Life Of Guru Nanak: Chapter XVI | Internet Sacred Text Archive

Sikhism

CHAPTER XVI

There lived in a town called Khadur a Sikh named Jodha who used to repeat God's name while

[1. It is stated in several Sikh works that Mardana's body was cremated.

2 The recipe for the preparation of karâh parshâd, or Sikh sacred food, will be given in the life of Guru Gobind Singh, vol. v.

3. Gyân Ralanâwali.

4. Bihâgre ki Wâr.]

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the rest of the inhabitants worshipped Durga. Their priest was a man called Lahina. One day when Jodha was repeating Guru Nanak's Japji, Lahina heard him and inquired whose composition it was. Jodha duly informed him, and they became intimate. On being introduced to the Guru, Lahina told his name, upon which the Guru said, 'Thy lahina is here, where else can it be found?' In the Panjabi language the word lahina means to take or receive, and, the Guru meant, 'What thou desirest to receive--salvation-is here, and nowhere else.' After some spiritual instruction from the lips of the Guru, Lahina threw away the tinkling bells he wore on his hands and feet to dance before the goddess, and began to repeat God's name. He made it a practice afterwards to perform menial service for the Guru.[1]

It is said that Lahina in a vision saw a female in a red dress shampooing the Guru. Lahina asked her who she was. She replied that she was Durga, and that she came once a week to do service for the Guru. On this Lahina became convinced of the divine mission of Guru Nanak.

A Jogi went to visit the Guru and congratulate him on the large number of converts he had made. The Guru replied that he had few real Sikhs, as the Jogi himself would see. The Guru and the Jogi determined to proceed into the forest and there make trial of the Sikh converts who accompanied them in numbers. For this purpose the Guru assumed a terrible guise. He put on dirty, tattered clothes, took a knife in his hand, and proceeded with some hunting dogs into the forest, ostensibly in quest of game. On this several of his Sikhs fled. It was on that occasion the Guru composed the following:--

[1. A fuller account of Jodha's influence on Lahina will be given in the Life of Guru Angad, Vol. II.]

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I have a dog[1] and two bitches[2] with me;

Every morning they bark at the wind.[3]

Falsehood is my hunting-knife and carrion its handle.

O Creator, I remain in the guise of a huntsman;

I do not follow my Master's counsel or do His work.

I appear deformed and terrible.

Thy Name alone saveth the world;

It is my support; to obtain it is my desire.

I utter calumny day and night;

I am base and worthless; I covet my neighbour's house.

Lust and anger, which are pariahs, dwell in my heart.

O Creator, I remain in the guise of a huntsman