The Child Guru’s Last Words
It was a quiet moment in Delhi. Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji, the child Guru, was unwell after days of doing seva, serving the sick and comforting the suffering with his own hands.
The Sikh Sangat gathered around him, their hearts heavy.
Diwan Durga Mall, a devoted Sikh, folded his hands and asked with worry:
“True King, what will happen after you? Who will guide the Sangat with love and light?”
Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji could no longer speak clearly. But with great effort, Guru Ji revealed that now The Baba who lives in Bakala... carries the light of the Guru.
From that moment onwards, he would guide and care for the sangat as the true Guru.
With those words, Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji merged into the Divine Light.
But now… everyone wondered… Which Baba?
Many Claimants in Baba Bakala
Soon, news spread that the next Guru was in Baba Bakala.
But who? So many people arrived at Bakala — all claiming,
“I have the Guru’s light!”
Beds were laid, Masands called for followers, and even Dhir Mall, a relative of the Guru, said:
“I have the sacred form of Guru Granth Sahib Ji! The light is in me!”
The Sangat was confused. Each claimed to be Guru, yet no one had the fragrance of truth.
The Storm at Sea
Far away, Bhai Makhan Shah Lubana, a devout Sikh and a rich trader, was at sea.
A violent storm struck!
A sailor shouted:
“The ship is sinking! Nothing can save us now!”
Makhan Shah wiped his hands and face. He sat still… and began to recite Japji Sahib.
“O Waheguru, you’ve saved me before… You can save me again. My Guru can land this boat.”
And Waheguru did. The ship steadied. Makhan Shah promised:
“If my Guru saves me, I will offer 500 gold coins.”
The Search for the True Guru
Makhan Shah reached Delhi, and heard people saying,
“Before merging into the Divine Light, Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji gave guidance, the next light of Guru Nanak is in Baba Bakala.”
Without delay, he gathered his family — his wife, his sons Lal Chand and Nand Lal, and 500 of his men and set off toward Baba Bakala.
But what did he find?
Masands (boasting):
“I am the Guru!”
“No, I am the Guru!”
Makhan Shah was sad. These claimants felt greedy, not divine.
Makhan Shah began visiting each claimant in Baba Bakala. Still, he tested each one by placing just 2 coins in front of each. But none asked for more. None revealed the secret.
His heart began to ache. So many pretenders. So many shops. So many thrones.
But not one felt like the true Guru.
Makhan Shah said to himself:
“Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji’s bachan cannot be false. The sun may cool, the mountains may fly, but my Guru’s word — never false.
The Guru who stilled my storm... will take the daswandh Himself. Not by asking. Not by force. But by knowing.
The True Guru never demands — the True Guru receives seva, from the heart.”
The Quiet Sodhi
A young boy whispered:
“There’s a quiet Sodhi here. People call him ‘Tegha Kamla’. He doesn’t meet anyone.”
Makhan Shah’s heart raced. Could this be the one?
At sunset, he found a modest home. Inside, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sat silently with eyes closed.
He placed two gold coins at the feet of the quiet, radiant Guru.
He waited.
But the Guru said nothing.
Then, without a word, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji removed the sheet from his shoulder.
There! A deep wound, where a nail had pierced his skin, turning green.
He looked at Makhan Shah and said:
“My Guru Nanak did not let your ship sink…
Then why this greed? Why hide the Guru’s Daswandh? Look, on our shoulders.”
Guru Ladho Re!
Makhan Shah’s heart burst with joy. Tears streamed down his face.
“You are the True Guru! Guru Ladho Re! Guru Ladho Re!”
(I have found the Guru!)
He climbed the rooftop, waved his scarf in the air, and shouted with joy —
“Guru Ladho Re!”
The True Guru’s Light
From that day on, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s light was known to the world.
He continued his journey to Amritsar, Goindwal, and beyond — spreading the teachings of truth, humility, and courage.
He gave us 59 Shabads and 57 Saloks — full of wisdom and love.
Let us always remember...
The boat of life can shake,
But with Naam and Guru’s grace,
It always reaches the shore.