BABUR

Guru Nanak and Mardana came back to India in 1521. Guru Nanak wanted to meet Lalo, so he went to his city. When he reached the city, he saw that it had been destroyed by a military attack.

Guru Nanak had told Lalo during his last visit to go away from that city, as it would be attacked by Badur.

Guru Nanak saw that many mutilated bodies were lying around, women were crying and houses were completely destroyed. This spectacle of devastation caused much pain to him.

Mardana stopped a man and asked, "What has happened here? What is the cause of this mass destruction? Who has killed so many people?"

The man replied, "The Mughal Emperor Badur attacked our city. He gave orders to kill all the people, even those who were unarmed.

Mardana asked, "Many people must have died. But all of them could not have been guilty. Why were innocent people killed?"

Guru Nanak answered, "Wait under this banyan tree. I will come and give you the answer to your question."

While Mardana was sitting under the tree, an ant bit him. In his anger at being bitten, he killed many ants under his feet.

Then Nanak came and said, "Now, Mardana, do you understand how innocent people get killed along with the guilty?"

Mardana said, "Yes, I now understand." When Guru Nanak denounced this barbarous act of Babur in strong words, Mughal soldiers came and arrested him and Mardana.

They were put in a prison where a number of people were imprisoned. All the prisoners had to grind grains using heavy stone grinders. Many old people found it very difficult to do this.

On seeing such suffering, Guru Nanak felt extremely sad. He started singing a song about the suffering of those people.

Babur heard the sad song and exclaimed, "This voice touches my heart! Bring the singer to me.

When Guru Nanak was taken to Babur, he asked him about what he had been singing.

Guru Nanak replied, "I sang to god to come and see the pain which was being given to His people."

Babur felt very bad as Guru Nanak made him realize that he had hurt people and was the cause of their sufferings.

Babur admitted, "I have done much wrong. What can I do now to make up?"

Guru Nanak suggested, "Let the prisoners go free and give their lands back to them."

Babur listened to what Nanak said and then he gave orders to set the prisoners free. Then he said to Guru Nanak, "Holy man, I have obeyed you. The prisoners have been set free. Tell me, will I ever become the Emperor of India?"

Guru Nanak replied, "Yes, you will become the Emperor of India. But you should remember to be a just ruler."

He continued, "You should take care of your people because that is the duty of every good ruler. Instead of killing and exploiting them, you should win the hearts of the people."

Babur promised that he would take good care of his people. Guru Nanak's holy words impressed Babur, and he told his soldiers to free Guru Nanak and Mardana.

Guru Nanak's words came true, as Babur did become te Emperor of India after sometime.