Just as every day
thousands of Sikhs would bow their head in respect to Guru Gobind Singh Ji (the
Tenth Guru of the Sikhs), Guru Gobind Singh Ji would everyday lower his head
before his mother and father. One day Guru Sahib’s mother, Mata Gujjar Kaur Ji,
humbly said to the Guru, "O my son, looking at your face, I see the Light
of God. Please don't lower your head before me and touch my feet. "
Listening
to his mother, Guru Ji again placed his head on his mother's feet, and said,
"O mother, if you can see the Light of God in my face, then it is because
of your blessings, your devotion to God and the upbringing you have given
me." Mata Gujjar Kaur Ji put her hands together and praised God, "O
God, may You give sons like this to everyone."
Look at how much respect Guru Gobind Singh Ji had for his parents.
There is
another story, when Guru Gobind Singh Ji was once sitting with the Sangat
(congregation) and having a discussion. He stopped and asked, "I feel
thirsty. Can someone kindly go and get me some water." One young Sikh
stood up and offered to go and get the glass of water. He was tall and handsome
and looked as if he was the son of a wealthy home. First of all the young Sikh
washed his hands and then he washed the glass. With great cleanliness and
hygiene, he brought the glass of water and placed it before the Guru.
The all-knowing Guru asked the young Sikh, "Dear son, have you ever given water to drink to anyone else?" He replied, "Maha-raaj (O Great King), in our house we have a lot of servants and maids." "That means you have never given your mother water to drink?" asked Guru Ji. "Maha-raaj (O Great King)! I have never even given my father water to drink before. We have a lot of servants. Not just my parents but I also don't have to get water for myself as the servants do that for me."
Guru
Gobind Singh Ji replied back, "If you have never ever given your mother
water to drink, then I will remain thirsty. I cannot drink the water given by
your hands." Guru Ji placed the glass to the side of him and said to the
young Sikh, "O innocent one, your mother and father are 'rab da roop' (the
image of God, i.e. you can have a glimpse of God’s love through your parents).
If you have never given water to your parents, then that is fine. I will then
remain thirsty and will not drink the water from your hands."
The young Sikh put his hands together and asked for forgiveness from Guru Ji. He said to the Guru, "O True Guru! For now on I will serve my parents. I have unknowingly made a mistake because of my ignorance and lack of wisdom! Today I promise you, that from now on I will lovingly serve my mother and father." Hearing this Guru Ji gave his blessings and said, "O dear Sikh, if you do seva (selfless service) of your parents, then Guru Nanak Ji will fill your home with happiness."
Bhai Gurdas Ji (Vaar 37; Pauri 27)
੧੩ : ਮਾਪਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਅਪਕਾਰੀ ਦੇ ਜਪ ਤਪ ਨਿਸਫਲ ਹਨ
ਮਾਂ ਪਿਉ ਪਰਹਰਿ ਸੁਣੈ ਵੇਦੁ ਭੇਦੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਕਥਾ ਕਹਾਣੀ ।
ਮਾਂ ਪਿਉ ਪਰਹਰਿ ਕਰੈ ਤਪੁ ਵਣਖੰਡਿ ਭੁਲਾ ਫਿਰੈ ਬਿਬਾਣੀ ।
ਮਾਂ ਪਿਉ ਪਰਹਰਿ ਕਰੈ ਪੂਜੁ ਦੇਵੀ ਦੇਵ ਨ ਸੇਵ ਕਮਾਣੀ ।
ਮਾਂ ਪਿਉ ਪਰਹਰਿ ਨ੍ਹਾਵਣਾ ਅਠਸਠਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਘੁੰਮਣ ਵਾਣੀ ।
ਮਾਂ ਪਿਉ ਪਰਹਰਿ ਕਰੈ ਦਾਨ ਬੇਈਮਾਨ ਅਗਿਆਨ ਪਰਾਣੀ ।
ਮਾਂ ਪਿਉ ਪਰਹਰਿ ਵਰਤ ਕਰਿ ਮਰਿ ਮਰਿ ਜੰਮੈ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਣੀ ।
ਗੁਰੁ ਪਰਮੇਸਰੁ ਸਾਰੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੀ ॥੧੩॥
13: One who ill-treats their
parents, their spiritual practice goes to waste
“Mistreating one’s
parents, the listener of scriptures cannot understand its mystery. Mistreating
one’s parents, going to meditate in the peaceful forest becomes like wandering
around in a deserted place.
Mistreating one’s
parents, their service, and worship to God becomes useless. Mistreating one’s
parents, bathing at religious places is nothing but going around in circles in
a pool of water.
Mistreating one’s
parents if one gives charity then they are still known dishonourable and
ignorant. Mistreating one’s parents if one keeps a religious fast, they will
still wander in the cycle of reincarnation.
In fact, that individual has not understood Guru
and God.”
