Guru Stories~~~

[tana]

Om Sai Ram~~~

The Cobra Provides the Shade ~~~
 
Once the young Nanak had taken his cattle for grazing in the fields. As he lay resting, the sunrays fell on his face, after some time. A cobra crawled out of its hiding place and spread its hood to provide shade over young Nanak’s divine face. The local official of the village, Rae Bular, noticed this miracle as he was passing that way. He had sent for Nanak’s father, Mehta Kalu, and told him, 'Kalu! Don’t curse your son. He is a Great Being. My village survives because of his Grace. Kalu! Both of us are blessed as he is born in our village.
 

Jai Sai Ram~~~

[tana]

Om Sai Ram~~~


The Ethics Of a Shop-Keeper~~~

Guru Nanak had joined as a Modi (storekeeper) of Daulat Khan Lodi at Sultanpur. Everyone hailed Nanak, as he was fair in his dealings. He used to say that an honest shop- keeper alone can have a- balanced personality. Only his-words carry weight. What one requires is integrity and one can achieve it being true to one's vocation.


Jai Sai Ram~~~

[tana]

Om Sai Ram~~~

The Bebe Nanaki - The First Sikh~~~
 
A sister's love for her brother is a perennial theme of Punjabi folklore. Janam Sakhis tell us of several stories depicting Bebe Nanaki (b. 1464 CE) love for her brother Nanak. Bebe Nanaki was the first to recognize Nanak, one blessed by God. She is seen here with her husband Jai Ram, as Mardana the ministerial, receives the rebeck on which he accompanied Guru Nanak, singing his divinely inspired songs. This was before Guru Nanak set out on his preaching odyssey' accompanied by Bhai Mardana.


Jai Sai Ram~~~

[tana]

Om Sai Ram~~~

Belittling the Caste-System ~~~
 
Guru Nanak Dev disparagingly condemned caste-prejudices. To do away with this social malady he set an example. He visited Bhai Lalo an 'out-caste', and both had their meals together, giving a shocking surprise to the village-folk. Moreover, Mardana, the life-long companion of Guru Sahib was minstrel, coming from 'low-caste'.


Jai Sai Ram~~~

[tana]

Om Sai Ram~~~


Bhai Mardana~~~
 
Bhai Mardana (1459-1534 CE) accompanied Guru Nanak Dev by playing on rebeck, when the latter used to Sing the Glory of God.

Jai Sai Ram~~~

[tana]

Om Sai Ram~~~

The Eradication of Poverty ~~~
 
Guru, Nanak preached that poverty can be eradicated by self-help and initiative alone. Once he went to a village and was distressed to see the dirty slums. He set fire to that basti and helped in building a new and clean village in its place. Service (Sew!)

 
Jai Sai Ram~~~

[tana]

Om Sai Ram~~~

Spreading the Message Through Booklets ~~~
 
 Guru Angad Dev (1504-1552 CE) gave a new form to the Gurmukhi alphabet. Guru Amar Das (1479-1574 CE) had the holy psalms written and sent these for wide distribution among his devotees. His grandson, Sansar Ram, son of Baba Mohan (b.1536 CE), wrote small booklets of these psalms, under Guru Sahib's guidance, for free distribution.


Jai Sai Ram~~~

[tana]

Om Sai Ram~~~


The Service - Seva ~~~


According to Sikh tradition service (Seva) is regarded as supreme worship. Amar Das Sahib served his master Guru Angad Dev for twelve years wading through rain and storm. When the weaver's wife observed sarcastically 'Amru, the homeless'. Guru Angad Dev blessed the devotee instead with the tide, 'A shelter for the homeless'


Jai Sai Ram~~~

[tana]

Om Sai Ram~~~

DUKH SUKH~~~
(by S. Jaswant Singh)

Two shopkeepers had their shops next to one another. One shopkeeper, Gurmukh used to close his shop early and go to see Guru Nanak Dev ji. The other shopkeeper Manmukh asked Gurmukh that why you close your shop early he said he goes to see Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Manmukh also started closing his shop early but instead started going to a bad place. Both kept on going to their places.

One day Manmukh asked Gurmukh to go home together and agreed upon a place to meet after visiting their places, so that they can go to their homes together. Manmukh came to meeting place early because the door was locked at a place where he used to go. He found golden ring there by digging through pile of ashes. He was happy. Gurmukh was on his way to a meeting place and thorn (kanda) hit his foot. So he was in pain and came to a meeting place limping.


Manmukh told Gurmukh that he used to go to a bad place and found a golden ring but you used to go to a good place and are in pain. Gurmukh told Manmukh there may be something behind this and asked him to go to see Guru Nanak Dev Ji next day. Both asked Guru Ji why it happened like this. Guru ji asked " Do you know what you did in the past life?" Both said no. Guru you told Manmukh, you donated golden ring in the past life and in this life you were going to get many golden rings but every day you used to go to bad place, the golden ring turned into ashes. One golden ring is left because you could not go to bad place on the last day. Guru Ji told Gurmukh, you were supposed to be hanged but because you started coming to our place, hanging has changed to pain of a thorn.




Lesson Learnt
Dukh (suffering) and Sukh (peace, bliss) in our present life are the result of deeds done in our previous lives.
Gurbani says on 1030 "Sukh dukh purab janam kay kiye, so jane jin datay diye. Kis tu dosh deh tu parani suh apna kiya karaa hai".
We can reduce the pains and sufferings of this life by devoting time toward WaheGuru (Naam Japna, Paath, Kirtan, changae karam karnae etc.). This will neutralize the effects of bad deeds done in the previous lives. Let us all devote at least 2.5 hours daily for Nitnem and all the time say WaheGuru in your mind. Repeating WaheGuru WaheGuru ..... WaheGuru is the most powerful way especially at Amrit vela. Keep doing that everyday without any break, not only your this life will be better but you will reap the benefits after this life also.

Jai Sai Ram~~~

[tana]

Om Sai Ram~~~

The Bebe Nanaki - The First Sikh~~~
 
A sister's love for her brother is a perennial theme of Punjabi folklore. Janam Sakhis tell us of several stories depicting Bebe Nanaki (b. 1464 CE) love for her brother Nanak. Bebe Nanaki was the first to recognize Nanak, one blessed by God. She is seen here with her husband Jai Ram, as Mardana the ministerial, receives the rebeck on which he accompanied Guru Nanak, singing his divinely inspired songs. This was before Guru Nanak set out on his preaching odyssey' accompanied by Bhai Mardana.


Jai Sai Ram~~~

Om Sai Ram~~~

More About Bibi Nanaki~~~

Bibi Nanaki ji (1464-1518) was the elder sister of Guru Nanak and the daughter of Kalian Chand (Baba Kalu) and Mata Tripta. She was born in 1464 in her mother's home at the village of Chahal, now in Lahore district of Pakistan Punjab. The Guru's love for his sister is referred to in most touching terms in some of the Sakhis. A sister's love for her brother is a perennial theme of Punjabi folklore. There are many stories of Nanaki's deep and devoted affection for her brother, Nanak.

Bibi Nanaki was five years older then Guru Nanak, she was the first to recognize his spiritual eminence and to become his devotee. She is often credited as becoming the first Sikh. She protected Nanak from their father's wrath, when repeatedly he disappointed and angered him. She was with him throughout the early years of his childhood. When Guru Nanak Dev was only six years old in 1475, Nanaki was married to Bhai Jai Ram, a revenue official of very good reputation, at Sultanpur, which is in the present-day native state of Kapurthala, and was then the capital of the Jalandhar Doab. Nanak continued to live at home. He rebelled against Hindu ritual customs and rites that were imposed without reason.

He loved to be in the company of saints, and gave money away to the poor and the hungry. His father despaired of never being able to make him behave and take on a respectable employed position in the village. And so it was that his father gave up, and so, at the age of fifteen, Nanak was sent to live with his sister, and to work for her husband. It was Bhai Jai Ram who arranged the wedding of Nanak to Sulakhani, daughter of Baba Mool Chand Khatri and Mata Chando Rani of the village Pakhoke, District Gurdaspur.

Bibi Nanaki adored her brother, Nanak, and felt herself blessed when he came to join the Nawab's service and stayed with her at Sultanpur. Childless, she loved Guru Nanak's sons, Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das, as if they were her own. Guru Nanak reciprocated her affection and after he had quit the Nawab's service to go out to preach his message, he did not fail to visit Sultanpur and meet with his sister between trips.

Once as he visited her in 1518, Bibi Nanaki sensing her end near, detained him a short while. Soon, she departed this life , as she had wished, in the presence of her brother — Guru Nanak Dev ji. Three days later, her husband, Bhai Jai Ram Ji, also passed away. Guru Nanak performed their obsequies. There is no doubt that, perhaps, the first Gur Sikh was none other than Bibi Nanaki and second Gursikh was Mata Sulakhni ji, Guru Nanak Dev's wife.

Jai Sai Ram~~~

[tana]

Om Sai Ram~~~

Sajan the Robber~~~


Guru Nanak and his companion Bhai Mardana were travelling and spreading the word of God. They reached Tulamba in Multan. There on the roadside was an inn fit for a Sultan. Its owner was Sajjan whose real name was Sheik, He wore white to look pious and great. He was good to Hindus and Muslim who stayed in his inn. They could pray in the mosque or temple that he built within. His workers took care of his vast lands pretty well. But his real money came from killing travelers after robbing and disposing their bodies in the well. Seeing Guru Nanak ji he thought 'he must be a wealthy man.' He served him and Mardana with great care. Guru ji was aware of what was on Sajjan's mind. Sadly it was an ugly affair. Sajjan said 'O holy man, come and sleep in comfort inside. It's night and quite late beside. Guru ji replied "Sajjan we shall first sing a hymn in praise of the Lord, Then welcome sleep to dream about the kingdom of God." He began reciting the hymn and Mardana played the rabab. The shabad explained that shiny bronze pots, do cover the fingers with dirty black dots. Those that have not done any good deeds, Are like a garden full of weeds. So it is with white clothed holy men who rob the innocents. They are like pretty storks at places of worship' Whose diet alas includes frogs. To become good and be able to do good in this world, one needs the help of God.' Hearing this shabad Sajjan knew what it meant, for whom it was. As soon as Guru ji finished the hymn he fell at his feet, begged forgiveness and promised not to kill or cheat. He distributed all his wealth among the poor at hand, and started living like a true Sajjan in that land.

Jai Sai Ram~~~

[tana]

Om Sai Ram~~~

Mardana Gives Clothes and Food~~~

For forty-seven years Bhai Mardana went wherever Guru Nanak went. Whether it was bitter cold of the hills or the heat of the deserts he did not leave him. Fear of wild animals or hunger and thirst in the wilderness or even the love of home did not change his mind from the five vices- lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride. He replaced them with the five virtues - truth, contentment, patience, compassion and faith. He was given the honor to be saint and a brother to all.

Mardana was nine years older to Guru Nanak. His father was a Mirasi Muslim who did odd jobs in the village of Mir Badra. There was no postal system of sending mail in olden days, so Mirasis use to perform this duty. They would take messages of the village people to their relatives and bring back their replies. Their work was of great importance. Those who took their help had to look after them well. They were always on the move and so were used to bearing hardships. As they moved alone, they made it their hobby to sing and play instruments to amuse themselves and they took pride in being honest and truthful.

Bhai Mardana too was gifted with many things, one of them being playing the Rabab - a musical instrument on which he sang the hymns composed by Guru Nanak in nineteen different melodies. Guru ji who was working as a storekeeper at Modi Khana gave up his job. He chose Mardana as his companion and started going places to spread the word of God. They were going on foot from Sultanpur to Lahore. On their way they stopped for the night then woke up at dawn, bathed and Mardana played his instrument and Guru ji recited a hymn in praise of God.

Then Mardana took Guru ji’s permission to go to a nearby village to get something to eat and drink. The village people gave him some clothes too as they use to give other hermits and fakirs. When Guru ji saw the bundle of clothes with Mardana he said “Bhai Mardana, distribute these clothes among the poor, by gathering things offered in charity one becomes greedy. A greedy man entangled by this urge can never do any good to mankind.” So acting upon the command of Guru Nanak, Bhai Mardana gave away all the clothes to the poor as well as the extra food.


Jai Sai Ram~~~

[rajiv uppal]

A Charitable Disposition :

Nanak's father worried about his future, as he did not seem interested in earning money. He once gave him Rs. 20.00 and sent him to Lahore to start a business. Nanak was accompanied by his constant companion Bhai Bala. En route, they came across some hungry sadhus, who were meditating. Nanak spent all the money he had to feed them. And then returned home. Next, his father sent him to stay with his sister Nanki, in Sultanpur. He started working at a grain shop there, but whatever he earned, he spent on the poor. He did not keep a penny for himself.

At 18 years, he was married to Sulakshana Devi, daughter of Moolchand. His sister convinced him to take care of his domestic life. The couple had two sons. But domestic life was not for Nanak. He had a higher calling and left home in search of the truth. He believed that his true family consisted of loyalty to truth, mercy, happiness, devotion, compassion, peace and adventure. He was accompanied on his search by Bhai Bala and Mardana, a professional singer.

[rajiv uppal]

There are countless stories of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's travels. Once Guru Ji came to a river and in it he saw many Hindus who were taking water in their clasped hands and offering it towards the Sun. Guru Ji enquired about what was going on. One person replied " we are offering water to our ancestors who are in the next world ". Guru Ji replied " This sounds like a good idea, let me try". With this Guru Nanak Dev Ji started offering water to the opposite side to the crowd. The throng looked on and were very puzzled. "What are you doing Fakir Ji ?" they asked. "Why, I am offering water to my fields in the Punjab" he said "if your water can reach the next world surely mine can reach the Punjab which is a few hundred miles away". With this the people realised their folly.

[rajiv uppal]

On his travels Guru Ji met a very rich and successful man. The man invited Guru Sahib to his large a luxurious house. The man had accumulated a vast fortune with deciete and foul means and he boasted about his wealth. He asked Guru ji if there was anything he could do for a man of God. Guru Ji saw a needle on the floor picked it up and handed it to him , "Please give me this needle in the next world". The man was puzzled "How can i do this" he said " One comes into this world with nothing and leaves it with nothing". The penny dropped and he realised that he had wasted away his whole life. He fell at Guru Sahibs feet "Forgive me " he cried. Guru Nanak Dev Ji blessed him and told him the three rules all should live by : Naam Japo - Recite the name of the Lord at all times, Kirat Karo - Do an honest days work , Wand Shako - Share your food with those around you.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji's crusade was against intolerance which had become the practice of the Muslims, and the meaningless rituals and discriminations of caste and gender which had become a integral part of Hindu life