Guru Nanak and Mardana the Minstrel
Guru Nanak and Mardana the Minstrel traveled together for over 25 years making more than five journeys. Often they relied on the kindness of those they met for food and shelter. In exchange they sang inspirational hymns in praise of the divine. This is the story of their meeting with Sajjan Thug.
Sajjan the Pious
On the outskirts of the town Tulamba, a man known as Sajjan, or “Friend”, had constructed a courtyard with two places of worship, one a Hindu mandir and the other a Muslim mosque. Sajjan wore the simple white attire of a devotee and welcomed in passersby. He tended to their needs doing whatever he could all the day long, to put his visitors at ease. When night fell he provided his guests with food, drink, accommodations for sleep, and everything possible to make them comfortable. Sajjan waited to be sure that everyone had gone to bed before retiring to his own quarters.
Alone In his room Sajjan removed his white raiment and folded it carefully setting it aside and exchanging it for dark robe. He lay down and listened to the night sounds. Only after he felt certain that everyone slept soundly did Sajjan arise from his bed to begin his real work.
Sajjan Thug
Sajjan quickly and quietly made his way to where the tools of his trade lay hidden. He crept stealthily to the pallets of the sleeping pilgrims. Soundlessly he smothered his unsuspecting guests while they slept, clouting them with his cudgel to make certain they would never again wake. He carted away the lifeless bodies away, threw them down an abandoned well and then returned for their belongings. Only after He had tidied up removing all evidence of his dark deeds did he sleep. When morning came he rose and performed his ablutions. With prayer beads in his hands and prayer book in his lap, putting forward every appearance of pious innocence, Sajjan Thug sat waiting to greet his next victims.
Guru Nanak and Mardana Weary Wanderers
Weary from their travels, Guru Nanak Dev and companion Mardana arrived one evening at home of Sajjan who welcomed them eagerly. Seeing their humble attire Sajjan figured them to to be wealthy travelers disguised to hide their riches. He invited the Guru and his minstrel companion to eat and sleep. When Guru Nanak inquired as to his name of host, the dastardly thug replied humbly bowing low, “Sajjan, your friend is at your service.” The guru thanked him but refused the food insisting, “Let us first give praise. We can sleep after we have contemplated together upon the giving nature of the divine provider.” So they sat. Mardana tuned his rebab, strumming the strings melodiously as the Guru sang...
"Oujal kaihaa chilkannaa ghottim kaalarree mas ||
Polished bronze appears shiny yet blackens when touched.
Dhotiaa joothh na outarai jae so dhovaa tis ||1||
It retains this impure characteristic however much it is washed.
Sajan sae-ee naal mai chaldiaa naal chalan-neh ||
My friend is only that one who travels along with me.
Jithai laekhaa mange-ai tithai kharrae disanan ||rahaao||
To where my account is called to reckoning and is seen to stand with me. Pause.
Kothhae manddap maarree-aa paashu chitavee-aahaa ||
Houses mansions and tall buildings may be decorated all around.
Ddhathhee-aa kanam na aavanhee vichhu sakhanee-aahaa ||2||
Yet remain empty within and useless until they fall down.
Bagaa bagae kaparrae teerathh manjh vasan-neh ||
Herons arrayed in white feathers dwell in the bathing places of sacred rite.
Ghutt ghutt jeeaa khaavanae bagae naa kehee-aneh |||3||
But rending and devouring the living they can no longer be called white.
Sinmal rukh sareer mai maijan daekh bhulan-neh ||
Like the Simmal tree is my body, those beholding it are mistaken.
Sae fal kanam na aavanhee tae gun mai tan han-neh ||4||
Like its useless fruit is my body, with qualities forsaken.
Andhulai bhaar outhhaa-i-aa ddoogar vaatt bahut ||
A blind man carries his load heavily up a steep hill whose path is long more over.
Akhee lorree naa lehaa ho charr langhaa kit ||5||
How can he with eyes which see but find not the way, climb up and cross over?
Chaakree-aa change-aa-ee-aa avar siaanap kit ||
Of what service avails the deeds of cunning and clever gains?
Naanak naam samaal toon badhaa chhutteh jit ||6||1||3||
O Nanak, contemplate the Name and sever your fettered chains."
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Sajjan the Penitent
As he listened intently to the hymn being sung, Sajjan realized that Guru Nanak could see the black stains of his heart. The sound of the guru's words penetrated the hard twisted shell his heart had become and the sublime message touched its innermost core. He felt utterly naked, overwhelmed with his sin and filled with remorse for his evil deeds. He fell at the Gurus feet weeping and repented, promising wholeheartedly to make amends. Begging the guru to illuminate his soul he pleaded to be saved from the fetter of evils which had taken hold of him.
“A man who daily dresses in white acting as though he is holy, but who nightly plunders those who have lost their way, is like a stork which stands in sacred waters and devour the frogs he sees. Neither of them, the man nor stork, can be called devotees. The show of good qualities is of no use unless one first stops doing wrong. Everyone needs the help of God to overcome evil and become a better person. Sajjan, your name means friend, but you have not been a good friend to anyone. Instead you have been a treacherous and evil thug. You must rid yourself of all belongings which you have taken wrongly from others. You must give up your evil way of life completely and from this day on engage only in acts of charity and share whatever comes to you with others.”
Sajjan Thug gave away all of his ill gotten possessions distributing them to the needy. He spent the remainder of his life in atonement busying himself in the true fruitful service of his fellow man with his mind steadfast in contemplation of the divine.
