Sikh Stories

When Wazir Khan ordered the young Sahibzade executed, Sher Mohammad Khan (Nawab of Malerkotla) argued that Islamic law prohibited killing children. His moral stand was overruled, but Guru Gobind Singh blessed Malerkotla, exempting it from Sikh retribution. To this day, Malerkotla has never faced communal violence - a unique testament to this blessing.

Sajjan appeared holy but murdered travelers for wealth. Guru Nanaks hymn revealed that God sees the heart, not appearances. Sajjan confessed, distributed his wealth, and became a true saint. No one is beyond redemption.

At Sumer Parbat, Guru Nanak met Gorakh Nath and 84 Sidhas. When asked to become a yogi and adopt a guru, Nanak replied his Guru was God Himself. Supernatural powers are meaningless distractions from spiritual truth.

Kauda the cannibal captured Guru Nanak and threw him into boiling oil. The Guru dipped his finger in and it turned cold. This miracle transformed Kaudas heart completely. Divine grace can transform even the most wicked.

Guru Nanak stayed with poor carpenter Lalo rather than wealthy Malik Bhago. He squeezed Lalos bread producing milk (honest labor) and Bhagos rich food producing blood (exploitation). Honest work is sacred.

Guru Nanak disappeared for three days while bathing in River Bein, communing with the Divine. Upon return he declared: There is no Hindu and no Muslim - God sees no religious divisions.

Guru Nanaks elder sister was the first to recognize his divine nature. When she bowed to him and he stopped her, she replied: You are more than a brother - I see God in you. She inspired him to teach through music.

Guru Nanak declared: Nanak is on the side of the lowest of the low castes. He identified with the poor, outcasts, untouchables, and lepers, raising them to dignity. Gods grace falls where the lowly are cherished.

Rai Bular, a Muslim chief, witnessed miracles around young Nanak - a cobra shading him, crops undamaged by his cattle. He became Nanaks first Muslim disciple, showing spiritual recognition transcends religion.

When young Guru Nanak was to receive the Hindu sacred thread (janeu), he questioned its purpose. He asked for a thread that would not break or burn - meaning eternal spiritual virtues, not external symbols.

At Guru Nanaks death, Hindus wanted cremation, Muslims wanted burial. He asked them to place flowers on both sides - whichever stayed fresh would decide. Both remained fresh, but his body had disappeared. Unity beyond divisions.

Guru Angad standardized and popularized the Gurmukhi script, making it accessible to common people rather than just the priestly class. He gathered Guru Nanaks hymns and rewrote them in Gurmukhi, establishing schools to teach literacy. This became the medium for all Sikh scripture.

When Emperor Humayun visited seeking blessings to restore his kingdom, Guru Angad was busy teaching students. Angered by this perceived disrespect, Humayun reached for his sword. The Guru told him he was quick to attack men of God but could not defend his own kingdom. Humayun bowed, asked forgiveness, and received blessings.

Guru Amar Das constructed a sacred well (Baoli) at Goindwal with 84 steps. He explained that Sikhs who recited Japji Sahib on each step with firm faith would achieve liberation and escape the cycle of birth and death. This became the first Sikh pilgrimage center.

Bibi Rajni was married to a leper as punishment for crediting God rather than her father for her sustenance. While she gathered food, her husband observed crows emerging white from the pool after entering black. He bathed in the water and was healed. The ber tree became known as Dukh Bhanjani Beri (tree that relieves afflictions).

While Guru Amar Das was in deep meditation, his daughter Bibi Bhani noticed the platform was about to break. Rather than disturb him, she placed her hand under it, severely injuring herself. Moved by her devotion, the Guru asked what blessing she desired. She asked that Guruship remain in her family - all subsequent Gurus descended from her.

Guru Amar Das asked Bhai Jetha to establish a new Sikh colony. He found the location where Guru Nanak had meditated by a natural lake. The land was acquired and Guru Ram Das invited 52 traders and artisans from various professions to settle there, laying the foundation for the holy city of Amritsar.

Guru Amar Das tested his two sons-in-law by asking them to build platforms repeatedly. While Bhai Rama gave up in frustration after rejections, Bhai Jetha (future Guru Ram Das) humbly rebuilt the platform seven times without complaint. This demonstrated his humility and patience, leading to his selection as the fourth Guru.

Guru Har Rai Ji established the Naulakha Bagh (Garden of 900,000 plants) at Kiratpur Sahib with medicinal herbs, fruit trees, and flowers. He created the first conservation zoo for endangered animals, healing them before releasing them into the wild. He opened a free Ayurvedic hospital. His anniversary is now Sikh Environment Day.

After the Gurus martyrdom, his devoted Sikh Bhai Jaita secretly retrieved the severed head and carried it to Anandpur Sahib. Another Sikh, Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara, retrieved the body and cremated it by burning his own house to avoid detection by Mughal authorities.