The Feast of 'Malik Bhago'

When Guru Nanak visited Sayyedpur, he stayed for some days with Bhai Lalo, a carpener who earned his bread by hard work and always lived in the will of God.

There also lived a rich man named Malik Bhago who had amassed a lot of wealth by unfair means. One day he gave a rich feast to Brahmins and also invited many others. He invited Guru Nanak also. But Guru Nanak preferred to have food at Bhai Lalo’s house and did not join the feast.

Malik Bhago sent for the Guru and questioned, “Why do you take food from a low caste carpenter, but do not join my Brahmbhoj.”

Guru Nanak replied, “Alright bring some food cooked for your feast and I shall answer your question”. He also asked Bhai Lalo to bring his maize-bread from his home.

He took the food of Malik Bhago in one hand and the maize-bread of Bhai Lalo in other hand. He then pressed them hard. And to everybody’s surprise, milk began to drip from the maize-bread, while blood trickled from the Malik’s food.

Then Guru Nanak said to Malik Bhago, “The maize-bread came from the hard honest work of a labourer and is full of milk. Blood dripped from your delicious food because you have amassed your wealth exploiting the poor. You have not amassed your huge wealth by honest means.” Guru Nanak says:

The thief robs a house, and offers the stolen goods to his ancestors. In the world hereafter, this is recognized, and his ancestors are considered thieves as well. The hands of the go-between are cut off; this is the Lord’s justice. O Nanak, in the world hereafter, that alone is received, which one gives to the needy from his own earnings and labor.

. Adi Granth, p.472