One day, Guru Nanak Dev Ji arrived at a village with his companions. The villagers were treating each other poorly, and when Guru Ji arrived, they treated him with the same disrespect. Despite Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s efforts to teach them about living with love and harmony, his words had no impact on the villagers. When Guru Ji decided to leave the village, he blessed the villagers, saying, “May you all stay together.”
Later, Guru Ji arrived at another village where the people were kind, loving, and service-oriented. They welcomed Guru Ji and his disciples with great respect and hospitality. When it was time for Guru Ji to leave, he blessed them, saying, “May you all spread far and wide.” The disciples were puzzled and asked Guru Ji why he had given such different blessings. They questioned, “Guru Ji, the first village treated you poorly, yet you blessed them to stay together. The second village treated you with so much love, yet you blessed them to spread far and wide. What is the reason behind this?”
Guru Ji explained, “The people of the first village were quarrelsome and ill-tempered. If they stay together, their negative behavior will remain confined to them. However, the people of the second village are loving and service-minded. If they spread far and wide, their kindness and positive nature will influence others, creating an atmosphere of love and harmony wherever they go.”
Through this lesson, Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught that good-hearted individuals should spread love, peace, and kindness, as their presence can transform the world. On the other hand, those who harbor negativity only create discord. This teaching reminds us to always strive to spread goodness and create an environment of love and unity in the world.
