Sakhi Series :- 92 ( "Ekas Siyon Chith Laai" )

"Ekas Siyon Chith Laai"

 

Bhai Gopal Ji was a respected individual who use to run a karyana ( grocery) store during the time of Guru Arjun Dev Ji Maharaj. People use to deposit money with him for safe keeping purposes.

 

One day a person named Jamaal Khan deposited 500 coins with Bhai Gopal Ji. Bhai Gopal Ji forgot to register them in his book and forgot to put them in his safe. After sometime Jamaal Khan asked for the return of his 500 coins. Bhai Gopal ji checked his book and checked the safe. The money was not recorded and not in the safe and he said to Jamaal Khan he did not have his money. Jamaal Khan said he would report Bhai gopal to the muslim emperor if he didn't return his money. Bhai Gopal checked once again but could not find the coins. He said to Jamaal Khan " I dont have your money. But if your saying, then I'll; give you the 500 coins".

 

Jamaal Khan went to the emperor who called Bhai Gopal Ji. The emperor said Bhai Gopal ji "what am I hearing...I know your Nanak's Sikh and you won't do anything of this sort but I also know that Jamaal Khan doesn't lie either." Bhai Gopal Ji said I don't have his money but if you say I will pay him 500 coins. The emperor not knowing how to do justice said he would leave it to God. They would heat a pan of oil and throw a copper coin in. The one who picks the coin out without getting burnt will be the truthful one.

 

Bhai Gopal Ji did Ardas to Guru Ji. "some people have someone for support and some people have others for support, but for me you are my one and only support. Please help me and look after me."  Bhai Gopal Ji put his hand into the hot oil and picked the coin with no harm to his hand or arm.

 

kis hee koee koe ma(n)n(j) nimaanee eik thoo ||

Some people have others, but I am forlorn and dishonored; I have only You, Lord.

 

kio n mareejai roe jaa lag chith n aavehee ||1||

I might as well just die crying, if You will not come into my mind. ||1||

-          Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 791

 

 

Next Jamaal Khan put his hand in to the hot oil but his hand got burnt before he could pick up the coin. Immediately he was given medical treatment.

 

Bhai Gopal Ji was upset that someone had been hurt because of him. Anyway some time passed and a customer came into Bhai Gopals store. Whilst looking for the item requested by the customer Bhai Gopal Ji found the 500 coins in a container with the food stuffs. Immediately he went to Jamaal Khan and said I have found your 500 coins here. Jamaal Khan refused to take the coins saying he had been embarrassed in the Royal court and in front of the village and that Bhai Gopal ji should keep the money. Bhai Gopal Ji said it was not his money and he was not authrosied by Guru Ji to keep something which didnt belong to him.

 

Jamaal Khan agreed to accept the money on condition that he could meet Guru Ji.

 

Bhai Gopal Ji and Jamaal Khan both visited Guru Ji who was in the middle of a diwan. As soon as Bhai Gopal Ji saw Guru Ji, his eyes washed Gurru Jis lotus feet with his tears. Guru Ji said to Bhai Gopal Ji.. "Bhai Gopal you have been accepted in Guru Ji's house". Jamaal Khan asked Guru Ji a question "both Gopal and I were both truthful yet my hand got burnt and his didn't. Why was this ?

 

Guru Ji replied "Firstly, Bhai Gopal Ji didn't deliberately do anything wrong or underhand. Secondly, Bhai Gopal Ji recited his Ardas to the one supreme god in whom he had complete faith and who helped him at his time of need. When you put your hand in, you recited/remembered various peers to help you but you didn't have faith and trust in ONE. Jamaal Khan agreed and said yes he had recited the support of various peers. In the company of Guru Ji both Bhai Gopal Ji and Jamaal Khan were both exalted by Guru Ji's darshan.

 

 

swihbu myrw eyko hY ] eyko hY BweI eyko hY ]1] rhwau ]

saahib maeraa eaeko hai || eaeko hai bhaaee eaeko hai ||1|| rehaao ||

My Lord and Master is One; He is the One and Only; O Siblings of Destiny, He is the One alone. ||1||    ( Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 350)

 

 

 

Sakhi Series :- 91 ( Bhai Sukha Singh and Mehtab Singh )

Fate of Masa Rangar

 

Quazi Abdul Razak the Chief of Police of Amritsar was killed in an encounter with the Sikhs in October 1738. Masa Rangar was appointed in his place.

 

Masa Rangar converted Harmander Saheb into a vice den. The officials drank wine and smoked tobacco while the Nauch girls entertained them. By his orders all the Sikhs of Amritsar were hounded and killed. Hindus too were looted on the pretext of supporting the Sikhs.

 

Tej Ram, a resident of Amritsar whose house had been looted went to Bikaner and narrated his own story and the plight of Harmander Saheb to the Sikh contingent there The leader of the contingent informed the Sangat of the

happenings at Amritsar and asked for a volunteer who would bring the back Masa Rangar's head. Two Sikhs, Bhai Sukha Singh and Mehtab Singh volunteered for the service.

 

After performing Ardaas before Guru Saheb both of them set out for Amritsar. They halted the night at Damdama Saheb. Next day disguised as Muslims carrying revenue collection from Patti they reached Amritsar. The two bags

supposed to be containg money were actually filled with shredded pottery.

 

Entering Harmander Saheb they tied the horses with the Berry plant. Each one of them carried a bag on his shoulder. They saw Masa Rangar sitting on a cot drinking wine and smoking Hukka. The Nauch girls were dancing. They placed the bags on the floor near the cot saying that they had come to pay the revenue. When Masa Rangar bent down to see the contents of the bags one of the Sikhs swiftly pulled out the sword and cut off his head. He emptied one bag and put the swerved head in it while the other made short of the rest of the company of Masa Rangar.

 

In the confusion that prevailed around both the Sikhs moved out swiftly mounted on their horses and escaped. They halted the night at Damdama Saheb and presented the head to the Sangat the next day.

 

charr bohithhai chaalaso saagar leharee dhaee ||

I get on board the boat and set out, but the ocean is churning with waves.

 

t(h)aak n sachai bohithhai jae gur dhheerak dhaee ||

The boat of Truth encounters no obstruction, if the Guru gives encouragement.

 

thith dhar jaae outhaareeaa gur dhisai saavadhhaan ||

He takes us across to the door on the other side, as the Guru keeps watch.

 

naanak nadharee paaeeai dharageh chalai maan ||3||

O Nanak, if I am blessed with His Grace, I shall go to His Court with honor. ||3||

- Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 1087

 

=> More Sakhis: www.tuhitu.blogspot.com

 

Sakhi Series : 90 ( Guru Gobind Singh ji and a 'Guru ka-Lal' )

Guru Gobind Singh ji and a  'Guru ka-Lal' 

aisae gur ko bal bal jaaeeai aap mukath mohi thaarai ||1|| rehaao ||

- I am a sacrifice, a sacrifice to such a Guru; He Himself is liberated, and He carries me across as well. ||1||Pause||

kavan kavan kavan gun keheeai a(n)th nehee kashh paarai ||

Which, which, which of Your Glorious Virtues should I chant? There is no end or limitation to them.

- Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1301 

Once a 'Kalal' - a wine distiller, came for the Guru ji's darshan and stood at a distance, for the 'caste' of the Kalal was considered low in the social hierarchy.  

When Guru Gobind Singh Ji, saw him he said, "Come in and sit with all of us in the tent." The man quivered, hesitated and said, "How can I, the lowest of the low, sit in the assembly of the gods? Guru Ji, I am a kalal whose mere sight pollutes."

On hearing this, Guru Sahib instructed His musicians and bards, to welcome the man with music and songs and coming down from his couch to bless him. He said, "You are not a kalal, but a 'Guru ka-Lal', 'a Ruby of the Guru.' Who has such love for us? 

thaerae kavan kavan gun kehi kehi gaavaa thoo saahib gunee nidhhaanaa ||

Which, which of Your Glorious Virtues should I sing and recount, Lord? You are my Lord and Master, the treasure of excellence.

thumaree mehimaa baran n saako thoo(n) t(h)aakur ooch bhagavaanaa ||1||

I cannot express Your Glorious Praises. You are my Lord and Master, lofty and benevolent. ||1|| 

mai har har naam dhhar soee ||

The Name of the Lord, Har, Har, is my only support. 

jio bhaavai thio raakh maerae saahib mai thujh bin avar n koee ||1|| rehaao ||

If it pleases You, please save me, O my Lord and Master; without You, I have no other at all. ||1||Pause||

- Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 735