The sacred light of Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji

When I entered the presence of Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji for the first time, I could not believe my eyes. He was entering the hall to give pawan pavittar darshan. He was walking slowly with several sewaks in attendance. I was surprised because he was surrounded by a gentle glow of golden light.

It was about midday and the sun was shining outside the hall. Inside, there was no special light that would make him look as he was made of soft gold. Gradually he walked to the raised dais and sat down. Apart from his compassionate face and hands, his body was covered in his usual white clothes.

He gave darshan for more than an hour while holy scriptures were recited and sacred songs were sung. The entire time, I could not really see the detailed features of his face although I was sitting in the front row at his sacred feet. All I saw was a very gentle golden glow. Finally, I gave up trying to see his face and looked down at the ground in front of him.

Inside my head, I felt someone laughing. “Acha, hun dekh lai” (“Ok, now you can see”). I looked up and I saw his face. The glow was around his face and no longer on his face. He was smiling. I do not know whether he was smiling at me. I do not think so because there was no reason for him to look at me. I was just one of the many people sitting in the front row. But it felt real; just like he was smiling directly at me. However, I do not think he ever turned his head in my direction.

It was a strange and wonderful feeling. I remembered a story my grandmother told me when I was a boy. In that story, each Gopi in Lord Krishna’s village used to feel as if Lord Krishna was with her even when he was not physically there. My experience with Satguru was similar. He was smiling and playing with me inside my mind even without looking at me. He did so even though he did not know me at all.

I had come for darshan because of a friend who said, “Do you know that God is living on earth in human form at this time. He is Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji. You should go to seek his darshan. People say that whoever has the good fortune to have his darshan is released from the coils of human bondage and suffering forever.”

I felt very elated at this good news and quickly sought Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji’s holy darshan. I felt like a child again who had found his parent after a long absence. I can only thank Satguru for his silent compassion. Sometimes, I still feel as if he is laughing inside my head.

Sent by: Brijesh Khindaria, Switzerland

Cheeni Wala

1E siqgurU rwm isMG jI shwie]

‘Carpenter, carpenter, carpenter’

“What do you mean by this”?

“There is he at Bhaini.”

The foolish people visit him and offer per-sent, Some says, He is Guru Nanak; the others call him God. They all are fools”

“I have also heard so. It is the talk of the town” said Mangal singh of Bishanpura. ‘But I do not belive it so. If it is so truth must be revealed.”

“Sardar Sahib! If you do this, it will be a noble task”

“Alright, let us go tomorrow and see ourselves”

During their chat, they heard:

auhnW dw jnm hY dUr, ijnW nY drSn pw ley nY [

ijnHW ny drSn pw ley ny, ijnHW ny nYx lgw ley ny [

aunHW dw jnm mrn hY dUr [

gurUu rwm isMG pUrw, auh krdw duKW dw cUrw[

auh aUixAW nMU krdw pUrw, ijhVy SrnI Aw gey ny [

Those, who have his Dashan, lover him, Attain salvation. Guru Ram Singh, is the eternal Truth. Those who take refuge under him are free from all worldly ailmerts and attain perfection.

“O, you mean worm! Are you the disciple of Carpenter?

The man flew into ecstasy and with due respect replied, “Yes Sardara! I am his devotee. When I took his refuge all fortunes dawned upon me and the Evil forces disappeared. I was a loose character, of such a low degree that even Yama would have rebukingly ordered me to be put into hell. But this Great lord has turned me lighter than air. You call him a Carpenter. Yes, he is the carpenter, who create heaven and earth, who made sun and stars. Well sardara! Do not be proud if your wordly possessions. Do not miss chance kiss His feet”

“Sardara Sahib! Have you seen? What magic Works there”?

“leave it here let us go to Bhaini tomorrow”

Next day Mangal Singh with his attendents on his white mare left to enter the holy place, on seeing him, the white mare neighed. The True Guru with his followers, was on his way to bless, some one. Mangal Singh enquired of them, if there was any Guru Ram Singh. The reply was in positive. One of the Sikhs led the visitors to a house, where the party was served with food to their satisfaction.

At night Mangal Singh, in a dream beheld a wonderful scene. He was sitting in a tastefully decorated hall. In the centre of the hall there was a peerless throne, studden with jewels. There was a gathering of distinguishes angles and gods. All glamour was in full swing. All at once a tall handsome figure, of bewitching eyes, arms running to knees, descended from skies. Upon this sight there was a loud cheer “Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal”.

All the present stood up to pay their regards. The attendant waved the chaur upon the lord, Satguru Ram Singh Ji.

With the shout Mangal Singh woke up and was surprised. He took bath and went to Durbar, but the programme had concluded. Men and women were retuning in quite sobriety or murmuring Gurbani!. No nonsense talk was heard.

He was feeling ashamed of his absence from the Holy congregation and was too eager to attend the evening session.

Afternoon the holy assembly took place. The ragis were busy in singing hymn.

Qum cMdn hm AirMf bwpry sMg qumHwry bwsw[

nIc rUK qy aUc Bey hYN gMD sugMD invwsw[

My Lord you are like the Sandalwood and arind.

By your association the scentless log has become scentful.

The gracious Master accompanied by his Subas reached the Dewan. The reception was respectful as he had seen in the dream. Satguru Ji took the holy sear and men and women paid him their respect, turn by turn. What he noticed, was more surprising the offerings were made but some of these were returned as the one who offered was either murderer of innocent daughters, or had abused some one? He had been considering Sri Bhaini Sahib as den of culprits, but it turned out like the sear of justice Dharam. He could not help waiting more. The Sardara of Bishen pura stood up and tore up his necklace, took off his gold bangles and laid them at the feet of the true Guru. Tears were running upon his cheeks. Stammering, he solicited most humbly to bless him with Nam. I am a misguided and a great sinner. O True Guru take pity”.

His holiness smiled and said “Sardara I am poor carpenter. You are big landlord. How can I help you”? He could not bear long delay, so he with deep sigh, entreated fro Nam. He went on sobbing and uttered, “You are the Carpenter, who abridged sea to cross to Lanka”

The Satguru Ji asked a bystander to bless him with Nam. This was done in no time and he fell into ecstasy and returned home on foot. Reaching home, he ordered to release all cocks, hens and goats, Wine bottle were broken off. Cutting a joke one of his friends said “Sardara, where is Cheeni’? Cheeni has gone to his real Master. All horses, cows as well as gardens are his. I am a mere watch dog”.

Author: Panth Rattan Master Nihal Singh

Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Kauda Demon

In one of his mission to enlighten people, Guru ji traveled many miles in the wilderness of Assam. His minstrel,Mardana was very hungry and tired, so they sat under a tree. After sometime, Mardana went to get something to eat. On his way he met Kauda, the cannibal. Kauda took Mardana by surprise and bounded his hand and foot by a rope and then carried him to the spot where he had kept a big pan full of oil for frying the flesh of his victims. Kauda started to lighten fire under the pan. When Mardana saw that, he was very frightened and prayed to Guru ji to come to his rescue. The all-knowing Guru realized what was happening to Mardana, so he started walking towards Kauda’s place in order to rescue Mardana.

Kauda was trying to light the fire when Guru ji appeared. This bewildered Kauda completely. He went towards the Guru and captured him. He lit the fire and within minutes the oil was burning hot. Upon seeing this, the Guru said that he wants be the first one to be fried. Kauda was astonished, bewildered. He had never seen someone like this. Kauda carried on his routine and lifted Guru ji to be put in the big pan.

When the Guru’s feet touched the hot oil, it became cold as ice. Kauda then knew that Guru Nanak Dev ji was not an ordinary person. Guru ji looked at him compassionately and graciously and said, "Kauda! You do not see what you do, would you cast yourself in the burning fire of hell?" Kauda, whose conscience was dead with heinous crimes, suddenly came to realization and was overwhelmed with repentance. The very gracious and holy sight of the Divine Master made him realize his guilt and he fell on the feet of the Master and prayed for mercy. The gracious Master blessed him with the Name. Kauda was completely a changed person and thereafter lived as a devout disciple of the Guru as a completely honest worshipper of God.