Guru Nanak and the Fields

A powerful story reminding us that meaningful deeds are greater than meaningless rituals.

The Scene at Hardwar

One day, Guru Nanak and his companion Mardana visited Hardwar. There, they observed people standing waist-deep in the river, facing the rising sun and throwing handfuls of water towards it.

Curious, Guru Nanak asked, "Why are you throwing water toward the sun?" One of the men replied, "We are sending water to our ancestors in the afterlife to bring them peace."

Guru Nanak's Response

Then Guru Nanak entered the water and started throwing water in the opposite direction. The people were shocked and asked, "What are you doing?"

He calmly replied, "I am watering my fields in Punjab."

They laughed and said, "That’s absurd! How can water reach Punjab from here?"

Guru Nanak responded, "If your water can reach the sun which is millions of miles away, why can't mine reach Punjab, which is just a few hundred miles away?"

Pearls of Wisdom

1. What was the message that Guru Nanak was trying to give through this incident?

Guru Nanak was teaching that hollow rituals have no real value. Instead of performing symbolic acts after our elders have passed, we should love, respect, and care for them while they are alive. True service lies in meaningful actions, not in empty gestures.

🌾 Moral: Love and serve your elders while they are alive — no ritual after their death can substitute for your presence and care during their lifetime.

Disclaimer: This is a spiritual retelling of a story from Guru Nanak’s life. Interpretations may vary. If you'd like to suggest changes or corrections, please get in touch.