Introduction to the short stories
These short stories have been taken from Aadh Guru Granth Bhagat Mala and translated into English. The purpose of translating these stories is to provide understanding and emphasise its significance when reciting Gurbaani and Bhai Gurdas Ji Vaaran.
The Sikh Gurus, Bhagats and Bhatt (bards) within Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji have made references to various great saints and disciples who existed at the time of the Hindu deities in different Yugas. These narratives are presented not to venerate Hindu deities; rather, they serve solely as references to illustrate the value of faith and understanding the importance of meditating upon the Lord’s Name.
The stories provide examples from the lives of many revered saints, aristocrats and common people serving as parallels for understanding the power and immense greatness of the One Lord, Vaheguru. They highlight the importance of living by faith and Dharma, and how meditation upon the Primal Lord leads to liberation from sin and misfortune.
Bhagat Ambrik Ji
Bhagat Ambrik was a king in the South of India and was a great devotee of Krishna. His father’s name was Nabhag and he too was a great king. When he first became king, he used to serve the holy saints and sadhus by providing them with food and clothes.
Bhagat Ambrik had many virtues. He conquered all lustful thoughts, looked upon all rich and poor as equals and he did not regard materialistic things, such as his horses, his kingdom, women and other things as important. He helped anyone who was in need and served the people outside his kingdom. Above all, he continually chanted the Lord’s Name and caused others to chant the Lord’s Name with him.
One time he was imbued in meditation upon Krishna, he vowed that he would keep three continual fasts and organise a huge feast at Mathura and Vrindavan. He carried out all these ritual practices and organised a huge feast and fed the holy Brahmins. He donated handwritten Puranas and 60 million cows to the Brahmins. The Brahmins were pleased and blessed Bhagat Ambrik.
Upon returning home, he met Durbasha Rishi. Durbasha Rishi was a very egoistic person, who brought great pain and misery to people’s lives. Durbasha Rishi was a very angry and evil person, who cursed people without reason. He was never content in seeing other people happy but liked to see them suffer. Bhagat Ambrik told the Rishi to eat the food from the feast he had organised in the name of Krishna. The Rishi agreed but said that he will need to bathe in the River Jamuna before he does.
Bhagat Ambrik went home and waited for Durbasha Rishi. Night had fallen, yet there was no sign of the Rishi. The Pundits advised Ambrik to break his fast and eat, but Bhagat Ambrik refused to do so until Durbasha Rishi came to his house to eat.
Durbasha Rishi was in deep meditation and deliberately carried on meditating to delay Ambrik from breaking his fast and to let him starve. The Pundits became very concerned and told Ambrik that it was time for him to break his fast. Bhagat Ambrik finally did so.
Durbasha decided to visit Bhagat Ambrik but learnt that he had already broken his fast prior to his arrival. He was very angered by this and began to use foul language towards Bhagat Ambrik, “You are a sinner, who has broken the rules of the Shastars (Hindu scriptures). You will not be forgiven. I will kill you for this.”
Bhagat Ambrik was alarmed by this and exclaimed, “O Great Muni Ji! I simply followed the instructions given to me by the Brahmins. I have done nothing wrong. I was waiting for you for so long, but you did not come. Please forgive me. I have not come here to be cursed by you but to fulfil my desires.”
There was nothing that Ambrik could say, as Durbasha Rishi became even more angered. He pulled out a wisp of his hair and began rubbing it in his hands. He created an extremely ugly looking witch, who was waving a sword in her hand. All the Pundits became afraid; some ran away, some closed their eyes and prayed to Krishna for protection. The witch began to start her revenge on Ambrik. Ambrik ran into his prayer room and begged Krishna to help him. He saw Krishna’s chakar (disc) beginning to spin in front of him. The chakar went straight towards the witch and cut her arm off, then her head. The chakar then turned on Durbasha Rishi and went straight for him. The Rishi ran out and went to the deities for help, but not even they could help him.
Durbasha Rishi returned back to Bhagat Ambrik’s house and fell at his feet. He cried, “Please forgive me and save me! I will stop cursing saintly people, please save me! Please!”
Bhagat Ambrik felt pity and he prayed to Krishna to forgive the Rishi and put him on the path of righteousness and Dharma. The chakar stopped and returned to Krishna’s finger. Rishi Durbasha admitted defeat and vowed he would not do anything like this again.
ਜਿਉ ਅੰਬਰੀਕਿ ਅਮਰਾ ਪਦ ਪਾਏ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਮੁਖ ਬਚਨ ਧਿਆਵੈਗੋ ॥੨॥
Ambreek the king was blessed with the status of immortality, meditating on the Word of the True Guru.(Guru Ram Das Ji; GGSJ: Ang 1311)
