Being Discipled

Being discipled means to be committed to a lifelong process of learning, imitating, and following the teachings of a Guru and grow in one's faith and character. It is more than knowing about the Guru’s ideas - it is about letting those teachings reshape one’s thoughts words and actions. True discipleship asks for humility vulnerability and a heart willing to serve.

One sakhi from the days of Guru Arjun Devji beautifully illustrates the meaning of ‘Being Discipled’. A seeker repeatedly came to Guru Arjun Devji asking “make me your disciple”. One day the Guru replied It is not easy to serve the Guru - the disciple must be ready to ’give his head’. The seeker was puzzled: why would anyone give their head?

Guru saheb handed him a letter and instructed the seeker to deliver it to a Sikh in a nearby village. The seeker reached the humble hut and told the Sikh “I bring a letter from Guru Arjun Devji but it can only be given for a payment of 100 rupees". The Sikh longed to read Guru’s letter yet had no such money. He gathered utensils food grains whatever he could exchange until he managed the amount. Opening the letter he read the instructions “Come and contribute 500 rupees for Langar Seva”.

The Sikh did not question the command. He did not think “why is the Guru asking what I cannot afford or think a way out of it, instead prayed “Waheguru show me the way to fulfil this Hukum”. Just then a drum-beater announced a challenge in the village square: “anyone who dares to fight the dreaded wrestler Maskeneea would receive a reward of 500 rupees”. Maskeneeia was so fierce that many opponents were crippled and some even lost their lives.

Without hesitation the Sikh went to the arena with the seeker by his side. Standing before the giant wrestler he said, “I will fight you, even if it costs me my life. If I die give the prize money to this man for it must reach my Guru.

The seeker was stunned, the wrestler himself was shaken he said “Why would you risk your life? One slap from me can make you unconscious”. The Sikh replied calmly “I am not fighting for myself. I am fighting to keep my commitment to my Guru”.

Wrestler Maskeneea moved by such faith let go his pride and softly mentioned to the Sikh I will do a few moves not harming you, you push me I will fall on my back and you sit on top of me.  The crowd roared as the Sikh defeated the great wrestler and received his award. Before leaving he thanked Maskeneea who in all humility said “take me to your Guru – the one you were ready to give your life for”.

Together, they journeyed to Guru Arjun Dev ji, who at that time was compiling Sukhmani Saheb composition. Seeing Maskeneea Guru ji composed a verse “Sukhi basai Maskeeneea aap nivar thale, Badde badde ahankareea Nanak garb gale….. “Humble beings abide in peace, subduing egotism, they are meek. The very proud and arrogant persons O Nanak are consumed by their own pride”. SGGS Ang 278.

The Gurus who compiled Sri Granth Saheb have not mentioned their own family member’s name, yet Maskeneea was blessed that his would remain for eternity – a gift of humility.

The sakhi reminds us that discipleship is not about convenience but surrender. To “give one’s head” means to submit ego, pride and self-will to the Divine Hukum, trusting fully in Waheguru.  True discipleship brings peace, protection and freedom from sorrow and the 5 vices.

Be the disciple to live with the spirit daily – walking humbly, serving selflessly and following the Guru’s word with love and trust.