For some time all was quiet. Then Satwant Kaur handed a sheet of paper to Fatima and said, “Read this carefully. It will be your guide and help in the days to come.”
It was a copy of Prashnotra of Bhai Nand Lal, the rehatnama in which was listed the daily code of conduct to be followed by the Sikhs:
"All Sikhs must arise at dawn and recite Waheguru’s Naam with love in their hearts. After a batch, they must recite the Gurbani-Japji and Jaap Sahib. In the evening they must listen to Rehraas, as well as to kirtan and katha which will bring them nearer to Waheguru. This routine must be maintained diligently, for in this way they will feel the bliss which only the love of God can provide."
The document continued:
"A Sikh must have complete faith in the Guru’s word (shabad), must visit the gurdwara regularly, must serve his guru with his heart and soul, and work towards a greater closeness with his brethren. Such a gursikh is welcome in the Lord’s presence and achieves eternal bliss."
Fatima listened to Satwant Kaur with rapt attention. She had received three invaluable gifts to help and guide her:
*Recitation of Gurbani and Mool Mantar.
*Remembering the name of the Lord-Waheguru-Naam Simran.
*Rehat or basics of the Sikh way of life.
Armed with these, she set out on the straight path of Sikhism:
Gurmukh gaadi rah chalaya
(Var Bhai Gurdas 40.11)
(The devotee sets out on the straight path)
Beloved Khalsas, treat each other with love and sympathy. Do not harbour doubts and suspicions about your Sikh brothers.
Senapti, Guru Gobind Singh’s poet, has written:
Khalsa Khaas kahawaiy soee
Jankay hirdaiy bharam na hoee
Bharam beikh tey rahaiy niyara
So Khalsa Satguru hamara.
(from Gur Sobha by Senapti)
(He is called the Khalsa, whose mind is free from illusion. He who is above illusion, rituals and formalism, such Khalsa is true one.)
Another ill which has become prevalent these days is indifference towards satsang, which leads to arrogance. There is no respect for the truly religious person and true devotees are often equated with frauds. These grave errors are eroding the spirituality of the Sikh Panth.
People of little learning project themselves on par with the ten Guru Sahibs and manage to drive away the true believers. It is imperative to shun such hypocrites and pretenders. We must always wish and pray for the company of gurmukh and sadh-people who treat the Sikh path with sincerity and devotion:
Gurmukh Da Mael, Sadh da Sang (ardas)
(O Lord! Grant us the company of the devotees and the society of the elevated ones.)
Fatima now got up. She had to be in her room before everyone awoke. She felt radiant joy and thankfulness. Her eyes filled with tears and in a rush of emotion she fell at Satwant Kaur’s feet, who quickly held her in her arms in a warm embrace. “Bibi, you are my friend, and must behave like one. I want you to be strong and firm in your faith, and only bow to the one Lord,” Satwant Kaur said gently.
Fatima apologized for her impetuosity and after a few more words she left. Satwant Kaur now sat thinking. She too had become very fond of Fatima and was feeling the pang of parting from her. But she soon rallied and reminded herself of Kabir’s words:
Kabir – Kabir Sikh sakha bahutey keeay
Keso keeyo na meet,
Chalet they Hari Milan kau
Beechaiy atkyo cheet
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ang 1369)
(Kabir: I have gathered a large following, but befriended not God I want to meet my God but the way was barred by the mind.)
‘This attachment with Fatima must not become a liability for me,’ Satwant Kaur told herself, ‘It is all right to feel love for another because without mutual affection, trust and friendship cannot develop. Whatever has happened is God’s will and the grace of Guru Nanak Dev. I have acted according to his wishes’. Sawant Kaur became immersed in the loving recitation of ‘Dhan Guru Nanak, Dhan Guru Nanak’.
To be continued...
