One day a Sikh named Bhai Gurmukh went to Shri Amritsar Darbar and bowed to Shri Guru Arjun Dev Ji. He asked Guruji to show him a Sikh who agreed with Paramaatma’s teachings all throughout his life. On hearing this, Guruji said, “One of my Sikhs called Bhai Bhikhari lives in Gujarat. You go and see him.” Bhai Gurmukh left for that place. On the way, he was thinking that when Guruji himself has told about Bhai Bhikhari then he would certainly be a Gursikh with a great personality. He kept on imagining about Bhai Bhikhari- How he must be worshipping? What kind of deeds he must be performing? What would be the way of his life? Bhai Gurmukh reached Bhai Bhikhari’s place. There he found an atmosphere of happiness. Bhai Bhikhari’s son was getting married. Women were singing pleasant songs. But Bhai Bhikhari was indulged in stitching an old Dari. Bhai Gurmukh touched his feet, sat down and told him that he was sent by Shri Guru Arjun Dev Ji to see him.

 

On hearing this, Bhai Bhikhari treated him with utmost respect. Bhai Gurmukh was puzzled at the sight of Bhai Bhikhari stitching an old Dari on the occasion of marriage. Bhai Bhikhari showed him various articles like his son’s clothes, jewellery and sweets. In the end he showed him a coffin. Bhai Gurmukh was surprised and asked that coffin was for whom. Bhai Bhikhari said that he would answer his query later on. Bhai Gurmukh said to himself, “Guruji had praised Bhai Bhikhari so much. But he is involved in his daily household duties only. When would he get time to worship God? How would he follow His instructions?” Bhai Bhikhari offered him food in the night and provided him a beautiful bed for sleeping. Next day all the people of the town came to attend the marriage ceremony. Bhai Bhikhari’s son was seated on a horse and the bride was brought to their house with great enthusiasm. One night Bhai Bhikhari’s son suddenly suffered from stomach ache which resulted in his death.

 

This happened about 4 days after the wedding ceremony. Those women, who were singing songs that day, started crying. While, Bhai Bhikhari was not at all sad or disturbed on his son’s death. He placed his son’s dead body on a previously prepared ladder and performed all the rituals. He organised Kirtan and distributed Kanah Prasad to the people. He sat on that Dari which was already prepared by him. People came, consoled him and went back. On seeing all this, Bhai Gurmukh was shocked and asked Bhai Bhikhari, “If you already knew that your son was going to die, then why did you get him married? Why did you spend so much on his wedding? You could have gone to Guruji and asked him to prolong the life of your child. Kind hearted Guruji would have listened to your prayer. Why did you undergo such pain even after having so many Bhakti powers?” To this Bhai Bhikhari replied, “People who don’t adhere to God’s dictates are Manmukh. While those who do so are Sanmukh and Gurmukh. Only Manmukhs interfere in God’s way of life. Everyone is treated according to his own destiny. We should ask God to bless us so that we always adhere to His dictates.” Guru Arjun Dev Ji has explained, “Tera Kiya Meetha Laage, Har Naam Padaarath Nanak Maange.” Bhai Bhikhari further said that people experience happiness or grief according to the deeds of their previous births.

 

“Man Murakh Kaahe Billaaiye Purab Likhe Ka Likhia Paaiye” To attain Mukti, one should adhere to the Hukum of Paramatma, stabilise his mind and chant Satnam, and stay away from worldly ego. On hearing all this, Bhai Gurmukh folded his hands and said, “You are great. Although my name is Gurmukh, but you are full of all the characters of a Gurmukh. I got to meet a Sikh whom I wanted to meet.” Shri Guru Arjun Dev Ji sacrificed his life on Jyeshtha Sudi 4 Samvat 1663, the equivalent date of which this year is 18 th June 2026, Thursday. Lakhs of salutes to such a great Guruji on the occasion of his Martyr’s day. (The author is Convener, Shri Kalgidhar Satsang Mandal, Jaripatka.)