Guru Amar Das Ji and Badshah Akbar

Akbar was a famous king of India. He was a kind and good king and respected the Sikh Gurus for their fair and just teachings. In the year 1569, Akbar came to Punjab and wanted to see Guruji. So he sent a message to Guru Amar Das Ji that he was coming to visit him. The Sikhs were very happy at the news. Some Sikhs thought that special arrangements should be made to welcome the king. But Guruji said, "Akbar is as much a human being as others are. The Guru's place is open to all. So Akbar will be welcomed like all other visitors to the Guru's place and special arrangements need not be made." The king, along with the soldiers, arrived in Goindwal where Guruji lived. Guruji and a few Sikhs received them warmly and showed him the place. Akbar had heard of Guruji’s order that “anyone coming to visit his place must have their food in the Langar". King Akbar was interested to know how the Guru's Langar was run. Simple food was served to all in the Guru's Langar. It remained open day and night and anyone no matter what caste or religion they belonged to had Langar by sitting sat in rows (Pangat) as equals. The king and his subjects, the Hindus and the Muslims, the rich and the poor are all equal here After meeting Guruji, Akbar said "I want to make a grant of land for running the Langar. Would you mind it!”. Guruji replied, "Dear Akbar, I am grateful to you for your offer of a grant of land for the Langar, but I am sorry I cannot accept it because the Guru likes all to work hard to earn (Kirt Karni) and to share their honest earnings (Wand Chakna) with others, by giving something to the Langar from their honest earnings to help others. As such, the Guru's langar is the people's (Sangat's) Langar and it must be run on people's free gifts and not on a royal grant. That is why all share equally in the Guru's Langar and no one is looked upon as an outsider. In the Guru's Langar, each gives as much as we can spare and takes as much as he/she needs. Here, there is no difference between kings and beggars. All sit together, and eat simple food served with loving care." Akbar liked the Guru's idea very much. Akbar had made up his mind to do something for the house of Nanak and presented the land to Bibi Bhani the daughter of Guru Amar Das. Baba Budhaji was responsible for the upkeep of the land and any income generated was used for good deeds. Support the show:

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Guru Amar Das Ji and Badshah Akbar is an episode from Punjabi Sakhis For Kids by Chimes.

This episode is 4:26 long.

This episode was published on May 12, 2021.

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