Sakhi Series : 189 ( Learn to Live as Per the Will of the Lord )

Bhai Bhikari Bhabra

Bhai Bhikari Bhabra was a resident of Gujarat city (now in Pakistan). He used to serve the Guru's disciples and other saints, discuss spiritual matters and recite Gurbani. One day a disciple prayed to Guru Har Gobind to meet a perfect disciple. Guru ji asked him to go to Gujarat.

The disciple went there and met Bhai Bhikari who took him to his residence and looked after him with great hospitality. The disciple found that Bhai Bhikari's son's
marriage was to take place the next day. There was a lot of festivities and music in the house. New ornaments were being made and costly clothes were being stitched. Then the disciple found a bier made of sandalwood (a frame to carry the dead body) and other necessary items needed in cremation ceremony. The disciple inquired about the things needed in a cremation ceremony when the preparations of his son's marriage were in progress. Bhai Bhikari said that he would answer the question the next day.

At night the marriage ceremony of Bhai Bhikari's son was performed. A lot of charity was given and the bride was brought home. After the marriage Bhai Bhikari's son
suffered an acute pain in his abdomen and died. All the people who were singing auspicious songs started mourning. Bhai Bhikari was very calm. He took out the sandalwood bier and performed the cremation of his son.

After all this, the disciple inquired that if Bhai Bhikari was aware of his son's death, why did he perform the marriage? Bhai Bhikari said that his son was a sage in his last birth and the daughter-in-law was a prostitute. One day she brought offerings for the sage. They were both attracted towards each other. After some time both died. The sage took birth as his son. Bhai Bhikari knew all this because he was blessed with Divine Knowledge. He said that the daughter-in-law would serve the saints  in his house, listen to Gurbani and thus be liberated in this life.

Then the disciple asked Bhai Bhikari that if he had this much of knowledge, why did he not request Guru ji to extend the life of his son? He said that there was no use in asking for false objects from Guru ji. The foremost duty of a disciple was to remain happy in the will of Guru ji.

 

Waheguru...

Sakhi Series :- 188 ( The Horrifying Cobra that blocked the way of Gurmukhs)

The Horrifying Cobra that blocked the way of Gurmukhs (Source: http://gurmatbibek.com)

Bhai Jodha and Bhai Jalo Masand were the residents of Tulaspur and Bhai Mohan and Bhai Alam Chand were the residents of Lahore. They used to collect Daswandh from Gursikhs of their area and submit to Siri Guru Arjun Dev jee at Siri Amritsar Sahib. All four of them were extremely pious and honest and never used to keep even one Kaudi (smallest unit of money) of Daswandh for themselves. They used to preach that just as a fly that falls into food spoils the food, same way even one kaudi from Guru's Daswand destroys all assets of a Sikh and even destroys the body of a Sikh through diseases.

One day all four of them were travelling to Siri Amritsar Sahib, riding a chariot. On their way, a huge Black Cobra with a big hood stood in the way of the chariot. The horses would not move at the sight of the ferocious cobra. The Gursikhs tried to change way but the cobra would move in the same direction and block their way. Then Bhai Mohan got off the chariot with a utensil, placed the utensil in front of the cobra and addressed it as follows:

"ਜੇ ਤੂੰ ਗੁਰੂ ਕੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਚਲਦਾ ਹੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਇਸ ਦੇਗੇ ਵਿਚ ਪਰਵੇਸੁ ਕਰਿ" I(f you want to go to the presence of the Guru, then enter this utensil)

Hearing this the snake entered the utensil and Bhai Mohan covered the utensil with a covering.

They reached the court of Siri Guru Arjun Dev jee and did Matha Tek (prostrating before Siri Guru jee). Siri Guru jee after blessing them asked, "ਕਿਤਨੇ ਮਸੰਦ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਆਏ ਹੋ?" (How many of you Masands have arrived). The Masand Bhai Mohan said that four of them had arrived.

At this Siri Guru jee replied, "ਏਨੂੰ ਪੰਜਾਂ ਸਿਖਾਂ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ ਦੇਹੁ। ਪੰਜਵਾਂ ਸਰਪ ਜੋ ਤੁਸਾਡੇ ਨਾਲ ਆਇਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਭੀ ਮਸੰਦ ਹੈ।" (Give them degh for 5 Gursikhs. The fifth one, the snake, who has come with you too is a masand).

At this the Bhai Mohan jee and other masands humbly asked Guru Sahib as to why the fifth Masand had become a snake. Siri Guru jee replied "he did not used to be humble before Gursikhs, did not used to bow before them. This is why he has become a cobra that raises its hood. He had hidden the ardaas of Guru; this is why he has become a poisonous snake in this life."

Having said that, Siri Guru jee did bachan to bring the cobra to his hazoori (presence). Bhai Mohan jee immediately brought the utensil in which the cobra was sitting and lifting the covering, brought out the cobra in sangat. The horrifying cobra raising its hood stood in sangat. Siri Guru jee did bachan to bring pure water of Siri Amritsar Sarovar and sprinkle on the cobra. When the water from the sarovar was sprinkled on the cobra, it immediately died. The spirit of the masand left the body of the cobra and ascended to the higher spiritual realms. Then Siri Guru jee did bachan, "ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਦੇ ਦਰਸਨ ਮਾਤ੍ਰ ਤੇ ਸਭ ਪਾਪ ਨਸ਼ਟ ਹੋ ਜਾਤੇ ਹੈਨਿ" (By darshan of Amritsar, sins are erased).

The time when Siri Guru Sahibaan were in human form must have been an amazing and enchanting time.

This is a very lesson-giving saakhi that gives a number of important spiritual lessons:

1) Never steal Golak money.
2) Always stay humble before Gursikhs and bow to them.
3) Even if we make a mistake and get punished, the merciful Guru never forgets us.
4) The water of Amritsar Sahib is strong enough to cure diseases and erase sins, provided we have faith and Naam.

Sakhi Series :- 187 ( How to Escape the Cycle of Birth and Death )

Bhai Deepa Deo, Narain Dass and Boola

Bhai Deepa Deo, Narain Dass and Boola came to Guru Angad Dev, prostrated before him and prayed to him to save them from the cycle of birth and death. Guruji advised them to practice devotion (bhakti) to 'Waheguru', the Supreme Lord. The disciples replied that they were ignorant and did not know what 'bhakti' or devotion meant. They prayed for
an explanation.

Guruji explained that the Supreme Lord created 'Maya' or the creative powers. He then ordered it to create the universe and keep it under its control by illusive powers.
He also created four Gods, three male and one female, and said that whoever will seek refuge with any one of them shall attain Him. They were:
1) Vairagya or dispassion.
2) Yoga or asceticism or renunciation.
3) Gyan or path of knowledge.
4) Bhakti or path of devotion.

The first three are males. Maya can entice them with evil ways and means and make them fall from their objectives. But 'Bhakti' is a virtuous wife. Maya can therefore entice
the devotees of the first three Gods and not the devotees of Bhakti.

The disciples then prayed for the description of the four paths so that they may follow them correctly.
Guru Angad Devji said that 'vairagya' is of two types:
a) When one renounces his home, clothes, and food etc for the love of the Lord.
b) Other is not to get too involved in the world and take as much as is necessary for maintaining the body.

The Yoga is also of two types:
a) The first type is the yoga of hardships i.e. ashtang yoga and pranayama etc.
b) The second type is to draw away the mind from desires and enjoyments and direct it towards the God.

Gyan is also of two types:
a) The first is to believe that this world is an illusion and only the Atma is real. God resides in each one of us. Thus, wash away the dirt of anger and hatred towards others.
b) The second type is the 'sarwan gyan' i.e. act faithfully on what the Guru says.

Then there is the "bhakti"or 'Devotion to the Divine'. This is to consider God as the master and oneself as His servant. One has to surrender the mind, body and wealth to the God i.e. total surrender.

"Surrender His objects to Him.
Follow the Will of the Lord happily.
He will bless you with everything four-fold.
Nanak says that the Lord is ever merciful."

On hearing this, the disciples started serving the saints and other disciples. They were devoted to the Guru's words and were thus liberated.

 

dIpw dyaU nrwiex dwsu bUly dy jweIAY bilhwrI]

dheepaa dhaeoo naraaein dhaas boolae dhae jaaeeai balihaaree||

I am sacrifice unto Bhai Dev, Bhai Naryan Das, Bhai Bula and Bhai Dipa. - Bhai Gurdaas JI Vaaran

 

Sakhi Series :- 186 ( Kali Sweeps the Floors of Guru Nanak Dev)

Kali Sweeps the Floors of Guru Nanak Dev

Chaudhary (the village head) of Malsihan village was a devotee of Goddess 'Kali', and respected all holy people.

When Guru Nanak Dev visited Malsihan village, Chaudhary Bhagirath devotedly served him. At night he would sleep where Guru ji was sleeping. Early in the morning when Guru ji got up for prayers, Bhagirath went to fetch water for his bath. When he was returning with the buckets of water from the well, he noticed a beautiful lady with eight arms sweeping the floor with a broom. Bhagirath inquired who she was and why she had come from her house so early. She replied that she was the Goddess Kali. Bhagirath at once fell at her feet and prayed. He then asked her why was it that she being the mother of the whole world, supporter of all Gods and destroyer of the demons was sweeping the floors of Guru Nanak Dev's room? She replied that this holy person was none other than the Unmanifest aspect of the Supreme Being himself, whereas she was the Manifest aspect and her powers were derived from the services of saints like Guru Nank Dev.

On hearing this, Bhagirath became a disciple of Guru ji and devoted his life to the service of saints and meditation on 'Waheguru'. He was thus liberated from the cycle of life and death.

mYlsIhW ivic AwKIAY BwgIrQu kwlI gux gwvY]

mailaseehaa(n) vich aakheeai bhaageerathh kaalee gun gaavai||

One Bhagirath of Malsihan town was there who earlier was a devotee of Kali, the Goddess. - Bhai Gurdaas Ji Vaar

Chandrahans & Dhrishtbudhi

Who was Chandrahans? His name has appeared in Siri Guru Granth Sahib jee at least once.

(Source : http://www.gurmatbibek.com )

Sabh hai Brahm, Braham hai pasariya, mann bijiya khaavaray||
Jiyon Chandrahans dukhiya Dhrishtbudhee, apnay ghar lookey Jaaray ||
=>In everything is Vaheguru and Vaheguru is everywhere i.e. he pervades everywhere. Whatever one sows one has to reap, just like, the evil Dhrishtbudhee tormented and hurt Chandrahans but in the end he burned his own house.

Here is a brief account of Chandrahans and Dhrishtbudhi.

Chandrahans was born to a king of a small kingdom. Soon after his birth, the king, his father lost battle to the neighbouring king. The king and queen both died in this battle. Chandrahans was saved by his governess who took him to another kingdom.

Chandrahans who was born a prince started growing up in poverty and living in a slum. Close to his house there was a temple where the king of this land and other noblemen used to come to worship. Chandrahans who was about 5 years old at that time used to play in the outskirts of the mandir.

Chandrahans was a gifted child who from birth had love for Vaheguru. He had not read about him but due to his previous karams he had a propensity towards Vaheguru. One day as he was playing outside the temple, Dhrishtbudhi the PM of the kingdom came to worship in the mandir. A holy man was also present in the temple at that time. The holy man and Dhrishtbudhi started talking. The holy man noticed Chandrahans and asked Dhrishtbudhi who the child was. Dhrishtbudhi denied any knowledge of this child. The holy man predicted that this child – Chandrahans – would become the king of this land.

Dhrishtbudhi got very upset when he heard this from the holy man. He had plans for his son Madan to become the king, since the king had no son of his own. He immediately went back to his palace, hired some thugs and contracted them to murder Chandrahans. Though the killers were surprised to hear of this contract, they nevertheless agreed to carry out the killing.

They took the child to a jungle nearby and told the crying child that they were going to kill him. Chandrahans was visibly shaken and scared but did not lose his senses. Just when they were about to kill Chandrahans, he requested that he be given some time to pray to Vaheguru before his death. Who could deny such a reasonable request? He was allowed to offer his prayers to God. Chandrahans started singing praises of Vaheguru that he had learned from his governess. He prayed to Vaheguru to save him. Vaheguru did mercy and the killers were given some mercy by Vaheguru.

The killers looked at the child's face and could not kill him. Their stone hearts melted and they decided not to kill the child. They noticed that the child had an extra toe finger. They cut that finger off and took it to Dhrishtbudhi as a proof of their assignment done. Chandrahans was left in the jungle alone. Chandrahans did not get scared of any animal and stayed there for few days surviving on wild fruits and vegetables.

One day a king of some other land was passing by the jungle after hunting that he noticed Chandrahans sitting and praying to Vaheguru. The king was very surprised to see this sweet and beautiful child alone in jungle. He asked him who he was. The child told him that he had no relatives and his parents had died. The child had a noble and royal mien that convinced the king to adopt the child since he had no son of his own. He brought the child to his palace and the child started living a life of a prince again.

Chandrahans grew up to be a very handsome young man adept in warfare, martial arts and other studies of that time. Around that time, Dhrishtbudhi who was the PM of neighbouring kingdom came to visit Chandrahans' kingdom. He saw Chandrahans and felt that he looked familar. He asked the king who this young man was and the king told Dhrishtbudhi the whole story. Dhrishtbudhi was very surprised to know that Chandrahans had survived a previous attempt on his life but he now resolved more than ever to kill Chandrahans.

He came up with a plan. He asked Chandrahans to deliver a letter of great importance to his son Madan. Chandrahans who was an unsuspecting and humble prince did not have any double thoughts and immediately got on his horse and set for the neighbouring kingdom where Dhrishtbudhi was a PM (prime minister). He came near the palace of Dhrishtbudhi and saw a very beautiful garden. He decided to rest under the shadow of a tree there. Soon he fell asleep.

As he was asleep, Vishya the daughter of Dhrishtbudhi came with her friends to play in the garden. She saw a handsome prince sleeping under a tree and just kept looking at him. She noticed a letter sticking out of his turban and out of curiosity took out the letter. She was pleasantly surprised to see that the letter had a message to her own brother Madan as follows:

"This boy is destined to become the king of our kingdom. Give him Vish immediately.".

Vish means Poison and Dhrishtbudhee's daughters name was Vishya which means an emotion. Vishya was very pleased reading her father's letter and thought that instead of writing "Vishya" her father had accidently written "Vish" which meant poison. She was pleased that her father had chosen such a handsome prince for her. She took a kalam (thin wooden straw) and using the surmaa of her eyes as ink, she added "ya" to "Vish". The note now read as follows:

"This boy is destined to become the king of our kingdom. Give him Vishya immediately."

After changing the note and placing it back in Chandrahans' turban, Vishya quietly left the garden. Chandrahans woke up after some time and took the letter to Madan, Dhrishtbudhee's son. Madan read the letter and very pleasingly acquiesced to his father's request in the letter. Immediately Chandrahans was married off to Vishya, Madan's daughter.

In couple of days, Dhrishtbudhi came back to his kingdom and was shocked to see Chandrahans not only alive but also married to his daughter. Dhrishtbudhi was greatly enraged and was banging his head in the walls. He got very upset at his son for committing this stupidity. His son showed him the letter he had sent and the letter clearly said that Madan was to give Vishya to Chandrahans. Dhrishtbudhi was greatly upset but he kept quiet.

He now more resolved than ever to kill Chandrahans at any cost; even at the cost of making his daughter a widow. He made another plan. He hired killers for the second time and told them to hide in the templein the outskirts of the city. He told them to kill anyone who came to this temple at 6pm in the evening. The killers hid themselves in the bushes of the deserted temple in the outskirts of the city waiting for their victim to come.

Dhrishtbudhi asked Chandrahans to go and perform pooja in that temple as per some family tradition. The unsuspecting Chandrahans nodded and took shower and started getting ready for the pooja at the temple. As he was about to leave, the king of this kingdom had a heart attack. Madan who was present with the king sat by him as he was being treated by doctors. The king worried about his successor, decided to leave his kingdom for Chandrahans whom he had found to be a very worthy successor. He immediately decided to test him and declare him his successor if he passed away.

The king immediately dispatched Madan to go and get Chandrahans by his bedside. Madan found Chandrahans walking towards the mandir. Madan told Chandrahans about the king's order to see him immediately. Chandrahans told him of Dhrishtbudhee's, his father-in-law's wish to have pooja done at the mandir. Madan took the pooja stuff from Chandrahans and told him to go to the king and that he in the meanwhile would perform pooja on Chandrahans's behalf.

Madan went to the temple whereas Chandrahans went to see the king. By then Dhrishtbudhee too had arrived by the bedside of king and was surprised to see Chandrahans there. The king asked him questions to test him and Chandrahans answered all of them successfully. The king declared him the king. Dhrishtbudhi asked Chandrahans where Madan was and Chandrahans told him that Madan had gone to the temple to perform pooja.

Hearing this Dhrishtbudhi went pale. He immediately rushed out towards the mandir fearing the worst. To his horror, he saw the blood soaked dead body of his son Madan there. Madan had been murdered mercilessly. Dhrishtbudhi's third attempt on Chandrahans's life had turned futile and actually had harmed him again. Not being able to sustain the sorrow of the death of his only son Madan, Dhrishtbudhi took out his dagger and stabbed himself to death.

If we try to do evil to others, only bad can happen to us as a result of this.

Sakhi Series :- 184 ( Simran is the Key)

Simran is the Key

( Source : http://www.jathashaheedan.com/blog/index.php?/authors/1-Kamaljeet-Singh-Shaheedsar/P2.html )

 

One Pooranmashi, Baba Nand Singh Ji shared these bachans with Sangat -

'' Gaaviaa suniaa thin kaa har thhaae paavai, jin sathigur kee aagiaa sath sath kar maanee"
Their singing and listening is approved by the Lord; they accept the Order of the True Guru as True, totally True.

- Guru Ram Das Ji, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 669 

 

A husband who lived in a distant land, once wrote a letter to his wife and family, asking them to ensure certain tasks he instructed were complied with. Everyone in the family read and listened to what was  written in the letter, but the letter was neatly folded away into a corner in the cupboard. Twice daily, the wife would respectfully ensure the letter was well kept and would read it over and over. In affection of her husband, she would even pay her respects to the letter by burning incense, like one would do before the image of a deity. Day and night, she would wrap the letter in a beautiful, clean cloth and would bow to the letter.

When the husband returned after many many years, and asked his family whether they had received his letter, they all replied that they did. The head of the house went on further to ask whether the tasks he had asked had been complied with. But the family replied that they had taken great care of his letter and reverently paid their respects of love. The husband then told his family that the purpose of sending the letter was not to be kept reverently in safety, but had sent to ensure that the tasks asked were to be done without fail. The family had failed to comply with even a single instruction written in the
letter. In disappointment, the man of the house stated that their taking of his letter was of no use to him

This is exactly the message in what Guru Ram Das Ji says in the above shabad. In the complete writings of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, man is instructed over and over, to recite the Name of Waheguru.
 
bhajahu guobi(n)dh bhool math jaahu maanas janam kaa eaehee laahu
 Vibrate, and meditate on the Lord of the Universe, and never forget Him.
 This is the blessed opportunity of this human incarnation.   - Bhagat Kabir Ji, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 1159
 
What Bhagat Kabir Ji is saying in the above shabad is that the human birth has been blessed to us for the sole purpose of remembering Waheguru in meditation. Every sant, mahapursh, gyani and other spiritually elevated beings remind us, 'Naam Jappo' as this is the first instruction of Guru Nanak Dev Ji''

 

Like the family that merely preserved and respected the letter from the head of the family but did not heed what was being instructed to them, likewise, we need to look unto ourselves and see if that is what we are doing too. If we are merely reading Gurbani and not trying to understand what the Guru is asking of us to do, it is to no avail. There is no use of covering Guru Granth Sahib Ji in all its expensive and royal coverings and bowing down in obeisance when we take little or no heed of even doing our Nitnem and going to the Gurudwara to earn the blessings of the Guru in Sadh Sangat