Guru Hargobind knew that now was time to prepare an army of saint-soldiers. He understood that it was necessary for the defense of the Sikhs and of the Dharma. He would never attack anyone, but if someone made war, his Sikhs must be able to defend themselves and to defend others. Guru Hargobind is a beautiful saint and the Sikhs love him very much, we say, "Guru ji, may we be at your feet, you are the True emperor, you are the True King."

     The Emperor of India at that time was Jahangir. Emperor Jahangir heard some slander from an enemy of the Guru, "Guru Arjun was killed by your orders, your majesty. His son, Hargobind, is now the Guru. He's making preparations for war! He keeps a strong army, he wants to take revenge for his fathers death. He wants to be king himself, he already calls himself the 'True King'. He lives like a king and he cares for no one." But the emperor had also heard good things about the Guru from his advisers, "I pray your Majesty, do not listen to anyone who speaks bad about the Guru, The Guru has no desire for empire. He always meditates on the Name of God, he is wealthy and famous because of God's gift."

     So the emperor asked to see the Guru. When he met the Guru, emperor Jahangir was impressed. Even more than that, one day when a tiger attacked the emperor while he was out walking with the Guru! Everyone was really afraid, but Guru Hargobind jumped off his horse blocked the ferocious tiger with his shield and then ended the tigers life. Jahangir thought, "I am so grateful! No one could stop that tiger but the Guru saved my life." What do you think the emperor would have done if the Guru wasn't there to save his life?

     Even though he admired Guru Hargobind, he still had some doubts. He still had fear in him. One time he asked Guru ji, "O Guru, I've been told that you are supposed to be a holy man but instead you do worldly things. You make your Sikhs call you the True Emperor, but I am the emperor. Your Sikhs call me a false king. Isn't this true?" Guru ji explained to him that he was following the example of Guru Nanak and how it was his duty to take care of the Sikhs both spiritually and physically, "I love my Sikhs, and they love me. I can not stop them from saying these things with such love. It is by saying these things that love expresses itself in words, it is only natural. I have never told anyone to call me a True Emperor, in Guru Nanak's house God is the only Emperor."

     The emperor heard this but he was not satisfied. They went to their different tents. Later that day a poor young grass cutter from that area heard that the Guru was nearby! He immediately came to the Guru's camp, "Is the True Emperor here?! I heard he is near, please tell me where he is." They thought he was talking about Jahangir, "Oh yes, the emperor is sitting under the shade of that tree right over there." The grass cutter ran over there and put a penny in front of the emperor. He thought he was the Guru and he fell at his feet and prayed, "O True Emperor, all other kings are false. They rule for a short time, Your rule is forever and is beyond this world. Bless my soul, wash away my karmas, bring me in to your house of wisdom of light. It is you who can give true protection, it is YOU who saves!" Jahangir looked around and said, "This man wants me to bless his soul and save him from spiritual darkness, I do not have the power to do that. I can not even save my own life, how will I save his soul?"

     In that moment he saw for himself that it is the Sikhs who called the Guru "True Emperor." Jahangir admitted to the grass-cutter, "I am not the True Emperor, I am false, your True King is over there." The Grass-cutter picked up his penny and ran to where the Guru sat, "O Guru...." He prayed at the feet of the Guru and Guru ji blessed him, "Always be sweet and humble in your words and actions. Love everyone and hate no one. Work honestly and share whatever you have. Always be good to others and always be fair to everyone. God is with you every moment of your life. Remember God in every moment. Obey the teachings of the Guru. You will be happy in this world and in the next world."

     All kings, emperors and rulers are under God's power. Recite the Name of God and become satisfied. Be around the saints and find God within.


Source: Sikhnet.com