She once explained to me, "A lot of times the elders try to get involved with how the gurdwara should be run and control everything. But actually, we elders are just supposed to be quiet. We just need to sit back, give blessings and tell stories".
Once a beloved of Guru Har Rai asked which one of his beautiful sons; the elder son; Baba Ram Rai or the younger son; Baba HarKrishan, would be the one to sit on the throne of Nanak. Guru ji had the beloved test both sons while they read the Guru's words, by seeing if he could insert a needle into the wood under the books that they were reading...
These stories not only remind us of the greatness of the Guru, but they also teach us lessons like humility and tolerance. It is our great blessing to listen to and share such stories!
They are a living representation of wisdom and of our path. Because it has been such a difficult task to protect these scriptures multiple genocides and many attempts to silence them, we’ve taken their well-being very, very seriously throughout our history.
This story imparts this message simply and implicitly to children. For adults it invites us to contemplate the story behind the story. It invokes us to explore a moment of significant silence. A few pages can be written about the interaction of the cannibal with Mardana and Guru Nanak.... yet there are unknown volumes that can be written about the silence in the middle of the story.
This is a story that will not only ignite the imagination of young ones it will inspire them to act in their lives. Most importantly it will assure them that Guru Nanak is present in their lives, personally loving and guiding them.
When I first came upon the Basics of Sikhi videos I was impressed with how personable Jagraj Singh was. He was so raw and also sweet. I said to myself that I will meet this brother some day.
The real revelation was written directly by Guru Gobind Singh.
We all know what Guru ji did... but why did he do it!???
This story is directly based on a historic text and shows the personality of the future Guru when he was young: Sri Teg Bahadur had no interest with anything in this world. His mother, Mata Nanki, was concerned about this and asked the Guru what greatness he sees in her simple son.