Bhai Bhoomia
Guru Nanak left his home to shower his mercy on this suffering world. After blessing many like Sajjan he reached Dhaka. There lived a wealthy land-lord Bhoomia. Though he had some land but his main source of income was loot and plunder, for which he had hired men. Bhoomia had set up a sadabart or free kitchen for all holy people. He used to feed and entertain all sadhus and sants here. He was under the illusion that all his sins were pardoned by the Lord for showing this kindness. This way he differed from Sajjan who knew he was a thug. So whimsical had Bhoomia become that he used to order all sadhus to be sent to his house. If any one tried to defy him, his house was ransacked by Bhoomia‘s men.
Guru Nanak left his home to shower his mercy on this suffering world. After blessing many like Sajjan he reached Dhaka. There lived a wealthy land-lord Bhoomia. Though he had some land but his main source of income was loot and plunder, for which he had hired men. Bhoomia had set up a sadabart or free kitchen for all holy people. He used to feed and entertain all sadhus and sants here. He was under the illusion that all his sins were pardoned by the Lord for showing this kindness. This way he differed from Sajjan who knew he was a thug. So whimsical had Bhoomia become that he used to order all sadhus to be sent to his house. If any one tried to defy him, his house was ransacked by Bhoomia‘s men.
Guru Nanak reached this place and knocked at the door of an honest and good villager. This man was really pleased to see Guru Nanak at his door but was scared of Bhoomia so took him to Bhoomia‘s house When Bhoomia came to know that a holy man with a glowing face had come, he came running. He washed Baba ji’s feet and offered him food.
All-knowing Guru Nanak looked very lovingly at Bhoomia and asked “How do you earn your living”
All-knowing Guru Nanak looked very lovingly at Bhoomia and asked “How do you earn your living”
No one had asked him this question before. All sadhus were usually pleased to have food and blessed him. So Bhoomia was puzzled. He looked up at Guru Nanak. There was some thing in those loving eyes that mesmerized Bhoomia and he spoke the truth. The conversation went on like this :-
Bhoomia,” I earn money in a bad way. I steal and rob. But I spend it for a good cause so that justifies it.”
Guru Nanak, “Should a Fakir eat food which comes from troubles of sufferers?”
Bhoomia,” when money is used for a good cause it becomes pure.”
Guru Nanak,” Think of all those you have looted, how sad they must be! How can this food give me happiness?”
Bhoomia,” I earn money in a bad way. I steal and rob. But I spend it for a good cause so that justifies it.”
Guru Nanak, “Should a Fakir eat food which comes from troubles of sufferers?”
Bhoomia,” when money is used for a good cause it becomes pure.”
Guru Nanak,” Think of all those you have looted, how sad they must be! How can this food give me happiness?”
ਮ: ੧ ॥ ਹਕੁ ਪਰਾਇਆ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਉਸੁ ਸੂਅਰ ਉਸੁ ਗਾਇ ॥
To take what rightfully belongs to another, is like a Muslim eating pork, or a Hindu eating beef.
ਗੁਰੁ ਪੀਰੁ ਹਾਮਾ ਤਾ ਭਰੇ ਜਾ ਮੁਰਦਾਰੁ ਨ ਖਾਇ ॥
Our Guru, our Spiritual Guide, stands by us, if we do not eat those carcasses.
ਗਲੀ ਭਿਸਤਿ ਨ ਜਾਈਐ ਛੁਟੈ ਸਚੁ ਕਮਾਇ ॥
By mere talk, people do not earn passage to Heaven. Salvation comes only from the practice of Truth.
ਮਾਰਣ ਪਾਹਿ ਹਰਾਮ ਮਹਿ ਹੋਇ ਹਲਾਲੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥
By adding spices to forbidden foods, they are not made acceptable.
ਨਾਨਕ ਗਲੀ ਕੂੜੀਈ ਕੂੜੋ ਪਲੈ ਪਾਇ ॥੨॥
O Nanak, from false talk, only falsehood is obtained.
Bhoomia got confused and started thinking hard.
So Guru Nanak smiled and told him,” Bhoomia, if you are caught by the king, who will be punished? Do you think all those whom you served the food will be sent to jail?”
ਕੀਤਾ ਆਪੋ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਲੇਖਾ ਸੰਢੀਐ
So Guru Nanak smiled and told him,” Bhoomia, if you are caught by the king, who will be punished? Do you think all those whom you served the food will be sent to jail?”
ਕੀਤਾ ਆਪੋ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਲੇਖਾ ਸੰਢੀਐ
Everyone receives the rewards of his own actions; his account is adjusted accordingly.
Bhoomia was awestruck at this and sought forgiveness.
Guru Nanak said,” Bhoomia sins have made you hard-hearted but still some love is there in your heart which made you speak the truth. For this one truth you spoke you shall be blessed by Akal Purakh. But you will have to leave all this larceny and earn your living in an honest way.”
Guru Nanak said,” Bhoomia sins have made you hard-hearted but still some love is there in your heart which made you speak the truth. For this one truth you spoke you shall be blessed by Akal Purakh. But you will have to leave all this larceny and earn your living in an honest way.”
Bhoomia,” But oh Kind Baba ji this is the only thing I have learnt to do and my ancestors also earned in this way. It’s not possible for me to leave this.”
Guru Nanak smiled and he knew Bhoomia was being truthful again. He said,” Bhoomia promise that you will obey three things I ask you to do and the Lord will bless you.
First is to always speak the Truth.
Secondly, always be kind to the poor and weak.
Thirdly, be loyal to your benefactor.
Bhoomia promised to do the same.
Bhoomia kept his promise and with time he actually became a saint. His house became a Dharamsal where saints came and sang gurbani kirtan. Bhoomia lived a very honest life and shared his earnings with poor and needy.Thus he was Blessed!
Guru Nanak smiled and he knew Bhoomia was being truthful again. He said,” Bhoomia promise that you will obey three things I ask you to do and the Lord will bless you.
First is to always speak the Truth.
Secondly, always be kind to the poor and weak.
Thirdly, be loyal to your benefactor.
Bhoomia promised to do the same.
Bhoomia kept his promise and with time he actually became a saint. His house became a Dharamsal where saints came and sang gurbani kirtan. Bhoomia lived a very honest life and shared his earnings with poor and needy.Thus he was Blessed!
PS: When we take out our dashwandh we should also ask ourselves," Will Guru Nanak accept it? Was the money earned in an honest way?"
Bhul Chuk Maaf
Gurpurv di lakh lakh Vadhai ji, Aap sabh nu!
Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!
Source:- Guru Nanak Chamatkar by Bhai Sahib Bhai Vir Singh Ji.
Penjee…
I have heard this Sakhi go further…
After promising Guru jee three things he will never do, he one day decides to rob the Raja of his area. He dresses like a rich man and goes to the gate of the Rajas mansion. The soldier asks him who he was. Then Bhoomia remembered he promised Guru Nanak that he will not lie. So he tells the soldier that he is Bhoomia, the thief. The soldier thought to himself that this man is dressed like a rich man and he may be joking with him... If he do not let him in and he is Raja’s friend, then he will have to face the Raja for not letting him in. Thinking this the soldier lets Bhoomia in the palace. Bhoomia was very surprised. He thought that this is great. Telling truth let him into the palace and now he will have the loot of this life.
He goes straight for the rooms of treasure and ties a big bundle of precious gems and gold and other stuff. Then he notices that there was a plate full of some snacks on the table. He thought to himself that why not eat what Raja eats. That snack had Salt in it. Immediately he remembers his second promise to Guru Nanak, to be loyal to the benefactor. So he leaves behind the big bundle and exits the palace.
Now the Raja came to know that someone (a thief) came into the palace and he left behind the loot. He tells his men to find out the person. The Raja’s men go all out in the town and started beating the poor so that someone will confess to the crime. Bhoomia remembered the third promise he made to Guru Nanak, to be kind to poor and week. He goes to the palace and tells Raja to stop the entire search as he was his Culprit. Raja asks him that why did he gathered the loot and left without it. He tells Raja all the promises he made to Guru Nanak. Raja was so pleased that he asked Bhoomia to take him to Guru Nanak… And Bhoomia changed slowly to an honest and hard working person…
I have a CD of Prof. Darshan Singh jee in which he narrates this Sakhi..
Bhul Chuk Dee Khema ....
Aap jee nu ate saari Sikh Sangat nu vee Dhan Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Sahib jee de Parkash Utsav/Diwas di LAkh Lakh Vadhai Hoye jee,,,
"Dhan Guru Nanak Pargatya, Miti Dhundh Jaag Chanan Hoa..."