Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, while uplifting…

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, while uplifting humanity, arrived at Kurukshetra on the occasion of a solar eclipse. A vast crowd had already gathered there for the sacred event. Guru Ji seated himself at some distance on the banks of the sarovar (sacred pond) and, along with Bhai Mardana, began singing kirtan. Hearing the melodious hymns in praise of the Almighty, pilgrims from all directions started gathering around Guru Ji to listen to the kirtan.

"Binu Satgur kine na paaio, binu Satgur kinai na paaya. Satgur vich aap rakhi jan kar pargat aakh sunaya." (Raag Aasa, Ang 466)

Hearing the divine discourse, the pilgrims started discussing their doubts with Guru Ji and asked:

"What is the easiest and simplest way for a person to attain salvation?"

In response, Guru Ji addressed everyone and said:

"First and foremost, a human being must live according to the teachings of a perfect Guru because only the Guru transforms an ordinary person into a being of high moral character. Just as a carpenter shapes ordinary wood into fine construction material, a sculptor carves an ordinary stone into a beautiful idol, and a goldsmith transforms raw gold into exquisite jewelry, in the same way, a true Guru disciplines a person’s life and elevates them to a higher spiritual state."

At that moment, a prince arrived there with his family to listen to Guru Ji’s sermon. He bowed at Guru Ji’s feet and sat respectfully among the congregation.

With great humility, he requested:

"O Guru Ji, please guide me as well."

Guru Ji replied:

"Tell me your problem."

The prince began:

"O Guru Ji, my name is Jagat Rai. I am the son of King Amrit Rai of the Hansi state. These days, we have been defeated, and my cousins have seized our kingdom. Please suggest a strategy by which I can reclaim my kingdom."

Guru Ji answered:

"Son, winning the hearts of your people is the greatest strategy. This can only be achieved if you become an ideal ruler and serve your people as their caretaker. You must always be ready to share their joys and sorrows. Demonstrate your high moral character so that the people have complete faith in you, believing that you will always act justly and will never oppress the innocent. Only then can you regain your kingdom; otherwise, you cannot."

Accepting this teaching, the prince vowed:

"O Guru Ji, as per your command, I will conduct myself accordingly. However, I request you to bless me at this moment."

Guru Ji said, "If you take an oath that you will always rule with justice and serve your people, then we, along with the entire congregation, will pray to the Almighty for your victory."

The prince then said to Guru Ji, "I wish to offer you something as a gift. Please accept it."

In response, Guru Ji said, "Son, we are renunciates; therefore, we cannot accept your offering. However, if you truly wish to serve, then arrange for a langar (community meal) for the common people."

Hearing this, the prince replied, "As you command, Guru Ji. I will immediately arrange for food grains." He then sent for a sack of rice from the market.

Guru Ji placed the rice in a large cauldron and set it on a stove for cooking. As soon as the fire was lit, smoke spread far and wide. By that time, the solar eclipse had begun. According to Hindu beliefs, lighting a fire or cooking food during a solar or lunar eclipse is prohibited, as it is believed that food becomes impure due to the eclipse’s influence. Therefore, lighting a fire during this time is considered inauspicious.

As soon as the smoke became visible, the temple priests gathered in opposition. Their chief priest was Pandit Nanu Mal, who considered himself an incarnation of Kalyug. In reality, he was a well-known scholar and proficient in religious debates. Coincidentally, his name was Nanu Mal. He had once read a chapter in the Bhavishya Purana that foretold the arrival of a great ascetic and powerful being named Nanak, who would travel the world for the welfare of humanity.

Upon reading this, he declared himself to be that prophesied figure. However, the irony was that the real Guru Nanak Dev Ji had also arrived there at the same time.

When the delegation of priests approached Guru Ji to protest, a mischief-maker whispered to Pandit Nanu that the people there were cooking deer meat. Upon hearing this, the priests became furious and prepared for confrontation. However, Guru Ji, remaining calm, invited them for a discussion.

Pandit Nanu accepted the challenge and began debating:

"How can you claim to be religious people when you are cooking deer meat at this sacred pilgrimage site during a solar eclipse?"

Guru Ji responded, "Please tell me, how has cooking food at a sacred place become a wrongful act?"

Pandit Nanu replied, "Our objection is primarily against lighting a fire during a solar eclipse. However, you have also cooked meat, which has violated the sanctity of this sacred site and polluted the environment."

Guru Nanak Ji said, "First of all, your objection is baseless because a solar or lunar eclipse is merely a natural phenomenon caused by the movement of celestial bodies. Why do you object to lighting a fire or preparing food during this time?"

Pandit Nanu replied, "According to our beliefs, lighting a fire or cooking food during a solar eclipse is forbidden because we believe that the eclipse's influence makes the food impure."

Guru Nanak Ji responded, "Your beliefs are false, as they have no factual basis. As for food, even if it were impure, it would be ours, not yours. So why do you object?"

Pandit Nanu, left without an answer, insisted on one point: "This is a sacred place; you should not have cooked meat here."

Then Guru Ji said, "You have been misled. We have only cooked rice to serve the common people in the Langar. That which is evident needs no proof. If you have any doubts, you may lift the lid of the pot and see for yourself."

At this moment, Pandit Nanu's pride in his debating skills shattered. He bowed before Guru Ji, humbly seeking forgiveness. Seeing his sincerity, Guru Ji embraced him.

"The fools argue over meat, without realizing true wisdom and meditation. What is considered meat? What is considered greens? In what does sin lie?"

"Sacrificing a rhinoceros in fire offerings was accepted by the gods. They abandon meat yet continue to slander others, while feasting on human flesh at night."

- Raag Malaar, Ang 1289