Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Guru Nanak Dev Ji

One day Nanak was persuaded by his father to engage himself in some profitable pursuit. The fathers council was indeed reasonable and Nanak readily agreed. Mehta Kalu was most pleased with this development, he lost no time in placing a suitable sum of money at his disposal and asked Mardana and Bala to assist Nanak. It was decided that they would go to Chuhrkana, a wholesale market to make a profitable bargain.

Nanak did go to Chahrkana and did make a profitable bargain. He encountered a band of sadhu’s and holy men who had not eaten for several days. Nanak saw their plight and spent all the money in feeding and clothing them. Placing all the purchases at the disposal of the holy men, Nanak and his companions walked back home empty handed. As he came close to his village, he suddenly realised how his father would react. Instead of going home Nanak sat down under a tree. When his father learnt what had happened, he was livid. Nanak tried to explain that he had made a profitable bargain and that he could not think of a better deal, but Mehta Kalu did not understand.

As it happened Rai Bular turned up on the scene, listening to Nanak explain to his father convinced him that Nanak was no ordinary youth. Rai Bular became Nanaks devoted disciple.

In due course Nanak was to be invested with the sacred thread, the janeau, according to Hindu custom. It is akin to baptism amongst the Christians, signifying the spiritual rebirth of the Hindu child. Hardyal the family priest, was invited to perform the ritual in the presence of relatives and friends. The ceremony was to be followed by a lavish feast and rejoicing. However, when the presiding priest approached Nanak to invest with him the sacred thread Nanak declined to wear it; young Nanak had no faith in the ritual, and would have nothing to do with the thread which would sooner or later wear out. Everyone present was stunned. They tried to argue with the child, but none succeeded on persuading him. When the priest persisted, Nanak went into a trance and sang :

Rai Bular who had been invited to participate in the feast following the ceremony was thrilled to hear the verse. He complimented Mehta Kalu on his son’s talents. But Mehta Kalu, a devout Hindu was heart broken.

As he grew, Guru Nanak spent more and more time in the company of Hindu holy men and Msulim fakirs, in the thick forests around Talwandi; he was happiest in their company. But the matter-of-fact Mehta Kalu did not approve of it. “If he is fond of wondering about in the forest” he said “he might as well take care of the cattle. He could spend his time in the fields as well as shepherd the cattle.” Nanak Ji agreed. He liked to see cows and buffaloes grazing. Accordingly he led his cattle out to graze every morning and brought them back in the evening when it was time for them to be milked. Before long the cattle were completely tamed. As Nanak sat under the tree and sang hymns, the cattle grazed and frolicked about.
Then, one day, an agitated peasant came and complained to Rai Bular that Mehta Kalu’s cattle had ravaged his entire crop and that his son who was supposed to keep an eye on them was found sleeping under a tree. Rai Bular, who knew Nanak better didn’t believe a word of it. He decided to verify the lose himself. Out in the fields he did find Nanak lying under a tree in deep meditation. A cobra snake had could out from its burrow and was towering over the child shielding his face from the fierce sun and not a blade of the crops was out of place. The peasant could not believe his eyes. Rai Bular got off his horse and walked near where Nanak was lying. He was convinced that the son of Mehta Kalu was a blessed soul and he bowed in reverence.

Rai Bular would make indulgent enquiries about Nanak; where he spent his time, what he did and so on. Even if it meant going out of his way he would drop by on Mehtas house and call on Nanak. Every time Rai Bular saw Nanaks faced he was charmed, his head would bow before him spontaneously. Every word uttered acquired new significance; it haunted him day and night.

Mehta Kalu on the other hand, did not appreciate a word of what his son said. In fact he was irritated at the fuss his daughter Nanaki and his mentor Rai Bular made over his son. He thought Nanak was good for nothing; the only son, he was pampered by his people and was getting spoilt. Mehta Kalu also noticed that Nanak showed little interest in any worthwhile activity, and that of late he had developed a tendency to keep to himself; as far as possible, he avoided company, and remained lost in contemplation. His eyes were dreamy and would not eat for days on end. At night when everyone slept Mehta Kalu would see his son deeply absorbed in meditation. Everyone who saw Nanak during those days felt there was something wrong with him. He appeared to be suffering from some ailment. It was therefore decided to take him to a vaid or doctor. Hari Das, a leading physician, was sent for. As the old doctor was feeling his pulse, Nanak went into a trance and started reciting a hymn. The physician, spell-bound listened to his patient.

The physician heard Nanak and his eyes opened: Nanak certainly suffered from an ailment whose cure was beyond him. The anxious parents decided to get their son married before it was too late. They thought that, bound in marriage, Nanak might begin to take interest in household affairs, he might even take to some profitable pursuit. Accordingly, a suitable match was found iSulukhani, the daughter of Mula, a Chona Khatri. Mula was also a patwari at Pakho-di-Randhawa. Nanak did not object to it; he maintained that married life was not a conflict to spiritual pursuits, if anything it only helped. Guru Ji was happily married. They had two sons – Sri Chand was followed three years later by Lakshmi Das.