Guru
Nanak was the first Guru of the Sikhs. He was also the founder of the
Sikh religion. He travelled far and wide. Once he visited
Lahore.Lahore is a big town in Pakistan. A very rich man named
Duni Chand lived there. He was so rich that he had seven million
rupees. To show his riches, he had put seven flags on his house.
On the day when the Guru arrived, he was giving a sharadh. A
sharadh is a big feast which the Hindus offer to the
Brahmans.
They think that whatever they give to the Brahmans
after the feast, reaches their dead forefathers in the next
world. They prepare the best food and give away fine
clothes and money to the Brahmans on this day. They call it
Dakshana. Duni Chand had invited many Brahmans and saints on the
Sharadh of his father. He invited Guru Nanak too.
Guru Nanak
sat down on one side. He told Duni Chand that he would like to
wait till the Brahmans had eaten their food. Duni Chand agreed
to this and gave a very fine feast, offering money and clothes
to the Brahmans as Dakshana. He believed that all this would
reach his dead father. When the Brahmans had gone, Duni Chand
asked the Guru to have some food. The Gum gave a smile.
"Duni
Chand," he said, "Do you think that your father is no
longer hungry? Have your gifts reached him?"
"Yes,
sir," said Duni Chand. "The Brahmans have eaten so much
that my father needs no more food for at least a year He also
has enough money and clothes to last for one year."
"Duni
Chand," said the Guru laughing, "The Brahmans ate food;
they will sell the clothes and spend all the money. I cannot
understand how it can reach your dead father."
"You
are right, sir," said Duni Chand, "You cannot understand
it, neither can I. But it's God's will. The Brahman tells us so
and we all believe it. I thought you were a Brahman and knew
about it, but I am glad I didnt, waste my food on you."
You
did the right thing, Duni Chand said the Guru, "I not carry
your food to your father and that's why I did like to let your
food go to waste. You may feast the Brahmans in any way you
like. I myself don't need any food I would be pleased if you
would do me another favour instead."
"Yes,
gladly," replied Duni Chand.
"Here is a sewing
needle," said the Guru. "Keep it with you- use it if you
like. I would like you to give my needle back to me in the next world
when we meet after death."
Duni Chand did not quite
understand the Guru and said, "How can I carry this needle
with me when I die?"
"If an old Brahman can carry
enough clothes, food and money to last for a whole year, not
only for your father but also for many others," said the
Guru, "I wonder why this small needle should seem too heavy for
you to carry! If the Brahmans refuse to do this work, how will
you take all your money, horses, gold and other costly things
into the next world?"
The idea went home to Duni
Chand. He asked for the Guru's advice. "Duni Chand,"
said the Guru, "Work hard, share your earnings with the needy
and remember God. Don t worry about your dead forefathers."
"That's
what I already do Sir" , said Duni Chand. "I have hundreds
of servants who work for me. I give alot of money and clothes to
Brahmans and holy men who come and sing hymns in my
house".
"This is not the way to do it, Duni Chand"
said the Guru.
"Give away all your money to the
poor and the needy. You haven't earned it by honest labour.
Start going to your farm. Work hard among your servants.
Whatever you eam in this way, share equally among all the
workers. Then from your own share give away as much as you can
in charity. Look upon your servants as brothers and love
everybody. Sit among them when you find time and sing God's
praises. This is the true way. Duni Chand. One can expect to
receive in the next world only that, which one earns by honest
labour and gives away in charity to the needy in this
world."
Duni Chand understood the Guru's advice. He gave
up his princely life and started working with his own hands. His
wife also did the same. Duni Chand's house became a temple where
rich and poor, black and white, high and low, all sang songs of
God. Duni Chand and his wife became the Guru's followers and
helped many others to follow the Guru's Way.
"Work
hard and share your earnings with the needy Nanak; thus shall you
find the way to God's grace."
(Satguru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji,
the king of kings and the saint of saints)