The Disappearing Body

Dadi: "Guddu beta, today I'll tell you the most miraculous story about Guru Nanak - what happened when he left this world."

Guddu: "Guru Nanak's death? That must be a sad story."

Dadi: "It's not just about death, beta. It's about unity, miracles, and how Guru Nanak brought people together even in his final moments."

Guddu: "Tell me what happened, Dadi."

Dadi: "On September 22, 1539, Guru Nanak was sitting peacefully under a tree in Kartarpur. His face was radiant, calm. His disciples were chanting spiritual hymns around him. Everyone could feel that the Guru's time was near."

Guddu: "Were people sad?"

Dadi: "They were, but also something unexpected happened. A dispute arose! You see, Guru Nanak had followers from different religions - Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims. They all loved him deeply."

Guddu: "What were they arguing about?"

Dadi: "The Muslims said, "We will bury the Guru according to our customs." The Hindus said, "We will cremate him according to our beliefs." The Sikhs weren't sure what to do. Each group claimed the Guru as their own!"

Guddu: "How did they solve this?"

Dadi: "They asked Guru Nanak himself! And he gave them a beautiful solution. First, he explained that only his body would expire - the divine light within him would pass to his successor, Guru Angad. This is called Joti Jot - the transfer of the divine flame."

Guddu: "So his spirit would live on?"

Dadi: "Yes. Then he asked all his followers to bring flowers. He said, "Hindus and Sikhs, place your flowers on my right side. Muslims, place yours on my left. Tomorrow morning, whichever side's flowers remain fresh, those people may perform the funeral rites.""

Guddu: "That's a clever solution!"

Dadi: "The Guru asked for prayers to be chanted - the Sohila and Japji Sahib. Then he asked for a sheet to be placed over his body. "Leave me alone now," he said. And with his final breath, he transmitted his spiritual essence to Guru Angad."

Guddu: "Everyone left?"

Dadi: "Yes. They waited through the night, full of anticipation and grief. The next morning, all the followers returned. Carefully, with trembling hands, they lifted the sheet that covered their beloved Guru."

Guddu: "What did they find?"

Dadi: "*leans in* There was no body underneath. Guru Nanak's physical form had completely disappeared!"

Guddu: "Disappeared?! Like magic?"

Dadi: "Instead of a body, they found fresh flowers - beautiful, unfaded flowers!"

Guddu: "But which side had the fresh flowers?"

Dadi: "That's the miracle, beta. ALL the flowers were fresh! Every single one - from both sides! Hindu, Sikh, Muslim - all their flowers had remained perfect overnight."

Guddu: "So everyone won?"

Dadi: "Or rather, no one lost. The Guru's final teaching was unity. He belonged to everyone equally. No religion had exclusive claim to him. His love was for all humanity, not just one group."

Guddu: "What did the followers do?"

Dadi: "Since both sides had equal claim, they decided to honor him together. The Hindus and Sikhs built a samadh - a memorial monument - with their portion of the cloth that had covered him. The Muslims built a grave with their portion."

Guddu: "Both monuments side by side?"

Dadi: "Yes! On the banks of the River Ravi in Kartarpur. For centuries, both structures stood together as a reminder of how Guru Nanak united different faiths."

Guddu: "What happened to them?"

Dadi: "*sadly* In 1684, the river flooded and washed both monuments away. But the Guru's descendants built a new memorial. And even today, people from all religions visit Kartarpur to honor Guru Nanak."

Guddu: "Dadi, why did his body disappear?"

Dadi: "Some say it was a miracle showing that Guru Nanak was beyond physical form. Some say it was God's way of preventing the fighting over funeral rites. Whatever the reason, the message was clear."

Guddu: "What message?"

Dadi: "That the Guru belonged to all, and to none. That his teachings - of one God, of equality, of love - were not limited to any religion. That even in death, he brought people together instead of dividing them."

Guddu: "He was a peacemaker until the very end."

Dadi: "And beyond! His disappearing body solved a problem that could have caused violence and hatred. Instead, Muslims and Hindus and Sikhs built monuments side by side, honoring the same beloved teacher."

Guddu: "What can I learn from this, Dadi?"

Dadi: "That true spiritual teachers belong to everyone. That the best way to honor holy people is through unity, not fighting over who owns them. And that physical forms pass away, but love and teachings remain forever."

Guddu: "Like Guru Nanak's body disappeared, but his songs and wisdom are still here?"

Dadi: "Still guiding millions of people, beta. The Guru Granth Sahib - the holy book containing his hymns - is read every day by people all over the world. His body vanished, but his voice never did."

Guddu: "That's beautiful, Dadi. He taught us that we're all one family, didn't he?"

Dadi: "Until his last breath and beyond. Now, shall we light a diya and remember all the great teachers who brought people together?"

Guddu: "Yes! For Guru Nanak and all the peacemakers!"

Dadi: "*smiles* Waheguru, mere bacche. Waheguru."