he Guru Ji moved ahead. Mardana Ji accompanied him. A dense forest came.
A For quite a distance they walked in the dense forest Then, Mardana Ji said: Your Holiness, what a dreadful desolate forest is this! Not a soul is to be seen.
Then, Guru Ji said: O Mardana Ji, the desolate places are considered inhabited if one remembers the Lord's name and those inhabited places are dreadful, where there is forgetfulness of the Lord and vices are the order of the day. Those who love the Lord have made the desolate places sacred where some one remembered the Lord and sat and sang his praises and made the desolate places fortunate.
Saying this, he had tears of love in his eyes and from his throat that had a sweet sensation of the love of the Lord in it came a song that meant:
Those are fortunate who have a longing and craving to meet the Lord. This song was sung in such a pang of love that Mardana Ji's heart became full of longing for the Lord. To him, it appeared that all vegetation, the trees and plants are in longing to meet the Lord. He felt as if the forest is full of people who are all in the longing to meet the Lord. Mardana Ji remained in this thinking for a long time. Then, he opened his eyes and felt a solace in the desolate forest. He said: You are great. You are great.
After some time they moved ahead. The desolate forest ended. The untouched beauty of nature vanished. Now some green fields could be seen but not many. A little habitation could be seen. This village was of robbers. Almost, all of them or most of them were in this profession, to rob the people, loot them, kill them and bury them.
On seeing the village, Guru Ji said: O my companion, the desolate forest is gone and an inhabited village has come. We may stay the night here. Mardana Ji said: O.K. It is fine.
Guru Ji said: Come, Mardana Ji and see the Lord's miracles, the difference between a desolate place and an inhabited place.
In this way, laughing, they entered the village. They had hardly reached a house, where the owner was glad to see them and said: Come, O gentlemen, this house is yours. Stay here, rest for the night, whatever is there, eat, drink and feel fresh. You can leave tomorrow morning.
Guru Ji smiled and sat down. Mardana Ji also sat down but in fear.
The other robbers came to know. Then, they took the man to a little distance and said: Look, they seem to be very rich and wealthy. You will have to share the booty with everyone. After fixing the plan, everybody went to his own hut.
At night, the person in whose house Guru Ji had stayed, planned in his mind: First, I will search their clothes and if they get up then, I will do like this. But as the Lord wished, it so happened that he fell off to sleep and similarly the others who were to help also went to sleep. They slept so much that nobody woke up till sunrise.
Guru Ji listened to a divine song. Then, rested. Early morning, he had a bath at the well, and in the love of the Lord, he moved out leaving the villagers still sleeping.
They were walking, when Mardana Ji said: Your Holiness how is it that they slept like this?
Then, Guru Ji said: O Mardana Ji, this is the sleep that Lord has sent, that surrounds the evil minded. Awaken-ness, the Lord has given to those who are in His longing, and sweet sleep also, He has blessed them. The evil-minded get up to do evil and when they get tired, they sleep.
Guru Ji and Mardana Ji had walked a little distance when the robbers got up. Everybody dashed to the house where Guru Ji had stayed and said to the owner: Give us our share of the booty.
He said: Like, you have got up late I have also got up just now. The travelers left while I was asleep. I don't know whether they gave us some hashish or they were some magicians.
But the other robbers did not agree. They said: You have appropriated everything and thrown them somewhere, where even we will not know and now you are deceiving us. In this way, the controversy increased. They
demanded and he said no. But the other robbers insisted. Finally, he said on oath: I haven't got anything. Then, the others were satisfied.
Now, everybody started to search outside the village. When they were able to know which side Guru Ji had gone, then some robust robbers ran and accosted Guru Ji and Mardana Ji at some distance.
When they saw them going, then, they shouted: Stop, where are you going?
On listening to the voice, the savior Guru Ji looked behind and stopped. Mardana Ji saw some dreadful persons coming towards them and said: They seem to be robbers. We do not have anything. We may tell them and be free. The only thing, we have, is this rebeck, which is of no use to them, but if they want, we may give it to them and make these wasps fly away.
The king of kings smiled and said: O Mardana Ji, see the Lord's miracle, whether they rob us or they are robbed. The Creator, who has sent these robbers, surely, He is also coming to save us.
Mardana Ji was Lord fearing but he did not have so much faith and confidence that the godly soul had. He got some confidence on listening to Guru Ji's words and the fear that he was having in his mind also became less. He recited the Lord's name that gave a support but still he came forward and stood near Guru Ji.
The robbers came near and said some angry words but the nearer they came they started losing their strength. When they were close, then, when they had a glimpse of Guru Ji they lost all their strength. Now, they made a circle around Guru Ji and Mardana Ji.
Then, Guru Ji said: Who are you?
Then, one robber said: We first kill and then, loot. We are this type of robbers. You are wealthy. You stayed at night and slipped away in the morning. We will kill you and then, loot your wealth.
Mardana Ji wanted to reply to them but seeing Guru Ji's countenance he kept quiet. Guru Ji looked at the robbers and said: O.K. You may kill us. By all means, you may kill us but you do one thing. Don't throw us after killing. This is a forest and wood is lying in plenty. You put our bodies on fire so that our bodies are cremated. It is good for you. No sign will remain. No clue will remain. Then, one robber said: What? Cremate them? Who is going to do all that drudgery? They have no guns, kill them and finish off. Who will search for fire and cremate?
But another robber trembled with fear and said: Our mind has never hesitated earlier. You better think. Nobody has ever said gladly 'you kill us'. Everybody begs, prays with folded hands not to kill. Even if an armed man comes, he is ready to fight. We kill him with great difficulty.
Everybody is always trying that he should not die.
But he is unique, who is willing to die gladly. He does not fear or hesitate. Let us listen to him what he says. Then, what he says is true. If we cremate him, then it is good for us also, no clue will be left, and if you think he is making an excuse, then, how can he run away out of our hands. We are so many and we have arms. Let two of us go and bring some fire from somewhere. The rest can keep him surrounded.
Another robber: But where is the fire, where shall we go to find?
Another robber: Better ask him. From where, shall we get the fire?
Then, Guru Ji looked towards one side and said: See, there, smoke is coming out. You bring fire from there. We are standing. The rest of you can wait here.
The robber who had appreciated the suggestion of cremation ran that side to bring fire. He took two more companions along. They had walked a little distance only, when they saw that one person is naked. Some people are taking him as a prisoner. They got this vision but when they saw with intent then, they could not see anything. But again, they got the vision clearly.
Like this, when they reached near the fire, it was a cremation and it appeared that the relatives of the dead person had left a short time back after putting the body on fire.
One robber took out a burning log from there and they started coming back. Now, what they saw was that the same person who was a prisoner, is now, in a wealthy position and a few persons are carrying him with respect.
The persons who were carrying him as a prisoner and the persons now carrying him were talking to one another.
One group said: He is in our custody. But the second group said: We have been ordered to bring him.
On seeing this, the robbers could not hide their curiosity. Then, they asked: Who are you? We can see you but it looks like a vision only. Sometime, a prisoner is being carried and sometime a wealthy man is being carried. It seems you have differences. What is the matter? You tell.
Then, they said: O brother, this is the soul of a man from whose pyre you have brought this fire. He was a sinful person. So, we were taking him to hell.
Whatever evil he did, the suffering of the same is called hell. The influences of evil deeds, his soul was carrying. He had to bear all the suffering. But when we were carrying him, then, these messengers from heavens have come. We are the messengers of hell. They have taken him forcibly from us.
Robber: O brother, why are you taking their possession from them?
Messengers from heavens: He was a sinful person. He was destined to go to hell, but the prophet whom you have come to kill, his eyes saw him with grace, and because of that grace, he has to go to heavens now.
Robber: Is it? Who is he, whom we want to kill?
Messengers from heavens: He is the prophet Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who has come to bless the people.
On listening to this, the robbers were terrified and they ran back to their companions and fell at Guru Ji's feet: O Guru Ji from the heavens, forgive us.
Rest of the robbers were astonished and said: What has happened to you? You tell. Where have you left your bravery?
One robber who had returned from the pyre: O comrades, he is Guru Ji from the heavens. If we kill a man, then, we will get punishment, but if we kill Guru Ji from the heavens, then, what will happen to us?
First robber: How is it? You tell.
Then, the robber narrated all what had transpired. After listening to eveiything, everybody was terrified and all of them fell at Guru Ji's feet.
From the time they went, Guru Ji stood like an immovable rock. His eyes were looking at the robbers. His face was shining with luster. His eyes did not blink. His breath was so slow as if not moving.
Mardana Ji saw all this. Always in love, he had some fear.
The robbers were now feeling afraid. They were praying and they fell at his feet. But Guru Ji was standing immovable. His eyes were fixed on the robbers. His face seemed as if awe-inspiring.
What a wonder: Those who came to kill are lying at his feet and praying. Neither he got afraid earlier nor he has gone into compassion now. He is standing and from his face the rays of radiance are spreading all over.
The robbers are praying: O Guru Ji, forgive us. Be benevolent.
The robbers are praying with folded hands: Your Holiness, once again, you come to the village. We have been committing crimes. Day and night, we have been busy in looting and killing. You put us on the true path.
We are hard criminals and we cannot be reformed without the blessings of a godly soul.
We have seen many small sadhus and saints and have looted them, but today we have found you as a prophet.
The fire in the ocean, only the ocean can extinguish. The fire in the forest, only a torrential rain can extinguish. You come to the village, stay for sometime and bless our entire community.
On listening to their prayer, Guru Ji looked towards them. Benevolence appeared in his face and he said: You go, we will come in a while.
Again, falling at his feet and bowing their heads, they went to their village.
Guru Ji sat there for some time. Mardana Ji sang a divine song. Then, Guru Ji turned back.
Mardana Ji: What was this miracle? They came to kill. You also got ready to die. My mind said that I should tell them and show them that we do not have anything costly, but being afraid of you, I did not say anything.
Guru Ji: They are very dreadful robbers. First, they kill and then search your clothes. They would never have listened to you. Their hearts have become like stone by killing. Only the Lord, can save from them.
Mardana Ji: If you had not shown the miracle, then, it was difficult to put them off. You are right. They are dreadful.
Guru Ji: I did not show any miracle. I told them, 'you can kill us'. It is for the Lord to make loss into victory.
Mardana Ji: Your losing is welcome. Victory kisses the feet of your losing. You showed them a good miracle.
Guru Ji: O Mardana Ji, see the love of the Lord. It is his love to protect. He protects those, whom he loves. It was his will that these robbers should be blessed, so that the suffering of the people, who are suffering on account of them, is allayed. So, the Lord brought us here.
But when they came after us, then, the Lord who wanted them to be blessed, sat on my tongue and I said, you can kill. But cremate us. When they asked, 'where to get the fire', then, I saw at the pyre.
By the Lord's grace, the person who was destined to hell, his sins were redeemed and the messengers of heaven came to take him.
The robbers got the vision of this entire scene that happened in the unseen world. They saw, as if it had happened in front of their eyes.
It is His miracle, the miracle of the gracious Lord that He created a scene in front of the robbers and terrified them. Those, whose hearts had become
like stone, by killing, did not remain thirsty of our blood and were terrified of their own evil deeds.
Mardana Ji: You are right. But miracles don't happen for everybody. They don't happen even for good sadhus and intellectuals.
Welcome to your faith. These miracles happen for you. You are the child from the Lord's lap. Or the Lord Himself has come in body form. Welcome is your losing that is always a win. How innocently you said: God bless you. You may kill with pleasure. I felt a sensation of pain that what has my softhearted master said. But what did I know that in the losing that you accepted the Lord stood behind and not allow even a scratch. Instead it will be a win and he will reform the sinners. Well. Today at least, you tell whether the miraculous is He or yourself. It is you only, who has come to this earth and are doing miracles. At least at sometime, you tell the secret to your singer.
Listening to this, Guru Ji's eyes closed and he sang a divine song that meant: 'O Lord, you are the One and only One'.
The song is being sung. Mardana Ji is playing the rebeck and also tears are falling from his eyes.
Mardana Ji is getting the sensation of the presence of the Lord, for whom, the entire intellectual world is craving to make sure His presence and some people refuse to accept His presence because they cannot see Him.
Mardana Ji is getting the sensation of 'the One and only One'.
The divine song finished. Guru Ji pressed his hand on Mardana Ji's shoulder and stood up with a jerk and said: O Mardana Ji, come see the Lord's miracles.
Mardana Ji: Lord is great and I appreciate your faith in Him. But if we go, and rest of the robbers do not agree, then, we may not get into trouble again?
Guru Ji: Didn't you see, how the Savior saved us? He saved us from the entanglement. If there is any more entanglement, it is some purpose of the Lord. We will win it over. What are we? Puppets? We shall just pass through. The Lord knows what he wishes. We should always remain in His love and in recitation of His name. Whatever the Lord does is good.
Saying this, he walked back and Mardana Ji also accompanied him.
The robbers left Guru Ji and reached their village. There, others were waiting for them to come with the booty. When they came and were asked, they said: Everybody should come to the big platform. There, we shall tell.
Immediately, an announcement was made and everybody collected at the big platform. Then, the persons who had gone to kill narrated the entire incident. Everybody listened. Some felt, it was a wonder. Some became afraid and some started questioning: Is it that you have appropriated the wealth and are making a fool of us?
One robber (who had seen): This will be solved quickly. They are coming back. When you will see and listen to them, then, you will be sure, what we are talking is true.
One robber (who had seen): O destiny, if we loot the people, then, even our own brothers do not trust us. Shall we deceive our brothers? This is mistrust amongst us. It is true if you sow an acacia tree, you will get thorns. We have sown mistrust. Now, we are reaping mistrust.
Robber (who felt afraid): You ignore what he says. You tell whether you listened with your ears that he is a prophet from the heavens?
Robber (who had seen): Yes.
Robber (who was in wonder): Did you make sure or it was just an illusion? Did you see this miracle in real?
Robber (who had seen): If it were one person, then it was another thing. All of us who went to bring fire saw the miracle. We saw the messengers of heavens flying skyward. We are neither children nor we are pandits from the city who can make stories. Neither we are pious that in lieu of our piousness we could see the happenings of the unseen world. We are looters, killers and hard-hearted. We will never trust unless we see ourselves.
All: O.K.
Robbers (who had seen): Now, there is only one remedy. Whoever trusts that what we have said is true they should understand that it is time for our salvation. Now, if we are reformed, we can be reformed. If we remain as before, then, it is dying in cold when fire is near. Talking much will not be of any good. Whoever follows us, fall at his feet. Those who do not agree, they may leave this village and go and settle elsewhere and carry on their profession from there.
On listening to this straight talk, everybody agreed that they would not separate from brothers.
Robbers (who had seen): Then, you get ready to fall at his feet. Whatever he says, we will have to do. If he gives punishment, we have to accept. What we have seen, we are his servants now.
All: Whatever the brothers do, we shall follow suit.
Listening to this, they fixed a nice clean place for the stay of the guru and became ready for his reception.
Meanwhile, Guru Ji arrived. Everybody fell prostate at Guru Ji's feet.
When they got a glimpse of Guru Ji, then, they saw a luster on his face. The luster that yesterday they had thought was of wealth, today, they felt it as a godly sign. He was made to stay at a nice place, they brought presents and gifts to offer and they said words of praise for him. They brought sweet delicacies.
Savior Guru Ji: O men, away from the Lord's path, whatever things you have brought are your earning from looting and killing. I cannot accept these.
Robbers: How shall we be benefited? You put something in your mouth then only we will be benefited.
Guru Ji: All this is not yours. This belongs to other people. If we eat this, then, the benefit will go to those whose wealth it is and not to you. You had no right to loot the people by deception or by force or by killing and then, considering this looted money as your own. You should have earned honestly and truly.
On saying this, Guru Ji visualized the evil in the world and sang a divine song that meant: 'Real wealth is, that the Lord should be in your heart'.
The sweet tune and the words had a magical effect on the robbers. Their hearts melted and became soft and they cried and said: We were in the wrong. Now, you put us on the right path. You redeem our sins. We are at your mercy. You be gracious.
When Guru Ji saw their humility and repentance, then he said: Your sins can be redeemed, if you repent and leave this profession.
Robbers: O King, we are sinners. Our ancestors were in this profession. From childhood, we have got into this profession. We have become hardhearted and we consider this as our only profession. Our hard hearts have become soft only when we have seen such a big miracle. Now, we are at your mercy. Be gracious. We do not know of any other profession. What should we do? Whatever you order, we will do.
Guru Ji: There is plenty of land lying vacant here. We have hardly seen any green field. Then, there is a nice forest at a little distance. You do farming. Plough the fields, cut the forest and sell wood. You have robust bodies. It is not difficult for you to do farming. When you earn honestly and eat food from that honest earning then, you will feel happy. Whatever I shall bless you, you will keep, otherwise, neither your sins can be redeemed nor the seedlings of the Lord's name will grow in your mind.
Robbers: Whatever you order, we shall do. Once you say, 'your sins are redeemed'. As you have blessed the dying man, you also bless us and redeem our sins.
Guru Ji: Whatever wealth you have got from looting, you give it away to the needy and poor. Give it, in the name of the Lord. If you know of any address, then, you return it to them.
On listening to this, everybody brought the looted money and kept it in front of Guru Ji and agreed to give it away to the needy and poor.
Then, Guru Ji blessed them with the Lord's name.
Everybody gave up that profession. Whatever money they had earned by looting, they distributed to the needy and poor.
Guru Ji, made them give up the evil profession. He put them on earning honestly. Then, he blessed them with the Lord's name and put them on the true spiritual path of 'Recitation of the Lord's name with love'.
When the Name went inside their body, the dirt of the sins on their minds was washed. They got inner happiness.
A gurdwara was constructed in the village that was earlier a village of evil.
Where, the people were looted earlier, now service, love and respect became the ruling principle.
Establishing a gurdwara was a novel method for spreading the Lord's love.
Guru Ji stayed there for some days and, after fully reforming the entire village community, departed from there.
Man's bent of mind is such that when an extreme evil-minded person becomes pious, then, he becomes extremely pious.
O Great Guru Nanak Dev Ji,
Only you, can reform the extreme sinners. You are great, O Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
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