All Stories

Emperor Akbar requested a song praising his glory. Surdas sang only of his love for Krishna. The court was stunned. Devotion to God surpasses devotion to earthly power.

Maidservant Janabai sang while grinding. When she stopped to weep in devotion, Lord Vitthala himself would come and turn the grinding wheel, wash clothes, fetch water. God serves those who serve Him with pure love.

A philosopher offered Ravidas a stone that turns iron to gold. Ravidas left it hanging untouched for years. He was completely content with what God gave him. Detachment from material wealth.

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.

When a Brahmin struck untouchable Chokhamela, the statue of Vitthal at Pandharpur was found with a swollen cheek in the same place. Violence against devotees affects God himself.

Young Namdev placed food before Vitthal and waited for God to eat. He cried so purely that Vitthal assumed human form and ate the offerings. Pure childlike devotion moves even God.

Queen Jhali of Chittor sought spiritual knowledge and became disciple of Ravidas, a cobbler. Divine knowledge transcends caste - royalty learning from the lowly.

A tree spirit revealed that Hanuman attends every Rama Katha in disguise. Tulsidas identified and met Hanuman, who led him to divine vision of Lord Rama. Divine assistance comes to sincere seekers.

When Namdev was denied temple entry due to caste, he prayed with such intensity that the entire temple rotated to face him. Caste barriers mean nothing before true devotion.

When Akbar imprisoned Tulsidas demanding miracles, Tulsidas recited Hanuman Chalisa. A horde of monkeys sieged the palace until he was released. True bhakti manifests divine protection.

When Krishna saved blind Surdas from a well and granted him vision, Surdas asked to be made blind again. After seeing his Lord, nothing else was worth seeing. True devotion values divine vision above all worldly sight.

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.

Workers leave a half-split log with a wedge during lunch. A curious monkey pulls the wedge out - the log snaps shut, trapping him painfully. Avoid meddling in matters you do not understand.

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.

Shishupala, born with three eyes and four arms, was destined to be killed by Krishna. His mother secured a promise that Krishna would forgive 100 offenses first. At Yudhishthira's Rajasuya, Shishupala publicly insults Krishna repeatedly until he reaches the hundredth offense. Krishna beheads him with his discus, but Shishupala's soul merges with Krishna—liberated through his obsessive hatred.

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.