Mai Das Seeks The Guru

There was a Bairagi named Mai Das, a most devout worshipper of the hindu god Krishan. Strictly adhering to all Vaishnav ceremonials, he would only eat what he had cooked with his own hands. His chief desire was to behold the yellow-robed, peacock-crowned god in bodily form.

In the hope of obtaining assistance for the purpose from the Guru, of whose fame he had heard, he went to Goindwal. On arriving there, however, he was informed he could not see the Guru until he had eaten food from his kitchen. Mai Das decided that as a strict Vaishnav he could never partake of such food, and he accordingly took his departure.

On his way home Mai Das said to himself, "I have been lucky in deciding to see the Guru, but unlucky in departing without seeing him. I will by way of consolation go to Dwaraka to see Krishan." He accordingly made the long journey to Dwaraka, and stayed in an adjacent forest. On the night of his arrival he was holding the fast of the eleventh of the lunar month, during which he was allowed to eat fruit, but it was not obtainable for it was then the winter season.

Cold winds were blowing, rain was falling in torrents, lightning was flashing, and the night was appallingly dark. He called upon all his gods, "O Wasdev, O Krishan, O Girdhari, I have no shelter but in you." At last in his dire extremity he accidentally found a hollow tree in which he took shelter for the night.

Mai Das Finds The True Guru

On the next day at daybreak Mai Das searched the whole forest, but could not find nothing to eat. Closing his eyes and meditating on God he prayed for relief. The supreme being, seeing his devotion, brought a plate full of dal and rice, and laying it before him departed. Mai Das on opening his eyes was astonished to see prepared food in such a place. He reflected, "This food having been cooked in water is impure. If I eat it, I shall become an outcast, and if I do not, I shall die. Well, if die I must, let me die by all means, but I will not abandon my principles."

The supreme being knowing Mai Das's unshaken faith placed before him (unobserved) a plate of sweets, which, as having been cooked in clarified butter, even a devout hindu could receive from the hands of another without defilement. Mai Das then began to consider, "Into this solitude no man may bring sweets, nor have I seen anybody coming or going. Impure food was first brought to me, and when I refused it, I received pure food. It was certainly God who came to me, but through my misfortune I did not see him."

Mai Das searched in every direction, and again began to call on his gods, "O Krishan, O Girdhari, O Murari, pardon my sins. O compassionate one, O Gobind, grant me a sight of you." Full of devotion he wandered weeping and shouting through the forest. Mai Das then heard a voice, "You have not taken food from Amar Das's kitchen, and have not beheld him; therefore you shall not obtain perfection. If you desire to do so, then first behold Amar Das.

On hearing this Mai Das returned to Goindwal. Invoking his favourite god, he partook food from the Guru's kitchen, and was then allowed the privilege of sitting in the Guru's court and beholding him who had been so long the special object of his thoughts and aspirations. Guru Amar Das addressed him, "Come, Mai Das, you are a special saint of God, Mai Das" with complimentary expressions supplicated to be made the Guru's servant, so that he might ever behold him. The Guru replied, "Stay with me for eight days, keep the company of my saints, and I will then point out to you your spiritual guide."

Prayer And Construction

Meanwhile the Sikhs continued with great energy and devotion to excavate the Baoli at Goindwal. After digging very deep they found a huge rock which hindered their progress. The Sikhs asked Guru Amar Das for advice on how to remove the obstacle. He counselled patience, and said that all should be well in due time. When water obstinately refused to enter the Baoli, the Guru inquired if there were any of his Sikhs sufficiently courageous to drive a peg into the base of the rock with the object of removing the obstruction.

At the same time the Guru warned his Sikhs that the operation involved great peril. The man who performed it must be able to stem the current which would issue from the aperture formed by the peg; otherwise he would be drowned. All the Sikhs remained silent, and no one ventured to undertake such a perilous task. At last Manak Chand of Vairowal (also known as Bherowal, now possibly known as Seoki), a young man with a sprouting beard, who was married to a niece of the Guru, declared himself at the Guru's service.

This man's history is connected with the miraculous power of the first Guru. When Guru Nanak visited Thatha, Hari Chand who was childless took him an offering of milk in the hope of obtaining the object of his desires. The Guru being pleased, said, "A gem (manak) shall be strung on your necklace." Within a year a son was born to him who was called Manak Chand, in remembrance of the word used by the Guru and the fulfilment of the prophecy.

Manak Chand, invoking God's name, extracted the peg, whereupon there immediately issued a rushing stream of water which overflowed the Baoli. Manak, though on his guard, was upturned, and though striking out vigorously sank to the bottom. Next morning his old widowed mother and his young wife came and sat on the edge of the Baoli weeping piteously. The aged mother was crying out, "Ah! Manak my son, who will protect me now? You should have taken me with you." Guru Amar Das inquired who was weeping. The Sikhs brought the old lady to him, and she bowed at his feet.

Guru Amar Das Recalls Manak Chand

Guru Amar Das said, "Manak has not drowned, he will save many a one yet. Have patience, and he will come to you." Guru Amar Das went and stood by the Baoli. He called out, "Manak, behold your mother is crying for you, come and meet her." At once, Manak's body rose to the surface. Guru Amar Das meditated on God, and touched the young man's body with his foot, upon which he walked forth from the water in the full possession of life and vigour.

Guru Amar Das then addressed Manak, "You are my living (ji) son (war) - Jiwar. Your sons shall be called the sons of Jiwar. Now become Mai Das's spiritual guide, go home, and wealth and power shall come at your command."

By this time Mai Das's stay of eight days was at an end. Guru Amar Das told him that Manak Chand should become his spiritual guide. Guru Amar Das having ordered him to go and preach to all people continued, "You too shall make converts and become a famous saint; save men by giving them God's name, read the Guru's hymns, and all blessings shall attend you."

Mai Das, having been taught Sikh philosophy from Manak Chand, returned to his village to spread the message of Sikhism. Afterwards he paid Guru Amar Das a yearly visit, obtained mental peace, found salvation for himself, and became empowered to grant it to others.

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  Gurdwara Sri Chaubara Sahib Goindwal

  (approximate location) Goindwal Sahib, Tarn Taran, Punjab, India.

  Associated with Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, Sri Guru Arjan Sahib Ji.

  Gurdwara Sri Chaubara Sahib Goindwal was the home of Guru Amar Das and his family. Many Sikh related events occurred here.

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