The Source Book On Sikhism

The True Bargain

Soon after, Nanak gave up cattle-grazing, for an acute fit of “existential sadness” overtook him. It was widely believed that he was taken by an evil spirit. A physician was summoned to effect his cure, but to no avail.

After a couple of months, however, he recovered on his own and his worrying parents were much relieved. One day Mehta called Nanak into his presence and said, “My son, you are grown up now. It is about time that you should stand on your own feet. Here is some money. Go to the market and try your hand at some gainful bargain.”

Obedient to his father’s behest, Nanak set out to Chuharkana, a market town some twenty miles from Talwandi. Bala, an attendant of his father, accompanied him. They had just reached the outskirts of the market town, when they met some ill-clad and ill-fed sadhus. Their sad plight excited Nanak’s pity. “What is more gainful” thought he,

“than to feed the hungry and clothe the naked!”

So, he purchased food and distributed these among the sadhus and returned homewards.

On the way back some misgivings arose in his mind about his father’s expected reaction to this bargain and he considered it prudent to stay outside the village till the storm blew over. Bala went home alone to report the matter.

When Mehta knew what actually had transpired, his anger broke all restraint. He rushed to the spot where Nanak sat, and dragged him home.

Call Of Duty

After his marriage, Nanak continued the old routine. In the small hours of morning he would go to the stream. The quiet of the wood, the silence of the stars and the music of the flowing waters brought him a message from the Unknown. Full of bliss, he would return to his daily tasks.

Two sons were born to him at Sultanpur - Sri Chand in 1494 and Lakshmi Chand in 1497.

The spiteful tongues were soon busy wagging and poisoning the ears of the Nawab against Nanak, alleging that, at the rate he was squandering the government stores, nothing would be left of them soon. But when the stores were checked, these were found in order. The Nawab sternly rebuked the people who made complaints against Nanak.

Nanak was now 28 years old and he had served in the granary for 13 years.

One morning, as usual, he went to the stream but failed to return in time for his daily preoccupations. His relations and friends were much perturbed. A wide search was made but there was no sign of him anywhere. It was generally believed that he had been accidentally drowned. The whole town was plunged in gloom.

But great was the people’s joy, when on the third day, he was seen returning homewards. His face shone like the morning and there was a strange lustre in his far-away look.

In the silence of the forest he had intently listened to the call of duty that clearly told him to go out into the world and bring the erring humanity back to the path of righteousness.