Gurudev, passing through the dense hilly…

Gurudev, passing through the dense hilly forests, reached a place called Gorakh Mata in the Terai region of Nainital district. There were small villages scattered far and wide. This region was not barren but agriculture-based, due to which the yogis easily received alms for their sustenance. If any farmer did not send grain as alms to the monastery, the yogis would threaten to curse them with their spiritual powers. Hence, people, out of fear of the curse, would voluntarily send all kinds of food items to them as per their needs from time to time.

Upon reaching there, Gurudev sat under a dry Peepal tree and instructed Bhai Mardana Ji to perform kirtan. When people heard the divine praises in simple language with melodious music, they were deeply moved. The locals, who were entangled in the web of yogis in search of truth, began gathering around Gurudev to listen to his teachings.

At that time, Gurudev preached to the gathered masses that a person should live in a household, fulfill all their responsibilities, and continue to remember the Lord; this is true renunciation. Merely leaving home or adopting a special attire does not make a person great. True greatness lies in earning one's livelihood honestly and helping the needy for the welfare of humanity. A person who survives on others' wealth while pretending to be a renunciant can never attain the Lord. True renunciation is of the mind, not of the body. Inflicting unnecessary suffering upon the body does not purify the soul; rather, it is self-deception.

When the people heard these thoughts, they began to see the yogis as impostors and hypocrites who were living lavishly off their wealth and deceiving them with their supposed powers of blessings and curses. Soon, some individuals went to the yogis and criticized them, questioning how such misguided individuals could lead others to salvation. When the yogis learned of this, they became furious, wondering who was challenging their beliefs and teaching the people contrary lessons.

They worried that if this person succeeded, their livelihood would be in jeopardy, and no one would seek them out anymore. Just then, a yogi arrived from a place called Tapovan and informed them about the events that had transpired during Gurudev Nanak Ji’s discourse. He told them that a sage named Nanak had arrived there with his disciple Mardana, and when they sang divine praises, even a bitter fruit like Reetha became sweet. Nanak greatly emphasized the greatness of household life and preached a threefold path for human welfare:

1. Kirat Karo – Earn an honest living through hard work. 2. Vand Ke Chhako – Share what you earn with others. 3. Naam Japo – Meditate on the Lord’s name.

The yogis decided to test this principle of sharing. Thus, they went to Gurudev to challenge him. When they arrived, they were astonished to see that the long-dried Peepal tree had begun to turn green and sprout tender leaves. As soon as they appeared before Gurudev, they offered a single sesame seed as a gift. Upon seeing this, Gurudev immediately instructed Mardana Ji to grind the seed and serve it to all the guests.

With the villagers' help, Mardana Ji ground the seed and distributed it among the yogis. Seeing their first trick fail, the yogis were dismayed. The village women had already offered various food items such as flour, sugar, and ghee to Gurudev. With the villagers’ help, Mardana Ji prepared Karaah Prasad (a sweet dish made of flour, sugar, and ghee).

The yogis then began arguing with Gurudev, claiming that they were superior to others because they lived as celibates and renunciants. They believed that being a renunciant was the true sign of greatness.

To this, Gurudev responded: "Bhanganath, if your mother had not been a householder, where would you have been born? According to your logic, if everyone abandoned their household and became ascetics, how would the world continue? If you despise women so much, then why do you eat the food they prepare and seek alms from householders?"

The yogis had no answer to these questions and fell silent. They then asked Gurudev, "Tell us, who is truly great?"

Gurudev replied, "The one who does not put on a false display to become worthy of divine grace is truly great. True yoga is of the mind. Simply wearing signs of a yogi does not lead to spiritual attainment. You wear large earrings, tattered robes, carry staffs, apply ashes on your body, shave your heads, or keep matted hair. None of these external signs help attain the Lord.

Thus, physical displays may deceive the people, but not the Lord. A true yogi is one who, even while living in a household, remains unattached to materialism—just like a lotus flower that remains untouched by the water it grows in or a duck that swims but does not get wet."

"Jo na khintha, jo na danda jogu na bhasma chadaiye Jo na mandi moondi mudaiye jogu na singhi vaaiye Anjan mahi niranjan raheeai jog jugti iv paaaiye" (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Raag Suhi, Page 730)

Gurudev continued: "Even if you meditate in cremation grounds, wander in remote lands, or practice harsh austerities at pilgrimage sites, nothing will be achieved unless you sincerely meditate on the Lord’s name from the heart. Hearing these teachings, the yogis realized their mistakes and lost their influence over the people."

At that moment, one of the yogis humbly requested, "O Gurudev! Please bless us as well and guide us toward our own salvation."

Pleased with their request, Gurudev advised: "First of all, only through the company of a truly enlightened being can one's doubts be resolved. Their teachings dispel mental wanderings, and the divine nectar manifests within the heart, eliminating the need for external stimulants. A person then naturally enters a state of deep meditation, where the mind attains stability, and the divine music is heard within the heart. Only then is the state of fearlessness attained."

"Jog na baahar madi masani jog na tadi laaiye Jog na des disantar bhavie jog na teerath naaaiye Satguru bhetai ta sahsa toote dhaavat varaj rahaaiye Nijhar jharai sahaj dhun laagai ghar hi parcha paaaiye Nanak jeevatia mar raheeai aisa jog kamaaiye" (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Raag Suhi, Page 730)

Although the yogis understood Gurudev’s wisdom, they were still struggling with hunger. They expressed their desire for food but doubted how Guru Nanak Ji would provide for them, as there were no visible sources of food in that barren area.

At that moment, Gurudev instructed Mardana Ji, "Serve the Karaah Prasad that you have prepared to all the people here."

With the villagers’ help, Bhai Mardana Ji distributed the sweet Karaah Prasad to all the yogis on leaves. As soon as they tasted it, they were overwhelmed with joy, for they had never eaten anything so delicious before.

Once they were satisfied, the yogis collectively decided that since they had received divine wisdom from Nanak Ji, the place should no longer be called Gorakh Mata. Instead, it should be renamed Nanak Mata.