Bouquets And Brickbats

Guru Nanak, the first Guru of the Sikhs, shared a message that was radical for his day. He questioned empty rituals, exposed the hypocrisy of the powerful, and encouraged ordinary people to rise above the endless chase for material wants.

He journeyed across forests, rivers, and deserts, facing extreme weather and resistance. By his side was Bhai Mardana, carrying his rebec (a stringed instrument). Guru Nanak expressed his teachings in verses, born of Divine inspiration. With Bhai Mardana’s music, these verses flowed into song.

One day, Bhai Mardana sat unusually quiet, rolling a stone in his hand. Seeing his troubled face, Guru Nanak asked gently,
 “Why do you look so lost today?”

Bhai Mardana hesitated, then spoke: “Sometimes a storm rises in my mind, and I cannot make sense of it. We travel to so many places. In some, strangers welcome you warmly, refusing to let you go. But in others, people curse you, mock you—even turn hostile. Why is it like that? Why don’t they see you the same way?”

Guru Nanak listened, then said, “I will answer your question. But first, take this stone to the market and see what you can get for it.”

Puzzled, Bhai Mardana obeyed. At the market, there were shops selling sweets, vegetables, cloth and more. He went first to the sweet-seller, who looked at the stone, laughed, and told him to move along. At the grain shop, the busy seller waved him away, saying he had customers to attend to. At the vegetable stall, the vendor was amused, but handed him an onion just to get rid of him.

Finally, he entered the shop of Salas Rai, the jeweler. As soon as Salas Rai saw the stone, his eyes lit up.

“This is no ordinary stone—it’s a ruby! I cannot pay its full worth, but if you allow me a closer look, I can offer you one hundred rupees.”

Bhai Mardana returned with the money, astonished. “What does this mean?” he asked.

Guru Nanak explained, “Truth is like this gem. Many will dismiss it as worthless.  But those who truly recognize it – know it is beyond price.”

We often hear about the rewards of walking the right path. But less often do we prepare for the brickbats that come with it. Truth is not valued universally. You may face ridicule, rejection, or even hostility.

Yet if you know the value of the gem in your hand, you will not let go. Along the way, bouquets and brickbats are par for the course.

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Gurpreet is the founder of The Shabad Project. Excerpted from here.