Sakhi Series :- 220 (Guru Nanak Dev ji in Mecca)

Guru Nanak Dev ji in Mecca

 

Bhai Gurdas ji Vaar : Baba at Mecca Pauris: 32-34

Baba phiri Makkey gia neel bastatr Dharey banwari.

Aasa hathh Kitab Kachh kuja bang mussala dhari.

Ja Baba suta raat nounn vali maharabey paiye pasari.

Jivan maari latt di kehara suta kuffar kuffari.

Tangon Pakkaur ghasitia phiria Makka kalla dikhari.

Hoey hairan kareni Juhari.

 

Puchhan Pholi kitab nounn Hindu vada ke Musalmanoi.

Baba Aakhey hajian subh amlan bajhau dono roi.

Hindu Musalmaan dui dargah andari lahani na dhoi.

Karani bakhili aapi vichi Ram Rahim Kuthai Khaloi.

Rahey Saitani dunia goi.

 

In these pauris Bhai Gurdas ji describes the visit of Baba Nanak (Guru Nanak Sahib Ji) to Mecca(during Guruji's 4th udasi/journey to the west). Donning blue clothes, holding a stick in one hand, book under the arm pit and carrying his prayer mat and a lota (jug) Baba reaches Mecca and relates the well known anecdote about Guru Nanak Dev ji keeping his feet towards the Mehrab at night.

 

When the Mullah named Jiwan saw this act of sacrilege, he was infuriated and kicked him, saying that who is this Kafir keeping his feet towards the house of God and holding (Guru)Nanak Dev ji's legs pulls them to change their direction and sees the "Mecca moving in the same direction".

Hearing that a strange man had crept into their company, people gathered round him and asked to open and search in his book(pothi) and tell them as to who is better, Hindu or Muslim. Guru ji replied, "Without good deeds, both will come to grief. Only by being a Hindu or a Muslim one can not get accepted in the court of the Lord."   As the colour of safflower is impermanent and is washed away in water, likewise the colours of religiosity are also temporary. (Followers of both the religions) In their expositions, denounce Ram and Rahim. The whole of the world is following the ways of Satan.

 

Then they asked, "Of what religion art thou?"  Guru ji answered, "I am a mere man, made up of five elements, a play thing in the hands of God."

PS: Some might ask - Why did Guruji visit Mecca ? 

Guess, for the same reason Guru Jee visited Hardwara (Hiduism HQ), Mount Kelash (Siddha's), Lhasa (Buddhist HQ), Rome etc

People were lost in hatred and segregation on the lines of caste, creed and religion. The reason was to bring about change; people had become misguided so Guru Jee went to get people to follow the True path.

If someone wants to bring about change in UK, they must go to where policies in UK are made eg Parliament and hold discussions/dialogues/debates. In the same way, for Guru Jee to bring change amongst Muslims, Hindu's, Buddhists of that time. He had to visit the centre of all these religions and have dialogue/debates/discussions with their leaders. Guru Jee went to Mecca, Median, Hardwar, Lhasa, Rome (etc) with the sole purpose of teaching the True path:

-That God is everywhere and in everyone. 

-To treat ALL humans with respect and equals 

-To teach tolerance and respect. 

"I do not make pilgrimages to Mecca, nor do I worship at Hindu sacred shrines. I serve the One Lord, and not any other. I do not keep fasts, nor do I observe the month of Ramadaan. I serve only the One, who will protect me in the end." (Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 1136).