Introduction to Aadh Guru Granth Bhagat Mala
These short stories have been taken from Aadh Guru Granth Bhagat Mala and translated into English. The purpose of translating these stories is to provide understanding and emphasize its significance when reciting Gurbaani and Bhai Gurdas Ji Vaaran.
The Sikh Gurus, Bhagats and Bhatt (bards) within Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji have made references to various great saints and disciples who existed at the time of the Hindu deities in different Yugas. These narratives are presented not to venerate Hindu deities; rather, they serve solely as references to illustrate the value of faith and understanding the importance of meditating upon the Lord’s Name.
The stories provide examples from the lives of many revered saints, aristocrats and common people serving as parallels for understanding the power and immense greatness of the One Lord, Vaheguru. They highlight the importance of living by faith and Dharma, and how meditation upon the Primal Lord leads to liberation from sin and misfortune.
The Story of Ajraja
Raja Aj was the father of Dasrat (father of Ram Chandar) and was the grandfather of Ram Chandar. He would purposely donate horse manure to a Sadhu because at this time, Sadhus often went from place to place asking people for alms. Raja Aj would get annoyed at their constant begging.
He felt that they did not deserve anything. Whenever a Sadhu came to the Raja, he would always give the Sadhus horse manure out of anger.
The Sadhu was angered by this and cursed the Raja. It is said that the manure that the Raja donated, Raja Aj was made to eat it, leading him to weep in shame.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji refers to this story in His Baani (Raag Prabhatee) as an example of false charity and how treating saintly people wrongly will ultimately lead to circumstances that Raja Aj faced.
ਅਜੈ ਸੁ ਰੋਵੈ ਭੀਖਿਆ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਐਸੀ ਦਰਗਹ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਜਾਇ ॥
Ajai cried and wept, when he was to eat the manure, he had given,
pretending it was charity.
(Guru Nanak Dev Ji; GGSJ: Ang 953)
The Story of Akrur
ਉਧੌ ਅਕ੍ਰੂਰੁ ਬਿਦਰੁ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵੈ ਸਰਬਾਤਮੁ ਜਿਨਿ ਜਾਣਿਓ ॥
Oudho, Akrur, Bidar sing the glorious praises of Guru Nanak, who knows the Lord, the Soul of All.
(Bhatt Kal; GGSJ: Ang 1389)
Akrur was the uncle of Raja Kans. Raja Kans was a self-centered person, who felt threatened by religious people. Akrur was the complete opposite to him; he was a person who practiced dharma and righteousness.
Raja Kans heard that a deity's son, whose name was Krishna, was alive. He was young and very strong. He felt threatened and was scared that Krishna would come and kill him. He planned to call Krishna to his kingdom and have him killed. He did not realise that Krishna was a powerful deity but saw him as a normal human being.
Kans called Akrur to his palace and said, “I have heard that in Gokal someone called Krishna is here. I have heard he is a brave and strong warrior. Bring him to me!”
Upon hearing this, Akrur became happy he was going to meet Krishna. He prayed that Krishna would abolish Raja Kans' ego. Akrur heard that Krishna was an incarnation of Vishnu. On his way he began to think about what he would say to Krishna, how he would greet Krishna. He was upset with himself that he was going to meet Krishna to ask him to challenge Raja Kans in a fight. He did not want Krishna to think badly of him.
On arriving at the house of Krishna, Akrur fell at his feet and said, “You are the knower of all hearts. Please forgive me! Kans has arranged a fair. There will be contests between the strongest warriors and men. I have come to invite you to the fair.”
Krishna became happy and got his armour all ready. He made his way with Akrur and his friend, Balram. Krishna's army got ready and made their way to the River Jamuna. The River Jamuna was deep. Krishna stepped on the River Jammu and made the river shrink. It became so small that the entire army was able to cross the river. After crossing the river, Akrur felt slight guilt that he played a part in bringing Krishna here. He was concerned that Krishna and his army would be killed.
A wrestling match was set between Krishna and Kans in the city, Mathura. Kans was killed, and his father Ugarsain was released from the prison where Kans had confined him out of ego. Krishna returned the rightful kingdom to Ugarsain. Ugarsain thanked Krishna and gave all his wealth to him. He became a great devotee of Krishna.
On the other hand, although Kans was killed by Krishna, he had very loyal men. They kidnapped Kans' wife and blamed Akrur. They told people that Akrur killed Kans. People began to blame Akrur and began to gossip about him. Akrur became so hurt by the comments people made about him that he left Mathura.
Akrur went to a village, where two women Aman and Shanti lived; whoever stayed with these women used to die. Akrur stayed with these women, but nothing happened to him because he remained in full meditation upon the Lord. In the village Mathura, there was a new ruler, who brought great pain and distress to many people's lives.
Thousands flocked to see Krishna and asked him to bring back Akrur, for he will be able to help them. They asked for forgiveness and vowed that they would not slander the Lord's devotees anymore. Krishna agreed and brought Akrur back to Mathura. Akrur brought peace and harmony to the village, he taught the people of Mathura to remember the Lord in pain and peace and to stop slandering one another. Mathura became a very peaceful and holy place, where the Lord's name was chanted by all.
