The Guru Becomes the Disciple

Dadi: "Guddu beta, today I'll tell you a Sikh story about a Guru who bowed before his own creation."

Guddu: "A Guru bowed? But people bow to Gurus, not the other way around!"

Dadi: "That's exactly why this story is so special. It happened in 1604, when Guru Arjan Dev Ji completed the first compilation of the Sikh scriptures - the Adi Granth."

Guddu: "What's the Adi Granth, Dadi?"

Dadi: "It's a holy book containing the wisdom of the Sikh Gurus and spiritual teachers from many traditions. Guru Arjan Dev Ji spent eighteen months gathering these sacred writings, organizing them by musical modes with the help of his scribe, Bhai Gurdas Ji."

Guddu: "That's a lot of work!"

Dadi: "It was a labor of love, beta. And when it was finally complete, on the first of September 1604, it was installed in the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The whole congregation - the sangat - gathered to witness this historic moment."

Guddu: "It must have been exciting!"

Dadi: "Oh, it was! Bhai Buddha Ji, a revered elder, held the sacred volume on his head and carried it into the temple. Guru Arjan Dev Ji led everyone, singing hymns as they walked."

Guddu: "Then what happened?"

Dadi: "Here's the part that amazed everyone, beta. When the Granth Sahib was placed on its special seat, Guru Arjan Dev Ji did something unexpected. He bowed before it."

Guddu: "The Guru bowed to a book?"

Dadi: "Not just any book - the collected wisdom of the divine. By bowing, he was saying that the written words held higher authority than even himself as Guru. He was showing that the teachings were greater than the teacher."

Guddu: "That's... very humble!"

Dadi: "And that wasn't all. Guru Arjan Dev Ji told his attendants to place the Granth Sahib on his own bed."

Guddu: "Where did the Guru sleep then?"

Dadi: "On the floor, beta. From that day until the end of his life, Guru Arjan Dev Ji never slept on a bed again. He slept on the ground beside the scriptures."

Guddu: "Every single night?"

Dadi: "Every night. And whenever Sikhs came to bow to him, he stopped them. "Don't bow to me," he said. "Bow to the Adi Granth. That is where the divine wisdom lives.""

Guddu: "He redirected all the respect to the book!"

Dadi: "Exactly! He wasn't seeking honor for himself. He understood that the compiled wisdom - the words of Gurus and saints from many faiths - represented something greater than any individual person."

Guddu: "Even greater than himself?"

Dadi: "Yes, beta. And this established something revolutionary in Sikhism. The scripture itself became the source of divine guidance, not any single person's personality or power."

Guddu: "What happened later?"

Dadi: "Many years later, the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, took this even further. Near the end of his life, he declared that there would be no more human Gurus after him."

Guddu: "Then who would guide the Sikhs?"

Dadi: "The Guru Granth Sahib itself! He said: "To all Sikhs, let this be the order - recognize the Granth as your Guru. The reverend Guru Granth is the visible body of the Gurus.""

Guddu: "So the book became the Guru forever?"

Dadi: "Yes! That's why today, the Guru Granth Sahib is treated with such reverence. It's placed on a throne, fanned with a special whisk, and covered with beautiful cloths. Because it IS the living Guru."

Guddu: "And people bow to it, just like Guru Arjan Dev Ji wanted!"

Dadi: "*smiles* You know, beta, the word "Sikh" actually means "student" or "learner." Anyone who accepts the Guru Granth Sahib as their spiritual guide is a Sikh - a student of the Guru."

Guddu: "So being a Sikh means always being ready to learn?"

Dadi: "Beautifully said! And the most important lesson Guru Arjan Dev Ji taught was this: true greatness isn't about being above others. It's about recognizing what's truly valuable and showing respect for it."

Guddu: "Even if you're already a great person?"

Dadi: "Especially then! When you're in a position of honor, showing humility is even more powerful. Guru Arjan Dev Ji could have kept all the respect for himself. Instead, he directed it toward eternal wisdom."

Guddu: "I think I understand, Dadi. The teacher became the student of his own teaching."

Dadi: "*proudly* That's exactly right, beta. The Guru became the disciple. And in doing so, he taught us that wisdom is always worthy of our respect, no matter where we find it. Now, shall we read a story from one of our holy books together?"

Guddu: "Yes, Dadi! And I'll listen carefully - like a true student."

Dadi: "*beaming* That's my wise little Sikh."