THE 'SEEKERS' KALEIDOSCOPE : O! East is East: and West is West, and…' the 'twain did meet & will continue to meet, at great cost; in Punjab: the Land of the Five rivers: JEHLUM, CHENAB, RAVI, BEAS, SUTLUJ; which continue to flow since ancient times, from the roof of the world: the Himalayas, along the plateaus, foothills, plains, deltas; into the Arabian Sea: for all successive River INDUS VALLEY civilizations: A very sacred land: every inch an imprint of almost all the major ancient religions: of the East: and of the West: whose priests and soldiers: here, one after another: all had their: wave and way, wars and warriors, sword and sway: : forging each other, till the Seekers from amongst themselves, led by Guru Nanak, revolted proclaiming -'Na Mai Hindu! Na Mai Musulmaan'- Neither am I a Hindu! Nor am I a Muslim! - ushering in the latest revolutionary religion :Sikhism which is based on -'Ek Onkar Sat Naam'-' There is One God: True is his Name' - : followed by -'the Sikhs'- 'the Seekers' - : followers of this new faith. These pot pourri *excerpts below, hence, glimpse facets: Before: During: After: - 'The Gurus'- of the Punjab & their Punjabiat: -

THE SIKHS:

" … And after
Buddhism:
The second,
of the two great
quietist
movements
which had their rise
in the intolerable nature of
the burden
laid by the Brahmans
upon men's shoulders:-
Sikhism was born here,
in
Punjab,
developed into a
military and
political organisation,
Sikhism
must, if at all, be studied, here,
in the
Punjab ."

[ * Excerpt from: A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North - West Frontier Provinces:
compiled by H.A. ROSE. Based on the Census Report for the Punjab, 1883 : By Sir DENZIL IBBETSON, K.C.S.I., and the Census Report for the Punjab, 1892, and the Hon. Mr E.D.MacLAGAN, C.S.I., Pub :
Director, Language Department, Punjab. ]

HUMAYUN SEEKS GURU ANGAD :

": Any material thing that can be measured visibly cannot be taken beyond death; only the
immeasurable can be taken. There are two types of sales people in this world. One type is always
anxious to measure, always searching seeking for material things to count and weigh. The other
type is a seeker of a Gate-way, a 'Guru Dwar'; always looking for what is religiously
immeasurable. A 'salesman' himself of the other world: a 'Gurus' Dwaar ': Guru Nanak: said in
the 'Japji Sahib': ".. priceless are His qualities, and His trading, too; priceless are His salesmen,
and His storehouses, too.. !". These *excerpts glimpse such similar "Gurus' Dwaars" who helped
by sharing their experiences; to open further such Gate-ways the "Gurus' Dwaars" : in this open
global market of this world: -

" Babar had come from Kabul with a large army. He wanted to be the Emperor of India. His
wish was fulfilled. He became the first Mughul Emperor of India. Delhi was his capital.
He died after a few years. His son, Humayun, became the Emperor in his place. But a few
ears later, Sher Shah Suri made up his mind to become the Emperor of India. So he decided to
drive away Humayun and take his throne. He fought a number of battles against Humayun.
Humayun was defeated. He ran for his life.

After some time he reached Lahore. He decided to see some holy men or saints. He
wanted that they should pray for his success in getting back the throne of Delhi. He believed that
the prayers of holy men were granted by God. So he thought, If I can find a really holy man, my
wish can be fulfilled. He will pray for my success in getting back my throne. His prayer will be
granted. I shall again become the Emperor of India. But where to find such a holy man.

Some people told him, 'Your father met Guru Nanak at Eminabad. He begged the Guru to
pray for him. The Guru agreed to pray for your father's success. His prayer was granted by God.

'Then,' said Humayun, 'I, too, shall see him. I shall beg him to pray for me. His prayer will
again be granted. I shall get back my throne. But where is he?'

He was told, Guru Nanak is no more in the world. He chose Guru Angad to take his place
after him. Guru Angad is at Khadur, near Tarn Taran.

' Hearing this Humayun got ready to go to Khadur. He took with him a number of things. He
wanted to offer them to the Guru. In due course he reached Khadur. He went to the Guru's place
on horseback. He did not get down from the horse on reaching the Guru's presence. He
remained sitting on the horse. He thought the Guru would get up to meet him.

At that time the Guru's mind was fixed on God. Sikhs were singing hymns. The Guru did not
notice Humayun. At this Humayun became angry. He said to himself, 'I am the Emperor. He is a
mere faquir. He has not stood up to show respect to me. He has paid no heed to me. He has
insulted me. I must punish him.

" Thinking thus, he drew his sword. He wanted to cut off the Guru's head with the sword. The
Guru opened his eyes. He looked at Humayun. Then smiled and said, 'O Emperor, your sword
comes out so readily to strike men of God. But it could do nothing against Sher Shah. Where was
it then?'

Humayun felt ashamed. He put back his sword into its sheath. He got down from the horse.
He went near the Guru and bowed before him. He begged the Guru's pardon. Then he said, 'O
holy man of God, pray for me. Pray to God that I may get back my throne.

' The Guru replied, 'I shall pray for you. You will get back your kingdom after some time. But
do not forget God even then. Be a just and kind ruler.

' Humayun was pleased. He bowed to the Guru and went away. He got back his throne after
some time.'

[*Excerpt from : Stories from Sikh History ; By Dr. Kartar Singh & Principal Gurdial Singh Dhillon: pub Hemkunt Press New Delhi.]

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