Bhai Veer Singh
was ripe, he ordered, “Pluck it and take it to my
My heart sank.
Hearing my scream, Pama and Rao ji both froze for a moment. Tears formed in my eyes and started rolling down my cheeks.
I knew my request would fall on Rao ji’s deaf ears. So I imploringly clutched Pama’s hands in stricken face, Pama’s outstretched hand shrank back, and my pounding heart calmed a little. him again.
Suddenly I was roughly shoved aside. I heard fruit anyway. Caught between duty and love, a
distraught Pama turned away from me.
The fruit separated from its stem.
I passed out in shock, collapsing to the ground.
I woke up next day to a bright sunny morning. My head lay in Ammi ji’s lap as she recited the Sukhmani Sahib8:
why did I feel so sleepy? Why did my hands and feet feel so weak?
Suddenly it all came back to me and I cried out it had been just a bad dream.
“Aap Mukat Mukat Karai Sansaar || Nanak Tis
Bapu ji quickly took me into his arms and kissed my forehead. He patiently explained to me at
(Only that person who has achieved spiritual salvation, can help the world to achieve this state. Says Nanak, such a person must forever be revered).
Seeing me stir, Ammi ji hugged me tightly. A
length why I was mistaken in my thinking.
He softly recited:
“Parai Amaan Kyo Raakhiyai
(Why should we keep something that belongs to another? Only by returning it can we be happy).
As his wise words sank in, they soothed my troubled heart.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Thinking it was another neighbour calling to ask after my health, Ammi ji opened the door. We
had never seen them come by our humble hut. Composing herself, Ammi Ji welcomed them in.
They graciously sat on the modest mat on the ground as I lay on my cot, still weak. Smiling at me, Rao ji’s wife Bibi ji, caressed me on the forehead. “Child, be strong. The whole garden is yours. she said placing the fruit in my hands.
Wiser with Bapu ji’s words, I knew this was my chance to apologize.
I put the fruit aside, joined my hands and replied, “Bibi ji, I was wrong. This fruit belongs to our master, Rao ji. I had thought it was mine. Guru ji would never have accepted it.
If I had realized this earlier, I would’ve gone to the master and paid for it. Once it was mine to look after, Guru ji
would have never let anyone take it away. Bapu ji has told me that a Sikh must always give and never take anything. If we don’t have the right to something, then we must not
A shadow crossed Rao ji’s face. As I was told later, my cries had pricked his conscience and he had been unable to sleep all
night. However with much tact and love, Bibi ji had managed to make him realize that it was his bloated ego that was at fault. To make amends they needed to reconnect with the Guru.
He turned towards Bapu ji and said, “There was a time when Sikh Sangat used to grace our house on their way to Anandpur Sahib. After my Pita ji passed away, I started doubting the young Tenth Guru’s methods and turned away from Guru ji’s feet. Later when I realized my folly, a sense of embarrassment kept me from going and asking for His forgiveness. This little girl’s words have truly opened my eyes. Please, forgive me and allow me to be a part of the
We were witnessing a miracle, but Bapu ji was quick to answer, “Maalak ji, you’re very generous. For the sake of a mere child
you have come to our humble abode. May Guru
I accepted the beautiful yellow Chakodra that became an equal symbol of my love for Guru ji as well as Rao ji’s transformation.
So moved was he, that he gave instructions for arrangements to be made for the journey to Anandpur Sahib immediately. All of us were
going together. Who could have thought I would get to see Guru ji so soon?
When we reached the Guru’s blessed court, we saw Sikh Sangat sitting in thousands under a over to Guru ji to receive his blessings. Placing the precious Chakodra at Guru ji’s feet, my head bowed in reverence.
When I looked up, he was smiling at me and lifted me in his strong arms into his lap.
Guru ji picked up the Chakodra nurtured with all
my love in his hands and pressed it to his chest. “My dear daughter, my dear child, you have made me proud. The Sikhs are like the sandalwood trees of Sikhi, spreading their fragrance wherever Placing his hand on my head, he blessed me, Ammi ji and Pita ji were also showered with a lot and his wife gave up all their wealth accumulated
over several generations in the service of the Guru and dedicated their lives to him. Guru ji in turn, blessed us all with the priceless gift of us undertake the trials and tribulations of life, all
