7th Difficult Night
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Some time went by and Mata Ji became courageous. She went to Sri Amritsar Sahib. There she met Sahib Raam-Koer Ji (aka Bhai Gurbaksh Singh). Mata Ji heard all about Guru Sahib’s Jyothee Jyoth. Sahib Raam-Koer Ji was close to Guru Sahib. Sahib Ji were the Epitome of Divine Love. Both, complete in Spiritual Wisdom and a perfect Brahmgiaanee. They were with Guru Sahib in the last few years and went to the South with them as well. Sahib Ji’s Mother visited the South to meet Guru Sahib. Guru Sahib had commanded Sahib Ji and Their Mata Ji to do Parchaar of Sikhi. Sahib Ji went back to Their Town of Sri Amritsar Sahib. The Elder in their lineage was Baba Buddha Ji. So they went to the very place associated with Baba Ji. Sahib Ji conducted Katha and wrote about the lives of the Ten Guru Sahibs. It is said that these writings were requested from Sri Amritsar Sahib by the King of Kaithhal and then became the basis of Kavi Santokh Singh Ji’s Gur Prathaap Sooraj Granth. It is said that this writing went to Kaithhal and never returned to Sri Amritsar Sahib. Mata Sabhraaee Ji arrived at Sri Amritsar Sahib during the afternoon when Bhai Raam-Koer Ji used to pen this granth (between both morning and evening diwan). Sahib Ji’s Life was also quite wonderful. Immersed in the Loving Connection as if they were intoxicated but when they explained history then they became a great scholar which you could not challenge. Mata Ji spent these days having darshan of this great beloved Gursikh who remained like a lotus flower in this world – detached yet still living among it all. Sahib Ji met Mata Ji with great respect as if Mata Sabhraaee Ji were their own mother. They honoured Mata Ji greatly and fulfilled Mata Ji’s eager desire to hear Satguru Ji’s history.
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Mata Ji heard about the event of Guru Sahib leaving Their Physical Body: that a weapon pierced Maharaj’s 5 Elemental Flesh, Maharaj had their robes prepared, Maharaj had let go over their armoured body and prepared for leaving as if they were getting ready to wed [they rode on a horse with great fervour]. Knowing Death to be a joke, Maharaj had played the trumpet of death themselves. Hearing about Guru Sahib’s Preparation, Mata Ji only went into Chardi Kalaa and stayed in these high spiritual states. That which Mata Ji was lovingly connected to was now perfected. Mata Ji took on the Colours of a Brahmgiani. Mata Ji stayed there for a bit before going back home.
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After wearing the cloth of her body for a while after this, Mata Ji began to say: 'These clothes are old now, they are not worth keeping'
but Mata Ji’s Faith and internal state were of the following:
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੁਢੇ ਕਦੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥
Gurmukh[i] Butdae Kadhae Naahee, Jinaa A[n]thar[i] Surath[i] Giaan[u]
The Gurmukh does not age, the ones who are always internally connected to spiritual wisdom
(Dhan Dhan Guru Amardas Sahib Ji, Salok Vaaran Thae Vadhheek)
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The Sun of Spiritual Wisdom shone, and the clothes became old and became complete. Slowly, that night came when the clothes were going to collapse and the separated being was going to fly.
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Mata Ji was lying on a clean white bed. Sat-Sangat were sitting nearby. Her eyes were closed but opened sometime. Outside it appeared like a glorious samaadhee while internally Mata Ji was in the colours of:
ਆਪੈ ਆਪੁ ਖਾਇ ਹਉ ਮੇਟੈ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਰਸ ਗੀਤ ਗਵਈਆ ॥
Aapai Aap[u] Khaae[i] Ho[u] Maetai Andhin[u] Har[i] Ras Geeth Gavaeeaa
The one who eliminates self-centredness and erases the ego,
They sing the Praises of Vaheguru all-day
(Dhan Dhan Guru Ramdaas Ji Maharaj in Raag Bilaaval, Ang 833)
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Mata Ji was in the Tastes of Wonder, when...suddenly, Mata Ji thought: "Oh! I am about to die" but after a moment her eyes opened and she saw that the SatSangat are sitting around her and the moon’s moonlight was casting. Mata Ji said:
“Brothers and sisters! Did anyone say? Oh, I am about to die? I felt as if I had heard someone say: ‘Oh I am about to die’ Oh loved ones! Have pity on me and send me to my in-laws with happiness! I am going to the Country of my Beloved Vaheguru’s Form. Who dies? I am going to my In-Laws, double the dowry when you send me! Do Ardaasaa for me:
ਦੇਹੁ ਸਜਣ ਅਸੀਸੜੀਆ ਜਿਉ ਹੋਵੈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸਿਉ ਮੇਲੁ ॥੩॥
Dhaeh[u] SajaN Aseesarreeaa Jio[u] Hovai Saahib Sio[u] Mael[u]
Please give me your well-wishes, so that I can meet my Master
(Sohila Sahib)
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At this time, everyone completed one Japji Sahib and then did an Ardaas. Mata Ji connected once more, she was intoxicated in the Divine Light mingling with itself. In this Union, Mata Ji was truly intoxicated and became careless in which she let out some tears of joy. Mata Ji’s eyes were closing and opening. The Amrit was just pouring. When she closed her eyes, she became one with Vaheguru... when she woke up... she saw this world’s Sat-Sang:
ਕਬਹੂ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਇਹੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
Kabahoo Saadhhsa[n]gath[i] Eih[u] Paavai
Sometimes, this being attains Saadh-Sangat
ਉਸੁ ਅਸਥਾਨ ਤੇ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥
Us Asthhaan Thae Bahur[i] n Aavai
In this place, one will not return into another birth
ਅੰਤਰਿ ਹੋਇ ਗਿਆਨ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ॥
A[n]thar[i] Hoe[i] Giaan Pargaas[u]
Internally, spiritual wisdom will become visible
ਉਸੁ ਅਸਥਾਨ ਕਾ ਨਹੀ ਬਿਨਾਸੁ ॥
Us Asthhaan Kaa Nahee Binaas[u]
This Place is Indestructible
ਮਨ ਤਨ ਨਾਮਿ ਰਤੇ ਇਕ ਰੰਗਿ ॥
Man Than Naam[i] Rathae Ik Ra[n]g[i]
The mind and body are imbued in the colour of Naam
ਸਦਾ ਬਸਹਿ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ॥
Sadhaa Basah[i] Paarbraham Kai Sa[n]g[i]
One is always in Vaheguru-Paarbrahm’s Company
ਜਿਉ ਜਲ ਮਹਿ ਜਲੁ ਆਇ ਖਟਾਨਾ ॥
Jio[u] Jal Mah[i] Jal[u] Aae[i] Khataanaa
Just like water comes to blend in water
ਤਿਉ ਜੋਤੀ ਸੰਗਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਾਨਾ ॥
Thio[u] Jothee Sa[n]g[i] Joth[i] Samaanaa
[or] like the light merges back into the light it came from
ਮਿਟਿ ਗਏ ਗਵਨ ਪਾਏ ਬਿਸ੍ਰਾਮ ॥
Mit[i] Ga-ae Gavan Paa-ae Bisraam
One does not have to return again and has found a place of rest
ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਦ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ॥੮॥੧੧॥
Nanak Prabh Kai Sadh Kurbaan
Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji: always be a sacrifice to Vaheguru
(Sri Sukhmani Sahib)
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Oh! This is the night which people often say 'Oh me! Oh Me! That night which causes many to suffer, it is that night which hits like a snakebite and they lose themselves in hopelessness and darkness... but the glory of the SatSang, having heard of the life of Guru Sahib, Sahib Ram-Koer Ji’s Sangat, Divine Love, and Wisdom... Mata Ji was in such peaceful colours. Just Utter Peace was Shining from her, its like after walking along a river that was thousands and thousands of miles long, Mata Ji was falling into the King of the Ocean. In the Peaceful Company, Mata Ji immersed herself in this Bliss:
ਕਬੀਰ ਜਿਸੁ ਮਰਨੇ ਤੇ ਜਗੁ ਡਰੈ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਆਨੰਦੁ ॥
Kabeer Jis[u] Marnai Thae Jag[u] Darai Maerae Man Aana[n]dh[u]
Bhagat Kabeer Ji: that death which everyone is afraid of,
It brings me bliss
ਮਰਨੇ ਹੀ ਤੇ ਪਾਈਐ ਪੂਰਨੁ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦੁ ॥੨੨॥
Marnae Hee Thae Paaeeai Pooran[u] Paramaana[n]dh[u]
From this type of death can attain the Perfect Ultimate Spiritual Bliss
(Bhagat Kabeer Ji’s Saloks, Ang 1365)
Mata Ji is understanding the map drawn out by this shabad.
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It was now Amrit Vela and Sukhmani Sahib was being sung at a normal volume and melody. When the 21st Ashtapadhee came:
ਸਰਗੁਨ ਨਿਰਗੁਨ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧੀ ਆਪਿ ॥
Sargun Nirgun Nira[n]kaar Sun[n] Samaadhhee Aap[i]
Vaheguru in Form, Vaheguru in Formless, Vaheguru Independent of Form, Vaheguru in the Ultimate Void State... it is all Vaheguru - Themselves
ਆਪਨ ਕੀਆ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਫਿਰਿ ਜਾਪਿ ॥੧॥
Aapan Keeaa Nanakaa Aapae Hee Phir Jaap[i]
Vaheguru has done it all!
Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji: Vaheguru is the One who causes remembrance
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Then Mata Ji’s Colour changed. Her eyes opened as some Divine Breath had escaped. In all four directions, the sound of “Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh” came. Mata Ji’s Eyes closed, and the redness in Mata Ji’s face began to glow and increase. When Paathi Singh recited:
ਨਾਨਕ ਇਹ ਗੁਣਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੁਖਮਨੀ ॥੮॥੨੪॥
Nanak Eih GuN Naam[u] Sukhmanee
Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji:
Through these Qualities... [received from this Bani]
Do we call the Naam: Sukh-Manee [Jewel of Peace]
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... and bowed his head then Mata Ji’s Physical Breaths had ended. Mata Ji’s Face turned into a deep Kesar/Saffron colour. Mata Ji began her trip but finished her journey here. The Mata Ji who attained Internal Peace completed her 7th Night. That night – which was filled with joy for the Enjoyers of the Sweet Taste of Naam and the most difficult night for worldly people – had now passed:
ਭਉਜਲੁ ਬਿਖਮੁ ਅਸਗਾਹੁ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਪਾਰਿ ਪਾਹਿ ॥
Bho[u]jal[u] Bikham[u] Asgaah[u] GurSabadhee Paar Paah[i]
The terrifying, dangerous, unpassable ocean of this world is crossed over
through Guru’s Shabad
(Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji in Raag Ramkali, Ang 961)
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Note: Within this world, death is never going to leave us and the separation from our loved ones is always going to remain fresh. The teachings of these nights will always act as medicine for those afflicted with separation.
(Baba Nodhh Singh)
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La Fin/The End/Ith[i]
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