The reward of meeting a Sadhu

Because of the devotion of a certain Sikh, Baba Nanak went and sat outside that Sikh's town. The Sikh was very hospitable to other Sikhs that passed through the town. When it came time for his guests to leave he would ask them "Brother, what is the reward gained from meeting a Sadhu ?". The other Sikhs would give different answers but none that satisfied him.

One day Baba Nanak visited his house. The Sikh served him with great devotion and early next morning he asked Baba Nanak the same question "Sir, what is the reward gained from meeting a sadhu ?".

"Tomorrow you will learn the answer to your question " answered Baba Nanak " At a certain place in the jungle there is a tree. Whoever is there will give you the satisfaction that you seek. If you do not find your answer there then return to me "

Next morning the Sikh went to the place and on the tree he saw a pair of crows, a male and female sitting under the tree. There was nothing else there so he waited for two to three hours and then returned to Baba Nanak.

" Well Brother did you find your answer or not " asked Baba Nanak
"No one was there " replied the Sikh " a pair of crows were sitting there. How could I find the answer "

" Very well return to that same place tomorrow " said Baba Nanak

The next day the Sikh went to the same place and this time there were a pair of white herons sitting there but no one else. As before the Sikh stayed there for a few hours and then returned.

" Well Brother did you find your answer or not " asked Baba Nanak
" A pair of white herons were sitting there. No one else. How could I find the answer " replied the Sikh.

Again Baba Nanak asked the Sikh to return to that place tomorrow

The next day the Sikh went to the same place and this time there were a pair of swans sitting there but no one else. As before the Sikh stayed there for a few hours and then returned.

" Well Brother did you find your answer or not " asked Baba Nanak
" A pair of white swans were sitting there. No one else. How could I find the answer " replied the Sikh.

Again Baba Nanak told the Sikh to go back to the same place the next day.

The next day the Sikh went to the same place and this time under the tree there was a man and a woman sitting there. The Sikh prostrated himself before them and asked " Friends, what reward is gained from meeting a Sadhu ?"

"You have just discovered what reward is to be gained from meeting a Sadhu " they replied " We have just obtained the reward of your presence with the result that our destiny has been redeemed. We were sinners and so we earned rebirth as crows. On the first day we had your presence we were changed into a pair of herons, your presence the next day transformed us into swans, the day after we obtained the body and intelligence of human beings. Blessings on your Gurdev that at his command you appeared before us and redeemed us sinners. Take us to your Guru "

Then the Sikh understood and his understanding was transformed and imbued with divine reason. All three went to and fell at the feet of Baba Nanak.

" Well Brother did you find your answer " asked Baba Nanak
"True King only you know the immensity of your spiritual power. When one meets God what need is there for further satisfaction " replied the Sikh

Guru Nanak was filled with joy and he taught them the three fold path of Nam simran, Charity and Ishnan and then left that place.


B40 Janamsakhi