Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

There are many tests that Saint Sukdev had to pass before King Janak could accept him as a disciple. After passing all of the tests which were set King Janak decided to test Saint Sukdev’s concentration.

The following day King Janak came into Saint Sukdev’s room with a steel cup filled to the top with oil. He then told Saint Sukdev, “Dear brother take this cup of oil in your hands and walk around the entire city. If you manage to return to my palace without spilling a single drop of this oil I will know that you can concentrate and only then will I take you to the path of Akaal Purakh.”

Saint Sukdev smiled. King Janak then continued, “You should be careful though as I am sending the general of my armies to walk behind you with his sword unsheathed. If you spill a drop of oil on the ground in a flash his sword will cut your head off. So be careful my brother.”

Saint Sukdev thought for a moment and then took the cup carefully into his hands. He then began to walk towards the city where King Janak had set up many distractions such as exotic dancers, all the gold and silver in the world, rich food and other things which people usually pine for. This was all set in place to take the attention of Saint Sukdev’s mind away from the steel cup of oil he had in his hands.

But Saint Sukdev who had set out on this path to find Akaal Purakh and become a disciple of King Janak remained steadfast. Moreover the thought of an unsheathed sword following him meant his focus on the oil was complete. The fear of death spurred him on. In the end Saint Sukdev made it back to the palace without spilling a drop.

King Janak smiled at Saint Sukdev and said, “Tell me dear brother what did you see in my city? Did you like the sights and sounds?”

Saint Sukdev looked at King Janak and said, “Saint of saints there were no sounds or sights where I went. I only saw the cup of oil and the unsheathed sword following me!”

To be continued (Sorry)

Some people have said that this story is a metaphor. If you think it is could you please tell the sangat what the cup of oil and the sword represent?

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh