Men of God

AS BABAR’S CAPTIVE

Thus after 12 years of wandering, at Mardana’s request, he turned towards Talwandi. The Guru stayed at a few miles’ distance sending the minstrel ahead. Kalu and Tripta came and wept and remonstrated with the Guru and implored him to return. There was a long scene and the Guru closed it, saying: “Mother, agree to what I say: consolation shall come to thee."

Nanak resumed his wanderings, again visited the pious Sheikh Brahm and again saw Lalu at Sayyidpur who complained of the Pathan oppression. The Guru Said: "The Pathan rule is ending; Babar is coming.’

So it happened. And when Babar captured the city, there was a general massacre of people, Pathans and Hindus; but the lives of the Guru and Mardana were spared since they were strangers. They were, however, ordered to be taken as slaves. The Guru was condemned to carry loads on his head. One day Babar heard that the load on his head was one cubit over his head without support. Immediately he sent for the Guru and when he heard his inspired hymns the Emperor grew penitent. It is said Babar fell at the Guru’s feet and offered him presents. The Guru only wanted the release of the captives. To a prayer of Babar, the Guru said that he could not embrace Islam or any other faith and to the Emperor’s request for the Guru’s blessing, he said: “Thine empire shall remain for a time" .... and to his request for instruction the Guru said, "deliver just judgments, reverence holy men, forswear wine and gambling. The monarch who indulges in these vices shall, if he survives, bewail his misdeeds. Be merciful to the vanquished and worship God in spirit and in truth.”