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Benefit Of Joining The True Sangat

As advised by Bhai Kaliana, the Raja of Mandi went to Amritsar for an audience with Guru Arjan. The Raja went with his Ranis and his army, and pitched his camp outside Amritsar. Bhai Kaliana proceeded to inform the Guru of the monarch's arrival, and of the circumstances which had led to it.

On the next day, the Raja accompanied only by his macebearers, went on foot to see Guru Arjan. On arriving in his presence he put his head on the Guru's feet, and begged him to save him now that he had come under his protection. He presented himself at the morning Sangat (congregation). At that time the ragis (musicians) were singing the following Gurbani;

ਲੇਖੁ ਨ ਮਿਟਈ ਹੇ ਸਖੀ ਜੋ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਕਰਤਾਰਿ ॥
Lekẖ na mit▫ī he sakẖī jo likẖi▫ā karṯār.
The inscription inscribed by the Creator Lord cannot be erased, O my companions.

ਆਪੇ ਕਾਰਣੁ ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਆ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਪਗੁ ਧਾਰਿ ॥
Āpe kāraṇ jin kī▫ā kar kirpā pag ḏẖār.
God places realization in one's mind to do as is intended.

ਕਰਤੇ ਹਥਿ ਵਡਿਆਈਆ ਬੂਝਹੁ ਗੁਰ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ॥
Karṯe hath vaḏi▫ā▫ī▫ā būjẖhu gur bīcẖār.
Glorious greatness rests in the hands of the Creator; reflect upon the Guru, and understand this.

ਲਿਖਿਆ ਫੇਰਿ ਨ ਸਕੀਐ ਜਿਉ ਭਾਵੀ ਤਿਉ ਸਾਰਿ ॥
Likẖi▫ā fer na sakī▫ai ji▫o bẖāvī ṯi▫o sār.
This inscription cannot be challenged. As it pleases you, you care for me.

ਨਦਰਿ ਤੇਰੀ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥
Naḏar ṯerī sukẖ pā▫i▫ā Nānak sabaḏ vīcẖār.
By your glance of grace, I have found peace; O Nanak, reflect upon the Shabad.

ਮਨਮੁਖ ਭੂਲੇ ਪਚਿ ਮੁਏ ਉਬਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ॥
Manmukẖ bẖūle pacẖ mu▫e ubre gur bīcẖār.
The self-willed manmukhs are confused; they rot away and die. Only by reflecting upon the Guru can they be saved.

ਜਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਦਰਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਕਿਆ ਕਰਿ ਕਹਿਆ ਜਾਇ ॥
Jė purakẖ naḏar na āvī ṯis kā ki▫ā kar kahi▫ā jā▫e.
What can anyone say, about God, who cannot be seen?

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Guru Nanak, Ang 937

The Raja heard the hymn and was confused, he thought, "If the fate cannot be altered, then what is the point of joining the Sangat of the Guru?" After the conclusion of the morning prayers, the Raja asked Guru Arjan to help clear his mind. Guru Arjan asked the Raja to stay for a three days. Obeying Guru Arjan, the Raja consented to delay his departure and stay at Amritsar at the Gurus institution and also to take his meals from the Guru's langar.

While sleeping at night the Raja dreamt that he had died and was reborn to a low caste family in a small village, growing up; he began to do the work of the lowly. He was married. He had children. One day he was cutting wood high up on a tree. The branch of the tree broke and he fell to the ground injuring his head. Due to the injury he died. After this the Raja woke up.

After waking up, the Raja washed and dressed himself and presented himself in the morning Sangat. In the afternoon, he mounted a horse and went hunting with his companions. Pursuing a quarry the Raja was seperated from his companions. During his chase, he arrived in the village he had seen in his dream and the tree from which he fell and died. The Raja was dumbstruck. He could not understand what was going on.

The Raja stood thinking in a disturbed state of mind when some children arrived and said, "Father! You died after a falling from the tree. How is it that you are still alive?" Raja explained, "I am the Raja of Mandi and have come for an audience with Guru Arjan." However, the children refused to believe what the Raja told them.

By that time, Guru Arjan arrived and told the children, "You have been deceived by the looks of the Raja which resemble your father. This is Hari Sen, the Raja of Mandi." The children were convinced by what Guru Arjan said and they left them to return home. The fate that was ordained cannot be erased but by joining and keeping a good Sangat, the consequences of previous misdeeds can be cleared (particularly if one takes 'Amrit' and joins the Khalsa). The Raja was enlightened. In due time he took leave of the Guru and returned with all his suite to his own kingdom.

ਮੇਰੇ ਮਾਧਉ ਜੀ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਿਲੇ ਸੁ ਤਰਿਆ ॥
Mere māḏẖa▫o jī saṯsangaṯ mile so ṯari▫ā.
O my Dear Lord of souls, one who joins the Sat Sangat, the true congregation, is saved.

ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਪਰਮ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਸੂਕੇ ਕਾਸਟ ਹਰਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Gur parsāḏ param paḏ pā▫i▫ā sūke kāsat hari▫ā. ||1|| rahā▫o.
By Guru's Grace, the supreme status is obtained, and the dry wood blossoms forth again in lush greenery. ||1||Pause||

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Guru Arjan, Ang 10


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