In this series No. 14 we will listen to the history of Guru Ji while living at Baba Bakala and about his daily routine and working style
Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji, Mata Gujari ji and Nanaki ji were staying at Bhai Mehra’s house in Bakala, waiting for a long time for the words of the Guru to be fulfilled. This is the place where Guru Tegh Bahadur sahib Ji built a solitary place for himself, which was under the ground, which we now call the basement. The speciality of this place was that in summer it was cold inside and in winter it was warm inside. The biggest thing was that there was no interruption in doing Bandgi in solitude. This is the place where Guru Tegh Bahadur ji used to engage in Naam Simran and Bandagi. This place is today called Gurdwara Bhora Sahib. While living here, Guru Ji’s daily routine was that Guru Ji would get up at the time of Morning and engage in Naam Simran Bandgi. He also performed kirtan daily because the Guru ji had learned kirtan from Bhai Babak ji in a very good way in 30 ragas.
The Guru ji used to perform kirtan on Gurbani daily and keep the sangats connected with Naam Bani. At dawn, Guru Ji practiced religion, which is the principle of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s Bani.
“Ghal khai Kish hatah dei
Nanak rah pashanah sei”
If any of the sangat was given the maya of Dasvandh to Guru Sahib ji as Guru’s son, the Guru ji would put him in langars or for public welfare.Guru ji never used the Maya of Dasvandh in his house. According to Mahima Prakash, Guru Ji was rich in tegh and was an expert in armor. Guru Sahib continued this practice. Sometimes the Guru ji would ride a horse and go hunting in the forest.
According to Mahima Prakash-
“Jab kab kad charh shikar Prabh javeh
Nahi lahai smaa kou darsan paveh”
According to Dr. Fauja Singh, it is also written that Guru Ji’s weapons are still found in the treasury of Patiala. There is also Guru Ji’s Tega in which Guru Ji’s name is found and in the museum of Baroda city, where Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Panch Kala Shastra is kept, there are also Guru Tegh Bahadur sahib Ji’s weapons because Guru Ji is armed Were The Guru ji continued to practice these weapons. While living in Bakala, Guru Ji did not associate much with anyone. Speak very little. Gurbani says:
Kabir ji ghar 1
Ik ounkar satigur prasad
“Sant milai Kish suniai kahiai”
Meaning if a good human being is found then his word should be listened to. The way of life or some things of life should be asked.
“Milai asant masat kar rahiai”
That is, if a bad person is found, it is better to remain silent
“Baba bolana kia kahiai.
Jaise ram nam rav rahiai .1. rahau.
Santan siu bole upakari.
Murakh siu bole jhakh mari .2.
Bolat bolat badhah bikara.
Bin bole kia karah bichara .3.
Kah Kabir shusha ghat bolai.
Bharia hoi su kabah na dolai .4.1.”
Due to this the Guru ji spoke very little and had very little cooperation. Most of the time Guru Ji used to spend his time in Bhajan Bandgi because this is what was needed i.e.Guru Tegh Bahadur sahib Ji had to do that work that no one else has done it till date.
“Dharam het saaka jin kiiaa
Sees dia par sirar na diaa”
Therefore, the journey from Bhajan Bandgi to Shahidi was a very high and pure path, for which preparation was very important. So, Guru Tegh Bahadur ji was living his life at Baba Bakala.
On the other hand, what was the situation like during the time of the seventh and eighth Gurus? We will hear that later in series 15.