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Guru Arjan Is Chosen

(Guru) Arjan proceeded to Lahore where he attended a family wedding representing his father Guru Ram Das. Guru Ram Das had asked him to remain until called for and to take charge of the needs and education of the Sikhs in Lahore, at his father's ancestral home. But he received no further instructions from his Guru to return.

(Guru) Arjan had grown up to be a very kind, generous and warm person. Everyone loved him. He was of a very altruistic and religious nature. He studied the religious scriptures devotedly and said his prayers daily. He was also very compassionate by nature. He was moved at the plight of the weak and the oppressed.

(Guru) Arjan could not tolerate injustice or oppression of any sort. He did all that was in his power to help the poor and the needy, without any selfish motive. He never thought of being rewarded for his actions. When Guru Ram Das saw his noble nature, his religious bent of mind and the infinite compassion he had for his fellow human beings, he was convinced that (Guru) Arjan was the rightful successor to the holy seat of the Guru.

The Letter

One day, two years later, in conversation with his Sikhs in Lahore, (Guru) Arjan expressed the regret he felt at the long separation from his father. They accordingly suggested that he should write to him for his recall. (Guru) Arjan was pleased with the suggestion and feeling intensely homesick composed a poem of love and devotion and sent it to Guru Ram Das Ji in a letter which contained;

ਮਾਝ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਚਉਪਦੇ ਘਰੁ ੧ ॥
Mājẖ mėhlā 5 cẖa▫upḏe gẖar 1.
Maajh, Fifth Mehl, Chau-Padas, First House:

ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਲੋਚੈ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਸਨ ਤਾਈ ॥
Merā man locẖai gur ḏarsan ṯā▫ī.
My mind longs for the Blessed Vision of the Guru's Darshan.

ਬਿਲਪ ਕਰੇ ਚਾਤ੍ਰਿਕ ਕੀ ਨਿਆਈ ॥
Bilap kare cẖāṯrik kī ni▫ā▫ī.
It cries out like the thirsty song-bird.

ਤ੍ਰਿਖਾ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਦਰਸਨ ਸੰਤ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥
Ŧarikẖā na uṯrai sāʼnṯ na āvai bin ḏarsan sanṯ pi▫āre jī▫o. ||1||
My thirst is not quenched, and I can find no peace, without the Blessed Vision of the Beloved Saint. ||1||

ਹਉ ਘੋਲੀ ਜੀਉ ਘੋਲਿ ਘੁਮਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਸਨ ਸੰਤ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Ha▫o gẖolī jī▫o gẖol gẖumā▫ī gur ḏarsan sanṯ pi▫āre jī▫o. ||1|| rahā▫o.
I am a sacrifice, my soul is a sacrifice, to the Blessed Vision of the Beloved Saint Guru. ||1||Pause||

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Guru Arjan, Ang 96

When the Sikh with the message arrived in Amritsar, Guru Ram Das was resting in the afternoon. Prithi Chand, (Guru) Arjan's eldest brother recoginzed the messenger as the Sikh who had accompanied (Guru) Arjan to Lahore. Prithi asked the messenger if he had brought a letter from (Guru) Arjan, when he was told about the letter Prithi read it and was filled with jealousy.

Prithi Chand knew he could not have written such verses himself, and he feared that if Guru Ram Das saw them, he might appoint Arjan as his successor. He therefore concealed the letter and sent a verbal reply in his father's name, telling (Guru) Arjan to remain in Lahore and not return until he was sent for.

The Second Letter

(Guru) Arjan on receiving the return message thought it had been sent by Prithi and not his father, and on questioning the messenger, discovered what had occurred. A few months passed and there was still no news. (Guru) Arjan could not wait to be near his father and his Guru. He wrote a second quatrain and dispatched it with strict orders for the messenger to deliver it only to the Guru. It was as follows;

ਹਉ ਘੋਲੀ ਜੀਉ ਘੋਲਿ ਘੁਮਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਸਨ ਸੰਤ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Ha▫o gẖolī jī▫o gẖol gẖumā▫ī gur ḏarsan sanṯ pi▫āre jī▫o. ||1|| rahā▫o.
I am a sacrifice, my soul is a sacrifice, to the blessed vision of the beloved Saint Guru. ||1||Pause||

ਤੇਰਾ ਮੁਖੁ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ ਜੀਉ ਸਹਜ ਧੁਨਿ ਬਾਣੀ ॥
Ŧerā mukẖ suhāvā jī▫o sahj ḏẖun baṇī.
Your Face is so Beautiful, and the sound of your words imparts intuitive wisdom.

ਚਿਰੁ ਹੋਆ ਦੇਖੇ ਸਾਰਿੰਗਪਾਣੀ ॥
Cẖir ho▫ā ḏekẖe sāringpāṇī.
It is so long since this rain-bird has had even a glimpse of water.

ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਦੇਸੁ ਜਹਾ ਤੂੰ ਵਸਿਆ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਜਣ ਮੀਤ ਮੁਰਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥੨॥
Ḏẖan so ḏes jahā ṯūʼn vasi▫ā mere sajaṇ mīṯ murāre jī▫o. ||2||
Blessed is that land where you dwell, O my friend and intimate divine Guru. ||2||

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Guru Arjan, Ang 96

Prithi Chand knew that (Guru) Arjan would be sending another message soon, so he was on the lookout for any messengers from Lahore. Once the messenger arrived Prithi forcibly took possession of (Guru) Arjan's second letter. On reading it he became more incensed than before. In his father's name he sent a second message, "Remain at Lahore for some time yet and do not come here without orders. I [Guru Ram Das] will, myself, shortly arrive to fetch you home."

The Third Letter

Prithi instructed the Sikh to take the message quickly, or the Guru would be angry with him. What Prithi really feared was that if the servant delayed in Amritsar, the Guru might come to know the deceit that was being practised. The Sikh on reaching Lahore told (Guru) Arjan how Prithi had taken possession of the letter. Finally (Guru) Arjan wrote and despatched a third quatrain to his father with strict instructions to the messenger to give it to the Guru personally. The letter contained;

ਹਉ ਘੋਲੀ ਹਉ ਘੋਲਿ ਘੁਮਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਸਜਣ ਮੀਤ ਮੁਰਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Ha▫o gẖolī ha▫o gẖol gẖumā▫ī gur sajaṇ mīṯ murāre jī▫o. ||1|| rahā▫o.
I am a sacrifice, I am forever a sacrifice, to my friend and intimate divine Guru. ||1||Pause||

ਇਕ ਘੜੀ ਨ ਮਿਲਤੇ ਤਾ ਕਲਿਜੁਗੁ ਹੋਤਾ ॥
Ik gẖaṛī na milṯe ṯā kalijug hoṯā.
When I could not be with you for just one moment, the dark age of Kali Yuga dawned for me.

ਹੁਣਿ ਕਦਿ ਮਿਲੀਐ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਗਵੰਤਾ ॥
Huṇ kaḏ milī▫ai pari▫a ṯuḏẖ bẖagvanṯā.
When will I meet you, O my beloved Lord?

ਮੋਹਿ ਰੈਣਿ ਨ ਵਿਹਾਵੈ ਨੀਦ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਦੇਖੇ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਬਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥੩॥
Mohi raiṇ na vihāvai nīḏ na āvai bin ḏekẖe gur ḏarbāre jī▫o. ||3||
I cannot endure the night, and sleep does not come, without the sight of the Beloved Guru's Court. ||3||

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Guru Arjan, Ang 96

Prithi, as before, was waiting to intercept the third letter. The messenger was also on his guard, and, on seeing Prithi, hid himself. Prithi could not be on the watch forever. When he went to his private house for reflection, the messenger took the opportunity to approach the Guru and give him (Guru) Arjan's letter.

Guru Ram Das noticed the letter bore the number 3, but that only this one letter had reached him. The messenger told him what had previously occurred, Guru Ram Das wanted to know more. Prithi, who did not remain absent for long, arrived by the time the messenger had finished his narrative.

Prithi Chand's Deception Uncovered

Guru Ram Das asked Prithi what had become of the first two letters. He replied that he did not remember where they had been put. He would search and bring them. The Guru asked Prithi three times where the letters were, and Prithi lied and said that he had no knowledge of them. Guru Ram Das shocked Prithi by revealing that he knew that the letters were concealed in Prithi's coat pocket at his home.

The Guru sent a Sikh to Prithi's house with a request to his wife to send Prithi's coat which was hanging on a peg on the wall. The Sikh brought the coat, and in its pocket the two missing letters were found! When Guru Ram Das Ji read them, he was moved to tears by the humility and sincerity of his son Arjan's compositions.

Then by order of Guru Ram Das, Baba Budha proclaimed Prithi's villainy to the whole Sangat. Prithi was thoroughly ashamed, and found no retreat in subterfuge and no pardon in apology. The Guru said, "Prithi's deception has been laid bare before the Sikhs. A trial has been made as to whether he is noble or false, obedient or disobedient to the Guru."

(Guru) Arjan Returns Home

Guru Ram Das then dispatched Baba Budha to Lahore with a carriage to bring (Guru) Arjan home with all possible speed. After (Guru) Arjan's arrival and obeisance to his father, Guru Ram Das remarked to him that he had previously sent three quatrains, and suggested a fourth to write so that the hymn might be complete. On this (Guru) Arjan extemporized the following;

ਹਉ ਘੋਲੀ ਜੀਉ ਘੋਲਿ ਘੁਮਾਈ ਤਿਸੁ ਸਚੇ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਬਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Ha▫o gẖolī jī▫o gẖol gẖumā▫ī ṯis sacẖe gur ḏarbāre jī▫o. ||1|| rahā▫o.
I am a sacrifice, my soul is a sacrifice, to that True Court of the Beloved Guru. ||1||Pause||

ਭਾਗੁ ਹੋਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਸੰਤੁ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ॥
Bẖāg ho▫ā gur sanṯ milā▫i▫ā.
By good fortune, I have met the Saint Guru.

ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਘਰ ਮਹਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
Parabẖ abẖināsī gẖar mėh pā▫i▫ā.
I have found the Immortal Lord in my own home.

ਸੇਵ ਕਰੀ ਪਲੁ ਚਸਾ ਨ ਵਿਛੁੜਾ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਤੁਮਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥੪॥
Sev karī pal cẖasā na vicẖẖuṛā jan Nānak ḏās ṯumāre jī▫o. ||4||
I will now serve You forever, and I shall never be separated from you, even for an instant. Servant Nanak is your slave, O Beloved Master. ||4||

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Guru Arjan, Ang 97

The Next Guru

When Guru Ram Das heard this he was very pleased and embraced his son. The Guru then addressed him and said, "Guru Amar Das declared that the Guruship was the reward of merit. As only one who is lowly and humble-minded may lay claim to it, I grant it to you. From now on you will be known as Guru Arjan."

Guru Ram Das instructed Baba Budha to declare Guru Arjan's spiritual sovereignty to the Sangat amid universal expressions of delight. Guru Ram Das said, "Guru Arjan has become the world's Guru, and, as one lamp is lighted from another, so the Guru's spirit has passed into him, and will dispel the darkness of the world."

When Guru Arjan went to embrace his mother, he said, "All my anxieties have been removed. Having earned the true name of God, I have come home." Guru Arjan then composed the following;

ਗੂਜਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
Gūjrī mėhlā 5.
Goojaree, Fifth Mehl:

ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਜਾਪ ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਤਾਪ ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਭੋਜਨੁ ਭਾਇਆ ॥
Har ḏẖan jāp har ḏẖan ṯāp har ḏẖan bẖojan bẖā▫i▫ā.
The wealth of the Lord is my chanting, the wealth of the Lord is my devotion; the wealth of the Lord is the food I enjoy.

ਨਿਮਖ ਨ ਬਿਸਰਉ ਮਨ ਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਹਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੧॥
Nimakẖ na bisara▫o man ṯe har har sāḏẖsangaṯ mėh pā▫i▫ā. ||1||
I do not forget the Lord, Har, Har, from my mind, even for an instant; I have found God in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. ||1||

ਮਾਈ ਖਾਟਿ ਆਇਓ ਘਰਿ ਪੂਤਾ ॥
Mā▫ī kẖāt ā▫i▫o gẖar pūṯā.
O mother, your son has returned home with a profit;

ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਚਲਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਬੈਸੇ ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਜਾਗਤ ਸੂਤਾ ॥੧॥ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Har ḏẖan cẖalṯe har ḏẖan baise har ḏẖan jāgaṯ sūṯā. ||1|| rahā▫o.
the wealth of the Lord while walking, the wealth of the Lord while sitting, and the wealth of the Lord while waking and sleeping. ||1||Pause||

ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਸੰਗਿ ਲਾਇ ਧਿਆਨਾ ॥
Har ḏẖan isnān har ḏẖan gi▫ān har sang lā▫e ḏẖi▫ānā.
The wealth of the Lord is my cleansing bath, the wealth of the Lord is my wisdom; I center my meditation on the Lord.

ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਤੁਲਹਾ ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਬੇੜੀ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਤਾਰਿ ਪਰਾਨਾ ॥੨॥
Har ḏẖan ṯulhā har ḏẖan beṛī har har ṯār parānā. ||2||
The wealth of the Lord is my raft, the wealth of the Lord is my boat; the Lord, Har, Har, is the ship to carry me across. ||2||

ਹਰਿ ਧਨ ਮੇਰੀ ਚਿੰਤ ਵਿਸਾਰੀ ਹਰਿ ਧਨਿ ਲਾਹਿਆ ਧੋਖਾ ॥
Har ḏẖan merī cẖinṯ visārī har ḏẖan lāhi▫ā ḏẖokẖā.
Through the wealth of the Lord, I have forgotten my anxiety; through the wealth of the Lord, my doubt has been dispelled.

ਹਰਿ ਧਨ ਤੇ ਮੈ ਨਵ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ਹਾਥਿ ਚਰਿਓ ਹਰਿ ਥੋਕਾ ॥੩॥
Har ḏẖan ṯe mai nav niḏẖ pā▫ī hāth cẖari▫o har thokā. ||3||
From the wealth of the Lord, I have obtained the nine treasures; the true essence of the Lord has come into my hands. ||3||

ਖਾਵਹੁ ਖਰਚਹੁ ਤੋਟਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਹਲਤ ਪਲਤ ਕੈ ਸੰਗੇ ॥
Kāvahu kẖarcẖahu ṯot na āvai halaṯ palaṯ kai sange.
No matter how much I eat and expend this wealth, it is not exhausted; here and hereafter, it remains with me.

ਲਾਦਿ ਖਜਾਨਾ ਗੁਰਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਉ ਦੀਆ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗਿ ਰੰਗੇ ॥੪॥੨॥੩॥
Lāḏ kẖajānā gur Nānak ka▫o ḏī▫ā ih man har rang range. ||4||2||3||
Loading the treasure, Guru Nanak has given it, and this mind is imbued with the Lord's Love. ||4||2||3||

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Guru Arjan, Ang 496

Prithi Chand's Shows His True Nature

When Prithi heard that his brother had become Guru, his anger knew no bounds. Prithi addressed offensive language to his father, and then informed Baba Budha that his father had acted improperly. The Guruship was his own right, yet it had been given to his youngest brother. He vowed that he would remove Guru Arjan, seat himself on the Guru's throne, and the Emperor himself would admit the justice of his claim. Guru Ram Das remonstrated Prithi with the following, which was written into Gurbani;

ਸਾਰਗ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ਘਰੁ ੩ ਦੁਪਦਾ
Sārag mėhlā 4 gẖar 3 ḏupḏā
Saarang, Fourth Mehl, Third House, Du-Padas:

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
Ik▫oaʼnkār saṯgur parsāḏ.
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

ਕਾਹੇ ਪੂਤ ਝਗਰਤ ਹਉ ਸੰਗਿ ਬਾਪ ॥
Kāhe pūṯ jẖagraṯ ha▫o sang bāp.
O son, why do you argue with your father?

ਜਿਨ ਕੇ ਜਣੇ ਬਡੀਰੇ ਤੁਮ ਹਉ ਤਿਨ ਸਿਉ ਝਗਰਤ ਪਾਪ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Jin ke jaṇe badīre ṯum ha▫o ṯin si▫o jẖagraṯ pāp. ||1|| rahā▫o.
It is a sin to argue with the one who fathered you and raised you. ||1||Pause||

ਜਿਸੁ ਧਨ ਕਾ ਤੁਮ ਗਰਬੁ ਕਰਤ ਹਉ ਸੋ ਧਨੁ ਕਿਸਹਿ ਨ ਆਪ ॥
Jis ḏẖan kā ṯum garab karaṯ ha▫o so ḏẖan kisėh na āp.
That wealth, which you are so proud of - that wealth does not belong to anyone.

ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਛੋਡਿ ਜਾਇ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਰਸੁ ਤਉ ਲਾਗੈ ਪਛੁਤਾਪ ॥੧॥
Kẖin mėh cẖẖod jā▫e bikẖi▫ā ras ṯa▫o lāgai pacẖẖuṯāp. ||1||
In an instant, you shall have to leave behind all your corrupt pleasures; you shall be left to regret and repent. ||1||

ਜੋ ਤੁਮਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਹੋਤੇ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਹਰਿ ਤਿਨ ਕੇ ਜਾਪਹੁ ਜਾਪ ॥
Jo ṯumre parabẖ hoṯe su▫āmī har ṯin ke jāpahu jāp.
He is God, your Lord and Master - chant the Chant of that Lord.

ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਕਰਤ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਨ ਤੁਮ ਕਉ ਜਉ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਤਉ ਜਾਇ ਸੰਤਾਪ ॥੨॥੧॥੭॥
Upḏes karaṯ Nānak jan ṯum ka▫o ja▫o sunhu ṯa▫o jā▫e sanṯāp. ||2||1||7||
Servant Nanak spreads the Teachings; if you listen to it, you shall be rid of your pain. ||2||1||7||

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Guru Ram Das, Ang 1200

Notwithstanding this, Prithi continued to use offensive language against his father, "Fine mercy you have shown me! You have conferred the Guruship on your youngest son and told me lies. You have told me to repeat God's name. Practise what you preach, and let (Guru) Arjan, who has been honoured by you, also heed your instructions." Guru Ram Das then said the following;

ਸੂਹੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥
Sūhī mėhlā 4.
Soohee, Fourth Mehl:

ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਆਰਾਧਿਆ ਜਿਨ ਕਉ ਧੁਰਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਲਿਖਤੁ ਲਿਲਾਰਾ ॥
Ŧinĥī anṯar har ārāḏẖi▫ā jin ka▫o ḏẖur likẖi▫ā likẖaṯ lilārā.
They alone worship and adore the Lord deep within, who are blessed with such pre-ordained destiny from the very beginning of time.

ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਬਖੀਲੀ ਕੋਈ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੇ ਜਿਨ ਕਾ ਅੰਗੁ ਕਰੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਕਰਤਾਰਾ ॥੧॥
Ŧin kī bakẖīlī ko▫ī ki▫ā kare jin kā ang kare merā har karṯārā. ||1||
What can anyone do to undermine them? My Creator Lord is on their side. ||1||

ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਇ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਧਿਆਇ ਹਰਿ ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕੇ ਸਭਿ ਦੂਖ ਨਿਵਾਰਣਹਾਰਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Har har ḏẖi▫ā▫e man mere man ḏẖi▫ā▫e har janam janam ke sabẖ ḏūkẖ nivāraṇhārā. ||1|| rahā▫o.
So meditate on the Lord, Har, Har, O my mind. Meditate on the Lord, O mind; He is the Eliminator of all the pains of reincarnation. ||1||Pause||

ਧੁਰਿ ਭਗਤ ਜਨਾ ਕਉ ਬਖਸਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਭਗਤਿ ਭੰਡਾਰਾ ॥
Ḏẖur bẖagaṯ janā ka▫o bakẖsi▫ā har amriṯ bẖagaṯ bẖandārā.
In the very beginning, the Lord blessed its worshippers with the ambrosial nectar, the treasure of devotion.

ਮੂਰਖੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਸੁ ਉਨ ਕੀ ਰੀਸ ਕਰੇ ਤਿਸੁ ਹਲਤਿ ਪਲਤਿ ਮੁਹੁ ਕਾਰਾ ॥੨॥
Mūrakẖ hovai so un kī rīs kare ṯis halaṯ palaṯ muhu kārā. ||2||
Anyone who tries to compete with them is a fool; his face shall be blackened here and hereafter. ||2||

ਸੇ ਭਗਤ ਸੇ ਸੇਵਕਾ ਜਿਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਿਆਰਾ ॥
Se bẖagaṯ se sevkā jinā har nām pi▫ārā.
They alone are worshippers, and they alone are selfless servants, who love the Lord's Name.

ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਸਿਰਿ ਨਿੰਦਕ ਕੈ ਪਵੈ ਛਾਰਾ ॥੩॥
Ŧin kī sevā ṯe har pā▫ī▫ai sir ninḏak kai pavai cẖẖārā. ||3||
By their selfless service, they find the Lord, while ashes fall on the heads of the slanderers. ||3||

ਜਿਸੁ ਘਰਿ ਵਿਰਤੀ ਸੋਈ ਜਾਣੈ ਜਗਤ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਪੂਛਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ॥
Jis gẖar virṯī so▫ī jāṇai jagaṯ Gur Nānak pūcẖẖ karahu bīcẖārā.
One alone knows this, who experiences it within the home of ones own self. Ask Guru Nanak, the Guru of the world, and reflect upon it.

ਚਹੁ ਪੀੜੀ ਆਦਿ ਜੁਗਾਦਿ ਬਖੀਲੀ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਵਕ ਭਾਇ ਨਿਸਤਾਰਾ ॥੪॥੨॥੯॥
Cẖahu pīṛī āḏ jugāḏ bakẖīlī kinai na pā▫i▫o har sevak bẖā▫e nisṯārā. ||4||2||9||
Throughout the four generations of the Gurus, from the beginning of time and throughout the ages, no one has ever found the Lord by back-biting and undermining. Only by serving the Lord with love, is one liberated. ||4||2||9||

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Guru Ram Das, Ang 733

However when Prithi still continued to insult his father, he was ordered out of his sight. Guru Ram Das said, "You are a Mina (This word originally meant a tribe of hindu robbers of Rajputana. In the Panjab the name is now applied to a villain with a smiling face.); my Sikhs will not obey you, and will never associate with you."

While this unpleasant scene was being enacted, night came on, and Guru Arjan, his mother, Baba Budha, and all the Sikhs went to pay their respects to Guru Ram Das. Guru Ram Das announced that he could not stay with them, that his end was approaching, and that he would return to GoindwaL to rejoin with God. At his departure so many Sikhs gathered round him that it was difficult for them to obtain a sight of him. Guru Ram Das some priceless parting words of knowledge and instruction, and taking Guru Arjan with him set out for GoindwaL

Guru Ram Das Rejoins With God

On arriving at Goindwal, Guru Ram Das bathed in the Baoli, and had met with his two brothers-in-law, Mohan and Mohri. The next day Guru Ram Das had a huge langar prepared for all. On the following morning before daylight, Guru Ram Das bathed again, and, having repeated the preamble of the Japji and the Asa ki War, began to meditate on Guru Amar Das. When day dawned and his devotions were at an end, he entrusted his Sikhs to Guru Arjan, and directed him to complete the sarovars at Amritsar. Guru Ram Das also repeated the main tenets of Sikhism by which he reminded Guru Arjan to abide.

Bibi Bhani, knowing that these injunctions were the signals of her husband's preparations for rejoining with God, begged him to take her with him on his final journey. Guru Ram Das asked Bibi Bhani to stay in the world for some time yet, and then she would join him afterwards. Guru Ram Das's soul was borne to the celestial regions on the third day of the light half of the month of Bhadon, Sambat 1638 (1581 AD). At the time, the Bard Mathura composed the following;

ਦੇਵ ਪੁਰੀ ਮਹਿ ਗਯਉ ਆਪਿ ਪਰਮੇਸ੍ਵਰ ਭਾਯਉ ॥
Ḏev purī mėh ga▫ya▫o āp parmesvar bẖā▫ya▫o.
When it was God's will, Guru Ram Das went to the City of God.

ਹਰਿ ਸਿੰਘਾਸਣੁ ਦੀਅਉ ਸਿਰੀ ਗੁਰੁ ਤਹ ਬੈਠਾਯਉ ॥
Har singẖāsaṇ ḏī▫a▫o sirī gur ṯah baṯẖā▫ya▫o.
God gave him a throne and seated him on it.

ਰਹਸੁ ਕੀਅਉ ਸੁਰ ਦੇਵ ਤੋਹਿ ਜਸੁ ਜਯ ਜਯ ਜੰਪਹਿ ॥
Rahas kī▫a▫o sur ḏev ṯohi jas ja▫y ja▫y jampėh.
The angels and gods were delighted; they proclaimed and celebrated Your victory, O Guru.

ਅਸੁਰ ਗਏ ਤੇ ਭਾਗਿ ਪਾਪ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਕੰਪਹਿ ॥
Asur ga▫e ṯe bẖāg pāp ṯinĥ bẖīṯar kampėh.
The demons ran away; their sins made them shake and tremble inside.

ਕਾਟੇ ਸੁ ਪਾਪ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਨਰਹੁ ਕੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਰਾਮਦਾਸੁ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਪਾਇਯਉ ॥
Kāte so pāp ṯinĥ marahu ke Gur Rāmḏās jinĥ pā▫i▫ya▫o.
The sins of those who received Guru Ram Das's instruction were cut away.

ਛਤ੍ਰੁ ਸਿੰਘਾਸਨੁ ਪਿਰਥਮੀ ਗੁਰ ਅਰਜੁਨ ਕਉ ਦੇ ਆਇਅਉ ॥੨॥੨੧॥੯॥੧੧॥੧੦॥੧੦॥੨੨॥੬੦॥੧੪੩॥
Cẖẖaṯar singẖāsan pirathmī Gur Arjan ka▫o ḏe ā▫i▫a▫o. ||2||21||9||11||10||10||22||60||143||
He gave the royal canopy and sovereignty of the earth to Guru Arjan, and came home. ||2||21||9||11||10||10||22||60||143||

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Bard Mathura, Ang 1409


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