At the next stop, Bhai Mardana began to feel…

At the next stop, Bhai Mardana began to feel hungry and thirsty. He requested Guru Nanak Dev Ji to allow him to go to a nearby village for food. Guru Ji said, "Brother Mardana, we have not traveled far from our region, so everyone here knows us. Go to the neighboring village and tell them that you are a disciple of Nanak, and that I am with you. We are on our way to Haridwar and need food."

Obeying Guru Ji's command, Bhai Mardana reached the village and requested the people there to offer him food, introducing himself as a disciple of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Upon hearing Guru Ji’s name, the villagers were overjoyed and honored Mardana Ji with great respect. They gifted him many valuable items as a token of their reverence. Gathering all these clothes and gifts into a heavy bundle, Mardana Ji returned to Guru Ji and said, "As per your instructions, when I reached the village and mentioned your name, the people were delighted and treated me with great hospitality. They have sent these gifts for you."

Guru Ji smiled at Mardana Ji’s limited understanding and said, "Mardana Ji, tell me, what will we do with these things? If we were attached to material possessions, why would we have renounced the work at the Modi Khana (storehouse)? Were we lacking goods there?"

Mardana Ji replied, "You are right. I am ignorant, please forgive me. But now, what should I do with these items?"

Guru Nanak Ji said, "Leave them here."

Mardana Ji hesitated, "That is fine, but I do not have the courage to discard these precious gifts filled with love."

Guru Nanak Ji replied, "Alright, do as you wish, but we must continue our journey ahead."

Mardana Ji agreed, "Fine, I will carry these gifts as we go."

Mardana Ji started walking behind Guru Ji, but soon, due to the heavy burden, he became exhausted and began calling out to Guru Ji to stop.

Guru Ji then said, "Brother Mardana, there is still time—renounce your attachment to this material wealth. Throw it away here and walk freely with us."

Reluctantly, Mardana Ji distributed some of the lower-value items to the needy but kept a few valuable ones with him. Now, the load was significantly lighter, and he was able to walk more comfortably with Guru Ji. However, after traveling a little further, he once again grew tired and fell behind.

Seeing this, Guru Ji again advised, "Brother Mardana, give up this burden. It is an entanglement of maya (worldly illusion). Until you renounce it, you will continue to struggle under its weight and face unnecessary difficulties. True happiness lies in detachment. Just try it once."

This time, Mardana Ji obeyed completely and distributed all the remaining items among the needy. Now, carrying only his rabab (musical instrument), he walked freely behind Guru Ji. There was no longer any exhaustion from carrying a heavy burden, and he was able to walk swiftly and effortlessly.

Guru Ji then explained, "Brother Mardana, in reality, the whole world is carrying the unnecessary burden of material attachments. Because of this, people become exhausted at every step of life. Yet, due to attachment, they are unable to let go of these burdens and fail to enjoy the journey of life. True joy is found in breaking free from these illusions and renouncing them."

Mardana Ji replied, "You speak the truth, but I am ignorant. Please guide me further so that I may fully understand. But tell me, how can one survive without maya?"

Guru Nanak Ji explained, "Brother, you have misunderstood my words. What I mean is that a person should use maya (material wealth) only as per their needs. Hoarding wealth or becoming its slave is the problem. Just as you carried unnecessary items on your head, even though you had already worn new clothes for yourself, you should have left the excess behind. Wearing necessary clothes was your need, but hoarding the extra load was greed and desire, which caused you suffering."

Mardana Ji responded, "I am beginning to understand the secret of life through your grace. Please continue to guide me from time to time, as I am bound by my limited understanding and often falter. But please tell me, what exactly is maya?"

Guru Nanak Ji said, "Brother, all worldly possessions that create desire in the mind are maya. Maya exists in many forms—wife, children, house, land, and other valuable possessions are all forms of maya. It is present in various aspects of life. Simply put, anything that we long for is maya."

"If we use maya within our needs and remain content, it serves us like a servant. However, when we become blinded by greed and desire, we chase after it relentlessly, making our lives miserable. This craving has no limit—it is like fire consuming fuel. Fire never extinguishes by adding more fuel; instead, it grows stronger. Similarly, desire never ends; it only increases. Even if you gather all the world's wealth, the thirst for maya will never be satisfied."