The Source Book On Sikhism

Lalo The Carpenter

Guru Nanak was twenty-eight years old when he set out on his travels to the East.

With a clear blue sky above and the open road before him, he went out into the world and, visiting several cities of the Punjab, he reached Eminabad.

Here lived a poor carpenter named Lalo. He was a God-fearing man and toiled hard for an honest loaf of bread. The Guru decided to stay with him, for such men as toiled were dear to his heart and he loved to be in their company.

Lalo felt honoured by his visit and he served the holy guest with love and devotion. The Guru, on his part, not only relished the humble fare offered by Lalo but also his simple, truthful talk.

Mardana pondered over the inscrutable ways of his Master. He wondered why the Guru had ignored the hospitality of the rich and affluent and put up with a poor carpenter who could hardly make the two ends meet.

The Guru sensed Mardana’s inner thoughts and he explained, “Lalo toils hard to earn his daily fare. Such food lends contentment and peace to the soul, while the easy wealth of the rich flows from no work but from deceit and cunning and it corrupts both body and mind.”

After a few days the Guru got ready to depart but Lalo prevailed upon him to prolong his stay for a few days more. Nanak acceded to his loving request.