Suthra Shah was a great devotee of Siri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. He lived on to serve our 10th Guru (Siri Guru Gobind Singh Ji) as well. Bhai Sahib had a great of humour; all his teachings came through his humour. Guru Sahib had immense love for him. Suthra was found on a pile of hay after being abandoned by his family. He was abandoned because he had a black mark on his forehead and his teeth were very big – most people saw this as a sign of bad luck. Guru Ji’s Sikhs always complained that Suthra was very mischievous, but Guru Sahib changed his name from Khuthra (dirty and ugly) to Suthra (pure within).
One day a complaint was made to Guru Ji by Their Sikhs that Suthra was swearing at them. Guru Ji said, “Call Suthra right away.”
“Is this true Suthra?”
“No Guru Ji, they are lying,” said Suthra.”
The Singhs said, “Suthra has even started lying now.”
Suthra asked when and what he had said, and the Sikhs named each exact moment. Suthra said, “Oh yes I remember, it’s true. Guru Ji, these are my Sikhs, not yours. Ask them what shabad (teachings) you recited at Rehras prayer yesterday.”
No answer from the Sikhs. The Sikhs said, “Suthra is wrong for saying we are not your Sikhs Guru Ji.” Suthra said, “They remember my bad shabads (words) and not your beautiful teachings of wisdom, what does that make them Guru Ji?”
Guru Ji embraced Suthra tight to his chest.
This is our state today. We remember all the false teachings, gossip and slander of the world, yet have no clue about what our Guru is saying to us. We will struggle through life without Guru Ji.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji says, “that carefree Vaheguroo can not be appraised; his real value is only known through the wisdom of the Gurus teachings.”
