One day, Bhai Mardana Ji asked Guru Ji a…

One day, Bhai Mardana Ji asked Guru Ji a question: "Everyone knows that this body is our invaluable treasure, so why do people indulge in intoxication and vices, thus playing with it?"

Guru Ji replied, "Not all human beings have received such an insightful vision. They are busy wasting this priceless jewel-like body in exchange for mere shells, meaning they are cutting the very branch they are sitting on. That is why, due to ignorance, humans are suffering. If you doubt this, you can conduct an experiment to see that not everyone has the same vision. Every individual evaluates an object based on their intellect, even if it is a priceless jewel."

Bhai Mardana Ji asked, "How is that possible? The real value of an object remains the same for everyone. Then how can different people assess the same object differently?"

Guru Ji said to Bhai Mardana Ji, "Look, there is something shining in the sand ahead. Pick it up."

Bhai Mardana Ji did as instructed. The shining object was a radiant gem.

Guru Ji then commanded, "Bhai Ji, take this to the city and try to sell it for the highest possible price."

Following this command, Bhai Mardana Ji reached the nearby city of Patna. He showed the beautiful gem to a vegetable vendor.

The vendor said, "This is a beautiful piece of stone, but it is of no use to me. However, since it looks nice, I can take it for my children to play with. You can take some vegetables from me in exchange for it."

Bhai Mardana Ji thought, "But Guru Ji said it is priceless. Let me show it to other merchants."

He then went to a sweet shop and showed the gem to the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper said, "It is a beautiful stone, but it has no use for me. If you wish to sell it, I can offer you a full meal with sweets in exchange. I will use it as a weight on my balance scale."

Bhai Mardana Ji then visited a cloth merchant, who agreed to give him a set of clothes in exchange for the gem.

Continuing his search, he finally arrived at the shop of a jeweler named Salas Rai. The jeweler's assistant, Adhraka, examined the gem and was highly impressed.

He said, "I will show this gem to my master, who can determine its true value. This gem is extraordinary—I have never seen such a gem before."

When Salas Rai saw the gem, he bowed his head in reverence and said, "This is not just a gem; it is a miracle of nature. The light beams inside it create a unique reflection. This gem is priceless; I am not worthy of purchasing it. I can only offer a donation of 100 rupees for its mere sight."

He warmly welcomed Bhai Mardana Ji, offered him a feast, and honored him as a guest. Then he said, "Take this gem back and accept my humble offering as a token of its sight."

However, Bhai Mardana Ji refused, saying, "I cannot accept this money without a reason, as you have not purchased the gem. Why should I take this money?"

Upon Salas Rai's insistence, Bhai Mardana Ji agreed to take the pouch of money back to Guru Ji.

When he presented the pouch before Guru Ji, Guru Ji repeated the same words, "Since he has not purchased our gem, why should we accept his money without reason? Return this money."

Bhai Mardana Ji returned to Salas Rai to give back the pouch.

Salas Rai and his assistant Adhraka wondered, "The owner of this gem must either be a great wealthy person, for whom this precious object is an ordinary thing, or a saint who is detached from material wealth."

Then Salas Rai instructed his assistant Adhraka, "Take this money and go with Bhai Mardana Ji to his Guru. I will follow behind with some offerings."

First, Adhraka arrived before Guru Ji, bowed at his feet, and presented the gem and the pouch of 100 rupees.

Guru Ji asked him, "What is your profession?"

Adhraka replied, "I examine gems."

Guru Ji said, "Then surely, you must have examined this invaluable gem called human life as well?"

Guru Ji continued, "You are wise and understand the significance of life, but you only need guidance."

By then, Salas Rai had also arrived with his attendants. He bowed in deep respect and humbly requested, "Please accept this humble offering."

Guru Ji asked, "Devotee, why are you offering this pouch of money?"

Salas Rai replied, "This is an offering for the mere sight of your gem."

Guru Ji asked, "So, you are a connoisseur of gems?"

Salas Rai replied, "Yes, I am."

Guru Ji then asked, "Then surely, you must have tested and assessed this gem of human birth?"

Salas Rai humbly admitted, "No, Maharaj. I have only collected and examined shiny stones so far."

Guru Ji then said, "But in the end, what will you do with these pebbles and stones when the invaluable treasure of breath itself is depleted?"

Salas Rai replied, "I have never thought about that before."

Guru Ji advised, "There is still time—change your vision. Become a true jeweler. The ultimate goal of human life is to make one's birth meaningful, so do not miss this opportunity. Self-realization is the greatest treasure. We must seek the divine spark hidden within us, just as you search for the light within gems."

Salas Rai replied, "You have blessed me by awakening me to the true purpose of life. I will now dedicate myself to searching for the divine spark within, as you have guided me."

Guru Ji then said, "Salas Rai, you are a great person, but your assistant Adhraka is even greater because he already knows this secret. That is why, in the spiritual world, he is ahead of you. Therefore, you should consider him your guide, as that will bring you true well-being."

Salas Rai humbly accepted, "As you command, Maharaj."

Thus, Guru Nanak Dev Ji removed a wealthy man from his attachment to material wealth and revealed to him the true mystery of life. He stayed in Patna for a few months, initiated both Salas Rai and Adhraka into discipleship, and established a religious preaching center there.

He appointed Salas Rai as its first preacher and instructed that after his passing, his assistant Adhraka would become the chief authority of the preaching center.