Vol. IV — U4 the Sikh Religion, Chapter XXII

Bidhi Chand after a stormy, eventful, and perilous life felt that his end was approaching. He remem bered his promise to Sundar Shah to return to him that they might go to paradise together, and asked the Guru's permission to proceed on his long terres trial and celestial journeys. The Guru addressed him the following parting words : ' All worldly persons dread death ; but the holy fear it not, and are happy since they exchange bodies, which are mines of sorrow and disease, for bodies which are like celestial light, and they roam for ever in the blissful fields of Sach Khand. Take Sundar Shah with thee to the Guru's heaven, and I will come to you soon.' Bidhi Chand put his son Lai Chand's hand into the Guru's and said, ' I pray thee to cherish my son as thy servant.' He then addressed his son, ' If thou desire to obtain the wishes of thy heart and to live happy, be faithful to the Guru and ever serve and obey him.' Saying this, the old man's eyes filled with tears. The Guru tenderly embraced him, and offered him further words of consolation — ' This body is temporary and abideth not. How long can one keep life, which is like a mud vessel which breaketh sooner or later and alloweth its contents to flow away ? Look to thy soul, which is an emanation from God, and not to thy material body.' Bidhi Chand on hearing this bowed to the Guru's feet and, bidding farewell to the assembled Sikhs, went to join Sundar Shah and prepare for the road to paradise.

Bidhi Chand after his toilsome and tedious journey