Sakhi Series : 60 ( Redemption of Tulsan Dassi )

Redemption of Tulsan Dassi

(from Nanak Chamatkar – by Bhai Sahib Bhai Vir Singh)

 

One day Mata Tripta ji ( Guru Nanak dev jis Mataji) expounded. "Tulsan go and tell my dear son that the dinner is ready, come and relish it.

 

Tulsan: "As you direct, Madam."

 

And she proceeded to Satguru Nanak Dev Jee, the One who had endowed magnificence to world, was seated majestically. The resplendent countenance was so striking that Tulsan could not dare to rouse him. Then, she deliberated, 'If I massage his feet, he may awoke.'

 

Reflecting, when she touched his feet, in her body she felt a reverberation like an electric current passing through. This tingling sensation diminished the opaqueness of her eyes, she intuited (knew instinctively) that the household offspring had emerged as the Son of the Universe. She envisaged that he was a True Being and was taking part in human drama. She awoke to the heavenly heights. She observed that whole mundane world had transformed, there were no afflictions, no bickering and the criteria of fear had flown away; peace and harmony were encompassing. Aha, the feet, which had twirled her whole concept, she, obliviously, placed her forehead on them. She pressed her eyes on them and beheld: if there was any nucleus of the earth, then it must be there. In perturbation she kissed the feet and her swirling eyes opened up inside a sharp leathery but with soothing enlightenment.

 

What did she observe: the ship of a Guru's beloved Sikh was going to submerge near Sangladweep and, with full vision of Sri Guru Nanak Dev, he was, both body and soul, in supplication, and Sri Guru Jee, arriving there, was helping him. In the meantime, she noticed that the ship was coming out of danger.

 

Tulsan, following this wonder of the devotee with his Master, heeded to an inherent articulation, "Nee you, Tulsan Bibi! Be quick. Awaken the Dear Son and get him here." (said Mataji)

 

Sailing in such a mood, Tulsan suddenly got up, when the Reverend Mother again asked, "My Dear Son is up or not yet."

 

Tulsan: "Dear Mother! Don't call him Dear Son; call him Beholder of the Universe. He is not in sleep that I can wake him up. Mother! He is salvaging the drowning ship of a human being. I could not dare to rouse him."

 

Mata Jee: "Well, dear child! Who wouldn't ridicule? The ones who were brought up in our hands? How the time has changed. Are you making fool of us too?"

 

Lamenting thus the mother went herself and in her absence Bebe Nanaki took the place in the kitchen.

 

In the meantime, the mother woke up the divine Son and persuaded him to come. She served him meal and said, "Look my Dear Son! If you don't wander around with mendicants, adopt a vocation, sit with splendour in the Panchayat--the council, then, the people won't make fun of us, and won't ridicule. Previously only the outsiders used to, but, now, the servants of our household are indulging in sarcasm."

 

Satguru Jee: "Dear Mother! Who has uttered to you in disrespect?"

 

Mother: "Look at her. Tulsan said today, `Who could I wake up? Dear Son was rescuing the ship in the seas.'"

 

Satguru jee: "Dear Mother, don't mind her. She is an idiotic. Why frown the insane."

 

Soon hearing this, Bebe(Nanaki) felt the land slipping under her feet, both earth and sky swiveled. With a `Ah' she grieved but alerted herself. She looked all around: Tulsan had become insane.

 

Next morning, when Sri Guru Jee was in solitary mood, Bebe, the epitome of compassion, implored, "Aye My Dear Brother, you the Godly Soul! Shower benediction on Tulsan."

 

Satguru Jee: "Bebe, My Dear Sister! Don't be distressed. Nothing has gone wrong with Tulsan. With the worship of the Lord, she will obtain redemption. She will wake up unaffected. The insanity will remain provided she don't slander the boon she had received. She won't become idiotic through anything else. Insane is that who cannot speak in the love of Waheguru. Tulsan has been provided with digestive powder, she will forbear a life of internal happiness."

 

Bebe, the premier perceiver of the Celestial Soul, expended her thankful obeisance, and Tulsan passed her days blissfully.

 

charrh eikeeh po urreeaaa(n) nira(n)kaar gur shabadh seheerree ||

Climbing the steps of non-duality they adopt the Word of the formless Guru.

 

gu(n)gae dhee mat(h)iaaeeai akathh kathhaa visamaadh bacheerree||

They enjoy His ineffable story like they enjoyment by a dumb person of the sweets.

 

guramukh su kh fal sehaj aleerree ||a||

Through the natural devotion, the gurmukhs attain the fruit of delight.

-             Vaars Bhai Gurdaas on Pannaa 11

 

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Sakhi Series: 59 (Guru Ladho Re, Guru Ladho Re !!)

apunae saevak kee aapae raakhai aapae naam japaavai || jeh jeh kaaj kirath saevak kee thehaa thehaa out(h) dhhaavai ||1||

The Lord Himself protects His own servant and sustains his devotion to Naam.  In response to the plight of His servant, the Lord rushes to his rescue. And manifests His immediate presence there.

 

saevak ko nikattee ho e dhikhaavai || j o jo kehai t(h)aakur pehi saevak thathakaal hoe aavai ||1|| rehaao ||

The Lord appears near at hand to His servant. Whatever the servant asks of his Lord and Master, immediately comes to pass. ||1||Pause||

(Guru Granth Sahib ji – pg 403)

 

M akhan Shah Lubana was a devout sikh and a rich merchant who used to bring merchandise from far away lands. Once, while he was returning home with his ships loaded with valuable cargo, there was a furious storm at sea and his vessels got caught in it. In the rising fury of the storm, disaster was imminent. When all hope of survival of men and of safety of the cargo had vanished, a pathetic cry arose from the depths of Makhan Shah's heart to the Lotus Feet of Guru Har Krishan, the Eighth Guru Nanak, to save him and his cargo. Scarcely had the prayer been made when the storm subsided and the ships of the devout follower cruised ashore.

When the prayer for his safety had escaped Makhan Shah's lips, his sinking heart had simultaneously pledged to offer 500 Mohurs (gold coins) as 'shukrana' at the Guru's holy feet on his safe arrival. On reaching Delhi, Makhan Shah learnt about Guru Har Krishan Sahib's parting words 'Baba Bakale' meaning that the next Guru was to be found in Bakala. He then immediately left for Bakala.

There Makhan Shah found that there were many impostors staking their claim to the holy throne of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib. Though he was anguished he did not give up hope as he yet had the ultimate test of truth with him.

He thought of a plan to trace the real Guru. He planned to offer two gold mohars to each self proclaimed Guru. The false would readily accept them, whereas the true Guru (knower of the hearts) would definitely ask for what had actually been promised.

Makhan shah went to each of the self proclaimed gurus and offered them two gold mohars. They were all pleased at the sight of gold coins. Everyone praised himself to the skies, but no one asked for what had actually been promised.

Makhan Shah Lubana recalls the following hymns from Sukhmani Sahib:

As long as a man deems himself good

no goodness can approach him

He who deems himself as of the lowly

Shall be esteemed as the highest of the High.

 

He was confident that non of them was the real Guru. Finally when all the impostors had been tried, he enquired if there were any other holy men in Bakala. He was then informed about Bhai Tegha (son of Guru Har Gobind sahib ji). His full name was Tegh Bahadur, who lived in silence and makes no claims to the Guruship.

Makhan Shah went to test this holy man also and as usual placed two gold coins and bowed in reverence. Guru Tegh Bahadur, the Knower of all Hearts and the Supreme Saviour, opened his eyes and life giving Nectar flowed from His holy lips, "Makhan Shah, Guru does not need your money but having pledged 500, why are you offering only two". The mystery was unravelled.

Wonderstruck by the Eternal Glory of Guru Nanak, he fell head long at the holy feet of his Beloved Guru, the Ninth Guru Nanak, the Eternal "Jaagdi Jot" and thereafter rushed to the top of the House and started calling at the top of his voice in rapturous ecstasy "Guru Ladho Re, Guru Ladho Re". I have discovered the Holy Guru, I have found the Holy Guru.  Thus was the Saviour discovered.

 

Sakhi Series : 58 ( Bhai Kanhaiya Singh ji)

Bhai Kanhaiya Singh ji

"Na Ko Bairi Nahin Bigana, Sagal Sand Ham Ko Ban Aiyee''

It was Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji who planted the seed for sewa in the heart of Bhai Kanhaiya Ji. Later in life this virtue would earn him the blessings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and it is here that our story begins.

In 1705, when Bhai Kanhaiya Singh ji was on a visit to Anandpur Sahib, Anandpur was invested by a combination of hill troops and the imperial army. During the frequent sallies and skirmishes, Bhal Kanhaiya was often seen carrying a mashak (a sort of pouch that was used to carry water from one place to another), to serve water to anyone who was thirsty He did this sewa with love and affection without any distinction of friend and foe. His act of compassion stirred up stern criticism amongst some of his fellow Sikhs, who did not understand his actions and went ahead and complained to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, pointing out that Bhai Kanhaiya Singh Ji was serving water to the wounded soldier's from the enemy camp. They were especially annoyed because the Mughals had surrounded the city and stopped all their food supplies, and here was Bhai Kanhaiya sharing with them what little water they had.

When confronted by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Bhai Kanhaiya Ji simply replied, "I only see you; I see you in the Sikhs, I see you in the enemy, so then how can I not serve Thyself My Lord ?"  (Bhai Kanhaiya Ji saw God manifested in the Guru, and saw the Guru's reflection in every living being).

"Sabh meh jot jot hai so-ay. "Tis kai chaanan sabh meh chaanan ho-ay." (GGS ji pg 663)
Your divine light is shining in everyone. God you are that divine jot. You are that divine light.
The brightness of that divine light is shining through all. Through all that divine light is shining.

The Guru, pleased with the reply, blessed him and told the Sikhs that Bhai Kanhaiya had understood the teaching of Gurbani correctly. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, went on to give Bhai Kanhaiya Ji ointment and bandages, so that he could complete his role in delivering medical aid to all the wounded, friends and foes alike.

Thus Bhai Kanhaiya Ji became the initiator of delivering first aid and therefore truly the initiator of the present Red Cross movement

I have totally forgotten my jealousy of others,

since I found the Saadh Sangat (the holy congregation). ((1))Pause

No one is my enemy, and no one is a stranger. I get along with everyone. ((1))

Whatever God does, I accept that as good. This is the sublime wisdom I have obtained from the Holy. ((2))

The One God is pervading in all. Gazing upon Him, beholding Him, Nanak blossoms forth in happiness. ((3)(8))  (GGS ji Page 1299)

 

To have respect for every person is a fundamental pillar of Sikhism and a strong messa

ge advanced by the Tenth Guru.

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Sakhi Series : 57 ( Nawab Kapur Singh ji)

Nawab Kapur Singh:

 

h odhai th aan n ithaan eeaa reheh i nim aanan eeaah ||

They remain powerless, even while they have power; they remain humble and meek.

 

n aanak janam sakaa rathhaa j ae thin k ai sa(n)g m ilaah ||2||

O Nanak, our lives become profitable if we associate with them. ||2||

(GGS ji 85)

Having failed to crush the Sikhs, the then Governor of Punjab, Zakariya Khan, adopted the policy of appeasement towards the Sikhs. He wanted to give the Sikhs a "jagir" with an annual revenue of one lakh rupees near Amritsar and offered the title of Nawab to their leader.

But Jathedar Darbara Singh (under whose leadership the Sikhs had organized themselves and resisted the Mughals) voluntarily declined to accept the title of Nawab and suggested that Kapur Singh be made the commander of the Khalsa Panth as a whole because he himself had become too old to carry the weight of such a heavy responsibility which demanded an energetic and strong leader

After a great reluctance Kapur Singh humbly accepted the honour on the condition that the Khalsa would permit him to continue serving in the community kitchen and looking after the horses. From that day onwards Kapur Singh became Nawab Kapur Singh. However Nawab Kapur Singh surrendered all the revenue from the Jagir to the Khalsa.

He was a great organiser who organised Sikhs into Dal Khalsa and carved out a national glory for them. Above all the greatest service rendered by him to the Khalsa was that although he ruled their destiny in the most effective manner, yet he did not permit its leadership to become personal and hereditary. Lastly his outstanding and wise contribution to the Khalsa was that he left their command into the most capable hands of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and thus paved the way for their further glory and greatness.

According to S.M. Latif, Nawab Kapur Singh "was undoubtedly the most distinguished of the Sikh leaders who paved the way for the greatness of the Sikh nation as an independent ruling power."

 

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