AdminThere lived a famous robber called Sajjan. He was as cunning of a man as he was cruel. He built a temple full of gods and goddesses for the Hindus and the mosque for the Muslims. “this will lure both Hindus and Muslims to my house,” he said to himself, “and, at night, when they […]
There lived a famous robber called Sajjan. He was as cunning of a man as he was cruel. He built a temple full of gods and goddesses for the Hindus and the mosque for the Muslims. “this will lure both Hindus and Muslims to my house,” he said to himself, “and, at night, when they are asleep I shall steal all of their money and jewels and kill them.”
One day (Guru) Nanak was passing nearby and decided to spend the night at Sajjan’s house. Sajjan welcomed him warmly and spread out a great feast of tasty dishes before him. but all the time he was thinking, “this man, Nanak looks very happy and content. He must be very rich. Tonight I will rob him of all his money and then murder him. No one will anything about.”
At sunset Sajjan began to urge (Guru) Nanak to go to bed early. “it is getting late you look tired,” he said in a voice full of concern for his guest.
(Guru) Nanak answered that he always sang a hymn before retiring for the night. Sajjan was getting impatient but he agreed to sit down for a few minutes and listen to (Guru) Nanak. Guru Nanak Dev Ji sang a song he had composed himself:
Herons and birds of prey are found in holy places
Yet they eat living things;
They are beautiful
Yet their hearts are evil.
Sajjan realized that what (Guru) Nanak said about herons and hawks applied to him too.
“What Nanak says it quite true,” he admitted to himself. “I might appear kind and friendly, but I am like these birds Nanak speaks of. Although I do not eat people I do almost the same thing, for I kill them.” He fell down at Nanak’s feet and asked his forgiveness.
(Guru) Nanak said, “Sajjan, only God can forgive you. And God only forgives those who admit their sins openly and repair the wrongs they have done. Tell me how many people have you robbed and killed?”
Sajjan looked very ashamed. “I have murdered and robbed many hundreds of men, women and children. how would I possibly obtain God’s forgiveness for all my evil deeds?”
“Give away all you have gained in this way to the poor.” Guru Nanak Dev Ji said.
Sajjan did as (Guru) Nanak had asked and became his follower. The first Sikh temple in India was built by Sajjan the robber, in gratitude to (Guru) Nanak who had changed his way of life.
–Dedicatedkaur.blogspot.com