by SS Gurvinderpal Singh Chaudry, Espanola NM
Summer 2013
Sri Guru Hargobind Maharaj was the only child of Arjan Mal, Dhan Sri Guru Arjan Dev, grandson of Sri Guru Ram Daas Ji. To prepare for conceiving Guru Hargobind, his mother Mata Ganga, the wife of Guru Arjan Dev, went barefoot and in deepest humility to Baba Buddha Ji. He told her she would be blessed with a son.
Baba Buddha Ji told her that her son (Guru Hargobind) would some day smash/destroy the egos of those on the battlefield, much like how Baba Buddha Ji ripped open a red onion to eat with his saag (spinach) and maakhi di roti (garbanzo bean flour) that had been prepared by Mata Ganga, and served to him with utmost love and humility.
Even after such a boon by the blessed Gursikh Baba Buddha Ji, the young Guru Hargobind would face his share of hardships with utter grace and consciousness, surviving multiple attempts on his young life. His uncle, Prithi Chand had a strong sense of entitlement, believing that since he was the eldest son of Guru Ram Das, he was cheated out of his birthright to the Guruship when Guru Arjan, who was the youngest son of Guru Ram Das, was made Guru.
Even after Guru Ram Das appointed Arjan Mal to be the next Guru, Prithi Chand carried so much jealousy and rage that he determined to destroy the lineage of Guru Arjan Dev Ji and place himself next in the line of succession.
After Hargobind was born, Prithi Chand conceived the most devious plots to end his life. He attacked the infant physically but each such attack was thwarted. He then resorted to black magic, cursing the baby with disease that placed him at death’s door.
Guru Arjan and Bibi Ganga prayed and meditated and asked Waheguru to help break the black tantric curse on their child, and through Guru’s Grace the fever/disease was broken. Guru Arjan wrote about the account in the Shabd:
Gratitude and Acceptance
Throughout the turmoil and chaos, Guru Hargobind remained in a place of gratitude and acceptance. Through his healing and clearing of the past, he was able to face his life and karma with pure grace and courage. It is amazing to contemplate that even at death’s door, one can possess the ability to surrender and endure extreme external challenges accepted on earth by his or her soul. To endure them with one’s neutral mind intact is simply amazing and perhaps a bit bewildering.
I must admit that I envy Guru Hargobind. I recently discovered in my own meditations that I harbor quite a bit of anger towards God over experiences I had growing up. I am grateful for those experiences as if they had not come, I would not be walking on this path with my Guru now. At the same time, some were so traumatic that they continue to affect my beliefs, actions and thoughts.
It is frustrating when in meditation I see the child part of me who still has not felt the love and unconditional support my adult self knows, leaving me in a place of duality. The challenge is dropping it and simply allowing myself to be. Guru Hargobind was able to crystallize the wisdom of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji through Guru Arjan Dev Ji, and was blessed to be the very embodiment of Miri Piri Di Malik ( ਮੀਰੀ ਪੀਰੀ ਦੀ ਮਾਲਿਕ ), the One who brings the heavens to the earth or lifts the earth to the heavens.
Guru Hargobind, with the blessing of Miri and Piri, grew to the height of 7’4” and rode on two horses. He raised the earth to the heavens by mandating that his Sikhs take up and train in arms and prepare for battle, thus getting them into their physical bodies.
As the heavens showered grace upon all, Guru Hargobind was able to ground the auras of his Sikhs deep into the earth so the grace and prosperity could be absorbed from the ground and spread over the Punjab. By arms training and by walking the talk, he was able to ground the energy from the higher chakras/heavens and bring them back to the ground, thus creating a complete cycle of energy and consciousness.
Forgiving the Past
I am going through a similar process in my development; not to the great extent of Sri Guru Hargobind Ji, but still using arms training to ground myself more into my body and the earth. I have used Muay Thai, a mixed martial art from Thailand, and archery for creating discipline of projection while maintaining a stance and breathing through the mental chatter and physical pain.
I spent most of my life floating and spaced out of my own body to avoid dealing with the pains of my past. I hardly kept my word or followed through with commitment and if I did follow through it was only done partially. This lifestyle can be problematic in the sense that one may receive great insight and intuition from Guru Sahib while in the Ethers/Akashic realm, but it comes at the cost of having no means to sustain oneself on the earth.
It becomes difficult to maintain the discipline of Grisht (householder lifestyle). One becomes more docile and unwilling to stand up for him/herself, pushed around by others, and unable to establish boundaries recognizing the value of one’s own life.
Just now as I prayed to Guru Hargobind about what I should write, I was guided to state: “If you don’t value your breath, prayer, thought, word, deeds, body, soul, or life, then no one else will.” These are the words that came through and the message I share.
This is the very essence of what Guru Hargobind lived and how he wants us to live as Ministers of this Dharma, our Dharma; that we are to value ourselves, and make our own growth a priority, and hold ourselves with compassion and without judgment.
We are to value ourselves, and make our own growth a priority, and hold ourselves with compassion and without judgment. Then and only then will be able to forgive the past, and move forth. In walking our path in this way, there will be a ripple effect, and blessings will spread to all, by Guru’s Grace.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Rabh Rakha (May the Universe Cover & Provide)
Abour the Author
SS Gurvinderpal Singh Chaudry is an ordained Sikh Dharma Minister. He serves on the Sant Sipahi (Security) Missal at the Hacienda de Guru Ram Das. Gurvinderpal Singh holds a Masters in Public Administration and teaches Kundalini Yoga and Gong Meditations, and has studied the sacred technology of Gurmukhi, Naad and Shabd Guru.
