Sakhis

Bhramins Belly: Gateway to heaven?

Bhramins (bless them) had a great business going around at the time of the Gurus. Each of them would receive gifts from people for nothing. Yes, nothing. Seems too good to be true? There must be a catch! There is: The reason why these poor villagers gave money/food to them was so that Bhramins could pass it on to their dead forefathers. Don’t know why they suddenly felt need to feed the dead, but hey whatever rocks their boat..

Anyways, so Bhramins had a good business enterprise, advertising in the local Des Pardes (well the equivalent), chilling on the free dollars – if they’re lucky a free cow – and ofcourse always busy in their work “feeding” people’s forefathers (ahem). As the villagers offerings increased, the Bhramins’ bellys also magically increased. Obviously, this was a miraculous expansion and villagers didn’t give it a second glance.

Setha, Gobinda and Bhaga were three well off merchants. They were Hindus and they were no exceptions.. They also merrily fed the Bhramins, thinking the food would somehow go to their forefathers. One day they decided to think logically (First time for everything) and went to ask the all-knowing Guru Arjan Dev Ji about this:

“O Guru, we give Dakshana (offerings) to Bhramins in the names of our dear forefathers every year. Tell us whether all this reaches out forefathers or not?”

Guru ji smiled, “No person can tell whether your forefathers are in heaven or hell. No-one knows which Bhramin will go to heaven or hell.. And even IF a Bhramin reaches your forefathers, how can they recognise the right one out of millions of dead people?”

Good Question. Well frankly neither of them had an answer and they knew that Mr know-it-all talks sense. So they stopped this practice (saved loadsa bucks) and chilled, working hard, helping others and remembering the Big One..

Too Royal to be Weak?

Humayun was Babur’s only son. Babur was the king of Dehli, so after he died, Humayun became king –makes sense init. The thing is, not only did he have a weird name, he was a bit lazy and weak too (ok not a bit lol). One of his beloved loyal officers, called Sher Shah (what a name), rose up against him. Poor Humayun, being lazy and all that, was defeated easily and ran away to save his life (not so lazy now huh). On his way to Lahore he passed by Khadur, Guru Angad Dev Ji’s pind (village). Wanting to get his king-hood back he went to Guru Ji for help.

When he reached Guru ji’s house, he was busy saying his prayers – so he didn’t notice Humayun’s arrival. The ex-king was upset. Being a typical royal, he didn’t like waiting. He thought “How dare ze Guru not show any respect to ze King!” (uh oh)

In a fit of anger (ARGHHHH!), the ex-king became not so weak and drew his sword out! In the mean-time Guru Ji had finished (what a nice coincidence) and was ready to listen. Seeing what he was about to do with his sword (which looks kinda obvious), he smiled and said, “You are brave enough to kill or frighten peaceful people. Why didn’t you use it in the battlefield, from which u come running so cowardly? Your sword didn’t work in the battlefield, but now suddenly you seem to have become a brave fighter.”

GOT TOLD! Humayun felt ashamed (Rightly so!) and begged for forgiveness from Guru Ji. “I’m sorry jeee, I kinda lost my head,” and then he begins his real begging stuff, “You know that Guru Nanak was kind enough to bless my father, who became the king of Delhi. I am no good, because I’ve lost the throne. Your blessing alone can make me king once again. Please have mercy on me and bless meee.” (blah blah blah)

*Silence, as Humayun awaits a reply*

“My blessing has no powers,” Guru ji smiled, “To be a king means to be kind, just and helpful to the people. If you promise to do that, you will be king by God’s grace. Be patient and always remember God who grants all your wishes. Humayun hurried away to Persia.

Few years later, he gathered his soldiers, came back to the place now known as “India” and fought bravely. Humayun won the battle and became the king of Delhi. He wanted to do Guru Ji a favour for this, but Guru Angad Dev ji had gone back to chill with Akaal.

However, Guru Amar Das Ji, the 3rd Guru, sent a message to the new king, to remind him to be kind and good to his people. The son of Humayun was Akbar, who visited Guru Amar Das Ji and helped with the langar.

So even Kings bow down to Guru Ji, because they know that Guru Ji rocks!