Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 2.djvu/104

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THE SIKH RELIGION

granted Jetha a present of the Name, promised that at his court it should be unceasingly heard, and that it should flow like a current of waters.

When the marriage was duly celebrated, the marriage procession returned to Lahore. Jetha's parents wished the young couple to live with them according to the usual custom of the East, but Jetha considered the Guru as his god, and himself as his worshipper. He did not think of him at all in the light of a father-in-law, a relation who is ordinarily treated with scant respect by Indian bridegrooms. He deemed parting from him even worse than expulsion from heaven, and accordingly returned with his wife to Goindwal after a short sojourn in Lahore. In his heart he believed that the foundation of love sprang from the Guru's lotus feet, and he used to pray :—

May I abide from beginning to end in the joy of Thy lotus feet!

After his return to Goindwal he was the same Jetha and performed the same service for the Guru as before, without a particle of false pride in his heart. The more Jetha served the Guru, the more his love for him and for all mankind increased. His disposition became divine, as when iron is turned into gold by the contact of the philosopher's stone. Specially did he labour at the Bawali which the Guru was constructing. He made no objection to carrying baskets of earth on his head, and paid no heed to the banter or reproaches of his companions. The Guru took special notice of his conduct, and showed him special favour.

Bibi Bhani not only considered Amar Das her father, but also her Guru, the very image of Guru Nanak. In the same way she served Jetha not only as husband but as saint. In the month of Assu, Sambat 1614, a son, Prithi Chand, was born of the marriage. Three years after, in the month of Har,