Guru Angad and two bigheaded musicians

In the village where Guru Angad lived were two wonderful musicians. They played their instruments and sang when the Sikhs were gathered together and all the people were happy to join in or just listen.

But as Guru Angad grew more famous throughout India and more and more people came to see him and hear him speak the two musicians began to grow more proud and boastful.

'It's true, isn't it, friend,' said Balwand, one of the musicians, 'that there wouldn't be half so many people here if it wasn't for our beautiful playing.' 'It is true,' said Satta, the other musician. 'The Guru speaks well but the people travel from miles around to hear us play. An old Sikh had come to the village to listen to Angad preach. 'I have heard what excellent musicians you are,' said the Sikh. 'Would you sing a hymn for me listen to, please?' 'Certainly not,' answered Balwand. 'We are the Guru's musicians.'

'Indeed no,' said Satta. 'We're not going to sing hymns for peasants like you.'

The Guru came to hear of this, and that evening as the Sikhs gathered to hear Angad preach and to sing praises to God, the two musicians got ready to play. They sat in front of Guru Angad and began. As they started to sing the Guru turned round so that his back was towards them. Balwand and Satta were rather annoyed and they moved round in front of him again. Angad turned round to face the opposite way. Wherever they stood the Guru would not look at them. At last they asked him what was the matter.

'If you will not sing to one of my Sikhs,' replied Angad, 'then you must not sing to me either.'

They got down on their knees before him, ashamed in front of the crowd and they begged him to forgive them. Of course, Angad was happy to do this. Unfortunately Balwand and Satta did not stay humble for long. They decided that they would continue to play for the Guru but they wanted higher wages and they were determined to get them. Balwand went to Guru Angad and told him that one of his daughters was going to get married soon. This would be an expensive business, he said, and he would need at least 500 rupees to pay for it. Guru Angad did not have that kind of money, but he said he would get it for them by the New year if they could wait a couple of months. 'We can't wait as long as that,' said Balwand rather haughtily. 'I'm afraid we need the money right now. Can't you borrow some money to give us?' 'No. I'm sorry " said Angad. 'Borrowing is a bad thing. Just be patient and leave things in God's hands.' 'Look!' said Balwand getting cross. 'If it wasn't for our wonderful playing and singing nobody would come to hear you preach at all. It's us that have made you famous. If you won't pay us the money we'll go home and sing there.'

And go home they did.

And at home they played and they sang but no-one came. The Sikhs still went to hear Guru Angad. Angad sent messengers to encourage the musicians to come back, but they were too proud and stayed at home. Angad found some other Sikhs who could play and sing. They really weren't very good at first, but Angad believed that God was interested in how well you mean the words you sing and not how well you sing them. And with practice they got better.

Angad sent another messenger to bring the musicians back, but they were rude to the messenger, they were rude about Angad and his new musicians, and they were rude about Guru Nanak. They even said that Guru Nanak would never have been famous if it hadn't been for his good musicians. This insult to the first leader of the Sikhs was too much for Angad. 'If ever I hear of anyone speak well of Bal-wand and Satta again, I shall have his beard shaved, his hair cut off and ride him sitting backwards on a donkey in disgrace around the village. Never mention their names again!'

The two musicians sat at home lonely and miserable. They sent messages now to Guru Angad but he took no notice. At last they called on a Sikh who was known to be a good friend of Angad's. Perhaps he could get the Guru to forgive them. Ladha knew how angry Angad must be. And he knew that he meant what he said, but he felt sorry for the two musicians and decided he must help them. He shaved off his fine beard and had his long hair cut and he rode sitting backwards on a donkey all round the village where Angad lived. It was as if Ladha himself was in disgrace. He came to the door of the Guru's house and begged forgiveness for Balwand and Satta. When the Guru saw that Ladha was prepared to suffer the shame and embarrassment of the two musicians his heart was softened and he forgave them for Ladha's sake.

Guru Angad called Balwand and Satta to him. They were full of thanks but so shame-faced they could not look their Guru in the eye and fell at his feet. Angad put their instruments in their hands and told them to playas they had never played before -not for themselves, not even for him, but for the glory of God.

Why praise the things that God has made?
Praise only God who has made them!
There is no giver of gifts but the One God.
Praise the Creator who made the world;
Praise the Giver who gives all gifts.
Only God who has everything is everlasting;
Glorify and praise the Lord who has no beginning or end.
(from Sarang ki War by Guru Angad in the Guru Granth Sahib )