When Guru Nanak Dev Ji left his house and started his travels to bless the people, he first went to Harappa. There lived the robber Sajjan who had built a mansion. Guru Ji blessed Sajjan and he left robbery and became a pious man. He demolished his mansion and constructed a gurdwara there.
From there, he moved ahead and after blessing many people on the way, he reached Assam. Here, lived the famous Noor Shah, the woman saint who was stronger than men and had made big saints and rich people as disciples. She trapped people with her hypnotism and mesmerism and had kept hired people to sing her praises and trap disciples.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the prophet of the prophets, broke this house of deceit. Noor Shah was transformed. She discarded her lies and hypocrisy. Guru Nanak Dev Ji blessed her and she got into the recitation of the Lord's name. Many people who were deceived by her also got on the true path of recitation of the Lord's name.
After reforming Noor Shah, Guru Ji came to Dhaka. Here, was living an agricultural landlord, whose profession was to loot people in the daytime and commit burglaries at night. In this way, he used to make lot of money and he had kept thieves and killers as servants.
This stupid person had a misconception that the influence of evil deeds is washed away by good deeds. So he had made a kitchen in his house and he served free food to anyone and everyone at all times. Anybody could come and have free food. Nobody was refused.
The landlord, whose name was Bhoomia, had said to all the people of the town: Whosoever sadhu or faqir comes, send him to my house. Nobody should serve food to him. And if anybody disobeys me and serves food, then,
I shall loot his house. His free kitchen was open all the time for everyone.
This stupid fellow thought: This charity is fruitful and the evil that is being done is washed. Also, he thought: How the kitchen can be run if there is not enough money. If I am looting, it is for this free kitchen only.
The robber Sajjan and other people whom Guru Ji had reformed did not have this impression that what they were doing was good. They understood that they were doing evil. They were doing some good only to hide the evil that they were doing. But this man had a misconception that what he was doing is philanthropy and piousness.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji heard that people are suffering from his profession. His heart melted and he thought: I should allay the suffering of the simple people who are suffering on account of this stupid fellow. To allay their suffering he put his sacred feet on this land.
When he reached the town and came to a house, then the owner of the house was delighted to see him. In his mind, he wished that he should be hospitable to him and serve him food. He thought: I have never met such an impressive saint before.
But then, he felt afraid of Bhoomia and said: You are welcome to my house. I shall be delighted also, but O handsome saint, I am afraid of the landlord of our town who is very rich and has opened a free kitchen in his house. His orders are: Nobody should be hospitable to any sadhu or faqir or traveler. Whosoever comes, bring him to my house, and whosoever disobeys me, I shall loot his house. So, O image of the Lord, I shall take you there.
On saying this, accompanied by Guru Ji, he walked and while walking, he looked towards the sky and with a sob, heaved a sigh and said: O Lord of the heavens, this Bhoomia has looted the wealth of the people but he has also looted our good deeds. When shall we do good deeds and how shall we take the treasure of good deeds with us? It might be better if he loots our house. At least he should not stop us from doing goodness.
Then, he pondered: If he loots our wealth, then, how shall we do good deeds? Well, it is destiny. Endure, O mind, endure.
Meanwhile, they reached Bhoomia's house and the person left them there and came away.
When Bhoomia came to know that one very dignified saint has come, then, he himself came out to receive the guests and made them sit with respect in a nice room and was hospitable to them. He was delighted to have a glimpse.
He said to his mind: I have never met such an impressive saint before. He felt an attraction and sweetness but he could not understand why it was so?
Bhoomia first paid respect to Guru Ji with words. Then, he washed his feet and said: Please, O saint, food is ready, come and eat.
Guru Ji said: God bless you. First you tell, what is your profession?
Listening to this, his mind became dented. He thought: If I tell him that I loot people and commit burglaries, then, it is not good. If I tell a lie, then, he seems to be intuitive. He will judge that it is a lie. If he has already heard from some enemy of mine that 'my profession is looting and burglary', he will put me to shame. How shall I tell a lie to him?
When he was in these thoughts, Guru Ji was looking at his face with merciful eyes. With Guru Ji's merciful look his mind shook with vices.
This double-mindedness churned his mind and like butter comes by churning yogurt, truth came out of his mouth, "O benevolent saint, my profession is bad. My profession is not good. You have asked me to tell. I am afraid to speak the truth but the truth is that I loot people in the day and commit burglaries at night. But one thing is there. I use the money for doing goodness. I am maintaining a free kitchen. Anybody who comes, sadhus and faqirs all come and go satiated from here. I do service to them. All the sadhus go happy and say: You are the most pious man. So, I loot those who have money and distribute to the needy and poor".
Guru Ji smiled and said: God bless you. You have spoken the truth.
Bhoomia: Up till now, nobody dared to ask me like that nor I have accepted my evil with my own lips. But O saint, I don't know what magic you have in your eyes, that today is the first day that I trembled and said all that I have been doing. You come and have food now.
Guru Ji: When you yourself say, your profession is not good then your food is not fit for saints.
Bhoomia: When I am spending all for a good cause even then it is not good?
The true Guru Ji: Whom you kill, they cry. They suffer. How can good fruit result from bad seeds? If you sow good seeds, only then, you get good fruits.
Bhoomia was in a dilemma. Thinking of his vices he trembled. He could see the suffering, the injured, the looted cursing him. He could see an ocean of suffering people. Again he trembled.
The guru's merciful eyes were looking at his face and he was seeing the vast ocean of crying and suffering innocent people cursing him.
After some time, this scene went away from his mind. Then, he looked down towards Guru Ji's feet and said: You have said right But now, you have food. I should be happy today at least. Many saints had food here. Their blessings also, I shall get. Please have food.
Guru Ji: O gentleman. You leave this profession. Only then, you can have happiness. The wealth laced with blood cannot become a sacred wealth. The fruit of the sufferings that you have given, you have to bear, not those who had food here. See, if the king catches you then you will go to prison, not those who had food here. Similarly, when you go to the Lord's court where the bad deeds are weighed, you will be punished. See your inner self. Your vices have made your mind hard. You don't feel merciful for those whom you give suffering. You are not afraid of the Lord that you are making His children suffer. You had some goodness in you. That has prompted you to tell the truth. Since you have told the truth you can be blessed but only if for the future you leave this profession and earn in an honest way. When you earn in an honest way and give in charity, then, that will bring you fruits.
Bhoomia started thinking: He mumbled, Oon Oon Then, he rubbed
his forehead with his hand and said: Your magical eyes have killed me. I have lost the guts to tell a lie. I cannot put you off. You are a godly soul that lies don't come near you. Whatever little truth I had is coming out. You be gracious and forgive my past. But whether you bless me or curse me, I must tell you the truth again, that I will not be able to leave this profession. It is in my blood. My dad did it. My grandfather did it, and it has become my nature. The only thing is that I am spending on a good cause. No, No. I will not be able to leave it. But O handsome saint, you are too good. You must have food even if you feel bad afterwards. I get wheat and vegetables from my own land also. I shall get food cooked from what comes from my own land. Whatever be, you have food and bless me.
Guru Ji now, looked towards Mardana Ji. Mardana Ji played the rebeck and sang:
The Lord is truth. His name is true Giver of the Name, is the true Guru Ji In your mind and heart, he gives to you Recite the Lord's name that is true
Bhoomia listened to the divine song. It went into his mind that truth is something precious. He has spoken the truth and saw that the benevolent
Guru Ji has not appreciated his 'doing goodness', but has appreciated his speaking the truth.
Then, he said: It seems you appreciate truth only. I thought you will be angry on my telling the truth but you did not appreciate my 'doing goodness' and you have appreciated my small truth. That is why, I thought out and I told you the truth that I will not be able to leave this profession. You love truth. What lies should I tell you? It seems at your door there is no place for lies.
The true Guru Ji was a clever doctor. He understood that what Bhoomia had said was absolutely true. Profession of the ancestors and habit of years cannot be changed overnight. He thought: This heart that has become like a stone will melt slowly only. I should put him on such a path that this profession that is not good leaves him by and by.
Then, Guru Ji said: O Bhoomia, The Lord is there and is always living. Everybody has to die, but there is life after death. The soul does not die. It has to remain living in any form. The Lord is the Truth. When you meet the Lord, then only the dirt of the deeds can be washed away.
One thing is speaking the truth and one thing is living with Truth i.e. The Lord i.e. living in the presence of the Lord i.e. living in the remembrance of the Lord.
When you live in the presence of the Lord, then you get salvation while living.
The remembrance of the Lord is reciting His name. The Lord is formless but He reveals Himself in His name. One has to recite His name.
As you plough fields and sow the seeds, similarly this body has to be ploughed with good deeds and the Lord's name has to be sown. When this seed grows the body becomes a sacred temple. And you live in a sacred temple. This Name washes the dirt of the bad deeds. But the condition is that you have to tie this Name to your mind with a knot. You have not to go into forgetfulness. This Name will give you eternal happiness. You will be blessed if you keep the Name tied.
Bhoomia: Yes, Truth, Truth. I should always speak the truth. Secondly, if somebody tells the truth and I don't like it, then, I should not be angry because the person has spoken the truth. Thirdly, Lord is the Truth. I should love Him because He is the Truth. How the Lord is Truth, I do not know.
Mardana Ji: O Brother, What is always living is Truth. He was always living. He is always living. He will always live. Isn't He Truth?
Bhoomia: Yes, now I understand. Lord is Truth. He is always living. What is always living is Truth. Falsehood is not always living. We speak as if it is true. It is truth only till such time that the other person thinks it is true. So, it lives only till the other person thinks it is true. When the other person comes to know that it was untrue, then that truth dies. But it was not truth at all. It was falsehood. The falsehood died. So, falsehood dies. Yes truth is that which always lives and Lord is always living. So, Lord is truth. Then, you said His name is Truth. How? Let me think. Lord is Truth His name is also Truth. Lord is always living. His name is always living. I will die. My name will also die. I am perishable. My name is also perishable.
So, the Lord is Truth. His name is also Truth. Yes, I understand now.
Like, the sun is radiance its rays are also radiance. The Lord is sun. The Name is sunrays. This is O.K.
Now, you said we have to plough the body with good deeds, charity and mercy. I am doing good deeds and charity but mercy I had not known.
Now, I have to learn mercy. Without mercy the good deeds and charity is worthless. Then, I have not understood what is the sacred temple and living in it. O.K. I should at least do good deeds and charity what I am already doing and recite the Lord's name and live in the presence of the Lord. I already know the Lord is there, but I never remembered Him. O.K. Now you tell me in nutshell.
Guru Ji: First thing is, speak the truth and recite the Lord's name.
Second is, be merciful to poor people, and not make them suffer.
Third is, don't do evil to anyone whose salt you have eaten.
If you do these three things then your vices will go. You will become pious and your bad deeds will be washed. You will be blessed.
Bhoomia: You have told me to do three things.
1. Speak the truth. 2. Be merciful to poor people.
3. Not to do evil to anyone whose salt you have eaten.
1. Now, the first truth is that I cannot leave this profession. Although, I will try my best but I don't trust myself. But I will speak the truth.
The second Truth is the Lord. So, the truth you have said, I accept from now only. One is speaking the truth and one is reciting the Name.
I have already seen the fruit of truth. You have appreciated my speaking the truth. That is why you are so gracious.
2. Not to do evil.
3. Mercy on poor people. Not to make the poor people suffer. These two things, I shall also remember.
Like, when there is a strong wind the dirty smells go away, when it rains the ponds and lakes become fresh, when there is a flash the darkness goes away.
Similarly, Guru Ji after giving such a jerk to Bhoomia went away.
Bhoomia now tried to leave this profession. For a couple of days he sat in peace. But again the addiction came.
He recited the Lord's name but Name was a newly planted seed that had just started growing and the old habits were rooted ocean deep.
But one difference could be perceived. Previously, he used to boast on his victory. Now, he said: What did I gain by looting somebody? That is why, the true Guru Ji asked me to leave this profession.
In this uncertainty of mind he thought: Oh! I had promised Guru Ji that I would not let poor people suffer. What I am doing is not mercy. When this thought became too strong then he said to his mind: O Mind, leave this looting. There is no mercy in it. I make people suffer. But O mind, how will this free kitchen run and how to pay to the servants? Yes, idea. Let's go to the king's palace. The king doesn't have his own earned money. He is not going to become a pauper, and there is no suffering for the people. O K. That's fine. Burgle the king's palace. Lot of money will come in one go and it will suffice for a long time.
In this thinking, the next day he dressed himself as a rich man and as if a prince he went to the king's palace around midnight, fearlessly. When he was entering the gate, the guard asked: Sir, Who are you that you are going in without permission?
Bhoomia was in a fix whether he should tell a lie or the truth. The mind said: I have made a promise to speak the truth.
Then, with confidence he said: I am a thief.
The guard was afraid: He seems to be some near relative or friend of the king and seems to have got annoyed on my asking. I should not make him angry lest he goes and tells the king that 'I have been insulted by the guard' and I may get punishment. I am a new guard.
So, he said: You can go. I am sorry, sir.
Bhoomia went inside. He knew the roads inside. Being a big landlord, he had visited the palace a number of times, and was known to the king. He
already had clues of all secret places in the palace. He could easily find where the jewelry was kept. When, after packing up the jewelry of the queen, he was about to leave, he saw one golden plate lying on the side. When he picked up the golden plate. Then, he saw something in it and his hands touched a powdery thing. Out of curiosity when he tasted it, he found it was a digestive powder. But unfortunately there was salt in it. And Bhoomia ate the salt of the king.
Bhoomia now remembered the promise to Guru Ji that he won't do evil to anybody after eating his salt.
He thought: I have eaten the salt of the king. How can I do evil to him?
Then, his mind said: Guru Ji meant that you do not do evil to your friends and relatives because you eat and drink with them. It can also be when you are in somebody's employment, then, you get salary from him and you eat his salt. It can also be that somebody gives you some money and you eat from his money. I should not do evil to him. I am neither anybody's servant nor there are relatives and friends nor it is somebody's given money, so, it is O.K. Again, he thought: But the promise was not to do evil after eating somebody's salt. Salt I have eaten, in whatever way but I have eaten. I must keep up my promise. If what I thought initially was not a correct thinking, then he won't bless me. And my mind can be washed of the sins only when he blesses me. Again, I have to reach the Lord's palace by his grace. By his grace only I can get salvation. So, I have to obey his orders to get his grace.
His order was not to do evil to anyone after eating his salt. And I have promised that I shall abide by his orders. So, I must keep up my promise.
But then, how will I manage the house expenses? I shall rob some other king. O mind let me go. In these thoughts, he left all the packed wealth and went away and slipped out cleverly.
Ill
Next morning, the king saw that all the jewelry and diamonds are lying packed. When it was opened, everything was intact. But it was evident that some thief had come and he was about to take away everything but for some reason he left behind everything. It was astonishing why he had left behind everything, but also the king was enraged as to how a thief entered the palace and entered the secret chamber.
So, the first enquiry was from the guards. From the guards, it became known that one person in the guise of a prince did come and he said 'I am a thief. The new guard allowed him in the thinking that he might be a relative or close friend of your majesty.
Now, the king became more eager to catch the thief who was so bold. So, the orders came and the police started interrogations. These people have no mercy. They consider everybody as bad. So, many people were arrested in suspicion, but no positive clue could be found for some days. Then, the police resorted to beating up people who were arrested on suspicion.
Bhoomia came to know that the innocent are being treated mercilessly for my doing. The rich are bribing money and getting away but the poor are being thrashed.
His mind said: I had promised to Guru Ji that I would not make poor people suffer. But now the poor are suffering on my account. Although I am not giving them suffering, but it is on my account. I have done something and the poor are suffering.
O mind come now, whether death sentence or prison, bear whatever comes, but free the poor people from suffering and don't miss the blessings of Guru Ji. In the end I have to go to the Lord's court.
In this thinking, Bhoomia dressed himself like a rich man and went to the king's durbar and waited for a chance to meet the king. When the king came out of the durbar, then, swiftly he went and stood in front of the king.
With folded hands he prayed: O King, I am your thief. I had stolen your jewelry but then I left it there only. Your men are thrashing poor people. You make them free. I am the culprit. You can give me whatever punishment you think fit.
The king and the courtiers were amazed. They had never witnessed a thief who would boldly steal and then leave everything behind, and then, after being a thief, is so merciful that he cannot see the suffering of the poor people. Is he a pious man or a thief?
Then, the king asked: Why did you leave everything back after stealing? Did somebody get up or you had some misgiving?
Bhoomia: Your Majesty, the truth is that nobody could catch me and I was not afraid also, but I have found a Guru Ji who has come from the Lord. He gave me three commands. One was not to do evil after eating somebody's salt. When I picked up your jewelry and was about to leave, then, somehow I tasted the digestive powder lying there. So, O King I ate your salt. Then, how could I do evil? So, I left everything there only.
The king was amazed. His mind said: What a strange thing? He is a thief and a sinful man. But he is so obedient to Guru Ji that he follows Guru Ji's words so strictly. Is he a sinful man or a pious man?
Then, the king said: O fearless man, are you not afraid that I will give you punishment. You are telling the truth without being caught by anyone.
Bhoomia: Your Majesty, I have made a promise to my Guru Ji that I won't tell a lie. Come what may. I will love the Truth i.e. the Lord and remember the Lord.
King: But you have not been caught. What is the reason that you have come on your own to get punishment?
Bhoomia: I have made a promise to Guru Ji that I won't make people suffer. Now, your men are beating up the poor people for something that I am responsible for. That is why I have come. I thought I have committed a crime and the poor are being punished. If Bhoomia steals then Bhoomia should get punishment.
The king was again amazed. O, you are Bhoomia. You are our big landlord. You are known for your charity. You are doing service to sadhus. I always thought you are a very religious person.
Bhoomia: Yes king, even I considered myself as a religious person. Whatever money I got from looting, I was spending on the saints and sadhus in charity. I thought I was a pious man because I was giving in charity. But O king, one day came a saint, not saint, a godly soul, an image of the Lord, he opened my eyes. He said: I cannot have food at your house. Your food is from sinful acts.
I told him: I am giving all in charity.
He said: Your earning is sinful and full of the suffering of the people.
I agreed but I told him: This has become my nature and I cannot change myself. Then, he said: If you wish to be blessed then you make three promises that I have told you. He said: If you wish to be blessed, then keep up these promises religiously. When he left, then I decided I must keep up all three promises that I have made to him.
Now, when I went for a burglary, sometimes I felt sad to see the suffering of the people whom I looted. Previously, I was never feeling sad on seeing the suffering. Like, the hunters do not feel sad on seeing the writhing of animals and birds. Similarly, I considered it a bravery not to bother about the suffering of those who were looted. But now, I have some mercy, after Guru Ji's discourse. He had also asked me to leave this profession but I was not able to leave. Then, I decided I should not loot the poor people. I should target the rich only, but it was not easy to know who is rich and who is poor. Then, I realized that the poor are buffering.
So, I decided to target a king, so that I could get a good amount of wealth and then I could relax for one or two years and there would be no suffering for the poor people. In this thinking, I targeted your palace.
Now, again for the sake that poor people should not suffer, I am standing in front of you.
Second thing, was not to do evil after eating somebody's salt. That is why I left your wealth. This also stopped me from doing evil to friends and relatives with whom I had food at any time.
Third thing, was telling the truth. That is why I have come and am telling the truth.
Now it is up to you, whatever punishment you will give, I am ready to undergo.
The king was again astonished. He said to his mind: Guru Ji is an ocean of wisdom. How he has made him shun his evil deeds? Addiction is bad. Guru Ji has encircled him in such a way that automatically his addiction to burglary and looting will go. Guru Ji is not just an ocean of wisdom. He has splendor. He is powerful. His discourse has so much influence on the minds of thieves and dacoits. One should have a glimpse of such a Guru Ji.
Then, the king smiled and said: Where is your Guru Ji?
Bhoomia: He has gone on his travels. I do not know where.
King: What is his name?
Bhoomia: I could not ask his name. But later, people told me that he was Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who had come from Lahore (Punjab state).
King: Really? He is the same who has broken the house of deceit of Noor Shah.
Minister: Yes, Your Excellency. He is the same Guru Nanak Dev Ji. I have heard he passed from here.
King (in his mind): It is so unfortunate. I could not have a glimpse of the godly soul.
King to Bhoomia: Listen Bhoomia, you have accepted your sins yourself. The punishment is imprisonment. But by putting you in prison, you will meet more sinful people. I am afraid, in their company you may not again get into burglary. If I make you free, then, justice is not done. But the real justice is to reform the sinful. I feel the king from the heavens has given you punishment and reformed you also. You were known as a pious man. Today, you have become known as a sinful man.
Fame is Life. Infamy is death.
Rest, he has put you on such a path that you will soon be reformed or maybe you are already reformed. You cannot burgle, you cannot loot because innocent people will always be caught and they will suffer. You cannot burgle rich people because now you will be interrogated in the first instance. You won't tell a lie and you will be caught automatically. So, for you, burglary and looting is quite difficult.
The true doctor has given you such a medicine that you will be cured of your vices automatically. And you will become a saint. But I give you credit that you have kept up your promises even when you had to put yourself in jeopardy. So, when I see you are going towards piousness and you have the courage, strength, conviction, sense of honor and guts, you will be so much reformed that saints will come to have your glimpse.
So, I pardon you and make you free. But I will keep a watch on you that you are treading on Guru Ji's path and not making people suffer.
Time passed by. Bhoomia really became a saint. All his vices were gone. Goodness prevailed in him. The Lord's name settled in his mind and body and that washed all his sins. The Name washed the dirt of vices and bad deeds on his mind and his mind became crystal. The Lord's name gave him ecstasy.
When the Lord's name settled in his mind, The Lord's goodness came in his mind. He became pious.
When the king heard all this about Bhoomia, then he got faith that Bhoomia has become a real saint.
Then, he called Bhoomia and said: I make you my mentor. You initiate me as your disciple.
Then, Bhoomia said: O King, I am myself not a disciple as yet. He is Guru Ji who blessed me and transformed me from a sinful man to a saintly man.
O King, the Lord's name is a grace from Guru Ji. I have realized only now. You better make Guru Nanak Dev Ji as your mentor.
Then, the king said: Where is he?
Bhoomia: He has gone far. But he has intuitiveness in him. He listens to the voice of love and reaches where love is.
You construct a gurdwara where the Lord's praises should be sung. You also come and listen to the Lord's praises there.
Singing should be of the divine songs that my men sing at my place. When Guru Ji went away, I sent my men to Noor Shah from whom they have brought some divine songs. We sing those.
O king, if you have faith, then, you do this. There is no all-time free kitchen in my house. Whatever earning I have from my lands, I eat and share.
Then, the king constructed a gurdwara and made provision for free food to the congregation in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Whosoever, the needy, the poor and the sadhus came, had food there.
The divine songs were sung early in the morning. Bhoomia's associates, who had become disciples of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, were singing the divine songs there.
People from far and near started coming to the gurdwara. The king himself used to come. Many people started coming.
The king was so much impressed by Bhoomia that he made him a minister in his cabinet. He thought: Such an honest person with so much enthusiasm in him will be a very responsible minister.
The king himself was in prayers that Guru Nanak Dev Ji may give a glimpse and bless.
Bhoomia who was a sinful man, became a pious, Lord-fearing and Lordloving man, as a Banyan tree becoming a Sandalwood tree.
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