Guru Nanak humbles Wali Kandhari

During the course of their long travels, Guru Nanak and his companion Mardana came to a place called Hasan Abdal, now in West Pakistan. Mardana was very thirsty. There was not a drop of water around. Guru Nanak saw the plight of Mardana and told him, ‘Mardana, there is water on that hill-top where Wali Kandhari lives. You may go there and try.’

It was steep hill and Mardana was very thirsty. With great difficulty, he climbed the hill and reached the top of the mountain. Wali Kandhari was sitting at the door of his hut. Mardana said, ‘I am the companion of Guru Nanak Dev and I am thirsty and beg for some water.’

Wali Kandhari looked at him with anger and contempt and said, ‘Ask your companion to give you water. Why does he drag you along, if he cannot give you water even ?’ The repeated requests of Mardana were all fruitless. He returned disappointed and reported to Guru Nanak all what had happened.

Guru Nanak said, ‘Mardana, go again and ask for water very politely, saying that the great God has made water and air free for all, and saints should not deprive anybody of these divine gifts. It also does not become him to be jealous of anybody.’

Mardana was helpless. He again started the ascent and somehow reached the top of the hill. Wali Kandhari was furious to see Mardana again. Mardana conveyed very humbly the message of the Guru, but the stone hearted Wali did not move at all. Sad and dejected, Mardana came back to the Guru with great difficulty and reported everything to him.

By now Mardana was half dead with thirst and fatigue, and could hardly walk a step. Guru Nanak said, ‘Mardana, try once again, if the Wali is adamant for the third time, we shall think of a way out.’

Mardana knew that he had lost all courage, but it was beyond him to disobey his Master even in this desperate condition. He again started the ascent on the hill and clutching at stones and bushes on the way, somehow reached the hut of Wali Kandhari again. But the Wali was unrelenting and Mardana again returned disappointed.

Mardana came back, falling unconscious near the Guru. Full of pity at his plight, Guru Nanak pushed away a huge stone lying there and a fountain of clear water gushed forth from the earth. Mardana drank his fill of the sweet water.

From his hut at the top of the mountain Wali Kandhari looked below and was surprised to find water flowing freely below the Hill, while his own well had gone dry. Blind with rage, he pushed a huge stone towards the Guru, sitting below. The stone came roaring and Mardana trembled with fear. But Guru Nanak stopped the on rushing stone with his palm. No one can injure those whom God protects.

The mark of Guru’s hand is imprinted on the rock. A fine Gurudwara now stands at this place called ‘Panja Sahib’ and every year on the Baisakhi day a big celebrations are made. The fountain of cool water flows still.