Bhai Kattu & Guru Hargobind: Difference between revisions

The Sikhs in order to have 'darshan' and blessings used to visit Guru Hargobind Sahib. And, also desired to offer some gift to the Guru. Once, the leader of Sangat offered honey as a gift, which the Guru Sahib declined to accept, saying, "I have asked for the same on the way and you refused." This shocked the Sikh and soon after the honey had become unfit for human consumption. The Sikh begged for enlightenment. Guru Ji told him by pointing towards Bhai Kattu, the poor Sikh, who was hungry and was refused when requested for the honey while accompanying the Sangat. Guru sahib further enlightened him, saying, "Gharib Da Muh - Guru Ki Golak." (Feeding the poor is actual feeding the Guru)

The Sikhs used to visit 6th Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib (1594-1635) for blessings and would bring some gift as offering. Once, a Sikh brought specially prepared honey for Guru Sahib. But, to everyone’s surprise, Guru Sahib declined to accept honey by saying that You refused to give it to me when I had asked for it earlier. This shocked the Sikh & other Sikhs. The Sikh begged for enlightenment. Guru Sahib pointed towards a poor person called “Bhai Kattu” and said that Bhai Kattu requested you for some honey on the way; but you refused him the honey and used harsh words that it was specially meant for the Guru. The Sikh realised his mistake. Guru Sahib then turned to the Sikhs and said, “Every penny you spend on the needy would reach me”

continued h is journey into the mountains of Kashmir. There he met Kattu Shah, a faithful Sikh who had advisited him at Amritsar. He spent a night in his house and then proceeded to Srinagar, where Sewa Das was meditating and waiting for him. His mother said that she worshipped the very ground on which the Guru would tread. He was received with great respect and enthusiasm and he asked Sewa Das's mother to bring the dress she had made for him. He put it on and blessed her. Overwhelmed with devotion for the Guru, she recited the following Sabad:

"Who but Thee, my Beloved, could do such a thing?

Cherisher of the poor, Lord of the world, Thou hast put over my head the umbrella of spiritual

sovereignty."

(Rag Bani Maru Ravdas, p-1106)

After this she and her son both drank some of the water in which the Guru had washed his feet, and the remainder she sprinkled over her house.

Crowds of Kashmiris both from Srinagar and the surrounding villages paid homage and many embraced Sikhism. A very interesting story- a company of Sikhs came to behold the Guru from a distant village with an offering of honey. On the way they met Kattu Shah who requested them to let him have some of the honey, but they refused saying that they could not offer him Kattu Shah's leavings. When the Sikhs reached the Guru, the honey was found rotten and full of worms. The Guru remarked,"This is the result of not having given to my Sikh in whom is the spirit of the Guru." He ordered them to return and satisfy Kattu Shah. It is said that the honey became fresh and sweet when they returned to Kattu Shah. 'Hungry mouth is Guru's treasure.'