Guru Poornima: 24th July
Bhai Gurudas was the uncle and devoted disciple of the Sikh Guru Arjan. At one time he composed the following verse and read them to the Guru:
If a mother is impious, it is not for her son to punish her;
If a cow swallows a diamond, her stomach should not be cut open;
If a husband is unfaithful, the wife should never imitate him or lose her chastity;
If a high caste lady takes to wine, people should not take it ill;
If the Guru test his disciple, the disciple’s faith should not waver.
Guru Arjan listened attentively as Gurudas recited the verse. When Gurudas finished, the Guru thought, “All these things are easier said than done. Let me test his faith.“
Turning to Gurudas, he said, “Uncle, I have to buy some horses at Kabul. Will you be able to do this for me?”
“Why not? Certainly,” replied Gurudas.
Accordingly, the Guru filled several bags with gold sovereigns. Gurudas counted them, and then sealed the bags and put them into strong wooden boxes. These were loaded onto the backs of mules and he along with a number of disciples started out on the long and tough journey to Kabul from Lahore where the Guru was residing.
In due course, after passing through the Khyber Pass, they reached Kabul among the mountains of Hindu Kush. In the great horse market of this ancient city, Gurudas bargained with the horse traders and finally purchased the best horses that he could find. These were taken by the other disciples who were to take them slowly to Lahore. Meanwhile, Gurudas asked the horse traders to come to his tent to be paid. Leaving them outside, he entered the tent to get the gold.
Opening a few of the boxes, he took out the needed bags but felt that something was wrong. He opened all of the bags and to his horror he found that every one of them was filled with pebbles instead of gold. He was now beside himself with fear, for he knew the savage nature of the horse dealers. “There they are waiting outside the tent for me to pay them, and if I don’t, they will cut me to pieces,” he thought.
Fear overpowered his thoughts and finally decided that the only that he might escape was to cut the back of the tent and escape through the hole. So overwhelmed with the fear, he didn’t even pray to his Guru for help. Jumping through the hole, he escaped and ran away at full speed. Ashamed to face his Guru, he passed through Lahore and made his way all the way to Kashi, hundreds of miles to the east.
Meanwhile, the other members of his party entered his tent to find out why he was delaying in paying the horse dealers. There they found all of the boxes open and filled with gold, but there was no sign of Gurudas. They also saw the hole in the back of the tent. They then paid the horse traders and made their way back to Lahore where they told Guru Arjan about all that had happened. After Gurudas had settled down in Kashi, he started to expound the great truths of the scriptures in public places and soon attracted a large crowd. Finally, even the Governor of Kashi also came to hear and admire his beautiful discourses.
After a few months, Guru Arjan sent a letter to the Governor of Kashi in which he wrote, “There is a thief of mine in Kashi and I am writing to ask you kindly to take him prisoner, tie his hands and send him to me. You will not have to search hard for this thief. The mere reading of this letter in places of public assembly and religious discourses will find him, for the thief will himself speak out upon hearing the letter read.”
In due course, the letter was read where Gurudas was giving a discourse to a large crowd of people. But the moment he heard the letter, he stood up and said, “I am the Guru’s thief.” His listeners were stunned. “You could never be a thief, for you are a holy man. The thief must be someone else,” they said. But Gurudas insisted, “No, it is I who am the thief, there is no doubt about it. Please tie my hands so that I do not escape.“
No one came forward to do so, for it was unthinkable to tie up a holy man like a common robber. So Gurudas unbound his turban and cutting it in two, he tied his own hands with it. Tied like this, he then happily made his way to Lahore. When he finally reached there and stood before the Guru, the Guru said, “Brother, please repeat those couplets you read to me just before I asked you to go to Kabul.” But Gurudas, having been tested and put through some bitter experiences to try his love and faith, fell at the Guru’s feet and exclaimed,
If a mother gives poison to her son, who is it that will save him?
If the watchman breaks into the house, who can protect it?
If a guide misleads the traveler, who can set him on the right path?
If the fence starts to eat the crop, who can save it?
Even so, if the Guru tests the disciples, who can help them to remain steadfast?”
This small story teaches us how a Guru always keeps a vigilant eye on His disciples and always tries to show them the right path in life. Only the SadGuru, through his spiritual power and grace, can keep the disciple steadfast and filled with devotion under trying circumstances.
Another incident is that of Mahabharat war when Arjun started to think himself as the greatest warrior. While the battle of Kurukshetra was at its peak, Arjun and Karna were fighting each other. It was a battle to witness, a flurry of arrows was being exchanged, and even the Gods were witnessing this epic battle between the two warriors. Arjun would shoot his arrows and the impact of these arrows was so intense that Karna’s chariot would go back by 25-30 feet.
People who witnessed this were amazed by the skills of Arjun. Karna was no less. When he shot arrows, Arjun’s chariot would also shake and go back by three-four feet. More than anyone else, Krishna would applaud Karna every time his arrow hit Arjun’s chariot. But not once did he applaud Arjun’s skills.
At the end of the day, Arjun asked Krishna: O Lord, I have shot so many arrows at Karna’s chariot, it was being displaced like a feather in the wind but not once did you appreciate me. Rather, you would appreciate Karna’s skill despite his arrows just displacing my chariot a little.
Krishna smiled and replied: “Arjun, remember, your chariot is protected by Hanuman on your flag at the top; you have me as your charioteer in the front and you have Sheshnag at its wheels, yet the whole chariot would still sway and get displaced whenever the valiant Karna hit us with his arrows. But Karna’s chariot is not protected by any such force. He is on his own, yet he fights valiantly.”
It is said that after the battle of Kurukshetra was over, Krishna refused to get off the chariot till Arjun got down. Once Krishna stepped down from the chariot, it caught fire and was reduced to ashes. Krishna said: “O Arjun, your chariot was destroyed by Karna a long time ago; I was still protecting it. Never in your life have the arrogance to say that you have achieved great heights.”
Thus, our success is the result of not only our efforts, but it is also a combination of several other factors and support systems. In reality, what all we have achieved, it is due to the divine grace of our SadGurudev. It is divine intervention that has always protected us, cleared our path and given us the right opportunities at the right time! Guru Poornima is a day to offer our gratitude towards our Guru for all the grace and love He has bestowed up on us in this life. Wishing a Happy Guru Poornima to all the dedicated disciples who have full faith and devotion in the holy feet of SadGurudev!
It is mandatory to obtain Guru Diksha from Revered Gurudev before performing any Sadhana or taking any other Diksha. Please contact Kailash Siddhashram, Jodhpur through Email , Whatsapp, Phone or Submit Request to obtain consecrated-energized and mantra-sanctified Sadhana material and further guidance,
