|
Guru Har Krishan, the
eight Sikh teacher-prophet went to Delhi
at the invitation of Raja Jai Singh
and the sangat (Sikhs) of Delhi. He
was the honoured guest of the Raja and
stayed in his bungalow.
At the spot now stands Gurudwara Bangla
Sahib.
The Guru had a severe attack of small-pox,
while staying at Delhi. He felt that
the end of his life on the earth ws
near. His Sikhs asked him who the next
Guru would be. Guru Har Krishan called
for five paisa and a coconut, took them
in his hand; waved his hand in the air
thrice and said his last words? "Baba
Bakala."
Soon after, on March 30, 1664 AD, the
Guru departed from the world. His body
was cremated on the bank of Jamuna river
where Gurudwara Bala Sahib is located.
The last words of Guru Har Krishan
clearly meant that "The next Guru
is our Baba (grandfather) who resides
at village Bakala in Amritsar district."
Guru Tegh Bahadur was the grandfather
of Guru Har Krishan and lived in his
maternal village, Bakala, near Amritsar.
As such there was really no doubt of
the identity of the next Guru. However,
the Guru's greedy relatives including
Dhir Mal, grandson of Guru Hargobind,
took advantage of Guru Har Krishan's
last statement and flocked to village
Bakala. There were 22 self-made gurus
and each Sodhi claimed himself to be
real Guru.
Knowing Guru Har Krishan's last words,
as usual, Sikhs from far and near came
to see his successor at Bakala. But
they were unable to discover the real
one. These self made gurus took Sikhs
offerings by deceit or force. This process
continuted for about a year.
A gursikh, named Makhan Shah Lubana
was a trader of Deccan and Masand of
Gujrat area. Once, a ship full of his
goods was sailing in the sea. There
was a severe storm and the ship began
to sink. All efforts to save it were
futile till Makhan Shah prayed . "O
Guru Nanak, save my sinking ship. I
will offer 500 gold mohars." His
prayer was granted and the ship reached
shore safely.
In March 1665, Makhan Shah visited
Bakala to fulfill his sukhana. He was
surprised to find 22 self made gurus.
Who was the real Guru? To whom should
he make the offering?
He thought of a plan to trace the real
Guru. He planned to offer two gold mohars
to each self proclaimed Guru. The flse
would readily accept them, whereas the
true Guru would definetely ask for what
had actually been promised.
Makhan shah went to each of the self
proclaimed gurus and offered him 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 Guru Arjun's Sukhmani:
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. He enquired if there
was any other person who belonged to
the Sodhi family. He was told there
is another man, called Tegha and son
of Guru Har Gobind. His full name was
Tegh Bahadur. He lives in silence, away
from worldly affairs and makes no claims
to the Guruship."
Makhan Shah went to Tegha's house.
He met Mata Gujri, his wife and requested
an interview. She said :" he spends
his time in worship and prayer all by
himself. He does not like to be disturbed,
but I shall go and ask him. If he agrees,
I shall take you to him."
Makhan Shah was permitted to go in.
He bowed before the Guru and placed
two gold mohars before him as planned.
The Guru opened his eyes, and saw two
gold mohars before him. The Guru said:
"Why are you breaking your promise?
You have made a sukhna of 500 gold mohars
when your ship was sinking. But now
you are offerring only two."
Makhan Shah was filled with joy. He
fell at the Guru's feet and placed 500
gold mohars before the Guru. Makhan
Shah rushed to the top of the nearby
house and shouted at the top of his
voice : "Guru Ladho re Guru Ladho
re"
"Congratulations, O dear Sikhs,
I have found the real Guru, who is living
all alone and has no claim for the Guruship..
But he is a Guru," he proclaimed.
On hearing this, the Sikhs felt mightily
pleased. There was a great rejoicing
among them. They gathered at the Guru's
door. The Guru came out of his Bhora.
A gursikh from Delhi had brought five
paise and a coconut which was offered
to the Guru and Baba Gurditta, the grandson
of Baba Buddha ji, applied the tilak
of Guruship on the forehead of Guru
Tegh Bahadur.
In this way Guru Tegh Bahadur was duly
seated on Guru Nanak's throne on Monday,
March 20, 1665 (Chet 23, 1772 BK) at
the age of 44 years.
Copyright © Gursharn Singh Kainth "The
Tribune, 9th August 1994."
|
