Sakhi Series : 84 ( Khudawand Karim = Bestower Of Bounties )

Khudawand Karim = Bestower Of Bounties

(Source: www.sikhee.com)

A mother was so heart-broken on losing her son, that she stayed by his grave and refused to leave. She cried bitterly the whole night.

By morning her cries had turn to rage. "Why have You done this to me? You are no loving and caring Lord, I don't need One like You! How dare You take the life of my dear, darling son?"

Ignoring the entreaties of her family, she carried on venting and raging. The second night, her poor husband went to the village Qazi for help. He promised to intervene in the morning.

The next morning, the Qazi approached the mother lying by her son's grave. He had a very noticeable limp, and seemed to be nursing his body. He joined the lady in her wailing.

She stopped abruptly and asked him what his problem was.

"Oh mother! The Lord visited me last night. Without a word, what hard kicks gave He this old man. What have I done wrong, O Khudawand Karim? I asked."

"A woman from your village has kept me awake all night, with insults" said He.

Four sons had He given her over the years and only taken back one. Not only was she getting no more, but He has half a mind to take back the remaining three!"

"O Qazi, ask Him to forgive me" sobbed she. "How blind have I been!" Hugging her family, she went home, still entreating the Qazi.

asattapadhee

Ashtapadee:

dhas basathoo lae paashhai paavai

He obtains ten things, and puts them behind him;

eaek basath kaaran bikhott gavaavai

for the sake of one thing withheld, he forfeits his faith.

eaek bhee n dhaee dhas bhee hir laee

But what if that one thing were not given, and the ten were taken away?

tho moorraa kahu kehaa karaee

Then, what could the fool say or do?

- Sukhmani Sahib

Sakhi Series : 83 ( Gobind Rai and Bhikan Shah )

Gobind Rai and Bhikan Shah

 

There lived in the city of Kuhram a Muslim saint, Bhikan Shah. On the morning of Gobind Rai's (Later Guru Gobind Singh) birth, Bhikan Shah looked and bowed towards the east (towards  Patna). His disciples asked why he bowed towards the east which was contrary to Muslim custom. He replied that there had just been born a spiritual and temporal king in the east who should establish true religion and destroy evil. Bhikan Shah set out for Patna along with his disciples to behold the young prince. When he reached Patna, the Muslim saint asked to have darshan (sight) of the newly-born child. When the infant was brought, Bhikan Shah bowed at the young prince's feet. He placed before him two earthen vessels covered with muslin, one containing milk and the other with water. The child touched both the vessels. Upon this Bhikan Shah thanked them for the opportunity given to him to behold the child and then prepared to leave. He was asked what he meant by the two vessels. Bhikan Shah explained that one vessel was marked for the Hindus and the other for the Muslims. He wanted to know whether he would favor the Hindus or the Muslims. As the child touched both the vessels, it meant that he should abide by both the Hindus and the Muslims and he should include both of them in his religion.

 

Someone is Hindu and someone a Muslim, then someone is Shia, and someone a Sunni, but all the human beings, as a species, are recognized as one and the same.

– (Guru Gobind Singh, Akal Ustat, Verse 85-15-1)

 

Sakhi Series : 82 ( Pir Budhu Shah)

Sakhi: Pir Budhu Shah

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

Pir Budhu Shah was a Muslim saint who lived at Sadhaura, about ten or fifteen miles from Paunta Sahib. He was well known for his piety and had a large number of followers. He had heard of Guru Nanak and his mission. He had also learned that Guru Nanak's throne was then occupied by Guru Gobind Singh who was staying in the neighborhood (Paunta Sahib). Ultimately he decided to visit him. The Guru seated the Pir near him who beseeched," Pray! tell us how one meets God Almighty." During the discussion the Pir humbly submitted to the Master. There was a glow in the eyes of the Guru which radiated Divine Light and the Pir exclaimed with sudden joy," Allah-hu- Akbar!" - Great is God Almighty. After a while the Pir confessed," Master, I was spiritually blind and you have shown me the Light." Blessed are the souls on whom the Guru bestows the divine grace.

Latter, on the recommendation of Pir Budhu Shah, 500 Pathans were enlisted in the Guru's army under the command of five chieftains- Kale Khan, Bhikan Khan, Nijabat Khan, Hyat Khan, and Umar Khan. But in October 1686 when the hill chieftains collected a force of 30,000 men, under the leadership of Raja Bhim Chand and Fateh Shah and rode towards Paonta Sahib (to attack the Guru), the Pathans became apprehensive of the scanty resources at the disposal of the Guru and they all except Kale Khan with one hundred men, deserted the Guru at the eleventh hour, and joined the hill Rajas. The Udasi Sadhus except their chief Mahant Kirpal (Kirpa Das), also took to their heels. The Guru informed Budhu Shah of the misconduct of the Pathan soldiers. Pir Budhu Shah looked upon their behavior as a personal disgrace. In order to compensate this loss, Budhu Shah accordingly placed himself, his brother, his four sons and seven hundred disciples at the Guru's disposal.

The Guru stationed his troops at an eminent place near Bhangani village about six miles from Paunta Sahib. The five sons of Bibi Viro- Sango Shah, Jit Mal, Gopal Chand, Ganga Ram and Mohri Chand organized the attack for the Guru's forces. They were ably backed by other Sikhs including Mahant Kirpa Das. While repeating his orders the Guru buckled on his sword, slung his quiver over his shoulders, took his bow in his hand, mounted his steed, and shouting 'Sat Sri Akal' in his loudest voice, proceeded to confront his enemies. As mentioned Guru's forces were also joined by Pir Budhu Shah's troops and one hundred Pathans under the command of Kale Khan.

 

The enemy forces were led by Raja Fateh Shah who was joined by Raja Hari Chand of Hadur, Raja Gopal of Guler, Raja of Chandel, Rajas of Dadhwal and Jaswal, and four hundred Pathans who had deserted the Guru's side. A severe and bloody battle was raged. Many brave soldiers were killed on both sides. Although the opposite army far outnumbered the Guru's men, but they did not have the same spirit of sacrifice, nor did they have the same devotion to their leaders, as the Sikhs had.

 

"Khasam dushmani gar hazarawrad, Na yak mu-e o bazar awrad."
"The enemy may practise enmity in a thousand ways, but he will not succeed in hurting even the hair of the head of him whom God protector."

-          Zafarnama (the Epistle of Victory).

 

Pir Buddhu Shah fought bravely as did his sons and followers in this bloody of battles at Bhangânî. Besides several hundred Sikhs, the two sons of Pir Buddhu Shah and a large number of his followers also died in the fighting.

 

After the battle Gurû Gobind Singh offered rich presents to the Pîr which the latter politely declined to accept. However he, as the tradition goes, the Guru was combing his hair. Budhu Shah begged of him to give him the comb with his loose hair as a sacred souvenir. The Guru gave him the turban, the comb with hair and a small sword. The greatest gift of all, the Guru blessed him with Nam.

 

The Râjpût chiefs defeated at Bhangânî remained hostile towards Guru Gobind Singh, and wished to evict him from Anandpur to where Guruji had returned. To solicit help from the imperial government, they sent to the emperor reports describing the Gurû as a dangerous rebel. Complaints also reached the authority against Pîr Buddhû Shâh who had rendered assistance to the Gurû. The faujdâr of Sirhind, under whose jurisdiction the parganah of Sadhaurâ then fell, directed a local official, 'Usmân Khân, to reprimand the Pîr. The latter marched on Sadhaurâ, arrested Buddhû Shâh and had him executed.

 

Bandâ Singh Bahâdur avenged the Pîr's execution in 1709 by storming Sadhaurâ and punishing 'Usmân Khân. The ancestral house of Pir Budhu Shah in Sâdhaurâ has since been converted into a Gurdwârâ named after Pîr Buddhû Shâh.

 

 

Sakhi Series : 81 ( Bhagat Sadhnaa ji )

Bhagat Sadhnaa ji  (Source : allaboutsikhs.com)

SADHNAA, one of the fifteen saints and süfis whose hymns are incorporated in the Guru Granth Sâhib, was a qasãi or butcher by profession who, by his piety and devotion, had gained spiritual distinction.

A hymn by Sadhna has been included in the Guru Granth Sahib. It is said that Sadhna used Salgram (a form of stone idol) as a weight to weigh the meat he sold. One day an enlightened mendicant ('sadhu') passed by, and he scolded Sadhna for what he did. Sadhna repented and renounced his home and left for the forests. It is also said that on his way to the forests, a woman met him She felt so charmed by Sadhna that she wanted to possess him. However, Sadhna remained indifferent to all her actions. She thought that perhaps the presence of her husband is the hindrance and Sadhna does not take the initiative because of his fear. So the woman took no time in murdering her husband, thereby clearing the way for Sadhna. However, while committing this crime, she failed to read correctly the mental state of Sadhna who was then on the point of acquiring mystical unity with the Lord. Therefore, whatever she did, she failed to charm Sadhna. At last when she found defeat staring in her face, she alleged that Sadhna had killed her husband. Consequently, the poor Sadhna had his hands chopped off as a punishment for the crime he never committed.

God has always protected his devotees and there are extant evidences to prove this contention: for example, He saved Bhagat Prehlad, helped Namdev and saved the honour of Daropadi, similarly, Sadhna also prayed to God

Nothing am I, no pride is mine; nothing is mine,
On this occasion save the honour of Sadhna, the Servant. – Guru Granth Sahib, pg 858

'The Lord listened to his prayer and accepted it. God through His graceful benevolence made his hands healthy once again. This gesture of grace by God flowed in Sadhna's mana (mind), the river of devotion to God.

The only hymn of Sadhna ji wherein he prays God to save his honour and which finds inclusion in the Guru Granth Sahib (Pg 858) would read as under;

For love of a king's daughter a man disguised himself as Vishnu
Of this man, lust-seeker, self-seeker, You saved the honour. (1)
Enlightener of the world! what merit is yours if our
retribution of deeds leave us not?
Why seek shelter with the tiger if a jackal is to grip us? (1-Pause)
The Chatrik (cuckoo) for lack of a drop suffers.
If after its life is gone, even the ocean be found,
what good? (2)
Tired, without poise is my life-
How may I delay supplicating Thee?
If after drowning comes the boat,
who will then ride it?
Nothing am I, no pride is mine; nothing is mine.
On this occasion save the honour of Sadhna,
The servant.

• Bhagat Sadhana, Guru Granth Sahib, pg 858 

The whole Shabad conveys this message that the prayer made by a devotee in the court of his Lord should be saturated with devotion and submission otherwise it is just a formality which one observes and we all know fully well that unless the prayer is done from the core of heart with utmost devotion and dedication, it is not accepted in the court of Lord God.

 

Sakhi Series : 80 ( Bhagat Kabir Ji )

Bhagat Kabeer Ji:

 

Bhagat Kabeer Ji was a revolutionary saint who emphasized the equality and fraternity of all mankind. He would recite His (Gods) name eternally and worshiped God and none else. Kabeer Ji considered himself neither a Muslim nor a Hindu. He says,

"I do not keep fasts, nor do I observe the month of Ramadaan. I serve only the One, who will protect me in the end."

 

Due to all this he met with opposition from Pandits and Maulvis alike who in turn complained to the King - Sultan Sikandar Lodi.   The king told him to accept Islam and sing only in the praise of Allah but Kabeer Ji refused and thus was punished in various ways ..

 

They threw Kabeer ji infront of an elephant to be crushed as explained by Kabeer ji below ...

"They tied my arms, bundled me up, and threw me before an elephant.

The elephant driver struck him on the head, and infuriated him.

But the elephant ran away, trumpeting,

"I am a sacrifice to this image of the Lord."||1||

O my Lord and Master, You are my strength.

The Qazi shouted at the driver to drive the elephant on. ||1||Pause||

He yelled out, ""O driver, I shall cut you into pieces.

Hit him, and drive him on!""

But the elephant did not move; instead, he began to meditate.

The Lord God abides within his mind. ||2||"

What sin has this Saint committed,

that you have made him into a bundle and thrown him before the elephant?

Lifting up the bundle, the elephant bows down before it.

The Qazi could not understand it; he was blind. (in ego) ||3||

- Guru Granth Sahib, Ang:870

 

 

Then, He was tied up with the chains by the order of the king. The king's men brought Kabeer near the bank of the river Ganges. There was not a single person with Kabeer but God. Kabeer Ji says,

 

"The mother Ganges is deep and profound.

Tied up in chains, they took Kabeer there. ||1||

My mind was not shaken; why should my body be afraid?

My consciousness remained immersed in the Lotus Feet of the Lord. ||1||Pause||"

 

The king's men threw Kabeer's body tied up with chain's in the river Ganges to drown. Kabeer Ji describes this situation as follow,

 

"The waves of the Ganges broke the chains and Kabeer was seated on a deer skin. Says Kabeer, I have no friend or companion, on the water, and on the land, the Lord is my Savior"  - Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1162

 

But God raised Kabeer Ji from the water to protect His devotee.

 

Watching all this, the king was amazed and full of embarrassment. The King begged Kabeer Ji for an apology.

 

Such are the ways of God who always saves His saints.

 

=> www.tuhitu.blogspot.com

 

Sakhi Series : 79 ( Bhagat Sain and the King )

Bhagat Sain :

 

Namdev, Kabir, Trilochan, Sadhna, Sain-all are saved.

Saith Ravidas ; Listen ! devotees of God!

All within the Lord's power lies.   - Guru Granth Sahib ji, pg 1106

 

After Bhagat Kabir ji, who enjoyed great name and fame, another person from the so-called low castes to rise to spiritual heights was Bhagat Sain, a Naaie (barber) by profession. He used to remain absorbed in Divine Name at night and visit early morning to the royal palace to massage the king's body so as to cure it of various physical maladies.

 

One day he had some guests (Sangat) and he remained occupied all the night in Kirtan and singing of Divine eulogy. Thus in serving the saints and the Sangat he did not realize what time it was and missed his duty at the palace to serve the king. Realizing the intensity of his love for the saints and the Sangat, God Himself adopted Sain's form and went over to the palace and served the king. Consequently, the malady of the king was cured. On the other hand Bhagat Sain, after he got free from his guests, went to the king with utter humility so as to seek forgiveness for his absence. The king saw from afar Sain approaching, and calling him to his presence the king removed his cloak and put it on him as a token of his pleasure. He further told Sain that the way he massaged him this morning had really captivated him. All his ailments have vanished.

 

Bhagat Sain realized exactly what had happened and thanked God. In this way God Himself intervened to prove the greatness of his devotee.

 

His devotees, tasks has the Lord Himself undertaken to fulfil;

These Himself has the Lord come to accomplish    

- Guru Granth Sahib ji, pg 783

 

When the king heard from Sain's own lips the account of his absence, he thought very highly of the spiritual greatness of the saint. He was so impressed that he, along with his family, became disciples of Bhagat Sain.

 

s ain naaee buthak aareeaa ouhu ghar ghar s uniaa ||

Sain, the barber, the village drudge, became famous in each and every house.

 

h iradhae vasiaa p aarabreham bhagathaa mehi gan iaa ||3||

The Supreme Lord God dwelled in his heart, and he was counted among the devotees. ||3||

 

 

The Gurus also felt it proper that a person's status should not be determined from one's profession or from the family in which he was born. Rather his deeds should determine his status in society. Any profession is pious if it is marked by honesty and righteousness.

 

 

Referring to the incident related above, Bhai Gurdas says.

 

Learning of the name earned by Kabir,

Another Sikh, who came on the scene was Sain, the barber.

He performed loving devotion at night

and went to the king's court in the morn.

Once many saint-guests came

and Kirtan went on all the night.

He could not leave his saint guests,

and thus tailed to do duty at the king's.

Lord Himself took Sain's form

and entertained the king.

After bidding farewell to all his guests,

Sain reached the king with diffidence.

The king called him from afar,

and summoning near bestowed robes.

You have captivated me,

said the king and numberless people heard this.

Lord Himself bestows honour on His devotees.

- Bhai Gurdas ji