One day Bhai Paira and Bhai Durga came to the Hazoor (presence) of Siri Guru Arjun Dev jee and attended Satsangat (true Congregation) for few days. Their hearts were purified doing Sangat and one day, becoming an embodiment of humility, they requested Guru Sahib, “we have come to your refuge, O Sache Patshah (True King), grant us the boon of salvation. We have heard that countless Sikhs have served you and reached the highest spiritual point. Which ever way we may swim across this terrible ocean, bless us with that way.”

Siri Guru jee, who always resides in the house of compassion and mercy, after blessing them with Gurmat Naam, gave them Nirmal Updesh (divine teaching) as follows:

“Because of good Karma of your past lives, you have been blessed with many blessings in this life. Your body is healthy, your wife is of noble character, your sons are obedient and your house is full of wealth, buffaloes and cows (for milk). Now recite the True Naam with devotion, go to Sat Sangat regularly, and serve the Gurmukhs who come to your house, with devotion and humility.”

After a pause Siri Guru jee continued with his Nirmal Updesh, “Serve the Gursikhs who come to your house humbly and with love; serve them four kinds of foods (Svaad, Sangidh, Madhur, Rasvara); speak to them sweet words; if they are feeling hot and are perspiring, fan them with devotion; and if they are feeling cold, gift them blankets. First serve them and then eat the food remaining after serving them and when you eat your food, thank Vaheguru from the bottom of your heart. Give out any excess money in charity. This way, your life will become pure and you will attain salvation.”

Bhai Paira and Bhai Durga engraved Guru Sahib Hukams in stone and started following the Hukams earnestly. They did Naam Abhyaas at Amritvela, attended Satsangat, served Gusikhs earnestly and gave excess money in charity. They gave much more than the required Daswandh (10% of the income). It so occurred as per Will of Vaheguru that their income came down and their charity work stayed same as before. Sooner than later they were under heavy debt.

One day a lot of Sangat arrived at their house. Their financial situation was a bit down and they did not have the required funds to serve the Sangat. Bhai Paira tried to get more loan from the local creditor but his application was not approved. He came home and got hold of his wife’s old gold ornaments and mortgaged them. This way he served the Sangat as much as he could.

In few days this money was exhausted but Sangat was still around. He was greatly vexed by this situation. He wished to serve the Sangat but his hands were now restrained. He went out in his fields and as he was thinking what to do, he started digging the soil with his stick. As he was digging, he felt something hard and was surprised to see a vessel. He took out the vessel and found it full of gold coins. He considered this to be Guru Sahib’s gift and used it to pay down his loans as well as serve the Sangat.

He started doing Gurbani Paath with even more devotion and after a few days arrived at the Hazoor of Siri Guru Arjun Dev jee. There he narrated his story to Sangat. Siri Guru jee was very pleased and said great Bachans as follows:

ਸੁਨਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨੇ ਧਨ ਬਿਰਤਾਂਤ।
ਬਚਨ ਕਹਯੋ "ਜੋ ਬੰਡਤਿ ਖਾਤ"।46।
(After hear the story involving wealth, Siri Guru jee did Bachan that one who eats by sharing)

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਤਿਸ ਥੁੜਨਿ ਨਾ ਦੇਤ।
ਸਰਬ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਹੋਤਿ ਨਿਕੇਤ।
(Vaheguru never allows his wealth to be reduced and gives him all Padaraths (things he needs))

ਸਤਿਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈ।
ਅੰਤ ਸਮੈ ਗੁਰ ਭਏ ਸਹਾਈ। 47।
(This way by remembering the True Naam, he attained Salvation. In the last moments, Guru jee helped him.)

From this Saakhi many valuable Gurmat Lessons can be learned:

1) Along with chanting the True Naam, a Sikhs should have respect and love for Gursikhs and Sangat.

2) One should serve the Sangat with love and humility.

3) Speak sweet words to Sangat (and of course to all).

4) The Gursikh who shares his wealth and food, Vaheguru never allows shortage of wealth and food to him.

5) We see that Bhai Paira jee even went as far as taking loans to serve the Sangat and today we even feel pain when giving out just Daswandh. Some people are heard saying that they do give Daswand but not full Daswandh. This is not righteous. It is our duty to give out at least 10% of our income to Khalsa Panth as Daswandh.

Bhul Chuk dee Maafi jee.

Daas,
Kulbir Singh

The Saakhi is based on Gurpratap Sooraj Prakash and Sikha di Bhagatmala.