During his tour to the east Guru Teg Bahadur visited Assam. Raja Ram of Assam had no son, He and his queen were very sad on that account. They heard of the Gurus arrival. They heard his praises from all who had seen him. They decided to see the Guru. They felt sure that he could grant them the gift of as on. They came to Guru Teg Bahadur, They said to him, O true Guru, you rant the wishes of all your devotees. Be pleased to grant our wish, too. Please grant us the boon of a son’.

Guru Teg Bahadur blessed the couple. He prayed for them. He said to them, God will grant your wish, you will get a son. Pray to him every day, from the core of your hearts, God heard their prayers. He granted their wish. A son was born to them. In due course, they called him Ratan Rai. Raja Ram died when the prince was only seven years old. When Ratan Rai became twelve years of age, he said one day to his mother, “You have often told me that Gura Teg Bahadur got you the gift of a son. He blessed you. He prayed for you. Because of those blessings and prayers I was born to you. How good and gracious he was! How lucky you were to meet him! How lucky should I have been to see him! But you tell me that he is no more in this world. You tell me that he laid down his life in order to save the Hindu religion, how great and noble he was! His son, Guru Gobind Rai now occupies his seat; I would like very much to have a sight of him. Let us go.

His mother agreed most readily and joyfully. Preparations were made for the long journey to Anandpur. The prince and his mother got ready a number of faring’s to be made to the Guru. The prince felt very glad to behold them. He praised them to his mother. She said to him, Dear son, be careful. Don’t let pride enter your heart don’t begin to feel proud to think that you are making such good and costly presents. All that we have is God’s gift. All of it belongs to the Guru and God. We are going to offer him some out of all that they have granted to us. The Guru is pleased with what is offered with humility and love. Even a small present so offered is dear to him. Most costly presents made with pride and self-praise are not pleasing to him. Be humble, therefore. Pray that all these offerings be accepted by the Guru.

Raja Ratan Rai set out for Anandpur. He was accompanied by his mother and several of his ministers and darbaris. In due course they reached the sacred city; they were given a hearty welcome. The Raja offered his presents to the Guru, They consisted of the following; five strong, beautiful horses with golden trappings; a very small but very intelligent elephant; a weapon out of which five sorts of arms could be made a pistol, a sword, a lance, a dagger and a club; a throne from which puppets could be made to come out and play chaupar; a drinking cup of great value; and several costly and beautiful jewels and dresses.

After presenting these offerings to the Guru, Raja Ratan Rai said, O true Guru, be pleased to accept these humble offerings. They are a very little part of what you and God have conferred on us. Be pleased further to grant me the gift of the Sikh faith and sincerity. The Guru granted all his desires. The Raja felt immensely pleased.

The Raj then proceeded to show the excellence and advantages of his presents. First of all, he showed how five sorts of arms could be made from the weapon presented by him. It was pistol to begin with; The Raja pressed a spring attached to the weapons. It took the form of a sword, He pressed the spring again. The weapon changed into a lance. He pressed the spring once more, the weapon became a dagger. He pressed the spring again. The weapon took the form of a club. When the spring was pressed once more, the weapon was again a pistol.

The Raja then placed the throne before the Guru. It was very beautiful. He pressed a spring attached to it. At one puppets came out of the throne. They began to play chaupar. The Raja then presented the

Elephant. He was small but very intelligent. He was black as coal. A white stipe stretched from the tip of his trunk, along the forehead and back, right to the end of his tail, The Raja caused the elephant to wipe the Gurus shoes and place them in or der for him. The Raja then requested the Guru to discharge an arrow. As he did so, the elephant went running after it, and brought it back. The animal then held a jug of water with which the Gurus feet were washed. Then he wiped them with a towel. At the Rajas word of command, the elephant took a chauri and waved it over the Guru. At night, the elephant took two lighted torches in his trunk. In this way, he lighted the path of the Guru and the Raja. The Raja prayed that the elephant should ever remain in the service of the Guru alone.

The Raja stayed at Anandpur for about five months. He was of about  the same age as the Guru, whose  company charmed him, He accompanied the Guru on his hunting trips, He wished to be ever in the Gurus presence. But he had his duties at home. He had to leave. When he | was ready to depart the Guru said to him, “True worship consists in doing ones duty honestly and diligently. At the same time, the inmost thoughts should be firmly fixed on God. A ruler should regard all his subjects as his own children; He should be just and kind to them all. He should do his utmost to make them happy. If you do all this, God will be pleased with you. He will confer on you peace, happiness and glory. I shall be ever with you. The Guru gave the Raja suitable parting gifts. The Raja and his successors held the gifts in great respect.

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Article extracted from this publication >> November 8, 1991