Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji reached the city of…

Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji reached the city of Palitana in Gujarat. Here, there was a famous temple of Jain followers. In those days, a Jain monk named Anabhi was the chief religious leader there.

As soon as Guru Ji arrived, he started singing Kirtan:

Sabhi sootak bharam hai dooje lage jaai. Janm marna hukam hai bhaane aavai jaai.

Khaana peena pavitar hai ditonu rijak sanbaahi. Nanak jini gurmukh bujhia tina sootak naahi. - Raag Asa, Ang 472

A large crowd gathered to listen to Guru Ji’s divine Kirtan. After the Kirtan ended, people requested an explanation of the verses he had sung.

Guru Ji then addressed them, saying: Everything is part of God's divine play. Birth and death happen as per His command. One should not be confused into believing that taking a life is a sin. Therefore, eating and drinking are pure. That Lord has provided sustenance for everyone in some form or another. It is only a matter of understanding the laws of nature.

Hearing this, people said: Our chief priest Anabhi teaches us the exact opposite.

At this, Jain monk Anabhi came forward for a discussion with Guru Ji and said: Our main goal is to avoid the sins of taking life.

Guru Ji responded: According to your illusion, you commit killings day and night because even grains of food contain life.

Jete daane ann ke jeea baajh na koi. Pehila paani jeeo hai jit hariya sabh koi. - Raag Asa, Ang 472

Explaining further, Guru Ji said: No one should live an unsocial life due to confusion, as all vegetation has life. How long will you wander in superstitions? These beliefs will only bring misery without any real attainment. One should live life based on scientific truths.

Then, the people present there said: Guru Ji, this monk misguides us. He neither stays clean himself nor teaches us how to live properly. Instead, he leads us into unscientific, antisocial, and impure ways of life.

Guru Ji replied: Go and see the homes of these hypocritical monks. The families they left behind cry for them because of their uselessness. Here, they shave their heads like sheep, beg for leftovers, and scratch their filth to check for germs. They sniff the stench of dirt and avoid using water, fearing they might kill living beings. Because of this, they remain dirty and unclean all the time. Their unscientific way of life is a stain on human society. They are in dire need of true Guru’s wisdom, or else their life will be wasted.

Siru khohai piahi malvaani jutha mangi mangi khahi. Foli fadhihati muhi laini bhadasa paani dekhi sagahi.

Bheda vaagi siru khohain bhariyan hath suaahi. Mau peeu kirat gavain tabar rovan dahi.

Sada kuchil rahahin dinu raati mathai tike naahi. Jhundi pai bahin niti maranai dar diban na jaahi. - Raag Maajh, Ang 149

Hearing this, monk Anabhi could not provide logical answers to these questions. Realizing his mistake, he fell at Guru Ji’s feet and pleaded for guidance. Guru Ji said: Violence is in hurting someone's heart without reason, in oppressing the poor, and in not treating them justly. We should not speak bitter words—this is true non-violence.