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Mata Ganga Visits Baba Budha

After the Guru Arjan's return to Amritsar, Prithi Chand, Guru Arjan's brother, continued to annoy him as before. Prithia's jealousy was to a great extent fanned by his wife, Karmo's reproaches.

Karmo said to her husband, "If you had pleased your father by serving him properly you would have been Guru by now, and I would have been the Guru's revered wife. The eldest son has been superseded. The youngest (Guru Arjan) has obtained the position of Guru and is worshipped by the world. The Emperor and Rajas bow before him. He receives wealth while the fates are against us."

Future Guruship

Prithi Chand replied, "You have the greatest wealth of all in your son Meharban. Guru Arjan has no son himself, and his prosperity will be short-lived. When Meharban grows up, he shall obtain the Guruship." When Guru Arjan's wife, Mata Ganga, was told what was being said she repeated it to her husband. Guru Arjan told her not to pay attention but continue to repeat the true Name. Guru Arjan then addressed her the following Gurbani;

ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
ga-orhee mehlaa 5.
Gauree, Fifth Mehl:

ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪੂਰਨ ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰ ਮਨ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਓਟ ਗਹੀਜੈ ਰੇ ॥
paarbarahm pooran parmaysur man taa kee ot gaheejai ray.
O my mind, hold tight to the Support of the One Supreme Lord God, the Perfect Transcendent Lord,

ਜਿਨਿ ਧਾਰੇ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ਖੰਡ ਹਰਿ ਤਾ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੀਜੈ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
jin Dhaaray barahmand khand har taa ko naam japeejai ray. ||1|| rahaa-o.
who established the solar systems and galaxies. Repeat the Name of the Lord. ||1||Pause||

ਮਨ ਕੀ ਮਤਿ ਤਿਆਗਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਬੂਝਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਰੇ ॥
man kee mat ti-aagahu har jan hukam boojh sukh paa-ee-ai ray.
Renounce the intellectual cleverness of your mind, O humble servants of the Lord; understanding the Hukam of God's Command, peace is found.

ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਕਰੈ ਸੋਈ ਭਲ ਮਾਨਹੁ ਸੁਖਿ ਦੁਖਿ ਓਹੀ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਰੇ ॥੧॥
jo parabh karai so-ee bhal maanhu sukh dukh ohee Dhi-aa-ee-ai ray. ||1||
Whatever God does, accept that with pleasure; in comfort and in suffering, meditate on God. ||1||

ਕੋਟਿ ਪਤਿਤ ਉਧਾਰੇ ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਕਰਤੇ ਬਾਰ ਨ ਲਾਗੈ ਰੇ ॥
kot patit uDhaaray khin meh kartay baar na laagai ray.
The Creator emancipates millions of sinners in an instant, without a moment's delay.

ਦੀਨ ਦਰਦ ਦੁਖ ਭੰਜਨ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਜਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਨਿਵਾਜੈ ਰੇ ॥੨॥
deen darad dukh bhanjan su-aamee jis bhaavai tiseh nivaajai ray. ||2||
God, the Destroyer of the pain and sorrow of the poor, blesses those with whom God is pleased. ||2||

ਸਭ ਕੋ ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਲਕ ਜੀਅ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਸੁਖ ਸਾਗਰੁ ਰੇ ॥
sabh ko maat pitaa partipaalak jee-a paraan sukh saagar ray.
God is mother and father, the Cherisher of all; God is the breath of life of all beings, the ocean of peace.

ਦੇਂਦੇ ਤੋਟਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਤਿਸੁ ਕਰਤੇ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਰਤਨਾਗਰੁ ਰੇ ॥੩॥
daynday tot naahee tis kartay poor rahi-o ratnaagar ray. ||3||
While giving so generously, the Creator does not diminish at all. The source of jewels, God is all-pervading. ||3||

ਜਾਚਿਕੁ ਜਾਚੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਘਟ ਘਟ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸੋਈ ਰੇ ॥
jaachik jaachai naam tayraa su-aamee ghat ghat antar so-ee ray.
The beggar begs for your name, O Lord and Master; God is contained deep within the nucleus of each and every heart.

ਨਾਨਕੁ ਦਾਸੁ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਸਰਣਾਈ ਜਾ ਤੇ ਬ੍ਰਿਥਾ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਰੇ ॥੪॥੧੬॥੧੩੭॥
Nanak das taa kee sarnaa-ee jaa tay baritha na ko-ee ray. ||4||16||137||
Slave Nanak has entered God's sanctuary; no one returns from God empty-handed. ||4||16||137||

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Gauri, Guru Arjan, Ang 209

The Guru continued his instruction;

ਮ੍ਰਿਗ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਗੰਧਰਬ ਨਗਰੰ ਦ੍ਰੁਮ ਛਾਯਾ ਰਚਿ ਦੁਰਮਤਿਹ ॥
marig tarisnaa ganDharab nagran darum chhaa-yaa rach duramtih.
Misled by evil-mindedness, mortals are engrossed in the mirage of the illusory world, like the passing shade of a tree.

ਤਤਹ ਕੁਟੰਬ ਮੋਹ ਮਿਥ੍ਯ੍ਯਾ ਸਿਮਰੰਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮਹ ॥੩੦॥
tatah kutamb moh mith-yaa simrant naanak raam raam naamah. ||30||
Emotional attachment to family is false, so Nanak meditates in remembrance on the Name of the Lord, Raam, Raam. ||30||

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Slok Sehskritee, Guru Arjan, Ang 1356

Do Good For Evil

Guru Arjan said, "My good wife, even if Karmo's jealousy and pride do not please you. Do not be jealous and proud like her. If one throws a handful of dust at the moon, it will not reach it. However, it will return on the one that throws it. If my eldest brother's wife has addressed you in bad language, bear it. Sheikh Farid has said;

ਫਰੀਦਾ ਬੁਰੇ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਕਰਿ ਗੁਸਾ ਮਨਿ ਨ ਹਢਾਇ ॥
fareedaa buray daa bhalaa kar gusaa man na hadhaa-ay.
Fareed, answer evil with goodness; do not fill your mind with anger.

ਦੇਹੀ ਰੋਗੁ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਪਲੈ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਇ ॥੭੮॥
dayhee rog na lag-ee palai sabh kichh paa-ay. ||78||
Your body shall not suffer from any disease, and you shall obtain everything. ||78||

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Sheikh Farid Ji, Ang 1382

"Farid, do good for evil, do not cloak your heart with anger; Then your body will not suffer with pain, and you will obtain everything."

The Guru's wife said, "Although your advice is the best, I would be really happy if we had a son. Dear husband and great Guru, there are Sikhs who seek your protection, they obtain happiness in this life and salvation in the next. If you do not provide your Sikhs with a son, it will not be good."

A Lesson In Humility

With the object of giving his Sikhs a lesson in humility Guru Arjan decided on referring Mata Ganga to Baba Budha for his advice and blessings, and gave her the following directions, "My beloved, if you really want a son, then go to Baba Budha, an ancient Sikh of Guru Nanak's time, and serve him. He stays in a forest and is a very humble man. He carries firewood and grass, and provides our langar with corn after the farmers have taken their share. Baba Budha is always engaged in worship of God, and only eats when he receives food from the Guru's langar. If God is pleased, Baba Budha will bless you and you shall have a son. God arranges the affairs of its saints."

Mata Ganga misunderstood what Guru Arjan had said and on the next day set out with a large group of Sikhs to see Baba Budha. Mata Ganga took some of friends and the wives of the important Sikhs of Amritsar. They rode in carriages, palkis, and sedans, and formed an imposing procession. Mata Ganga was also attended by Sikhs male and female who carried plates of sweets as offerings to Baba Budha.

When they reached his place in the forest in the afternoon when he was hungry and thirsty, and in momentary expectation of his meal from the Guru's langar. When Baba Budha saw the dust of the cortege flying, and the carriages, palkis, sedans, bearers and horsemen approaching at high speed, he said, "Is there a stampede from Amritsar that the inhabitants have left the city and sought shelter here?"

Baba Budha's Refusal

The Guru's wife, on being informed of Baba Budha's surprise, was distressed, and remarked that her journey had brought her a curse instead of a blessing. Having paid her respect and placed before Baba Budha the delicious food she had brought, she addressed him, "You have seen, heard and served Guru Nanak. You are held in high esteem and are deeply respected by us. Guru Arjan has sent me to you so that by your blessing God grants me a son."

Baba Budha replied, "Revered lady, I am but the grass-cutter and servant of your house. If I possessed the power you suppose, why would I cut grass and sweep the Guru's stables? It is the Guru himself who fulfills everyone's desires. It is the Guru himself who is the ocean of supernatural power. Should he desire to dismiss me, I must be content. As for these savoury dishes you place before me, I am not worthy of them. They are only fit for the Guru himself. If you think I should have them, do not expect my service. If I eat these, how could I think of cutting grass afterwards? If you desire a humble service from me, then I am your slave, but take away these foods."

Mata Ganga's further requests were useless. She returned disappointed and crestfallen to Guru Arjan. On hearing the result of his wife's mission Guru Arjan quoted the following hymn of Guru Amar Das;

ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਮਤ ਮਾਣੁ ਕਰਹਿ ਜਿ ਹਉ ਕਿਛੁ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਿਮਾਣਾ ਹੋਹੁ ॥
man toon mat maan karahi je ha-o kichh jaandaa gurmukh nimaanaa hohu.
O mind, don't be so proud of yourself, as if you know it all; the Gurmukh is humble and modest.

ਅੰਤਰਿ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਹਉ ਬੁਧਿ ਹੈ ਸਚਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਲੁ ਖੋਹੁ ॥
antar agi-aan ha-o budh hai sach sabad mal khohu.
Within the intellect are ignorance and ego; through the true word of the Shabad, this filth is washed off.

ਹੋਹੁ ਨਿਮਾਣਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਅਗੈ ਮਤ ਕਿਛੁ ਆਪੁ ਲਖਾਵਹੇ ॥
hohu nimaanaa satguroo agai mat kichh aap lakhaavhay.
So be humble, and surrender to the True Guru; do not attach your identity to your ego.

ਆਪਣੈ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਿ ਜਗਤੁ ਜਲਿਆ ਮਤ ਤੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਵਹੇ ॥
aapnai ahankaar jagat jali-aa mat toon aapnaa aap gavaavhay.
The world is consumed by ego and self-identity; see this, lest you lose your own self as well.

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਕਰਹਿ ਕਾਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਲਾਗਿ ਰਹੁ ॥
satgur kai bhaanai karahi kaar satgur kai bhaanai laag rahu.
Make yourself follow the sweet will of the True Guru; remain attached to God's sweet will.

ਇਉ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਆਪੁ ਛਡਿ ਸੁਖ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਮਨ ਨਿਮਾਣਾ ਹੋਇ ਰਹੁ ॥੭॥
i-o kahai naanak aap chhad sukh paavahi man nimaanaa ho-ay rahu. ||7||
Thus says Nanak: renounce your ego and self-conceit, and obtain peace; let your mind abide in humility. ||7||

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Aasaa, Guru Amar Das, Chhant, Ang 441

Mata Ganga Tries Again

Guru Arjan continued, "The saints and the true Guru are not pleased with grand displays. If you desire anything from them, never appear in the character of a superior, be just as humble. Come, I will teach you how to succeed. With devotion in your heart grind corn, knead the flour, and bake the bread with your own hands. Dress it with onions. Then take it with some thick buttermilk on your head to Baba Budha. Dress yourself as a farmers wife, and go on foot and alone. Thats how you can obtain the saint's blessing."

On the next day, the Guru's wife, in accordance with his instructions, proceeded to Baba Budha without anyone else. She found him hungry as before and waiting for his meal. On seeing her carrying the food on her head and coming on foot Baba Budha rose up and welcomed her said, "I was feeling very hungry today, it seems like my mother has appeared and brought food for me." He was delighted to eat the simple food.

Baba Budha while eating said, "The Guru is the owner of the storehouse, but I have received an order to open it. As you have given me food to my heart's content, so shall you have a son to your heart's content. He shall be very handsome and brave, possess spiritual and temporal power, become a mighty hunter, ride on royal steeds, wear two swords, have great power in battle, and trample on his enemies."

Baba Budha Offers His Blessings

With every morsel he ate Baba Budha offered blessing's to Mata Ganga's future child and said, "As I now crush these onions you have brought me, so shall your son crush the heads of his enemies, and be at once a great warrior and exalted Guru. He will not have the humble seat of a village Guru, but a wonderful imperial throne. As I am now filled with your food, so shall your heart be filled with joy on beholding him."

It may be convenient to give a tribute of Baba Budha here, which a Sikh biographer put into words; "Budha Sahib is a mine of divine knowledge and virtue. Simple and pious he has asserted himself, he is unequalled like the sun, the moon, and the philosopher's stone. He has adopted no religious garb nor in anyway practised hypocrisy, he has subdued all his desires. Hear, (Mata) Ganga, how divine the word of the saints are, and in who the power God is."

When Karmo, Prithi Chand's wile, heard of the Guru's wife's pregnancy, she upbraided (blamed) her husband with having falsely prophesied that no child would be born to Guru Arjan. The Guru, on hearing from his wife, on her return home, of the graciousness of her reception by Baba Budha said, "If the saints desire it, they can make a poor man a king, fill the empty, and balance a mountain on a blade of grass."

The Guru on being satisfied of his wife's conception composed the following;

ਬਿਲਾਵਲੁ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
bilaaval mehlaa 5.
Bilaaval, Fifth Mehl:

ਅਟਲ ਬਚਨ ਸਾਧੂ ਜਨਾ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਇਆ ॥
atal bachan saaDhoo janaa sabh meh paragtaa-i-aa.
The words of the Holy are eternal and unchanging; this is apparent to everyone.

ਜਿਸੁ ਜਨ ਹੋਆ ਸਾਧਸੰਗੁ ਤਿਸੁ ਭੇਟੈ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇਆ ॥੧॥
jis jan ho-aa saadhsang tis bhaytai har raa-i-aa. ||1||
That humble being, who joins the Sadh Sangat, meets the Sovereign Lord. ||1||

ਇਹ ਪਰਤੀਤਿ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਕੀ ਜਪਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
ih parteet govind kee jap har sukh paa-i-aa.
This faith in the Lord of the Universe, and peace, are found by meditating on the Lord.

ਅਨਿਕ ਬਾਤਾ ਸਭਿ ਕਰਿ ਰਹੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਘਰਿ ਲੈ ਆਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
anik baataa sabh kar rahay gur ghar lai aa-i-aa. ||1|| rahaa-o.
Everyone is speaking in various ways, but the Guru has brought the Lord into the home of myself. ||1||Pause||

ਸਰਣਿ ਪਰੇ ਕੀ ਰਾਖਤਾ ਨਾਹੀ ਸਹਸਾਇਆ ॥
saran paray kee raakh-taa naahee sehsaa-i-aa.
God preserves the honor of those who seek God's Sanctuary; there is no doubt about this at all.

ਕਰਮ ਭੂਮਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਬੋਇ ਅਉਸਰੁ ਦੁਲਭਾਇਆ ॥੨॥
karam bhoom har naam bo-ay a-osar dulbhaa-i-aa. ||2||
In the field of actions and karma, plant the Lord's Name; this opportunity is so difficult to obtain! ||2||

ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ਆਪਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸਭ ਕਰੇ ਕਰਾਇਆ ॥
antarjaamee aap parabh sabh karay karaa-i-aa.
God is the Inner-knower, the Searcher of hearts; God does, and causes everything to be done.

ਪਤਿਤ ਪੁਨੀਤ ਘਣੇ ਕਰੇ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਬਿਰਦਾਇਆ ॥੩॥
patit puneet ghanay karay thaakur birdaa-i-aa. ||3||
God purifies so many sinners; this is the natural way of our Lord and Master. ||3||

ਮਤ ਭੂਲਹੁ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਜਨ ਮਾਇਆ ਭਰਮਾਇਆ ॥
mat bhoolahu maanukh jan maa-i-aa bharmaa-i-aa.
Don't be fooled, O mortal being, by the illusion of Maya.

ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਸੁ ਪਤਿ ਰਾਖਸੀ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਪਹਿਰਾਇਆ ॥੪॥੧੬॥੪੬॥
nanak tis pat raakhsee jo parabh pehraa-i-aa. ||4||16||46||
O Nanak, God saves the honor of those of whom God approves. ||4||16||46||

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Bilaaval, Guru Arjan, Ang 812

With the blessing of Baba Budha, Mata Ganga gave birth to a son (Guru) Hargobind in 1595 AD at village Guru Ki Wadali, five kilometres from Amritsar. The words of Baba Budha were true, Guru Hargobind fought four battles with the mughal tyrants. The battles were started by the mughals and Guru Hargobind achieved victory in every battle. In memory of the meeting with Baba Budha an anniversary fair is held in the forest where Baba Budha resided at the time.


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