Guru Nanak and the Flying Carpet

Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Mardana Ji and Bala Ji once traveled together to the country of Kashmir, and arrived at the city of Sri Nagar. The people could recognise Guru Ji because of his grace and enlightenment. The people were very happy and felt blessed to sit besides him and listen to his preachings. 

In the Sri Nagar city there lived a Pundit named Brahm Das. He was very learned and through his devotion to the goddess he had gained yogic powers. When he heard that a great Guru had come to town, he thought to go and meet him. He thought that he had great knowledge and supernatural powers, hence he would show him his skills.

He had a magic carpet just like Aladdin had.It could fly up in the air. Hence he thought to go to meet Guru Nanak Dev Ji in his magic carpet and by doing so all would be highly impressed by his magic powers! 

 

 Thus he arrived on his flying carpet to the place where a large crowd had gathered around Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Everyone looked up to him with amazement. Surely it is not everyday that one sees someone flying in a carpet!

But he could not find Guru Nanak Dev Ji anywhere. He landed and asked the people about Guru Ji. 

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was sitting right there, but the Pundit could not see him. The people were surprised and said to the pundit that Guru Ji was sitting right in front of him!

 But the pundit could not see him! Then he tried to fly his carpet away, but... it did not work. None of his tricks worked and he had to walk back on foot carrying his carpet under his arm!

 

 Later he asked his servant that whether Guru Ji was really there amongst the crowd. Oh yes! he certainly was, said his servant. He said that Guru Ji was very kind and enlightened and they all had a great time!

 Everyone else seemed to understand and be filled with happiness but the learned pundit was bewildered and thought that if everyone could see and hear Guru Ji, then why he was not able to do so!

 

 The next day the pundit humbly walked on foot to meet Guru Ji. This time he could see Guru Ji amongst the crowd. The pundit bowed before Guru Ji. Guru Ji said to him to come and sit near him.

Pundit Brahm Das sat next to Guru Ji and asked him that when he came there yesterday, why he couldnot find him! Guru Ji said that he was not able to see him yesterday due to extreme darkness.The Pundit was confused and said that it was broad daylight when he came there.

 Guru Ji replied that there is no deeper darkness than pride!

Guru Ji told the Pundit that because the later had magic powers of flying, he thought himself to be great!He should look around and he could find that the birds can fly, the insects can fly! It was not him alone who knew the art of flying in the air!

 

 The pundit could understand his folly and asked for forgiveness!

He said that he has found real wisdom in the words of Guru Ji. He had read sacred books and gained super powers but he admitted that he had not found inner peace and happiness.

He pleaded Guru Ji to help him find inner peace and solace. Guru Ji explained to him that the Pundit worshipped gods and goddesses and have followed men of great knowledge and become lost in that knowledge. That kind of knowledge which increases the darkness of ego, will not help. Words are only meaningful when they are true and one should live the truth that they represent. All words are just symbols. One must look within oneself and find the truth.

 

Guru Ji said that if someone is praised by all and is powerful and famous. But there is no internal sacred call, none of it matters at all! The Creator gives to all the same. Everyone should lovingly sing His Name!

 The Pundit could now understand that one must seek wisdom and happiness from within and not from outer things like money and fame!

The Pundit resolved to serve others selflessly and take the Naam of the Lord!