In Safar-e-Patshahi IX Series No. 22, the readers were introduced to the history of Makhan Shah Lubana’s arrival at Baba Bakala and the identification of the real Guru.
In this series we will learn about the history of Dhirmal firing on Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
When Bhai Makhan Shah Lubana arrives at Baba Bakale on 8 October 1664, passing through Delhi, he sees many fake Gurus sitting on their cushions and calling themselves the Ninth Guru. Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji had said – ‘Baba Bakale’. So all these fake Gurus were claiming to be Guru. Makhan Shah Lubana Ji came here as a Parkhu as he had visited the Fifth and the Sixth Guru and had stayed with the Seventh Guru for 4 months. So Makhan Shah Lubana knew that the Guru is not a beggar but a giver. Makhan Shah Lubana was a very rich man at that time. He had about 200 ships and 500 soldiers always with him. Makhan Shah Lubana bowed down in front of everyone with 2-2 seals to test the fake Gurus but was not satisfied. The next day, when he saw Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, he understood everything and went upstairs and said-
” Charh Uuche Mandir Eh Sunaea,
Aavoh Gur Sikh Mai Satgur Ladha,
Ja Ki Mahima Agam Agadha. “
Khushwant Singh Ji writes-
“Guru Ladho Re,
Guru Ladho Re “
Meaning forgetful Sangat, don’t wander. Now the True Guru has been found. So, all the sangat started coming to see Guru Sahib. The sangat now began to offer whatever offerings they brought to the court of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji …..Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji started connecting all the sangat with Naam Bani. When Dhirmal found out that I had lost the bet, he talked to his masands. The masands provoked him that two swords cannot stay in one sheath. Either you can stay or Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Eventually a conspiracy was hatched by Dhirmal to assassinate Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. So, Dhirmal sent 25 gunmen to attack Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. When they went and shouted, the sangat started running here and there. They began to plunder the objects that came into the Guru’s house. At that time Sihan Masand aimed and shot Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. It was by the grace of Akal Purakh that Guru Sahib was standing a little farther away and the bullet passed across the forehead of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji…..it just barely touched the forehead of guru Ji… Many scholars have written that the bullet passes across the shoulder. Guru Tegh Bahadur ji escapes this attack. Dhirmal speaks very bad and ugly words to Guru Sahib. When the shot was fired, Mata Nanaki Ji came forward like a lion and said to Dhirmal, “If you have the courage, come forward and fight with my son. Then you see the bravery of my son. He is called the rich man of Tegh.If your men have courage, do not attack from behind. Come forward and fight on the battlefield.”
Due to the arrival of Mata Nanaki ji at that time, when the rest of the Sikhs recovered, Dhirmal’s men fled with the most valuable offerings that had come to the Guru’s court. In these offerings, some brought horses, some brought weapons and some offered Maya, all of which the soldiers took to the camp of Dhirmal. Later a Sikh went to the cantonment of Makhan Shah Lubana and narrated the whole history. When Makhan Shah Lubana found out, he could not bear the disrespect of the Guru’s house and attacked the camp of Dhirmal with his 500 armed warriors. He gave a blunt answer and took all their weapons in his possession. Then they tied the scent of Dhirmal and walked towards the court of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. Dhirmal pleaded with Makhan Shah Lubana that I am the grandson of Guru, don’t take me away in this way.
At that time, Makhan Shah Lubana showed some leniency and Dhirmal was brought in the company of men and presented to Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. Makhan Shah Lubana requested Guru Sahib that you punish him severely.
“Bhalo dheer mall dheer ji,
Bhalo dheer mall dheer “
Meaning Dhirmal, may it be good for you, may it be good for you. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji also says in his Bani:
“Mith Bolara ji, Har sajan suami mora,
Hau sanmal thaki ji ,oh kade n bolai koura,
Kaura bol n janai puran bhagavanai ,augan ko n chitarai”
When Dhirmal apologized to Guru Sahib, Guru Sahib forgave him.
“Jo saran avai tis kanth lavai,
Ih birad suami sanda”
Guru Sahib said-
“Kamu krodh kaya kau galai,
Jiu Kanchan sohaga dhalai ” Meaning Dhirmal lust, anger, greed, attachments, ego, they curse the body, like gold is dissolved by dorex. I mean go, may you be well. At that time Makhan Shah Lubana brought back all the goods which he had looted. At the same time she would bring back the Bir of Adi Granth Sahib Ji with full respect. Guru Tegh Bahadur ji returned all these items to Dhirmal and also gave the Bir, which is at Kartarpur Sahib today. So, where Guru Tegh Bahadur ji was given the Guruship, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib stands today. Where Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji used to perform Bhajan Bandgi, there is a very tall building here, its name is Bhora Sahib. The place where Guru Sahib was shot is the site of Manji Sahib. Gurdwara Shish Mehal Sahib stands where Mata Ganga ji was cremated. So, you can listen to this program of Safar-E- Patshahi IX on YouTube and Facebook on the ‘Khoj Vichar’ channel in a series of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji’s entire life. So, further in Series No. 24 we will hear why when Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji goes to Amritsar he is not allowed to enter Amritsar.