Men of God

SOJOURN IN MECCA

Nanak next turned his steps to Mecca. Both the journey and his stay there are associated with remarkable incidents. On the way he met a Fakir who became frightened on seeing a cloud accompanying him overhead, and interpreting it as the outcome of a Hindu’s resolve to visit Mecca, asked the Guru to go before or after him.

“Then go ahead," said Nanak and when the Fakir turred round, he could see neither the Guru nor the cloud. The Fakir began to wring his hands and said: “It was God who was with me but I could not endure the sight of Him."

On reaching Mecca, his disregard of Moslem customs immediately attracted attention. When he lay down to sleep with his feet turned towards the Kaaba, an Arab priest kicked the "infidel sinner”. The Guru’s reply was: “Then turn my feet in the direction in which God is not.” The priest dragged him to another side and was bewildered to find the temple turn round following the revolution of Nanak’s body. Those who witnessed the miracle saluted him as a supernatural being.

On his return, Lahina, a priest of a sect of Durga worshippers was convinced of the Guru’s greatness and became his disciple. He chose to do menial service to the Guru, It is said that on one occasion when the Guru, at the instance of a Yogi proposed to test the steadfast loyalty of the Sikhs, every one failed, he alone triumphed and the Guru taught him how to utter the True Name with a pure heart and said that by constant practice, God’s light would dawn in his heart. The Yogi who was present then said: "Nanak, he who is produced from the body anga shall be the Guru.” Upon this, the Guru embraced Lahina and calling him Angad decreed that he shall be his successor.