Guru Nanak at Hassan Abdal

On the top of a small hill, not far from Kandahar, there lived a Muslim Faqir called Vali Kandhari who was well-known in the area for possessing miraculous powers. Mardana needed water which could only be obtained from Vali. who had damed the spring at the top of the hill , controling its release to the villagers below. Mardana very thirs had asked his froends mermission to go to Vali and ask for water. He told him that Guru Nanak had arrived and he advised him to see the Guru, who was a great saint of God. Vali who claimed holiness exclusively for himself, became offended on hearing the Guru's praises. He refused to give water saying that if the Guru were such a holy man, he could provide water to Mardana. When this reply was communicated to the Guru, he sent Mardana back to the Vali with a message that he (Guru) was a poor creature of God, and laid no claims to be a saint. The Vali paid no heed to this protestation and still refused to provide water.

Upon this the Guru picked up one stone and a stream of water immediately issued forth. In fact this water came out from the Vali's tank which soon dried up. This naturally increased Vali's rage and it is said that through his miraculous powers he hurled a boulder down the hill directly at Guru Nanak. The Guru, on seeing the boulder almost upon him, held up his right hand, and as the massive stone touched the hand of the Divine Master it came to a dead stop. With the divine touch, the stone softened like wax leaving the shape the Master's palm pressed deeply into it. Vali Kandhari was very much astonished and at last fell at the feet of the Guru and begged for forgiveness. The Guru expressed, "O friend, those who live so high, should not be hard at heart like a stone." Vali was blessed by the Master.

The imprint of the Guru's hand (Punja) is still visible on the stone and the pool of crystal clear water still flows from around the stone where it came to a stop. Today there stands a Gurdwara at the site which is known as Gurudwara Panja Sahib. Though the Partitian stranded the Gurdwara in west Pakistan it is still an important place of Pilgimage for Sikhs from around the world. Many of the pilgrims make the trip up the hillside to the Site of Vali Kandhari's Dera where a monument has been built in his memory. His interaction with Guru Nanak seems to have turned the once hated and feared Holyman into one who died admired and beloved.