Swami Haridass and Renowned Singer Taansen

Swami Haridas was a very disciplined devotee of the Lord. He use to play Veena (a stringed instrument) and sing in his little hut, the devotional songs. His singing was so full of love and devotion, that his hut used to get illuminated with divine light. The renowned singer Taansen, the courtier of the Mughal emperor Akbar was his disciple. Taansen always praised the singing talent of his Guru, Swami Haridas.

Hearing so often the praises of Swami Haridass’s singing, the king Akbar also desired to personally hear him singing. But Taansen said that his Guru would not sing before the emperor. And he cannot be compelled for singing. So the king attired as an ordinary person and taking a Taanpura (a stringed instrument) in hand, accompanied Taansen and went to Swami Haridas. When he heard swami singing, for the first time, he was raptured with joy.

When the king returned to his Darbar, he asked Taansen, to sing the same devotional song, which swami Haridass had sung. Taansen obeyed. When he had sung, the king remarked, “Your singing was not as touching as that of your Guru Swami Haridass. What’s the reason?”

Taansen politely replied, “My Lord, my Guru sings in the presence of God, the Lord of all, and I have only sung before you.” The reply made the king speechless.