Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, traveling from Chita…

Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, traveling from Chita village through Tripura and Agartala, reached the Golaghat district of Assam while strengthening the principles of the true society in the kingdom of the Naga hills ruler, Devlut. Guru Ji camped outside the town. Bhai Mardana Ji expressed his wish to arrange for food and sought permission from Guru Ji to go into the town. However, Guru Ji warned Mardana Ji that the people here were knowledgeable in tantric practices. They would recognize a foreigner instantly and treat them inappropriately. Moreover, women ruled the administration in this place, leading to the misuse of royal power, meaning men were oppressed. After receiving all this information, Bhai Mardana Ji said, "Everything you are telling is true, but work cannot proceed without food, so I must go into the town. However, I will remain cautious."

When Bhai Ji reached the town, he saw some women drawing water from a well. He went to them and politely said, "I am thirsty, please give me some water." Seeing Bhai Ji’s language and attire, the women discussed among themselves, recognizing him as a foreigner and therefore an easy target. They decided to take advantage of him. One of them offered him water and said, "Come with me to my home; I will serve you food." Bhai Mardana Ji did not realize her deceit and, in the hope of food, went to her home. The woman served him rice mixed with a narcotic substance, which caused Mardana Ji to lose his senses. As soon as he was intoxicated, the woman tied a thread around his neck, which had been enchanted with tantric spells. This thread had the power of hypnotic incantations, making the wearer accept servitude, like a sacrificial lamb, unable to resist and becoming an obedient servant.

When Bhai Mardana Ji did not return, Guru Ji himself went into the town to find him. From children near the well, he learned that a stranger had been taken by a woman for a meal. Guru Ji reached her house, but when he inquired about Bhai Mardana Ji, the woman flatly denied it, locked her doors, and went to the well with a pitcher. There, she gathered other tantric women and told them that another stranger had come looking for the first one. She suggested they also capture him but noted that he appeared very wise and clever, unlike the first one. Therefore, they decided to seek the help of their leader.

With this thought, they attempted to place a tantric thread around Guru Ji’s neck. Guru Ji rebuked them, saying, "Though you appear as women, your actions are like those of wild dogs." Hearing this truth, they felt ashamed, but in their anger, they summoned their chief, Noor Shah, to take revenge. Meanwhile, the women tried every tantric power and magic spell they had, but all their efforts failed against Guru Ji.

Then, Guru Ji instructed one of his disciples to open the house door and search for Bhai Mardana. This was done, and Bhai Ji was found unconscious in a corner. He was brought outside. Guru Ji then ordered water to be sprinkled on Bhai Mardana Ji’s face while chanting "Waheguru," and the enchanted thread around his neck was broken. As this was done, Bhai Ji regained consciousness as if waking from a deep sleep. Guru Ji handed him his rabab (musical instrument) and said, "Bhai Ji, take this and start kirtan. We will win this battle with divine hymns." Guru Ji then recited:

Gunvanti sangh ravia nirgun kuke kai. Je gunvanti thi rahe ta bhi sahu ravan jai. Mera kantu risalu ki dhan avra rave ji. Rahaau. (Raag Wadhans, Ang 557)

Meaning: "O sister, when a soul-bride realizes that her Husband, the Lord, is the giver of all happiness, she does not seek to please others. She remains devoted to her Lord and experiences divine bliss. However, those who lack these virtues wander aimlessly. But if they acquire these virtues, they can also please their Lord."

The chief sorceress of this place was Noor Shah, whose real name was Padma. Her father, Narendra Nath, had become a disciple of a Sufi mystic from Dhanpur who was skilled in tantric arts. This Sufi had such an influence on Narendra Nath that both he and his daughter, Padma, became his disciples. This Sufi mystic’s name was also Noor Shah. After his death, Padma took over his magical practices and his establishment, leading people to call her Noor Shah.

When Noor Shah (Padma) arrived, Bhai Mardana Ji was playing the rabab, and Guru Ji was singing kirtan. Being a lover of music, Padma was deeply moved by the divine and melodious hymns, which seemed to be a message directed at her. She stood frozen, lost in the kirtan, as if she had turned into a stone statue.

When the kirtan ended, she regained her senses and found herself standing before a radiant, noble, and courageous figure. All her tantric spells and magical powers had failed. Her entire mystical strength had been shattered. Realizing her helplessness, she fell at Guru Ji’s feet, seeking forgiveness, and said, "Our heads are filled with sins. Please free us from them."

Guru Ji told her, "Misusing one’s power only invites destruction. If you truly seek your well-being, dedicate yourself to the welfare of humanity, which will please the Lord. The best path for you and your companions is to abandon these tantric practices and establish a congregation here where God’s name is praised daily." Noor Shah (Padma) immediately accepted Guru Ji’s command, knowing that evil deeds always lead to bad consequences. She decided to give up her wrong path under the guidance of a great saint.

Guru Ji established a congregation there, appointing Padma as a preacher to guide others in divine knowledge. He also had a dharamshala (place of worship) built there, ensuring that divine teachings continued to flourish in the region.