Sohina was a wealthy man who God had endowed with an aesthetic perception of life, particularly in poetry and music, He had 4 pretty wife named Mohina and they led a life which was full of comfort. Nonetheless they felt unfulfilled and after searching their Souls they realized that they were spiritually very poor. Consequently, they became depressed and strove to find some means to alleviate their anxiety,
They consulted a Brahmin ascetic who recommended daily worship as part of their lifestyle. Following his advice, they would rise before dawn, go to the village ‘well, bathe themselves and return with a pail of fresh water to anoint the holy icon which the sadhu (who was their temporary guest) had given them. He taught them how 16 decorate the icon with flowers and adore its presence through music and hymn singing; this would be followed by long periods of silent meditation. Although this ritual was a panacea of sorts, yet they remained dissatisfied, they hungered for a higher and nobler mission which would relieve their anguish and bring eventual peace of mind. They would often discuss whether this would ever transpire,
One morning, on their return from the village well, they came across a Sikh soldier who was bleeding profusely and desperately thirsty, however, they were reluctant to share their water with him in case his presence sullied the sanctity of the water intended for the holy icon. So they ignored the wounded warrior of Guru Gobind Singh and continued on their homeward journey. But as they passed him by, they could hear his remonstration “You say you wish to worship the Lord, but mark my words, through your ignorance, he will withhold his darshan, “
When they reached home they performed their daily pooja but with a sense of Unease and their ministrations were not as thorough as they should have been. After they had finished, they set out to locate the Sikh soldier only to discover that I he had been slain, while protecting a damsel, by vicious Mughal soldiers. His badly mutilated body was then taken away for cremation.
Sohina and Mohina perceived that they had sinned by refusing Walter to the dying soldier and their hearts were grievously broken. They stopped worshipping and all meaning departed from their lives. Sohina sold all of his property and with the money realized, provided wells for the villages in the vicinity. He was left destitute but whatever he could spare he used to provide water for those who needed it. In an attempt at penance they worked as laborers at the well sites but the refreshing water which they found did little to quench the burning guilt which tortured their sinful souls from day to day.
They were guided to Anandpur Sahib, the home of Guru Gobind Singh, who, they were told, could pardon them of their wrongdoing. After reaching the garden of the Guru, they struck up a friendship with Bhai Kesra Singh who was the head gardener, while they toiled in the garden, the face of the dying Sikh soldier would often appear before them and his last words would echo in their ears. Thus they did not dare to attend the durbar of the Master although they longed to receive Dasam Pat Shah darshan in remembrance of the one who they had spurned.
Mohina, who was an avid gardener herself, cultivated flowers which were not only beautiful but also belonged to a unique species whose sweet fragrance would permeate the area before the sun rose.
Guru Gobind Singh learned about these special flowers and the couple who grew them, but he refused to meet them as only his followers could attend his durbar. Bhai Kesra Singh and Mata Jit Kaurji pleaded with the Master but to no avail. Mata Jit Kaur was told to console the couple after the Master had again declined to meet them saying “A true Sikhcan undo my bindings but] cannot undo the bindings of a Khalsa soldice who is no more. Their freedom lies in humility and the rejection of self is hens.” Although the Queen Mother’s words were a source of comfort, yet the dying soldier’s words still haunted them.
The birthday of the Master was approaching. In honor of this special occasion, Mohina and Sohina had prepared bouquets of rare flowers for the event. Despite repeated requests from interested parties, Sohinaand Mohina would not give the flowers to anyone.
One night, Roda Jalali (Roda the Glorious), crept into the garden and plucked all the flowers and presented them on the next morning to Guruji at his durbar. At the same time it was reported to the Master that Sohina and Mohina had fallen unconscious ever since their flowerbed had been ruined.
Guru Gobind Singh asked Roda Jalalias to why he had brought the flowers to him. Roda replied that since he had no money to buy 4 gift for the Master, so he had brought the flowers instead of coming empty handed. Having said this, he bowed in front of Guruji and gold mothers fell out of his turban, Guruji was angry and remarked that the man was an imposter. Entering the court empty handed was no crime but coming with falsehood in the heart was a betrayal that could never be forgiven.
The Master then walked to the hut where Sohina and Mohina were lying unconscious with Mata Jit Kaurji by their sides. After she had sprinkled water on their Faces, Guruji recited a shabad and to they opened their eyes. They saw the holy master and their joy was boundless. They prostrated themselves at his feet and offered their apologies for refusing water to the true, but dying and thirsty follower of the Sikh faith. Guruji forgave them and offered to grant them a boon, for which they requested the Master’s pardon of Roda Jalali. The Guru was highly pleased and accordingly blessed them with a life full of spiritual value.
(Courtesy: Thai Sikh Journal).
Article extracted from this publication >> November 5, 1993
