Transformation from a Thug to True Sajjan!

Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana reached the city of Tulamba in Multan. By the side of the road, they saw a very big and beautiful house. Sajjan,whose real name was Sheikh, had constructed that inn for the comfort of the travellers. In that inn, everyone was given a room to pass night and free meals were served to one’s fill. There was no discrimination, be the traveller a Hindu or a Muslim. In that inn, Sheikh had got constructed on one side,a temple for the Hindus to worship and on the other side a mosque,for the Muslims to pray.

Sheikh used to dress like a saint during the day and engaged himself telling beads on his rosary. Seeing him thus, everyone who met him called him Sajjan, the virtuous man or friend. Sajjan had plenty of land which was tilled by labourers. He had adopted another means of income of which no one except his partners knew. He used to kill the travellers staying for the night, throw their bodies into a well and misappropriate their belongings.

Sajjan guessed that Guru Nanak was a wealthy man. He served Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana very well. Guru Nanak could read what was in the mind of other people. Nothing could remain hidden from him. Guru Nanak read all his black deeds from his conversation with his companions. After dinner, Sagan requested Guru Nanak, “O holy man, come and sleep in comfort inside. The night has well advanced.” Guru Nanak said, “Salian, we shall sing a hymn in the praise of the Lord and then sleep.” Guru Nanak started the recitation of the hymn.

When Sajjan heard the hymn and understood the meanings, he suspected that Guru Nanak had come to know his black deeds. That was why he was saying, “A utensil made from bronze looks bright outside but when it is rubbed it makes the fingers black. Even if it is washed, that bronze will not be free from blackness. Decorate empty houses outside as you wish but when they are demolished,they will be empty inside. Human bodies are like houses. The bodies devoid of virtues are of no avail. The white clad holy men who rob those gone astray, are like storks at places of pilgrimage,who eat frogs. They cannot be called devotees. A man’s shrewdness, wisdom and service are useless unless he gives up bad deeds. To become virtuous, one needs the help of the Lord.”

When the recital of the hymn was finished, SaUan fell at Guru Nanak’s feet. At the bidding of Guru Nanak, he distributed all his accumulated wealth among the poor, began to earn his living truthfully and became a true Sajjan.