SikhiWiki:Today's featured article/March 29, 2009
Makhan Shah Labana, was a merchant who used to bring valuable merchandise by sea and sell it wholesale in parts of Gujarat and Punjab in India.
During one of these sea journey's, his ship was caught up in a furious storm while he was sailing, fully loaded with trade goods northwards, up the coast of India towards the Gulf of Khambhat.
The ship was terribly damaged during the storm, with the force of lightning splitting the mainsail, the sails hanging in shreds, the ship taking on water and when it seemed like he would lose the ship, Makhan decided his time had come to remember his Guru and ask for his help.
Completely powerless, he knelt down, and said his Ardas (prayer) to God and Guru Nanak for safety. "Baba jee", he prayed desperately, "Please save my ship and my men... I pledge the 500 gold mohars tied to the belt at my waist, which without your help will soon be at the bottom of the sea.
Please accept this as my humble offering." He then recited the following Shabad of Guru Arjan Dev: "ਅਪੁਨੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਕੀ ਆਪੇ ਰਾਖੈ ਆਪੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਾਵੈ ॥ ...He Himself preserves His servants; He causes them to chant His Name. Wherever the business and affairs of His servants are, there the Lord hurries to be. (1)"
Miraculously the wind started to die down, and the wild sea became calm. .....More
