A needle leads to Divine Wisdom!

ਸਾਥਿ ਨ ਚਾਲੇ ਬਿਨੁ ਭਜਨ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਸਗਲੀ ਛਾਰੁ ।।
ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਮਾਵਨਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਇਹੁ ਧਨੁ ਸਾਰ ।।1।।

Guru Nanak travelled far and wide teaching people about God. He explained that God is there for everyone, and we should seek his truth. We should work hard and be generous to one another. The Guru met many different people, both rich and poor, along the way. Some listened to, and welcomed him. Others jeered at him.

There was one rich trader called Duni Chand. He was very good at making money. He was also very mean. He didn’t spend his money on other people. Duni Chand just kept all his money for himself. One day, Duni Chand heard that Guru Nanak was teaching in the city. Duni Chand wanted to meet this famous man. So he sent out a servant to invite Guru Nanak to a feast in his glorious palace. When the Guru arrived at the palace he noticed rows of coloured flags flying above the palace walls.

‘What are those flags for?’ asked the Guru in surprise. Duni Chand puffed out his chest with pride. ‘Oh, Guru Nanak,’ he replied, ‘every time I save a thousand rupees, I fly a new flag. As you can see, I have many, many flags. So I have millions of rupees!’

After the feast, Guru Nanak turned to Duni Chand. ‘You have the best food and wine in this city. I see that you are a very wealthy man,’ he said. Duni Chand nodded happily. ‘Yes, I am very rich. I have everything I could
wish for.’ The Guru smiled and held out his hand. ‘Here,’ he said to Duni Chand.

‘You’re a careful man. Take this needle. Keep it safe for me. When I die, we will meet up in the next world. Then you can give the needle back.’ Duni Chand was very grateful for this honour. But that night, he began to think hard. How could he take the needle with him when he died? How could he take anything with him when he died? Duni Chand didn’t sleep at all that night.

The next morning Duni Chand set off early to find Guru Nanak. He handed back the needle and said, ‘You have taught me a very big lesson. I can’t take this needle with me into the next world. And I can’t take all my gold and riches with me either.’ Guru Nanak was pleased that Duni Chand had learned this lesson. From that day on, Duni Chand shared his wealth with people who needed it.

~ Source : Sikh Awareness Society (SAS)