He began to

42

practise the golden rules of religion preachedby the Gurus. He earned his living withhonest hard-work. He shared his earningswith the needy. He always repeated God'sname or recited the Guru's hymns. He madeothers live the same life. He treated everybodywith kindness, love and sympathy. He waseverybody's friend and helper. This gave himhappiness and peace; for happiness and peacealways attend those who love God ane'lovingly serve His children.

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9Akbar and the Guru's Langar

We have already read that Babar came toIndia from Kabul. He had a large army withhim. He wanted to become emperor of India.He met Guru Nanak at Eminabad~Acceptingthe Guru's advice, he set free all his prisoners.He then requested Guru Nanak to pray forhis success. The Guru said to him, 'I shallpray for your success. You will have success.But you must promise to be a just and kindruler. You must give up all bad habits likegambling and drinking wine. You should bejust and kind to all your subjects.' Babarpromised to live and act as advised by the

, Guru. .

Later, Babar's son, Humayun, met GuruAngad Dev at Khadur Sahib. He had beendriven from his throne by Sher Shah Suri. Hewanted to get back the throne. He begged theGuru to pray for his success. The Guruagreed to do so. At the same time he advisedhim to be a good and pious man and ajust and -kind ruler.

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-After Humayun's death, his son, Akbar,

became the Emperor of India. He was a just,good and kind ruler. He respected all holymen. He knew that his grandfather had metGuru Nanak.He also knew that his fatherhad met Guru Angad Dev. He knew that theGurus had agreed to pray for them. He madeup his mind to see and pay respects to GuruAmar Das.

Akbar used to visit Lahore, now and then..He decided to see the Guru during one ofthese visits. Having crossed, the Beas, hewent to Goindwal. He 'had with him a largenumber of Mughal and Pathan soldiers. Hetook with him costly offerings of variouskinds. On reaching Goindwal, he wanted togo into the Guru's presence. But he was told,

. 'Anyone wishing to see the 'Guru must firsttake food from his free kitchen for all. If youwant to see him, you will have to do the same.Nobody is allowed to break this rule.'

, .

We know what the practice was in theGuru's kitchen. People of all castes andreligions had to sit side by sid~ on the floorand take their food. There was no specialplace for the rich or the high. The rich and the

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Akbar at the court of Guru Amar Das.

4.6

poor, kings and beggars, Hindus and Muslims,masters and servants, high and low, Brahminsand Shudras, all were treated alike. All had totake ,the same food, sitting side by side. No

/

special dishes were prepared for anyone, noteven for the Guru. As a matter of fact,. thefood served to the Guru was far simple thanthat served to the public.

Akbar knew all this. But he was eager tosee the Guru. So' he went to the Guru'skitchen. He took his seat on the floor like allothers. He took the same food as ,was takenby all others. The food that day consisted ofcoarse bread, rice and pulses. The Emperorfound it very tasty. Rarely ever before had hetasted anything so sweet and nice. He made a·hearty meal. All his soldiers did the same.

Akbar saw that a large' number of people.were fed from the Guru's kitchen. He said tohimself, 'A very large quantity offood is usedhere every day. It must be a hard job for the .Guru to provide so much food. I should givesome help to the Guru in this noble work.'

So he said to the Guru, 'Holy-sir, countlesspeople are fed from your kitchen. I would liketo provide a part of the food used here. I wish

47

to give you a grant of some good, fertile land.Choose it anywhere. Let it be of any size that·you may like. 1 shall be glad to do anythingelse also that you may desire. Kindly acceptmy service and offering, 0 man of God.'

~he Guru replied, 'Emperor, you are verygood and kind. Your intentions are noble andhigh. But 1 am unable to accept your offer.God has given -me everything in plenty.. MySikhs supply whatever is needed. They setapart a part of their honest earnings· for thispurpose. 1 wish that -this practice shouldcontinue for all times. The Guru's langarmust be suppotted and run by the Sikhs.'

The Emperor then said, 'I see that youdesire nothing for yourself. Still 1 want to dosomething for you. I need your blessings. 1wished to give you a grant of some villages.You refuse to accept it. 1 shall grant them toyour 'daughter Bibi Bhani. She is like adaughter to me.'

The Emperor then signed a grant of the_villages in Bibi Bhani'sname. The Guru gavethe Emperor asaropa or dress of honour.

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The Emperor went away highly pleased.Baba Budha was appointed to manage thevillages granted by the Emperor. The producefrom the said villages was all used for thegood of the people.

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10Sri letha and Bibi Bhani

In the part ofLahore called Chuna Mandi,there lived a khatri named Hari Das, and hiswife named Daya Kaur. They were deeplyreligious. They did not worship gods andgoddesses. They worshipped only one God.For a long time after their marriage, no son ordaughter was born to them. They wantedvery much to have a son. So they alwaysprayed to God for one. After twelve years ofmarried life a son was born to them. He wastheir first-born child. They named himRam Das. But usually they called him Jetha.The word jetha mean~ 'first born.'

Sri Jetha was yet a child when his parentsdied. He was thus left 'an orphan. His maternalgrandmother took him withher to her home inBasarke. There he began to earn a living byselling boiled, salted and spiced grams.Sometimes he met beggars and holy men. "They needed food. Being very kind-hearted,he gave them his grams free, in the name ofGod.

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When Sri Jetha grew into a youngman, hewent to Goindwal in the company of someSikhs. On arriving there, he fell at the Guru'sfeet, '0 True Guru,' he said, 'make me yourservant and Sikh.' Guru Amar Das wasmuch pleased with Sri Jetha. He said to him,'Continue to work as you do now. When youare free, serve in the langar. You will get ahigh reward.'

Sri Jetha became at once busy· in theGuru's service. He cooked in the Guru'slangar-, he drew water, and brought firewoodfrom the forest. At the same time, he continuedto earn his living by selling grams. But h~earned only as much as he required for hisneeds. After that he became busy in servingin the Guru's langar, or free kitchen.

Guru Amar Das had two daughters. Theelder was called Bibi Dani. She was marriedto Sri Rama. The younger daughter wasnamed Bibi Bhani. She was deeply religious.

:She spent most ofher time in repeating God's,name or reciting the Guru's hymns. She wasyet unmarried.

One day, it so happened that Sri Jetha wassitting near the door of the Guru's house. He

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was selling his boiled, salted and spicedgrams. Guru Amar Das's wife, Mata RamKaur, said to the Guru, 'Bibi Bhani is now ofthe age to be mamed. We should search for ahusband for her.' The Guru ordered one ofhis men to make the necessary search.

The man was about to go. Just then BibiBhani's mother saw Sri Jetha at the door. Shesaid to the man, 'Search for a youth like thatone there, to be my daughter's. husband.'Hearing this, the Guru said, 'He alone is likehim. None other can be like him. No furthersearch need be made. That youth will be ourson-in":'law.'

Sri Jetha was called in. He fell at theGuru's feet. Then he touched Mata RamKaur's feet. Then folding his hands, he said,'0 True Guru, what are your orders forme?'The Guru told him of his decision. Sri Jethabowed his head. He was betrothed to BibiBhani. After some time the two were married.Sri Jetha came to live with the Guru. TheGuru began to call him Sri Ram Das.

Sri Jetha or Sri Ram Das continued to dohis w0rk and service in the langar as before.He had hopride. In India, sons-in-law get

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much respect and regard at the homes oftheirfathers-in-law. They do not work. They reston soft, clean beds. They get rich· and tastyfood. But Sri Ram Das was not a son-in-lawof that type. He did not behave like theGuru's son-in-law. He ~houghthimself to bethe Guru's servant and Sikh. He regarded hisfather-in-law as his master and Guru. Hecontinued to work and serve like a labourer.

After a time, the Guru began to construct abawli, a well with steps leading to the level ofthe water. Sri Ram Das began to labour at thebawli. He kept ever busy in carrying basketsof earth on his head. The earth soiled hisclothes and covered his body. But he did notmind all ~is. Some people laughed at him,saying, 'There goes a grand son-in-law, workingas a coolie in his father-in-Iaw's house !' Buthe paid no heed to their words. He kepthimselfbusy in doing work and service for theGuru.

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11

Sri Rama or Sri Ram Das ?Guru Amar Das had two daughters. The

elder, Bibi Dani, was married to Sri Rama.·The younger, Bibi ahani, was married to SriRam Das. The two sons-in-law of the Gurulived at Goindwal. Both were zealous Sikhs.Both did their best to please the Guru withtheir work and service.

Some Sikhs began to ask one another,'Which of the two is dearer to the Guru ?Whom does he consider to be better-SriRama or Sri Ram Das ?'

The Guru understood what was passing inthe SHms' minds. He decided to test the twoin public. The Sikhs' would then see forthemselves which of the two was better.

One day he came to the place where thebawli was being made. He said to Sri Rama,'Make here a platform for me to sit on andwatch the work~' He then explained what theshape and size of the platform should be.

54

Then going to another place, he said the samething to Sri Ram Das.

Both began to build the platforms. Whenthey were completed, the Guru came to seethem. Sri Rama showed his work to the Guruand said, 'I have made it exactly as youordered. I am- sure you will like it.' But theGuru shook his head and said, 'No, it is notwell-made. Pull it down and make it again.'Sri Rama said in reply, 'But holy sir, I havemade it exactly according to your orders. It iswell-built and beautiful.' The Guru, however,said again, 'No. It is not to my satisfaction.'Sri Rama agreed to do as desired. But he did

. so unwillingly and half-heartedly. He thoughtthat the Guru was wrong.

Then the Guru went to see Ram Das'splatform. After seeing it he· said,'I don't like .it. Pull it down and build another in its place.'Sri Ram Das bowed and made no reply. Heat once began to pull down the platform andto build another in its place. .

Both built the platforms again. When theywere completed, the Guru came to see them.He again said to each, 'I am notsatisfied with

ss

your work. Pull down the platform, and buildanother with greater care.'

Sri Rama said, 'I cannot see what is wrongwith my platform. It is exactly like what youdesired.' But the Guru was firm. He said,'Pull it down and build another.' Sri Ramafelt a little displeased. But he agreed to do asdesired.

On the other hand, Sri Ram Das 'bowedand said, 'I am sorry for my failure tounderstand and carry out your orders properly.I shall try again.' He began to do the workagain with care and zeal.

When the platforms were completed again,the Guru went to see them. He again said thatthey were not to his satisfaction. He againgave the same order-'Pull them down andbuild them again with greater care.'

Upon this Sri Rama said, 'I have done mybest. I can do no better.' He refused to buildthe platform a fourth time. He said to himself,'The Guru has become old. He says one thingtoday. He forgets it the next day, and sayssomething else. It is impossible to satisfyhi 'm.

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But Sri Ram Das accepted the Guru'sorders most cheerfully. He pulled down theplatform at once. He built another in itsplace. The Guru was not satisfied even withthat. Sri Ram Das pulled it down and builtanother. In this way he pulled down and

. rebuilt the platform as many as s_even times.

. But the Guru was still not satisfied. Sri RamDas fell at the Guru's feet and said, 'I am afool. I fail to understand your orders properly.

, Let me try again, perhaps I may succ~ed.'

The Guru embraced him and said, 'You, have been successful in these tests.' Then he

said to his Sikhs, 'You have seen which ofthetwo is better. Ram Das is the perfect being.He is in every way fit to take my place.'

One day soon afterwards, the Guru, causedSri Ram Das to bathe and put on a new dress.He called his two sons and his principalSikhs. He said to them, 'Guru Nanak made

i the rule that the Guruship should go to thebest person. I have found Sri Ram Das to bemost worthy. I now bestow the Guruship onhi 'm.

The Guru got down from his throne.57

Taking Sri Ram Das's arm, he seated him onit. Bhai Budha put the tilak ofGuruship on SriRam Das's forehead. Guru Amar Das placeda coconut and five paise before him andbowed to him. He ordered his sons and Sikhsto do the same. Thus did Jetha or Sri RamDas become Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guruof the Sikhs.

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12

Sweet Humility Always WinsAs you know, Guru Nanak had two sons.

The elder son's name was Baba Sri Chand.He was a deeply religious man. He hopedthat after his father he would become theGuru. But Guru Nanak had not found himworthy of taking his place. Hence he hadchosen Guru Angad to be the Guru after him.Baba Sri Chand had felt displeased at this.He felt that injustice had been done to him.He said, 'A servant has been given what wasmine by right.'

Consequently, he was angry with thosewho occupied his father's place. He had keptaway from Guru Angad. He had nevervisited Guru Amar Das. But by now, hisanger had cooled down. So he made up hismind to see Guru Ram Das.

Baba Sri Chand was a very holy man. Hewas a great saint. He spent mQst ofhis time inworshipping God. He had not married. Heremained a bachelor throughout his life. He

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was not householderlike his father. As weknow, all the Gurus were householders, butSri Chand was Udasi-one who had given up ..worldly life. He had a large following. Hisfollowers were called Udasis or Udasi Sikhs.

Having decided to see Guru Ram Das,·Baba Sri Chand set out for Goindwal. TheGuru learnt that Baba Sri Chand was on hisway to see him. He said to himself, 'Baba SriChand· is Guru Nanak's son. He is a greatsaint. He is senior to me in age. For all thesereasons, he is worthy of deep respect. Ishould treat him most respectfully.'

Thinking thus, the Guru went out to receiveand welcome the holy visitor. He made himan offering of a strong, beautiful horse andfive hundred rupees in cash. Baba Sri Chandaccepted the offering with pleasure.

On seeing Guru Ram Das, Baba SriChand said to himself, 'He looks exactly likemy father. He is the very image of GuruNanak.'

On reaching Goindwal, the Guru and hisholy guest began to talk together: Now Guru

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"0 Holy Sir, I have grown a long beard to wipe with it the feetof holy men like you."

61

Ram Das differed altogether from Baba SriChand in appearance. He had uncut hair onthe head. He had a -very long beard. All SikhGurus and their Sikhs used to let their hairand beards grow uncut. All true Sikhs do thesame now, too. But Baba Sri Chand used toshave off his hair and beard. He was clean-shaven. All his followers do the same to thisday. They have clean-shaven· heads andchins.

On seeing the Guru's long beard, Baba SriChand said, 'You have grown a very longbeard. What is it for?' With sweet humility,the Guru replied, '0 Holy Sir, I have grown along beard in order to wipe with it the feet ofholy men like you.'

Saying this, the Guru began actually towipe Baba Sri Chand's feet with his longblack beard. BabaSri Chand became a bituneasy. He drew back his feet from the Guru,and said, '0 True 1(ing, you are in myfather's place. You are, therefore, senior tome. I should show respect to you, and not youto me. It is because of your great sweetness .and humility, that you have taken my father'splace. I do not possess these good qualities.

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That is why I was not chosen to be the Guru.You are very great, indeed. You are, in everyway, fit to occupy my father's throne ofGuruship. I admire you. I bow to you.'

Indeed, sweetness and humility are verynoble qualities. To treat everyone with loveand sweetness, to be free from pride ofeverysort, to serve all with a heart full of love and.kindness-these are great qualities. EverySikh, every good man, should possess them.He should use them in his daily life. He willwin everybody's heart. Sweet humility winsthe heart.

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13A Childless Couple's Prayer

In a certain village there lived a mannamed Adam. He had no child. He and hiswife served and worshipped many sadhusand fakirs. They made offerings at manyplaces of worship. But no child was born tothem. This made them sad. They were gettingold. They began to fear that they might neverget a son or daughter. They did not like to diechildless. But what could they do !

Once they met a Sikh. On hearing theirstory, he said to them, 'Go to Guru Ram Das.He occupies Guru N anak's throne. He willpray for you. His prayers are always acceptedby God. Your wishes will be fulfilled.'

At that time Guru Ram Das lived at Guruka Chak. That place was later called Amritsar.Accepting the Sikh's adviee, the childlesscouple went to Guru ka-Chak. They began tolive there. Adam became busy in work,service, and prayer. He attended the Guru'scourt -every morning and evening. There he

64

listened to the hymns sung by the Sikhs. He :read and learnt Gurbani or the Gurus' hymns.. .. He kept repeating the name ofGod. During'

. the day he went irito the nearby forest. Hebrought two loads of firewood from there.One of them he kept in his house. He took theother load to the Guru's langar or freekitchen.

Six months passed in this way. Once theGuru went away to a certain place. When hereturned, a large number of Sikhs came withhim. Quite a large number of Sikhs hadarrived during his absence. It was mid-winter.then. The days were very cold. The nightswere colder still. The visiting Sikhs shiveredwith cold.

Adam saw them suffering thus. He madeup his miryd to he!pt!1em. He had a stoc~ ofdry firewqod at home. H~'took bundles·oflrtQall the catnps where the Sikhs were staying.With th~t firewood a fire was lit in every /camp. The. Sikhs sat round the. fire arid .warmed themselves. They thanked Adam forhis gift. . '

After a time the Guru came out~of hl~.

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place. He visited the camps where the Sikhswere staying. He wanted to know if theyneeded anything. He found them all warmingthemselves round heaps ofburning firewood.He was much pleased at the sight. He asked,'Who has done this service? Who has prQvided.firewood for all the camps ?'

The Guru's cook said, '0 True King, there.is a zealous Sikh named Adam. He has beenhere for the last six months. Every day hebrings two loads of firewood from the forest.

. One of them he keeps at his house. The otherhe brings to the langar. He keeps repeatingGod's name. He doe's not take food from thelangar. He sells some of the firewood. Helives on the money earned by the sale. Todayhe saw the, Sikhs shivering with cold.. Hebrought out firewood from his house. He gave

. some of it to each camp. Thus he providedwarm comfort to your Sikhs.,'

Th~Guru was mightily pleased to hearthis. He sent for Adam. Adam came, bowed,and stood with folded hands. The Guru saidto him, 'I am mightily pleased with you. Askfor any boon you like. It will be granted.'

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"I Will pray for you. You will get a son."

6·7

Adam had a deep desire for a son. But hewas an oldman. He felt shy ofasking for sucha gift. He lowered his eyes and said nothing.The Guru again asked him to say what hewanted to have. Adam said, '0 True King,haying seen you, I have obtained everything.'

On going home, Adam told the wholestory to his wife. She said, 'You made a greatmistake. You should not have felt shy. Youshould have begged for a son.' The next day,they both went to the Guru's court. The Guruunderstood what was passing in their minds.He said to them, 'Don't be shy. Speak out.Say what you wish to have.' Adam still feltunable' to s-p~~k. His wife folded her handsand said, '0 True King, grant us the boon ofason~'

\

The Guru said, 'God fs great and merciful.-He answers His servants' prayers. I will prayfor you. You should also pray to him. Youwill get a son. Name him Bhagtu. He will be agreat bhagat or worshipper of God. He willearn a g?od name. He will make you happy.'

Adam and his wife were greatly pleased.They continued to lead a life of work, service

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and worship. They also continued to pr~y to .God to bless them with a son. They had fullfaith that God would accept their prayers.And He actually did so.· In due course, they .were bl~ssed with a son. They were extremelyhappy. They thanked God and the Guru.·Allof us should thank God and the Guru foor alltheir gifts to us. Adam and his wife namedtheir son Bhagtu.

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14Falsehood ,Fails, Truth SucceedsGuru Ram Das felt that the time ofdeparture

from the world was coming near. So, it wasthe time for him to decide who was to take hisplace after him. He carried out a number oftests. He found that his youngest son, SriAtjan, alone was fit for the Guruship. Hemade his decision known to his Sikhs. Theyagreed with him. Then he called togetherhisprincipal Sikhs. He sent for five paise and acoconut. He came down from his throne. Heseated Sri Arjan on·it in the presence of theassembled Sikhs. He placed the coconut andthe five paise before him. He ordered BabaBudha toput the tilak or mark ofGuruship onSri Arjan's forehead~ He then bowed beforeSri Arjan and said, 'Sri Atjan is the Gurunow. As one lamp is lighted from another, sohas the Guru's light or spirit passed onto him.Thus Guru 'Nanak's light and spirit hayecome to dwell in him. He is the fifth GuruNanak.'

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Prithia was the eldest son of Guru RamDas. He thought that it was his right tobecome the Guru after his father. But hisfather had given the Guruship t6 Sri Arjan.Prithia became mad with anger.

He quarrelled with his father. He spoke to .him in harsh, angry words. He said to GuruRam Das, 'The Guruship was my right. Youhave given- it to my youngest brother. I willremove him' and seat myself on the Guru'sthrone.' . .

Guru Ram Das advised Prithia that it wasimproper for a son to quarrel with his father.He desired him to accept his decision dutifully, .like a good son. But Prithia continued t9speak in harsh language to his father. He saidagain and again, 'You have done rile a greatwrong. I will undo wnat you have done. I.willdrive him away. I will become the Guru iIi hisplace. I don't accept your unjust decision.'

On the following day, Guru Ram Das setout for Goindwal. He took Guru Arjan withhim; There he bade farewell to his dear-one'sand departed from this world.

Soon after that Guru Arjan returned to

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Guru ka,Chak or Amritsar. There he began'to carry out his duties as the fifth Guru ofthe .Sikhs.

.Prithia declared himself to be the Guru.He sent out his men to make it known that heIwas the Guru. Many Sikhs were deceived by'his men. When the Sikhs came to Amritsarwith their offerings, Prithia's men took themto him. Thus all offerings went to Prithia.,Guru Arjan was left with noincome. Still hemanaged to run the Guru's kitcnen with whathe had with him. He remained calm and busyin repeating God's name. He took no steps,against Prithia. He had full faith it) God. Hebelieved that Truth would succeed and false-hood would fail. . . .

, Prithia played another trick. Whilehe took.the offerings from the visiting Sikhs, he sent! them on to the Guru's Zangar for food. TheGuru did' not mind this. He provided the best

.possible food for all in the Zangar. But it wasnot as good as it used to be in former days. Heand his wife had often- to live on nothing butparched grams.' Sometimes they 'had to becontent with a little coarse food, only once aday. Butthey were happy and at peace, all thetime.

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This went on for some time. Then BhaiGurdas cam.e from Agra. He was a cousin ofBibi Bhani, Guru Arj~n,Dev's mother. Hewas a zealous~ and learned Sikh. He waspained to' see what was happening. He wassad t6 see the poor quality of food served inthe Guru's langar. He was pained still moreto see the very poor quality of the food taken "by the Guru and his wife.

He made up his mind to set things right. Hecalled together some principal Sikhs likeBaba Budha. He discussed the matter with,them. Baba Budha took his position at a placecalled Pipli Sahib. He met the visiting Sikhsthere. He told them about the tricks beingplayed by Prithia. He received their offeringsfor the Guru. These offerings he sent to theGuru. The Guru's langar became well-provided. Other prominent Sikhs went out inall directions. They informed the Sikhs of allplaces of what was happening at Amritsar.Soon the truth became known far and wide.All Sikhs accepted Guru Arjan as their trueGuru. They sent him their 'offerings, orbrought them to him when they came to seehim. Prithia's plans w,ere defeated. Falsehoodfailed and Truth prevailed.

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15A Lesson in Humility

Guru Arjan had become more than thirtyyears of age. So far no child had been born tohim. His brother Prithia had a son namedMeharban. The Guru treated his nephew,Meharban, as his own son. Prithia and hiswife used to tell each other, 'The Guru has noson. After his death, the Guruship will come

.to our son.' One day, his wife said to theGuru's· wife, 'What if your husband hasoojustly taken possession ofthe Guru's throne?You have no son. The Guruship will, after all,come to my son and my family.'

The Guru's wife, Mata Ganga, was muchpained at these words. She repeated them tothe Guru and said, 'My Lord, you grantpeople all their wishes. Grant one wish of·mine. Grant me a son.'

The Guru decided to use this chance togive his Sikhs a lesson in humility. He, nodoubt, possessed the power to grant her thedesired gift. But he decided to ask her to go to

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Baba Budha and pray to him for that gift. Sohe said to her, 'God accepts the prayers ofHis dear ones. I wouldad¥ise you to go toBaba Budha. He is a true and perfect Sikh ofGuru Nanak's time. He possesses greatpowers. His prayers -~an never fail to beaccepted. If he be pleased to bless you, yourwish will be fulfilled. He lives in the forest.He looks after the Guru's cattle there. He is ahumble man. He is ever engaged in worship.He takes only one meal a day. He eats what issent to him from the Guru's langar. If yousucced in pleasing him, he will bless you, andyou will have a son.'

Mata Ganga ordered her cooks to preparetasty dishes. She took a maid-servant withher to carry the food. She put on rich fineclothes. Riding in a carriage, she went closeto _the forest where Baba Budha used to liveand work. The carriage raised much dust in-the air. Baba Budha saw the rising dust. Heasked, -'What is that? Who is coming?' ASikh replied, 'It is the Guru's wife comingthis way.' Baba Budha said, 'What misfortune

,has made' her thus fly from her home ?'

MataGanga soon reached his presence.75

She placed the tasty dishes before him. Hetook some food, but was not much pleased.The maid-servant explained to him why theGuru's wife had come. Baba Budha said,'Who am I to grant such gifts ? I am only thegrass-cutter and servant of the Guru. If I hadsuch powers, why should I cut grass and,sweep the Guru's stables ?'

Mata Ganga grew sad on hearing BabaBudha's reply. She returned to Amritsar, lostin grief. She told the whole story to the Guru.He said, 'The holy saints should be servedwith humility and respect. You made a showof your position. You went there seated in acarriage. You took him. food prepared byyour servants. You took with you a servant tocarry the food. In return, you got not a rewardbut a curse. I will tell you how to please him.Grind wheat and grams with your own h~nds.Knead the flour. Mix in it salt and spice~.Then bake the bread yourself. Prepare alsobutter and buttermilk with your own hands.Put ·on a simple dress. Then take the bread,butter, thick buttermilk, curd, and some onionson your head. Go on foot and alone. While·walking, go on repeating God's· N arne and

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".. 'ng this way,'s wi~e com~

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praying to Him. In that way you will pleaseBabaji and obtain his blessings.'\1

Mata Ganga did exactly as advised by theGuru. She ground wheat and grams. Shekneaded the flour. She mixed in it salt andspices. She baked the bread. She preparedbutter and buttermilk. She selected somegood onions. She put on a simple dress. Shetook all these things on her head. She walkedbarefoot to the forest where Baba Budha

. lived.""Shewent alone, repeating God's Nameall the time.

Baba Budha saw her coming. He said tohimself, 'There comes Mataji,.dear, respectedmother. She has brought me my meal. Iramother were not to care for her son, who elsewill do so ? I was wrong in sending her awaysesterdayin that manner. But she has pardonedme.' .

He stood up to greet and welcome her. Hesalut~d her with folded' hands and a deepbow. He joyfully' accepted what she hadbrought. While eating the salted and spicedwheat-and-gram-flour bread or missi roti, hesaid, I 'The Guru is the owner of the Divine

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storehouse, but I have received an order to. open it. As you have given me food to myheart's content, so shall you have a son toyour heart'scontent. .He shall be veryhandsome and brave. He shall possess greatpowers of body, mind, and spirit. As I crushthe onions here, so shall he crush his enemies'heads.'

Mata Ganga returned home mightily pleased.Baba Budha's promise was fulfilled. Within ayear she gave birth toa son. He was named SriHargobind.

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16Thy Will is Ever Sweet, o Lord !Once, a Sikh named Bhai Gurmukh~ame

.to see Guru Arjan. He sat listening to thehymns being sung in the Guru's court. One ofthose hymns contained the following lines :

'Thy Will is ever sweet to me, 0 Lord ! .The wealth of Thy Name is all that Nanak begs for from Thee.'

Bhai Gurmukh. thought within himself,'Good luck and bad luck, pleasure and pain,joy and sorrow, are all caused by God.Everything happens as willed by Him. Goodluck, pleasure, and joy are sweet, no doubt.Butbad luck, pain, and sorrow can never besweet. How, then, can anybody say that HisWill is ever sweet to him.' .

On meeting the Guru that day, he expressed·his doubts to him and said, 'I very much wish'to see a Sikh who looks upon pain and·pleasure, sorrow and joy, -as equally sweet\'

.. gifts given by God; who calmly accepts all \that may happen to him. Does such a onereally exist ?' -

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The Guru replied, 'Yes, there are manysuch true Sikhs alive. I can show you one, notvery far away. His name is Bhai Bhikhari. Goand see him.'

Bhai Gurmukh went to Bhai Bhikhari'shouse. On reaching there, he found a band

,playing at his door.

Inside he found ladies making merry andsinging songs of joy. Girls and boys weredancing about in glee. The songs being sungwere ghories. So he concluded that a boy'smarriage was to take place. On enquiry,hewas told that Bhai Bhikhari's only son wasabout to be married.

He asked someone to let him See BhaiBhikhari. The man took him to a room at theback of the house. Bhai Bhikhari was there inthat room. All the joy and merry-makinggoing on in the house seemed to be unknownto him. He was calm, neither happy nor sad.He was busy in sewing a whitesheet'ofcloth.As he worked, he went on reciting a hymn ofthe Guru. It contained the. lines : ~

Thy Will is eveI( sweet to me, 0 Lord!The wealth of Thy Name is all that NlYlak begs for from Thee.'

-.';.:-

Bhai Gurmukh was_sutprised to see Bhai81

Bhikhari thus occupied. Going near to him,~e said, '0 Sikh ofthe Guru, what I have seenhere has filled me with wonder. I cannot-understand alI'this. Please be kind and explain.'

Bhai Bhikhari said, 'What is it that needsexplanation, my brother ?'

Bhai Gurmukh said, 'Your son is about tobe- married. It is a happy event. All your-people are busy in singing songs and makingmerry. Why don't you join them? How andwhy is it that you sit here away from all ?Aridwhy are you sewing this white sheet ? Youdon't seem to ',share the joy felt by all yourfriends and rel~tives. I cannot understand allthis. This is what I wish you to explain to me.'

Bhai Bhikhari replied, 'My brother, whatyou say is right. My son's marriage is to takeplace tomorrow morning. The marriage partyis to go today. It will return tomorrow withthe bride. But I pass my days in accordance/with the Will ofthe Guru and God. Everythinghappens according to that Will. I bow to thatWill in every case. Pain and sorrow do notmake me sad. Pleasure and joy do not makeme'glad. I have learnt to be calm under allcircumstances, good or bad. Who knows-

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what may happen tomorrow? Today my sonis going with his marriage party. Tomorrowhe may have to go with his funeral party. I ampreparing this shroud or winding-sheet forhim. His dead body will be wrapped in it.Who knows when it may be needed? It mightbe needed tomorrow.'

Bhai Gurmukh was filled with still greater lwonder on hearing this. The marriage partyleft that day. It returned with the bride on thefollowing day. The bride and the bridegroomw;ere welcomed with songs of: joy.

. But soon after his return, the bridegroombegan to have 'severe pain in jhis body. Hedied after a few minutes. All began to weepand cry. But Bhai Bhikhari was calm as ever.He shed no tears. He uttered no cry. He feltno sorrow. He quietly brought the whitewinding-sheet which he had prepared theprevious day. His son's dead body waswrapped in that shroud. It was carried to thecremation ground and cremated.

While the rest were weeping and crying,Bhai Bhikhari went on reciting the.GurU'shymns.

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:,. On their return from the cremation ground,Bhai Gurmukh said to Bhai Bhikhari, 'So you

I knew that your son was to die today, the very,day of his marriage. You knew that his wife,would become a widow on the very day ofher.marriage. Why did you let them get married ?'

Bhai Bhikhari said, 'All had to happen as.willed by Him. How could I interfere? Howcould I stop it ?'

Then he closed his eyes and repeated,Thy Will is ever sweet to me, 0 Lord!The wealth of Thy Name is all that Nanak begs for from Thee.'

Bhai Qurmukh bowed to him, touched hisfeet and returned to the Guru.

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temple and dig a tank in this part of thecountry. The tank shall be much larger thanthat at Amritsar. I have been looking for asuitable place for that purpose. I would like todig the tank and build the temple here. I shallcall it Tam Taran. A town will grow aroundit. 'It will be one of the most important holyplaces of my Sikhs. How do you like theidea ?'

Baba Langah folded his hands and said, '0True Guru, the land here is hardly sufficientfor my children living here. The tank, thetemple, and the town will use up a large area.My children will be left with insufficient land.But, only a few kilometres from here, there isplenty of open, uncultivated land. A rain-water stream flows through it. That land willbe wholly suitable. The rain-water streamwill provide water for the tank. The land inquestion belongs to the Muslim Ranghars ofPalasaur. I shall buy from them as much landas is needed. I shall pay them as much as theydemand. I shall then humbly offer it to you. Ibeg you to accept this plan of mine.'

If. The Guru agreed. He visited the land inBaba Langah's company. He selected a plot.

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On a fixed day prayers were offered and thework of digging the tank was started. Sikhs

, fromthe nearby villages came in large numbersevery day to do the digging. They did thiswork asa labour oflove,asa piece ofservicefor their Clear 'Guru.

BabaLangah met the owners of the land.He bought from them eighty bighas* of theirland. JIe paid them as much as they asked forit. 1;he price was paid in silver coins. Alltoge,~er, they formed quite a heavyload. The

,Muslim Ranghars took the money to theirhomes.-Their women-folk, on seeing the heapof silver coins, said, 'From whom have yougot all this money? An~ what for ?'

They wer-e,-toJd_the story of the sale of the,land. On hearing this, they said, 'What have,you done? That fakirof Allah requires theland not for his 'private or family use. He is touse it for public religious purpose. He· willbuild here. a. house of God, like the one hebuilt at Amritsar. Don't you know that thefoundation-stone of that House of God waslaid by our Hazrat Mian Mir? Should weaccellt money for this piece ofland ?No~The• A Bigba is equal to five ei~tsof an acre.

land was lying unused. It will be used for a .holy purpose. Weshould consider it a greathonour. Go and return the money. Also begthe Guru's pardon for having, accepted itthoughtlessly. '

The Ranghars went back. They met BabaLangah. They wanted him to take back themoney. He replied, 'No brothers, I havegiven it in the Guru's name, for the Guru'scause. I cannot take back what has been onceoffered to the Guru or in his name.'

They then went to the Guru. They heapedthe coins before him. They told him the wholestory. They begged him. to take back the!money..They begged him to pardon them for;having accepted it. The Guru said, 'I never;gave it to you. How can I take back what Inever gave?'

It waS agreed at last, to distribute themoney 'among those who were engaged indigging the tank. A handful of silver coins,was given to everyone.

The Guru was pleased with the MuslimRanghars. He blessed them, saying, 'Your

. family, your children, shall ever be happy

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· They heaped the coins before him.

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iand'well-off.' Of all the families ofRangharsliving in Palasaur, the family ofthese Rangharsgrew to be the mosthappy and well-off. Theycontinued to have faith in the Guru. theymade regular offerings at the temple at Tam· .Taran. They had to leave their village in.1947, to go to Pakistan. They were sad to becut off from Tam Taran. Even to this day,some of them have visited the temple andhave offered prayers there.

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18Baba Langah

The work ofdigging the tank ofTam Taranwent on at great speed. Hundreds of Sikhswere engaged in this labour of love. GuruArjan stayed there for the whole day. Hewatched the work being done. He looked tothe needs ofthose doing that work. Sometimeshe joined them and worked with them.

After the day's work was over, the Guruused to go with Baba Langah to ThathiKhera. He passed the night there. The housewhere he stayed was later changed into aGurdwara. It is called Manji Sahib. >

After some time, a house was built for theGuru near the tank. He began to live there.Baba Langah went every day to his village

:Jhabal. He got up very early every morning.To get up very early each morning is a rulethat every Sikh has to follow. He took hisbath. Then he set out for Tarn Taran. On hishead he carried a neat earthen pot. It contained /sweet curd and butter. These two things were'

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meant for the Guru. He walked barefoot,repeating God's name and reciting the Guru'shymns. He reached the Guru's presencebefore sunrise. He offered the curd and butterto the Guru. Mter that he returned to hisvillage, with the empty earthen pot on hishead. Then he took his breakfast. Thereafterhe returned to Tam Taran. He spent the day

,in the Guru's work and service.

This went on for quite a long time. Onedaythe Guru decided to test Baba Langah. Thatnight he s-aid to his servant, 'Go out early inthe morning tomorrow. Standing on somehigh place, be on the look out for· Bhai .Langah. When you see him coming, comeback quickly and inform me.' To anotherservant he said, 'Get up early in the morningtomorrow. Feed and water the mare. Thensaddle it. Keep it' ready for me. I shall requireit before sunrise.'

The servants did as directed. One went outto wait for Baba Langah. The other went toprepare the mare for the journey. The first ofthese two saw Baba Langah·coming. He wasyet quite far away. He ran to the Guru andjnformed him that Baba Langah was coming.

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The Guru took his mare and rode away toAmritsar.

A short time after that Baba Langah Iarrived. He found that the Guru was not in hishouse. He searched for him. Then he askedthe Guru's servants to tell him where hecould see the Guru. He was told that theGuru had .left for Amritsar. Baba Langahsaid, 'All right. Let it be as it pleases him.'

Baba Langah started towards Amritsar.He walked barefoot, repeating God's nameand reciting the Guru's hymns. He had takenno food or drink. He walked as .fast as he

·1could. .

On the other hand, the Guru wanted to test .him still further. He kept the mare saddled andready. ;He said to a Sikh, 'Bhai Langah will becoming. Be on the look out for him. Whenyou se.e him coming, come and tell me atonce.'

In due course Baba Langah reached near. the Guru's house at Amritsar. The servant

saw him coming. He went in to inforr theGuru. The Guru took his mare and rode offto .Tam Taran.

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Baba Langah reached the Guru's house.He asked for the Guru. He was told that theGuru had left for Tam Taran. 'All right,' saidBaba Langah 'Let it be as it pleases him.' ,

He started back towards Tam Taran. Bythe time he reached there, it was already pastnoon. He entered the Guru's house. theGuru rose to receive him. He took the pot ofcurd and butter from Baba Langah's head.Baba Langah fell at the Guru's feet and said, .'Pardon me, 0 True King. I was a bit late thismorning. I should have reached here beforeyour departure., I have kept you waiting toolong for this small, humble breakfast.'

The Guru said, 'No, Bhai Langah, youwere not late. I wanted to test you. I am gladthat you have stood the test sowell. Nowyour service has become complete. Now youneed not come here daily. I shall send for you,when. I need your service.'

Baba Langah bowed and thanked theGuru. He left for his village. He took hisbreakfast on reaching home. It was quite latein the afternoon by then.

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19Jahangir and Guru Arjan

Under Guru Arjan the Sikh religionbecame very popular. It was making rapidprogress. More and more people of all casteswere becoming Sikhs. Even a large numberofMuslims had accepted Guru Arjan as their

I guide and religious teacher, or their Guru.

The Muslim priests-Qazis and Mullahs-·did not like this. They wanted that all non-Muslims should become Muslims. But justthe opposite was happening under the Guru'sguidance. He was standing in their way. Hemust be stopped. They began to make plans

, against him.

The first three Mughal Emperors had beenkind and just to all their people. They did notwork against any religion. Babar, Huma~and Akbar had even made friends with theSikh Gurus. After Akbar, his son, Jahangir

,had sat on the throne. His policy and- views! were different. He wanted to spread Islam orthe Muslim religion.

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The Qazis and Mullahs met him. Theyspoke against the Guru. They urged hi~ tostop the spread of Sikhism. 'Ifthat is not donesoon,' said they, 'very few Muslims will beleft in the country. The only way to do this isto put an end to Guru AIjan's life.' TheEmperor promised to meet their wishes.

It so happened that Jahangir's son Khusraurose against him. He wanted to become theemperor in place ofhis own father. He foughtagainst Jahangir. He lost the battle. He rantowards Lahore. J ahangir went after him. Hewanted to catch and punish hi~. He knewthat many people had helped the rebel prince.As he went along, he made enquiries to findout such people. He punished as many ofthem as he could catch.

On his way to Lahore, he passed byGoindwal and Tam Taran. He made a halt atthe former place. All along, he went onmaking enquiries to find out Khusrau's helpers.He asked people, 'Did anybodyhelp Khusrau ?'He made_ the enquiry at Goindwal, too.Nobody said a word against the Guru. TheGUIll' had a number of enemies like Chandu,

--Prithia, some Brahmins, and Qazis. If the96

Guru had helped .Khusrau, they wouldcertainly have said so to Jahangir.

Jahangir reached Lahore. Mter some timehe got ready to return to Delhi; The enemiesoLGuru Arjan decided to act. They made upaiaIse story against him. They met Jahangir.They said to him, 'Khusrau met Guru Arjanat Goindwal.. He asked fOf help from theGuru. The· Guru prayed for his successagainst Your Majesty. He also gave him a .large sum of money.'

On-hearing this, Jahangir became red with. anger. He had already made up his mind toput an end to Guru Arjan's life. He had madethat resolve on account ofwhat the QazisandMullahs had told him. Now he had beengiyen another excuse against the Guru. Hehad helped the Emperor's rebel son~ He mustbe punished for having worked against the·.Emperor.

Jahangir didnot make any enquiry. He didnot try to find out the truth. He had no time.todo so. He had no mind to do so. He forgot onemost important fact. Otherwise, he would nothave believed the Guru's enemies. That fact

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was this. No such report had been made tohim at Goindwal or at any other place. Hehad made enquiries a! ~very place.

But Jahangir only wanted some excuseagainst the Guru. He remembered the promisethat he had given to the Qazis to put an end tothe Guru's life and activities. He was gladthat he had an excuse to fulfil that promise.

He acted at once. He said to his men, 'Goto Amritsar, arre~t the Guru, and bring himhere to me.' Then he said to his officers,'When the Guru is brought here, put him todeath with torture.'

He gave these orders and left for Delhi.His men went to Amritsar, arrested GuruAIjan Dev, took him to Lahore, and handedhim over to the Emperor's officers there.

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20

TorturesJ~angir's officers at Lahore were to carry

out his orders regarding Guru Arjan. Theybegan to make plans for torturing the Guru.Chandu, an enemy of the Guru, was one ofthose officers. He said to them, 'I shall carryoutthe Emperor's orders.' I have made myplans. Give the Guru into my hands. I shallkill him with torture.'

The officers agreed at once.Chandu tookthe Guru to his palace in Lahore. There hesaid to the Guru, 'You know what you havedone against me. Now I am going to take myrevenge. Be ready.'

The Guru replied, 'I bear no enmity or i11-will against anyone. All happens as GodAlmighty wills it to happen. I am prepared toaccept His Will. You may do what you like.'

Chandu began to torture the Guru. On thefirst day, the Guru was notgiven anything toeat or drink. He was not allowed to sleep atnight. He was kept awake. He bore all this

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most calmly. He kept thinking of God,repeating His Narne, 'and reciting Holy hymns.

On the following day, Chandu made theGuru sit in a big copper vessel. He filled thevessel with water. He ordered his men to lighta fire under the copper vessel.

The water began to get hot. After a time,the water began to boil. It scalded the Guru'sbody. But t1}e Guru sat calmly and quietly.Hefelt no pain. He gave out no cry.He did notevensigh. He felt no anger against those whowere torturing him. He 'went on praying toGod. He prayed for strength to bear everythingwith calmness and courage..He went onrepeating His Name. He went on repeating,'All is happening, 0 Lord, according to ThyWill. Thy Will is ever sweet to me.'

The boiling water made the Guru's flesh\ soft and painful. Blisters appeared all over his

body. "

On the third day, Chandu ordered hisrtlen,'Make some sand red hot in iron pans'. Seat.the' Guru in boiling water. Then pour the red-h9t burning sand on his head and body.'· Thiswas done. The water boiled his flesh from

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below. The burning red~hot sand burned hishead and body from above. The personsengaged in torturing him were wet withsweat. They felt most uncomfortable becauseofthe heat. It was the hottest summer month.But the Guru kept calm and quiet. He felt nopain. He uttered no cry. He did not sigh. Hefelt no anger against those who tortured him.He kept thinking of God. He kept repeating

. His Name. He kept repeating, 'Thy Will tome is ever sweet, o Lord !'

Hazrat Mian Mir was a great Muslim saintofLahore. He was the friend ofthe Guru. 'Hewas gr~tly respected by all Muslims. EvenEmperor Jahangir had great respect for him.'HazratMian Mir heard of\:Vhat was happeningto GurtiArjan. He was veiy~sad at the news.He went to see the Guru. On'seeing the Guru

I -being tortured, Hazrat Mian Mir cried out ingrief and pain. l:Ie said to the Guru, 'May Iappeal to the Empero'Jor your release? MayI ask him to punish these people who aretorturing you ?' '

The Guru'said, 'No brother, All is happeningin accordance with God's Will. Men whostand for Truth have often to suffer..Their

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sufferings give strength to the cause ofTruth.Go, brother. Pray for me'. Pray for thesuccess of my cause. Pray for victory toTruth.'

On the fourth day, the Guru was made tosit on an iron plate. It was heatedfrom below.The iron plate became red hot with the heat.The Guru's flesh began to be roasted. Burningred-hot sand was poured on his body. TheGuru sat calm and quiet. He seemed to feelno pain. He did not sigh. He uttered no cry.He felt no anger against his torturers. He satwith his mind fixed on God. He kept repe~tingHis Name. He kept repeating, 'Thy Will is'ever sweet to me, 0 Lord!'

On the fifth day, the Guru was taken to theriver Ravi. He was thrown into the runningriver. His body was too weak to stand upagainst the fast-flowing water. It was washedaway. He himselfreturned to God's presence.

On the place where this happened stands abeautiful Gurdwara. It is called Dera Sahib.F or the Sikhs, it is a very dear sacred place.They used to visit it in their thousands everyday. Every year a very big gathering, called·

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· lor Mel, was held there on the day on whichthe GlJru left for his Eternal Home or God'spresence. But now the Sikhs are not free tovisit that most sacred and dear place oftheirs.How sad! May God so arrange things thatthe Sikhs may be free to visit their sacredplaces now in Pakistan! All Sikhs make thisprayer everyday.

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