The Necklace

One day, a very rich banker arrived in Goindwal to visit Guru Amar Das. As a mark of respect he presented a very expensive pearl necklace containing precious stones to the Guru. The man wanted to put the necklace on Guru Amar Das, but the Guru said he was too old for such ornaments.

Instead, he asked the man to put it the necklace on one who was the Guru's image, that resembled him the most. The puzzled devotee did know what to do so he handed the necklace to Guru Amar Das asking him to give it to the one he thought was his mirror image. The gathered Sangat started speculating whether it would be one of the Guru's two sons, Mohri and Mohan, others again thought of other faithful and obedient Sikhs.

Guru Amar Das surprised them all when he asked Bhai Jetha to approach him. Then, placing the necklace, with all its beauty and splendour on him, he declared that no one resembled him more in looks and nature than Bhai Jetha. This was an open indication to the people that Bhai Jetha would succeed Guru Amar Das.

The Faqir's Slander

On an occasional afternoon Guru Amar Das used to go with his retinue to the bank of the river Beas. On the way a filthy naked muhammadan faqir, who was almost always under the influence of intoxicants, took up his position. The faqir wanted to maliciously slander the Guru.

As Guru Amar Das passed, he said, in a voice loud enough for the Guru to hear, "He consumes the wealth of the whole world. The older he grows the more miserly he becomes. He only makes gifts to those from whom he desires something in return. He takes no notice of faqirs, and has never remembered me who am a beggar like others. I take opium and bhang, and he never offeres me any, though he ought sometimes to think of the poor. I care for no one, be he king or emperor; I speak the truth to his face. When a man gives me anything I pray for his welfare."

The faqir often used such offensive language in reference to the Guru. The Guru, who was patience incarnate, used to remain silent and pass on. One day Bhai Jetha accompanied the Guru, and on hearing the graceless faqir spluttering and discharging, as it were, the sediment of his bhang, said to the faqir, "Why participate in sin by slandering the true Guru?"

The Faqir's Gratitude

The faqir replied, "Why should I not? He has never given me alms. Give me the necklace you wear." On this Bhai Jetha took off his precious necklace, and put it on the faqir. Upon this the faqir began to sing aloud the Guru's praises, "You are more generous than Raja Harishchandra, than Raja Karan, and than Raja Vikramadit (these Rajas were renowned for their generosity)."

As the party returned from the river in the evening, and while the Guru was still distant, the faqir began to shower further praises and blessings on him. "You save the world; may your sons and grandsons prosper and flourish!" The Guru on hearing this remarked that somebody must have been generous to the faqir, otherwise he could have altered his tone and language so quickly.

After making enquiries, Guru Amar Das learned what had occurred. Bhai Jetha confessed, "Guru Sahib, I gave the faqir my necklace. You have given me God's name as a necklace; I keep it by me. This perishable necklace, I offered in your name." On hearing this the Guru Amar Das was very pleased and blessed Bhai Jetha.

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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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