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Janam Sakhi Bhai Bala (ed. Dr Surinder Singh Kohli) has a record of Bhai Mardana’s death. Bhai Mardana enquired from the Guru, “Where shall I leave the body?” Guru Nanak said, “You shall leave the body in a good place on the fifth days when sunlight remains for three ghadis.” Mardana enquired, “Will you be present then?” Guru Nanak said, “I will only leave after all formalities.” Mardana asked, “Will you bury or burn me?” The Guru said, “Whatever you say will be done.” Mardana said, “I will be pleased If you burn me. If you bury me I will feel sad. I will have to appear in God’s court as a debitor. I have seen at night in a dream that whosoever is burnt here goes clean (since no burden of his life is left with his body). Those who are buried have to burn everyday thereafter (in the fire of hell). Hence Guru Ji please burn my body.” Guruji said, “Do’s you worry. This is a burden on me. I will certainly put your body to fire and not to earth. It does not matter whether you are buried or burnt; it is God’s Will in which one has to be happly. If God so wants you will be put to fire.” Mardan agreed and bowed his head. On the fourth day they reached Darbela city. Mardana said, Will this be the place where I leave my breath?” Guru Nanak said, “This is the place where your generations will settle. I will take you to Khurram Shahar. Have Khurmas there. This food is due to you still.” Mardana had nothing in his mind, neither anger nor sadness. He was happy in the condition what he was in. he had no worries of death. Second day Mardana had khurmas. As the three ghadis were left for the sun to set, Guru Nanak asked Mardana, “How do you feel now?” Mardana said, “I am ready. I have to go.” Guru Nanak said, “What have you come to know?” Mardana said, “I have to know that knot of air has opened from my naval and nine time breathing is left. You can count this”. Guru Nanak said, “Bhai Mardana, you go on counting.” Instead Bala started counting. When nine breaths were complete, he touched Mardna’s body and found that there Mardana had breathed his last. Guru Nanak enquired from Bala. Bala said, “Sire! He has completed his breath.” Guru Nanak bowed before God and said, “Bhai Bala. See the greatness of God. He was been kind on him.” Bala said, “When you are the Guru and He is the God, it was to happen this way.” Guru Nanak said, “Let us now burn this body.” Bala collected khurma wood, too one sheet of Guru Nanak and one of Mardana and Mardana was covered before putting him to fire. Thereafter they moved next……., (pp.252-253)
