Thursday, February 16, 2006

RAHIMAN YA MAN KI VYATHA MAN HI RAAKHO GOY...

RAHIM

Of all the stories I have heard, read or seen on TV etc. whether imagined or from history, the one which has impressed me most is the one about Rahim. Many of you, Indians, must have read Rahim's dohe, in your school books. Anyhow first the story:

King Akbar became the king at the young age of 14 years and since a 14 year old boy could not handle the kingdom, his guru and mentor Bairam Khan,looked after the throne. He also trained the young man the art of fighting, politics and everything whatever he will need in his future life as a King.

When Akbar reached maturity, i.e. he was 18 he became the full fledged king. After some time Bairam Khan felt that the new king, whom he trained, did not always treat him so well. So he felt slighted on many occasions. He therefore started complaing to other courtiers that 'look at this boy, I trained him, etc. and how he is treating me now.

The courtiers sympathized with Bairam Khan; however, they were no friend of him and had their own grudges against the latter when he was the acting king. So, they told him: well, what is that boy; he is nothing; you trained him and you can revolt and become the king yourself. This has always happened in history.

So, Bairam Khan revolted and lost. He was caught and as in cases of revolt against the king, he was sentenced to death by the military court. However, the final verdict and seal of approval had to be given by King Akbar.

When Bairam Khan was brought in front of Akbar, Akbar never forgot how Bairam Khan had trained him and looked after his kingdom and all he had done for Akbar when he was only a boy. So, king Akbar told Bairam Khan that I set you free which stunned all the courtiers who were very disappointed that he was not going to be hanged in order for them to settle the old score in their hearts.

Akbar then asked him what he wanted to do. Bairam Khan said that he wanted to go to Haj. Akbar immediately ordered that he be given large sum of money, ordered horses, camels and soldiers to go with him, to safeguard him.

While en route, in Afghanistan the caravan was attacked by the Afghan wayfarers and in the ensuing fight, Bairam Khan was killed. So the caravan returned back to Agra with the wife of Bairam Khan who was pregnant at that time.

When Akbar heard the news, he felt very disappointed. He immediately had a palace built for his guru and mentor's wife. When a son was born, the celebrations took place as for a prince and he was named ABDUR RAHIM KHAN KHANA.

When the boy attained maturity, he was made a courtier with high salary. However, Rahim was a Krishn Devotee and he was a contempoorary of Tulsi Dasji whom he met on several occasions and saved many cows from being slaughtered.

Whatever salary he got as a Minister, he used to distribute it to whoever came to his door. There were some people who will first take the donation from one door and then go to the next door and again take the money.

One of his colleagues once remarked:

Raj Kumarji, what is this ada of you that jyon jyon kar oonche karo tyon tyon neeche nain. (Prince, what is this style of yours that as your hands go up, your eyes go down).

RAHIM replied: DEWAN HARO AUR HAI DEWAT HAI DIN RAIN; LOG NA BHRAM HAM PAR KAREIN, TATE NEECHE NAIN. (Somebody else is the giver and he gives day and nite; by mistake people may not think that I am the giver, that's why my eyes are lowered).

Another instance in Rahim's life. He was sent to suppress some small nawab who had revolted against the King. Rahimji went there with the army but then he got a message from the nawab that he wanted to make a settlement and not fight anymore. But this was only a ploy and he wanted to kill Rahimji when he came to meet him.

As Rahimji proceeded, on the gates he saw Krishna Bhagwan blocking his way who told him to go back and he returned back and he fought and won; thus his life was saved.

Another story about a young man who approached Rahimji and told him that he was deeply in love with a beautiful girl. But that girl wanted one lakh rupees before she will marry him. Rahimji gave him two lakhs and told him that if she had a lakh, and if you will not have a lakh or more, she will not respect you.

Rahim had many good days and also some bad days, especially because of jealous courtiers who were always talking against him to the king.

At last he reached his final destination of this life and a big mausoleum was made in his honour as was the case for the important people in the king's court.

After several years another courtier died and they started to build a mausoleum for him. A kind of red stone which was used in these tombs and which came from Jaipur was not available at that time. So, one of the courtiers suggested to the other that why not take the stone from Rahim's tomb and use it in the tomb for the newly deceased.

This idea was accepted and they removed the stones from Rahim's tomb and started to use it for the new one. Then one day a courtier said to others, my God, this fellow Rahim is donating even after he is dead.

Some dohe of RFAHIMJI:

RAHIMAN DHAGA PREM KA MAT TODO CHATKAY; TOOTE SE FIR NAA JUDAI, JUDAI GHANTH PAD JAAY.

(Do not break the thread of love very hard; if broken, then it cannot be joined; and if joined there is a knot in it.)

AAWAT HI HARSHE NAHIN PAAS LEY BAITHAY, RAHIMAN TEHAN NA JAAIYE, KANCHAN BARSAY MAAHEI. (If the person doesn't become happy to see you and ask you to sit near him, do not go to that person, even though the diamonds are raining there).

RAHIMAN YA MAN KI VYATHA, MAN HI RAAKHO GOY; SUN ITHLAIYEIN LOG SAB BAANT NA LAIYE KOY. (Rahimji says that the sorrow which you have in your heart, keep it in your heart only; do not tell people, because when they will hear it, they will be very happy in their hearts to see you in trouble, and they won't share your suffering anyways.)

RAHIMAN YA SANSAR MEIN KAR LEEJE DO KAAM; DENE KO TUKDA BHALA, LENE KO HARI NAAM.

(Rahimji says that in this world, do two things: to give, give a piece (of whatever you have), to take, take God's name).