n this article, we will delve into Part Two of Saakhi #11 of the Sikha Di Bhagat Maala Series. This series explores the life stories of Gursikhs from the time of Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Arjan Dev Ji, as written by Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh Ji.

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The Story of Bhai Jiva Ji

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Bhai Jiva Ji became a Sikh after being in the presence of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and he was blessed to serve Guru Angad Dev Ji in Sri Khadur Sahib. The seva assigned to Bhai Jiva Ji was to prepare Guru Angad Dev Ji’s Langar (food) every day and serve it to Guru Sahib Ji. Guru Sahib Ji’s routine was very simple, and they used to eat very modest meals. For breakfast, Guru Sahib Ji would have Khichri (lentils and rice boiled together) and Dahi (yogurt).

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Bhai Jiva Ji’s responsibility was to prepare the Langar at their home and then bring it for Guru Sahib Ji at Sri Khadur Sahib. 

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Serving Guru Sahib Ji 

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One day, it started raining heavily. The downpour was so intense that it was impossible for Bhai Jiva Ji, who lived far from Guru Sahib Ji, to deliver the food without getting wet and spoiling it. It was already time for Guru Sahib Ji’s breakfast.

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Bhai Jiva Ji was worried, knowing Guru Sahib Ji’s punctuality. Guru Sahib Ji would be waiting for the Langar to arrive. So, Bhai Jiva Ji stood up, folded his hands, and did an Ardaas, “O Protector of the meek, Vaheguru, please stop the rain so I can come and serve you with Langar.” The rain stopped, and Bhai Jiva Ji proceeded to Guru Sahib Ji’s place and served them. However, when Bhai Jiva Ji placed the meal in front of Guru Sahib Ji, they did not eat it.

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Nature is within Vaheguru’s Command

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Bhai Jiva Ji wondered if this was because he was late. He became concerned. Then, Guru Sahib Ji said to Bhai Jiva Ji, “Today, I will not eat the Langar that you have prepared because you have gone against Hukam (the law of Vaheguru).”

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Guru Angad Dev Ji blessed Bhai Jiva Ji with a lesson. They said, “You did an Ardaas to Vaheguru to stop the rain so that you could serve me, but did you know that it is because of this rain that many ships can sail on the ocean? Without the heavy winds and downpour, many ships would be stranded in the ocean, unable to reach the shore.”

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Guru Sahib Ji further explained, “The bodies of snakes are heated with poison; they remain hidden in the earth, suffering in the scorching heat. Rain is the water source for the snakes to quench their heat and thirst. When you did an Ardaas to stop the rain, you didn’t allow the snakes to drink the water and quench their thirst to cool down their bodies.”

Everything is within Hukam

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Gurbani tells us that everything including the rain, the wind, the sun, and all of nature works within Hukam (the law of Vaheguru). 

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ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥

Everyone is subject to His Command; no one is beyond His Command.

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Sometimes, we might complain when things don’t happen according to our wishes. We might be running late for work, and if it starts raining, we become tense, forgetting that even if a little inconvenience is caused to us, this rain is important for some other creature or some other process to be completed. Nature serves everyone, and everybody has to live within Hukam.

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Embracing Hukam

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Guru Sahib Ji explained to Bhai Jiva Ji that as Sikhs, our duty is to remain within Hukam. Guru Sahib Ji said, "Even if you had brought my Langar one and a half hours late, I would have waited; however, we must accept Hukam with love.”

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Just as when a couple is together, they commit to each other and listen to each other, we as servants of Vaheguru must remain under His command and never question His will.

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We might question the world’s judgement or the decisions made by worldly rulers because they are bound to make mistakes, but Vaheguru makes no mistakes.

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ਭੁਲਣ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਅਭੁਲੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਕਰਤਾਰੁ ॥

Everyone makes mistakes; only the Guru and the Creator are infallible.

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Guru Sahib Ji said to Bhai Jiva Ji that if you wish to attain liberation, you must live in loving acceptance of Vaheguru’s Hukam. Bhai Jiva Ji accepted Guru Sahib Ji’s teachings and served them their whole life. Bhai Jiva Ji attained liberation by accepting God’s will. 

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- End of Sakhi of Bhai Jiva Ji, Sikh of Guru Nanak Dev Ji -

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