The Source Book On Sikhism

NANAK AND A JEWELLER

The Master sat as usual under a tree, outside a city on the Gangetic plain in Eastern India. He gave Mardana a jewel, and asked him to go and get it valued in the city. None could value it truly: some offered gold for it, and some mere silver. Mardana at last met a jeweller, who, when he saw the Guru’s jewel, brought all his jewels and offered them to Mardana, and said, “Who can say the price of this priceless jewel? Who can buy Beauty? I offer my all for the joy of its auspicious sight. It is the beginning of my luck. It is the favour of God that I have seen it today.” The jeweller Salis Rai and his wife followed Mardana and sought the refuge of the Guru. They were initiated into the path of discipleship.