While returning from the Surya Grahan Mela in…

While returning from the Surya Grahan Mela in Kurukshetra, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji arrived at the sacred sarovar (lake) in Pehowa. There, the local priests had spread stories, claiming that a woman had lost her earring while bathing in the sarovar, but she consoled herself by believing that she had donated it as a religious offering. As a result, the earring miraculously grew in size and became as large as a chariot’s wheel. Therefore, they preached that donations should be given, as anything donated in this world multiplies hundreds of times in the heavenly realm.

Upon hearing this, Guru Ji responded, “Alright, if that is true, then sins should also multiply many times over. We must first reflect within ourselves and see how many sins we have committed. If they grow at the same rate, what will become of us?” Hearing this, the priests were left speechless.

They then asked Guru Ji whether they would attain spiritual benefits by bathing in Prithudak, a sacred well built by King Prithu in memory of his ancestors for their salvation.

Guru Ji replied:

Jis jal nidhi kāraṇi tum jagi āe so amritu gur pāhī jīu. Chhoḍahu vesu bhekhu chaturāī dubidhā ihu phalu nāhī jīu. (Raag Sorath, Ang 598)

This means that the goal you seek through these rituals can only be attained by becoming worthy of the Guru’s grace. Until you live according to the teachings of the Perfect Guru, all rituals will remain fruitless. Without the Guru, deeds are equivalent to nothing, for it is the Guru who gives direction to actions, just as placing the number one before zeros gives them value.

Therefore, instead of wasting time in rituals, one should engage in the contemplation of the Almighty to attain the guidance of the Perfect Guru. That alone is truly beneficial for all.

From there, Guru Ji departed for the town of Sarsa.