A few days later, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, along…

A few days later, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, along with his companions, arrived in Ayodhya. During those days, preparations for the arrival of the Diwali festival were taking place, and hence, there was a lot of excitement in the city. Everyone was present in the temples, engaged in worship and prayers. Special emphasis was given to the worship of Lakshmi.

Seeing this, Bhai Mardana Ji asked Guru Ji: "Why do people here give more importance to Lakshmi Puja instead of worshiping Shri Ram Chandra Ji? During these days, they should remember the deeds of Shri Ram Ji and try to get rid of evil tendencies by worshiping him. But instead, these people are indulging in demonic activities like gambling and drinking alcohol."

In response to this question, Guru Ji said: "Brother! When have people ever learned from the life of Ram Ji? These devotees that you see here are not actually devotees of Ram, but only worshippers of Maya (wealth) Lakshmi. However, the one who runs after Maya, Lakshmi moves away from him. But the one who follows Narayan, Narayan himself comes forward to embrace him. However, this secret is not something that everyone can understand—that when Narayan becomes ours, Lakshmi herself will belong to us."

When discussions were held with the devotees present there on this topic, Guru Ji said: "In reality, the meaning of celebrating Diwali in remembrance of Shri Ram Chandra Ji is that you should follow the path shown by him. But instead, you have created his idols and started doing things opposite to his ideals."

"For example, he ate the leftover berries of Shabari to show that all human beings are equally worthy of respect and that no one should be despised. But even today, you have prohibited the descendants of Shabari, the so-called Shudras, from entering your temples. What kind of Ram worship is this? In reality, all these acts are arbitrary and not true worship but rather an insult to him. Shri Ram Chandra Ji was devoted to his father, a renunciate, and struggled throughout his life to end demonic tendencies. By conquering them, he encouraged divine virtues."

Hearing this satirical sermon, everyone bowed their heads and began to pray to Guru Ji, asking how their welfare could be ensured. At that time, Guru Ji recited the following verse:

"Cheri ki seva karahi, Thakur nahi deese. Pokharu neer viroliye, makhanu nahi reese." Raag Gauri, Page 229

(Shri Ram Chandra Ji was sent by the Supreme Being so that people could learn something from his life. But instead of taking lessons from his life, people have created his idols and started worshiping them, forgetting the Supreme Being.)