By Bhai Tarlok Singh Sandhu
When Guru Nanak was born, the attending nurse, “Daulatan,” told his father Kalian Das Bedi, popu larly known as Mehta Kalu, that she had never scen a baby like that before. There was a halo around his head. On hearing the nurse, Pandit Hardial, the family priest, wanted to havea look at the infant before compiling the horoscope. Permission was granted with great reluctance, as new born were not shown to anyone until 40 days after the birth under prevalent Indian belief.
On seeing Nanak, Pandit Hardial was so impressed that he bowed his head and touched the feet of the infant and said, “Mehta Ji congratulations “you are fortunate, very fortunate indeed, you are, to have one such as your son, He will be a great prophet of mankind. He will be loved and respected, nay worshipped, by Hindus & Muslim alike, His name and fame will spread across India and far beyond. He will win untold honor, He will be a unique king of kings. I am small person to write a horoscope of such a great messenger of God.”
On the ninth day, at the naming ceremony, Pandit Hardial the village priestsuggested that the child should be named “Nanak” a closer resemblance to his sister’s name Nanaki. Nanaki drew her name from her maternal grandparents (Nankey) house where she was born. Nanak was very attached to Nanaki, both of the children respected and loved each very much. Again, the real secret in naming the child, is best known to God alone. Nanaki was the first person to understand that Nanak Veer (brother) was a God sent Spiritual authority.
The infant Nanak was a most unusual child, he never cried. There was a beatific smile on his face all the time. All who saw him, felt drawn towards him. His eyes sparkled with joy. His face radiated a special glow and sometimes his countenance became grave and serious, as if he was immersed in deep thought.
The child Guru Nanak was extremely charming. He did not waste time and energy in meaningless talks and gossips. He was neither mischievous nor naughty. He liked simple food and wore a simple white dress. He was good and kind to others and liked to help those in need. He loved the poor more than all others and was ever eager to help them even if he had to ignore himself. He gave them freely from his house, he provided them care, sympathy and love. He never boasted of his good deeds. He was above ego and pride. He was ever noble, sweet and humble.
He was very healthy and active. He had quite a number of friends, all of whom were very fond of him, They regarded him as their leader and obeyed him readily in all matters. He never quarreled with anyone. He never encore aged his comrades fighting. If he noticed any of his friends fighting he would stop them and help patch up their differences.
He took sweets or eatables from home and shared them with his friends. He generously distributed sweets to his companions. His mother Tripta never turned down his request for sweets for his friends,
There was a pond of clear water near Nanak’s house, sometimes he would go near the pond, and sit there for hours, with eyes half shut engrossed deep in thought.
Rai Bular a son of a Hindu convert to Islam (Rai Bhoe) and a chief of 12 villages including Nanak’s village, used to watch the child Guru thus engaged in divine meditation. He soon became the second Sikh of the Guru, the first Sikh was Bebe Nanak, the elder sister of Nanak. Rai Bular developed the pond into a tank and a beautiful Gurdwara subsequently came up at that place called Rai Lilaor the“Rai’smarvel” Rai Bular was convinced that Nanak was no ordinary person, He saw a halo around Nanak’ shead, so, he bowed in reverence to him. Anyone who came in touch with Nanak, got impressed by his charm, charismatic personality and character. He had a melodious voice and composed hymns extempore, his divine songs astonished both Hindus and Muslims.
Whenever a beggar, a needy per son, a Sadhu or a fakir knocked at the door, the child Nanak would run into the house, take hold of articles of food or clothing and according to the need of the visitor and bestow these on the person at the door. He was every ready to assist any one. Once a few Sadhus (mendicants) were drinking water at the village well with the palm of their hands, Guru Nanak rushed home and brought a bowl and offered it to them for drinking water. He cared even for the minutest needs of people.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 30, 1993
