Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Hema

[Akaal Purakh Di Fauj]

WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH

Guru Arjan Dev Ji on a tour of his visited a village called Khanpur between Goindwal and the present Tarn Taran. He was accompanied by five sikhs, including bidhi chand and Gurdas. He remained the whole day enganged in his devotions. In the evening it rained heavily and wintry winds were blowing.

Bidhi Chand said to Guru Ji, 'That lofty house which you can see in the village is very near. Let us go and rest there for the night.' Guru Ji objected, and said it would be better to remain where they were than associate with the evil people who dwelt there.

Bidhi Chand however, prevailed on him to let him go into the village and endeavour to secure shelter, as the night was piercingly cold. Bidhi Chand begged the people to let his party have even one room in which they would all sleep together. The villagers only laughed at him, and call Guru Ji and his sikhs hypocrites. Bidhi Chand went and duly informed Guru ji, of the character of his reception.

Guru Ji replied, 'Pay no heed, I told you they were foul-tongued people. Whoever has devotion in this heart will come to us by himself, and give us accomodation for the night'.

As Guru Ji had anticipated, Hema, a devout Sikh of the village arrived and said, 'O true Guru, I have a tattered hut made out of grass and twigs which is at your service. It will be hallowed by recieving you.' Hema, who had been made a sikh by Satguru Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, lived by grinding corn for the villagers. His leisure time he spent singing the praises of Waheguru.

Though he was extremely poor, and possessed only a coarse blanket to wear, his hut was ever open to a stranger. Guru Ji seeing his love and devotion gladly acceped his hospitality. He then cooked and supplied his distinguished guest the best food in his possession. Before retiring he took off his sole blanket, and put it under Guru jis bedding, so that he might enjoy sweet repose.

End of part 1

WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH