Bhagat Maalaa ~ The Stories of Sankaadik and Rukmaangudh - Part XVI

Introduction to the short stories

 

The short stories are a collection of stories taken from the Aadh Guru Granth Bhagat Mala, which have been translated into simple English. The purpose of translating these stories is to provide understanding and the significance of these stories when reciting Gurbaani.

The Sikh Gurus and other Bhagats within Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji have made references to the various saints and disciples who existed at the time of the Hindu deities. By no means are these stories a form of praise or worship of the Hindu deities, but they are used as a reference to purely develop the meaning of Gurbaani.

The stories taken from Hindu mythology provide examples from the lives of the disciples and saints as parallels to understand the power and greatness of the One Lord, the righteous practise of faith and Dharma and how one is emancipated from sin and misfortune through meditating upon the Primal Lord.

~ Harjinder Singh Khalsa

 

The Story of Sankaadik
 

The word Sankadik represents the four sons of the Hindu deity, Brahma. Brahma's four sons' names were Sanak, Sanandan, Snatan and Sant Kumar. All four sons never aged more than five years and they lived together in detachment from the world and materialistic things. They were very brave and handsome warriors.

Within the Puranas, it has been recorded that all four brothers went on a trek to find where the Lord resided. It is said that when they reached the seventh door of the heavens, the doorman had stopped them. He informed that he was commanded that no-one was to enter this door, especially that of a human being.

In front of the door where the Lord was said to reside were two doormen, Jai and Bijay.

"You are not allowed to go any further. You will need to get approval before you enter," Bijay said to Sanak.

Sanak: "We do not need permission or approval from anyone. Move out of my way demons! Get away or I will kill you both!"

Sanak carried out this curse. He grabbed both Bijay and Jai and threw them out of the heavens. Both doormen fell to the earth. Bijay was angered by this and created many different demons, who were Hirankaship, Harnakash, Shishpal, Dhant Vakar, Kumbh Karan and Ravan. On taking these births they destroyed many lives and brought great distress to the world. They remained egoistic and prior to this they committed many sins. All four sons of Brahma had helped to destroy these demons and as their reward the doors of the heavens were opened to them, however they were unable to find the Lord's limits. 

ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾਦਿਕ ਸਨਕਾਦਿਕ ਸਨਕ ਸਨੰਦਨ ਸਨਾਤਨ ਸਨਤਕੁਮਾਰ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕਉ ਮਹਲੁ ਦੁਲਭਾਵਉ ॥੨॥
Barahmāḏik sankāḏik sanak sananḏan sanāṯan sanaṯkumār ṯinĥ ka▫o mahal ḏulbẖāva▫o. ||2||
The God like Brahma and hermits like Sanak Sanandan Sanatan and Sanat Kumar
for them the Lord's presence is difficult to obtain.

(Guru Arjan Dev Ji; GGSJ: Ang 401)

The Story of Rukmaangudh

This Raja was a king who preserved the fasts for the Hindu deity, Ekaadashee.

It is said he practised dharma and righteousness. He never looked at another man's wife, but remained faithful to his wife. One day a fairy came and sat upon him. Raja Rukmaangudh mediated upon the Lord and did not allow himself to be taken away by her beauty and love. He continued his fast of the deity, Ekaadashee and sent the fairy away to the heavens. Raja Rukmaangudh was respected and regarded as a great devotee of the Lord, who remained faithful and was a great example of holy living and upholding the Truth.
 

'Rukmaangudh Kurthooth Raam Janpuh Nith Bhai'
'Rukmaangudh meditated upon the Lord, O Siblings of Destiny.'
(Bhatt Jal Jalaap; GGSJ: Ang 1394)

ਰੁਕਮਾਂਗਦ ਕਰਤੂਤਿ ਰਾਮੁ ਜੰਪਹੁ ਨਿਤ ਭਾਈ ॥

रुकमांगद करतूति रामु ज्मपहु नित भाई ॥
Rukmāʼngaḏ karṯūṯ rām jampahu niṯ bẖā▫ī.
The understanding through which Rukmaged the King,
did the deed of ever contemplating his Lord, O brother.

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