Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji departed from Udaipur…

Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji departed from Udaipur and reached Abu Nagar. There, he visited the famous temples of the Jain monks. When Guru Ji met the Jain monks, he was displeased with their antisocial way of life because, in their belief of Ahimsa Parmo Dharma (non-violence as the supreme religion), they hardly used water. They believed that bathing would kill microorganisms in the water, leading to jeev hatya (taking lives). Due to this illusion, the monks remained unclean, emitting a foul odor.

Besides this, these monks would also spread their excreta with a straw to prevent any organisms from being harmed after forming in it. They would pluck out their hair one by one, fearing that sweat might generate living beings. They never wore shoes while walking, believing that a living creature might get crushed under their feet. Seeing this kind of antisocial, superstitious, illogical, and unscientific way of life, Guru Ji strongly rebuked them and said: Your very existence as human beings is a disgrace to society.

There were several sects of Jain monks in that place. Each sect had its own beliefs and principles, making their lifestyles different. Some did not wear clothes, some did not consume grains, some observed silence, while others considered eating leftovers as a virtuous act. Observing all this, Guru Ji expressed his thoughts through his divine words:

Bahu bhekh ki, dehi dukh diya. Sahu ve jeea, apna kiya.

Anu na khaaya, saad gavaya. Bahu dukh paaya, dooja bhaaya.

Bastra na pehre, ahinis kahre. Moni vigata, kiyu jaage gur.

Binu suta, pag upetana. Apna kiya kamana.

Alumal khaayi, siri chhai paayi. Moorakh andhe, pati gavai. - Raag Asa, Ang 467

In his discussions with these monks, Guru Ji said: You people adopt numerous disguises and indulge in hypocrisy, which has no connection with true religion. Your actions are nothing more than self-inflicted suffering, yielding no spiritual attainment whatsoever. These rituals bring nothing but suffering, with no real benefit.

Those who renounce grains merely deprive themselves of taste. Those who do not wear clothes unnecessarily endure hardships in heat and cold. Those who remain silent and do not communicate live a life without a Guru. Those who do not wear shoes suffer needlessly from sharp stones and thorns. Those who eat others’ leftovers lose their dignity in society and forfeit their self-respect.