Story Summary
Discover the powerful story of Guru Nanak at Mecca, where he teaches a profound lesson on the omnipresence of God through a miraculous encounter at the Kaaba.
During his long travels, Guru Nanak Dev Ji reached the holy city of Mecca, accompanied by his faithful companion Mardana. Exhausted from the journey, the Guru lay down to rest in the courtyard of the Great Mosque. He fell asleep with his feet pointing toward the Kaaba, the sacred House of God. Seeing this, a qazi named Jiwan approached him in a rage, kicking the Guru and shouting, 'O sinful traveler, why do you point your feet toward the House of God?' Guru Nanak remained calm and replied gently, 'Brother, I am tired. Please turn my feet in a direction where God does not exist.' The qazi seized the Guru's feet and dragged them in the opposite direction. To his utter amazement, as he moved the Guru's feet, the Kaaba itself seemed to rotate, following the direction of the Guru's feet. No matter which way Jiwan turned them, the House of God appeared there. The qazi realized his folly and bowed in reverence, understanding that the Divine is not confined to one building or direction but is omnipresent, residing in every corner of the universe.
The Moral
God is omnipresent and cannot be confined to a single direction, place, or building; true spirituality recognizes the Divine in all things.
“Turn my feet in the direction where God does not exist.”
Fun Fact
This story is a cornerstone of Sikh philosophy regarding the 'Nirguna' (formless) and 'Sarav-Viapi' (all-pervading) nature of the Divine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Guru Nanak at Mecca?
The moral is that God is omnipresent and exists everywhere, not just in a specific direction or a particular religious building. It teaches us to respect all directions as divine.
Who was the person who confronted Guru Nanak in Mecca?
The person was a qazi (or caretaker) named Jiwan, who was initially offended by Guru Nanak's choice of resting position.
What miracle happened when the Qazi moved Guru Nanak's feet?
As the Qazi moved Guru Nanak's feet to point them away from the Kaaba, the Kaaba itself appeared to move and follow the direction of the Guru's feet.
Why did Guru Nanak point his feet towards the Kaaba?
Guru Nanak did this to provide a practical and profound lesson on the nature of God, demonstrating that there is no place where the Divine is not present.
What does this Saakhi teach about religious tolerance?
It teaches that while physical structures are sacred, the Spirit of God transcends human-made boundaries and religious rituals, encouraging a universal view of spirituality.
Is this story part of the Janamsakhis?
Yes, this story is one of the most famous accounts recorded in the Janamsakhis, which are traditional hagiographical biographies of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
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