The Task Given by Bhai Mehta Kalu Ji
At the age of eighteen, Guru Nanak Sahib Ji was sent by his father, Bhai Mehta Kalu Ji, to the city to engage in business. His father was disappointed that Guru Sahib’s mind was not into farming and other worldly work. Therefore, he thought that perhaps engaging him in trade would, firstly, be a good profitable profession, and secondly, his son would be happy all day talking to his clients about his business. Thinking this way and choosing an auspicious day, he called Bhai Mardana Ji to accompany Guru Sahib.
The Journey Begins
Pita Kalu Ji gave twenty rupees (a significant amount at the time) to Bhai Mardana Ji and said, “Go with Nanak. Buy and bring some genuine goods by selling which we may make a profit. In this way, if you make a profitable transaction, next time I will send you with more money to buy goods.”
Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana Ji started from Talwandi towards Choohar-khaana to purchase some merchandise. They had hardly gone ten or twelve miles from the village when they came across a village affected by disease, where the people were thirsty, hungry, and sick due to a lack of water and an outbreak of disease.
The True Bargain
Guru Nanak Sahib Ji said to Bhai Mardana Ji, “Father has asked us to carry out some profitable transaction. No bargain can be more truly profitable than to feed and clothe these naked and hungry children and adults. I cannot leave this true bargain. It is seldom that we get an opportunity to carry out some profitable transaction like this.”
Guru Nanak took all the money from Bhai Mardana Ji and took it to the next nearest village dwelling, where he bought a plentiful supply of food and brought water for the disease-ridden village. Guru Sahib invested the twenty rupees into what we today call “Langar.”
As well as bringing food and water to the villagers, Bhai Mardana Ji and Guru Sahib brought clothes with the money that was left. Taking leave from the villagers, they started back empty-handed.
The Confrontation
When both reached near Talwandi, Guru Nanak said to Mardana Ji, “You go to the village alone, I shall sit at this well.” Bhai Mardana Ji went to the village and narrated the whole story to Pita Mehta Kalu Ji. He told him where Guru Nanak was sitting.
Mehta Kalu was very angry that they had wasted money on feeding, clothing, and taking care of needy people. Putting aside all work, he took Bhai Mardana Ji along and started towards the well. Reaching the well, he caught hold of Guru Nanak and slapped Guru Sahib.
Moral of the Story
For Pita Mehta Kalu Ji, amassing of wealth was the only true bargain because in this world it is money which is the mark of nobility. It is the wealthy who is wise, and only the rich are considered gentle, honest, pious, and lovers of mankind. The means by which the money has been earned are of no consideration. Only those who make true transactions think about the ways and means.
The true bargain of life is sharing one’s earnings with the needy and helping in whatever way we can. Guru Nanak’s actions demonstrated that the real wealth lies in selfless service and compassion for others, which ultimately leads to true spiritual and moral fulfillment.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
PS: I humbly request all devotees to please forward and share these moral/instructive stories they hear so that everyone can be benefited by hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees.
