Guru Nanakdev

During his tours in Punjab, Kabir saheb and other saints of his group had stayed near Choraknala. Much time had passed since they started on the tours and group was getting bigger and bigger everyday. All the saint to were writhing with hunger and thirst. Guru Nanakdevji was a young man at that time and had come out to do some business. His maternal grand-father had given him some gold coins with the instructions to do some in valuable business. When Guru Nanakdevji saw the saints pining for food, he felt that no business could be more valuable than feeding those starving saints. So Guru Nanakdev fed that group of saints to their fill and stayed with them many days for Satsang.

The second meeting between Guru Nanakdev and Kabir saheb took place on the Girnar mountain. A great assembly of the saints had gathered on Girnar mountain. Many saints, Mahatmas, Yogi, Faqueer, Siddha-nath and spiritual leaders from all the communities had attended the assembly. Arrangements had been made for millions of people. A devotee of Guru Nanakdevji was also touring Gujarat for business purpose. When he came to know about Guru Nanak’s arrival, he thought that the time was apt to have a sight of Guruji. Much time had passed since the devotee had left home. So he had nothing that he could present to Guruji. It would not be proper to go empty-hands to have a sight of Guruji. At the beginning of the journey, his wife had packed some sweet balls made of sesame seeds. Those sweet balls were also finished, but a single sesame seed had remained in his pocket. So the devotee put that single sesame seed at the feet of Guru Nanakdevji as his dedicated gift.

Guru Nanakdevji inquired about the well being of the devotee. The devotee told – ‘I have been touring Gujarat for business purpose. I came to know that a great meet has been organized here and you have come to attend it. So I also came here to have a sight of you.’ After that, the devotee returned but left Guru Nanakdevji in dilemma, because in that single sesame seed was present fervent faith and complete dedication of the devotee. Guru Nanakdevji was thinking deeply how to use this single sesame seed and where to use it. Kabir saheb was also sitting beside him. Seeing Guru Nanakdevji in dilemma, Kabir saheb said – ‘Sardarji, where; in which world, are you sunk ?’ Guru Nanak said – A devotee had just come and given this single sesame seed as a gift. I am thinking how to use it. It is indeed a serious matter for me.’

Kabir saheb said – ‘Sardarji, give me the sesame seed.’ Taking the seed, Kabir saheb got it added to some of the raw materials meant for cooking food for the community feast. When all the devotees had eaten in the feast, all of them were belching the aroma of sesame seed. Thousands of devotees might have eaten in the feast, but all of them were now talking about the aroma of sesame only. Guru Nanakdevji asked Kabir saheb – ‘Kabir saheb, what miracle have you done ?’ And Guru Nanakdevji recited this couplet –

Til Ghotat Taari Langi, Dil Dariya Ke Teer !
               Nanak Ki Sansay Miti, Satguru Milai Kabir !!

After this incidence, Guru Nanakdevji met Kabir saheb in Amar kantak, where the mighty river Narmada rises, and they continued to meet with each-other subsequently. It was Kabir saheb who had designated Guru Nanakdevji as the ‘Santon Ka Saradar’ (the governor of the saints), because Guru Nanakdevji had become the convener-in-chief of the saints’ groups.

By now, Kabir saheb had grown old. Even his Ek Tara (a musical instrument with a single string) had begun to play sad tune –

Yaha Rahana Nahin Des Virana Hai ! and 
                 Chala-Chali Ki Bela Hai ..Yahan Ab Do Dino Ka Mela Hai. !!

Hearing this, the whole atmosphere of the hermitage had begun to become easy with an air of sadness, Kabir saheb had just returned after travelling throughout India. Possibly it was his last journey, though he had made uncountable journeys throughout India and the neighbouring countries.