How Sri Arjan Dev Ji became the 5th Guru

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

Sri Arjan Dev Ji remained obedient to his father’s instructions so did not return back to Amritsar Sahib on his own. He would often take deep breaths in remembrance of God and would relieve the pain through singing God’s praises within the 'Sangat' (congregation). As time went on, a deeper yearning to see his Guru developed and as a result, he wrote a letter to his father Guru to express his emotions. This letter’s words were later revised into Gurbani as so:

“(The melody of) Maajh, Fifth Form (Guru Arjan Dev Ji), Four Sections, First House (of the beat): My mind longs for the (blessed) vision of the Guru's Darshan. It cries out like the thirsty ‘Chatrik’ (rain bird). My thirst is not quenched, and I can find no peace, without the (blessed) vision of the beloved saint. ||1|| I am a sacrifice, my soul is a sacrifice, to the (blessed) vision of the beloved saint Guru. ||1||Pause||”

(Raag Maajh - Guru Arjan Dev Ji - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 96)

Important to note here is that the title of this ‘Shabad’ would not have been included in the letter then because this was only a letter and Sri Arjan Dev Ji was not given the Guruship at that stage.

Sri Arjan Dev Ji handed this letter to a local Sikh and asked him to deliver it for him as three years had passed by and no message had been received from his father.  As the Sikh reached Guru Ji’s house, in Amritsar Sahib, he saw Prithi Chand sitting on the stairway blocking the entrance. Learning that his youngest brother (who he was very jealous of) had sent communication with the Sikh for Guru Ji, Prithi Chand opened and read the letter. He was shocked at the love that was expressed through such beautiful poetry. In order to break any communication between the two, Prithi Chand pocketed the letter and told the Sikh (who spent the night nearby) the next morning that Guru Ram Das Ji had ordered for my younger brother to remain in Lahore and continue service there. Prithi Chand never let the Sikh meet Guru Ji and told him to return back to Lahore as the time was not adequate to meet. After this message was relayed back to Sri Arjan Dev Ji, in concern of not receiving a written reply to the letter, he then wrote a second letter to express his emotions:

“Your Face is so beautiful, and the sound of your words imparts intuitive wisdom. It is so long since this rain bird has had even a glimpse of water. Blessed is that land where You dwell, O my friend, companion and respectful destroyer of sins. ||2|| I am a sacrifice, I am forever a sacrifice, to my friend, companion and respectful destroyer of sins.. ||1||Pause||”

(Raag Maajh - Guru Arjan Dev Ji - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 96)

The Sikh travelled to Amritsar Sahib for the second time to deliver the second letter. Just as he reached the stairway of Guru Ji’s house, Pritihi Chand walked out and soon intercepted the second letter too.  After providing the Sikh with a place to spend the night, the next morning a false reassurance of the letter reaching Guru Ji was given to the Sikh. He was told Guru Ji was pleased to read the letter and has asked you to leave now without needing to meet him seen as your task is over.

Arriving back to Lahore, the Sikh expressed his gut feeling to Sri Arjan Dev Ji, explaining how he did not think Guru Ji had received the letters. This is because he was sent home quickly without being given the chance to meet Guru Ji. The Sikh congregation of Lahore realised that Pritihi Chand was trying to compete with his youngest brother, and did not want Sri Arjan Dev Ji's relationship to build with his father any further. This was so that Prithi Chand could be the favourite for the Guruship.

Sri Arjan Dev Ji then asked the Sikh to go Amritsar Sahib for the third time, but this time by hiding the letter and only handing it to Guru Ji personally. The Sikh avoided Prithi Chand at all costs and waited until Guru Ji was openly sitting with the congregation. The Sikh waited for the right opportunity and when it arose, he went directly to Guru Ram Das Ji and handed the third letter over. Guru Ji opened the letter to see how Sri Arjan Dev Ji's heart, bled love:

“When you could not meet me for (even) one moment, 'Kaljug' (the darkest age) occurred. When will I meet you, O my beloved Lord? I cannot endure the night, and sleep does not come, without the sight of the Guru's court. ||3|| I am a sacrifice, my soul is a sacrifice, to the true Gurur's court. ||1||Pause||”

(Raag Maajh - Guru Arjan Dev Ji - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 96)

Upon reading this, Guru Ji’s throat stopped for words and tears began to flow from his eyes. Guru Ji's youngest son had kept the honour of practicing 'Sikhi' (God's teachings) like they was ordained by God. Being extremely happy, Guru Ji showed Baba Budha Ji the letter to see for himself what sweet nectar flowed from the mouth of his youngest son (in the form of poetry). Baba Budha Ji was then sent by Guru Ji to collect Sri Arjan Dev Ji. The ‘Gadda’ (cart) was parked close to the ‘Divan Khana’ (where Sri Arjan Dev Ji lived) in Lahore. Sri Arjan Dev Ji was given a respected farewell from the local ‘Sangat’ (congregation) who expressed much love and affection for him. After meeting all his relatives including Sanghari Mal, Sri Arjan Dev Ji invited the Sikh residents of Lahore to visit Amritsar Sahib at the festival of ‘Deepmala’ (which is what ‘Diwali’ was historically referred to throughout Sikh sources of history). Important to note here is that throughout history Guru Ji would host mass congregations at well-known festivals or auspicious days celebrated in wider India in order to keep their Sikhs attuned to the teachings of Gurbani instead of them being influenced by other belief systems.

Thus, Sri Arjan Dev Ji returned back home after three long years. Like the lotus flower blossoms before the sun, Sri Arjan Dev Ji’s heart bloomed in excitement as they ran and fell to the feet of his Guru. As tears ran down his eyes, Guru Ji’s feet were being washed with those tears. Guru Ji embraced his son and with respectfully sat him beside him. Guru Ji asked why the number ‘3’ was written on the letter, when only one letter had been received. Sri Arjan Dev Ji (who had the utmost respect for his father) said “you know everything, I need not say”. The Sikh who had brought the letters was sitting close by and explained everything that had happened.

As a result, Prithi Chand was summoned to the court who arrived with his servants around him and (seeing his younger brother sit by his father) sat far away from Guru Ji in anger. When asked about the letters, Prithi Chand lied and said probably the Sikh lost them on route and is trying to blame me. He continued to be sarcastic and rude in his wordings to which Guru Ji said "don’t talk like a Meena”. A ‘Meena’ can be defined as somebody that thinks and does something different, but shows others to be thinking and doing something else (a deceiver). Guru Ji whispered to a Sikh to bring Prithi Chand’s court ‘Chola’ (garment) from his house. Prithi Chand's wife ‘Karmo’ had the garment given to the Sikh through her servant. Guru Ji verified the garment with Prtihi Chand who admitted that it was his (whilst being shocked how it had appeared before him). He was then told to pull the letters out of its pockets with his own hands. This angered Prithi Chand, he threw all the papers out of his pockets on to the floor. As Guru Ji picked out the two intercepted letters and read them, he had decided that Sri Arjan Dev Ji was the most suitable predecessor of the 'Guruship'. In the presence of all the congregation, Guru Ji had the three letters read aloud consecutively before conducting the ceremony of passing the Guruship. After being established as the fifth Guru at age 18, Guru Arjan Dev Ji wrote another ‘Shabad’ sitting next to his father:

“By good fortune, I have met the Saint Guru. I have found the Immortal Lord within my home (heart). Whilst serving you, may I never be separated from you for even for an instant as servant Nanak is your slave. ||4|| I am a sacrifice, my soul is a sacrifice; servant Nanak is Your slave. ||Pause||1||8||”

(Raag Maajh - Guru Arjan Dev Ji - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 96)

Overall, the last two articles were dedicated to the ‘Gurta Gadhi Divas’ (the day of being given the 'seat' of the Guru) to Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

In conclusion, Gurbani teaches us:

“(The melody of) Saarang, Fourth Form (Guru Ram Das Ji), Third House (of the beat), 2 Sections: One (undivided God) Creator of all. Obtained by the grace of the true Guru. O son, why do you argue with your father? It is a sin to argue with the one who has birthed you and raised you. ||1||Pause|| That wealth, which you are so proud of does not belong to anyone. In an instant, you shall have to leave behind all your corrupt pleasures; you shall be left to regret and repent. ||1|| The (powerful) God who is your master - chant the chanting of him. Servant Nanak gives you the teachings; if you listen to them, pains will vanquish. ||2||1||7||”

(Raag Saarang - Guru Raam Daas Ji - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 1200)

From this article, we must reflect how we treat our parents and whether we express anywhere near the respect that Guru Ji has taught us to have (through their history). Do we argue with our parents? Do we ever serve our Parents? Do we ever feel this much love for God? And do we ever feel an urge to connect through our Guru in the same way? We must contemplate and try to amend any bad habits that we may have in order to become more moral human beings and follow the path of ‘Love’ that Guru Ji has exemplified.

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