Rai Bular - The Muslim Chiefs Devotion

Dadi**: Guddu beta, do you remember the story of Guru Nanak disappearing in the river? Tonight, let me tell you about a Muslim chief who recognized Nanak's divinity long before that.

Guddu**: A Muslim recognized a Sikh guru?

Dadi**: Before there was even a Sikh religion! This is the story of Rai Bular, the Muslim landlord of the village where young Nanak grew up.

Guddu**: What happened?

Dadi**: Rai Bular was a powerful man - he owned over 36,000 acres of land. Nanak's father worked for him as an accountant. So the chief had watched Nanak grow from a child.

Guddu**: Was Nanak different from other children?

Dadi**: Very different! He wasn't interested in normal games or studies. He was always thinking about God, always saying strange things that adults couldn't understand. Many people thought he was crazy.

Guddu**: But Rai Bular didn't?

Dadi**: Rai Bular watched him carefully. One day, when Nanak was a young man, he was sent to graze buffaloes in the fields. The sun was blazing hot, but Nanak lay down under a tree and fell into deep meditation.

Guddu**: Like sleeping?

Dadi**: Deeper than sleep - a divine trance where he was completely absorbed in God. As the sun moved, the tree's shadow moved away, leaving Nanak's face exposed to the scorching heat.

Guddu**: That could be dangerous!

Dadi**: Rai Bular was passing by with his attendants. He noticed something strange in the tall grass - the head of a large cobra with its hood spread wide, completely still.

Guddu**: A cobra?!

Dadi**: When Rai Bular approached carefully, he saw an amazing sight. Nanak lay on the ground in a trance, and the cobra had positioned itself to shade his face from the sun with its spread hood!

Guddu**: The snake was protecting him?

Dadi**: Like an umbrella made of snake! Rai Bular immediately understood - this was no ordinary young man. He jumped from his horse and rushed to check if Nanak had been bitten.

Guddu**: Was he okay?

Dadi**: Perfectly fine, just deeply absorbed in meditation. When people approached, the cobra quietly slipped away. It had never intended harm - it was serving the divine being it had sensed.

Guddu**: That's incredible!

Dadi**: From that day, Rai Bular became completely devoted to Nanak. He protected the young man from those who called him mad. He supported him when others criticized him.

Guddu**: A Muslim protecting a future Sikh guru?

Dadi**: In those days, there was no "Sikh" religion yet - Nanak hadn't started his mission. But Rai Bular could see the divine light in him. True devotees recognize holiness wherever it appears.

Guddu**: Even in other religions?

Dadi**: Especially across religious lines, beta! Rai Bular was a devout Muslim, but he understood that God appears in many forms. When you truly love God, you can recognize God's beloved wherever they are.

Guddu**: What happened to Rai Bular?

Dadi**: He's remembered as one of the first people to recognize Guru Nanak's spiritual stature. His faith is honored in Sikh tradition even though he was Muslim. The village of Talwandi where Nanak was born is now called Nankana Sahib.

Guddu**: So a Muslim helped protect the founder of Sikhism?

Dadi**: Just as the cobra protected Nanak from the sun, Rai Bular protected him from human harm. Both recognized what others couldn't see. Both served the divine without expecting reward.

Guddu**: I want to see divinity in everyone like Rai Bular did!

Dadi**: That's the highest vision, beta. When you look at anyone - Hindu, Muslim, Christian, anyone - try to see the divine spark within. That's what Rai Bular taught us.

Guddu**: Goodnight, Dadi!

Dadi**: Goodnight, beta. May you see God in every face!