Stories for kids and Teens

Prof. Raja Singh

(Former Director Sikh Missionary College)

Secretary, The Sikh House, USA

ONE

“Okay, we play only when Nanak joins”- little kids telling each other; one of them says in a loud voice

“Nanak! Nanak!”  the children rush and encircle Nanak who appears on the streets of village Talwandi.

Talwandi Rai Bhoi, a small village in Sheikhupura District (now in Pakistan) where (Guru) Nanak was born on 15^th of April 1469.  This place is now called Nankana Sahib, after the name of Nanak. The fortunate parents, Baba Kalyan Rai and Mata Tripta; elder sister Nanki, all love  Nanak  too much.

Some people are God gifted, don’t know why, but wherever  they are, attract each and every-one.

Yes, it was so with Nanak. Not only the children, the elders too cherished to see Nanak.  Many passer bys would stop to see him playing with the children.

Mother  gives sweets to Nanak, but Nanak would say  “only this much, no no,  mom give more, see so many friends standing outside,  I can’t eat  myself alone,  I feel good when share my thing with my friends”.

TWO

“Nanak is very intelligent, learns things very quickly, why not send him to Dharamsala” (school)

Nanak’s  father telling  Tripta, his wife.

“Of course, he is six years old,” mother said.

“Yes! Yes! My brother is a gem” sister Nanki is overjoyed.

Next day Baba Kalyan Das takes his son to School ….. days passed. Nanak  learnt arithmetic, Hindi & Sanskrit;  his writing and reading skills are marvelous. 

One day, Mr. Gopal, the teacher calls Nanak’s parents and tells “Your child  is strange, has completed all what I use to teach here”

“ thanks, ‘m obliged, Teacher” said the proud father.

Baba Kalyan Dass now decides to send Nanak to another School for  learning Persian. The teacher, Maulvi  Qutabdeen  finds  Nanak  a quick learner and good at all the subjects. He told Baba Kalyan Dass,

“Not only this that your son is  good in studies, he has exalted spiritual consciousness as well, you are very lucky……..”

 

 Q. What did the teacher tell to Baba Kalyan Dass?

THREE

 “Now our child is Nine,” Tripta tells her husband

“So, what?.........” Baba Kalyan Dass curious to know her intentions.

“I wish a great festival at our home, all relatives, friends should join the Sacred thread ceremony of my son.  I was waiting long for this auspicious day  to come when my Nanak wears ‘Janeu’ (the sacred thread)”

“That’s nice idea, it is long time, there has been no function in our family. We shall invite every one, ‘m so happy.”

The day is fixed. There is a great hustle and bustle in the family. A big feast is arranged. Pandit Hardyal, the family priest appears, recites mantras, prepares ‘janeu’ by twisting a bunch of threads. Now the things are ready, Nanak is asked to sit in front of the priest.

Pandit Hardyal is about to put ‘janeu’ around the neck of Nanak, the child stops him saying “Pandit Jee, wait, first tell me why all  this?”

“My son, you are too young to understand, in the times to come, you will understand this custom,” Continues Pandit Hardyal, “The custom of wearing Janeu has been passed down over thousands of years, you are fortunate Hindu, only the higher castes are allowed to wear it.”

“But why only higher castes are allowed?” curious child asked.

“My son,  it will make a you a better person!” …..Pandit Hardyal.

“But why only higher castes? why not others should also wear,  if it  makes  the wearer a better person. Please……… tell me….how by wearing this thread, I will be a better person?”

Everyone is taken aback, particularly the priest who has no answer …….

The elders too tried to persuade Nanak for completion of the ceremony, but the child  is not convinced. 

Breaking the silence Nanak says, “Pandit jee I would love to do anything which guarantees to make me  truthful, humble, a person of high character”

Perhaps this was for the first time that the people gathered there including Pandit Hardyal to hear such intelligent discussion………all were stunned….

Q.1   Why the parents wanted Nanak to wear the sacred thread (Janeu)?

Q.2   Why Nanak did not agree to wear the sacred thread?

 

FOUR

 

Who so ever meets Nanak, finds him a sober and intelligent boy.  Not only this, he is very humble, never wastes time and appears  engrossed in some thoughts.  One  day mother asked, “I find you keep on murmuring something, what is that?”

“I feel solace in remembering God, the Almighty, l wonder to see his creation, the human beings, mammals, birds , animals, the trees and plants……….. one cannot even imagine….all these things……………how wondrous  the Creator of all these would be! ……..I remember Him, I feel…. I  ‘m  lifeless, the moment I forget Him,” was the answer from Nanak.

In fact one of the basic principles of Sikhism is Naam Simran (practice to feel that God is always with us, looks at, whatever we do good or bad, very easy way to inculcate good habits, so that we never do wrong, hurt any one, and are helpful to all). This way we can live a very peaceful life and be in high spirits all the times.

In his life, when Guru Nanak set out for long journeys with a quest to tell people about the high values of life, he made three principles:

1.      Kirat Karo: Do honest labour to earn one’s own livelihood, not to depend upon others.  Not only he told (like many people now a days we find, will teach others but may not be doing themselves); Nanak practiced first, before teaching.  Even in his teenage, he used to extend helping hand to his parents.  He would take the family cattle for grazing.  When he grew up, he did employment in the Ware House of Sultanpur Lodhi, you can say like a Store Keeper.  In his old age, he did farming at Kartarpur, a village now in Pakistan.

2.      Naam Japo: The second principle Guru Nanak gave was Naam Simran, as we discussed above.  Remembering God means, always remain careful about duties, obligations; what is wrong or right and always choose the true path.

3.      Vand Chhako: The third principle was to share  knowledge and earnings with the needy ones. In childhood Nanak used to share his sweets with his play mates, whole life he shared Knowledge (Gian) with whomsoever he met.  Whatever he earned, must part with some portion as Charity. Later on the Sikhism adopted the principle of DASWANDH, means to separate 1/10^th of one’s earnings to be spent for the less privileged. 

*************

Q. Write your answers in one line each about:

1.  Kirat Karo

2.  Naam Japo

 3. Vand Chhako

            FIVE

 

;

 

Nanak was married to Sulakhani, daughter of Mool Chand of Batala, District Gurdaspur (Punjab-India) and had two sons, Sri Chand and Laxmi Chand.

One day, Babe Nanaki, sister of Nanak said to his husband, Mr Jai Ram,

 “My brother, Nanak is very active and intelligent. Better if he joins the employment with Nawab of Sultanpur Lodhi”

“Of course, Nanak is very honest as well, will better suit as In-charge  of Ware- House, I will talk to Nawab, they need such a person,” was Jai Ram’s response.

Those days, the revenue was paid in kind and not in cash. There was a big Ware House at Sultanpur Lodhi, a town near Kapurthala in Punjab- India.

A few days later Nanak joined the Ware House which was called ‘modi- khanna’ and the In-charge was called ‘Modi’

Days passed and Nanak proved to be a very successful modi, a pious and honest person.  Nawab is pleased at the good reports about his working and soon he is in the good books of the Employer.  The supervision of Nanak does not give chance to any one  for bungling with the store items or so.  The dishonest people and some employees working under Nanak are not comfortable, their ill intensions cannot fruit now. They are jealous.

Nawab receives a complaint………..  ‘Nanak  is not keeping the accounts properly. General public is happy because of generosity of Nanak, surely it is at the cost of your goods,  sooner you remove such person from the service better for you ’.

Nawab decided to investigate the affairs.  The whole stock in the Godown (Ware House) is physically checked,  the account books reconciled …. Everything tallies, no shortage found.

“I know, bad people try to  suffocate the good ones,  it must be the work of anti social elements who are not now in a position to do whatever they ‘like’,  in fact    I am lucky to have an honest and efficient person like Nanak”  Nawab  to himself.

Nawab called Nanak and narrated the whole incident and said, “I am proud of you, please feel  free to tell, whenever and whatever suggestions or difficulties you come across.”

Replied Nanak, “Thanks…… ..truth prevails”.

Guru Nanak served for a long time as  modi.  By this time, a large number of people became his followers to whom he taught  the three golden principles

 Kirat Karo , Naam Japo and  Vand Chhako

Q 1. What was the nature of complaint against Nanak?

Q2.  What were the remarks given  by Nawab after investigating the complaint?

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SIX

Guru Nanak was very thoughtful since childhood. He took the things seriously. He noticed that people were in dark and the religious leaders were not doing their duties honestly.  Instead of guiding the people to live a truthful life, helping each other, serving the mankind, the so called preachers of all different sects were wooing the devotees towards superstitions; they were worried filling their own belly. The rulers were cruel, no justice anywhere.  All this had resulted in mistrust and rampant corruption.

One day Guru Nanak went out and sat somewhere  to think and made plans to spread the word of truth, to guide the people about their rights and duties.

“In order to achieve some goal, one has to sacrifice. The mankind needs the light of truth and for this purpose, I have to reach to the people in need, to tell, what is wrong and what is right. I will have to travel a lot; my family members also have to share this responsibility, allowing me to set out for this mission. It can take years” said Guru Nanak to himself.

The plans were finalized and he came back after three days.  On coming back he uttered the strange words:

“There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim”

None could understand this statement.

Guru Nanak resigned from the service of Nawab Sultanpur Lodhi in order to take up his mission.

Q. Why did Nanak resigned from the job?

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SEVEN

 

“Sir, have you heard, what Nanak is telling to people openly”  Qazi telling Nawab of Sultanpur Lodhi.

“No………tell me, what is that?”  Nawab

Qazi, “ Nanak is telling, there is no Hindu, there is no Muslim”

Nawab, “ we  can call Nanak, what actually he means. He had been in my service for pretty long time, I found him a great person. May be we may not be understanding  what actually he means.”

Guru Nanak Sahib came and told, “Yes, I do say, no Muslim, no Hindu;  all are sons of One God, all are equal.  God resides in every one, hence none can claim superiority. We must respect each other”.

Qazi discusses something with Nawab and then Qazi Said, “ Okay, Nanak if you say so, can you come and offer Namaz with us?”

“Sure” was the instant reply from Guru Nanak Sahib.            

They all went to a nearby mosque. Qazi and Nawab offered prayers. They were watching if Guru Nanak joins, but Guru Nanak kept standing and smiling, did not

say Namaz. The prayer ends. Qazi out in rage while Nawab also joins, “Why didn’t you join us?”

“I don’t think, you offered  prayers!” remarked Guru Nanak.

“You wana make fool of us, didn’t you see we prayed, what else was going on?”

Qazi shouted angrily.

“Cool ! Cool  !..... Please, just think, did you really offer prayers…………… were not thinking anything else, was your mind  not wandering elsewhere?....…. of course you were reading the holy verses ….” Questioned Nanak.

There was complete silence on hearing the remarks of Guru Sahib. Both, Qazi and Nawab starring at each others, said in a cool voice, “Yes Nanak, we were worried about some other affairs.”

Nawab, “It is not the first time, whenever I recite prayers, the mind never co-operates”

Guru Nanak, “We always keep our mind over-loaded with worldly attachments, greed, lust and anger.  One has to control  vices,  un-wanted needs, think good of others, depend only upon honest earnings and also share a part of it for charity, the needy people, the suffering humanity, only then one can get peace, solace and concentrate while meditating.”

Both Nawab and Qazi stood up with folded hands, “You have shown us the true path, we are thankful to you.”

Q. Why can’t we concentrate in payers?

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EIGHT

LIFE LONG COMPANION

                                                     Bhai Mardana

By this time, Bhai Mardana, childhood friend of Guru Nanak also joined him at Sultanpur Lodhi.  Bhai Mardana expressed his desire to join Nanak’s mission, be his disciple and dedicate his life.

“Mardana, you are welcome but there are certain conditions which you have to follow,” Nanak told       

“What are those conditions? Which ‘m supposed to follow” curious Mardana asked.

Guru Nanak, “ I am happy to have a companion like you who is a good musician as well, but please bear in mind that

“you cannot cut your hair,  

not to smoke,   

and to serve whosoever comes to us"

“No problem, I must follow these principles, but please….allow me to spend rest of my life as your servant” Mardana said.

Guru Nanak, “Not only that much, I have planned  long long tours for a specific mission  and it may take years and years. We both will sing in praise of God, whatever He tells, better we take a Rebab which you play very well.”

“But where is Rebab?” a joyous Mardana asked Guru Sahib.

“Go to Bhai Firanda, who too is an accomplished musician and a carpenter, makes very fine Rebabs, bring one from him” Guruji suggested.

NINE

LONG LONG TOURS

“Mardana, it is good you have joined . I had already finalized my plans..” Guru Nanak sahib inviting attention of Mardana…..upon whom he depended and will be his companion for a very big challenge ahead.

“What is that…?......even earlier you indicated something, please let me know more …..what you wana do?.........” Mardana starring at Guru Sahib eagerly awaits reply from his master.

“a tough job awaits us……..one has to make sacrifice to maintain truth and to teach truth, one has to sacrifice everything……….comforts, worldly ambitions..ego, …….to face people from different walks of life, strangers…….un-known  ………… to persuade  them to shed….. centuries old dogmas……….we may have to travel long long  routes, rivers, mountains, forests…  …may have to live very hard life, Mardana………..we may not find proper meals….really I cannot explain everything what we gona find ..?   Guruji   explaining …………

“So what…………wherever you go……..I am with you………….whatever you find should be good for me…………..I have dedicated my life from the day I joined you, if really we could do something for others, I wish,  Allah! Help us….” Said Mardana

Q 1. What was the tough job?

 

 

 

TEN

A TOUGH JOB AHEAD

“Let’s pack up and set out…….we  shall leave tomorrow ……..it may take a long time…..on the way we stop at Talwandi…….take blessings of our parents…” Guru Nanak patting Mardana.

Next morning they started from Sultanpur Lodhi.  There were no means of transport those days as we enjoy today.  People used to go on foot and it took days, months to reach even the small  small destinations.

 

Both of them travelled a long way. 

“Where to stay?…….too tired……..”asked Mardana.

“We are approaching Lahore….shall stay there” Guruji consoled.

They both camped under a tree on reaching the outskirts of Lahore. Next day the passer bys stopped, talked to Guru Nanak.  By evening, a rich man of the area, Duni Chand, on knowing about Guruji came.  Requesting Guruji, “ You know…these days … ‘SHARADHS’………….tomorrow is the thit (the death anniversary) of my grandparents.  I have invited all the Brahmins of the area………to my good fortune, holy people like you are here…….please join the Brahm Bhoj (grand feast)”

In some sects, people believe that the food and clothes donated every year during  specified days, in the memory of dead people , means donations given to Brahmins  and food eaten by them reaches those  people who left this world in the past.  They also light a number of earthen lamps  on these days believing  that their dead forefathers could  get light in the pitar lok (the other ‘world’)

Guru Nanak Sahib told Duni Chand that all this is nothing but superstition. These are not the  means to transport food and clothes to one’s forefathers passed eaway long ago.  Guruji told all this to Duni Chand concluding “for example, I am hungry…..Duni chand,  you eat on my behalf………..or if  I am thirsty and someone takes water on my behalf…………shall my thirst be quenched…?”

“No, how  can it…?.........what are you telling?” exclaimed Duni Chand.

“take it easy…..Duni Chand….. if water or food taken by someone else on my behalf cannot reach me…………how?………..how….Duni chand,  all these things taken by these pujaris can reach the people who left this world long long ago………..just think……….aren’t we befooled by some people???????......one should do good deeds, help others during his life time, never expect that donation (given after death)  by the future generations would be of any use …. .  Moreover, I find many people  not caring for their parents while they are alive.  The old people are mal-treated by their sons, daughter in laws, ……..are considered as burdon………forgetting the sacrifice of mother who gave birth, father who looked after their welfare, studies and what not………and when these children grow up, the same ageing parents are ill-treated ………….shame on such people who after the parents die, celebrate ‘SHARADHS’…….. better one must do whatever one can,  for the parents when they are alive, to serve elders  is our duty, this is only DHARAM  (religion) Guruji narrated so many things while Duni Chand remained dumb spectator.

ELEVEN

 “Mardana,  today  we shall be leaving for Talwandi…….but I wish to go to Duni Chand’s house…….he was asking……..” said Guru Nanak.

“Yes,  yes…..he  gave me the directions,  we will find out…”was Mardana’s response ……picking up their belonging………soon they reached Duni Chand’s house.

“Wow! ……..it ‘s ……like a palace……..!....but  what for so many flags?”  an impatient look and quesion by Mardana

“Let us go in….will ask  Duni Chand…..” Guru Nanak was telling when  they found Duni Chand rushing towards them with folded hands.

“Oh! Great men…….you  are really great….  I feel your gracious presence here has made  my house …. a temple……………(calling his wife)….come….see …..the godly people I told you, are here………..we are so fortunate” Duni Chand virtually jumping.

“Duni Chand, you know we are proceeding to Talwandi immediately…..just came to keep up my words…………to stop at your place….but ….tell me one thing why so many flags over your place” Guru Nanak asked  to find an answer for Mardana’s query.

“God has given me so much of wealth…..each flag  represents  one million….with His blessings I am the richest person of this town,” replied Duni Chand.

“That ‘s nice……how much time do you devote in Sangat and for prayers?” was the question from Guru Nanak.

Duni Chand, “I always cherish for that….but…my engagements towards my farms, business….and my other social activities….I seldom find time……truthfully speaking……….. I am awfully busy in  managing my affairs…….”

“Okay…okay….now we take leave……(giving a needle to Duni Chand)…keep this needle…..will take from you in the other world” Guru Nanak stood up while doing all this. 

“Yes, yes…(taking the needle) a smiling Duni Chand took the needle,  and his wife atonce whispered something in his ear prompting  Duni Chand, “O! Great man, please take your needle back……..I could not foresee……how can I take anything to the other world………when someone dies, cannot carry any thing……even this body, when I die would be cremated…..how would?......how would…?........I take this needle of yours…”

“If one cannot take even a needle while  leaving this world, then why people are  mad collecting riches ……even not caring our duties towards God who gave us this human form, all the comforts…..why to than Him with every breath…..” Guru Nanak addressing all the present there.

Q 1. What does the flags represent?

Q 2. Why Duni Chand retruned the needle to Guru Nanak?

 

TWELVE

Their next stoppage was Talwandi, the native village.  . Guru Nanak’s parents, family members all are happy to see him.  Now Nanak unfolds his plans,

 “Mankind is suffering at the hands of political leaders and religious preachers. Kings are exploiting the subject and priests are throwing them to dark ditch of rituals, superstitions…..making people feel that all this is only ‘Dharma’ …..the qazi….the judge are not true to their duties towards common man….they too have become puppets at the hands  of the rulers……. I must guide them, enlighten them about their rights and duties. This is not an easy job, it may take whole of my life, but I must spread the message of God, the message of truth” Nanak continued telling his mother and father……………… “God has gifted us this human life, which is superb, it is not simply to eat, drink, take care of own family members………….. we must realize our duties towards others in the Society who need our help……………  in my mission, please co-operate me……….. you have to take care of yourselves as well as my family as well- my wife, my two sons…………. Till the time I am away for this noble cause, you have this added responsibility”

The parents though concerned about their son going away for a long time, but are happy with his mission, happy to feel Nanak………… so caring for the sufferers. They consented to this proposal of Nanak.

 

 

THIRTEEN

The Honest living

“Where are we going?” Bhai Mardana asked Guru Nanak.

“Mardana, we have reached Saidpur, we  shall stay here for some days and meet people of this town”  Guruji told.

Both reached a small house, knocked the door to be greeted by a simple but cheerful man. When he came to know that Guru Nanak has come to his house, his joy knew no bounds.   calling his wife, “Look….Look…Guru Nanak has come…………………I am so fortunate………….”

Bhai Lalo made Guruji sit on a Charpai  (bed)………served water and then Langar (lunch) which his wife prepared.  Guru Nanak and Mardana ate roti  (bread) and saag , though coarse and simple, but they enjoyed it with a great taste. 

Bhai Lalo was a carpenter who could hardly make both ends meet, but was very honest, soft spoken,  though poor but still loved to serve others with whatever he could.

Two days passed.  Bhai Lalo, his wife would listen to Guru Jee’s sermons.  Mardana would play Rebab  while Guru Nanak sang.  This happened many times a day when Guru Nanak would  say, “Mardana……tune up your Rebab, Waheguru (God) has sent his words (Bani). ……then Guruji would record in a book whatever he sang.

The news spread in the town that a noble person has come to stay with Bhai Lalo,

“What a great personality!  We have never seen such a person, his voice is so sweet, we wish ………..he should go on talking ……………so interesting to listen  his sermons….see …..so humble, staying at a poor man’s house”  people of the town talking

Q 1. Why Guru Nanak decided to stay at the house of poor man?

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FOURTEEN

 “Sir, a great man is in our town, sings so sweet,  his sermons  have magic effect, whosoever meets him…..don’t know… what power the man has, can’t  leave” one of the employees of Malik Bhago told him.

(Malik Bhago is a big man  of the area,   very wealthy, palace like house with all comforts)

“Where is he staying? If really a great man, should have come  to me first and stayed here……. ..where is…? Malik Bhago addressed his men.

“You know, sir………very strange…….he is staying with a poor carpenter, Bhai Lalo and the people call this Godly man as Nanak” his men told whatever they knew.

“Arrange a big feast tomorrow…………I wish to invite every one in this town to join, I do it in memory of my fore-fathers every year………….request Nanak as well to join this great feast”………Malik Bhago.

Nanak does not approve the idea of joining this party when Malik’s men approached him, they  report all this to their master.

“But why? He should have himself come, since a formal invitation is also extended, why he refused?  ………did he say something?”…Malik

“No sir, he simply said, would not join…………is happy there?” was the reply to Malik.

 

Malik Bhago thought twice and was asking from within….. “if he is really a Godly person, his presence is a must…………even otherwise I feel small………he has not accepted my invitation………….what possibly be the reason………had Nanak stayed with me, would have enjoyed all the comforts………and presence of such a person would have added to my honour in the society………..he must come…….I myself go and request………….he might have his reservations on my sending invitation through my workers………..Yes, yes  I must go”

Malik Bhago with his aides reach Bhai Lalo’s house, meet (Guru) Nanak and explain the purpose of  visit.

“Myself and Mardana  are quite comfortable here………..will stay for another couple of days and leave for our next destination………..thank you Malik,” was Guruji’s reply.

“I have a big house, many people visit my place,  I feel you will be more comfortable there,  Bhai Lalo has many limitations, it is not worthy of people like you to stay at such small house . My servants will take care of you and  everything will be at your command…….” Malik said in a very respectful way.

 

“That is nice of you but I am more comfortable here, rich or poor……all are equal…..all are sons  of God…….I do not see any difference…you are so nice but Lalo is also very dear to me…………thanks for your coming here, I understand your busy schedule..”  Guru Nanak’s  words comforting Malik Bhago who wants to spend more  time with Guruji………….requests again,” Okay,  if you do not want to shift your camp to my house, please come for once ..…I have invited the whole town to lunch…….please join……so many dishes, I will love to serve you…please” Malik in a feeble tone.

 

“I have some limitations, I cannot eat the dishes you may be  preparing…….…” Guruji’s these words shocked Malik….who reacted in no time,

“Buy why?  What is bad with me? ………..if I have made any mistake, please excuse me……on seeing you…I can’t exactly tell……….but I felt strange peace………I don’t understand …..  why you are hesitant to accept my request…” Malik

“Nothing is bad with you man…………you ask me to lunch with you, which I can’t because your things would not suit me……sorry it would not be possible for me to join….”  Curious Malik Bhago listening these words from Guruji continued the dialogue,

“Whatever is your taste, ……….. will prepare …..…..please tell”

“Malik Bhai, no question of taste or a particular dish, the problem is somewhat else…………just think where all the riches came to you,  your wealth is piling up every now and then……how…….is it your own labour…..earnings…..I do not feel…the poor lives all the times depressed, scared…………cannot open his or her voice…..that is the reason, the rich person cannot understand………in fact you are sucking the blood of poor people……..poor comes to you under compulsion, needs money ………instead of helping the poor, you exploit their poverty………lend money on such an exorbitant interest……the poor cannot repay it…….and whatever the poor earns is snatched by your men……….I feel blood of such poor people in your so called tasty dishes…………reflect your dishonest earnings….sorry I cannot eat all this ……I am better with Lalo’s coarse bread cooked with love, with his hard earned money and his offer with no show off”….Guruji  talked long ….leaving Malik Bhago, dumb………

There is complete silence for a few minutes, Malik Bhago with his face down appeared motionless……when all of a sudden people present there felt Malik sobbing………yes …yes…every one saw tears rolling down his face, he surrendered before Guru Nanak…………

crying Malik , “O great man……your are very true…I have done all this……….my motive of life had been to become more and more rich….you have opened my eyes……….please excuse me………….give me a chance to repent upon what I was doing whole of my life……..”

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

 

 

SEVENTEEN

 “I m going to bring fire…….wana….cook..” Mardana went out to find fire. Those days the cooking was not as easy as now.

No Gas…..no stoves…..people used to burn wood or cow dung cakes in CHULAHS ….

Mardana  saw one person cooking………he found the place to take some fire in order to light his chulah

“I have to cook….may …I..?...” Mardana was about to ask  when the man turning towards Mardana  asked,

“Why you have come so close to my kitchen?..….who are you….?....you appear to be a muslim?”

“Sir, you have rightly said….I am a muslim…..but  need….just…just small fire..”

Mardana replied  very humbly.

“You low caste people,  don’t know …..I had just moped and made up my kitchen  with cow dung……you ……..shudras…..just get out of sight……now I can’t cook here…….no need to tell you anything…...” outrageous  man  with a burning fire-wood was about to hit making  Mardana to run….. the ‘attacker’ followed till they reached Guru Nanak.

“O!...O!....what is the matter..?  Guru Nanak rushed towards them.

Confused Mardana explained, “I don’t know what wrong I did to this man…..had I stayed there a few moments ….I would have been no more…!”

“What happened Mardana?.....” Guruji asked.

“I just asked for fire…..but the man called me shudra……I did not even touch him….he was so angry telling …. my shadow was intolerable……..but why….why…?.....aren’t  we human beings……” sobbing Mardana

Guruji consoling…….asked that person, “What ‘s the matter…….why were you running after Mardana with a burning flame? What wrong he did to you?”

The man clarified, “I was making my kitchen….I cleaned it with cow dung… had drawn  lines …….none .appeared  like making a boundary .. ….indicating no untoward may cross…

Guru Nanak stayed away from the ‘boundary lines’ and while standing had long discussions and told ………. “It was good you make your kitchen clean….but more important is to clear our mind from ego, greed, hatred……

“You admit God resides in everyone ……please note if you hate, insult or say bad words to any one, feel…..you have done this to God….. if we are all made by One God…then  how it can happen…some is low caste,.. the other is high caste….you wish to see God, see in the Universe….God is not hiding or residing anywhere else…….love humanity and feel his presence everywhere….enjoy your life”

Guru Nanak delivered a long lecture and finally the person was bowing before Mardana with folded hands ……  saying “Please excuse me……I was never told such things by any one…...what I did was not my fault…I was taught like that only…..now I feel I have found what I needed……..my thirst is over….”

Q 1. What advice Guru Nanak gave to the angry man?

EIGHTEEN

 “Many weeks have passed….we are travelling and travelling…..when will this end….I think  this is too much…..” a tired Mardana questioned his master.

“Be brave! Mardana…..our journey is very long …… our mission is not confined to a region, or a country or……. to some particular sect…… feel yourself fortunate…..God has given us the duty to spread the truth……truth has no limits and our mission too……..must pray…. O! God give us the strength to walk and talk to as many people as we can…..”  Guru Nanak keeps on walking along Mardana ……….. “Don’t worry we are about to reach another city like Hardwar, it too is not only a big city but very beautiful…..the two rivers named Ganga and Jamuna  join here…..though it is popular as Tribeni which literally means merger of three rivers……… their notion is that third river is “Sraswati’ which  joins invisibly….. .this is a very important pilgrim place for Hindus……..thousands of people come here to take bath in Tribeni…….we halt here……..we had a long  journey”.

 

“That is fine….I admire  your thinking….you select places of crowd…..nice way to reach people…..God has given you this nice public relations skill…….no body minds whatever you  tell to the strangers……I fail to understand.” Mardana told while feeling relieved.

“I am no body to do ……..  it is the greatness of  God………taking this service from us……(pause)…… yes……we have reached  Allahabad, people call it Paryag Raj also…….where Tribeni  flows………

let us camp here ……under  this banyan tree,” placing down his belonging, Guru Nanak said.

Q 1. Why Guru Nanak selected places where large people used to gather?

NINETEEN

 “Wake up Mardana, it is amrit vela, let us take bath…….” Guru  Nanak telling.

“But where to take bath?........ I don’t find any well nearby….”replied Mardana instantly.

“ We shall go take bath at Tribeni, I told you about Tribeni yesterday…….” Guruji started walking and Mardana following.

“Wow! …….Thousands of people bathing and praying…………, do they come every day here to take bath….?...astonished Mardana asked Guruji.

“People do come every day….but not in this much number……today is very special  day for these people…..”( Guru Nanak telling …felt……  Mardana was not satisfied and needed more details, so continued….)…..they call this as Maghar Sankranti…     the start of new month as per Lunar calendar……every year on this day people come from far and near to take bath…….to some it may take months to cover the distance but it is their belief……they must take bath on Maghar Sankranti at Paryag- tribeni only.”

“What is special with this day………I can’t understand…..do they come just for bath……or something else….” Mardana asking Guru Nanak Sahib.

“Mardana,  understand one thing……no  day is special…..the days, months and seasons are all under the command of  God…….only the man made stories  attach undue importance to some days, months, towns, places and rivers or so……may be with their vested interests……….and it is not the fault of these people……they have been given such impressions for all this…………as you noted at Hardwar, likewise for this place too……..and this is going on since ages …… human nature is to follow the path the elders do…….unless they are made to understand about these  unwanted rituals……….” Guru Nanak gave a detailed account of such practices.

It appeared Mardana has still some question, not controlling……… “Please let me ask last question…..I don’t want to live in dark……” pointing out towards the river where people were taking  bath in groups…..there was gap  between one and the other group………… “Why like this…….the gap…….even space is there……people going still farther….”

Guru Nanak smiling…… “I am happy Mardana, you have a critical mind… that’s good not to carry any doubt……….the society is divided on the basis of caste…….some are categorized as higher caste whereas the others are labeled as ‘low caste’…….these so called low caste people are ill treated by the egoistic higher castes……..they do not allow them to sit or eat with them…….Oh! you yourself  experienced this caste blow at Hardwar when you were thrashed when while  taking fire…………..”

Mardana, “yes..yes…I understand……but here they are not eating  anything so as to keep away from shudras (low caste) ……just taking bath……??

“This fear from un-touchables…..this has very deep roots in their minds…..these so called high castes take bath at the river, from the side water is coming in and the lower castes are supposed to down and dip in the water on the other side, the water is flowing out………….the egoistic people satisfy their mind that they are using the  clear water leaving others for the residual…………no logic……this is what our duty is to tell them all this……..our mission”  Guruji told Mardana.

“One more point….. I heard from some-one  that bathing here gives them salvation…… that is why thousands of people come on this day ……is it like this?” was another question from Mardana.

“Salvation………..which salvation………I don’t believe there is any salvation after death…….of course one must seek salvation………….but it must be attained  now in this life………….who knows salvation after one leaves this world…this human life…….our minds are polluted with ego, jealousy, greed, lust, thinking bad for others, selfishness………..but we can’t get rid of all these ills by taking dip in water…………with water one can cleanse the body but to clean our innersoul, our mind, one must adopt noble path by meditating on the name of God, thinking positive and doing good……….this  is what we have to teach these people and we are here…..”  Guru Nanak cleared the doubts.

Q 1. Does any particular day carries a special importance?

Q 2. What do you understand from the word ‘untouchables’?

TWENTY

 

“Wow! A big procession……………where we have reached?” asked Mardana

Guruji, “We have reached Puri….this city is called Jagan Nath Puri……jagannath means the  Lord………there are many temples………this is another one of the famous pilgrimage for Hindus.”

“And why this big chariot….so many people are pulling……what is in it……...can I see?” Mardana wanted to know about thousands of people in the procession and  pulling the chariot.

Guru Nanak sahib told Mardana that idols are kept in the chariot and every year people join this festival called ‘rath yatra’. 

Some people came and said, “It appears you have come to this place for the first time, follow us we take you to the big temple of ‘Bhagwan Jagannath’”

Guruji and Bhai Mardana followed them and they went inside the temple where a large number of people were standing. The priest  holding  a  plate in his hands with earthen lamps, flowers,  incense sticks on it. Soon they started Aarti  by rotating the plate in front of the idol.

Mardana asked people standing by his side, “what all they are doing?  can you please tell me……..I am seeing all this for the first time”

“We are doing  Aarti, this is done everyday in the morning and at sun set” was a reply from the people who all started gazing at Mardana and Guru Nanak feeling  strangers……do not know about  Aarti.

After listening them, Guru Nanak Sahib told the people that true Aarti  goes on all the times, every moment, day and night…….we cannot please God like this,  God is great and his Aarti is also great.

Mardana interrupting, “What is that great Aarti?”

“when the Lord is Omnipresent and Omnipotent, how can one worship Him with a small set of lamps and incense. He ought to be worshipped as grandly as He is Himself. The everlasting Aarti is done by the Nature, the entire sky is the platter on which the sun and moon are lamps for worship. The mythical Mount Meru covered with sandalwood trees is the incense and the wind blowing from all directions is the grand fan for Him,” explained Guru Nanak and the listeners were taken aback.

Q 1 What is the ‘true Aarti’?

 

                                              TWENTY-ONE

“It is very hot, let us halt here under this shady tree” suggested Mardana.

“Yes, take rest for a while and set the Rebab, we shall sing, God has sent the words (Bani)” Guru Nanak consented.

 Under the shady cool tree, Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana started reciting Kirtan. Some people   gathered around.

“I m very thirsty……need water….” Mardana looked around ……. no sign of water…..one of the people sitting around suggested, “You can get drinking water only from Wali Qandhari atop this small hill, there is a spring of sweet, cool…cool  water”

Mardana half dead with thirst reached up with great difficulty and requested for water.

Wali Qandhari, “O! you want water!…… Why don't you ask your Master whom you serve? Just go back and don’t come again, this water is not for you people.”

Mardana went back to the Guru in a miserable state and said "Oh lord ! I prefer death to thirst but will not approach Wali, the egoist."

The Guru replied " Oh Bhai Mardana ! Repeat the Name of God, the Almighty; and drink the water to your heart's content."

The Guru put aside a big rock lying nearby and a fountain of pure cold water sprang up and began to flow endlessly. Bhai Mardana quenched his thirst and felt grateful to the  Almighty Lord.

Q 1  Why did  Wali Qandhari refused water to Mardana?

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