Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 2.djvu/103

Rh The Guru's wife, Mansa Devi, one day seeing Bibi Bhani playing, remarked to her husband that, as Bhani had arrived at the age of puberty, they ought to search for a husband for her. The Guru ordered the necessary search to be made. When the Guru's agent was ready to depart, Bibi Bhani's mother saw a boy outside her door hawking some articles. On attentively observing him, she said to the agent, ‘Search for a youth like him to be Bibi Bhani's husband.’ Hearing this, the Guru ordered the agent to pause. On examining the youth's lineaments the Guru exclaimed, ‘He is his own parallel, for God had made none other like unto him.’ On this the Guru called the youth and interrogated him on matters in which fathers-in-law are interested. On being satisfied with the boy's replies and his desire to marry Bhani, the Guru sent him with marriage presents to his father, Hari Das, in Lahore, and had the betrothal ceremony performed.

After the completion of the nuptial negotiations Guru Amar Das wrote to Hari Das that the twenty-second of Phagan, Sambat 1610, would be a suitable time for the marriage. All the Sodhis congregated together, and there were great rejoicings. Women sang the Guru's hymns, and bards exhibited their poetical skill. The bridegroom's procession was formed, he was put on horseback, and he and his friends proceeded in state to Goindwal. Mohri, the Guru's eldest son, went forth to receive him. As the bridegroom was about to enter the Guru's house, the Guru said to him, ‘My son Jetha, it is the custom of our family that before the bridegroom entereth the bride's house he should make a request. Make one accordingly.’ Jetha accordingly repeated the first hymn of the Gujari measure contained in the Rahiras.

Guru Amar Das, highly pleased at the request conveyed in the earnest language of the hymn,