Ans. Bhatt Narbad Singh, son of Bhai Kesho Singh, who was present at Nanderh at the time of transfer of pontificate, gives the following witness-account:
“Guru Gobind, the tenth Master, son of Guru Tegh Bahadur, at Nanderh, in Deccan (South India), Sammat 1765, on fourth day of the month of Kartik (Bikrami Calendar), in ascending cycle of moon, Wednesday, asked Bhai Daya Singh to bring the Sri Granth Sahib. Bhai Daya Singh brought the Granth. Guru Gobind Singh, as the tradition demanded, placed five paisa and a coconut before the Granth and bowed.
Then he addressed the congregation and said, “It is my directive that hereafter recognize the Granth as the Guru in my place. All Sikhs, who do so, will have their toils accepted and approved and the Guru will shower them with his grace. Accept this as truth”.
Then Guru Granth Sahib was opened at random and according to the tradition, the top hymn on the left page was read. The hymn was:
“Maaru Mahalla 5
ਖੁਲਿਆ ਕਰਮੁ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਭਈ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਗਾਈ॥
ਸ੍ਰਮੁ ਥਾਕਾ ਪਾਏ ਬਿਸ੍ਰਾਮਾ ਮਿਟਿ ਗਈ ਸਗਲੀ ਧਾਈ॥੧॥
ਅਬ ਮੋਹਿ ਜੀਵਨ ਪਦਵੀ ਪਾਈ॥
ਚੀਤਿ ਆਇਓ ਮਨਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਬਿਧਾਤਾ ਸੰਤਨ ਕੀ ਸਰਣਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ॥
ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਲੋਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਨਿਵਾਰੇ ਨਿਵਰੇ ਸਗਲ ਬੈਰਾਈ॥
ਸਦ ਹਜੂਰਿ ਹਾਜਰੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਜਰੁ ਕਤਹਿ ਨ ਭਇਓ ਦੂਰਾਈ ॥੨॥
ਸੁਖ ਸੀਤਲ ਸਰਧਾ ਸਭ ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋਏ ਸੰਤ ਸਹਾਈ॥
ਪਾਵਨ ਪਤਿਤ ਕੀਏ ਖਿਨ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਕਥਨੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ॥੩॥
ਨਿਰਭਉ ਭਏ ਸਗਲ ਭੈ ਖੋਏ ਗੋਬਿਦ ਚਰਣ ਓਟਾਈ॥
ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਸੁ ਗਾਵੈ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕਾ ਰੈਣਿ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ॥੪॥੬॥
(SGGS, P. 1000)
“Good fortune dawned on me and by Lord’s grace I sing His praises.
My efforts have come to an end and I have attained a restful spot, all running about has ceased.
Now I have achieved the state of true (spiritual) life.
Sheltered in the refuge of holy persons the immanent Creator has abided in my mind. Pause.
The lust, anger, avarice and attachment, I have caste off and all enemies have been repulsed.
Now the Lord is always present by me, watching over me.
He is never far away.
All desires are fulfilled and cool joy has come because God’s devotees have come to my aid.
In an instant the fallen ones are purified, the Lord’s praise is beyond description.
All fears have vanished and now we are fearless as we are under the shelter of Divine feet.Nanak sings Divine laudations day and night and is absorbed in them”.