Gurbani 1: The Three Questions

1. The travel sojourns of Guru Nanak to Baghdad, during the rule of Bullar Shah.

2. Bullar Shah knowing the presence of Darwesh in his country, called Nanak over to his daily worship platform, known as Thara, for a theol -ogical interactive clarity on some questions that had been haunting his mind.

3. Making his stern conditions of punishment very clear to the visitor in case he failed to answer his questions convincingly, Bullar Shah asked Nanak if these were acceptable to him and he was ready for the terms spelt out.

4. Nanak humbly told him to proceed with his questions.

5. The three questions shot by Bullar Shah, one by one, were as under :

a) Who was there before Allah?

b) Where does He live?

c) What does He do? ( meaning His role in existence or human life )

6. For the first question, Nanak asked him to bring a plate full of Moti's ( precious stones from his Tosha-Khana ). Getting surprised though, the honourable Shah ordered his subordinates to immediately meet this requirement of Darwesh. When the plate was brought, Nanak asked Bullar Shah to start counting Moti's. The ruler started… 1,2,3 Nanak asked him to stop, pointing out that his counting was wrong. Bullar was sure of his counting, but agreed to restart, 1,2,3…. Nanak checked him again for his repetition in the fault, hinting for a third attempt or even more if the King so wished. After having made three attempts, Bullar Shah shot back, What was wrong in his counting? Nanak gracefully asked him " What is before One? ". Shah was puzzled, but, retorted that before One was zero or nothing.

7. Bullar Shah understood the depth in the sharp witted answer that he got, and Nanak respectfully asked Nanak to answer his second question.

8. For the second question, Nanak asked him to bring a jug full of milk. Bullar thought that the traveller must be tired and hungry and wanting to drink some milk, which he himself should have offered on his arrival. He ordered for the milk to be immediately brought. When the jug of milk was placed before Nanak, He looked enquiringly into it. Getting worried, Bullar assured him of it's purity. Nanak again scanned it and said that he was not questioning it's purity but, there was something more in it, and he too could have a look at it. Looking at it, in compliance, Bullar asserted " I see only milk, there is nothing else in it ". Nanak asked him if there was no ghee/butter in it. Bullar said, "yes but, I can't see". Nanak said, "That's your second question answered; that you may not see Allah, but, the essentiality of his existence cannot be denied". Nanak politely added that he would have to earnestly endeavour to find Him.

9. Bullar, feeling little embarrassed, requested Nanak lovingly to answer his third and final question, " Does Allah do anything ( or just exists and sits alone ) ? ". Nanak said, "Bullar you are asking me questions as a student, but, as a student you are sitting on a higher podium. Do you think this protocol is in order" ? Bullar was intelligent enough and immediately came down from his higher seat and asked Nanak to sit on it. Nanak said, " You have got it now. That's what Allah does; enthroning or dethroning kings and emperors and wielding all super powers in the vast expanse of universe".

10. The above interesting discourse throws light on the doubts regarding validity of truth and belief, Atheism, Deism and Theism, reason and faith.

11. Bullar had instantly bowed before Nanak on receiving his valuable answers and requested him to continue to live in Baghdad. The foundation of a gurudwara was laid by Bullar Shah and he had desired his grave to be laid by the side of this gurudwara. This shrine, representing universal truth and human fraternity still carries on, visited and worshipped by many Baghdadis. It is wished that it develops and expands as an International Heritage Institution, with a mission hospital and public school; IT training centers, a UN supported university for studies in universal streams of world religions, an International Hub for trade, commerce, pilgrimage and for promoting cordial international relationships; boosting Iraqi economy, uplifting their living standards by this global mainstream bridging of civilization. Kabir echoes Nanak's answers in his following quote:


ALLOH PAKIN PAK HAI
SHAKK KAREH JE DOOSAR HOEY
KABIR KARAM KARIM KA
OHO KAREH JANEH SOEY

Meaning that nothing existed before Allah. That Allah is the origin of the universe, it's laws functions and life. He knows all and knows what to do. He is the Creator and Controller of all Existence. No one else, but, He as the embodiment of truth, piety and benevolence, can give and bless people to Illahi paths of prosperity and righteousness.

Contributed by:~ Surindar Singh

Part of the Dream Weave Walk 1999-2007