Guru Ram Das Ji's Ultimate Test for his Sons

The pure belongs to the 'Wonderous Enlightener'. The victory belongs to 'Wonderous Enlightener'.

Going back in history to 1578 AD when Guru Ram Das Ji was overlooking construction at the newly established city of 'Amritsar Sahib'. A Sikh named Sanghari Mal Ji visited Guru Ji with an invitation for his son’s wedding that was scheduled in the city of Lahore. Sanghari Mal in relation, was Guru Ji’s cousin (being his ‘Thaiya's son). ‘Thaiya’ means 'father’s elder brother' and as Sanghari Mal was elder in age, Guru Ji showed much respect to him as per the native traditions of Punjab. Being the marriage of Guru Ji’s nephew, Sanghari Mal was very eager for Guru Ji to attend. However, Guru Ji explained that it will be difficult for him to attend due to some reasons. Firstly the Sikh congregation would accompany him in their thousands (as it was the norm for groups of Sikhs to gather and accompany Guru Ji on their travels) wanting Guru Ji’s company. Guru Ji expressed the difficulty for Sanghari Mal in controlling the numbers or serve theming all adequately. Even the bride’s family would struggle to deal with so many guests. Secondly, the Sikhs that were initiated from the times of the first, second and third Guru were aware that a new city had been established and were visiting 'Amritsar Sahib'. Guru Ji did not want them to arrive and find him absent. He felt, that would be disrespectful and I did not want to upset them.

Sanghari Mal then requested Guru Ji to send one of his three sons to represent him at the wedding instead. Guru Ji called their eldest son ‘Prithi Chand’ (born in 1615) and explained the situation about the wedding. Pritihi Chand refused his father’s proposition because of his ego, snidey nature and misconceptions. He was expecting to become the next Guru in line and did not want to be out of the city in case someone else was chosen in his absence. Furthermore, he was responsible for the incoming finances and would secretly spend half of them on running his own home and the other half for the ‘Langar’ (Free Kitchen) etc (which was what all the finances were supposed to be used for). Guru Ji would never touch the incoming money and Prithi Chand would take advantage of this. If somebody else took care of the finance in his absence, his dirty secrets would be soon exposed. Thus, he made an excuse that it was too hot to travel and the wedding would entail too much noise for his mind to be at peace. Even though Guru Ji insisted three times, he refused all the while and in the end, remained sitting with a sullen face.

Guru Ji then called his second son Mahadev (born in 1618) and asked him to go to Lahore for his cousin’s wedding. However, Mahadev’s nature was very aloof and disconnected from the world. He replied “What does 'Thaiya' mean? and what are relatives? They are never there for you in time of need. These relations are not permanent”. Mahadev also refused to go because there would be much fatigue involved in traveling to Lahore and back.

It is vital that we understand here that Guru Ji’s message for humanity is a way of life that focuses on self-development and remaining pure from the bad influences. However, Gurbani does not teach us to break away from our worldly duties, and instead emphasises to remember the creator in our daily tasks whilst living amongst our family. It seems here that Mahadev was ignorant to his responsibilities as an adult and Giani Gian Singh has also written something humorous in ‘Tavarikh Guru Khalsa’ in regards to his nature.

Knowing of her elder two son’s such weaknesses, ‘Mata’ Bhani Ji (the wife of the Guru Ramdas Ji) would continuously guide Sri Arjan Dev Ji (the youngest of her three sons) to remain focused on the teachings of Gurbani and enshrine these in his life. Even though she would try to explain to the elder two sons, they would not listen to her advice due to their own egos. Thus, she only had faith in her youngest son. Aged 15, Sri Arjan Dev Ji just needed to be looked at by his father Guru. Guru Ram Das Ji instructed him to visit Lahore, help his uncle complete all the wedding affairs, preach the message of Gurbani to the locals and only return to Amritsar Sahib when invited back. In response to this, Sri Arjan Dev Ji clasped his hands and said:

“You have given me an easy task to do by sending me where there is going to be an atmosphere of happiness (a wedding).  However, where there is a danger to my life by going somewhere, give me the permission to go there without any doubt. I will not take long to go there my respected father; I will give my life in an instant for you.”

(Kavi Santokh Singh, Gurpartap Sooraj Granth, 2nd Raas, Chapter 16, Verse 11)

After bowing before his parents and two elder brothers, Sri Arjan Dev Ji accompanied his uncle accordingly and spent a whole month in contributing towards the completion of the wedding. Once the wedding was complete, Sri Arjan Dev Ji started to propagate the teachings of Gurbani to the masses, attracting big crowds who were eager to learn. He would remember his Guru all day and night as tears would flow in remembrance. Most of the time he would sing ‘Shabads’ within their ‘Raags’ (melodies) and influence others to worship God too. Streams of love would pour out of his heart continuously and his mind would feel agitated without his Guru’s company. He was so diligent, that he had a Gurdwara constructed in the market of ‘Choona Mandi’ on the spot where his father came into this world (was born). In the present day, ‘Gurdwara Janam Asthan Guru Ram Das Ji’ is present here which has been built with an identical look to the ‘Darbar Sahib’ of Amritsar Sahib.

Sri Arjan Dev Ji had soon started to sleep less, eat less and talk less as the inner thirst to unite with his Guru ever started to grow bigger and bigger. His body had lost weight and become thinner in size. The colour of his skin reflected a yellow shade showing the effect of separation on his mind. He would escalate to the top of his house to gaze at the path that led to Amritsar Sahib, in anticipation that Guru Ram Das Ji would be sending somebody any minute to collect him or send some communication to him. 

On the other hand, Guru Ram Das Ji knew that the game of love was strongly in play and he would regularly consult his local Sikhs whether or not his youngest son had returned home without permission. Guru Ji knew that his son was drenched in love and wanted to see how far the pain of separation would manifest. This was Guru Ji's way of testing his youngest son to see how he displays the teachings of Gurbani.

Would he remain according to his Guru’s instructions? Would he break the respect and follow his mind? This is the ultimate test between the Guru and Sikh that defines who has championed the mind. 

To be continued...

The pure belongs to the 'Wonderous Enlightener'. The victory belongs to 'Wonderous Enlightener'.

References: 1. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 2. Sant Gurbachan Singh Ji - Raag Maajh Katha Ang 96 3. Kavi Santokh Singh Ji - Sri Gurprtap Sooraj 4. Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha - Mahaan Kosh 5. Alphabet.Inc - Google 6. S.H.A.R.E - Sikhi to the Max 7. Giani Gian Singh - Tavarikh Guru Khalsa