Sidh Gosht - Discourse with the Yogis

Dadi: "Guddu, have you heard of Guru Nanak Dev Ji?"

Guddu: "Yes! The founder of Sikhism! He traveled everywhere teaching about God."

Dadi: "One of his most famous journeys took him to the Himalayan caves, where powerful yogis called Siddhas lived. These were men who had meditated for decades, gaining supernatural powers."

Guddu: "Supernatural powers? Like what?"

Dadi: "They could read minds, predict the future, some say even fly! They had renounced the world completely - no families, no homes, no possessions. They believed this was the only path to liberation."

Guddu: "That sounds very spiritual!"

Dadi: "It sounds spiritual, yes. But when Guru Nanak met them, he challenged everything they believed. This conversation is recorded as the 'Sidh Gosht' - one of the most important texts in the Guru Granth Sahib."

Guddu: "What did they talk about?"

Dadi: "The yogis were very proud of their achievements. 'We have given up everything,' they said. 'We live in caves. We eat nothing. We have mastered our bodies and minds. Who are you, wandering the world with common people?'"

Guddu: "What did Guru Nanak say?"

Dadi: "He asked them simple questions that shattered their pride. 'You gave up everything - but did you give up your ego? You mastered your body - but did you master your attachment to those very powers? You renounced society - but did you renounce your sense of being special?'"

Guddu: "Ohhh... he caught them!"

Dadi: "*smiling* The Siddhas had left the world, but they'd taken their egos into the caves with them. Guru Nanak taught a different path: stay in the world, be a householder, earn honestly, share with others, and remember God through it all."

Guddu: "But isn't it harder to be spiritual while living a normal life?"

Dadi: "That's exactly what makes it more valuable! Anyone can find peace on a mountaintop alone. The real test is finding peace in a busy market, with children crying, bills to pay, and problems to solve. Guru Nanak said that's the TRUE yoga."

Guddu: "What is true yoga according to him?"

Dadi: "Listening to God's Word - the Shabad. Serving others selflessly - Seva. Earning honestly and sharing with the needy. Remembering the divine name throughout daily life. He said, 'Without the True Word, no one finds liberation.'"

Guddu: "So you don't need to run away to find God?"

Dadi: "Not at all! In fact, Guru Nanak believed running away was often running from your responsibilities. The real yogi is someone who lives among people, faces life's challenges, and still keeps their heart connected to God."

Guddu: "Did the Siddhas understand?"

Dadi: "Some did, some didn't. They asked him seventy-three questions about everything - how to live purely, how to achieve salvation, what truth really means. For each question, Guru Nanak gave answers that were simple yet profound."

Guddu: "Like what?"

Dadi: "They asked about the origin of the universe. He spoke of the divine Word creating everything. They asked about meditation. He spoke of remembering God's name in every breath. They asked about liberation. He said serve others without expecting anything back."

Guddu: "That all sounds so... practical."

Dadi: "That's the beauty of Guru Nanak's teaching! He took complex spiritual ideas and made them accessible to everyone - farmers, merchants, housewives, children. You don't need to read ancient texts or do complicated rituals. Just live honestly, help others, and remember God."

Guddu: "Dadi, can anyone do that?"

Dadi: "Anyone and everyone. That was Guru Nanak's revolution. The yogis thought only special people with special powers could reach God. Guru Nanak said, 'No! The path is open to all. Your kitchen can be a temple. Your work can be worship. Your family can be your ashram.'"

Guddu: "I like that. I don't want to live in a cave!"

Dadi: "*laughing* Neither did Guru Nanak! He walked through the world, meeting all kinds of people - Hindus, Muslims, yogis, kings, peasants - and to each he gave the same message: God is not far away. God is in your neighbor, in your work, in your kindness."

Guddu: "What happened after the Sidh Gosht?"

Dadi: "Guru Nanak continued his travels, teaching this message of practical spirituality. The Sidh Gosht was later included in the Guru Granth Sahib, where it still inspires millions. Those seventy-three verses are considered some of the most important spiritual teachings ever recorded."

Guddu: "Dadi, I want to be like Guru Nanak - finding God in everyday life, not running away from it."

Dadi: "Then you already understand his teaching, beta. Tomorrow, when you help your mother, that's service. When you study honestly, that's devotion. When you share your lunch with a friend, that's love of God."

Guddu: "*yawning* Everything becomes prayer."

Dadi: "Everything already is prayer - we just need to realize it. Sleep now. Tomorrow, practice the yoga of kindness."

Guddu: "Goodnight, Dadi. May I find God in the kitchen, not a cave!"

Dadi: "*chuckling* May your whole life be a temple. Goodnight, my little householder yogi."