In Safar-e-Patshahi IX Series No. 20, we informed the readers about the enthronement of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
In this series we will learn about Makhan Shah Lubana and his background. We will also learn about how Makhan Shah Lubana came to Guru Darbar.
When we look back to the time of 1340, there was a king – ‘Raja Dhaj’. The son of ‘Dhaj’ was – ‘Ko Dhaj’. The son of ‘Ko Dhaj’ was – ‘Karan’. Karan’s son was Kesav. Kesav’s son was Chada. Chada’s son was Thida.The son of ‘Thida’ was ‘Mola’.The son of ‘Mola’ was – ‘Motta’. The son of ‘Motta’ was- ‘Bahoru’. Bahoru’s son was Sawan Naik. The ‘Sawan Naik’ took place in the time of Guru Nanak Dev ji. In 1517 AD, when Guru Nanak Dev ji passed through Mansarovar, Leh passed through Ladakh and reached Gujarat (Pakistan) via Mutton (Kashmir). One Gujarat is in India and the other Gujarat is in Pakistan
When Guru Nanak Dev ji reached Gujarat, he saw flags flying over a mansion. The Guru asked – “Eh Dhawaj Kisde Jhoolde Hain”
Got the answer- “Eehan Sawan Naik Rehsi”
The Guru said- “Ens Amiir Eda Dhnwad, Es Dhan Da Ki Karsi, Naal Ayi ta Ek Vst Na Jaasi” Guru Sahib meets Sawan Naik. Many scholars have also recorded this meeting of Guru Nanak in a city in South Africa, Kenya. So, Sawan Naik becomes a disciple of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. By adopting Sikhism, he also becomes a preacher.
The son of ‘Sawan Naik’ was – ‘Baba Artha’.Son of ‘Baba Artha’ was – ‘Baba Bina’. Baba Bina’s son was ‘Baba Dasa’.
Baba Dasa ji was the father of Makhan Shah Lubana and was a great merchant. As a great merchant and rich man, he was also a servant of Guru Ram Das ji. Bhai Gurdas Ji has mentioned in his verses in the 11th stanza that he was one of the Masand Sikhs of Guru Sahib.
“Purakhu Padarath Janiai,
Taru bharu dasu duara”
The names of Bhai Taroo Ji, Bharu Ji, Dasa Ji and other Gursikh’s name were also come in this stanza.
Makhan Shah Lubana’s father Bhai Dasa Ji was one of the leading Sikhs of Guru Ram Das Ji. He also preached and traded in distant lands. According to the Bhatt Vahis, Makhan Shah Lubana was born on 5 Vaisakh 1589 AD. He was 15 years old when Makhan Shah Lubana came with his father to visit Guru Arjan Dev ji. In the court of Guru Hargobind Ji, the Maya of Dasvandh which was sent by his family, he used to offer with his own hands. When Makhan Shah Lubana’s father dies at the age of 95, then Guru Har Rai Ji comes to his house on his death and Makhan Shah Lubana visits Guru Har Rai Ji for 4 months. Bhai Makhan Shah Lubana had great devotion and faith in the Guru’s house and was well versed in all aspects of the Guru’s house.
Speaking of Makhan Shah Lubana’s business, his business at that time was very large. If we talk about ships, there were about 200 ships of Makhan Shah Lubana and many ships sailed. Many camels were traded. Makhan Shah Lubana was a great merchant. Now let’s talk about Makhan Shah Lubana’s ship, that this ship was not a small ship. It was not a small boat or fleet. This was the fleet in which people’s goods were sent abroad.
The ship was caught in a hurricane in 1664 AD. ‘Sarup Singh Koshish’ writes that the fleet was stranded in Tenu. Another writer ‘Principal Satbir Singh’ mentions it on page 47 of his book ‘Iti Jin kari’ at the port of Surat. So, more research is needed on this. Makhan Shah Lubana’s fleet gets caught in a hurricane. At the time when no one finds a way, they resort to Ardas. Makhan Shah Lubana was now 75 years old and he was completely devoted to Bani. He had faith in prayer.
“Kar chit Ikagar Japp ko prha,
Pun Satgur ji ka keeya dhyan.
Man MiTo bharam Gur leho pchaan.”
(Mahima Prakash, Sakhi 5, Mahla 5)
He recited Japji Sahib and prayed and with the help of Ardas the fleet was saved from sinking. At that time the prayer at the door of Guru Nanak Sahib was heard. Today we tell you how the sinking ship survived like this. So, let’s resort to Gurbani. Trust in prayer
“Tine tap Nivaranahara,Dukh hanta sukh ras
Ta kou bighan na kou lagai ja ki Prabh agai aradas”
The three heats are Adhi, Biadhi and Upadhi. When we pray with confidence then all the sorrows of the body, mind and outside are removed. Guru Sahib only hears prayers –
Asa Mahla 5
“Apune sevak ki ape rakhai,
ape naam japavai,
Jah jah kaaj kirt sevak ki,
Taha Taha uth dhavai.
Sewak kau nikati hoi dikhavai
Jo Jo kahai thakur peh sevak
Tatakal hoi avai “
When the servant prays to the Guru with a sincere heart, then the prayer is heard. How can prayer be heard from afar? It is written in the Bani-
“Jaisi Gagan phiranti,
Udati Kapare Bage Vali.
Oh rakhai chit pishai bich bichare, nit hiradai sar smali.
Tiu satigur sikh preet har har Ki, Gur sikh rakhai Ji nali.”
Just like a koonj leaves her children many kilometers away and picks up the robe herself. Follows her children. In the same way the Guru protects his Sikh.
“Udai ud avai Sai kosa
Tis pashai bachare sharia .
Tin kavan khalavai kavan chugavai man mah simran karia”
Kunj travels 8,000 kilometers from Siberia to India and picks up a robe here
There she raises her children 8,000 kilometers away. According to the verses-
“Kummi Jal Mah, Tan Tis Bahar Pankh khir tin nahi”
That is, the female is in the water and lays her eggs. Her babies do not have wings to fly, nor do they have milk. The caterpillar concentrates in the water and hatches its young from the eggs. Her children come back and meet their mother. If Kunj can save her children by sitting far away, if Kunmi can save her children by staying in the water, then why can’t Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji save the sinking fleet of Makhan Shah Lubana sitting at Bakale. So let’s talk about October 8, 1664 AD when Makhan Shah Lubana reaches baba Bakala. We will hear this in series No. 22.