THE SIKH RELIGION: Volumes I – VI
Max Arthur MacAuliffe [1842-1913]
Published: 1909
[Extracted From]
Volume 3: Life of Guru Arjun

Guru Arjan Dev Jee
[Above: A Muslim artist's painting of the 5th Guru.]

~ BHAI HEMA JEE ~

“Guru Arjan on his tour visited a village called Khanpur, between Goindwal and the present Tarn Taran. He was accompanied by 5 Sikhs, including Bidhi Chand and Gur Das, men famous in different ways, of whom we shall hereafter have much to say. He remained the whole day engaged in his devotions. In the evening it rained heavily and wintry winds were blowing. Bidhi Chand said to the Guru” ‘That lofty house which thou seest in the village is very near. Let us go and rest there for the night.’ The Guru objected, and said it would be better to remain where they were, than associate with the evil people who dwelt there. Bidhi Chand, however prevailed on him to let him go into the village and endeavor to secure shelter, as the night was piercingly cold. Bidhi Chand begged the people to let his party have even one room in which they could all sleep together. The villagers only laughed at him, and called the Guru and his Sikhs hypocrites. Bidhi Chand went and duly informed the Guru of the character of his reception. The Guru replied: ‘Pay no heed, I told thee they were foul-tongued people. Whoever hath devotion in his heart will come to us of his own accord, and give us accommodation for the night.’

As Guru Arjan had anticipated, Hema, a devout Sikh of the village, arrived and said, ‘O True Guru, I have a tattered hut made out of grass and twigs which is at thy service. It will be hallowed by receiving thee.’ Hema, who had been made a Sikh by Guru Ram Das, lived by grinding corn for the villagers. His leisure time he employed in repeating the Guru’s hymns. Though he was extremely poor, and possessed only a coarse blanket to wear, his hut was ever open to the stranger. The Guru seeing his love and devotion gladly accepted his hospitality. He then cooked and supplied his distinguished guest with the best food in his possession. Before retiring he took off his sole blanket, and put it under the Guru as bedding, so that he might enjoy sweet repose. The Guru, seeing his devotion, composed the following:–

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‘Very beautiful is that hut in which God’s praises are sung, while the mansion in which God is forgotten is of no avail. There is a pleasure even in poverty when in the company of the saints, God is remembered. May that grandeur which is bound up with mammon perish! Even when turning a handmill or wearing a coarse blanket, the heart may be happy and contented. That empire is of no avail which conferreth not satisfaction. They who wander even naked in the love of the one God obtain honour, while vain are silks and satins, attachment to which maketh man covetous. Everything is in thy power, O God; Thou actest and causest to act. MAY NANAK OBTAIN THE GIFT OF REMEMBERING THEE AT EVERY BREATH HE DRAWETH!“