On
the day of Gobind Rai's birth, Bhikan Shah, a Muslim Pir
who lived in the Punjab, did a very curious thing. He
bowed to the east instead of to the west towards Mecca.
His followers were shocked and asked him why he was doing
this. He replied, "On this day, a beloved of God has been
born who will be both a saint and a hero." He vowed to
go worship the new-born saint, and would perform a daily
fast until he saw him. He made the very long journey to
Patna and arrived there exhausted and weak with hunger.
When he came to the Guru's house, he asked to see the
child. The Guru's mother and grandmother were cautious
and sent word to the Pir that he should come back in three
months. He said he would sit, fast, and wait. After two
days, he was still there. Finally, Mata Gujari was moved
by his devotion and allowed him to come in and present
his offerings. The Pir brought in his presents and bowed
low to the little child. Then he did a very strange thing.
He put two identical covered pots in front of the boy,
and sat back and waited. The child looked into the Pir's
eyes, smiled, and touched both of the pots. The Pir smiled
back at him and prepared to leave. When the Sikhs and
his followers asked him what he meant by this, he replied,
"In one pot were sweets made by a Hindu sweetmaker, and
in the other pot by a Muslim sweetmaker. By putting his
hands on both pots, the Guru will give equal respect to
both Hindus and Muslims, and will include both in his
new religion." So saying, he blessed the child and returned
home, remaining a steadfast supporter of the Guru his
entire life.
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