Anything that Vaheguru does through Prakriti (nature) has a reason. We all like mild weather of April or September because its not very cold or hot then and normally we do not like very hot summer or very cold winter but there is a reason why we have this kind of weather.
So many times, during the summer you hear people complaining about rainfall, especially during the weekend. The reason for their complaints is that it spoils their weekend recreation programs but they don’t realize how many people and creatures of Vaheguru require that rainfall so badly. A farmer may be praying for rainfall for his crops. So many creatures of Vaheguru need rainfall to survive. Same way, hot and cold weathers may earn disdain from many people but they also benefit many creatures.
In Sikh history there is a very lesson-teaching Saakhi, from the sacred life of Siri Guru Angad Dev jee. There was a Sikh named Bhai Jeeva, who used to serve in the Langar day and night. He was always busy in serving the sangat and while doing so he used to do Naam Abhyaas in his surthee. He had not yet attained Brahmgyaan but was close to getting it. He personally used to serve Siri Guru Angad Dev jee with different foods including yogurt and Khichree. Since he used to serve Siri Guru jee personally, he was close to Guru Sahib.
In those days, a lot of langar sewa was done out in the open. One day, heavy storm came in the area of Khadoor Sahib where Siri Guru jee used to stay. Bhai Jeeva thought that if the wind does not stop blowing, it would be difficult to do langar sewa and Siri Guru jee (including him as well) may have to sleep hungry. He came to Siri Guru jee and pleaded, “O Satguru jeeo, the storm is showing no signs of calming down. The wind is blowing fast and it is impossible to function in such blinding wind. If you do bachan, the storm would subside and I will be able to eat something and also serve you with many kinds of delicious foods.”
Siri Guru jee gave Bhai Jeeva very important lessons that day. Siri Guru jee said, “We should never do such doings or actions that may cause heavy burden (of bad Karma) on our head. This wind that is blowing in the Hukam (Will) of Vaheguru fulfills many tasks of countless creatures of Vaheguru. In the rivers and oceans the ships move if the wind is blowing favourably. Many travellers and merchants import and export commodities in these ships. Many creatures dwell in areas where the ground is very dry and hard. The wind carries soil and other edibles to those areas and the creatures living there feed on them. There are many other great tasks that Parmeshar (Vaheguru) gets fulfilled by blowing wind. Now if we calm down the storm and stop the wind from blowing, all these tasks will stay unfulfilled. Many creatures will starve and die. Shall we take the blame of all this loss on our head by stopping the wind from blowing?”
Bhai Jeeva had never thought of it from this angle. He was stunned and just bowed his head. Siri Guru jee continued, “Now listen O Bhai Jeeva the sign of a Manmukh. A Manmukh always seeks to change the will of Vaheguru and if he can't change Vaheguru's Will he slanders and complains saying that such and such act of Vaheguru is very cruel and bad. A Gurmukh on the other hand not only accepts the doing of Vaheguru but also feels really happy in his Will. He knows that whatever Vaheguru does is for good. This way, the sorrow or discomfort does not even touch a Gurmukh in this world or the next one.”
Bhai Jeeva, who was a very earnest and humble Sikh of Guru Sahib, was greatly moved by Guru Sahib’s lesson-giving sermon. A thought came to his mind as to how he would serve Guru Sahib langar that day. Siri Guru jee, who knows about our deepest thoughts, immediately said, “O Bhai Jeeva, what is the big deal about eating? If it is not possible to eat now, we would eat in 2-3 hours. If it is not possible in even 2-3 hours, we would eat the next day. Don’t take anxiety but stay in Anand (spiritual bliss). The main thing is to always stay happy in the sweet will of Vaheguru.”
Bhai Jeeva was greatly affected by Siri Guru jee’s great Bachans. He engaged in chanting of Naam through this time. It is written in our history that in a few days of engagement of Naam and accepting the Will of Vaheguru, he attained Brahmgyaan.
May Guru Sahib enable us to obey the Will of Vaheguru and engage in the divine service of Naam Abhyaas. Presented below are some lessons of Siri Guru jee in the beautiful language of Mahakavi Sirimaan Bhai Sahib Bhai Santokh Singh jee Chooramanee:
ਇਹ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਕੀ ਰੀਤ ਪਛਾਨੈ।
ਹੁਵਤਿ ਮਿਟਾਇ, ਕਿ ਤਰਕ ਬਖਾਨੈ।
ਜਥਾ ਕਰਹਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ, ਪਿਖ ਹਰਖਵੰਤੇ।
ਨਹਿ ਤਰਕਹਿ ਕਹਿ ਕੈ ਨਾ ਮਿਟੰਤੇ।13।
ਸੋ ਗੁਰਮੁਖ ਸੁਖ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਹੋਇ।
ਸੰਕਟਿ ਸਹੈ ਨ ਲੋਕਹੁ ਦੋਇ।
ਤੂ ਕਰਿਬੇ ਚਿਤ ਚਹਤਿ ਅਹਾਰੇ।
ਘਟੀ ਚਾਰ ਕਰਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਪਿਛਾਰੇ।14।
ਹਟਹਿ ਨ ਜੇ, ਪ੍ਰਭਾਤਿ ਕਰ ਲੀਜੈ।
ਧਰਹੁ ਨ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਆਨੰਦ ਕੀਜੈ।
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਅਰ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜਥਾ ਰਜਾਇ।
ਤਿਸ ਪਰ ਰਾਜੀ ਰਹਨਿ ਸਦਾਇ।15।Isn’t the above passage from Mahakavi jee’s Granth just beautiful?
Daas,
Kulbir Singh
ਸਤਿਗੁਰਬਚਨਕਮਾਵਣੇਸਚਾਏਹੁਵੀਚਾਰੁ॥
