Guru Arjan Dev Ji Sakhis
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- 01
In 1585, a man called Teeratha was the leader of hundreds of Sakhee Sarvar followers. Once, when passing through Amritsar, he had heard that there was a great Guru who had a large following and this Guru was spiritually enlightened.
He was curious to know who this Guru was and what he would say. He decided to see the Darbar of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
When reaching the Darbar, he saw that people of many different backgrounds and castes were all sitting together doing Kirtan. Bhai Sahib fell in love with the Shabads that were being sung.
He heard of the great gift of Naam (Lord's name) and the thirst to have this gift rose within him.
Teeratha was a Sakhee Sarvar but he decided that he could no longer follow that path. He realised that Sikhi was the path he must follow to get to Vaheguru.
Teeratha visited Guru Arjan Dev Ji and asked Guru Ji if he could become a Sikh and if Guru Ji could bless him with the Naam.
Guru Ji told him that following Sakhee Sarwar is easy but following Sikhi is hard. Guru Ji warned Teeratha that he would have to sacrifice his followers, his wealth and everything he has if he wanted to be his Sikh.
Teeratha began crying and said "I will sacrifice everything Guru Ji", he bowed down to Guru Arjan Dev Ji and begged Guru Ji for the Naam.
Guru Ji accepted him as a Sikh. The Sikhs at the Gurdwara began to call Teeratha, Bhai Manjh Ji.
After a few months, bad things began to happen in Bhai Manjh Ji’s life. Guru Ji sent Bhai Manjh Ji a message to do seva at the Gurdwara. Bhai Sahib accepted this offer excitedly.
When Bhai Manjh Ji was doing seva, he overheard Guru Ji saying “Bhai Manjh is not doing seva because he is working and taking our food”.
Bhai Manjh Ji decided to cut firewood and sell it to buy food instead of eating the free food given at the Gurdwara.
One day, there wasn’t enough firewood at the Gurdwara so Bhai Manjh Ji went to the forest to fetch some.
That day, it was very windy so whilst carrying the firewood on his shoulder, he was hit by the strong wind and fell into a well.
No one knew that Bhai Manjh Ji had fallen except for the Antarjami (all-knowing) Guru. Guru Ji called his Sikhs to get a rope and follow him into the forest. Guru Ji told the Sikhs that Bhai Manjh Ji had fallen into a well.
When they reached the well, Guru Ji told one of his followers to say “Why do you follow such a Guru who is cruel? Why don’t you leave him?” Bhai Manjh Ji shouted back “How dare you say that my Guru is cruel, he has only love for me!”.
When the followers threw the rope down, Bhai Manjh Ji said to take the firewood first as that is more important than him.
When Bhai Manjh Ji got out of the well, he saw Guru Ji and fell at his feet and started to cry.
He told Guru Ji "Forgive me, I have made a big mistake. I forced you to come out in this horrible weather".
Guru Ji lifted him up and said, “I am proud of you, you have passed all the tests”.
Morals of Story:
Guru Ji will never refuse someone that wants to become Sikh.
Sikhi is a hard path which can only be crossed with the help of the Guru.
Do Seva with love not ego.
Put other people before yourself.
Earn an honest living.
Don't get angry when something bad happens to you, do Ardaas to Guru Ji.
Always be grateful for everything you have been given.
- 02
Chandu Shah wanted revenge from Guru Arjan Dev Ji as he had rejected to marry Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji with Chandu Shah’s daughter. Chandu Shah made King Jahangir jealous of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji was arrested in May 1606 and brought to Lahore where he was asked to convert to Islam. Guru Ji refused straight away. Guru Ji was then tortured for five days by Chandu Shah.
Day 1: Guru Ji was not given anything to eat or drink and was not allowed to sleep.
Day 2: Guru Ji sat in a cauldron full of boiling water.
Day 3: Guru Ji sat in a cauldron again and hot sand was poured over him. Guru Ji’s friend Mian Mir asked Guru Ji why he is not using his superpowers to stop the suffering. Guru Ji said he wanted to set an example for how much they love Sikhi.
Day 4: Guru Ji was made to sit on a hot iron plate and hot sand was poured over his body.
On the 5th day, Guru Ji asked Chandu Shah if he could take a bath in the Ravi River in Lahore. Chandu Shah allowed Guru Ji to take a bath in the cold water as Guru Ji’s blisters would give him even more pain when dipped in cold water. When Guru Ji went into the Ravi River they vanished.
Every time Guru Ji was tortured they would chant “Vaheguru” which meant theyi never felt the pain.
Morals of Story
One who belongs to the All-powerful Lord and Master, no one can destroy him” – SGGS Ji (Ang 842).
The Guru and the Guru's Sikh never feels pain.
Never give up your faith.
By chanting 'Vaheguru' we can overcome any obstacle, even pain itself.