Story Time - Bhai Lalo and Malik Bhago
Guru Nanak Dev Ji traveled to a number of places, including Saidpur, now known as Eminabad. Before Guru Ji arrived at Saidpur, the word has spread in the whole city that a holy man is going to visit their town.
Malik Bhago was the chief of the town. He was a corrupt person and who had earned a lot of wealth through unfair means. He would charge extra tax to the poor farmers and would take most of their crop, leaving them hungry. He had become a wealthy person by taking other’s belongings. When Malik heard the news of Guru Ji’s arrival, he started preparing for Guru’s stay at his house.
When Guru Nanak reached Saidpur, he knocked on the door of a poor carpenter named Lalo. Guru Ji chose to stay with Lalo for sometime as a guest. Lalo would serve Guru Ji with little food he could afford and Guru Ji would eat the simple food with love. News reached Malik Bhago that Guru Ji was staying with Lalo. Malik held a big gathering and invited all the holy men including Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Guru Ji did not accept his invitation.
Malik became very angry that Guru Nanak Dev Ji refused his proposal and ordered to force the Guru to visit his place. Two guards were sent to Lalo’s home to escort Guru Ji. Guru Nanak Ji decided to go visit Malik’s palace. When Guru Ji reached Malik’s palace, Malik Bhago said, “O holy man, I have prepared so many dishes for you, but you are staying with a poor carpenter and eating his dry bread? Why?”
The Guru replied, “I cannot eat your food because your bread is ill-begotten and has been made with money sucked from the poor through unfair means, while Lalo's bread is made from the hard-earned money.” Malik Bhago very mad after heariong Guru Ji’s remarks and asked Guru Ji to prove his point.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji asked for a loaf of bread from Lalo's house. In one hand the Guru held Lalo's dry bread and in the other he held Malik Bhago's bread. Guru Ji then squeezed both breads with his hands. Milk dripped out from Lalo's bread while blood dripped from Malik Bhago's bread. Malik Bhago was completely shaken by his guilt and asked for forgiveness. Guru Ji asked him to distribute his ill-gotten wealth among the poor and henceforth live an honest life. Malik Bhago was re-born with the Guru's blessing. He started living an honest life.
CAclubindia
