Men of God

THE GREAT VISION

One morning as Nanak did not return after his bath it was thought he was drowned. But he had been to a forest where, in vision, he was in God’s presence for three days. What actually transpired is necessarily a Divine secret. But it is certain that it was on this great occasion that Nanak had his first radical Divine realisation which formed the basis and authority of his mission. In the blunt language of our human mind, God said to Nanak: “I am with thee..Go and repeat My name and cause others to do likewise. Abide uncontaminated by the world. Practise charity, worship, meditation. I have given thee this cup of nectar, a pledge of My regard."

Nanak sang many verses in gratitude. On this a voice was heard: “O Nanak, Thou has seen My sovereignty..I am the primal Brahm, thou art the divine Guru.” It was here that he uttered the preamble for Japji or Divine service which every Sikh is expected to get by heart and sing every day.

When Nanak returned to Sultanpur, he gave his belongings to the poor, donned a religious costume, remained silent a day and then uttered this pregnant sentence: "There is no Hindu and no Mussalman.” The Qazi complained and Guru Nanak was summoned to see the Governor. When he appeared, the Governor addressed him: "Nanak, it is my misfortune that an officer of your calibre should become a Fakir.” Then, seating him by his side, he requested the Guru to explain his statement in the presence of the Qazi. He confined himself to the latter part of it since no Hindu was present there to dispute his utterance. He discoursed upon the true ideals of the Shariat, the deeper elements in the teachings of the Prophet and answered convincingly all the questions of the Qazi who was astonished at the lecture. The time for afternoon prayer came, and all including Nanak went to the mosque. As the Qazi began his service, he observed the Guru laughing in his face and so again complained to the Nawab of his conduct. The Guru said that the Qazi’s prayer was unacceptable to God and gave the reason that while the Qazi was ostensibly performing Divine service, his mind was filled with the fear that his babe might fall into the well in the enclosure. The Nawab was also told that behind his own pretensions of prayer, there was the thought of purchasing horses in Kabul. Both the Nawab and the Qazi admitted the truth. All the Mussalmans present were amazed. Many questions were put to him and were answered. Nanak next addressed a sublime hymn. Daulat Khan fell at his feet and in loving admiration offered his estate, and his authority which were of course declined. Both Hindus and Mussalmans came to pay their respects and take leave of the Guru when they came to know that he was leaving on his God-appointed mission.

There were complaints of his extravagance as storekeeper but on investigation the stores were found to be full, the accounts correct and money due to the Guru himself from the State. He requested the Nawab to spend that money in giving relief to the poor.