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| '''Pir Bhikham Shah''' lived in village Thaska in District Karnal, which is now in Haryana. He was a Sayyid and on the day when Guru [[Gobind Rai]] was born at [[Patna]], he made a deep and respectful bow towards East in direction of Patna. His [[Muslim]] disciples and village people were surprised and agitated because Muslims bow towards the West, in the direction of Mecca. They asked the Pir, the purpose of this strange act. Then Sayyid replied, "On this day, a beloved of God has been born who will be both a saint and a heroI He has taken birth to destroy evil, sin and falsehood. He will fight for the cause of virtue, and truth. I will go to that sacred place to be blessed by seeing the holy child."
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| Pir Bhikham Shah then left for Patna with his disciples and some servants.
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| On arrival at [[Patna]], the Pir went to the house where [[Gobind Rai]] was born. After respectful bow, he sat down near the door of the house. When asked what he wanted and why he was sitting there, the Pir said, "I have come from a far off place to be blessed by having look at the holy child." [[Mata Gujri]] when informed of the arrival of the Faqir and his intention, hesitatingly made some excuses but the Pir was adamant and implored that his wish to see the child be granted. He told that having traveled for many days covering hundreds of miles, he would not go away, neither eat nor drink till his wish was granted. The Pir was at last permitted to see the child.
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| On seeing the child, the Faqir respectfully made a deep bow and offered two earthen pots containing sweetmeats. The Pir had purchased one pot from Muslim shop while the other pot of sweets was purchased from a Hindu shop. After placing both the pots containing sweets before [[Gobind Rai]], the Pir sat down with folded hands and looking at the child, Gobind Rai placed his left hand on one of the pots and at the same time placed his right hand on the other pot. The child then smiled and looked at the pir who made a long and deeper bow to the holy child.
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| The follower of Pir who had come with him, were also present and watching the child. They could not understand what their Sayyid wanted to derive by the episode. They requested the Pir to enlighten them. The Pir explained that he wanted to know whether this holy child will favour the Hindus or he will bestow his favour to the Musalmans. I had placed the pots of sweets before the child and said to myself that if the child will put his hand on the pot, I purchased from Hindu shop, he would favour the Hindus, on the other hand if the child placed his hand on the pot purchased from Muslim shop he will favour Muslims. He knew my mind and what I wanted to know. So, he placed his both hands on both the pots, there by telling that both Hindus as well as Muslims will be equally dear to him. He will help Hindus whenever they need his help and he will help Muslims whenever they are in need of his help. The Pir further said that he was immensely impressed and pleased with this act of the Holy child. The Pir along with his disciples and servants then returned to his home and remained great admirer of Guru Gobind Singh throughout his life.
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| ==Two Pots==
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| On the day of [[Guru Gobind Singh | Gobind Rai]]'s birth, Bhikan Shah, a [[Muslim]] [[Pir]] who lived in the [[Punjab]], did a very curious thing. He bowed to the east instead of to the west towards [[Wikipedia:Mecca|Mecca]]. His followers were shocked and asked him why he was doing this.
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| He replied, ''"On this day, a beloved of God has been born who will be both a saint and a hero."''
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| He vowed to go worship the new-born saint, and would perform a daily fast until he saw him. He made the very long journey to [[Patna]] and arrived there exhausted and weak with hunger. When he came to the [[Guru]]'s house, he asked to see the child. The [[Guru]]'s mother and grandmother were cautious and sent word to the Pir that he should come back in three months.
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| He said he would sit, fast, and wait.
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| After two days, he was still there. Finally, [[Mata Gujari ji]] was moved by his devotion and allowed him to come in and present his offerings. The Pir brought in his presents and bowed low to the little child.
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| Then he did a very strange thing. He put two identical covered pots in front of the boy, and sat back and waited.
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| The child looked into the Pir's eyes, smiled, and touched both of the pots. The Pir smiled back at him and prepared to leave.
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| When the [[Sikh]]s and his followers asked him what he meant by this, he replied, "In one pot were sweets made by a [[Hindu]] sweetmaker, and in the other pot by a [[Muslim]] sweetmaker.
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| By putting his hands on both pots, the Guru will give equal respect to both [[Hindu]]s and [[Muslim]]s, and will include both in his new religion." So saying, he blessed the child and returned home, remaining a steadfast supporter of the [[Guru]] for his entire life.
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| {{Template:Sikh History}}
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| [[Category:History]]
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