When Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji reached the ruins…

When Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji reached the ruins of the Somnath temple, the local people narrated to him the sorrowful tale of plundering by Mahmud of Ghazni. They told him that once upon a time, the grandeur of the Somnath temple was world-famous, but foreign invaders looted wealth worth billions, including diamonds, pearls, gold, silver, etc. Now, only memories remain.

Hearing this, Guru Dev reflected upon the incident and said:

So jeevia jis mann vasia soi. Nanak avar na jeevai koi.

Je jeevai pat lathi jai. Sa haraam jeta kichu khai. - Raag Maajh, Ang 142

Guru Dev addressed the local people in his discourse, saying, "Your ancestors built this temple for spiritual advancement, but instead, you became trapped in wealth, luxury, and indulgence. As a result, you forgot the true purpose of meeting the Lord and reciting His Name, without which the soul dies. A dead soul perceives nothing beyond material pleasures. Such a soul considers sacrificing for ideals or offering one's life on the battlefield as foolishness. These ruins stand as a silent testimony to their character. In other words, when the downfall of a nation, society, or individual approaches, their virtues are the first to perish."

Jis no aan-i khuaa-e karta khus le changiaayi. - Raag Asa, Ang 417

When spiritual progress is replaced by moral decline in society, nature itself punishes them.