The Tale of Sewadar Mughlu and the Guru’s Eternal Promise
Mughlu was a devoted sewadar who fought alongside the Sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji Maharaj, against the Mughals. The Mughals often attacked the Guru’s kingdom, and to protect the righteous, Guru Ji and his Sikhs took up arms.
Just as Lord Shiva holds the Trishul to protect against evil, Maa Bhagwati’s and Guru Gobind Singh Ji shastra is the Karpaan and blesses the Khalsa with the shastra named ‘Kirpan’ — the Kirpa-aan (blessing) that protects goodness.
In one fierce battle, Sewadar Mughlu fought bravely until he collapsed, wounded and faint from excessive blood loss, at the end of battle. Guru Hargobind Ji, seeing his devoted sewadar covered in blood, lifted him, placed his head gently in his lap, and gave him water.
When Mughlu slowly regained consciousness, he asked in wonder, “Guru Ji, am I alive, or am I in some other world where I lie in your lap?”
Guru Ji said, “Mughlu, you are alive.”
With only a little energy left due to the heavy loss of blood, Mughlu folded his hands and whispered, “Am I really lying in your lap? I am so lucky to have the chance to rest in my Guru’s lap.”
Guru Ji said to him, “Rest now and let me heal you. Drink this turmeric milk, my child.” From his own hands, Guru Ji gave Mughlu the milk. After drinking it, Mughlu regained some consciousness.
Guru Ji said, “My child, I am glad to have a sewadar like you — one who knows how to die for the Guru. You did not care for yourself and bore so many wounds in this fight for me.”
Overcome with devotion, Mughlu replied, “Guru Ji, I am blessed to lie in your lap. In your lap today I have received a divine love that even my parents could not give me.”
Pleased, Guru Ji asked, “Mughlu, ask me anything you want — I will bless you.”
Mughlu said, “Guru Ji, promise me one thing. The way I am lying in your lap today, when my time comes, promise that you will hold me the same way. I want to leave my body seeing you in my lap.”
Guru Ji assured him, “I promise you, Mughlu. In whatever form I am and wherever I may be, even if I must walk miles, I will come to you at your final moment and take you to the divine place.”
Years Later…
The light (Jyot) of Guru Nanak ji passed on through the succeeding Gurus — from the Sixth to the Seventh, Eighth, and then to the Ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, known for his deep silence and great love for the Sangat, traveled from village to village blessing devotees.
One day, Guru Ji came near Gandua village (in the Malwa region). He told the Sangat they must visit a certain house and led them to Mughlu’s home.
Mughlu had grown old and could no longer see. For years he had said, “My Guru will come and take me in his lap.” People mocked him, saying the Sixth Guru had long passed away. But Mughlu would answer boldly, “My Guru is eternal — he only changed his Jyot. He will come to me.”
When Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji reached the house, Guru ji stood outside and called, “Mughlu, Mughlu — your Guru has come to make you lie in his lap.”
Mughlu heard the voice of Guru Ji. Though he lay weak on his bed, without the strength to rise and with his frail body curled like that of a child, he joyfully exclaimed,
“My Guru has come!” Guru Ji then entered the house, gently lifted Mughlu, and placed him in his lap.
Mughlu cried with joy, “Guru Ji, apji came! I told everyone apji would come, but they did not believe me.
Please give me the same darshan you blessed me with that day after the war.”
Guru Ji blessed Mughlu with the same divine darshan of the Sixth Guru.
Filled with ecstasy, Mughlu raised his hands and called out for everyone to see: “My Guru has come!”
Guru Ji then softly waved his hand over Mughlu’s head and eyes, and in that blessed moment, Mughlu’s soul peacefully departed from his body in the lap of his Guru. Fulfilling his promise and honoring his beloved sewadar, Guru Ji personally performed the cremation rites with his own hands.
Thus Mughlu’s life ended in the same divine embrace he had prayed for — a testament to loyalty, devotion, and the Guru’s compassionate promise.