The Source Book On Sikhism

Nanak The Cowherd

Nanak’s attitude during the last few months had sorely perplexed his father. He thought to himself, “What would he do when he grows old, for neither the Hindu nor the Muslim priest has anything to teach him. If at all we talk of tradition, he is out to defy it. After all, what would it lead to. His whole life is before him yet. Must he not do anything to carve out for himself a decent living!”

Thinking thus, he summoned his son into his presence and said, “My son, education seems to be denied to you by your stars. I do not relish your loafing about either. You had better do something to busy yourself with. Why not take to cattle-grazing.”

Nanak hearkened to his father’s suggestion. From now on he daily drove the cattle to the woods and, leaving them graze at will, he would either retire to an obscure nook for meditation or contemplate some beautiful scene of nature for hours together. And in the evening he would return home, his face flushed with joy ineffable.

One day, however, filled with the thoughts of beauty, he fell into a nap. By an ill chance, the cattle strayed into a neighbour’s field and began lustily to devour the verdurous growth. The owner of the field, red with rage, went straight to Rai Bular with his complaint. The latter told Mehta to make good this loss. But Nanak said, “Kind Sir, wouldn’t it be proper first to verify the extent of the damage?”

Accordingly, Rai Bular sent his men to assess the damage. They soon returned with the report that the corn stood absolutely untouched. This impressed all those present there.