November 19, 2008 in USA
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"Tantalizing Aroma"
 
Naamnet said:

Still Wandering

The Wanderer wearily paused, sinking to the ground, her back to a stone wall. Hunger and fatigue washed over her. Pulling up her knees she hunched over resting her head on their knobby pillow. Curling into a niche she leaned one shoulder against the grainy surface. Eyes closed, her other senses became more aware. She heard the slap of passerby’s sandals disturbing the dust. The strain of a melody and faint voices singing lulled her protesting flesh, dulling tiny sharp projections in the uneven contours where she crouched.

Not subdued so easily, the emptiness within gnawed at her shrunken form. She could not recall what or when she’d partaken last. The heat of late afternoon gave way to the heralding chill of eve. She shuddered.

Taunting her, memories of long forgotten feasts arose specter like, haunting her. Heavily leaden tables groaning under the weight of every sort of flavorful faire, with thirty six different kinds of delicacies in an array of sumptuous colour assaulted her. Goblets dripping spiced Meade trickled temptingly, teasing her tongue. But to no avail. Rather than appeasing, such images merely piqued her palate, intensifying her craving.

Shivering in the lengthening shadows of day passing into night she huddled more tightly, drawing close her tattered cloak. Bundling her meager possession beneath her, she prepared her this night’s bed. She slept.
 
She wakened to find a bowl beside her and a cup. Thanking their donor, she ate sparingly. Though satisfying her bodily need, victuals however tasty held little enticement. Nourishment of another sort she sought, and had wandered far in searching.

First light illumed receding shadows. The high notes of a refrain drifted from the other side of the wall. She crept closer to their source. A tantalizing aroma wafted scenting morning’s breath. Fresh dew droplets wetted her. She whispered echoing the refrain… “waheguru”… bathing in it’s sound.

Spying a break in the wall, she entered its gateway. A citadel shimmered before her. A resounding chorus of celestial inhabitants uttered in unison their symphony…“waheguru”… flooding her in fulfillment.

Stilling …she wandered no more.

fir ghir apunay garih meh aa-i-aa - After wandering through many other homes and houses, I have returned to my own home
 
Naamnet said...

Characters: Tammy and Jeffrey Dodson...sister and brother....18 and 13 respectively. Live in ranch style home at the bottom of the hill. Other character can be introduced later. Tammy is faithful about writing in her diary and then reading back to herself what happened in her past. Tammy is a good kid with good grades with an ordinary suburbian life. Jeffrey is an energetic 13 year old who loves to tease his sister. But she is his buddy when she is not chasing him for some prank he pulled. He is average in school and likes to build and fix things

Naamnet said...

Dear Diary: I have seen the white building perched at the top of the hill the whole time I was growing up but somehow today it seems different. The wind is whipping mist around it and it seems shrouded in mystery.Glints of the sun intermittently through fleeting sheets of mist dance on the golden dome pulling y eye towards it. The building has so many secrets to tell it seems. Some sweet sound is coming from it clinging on the breeze accompanied by an exquisite aroma of some heavenly food. Dude, I mean its making me hungry! Today I have to find out what goes on up there. I wonder if I can have some of what is cooking? Who is cooking and are they nice people? Strange people? They are brown most of them and kinda arab looking....I dunno. Such people don't go to my school. I hope they won't mind if I come today. My parents aren't going to like this. They never wanted me to go up there and told me to mind my business. Oh well, this is the day. I gotta find out for myself. I'm going. Maybe bro' can be my accomplice. He likes adventure.I'll have a witness. I'll write to you when I get back.

Naamnet said...

setting: suburbia...houses at the bottom of a hill, Gurdwara perched on top of it overlooking a sparkling bay surrounded by nature preserves (yes there is such a place btw) Gurbani reference:keep it in mind as you write.What does it teach? Then write. This Shabad is by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raag Gauree on Pannaa 240

Naamnet said...

naam binaa jo pehirai khaae ||
Without the Naam, one who dresses and eats well

jio kookar joot(h)an mehi paae ||1||
is like a dog, who falls in and eats impure foods. ||1||

Jeffery slapped his knee and carefully closed the pages of his big sisters diary. He inserted the key into the lock turning then returned the diary to it's hiding place... (What? Reader # 1- You want to know where Tammy keeps her diary hidden??? Unhuh...No sireee... Not on my watch!) He stuck his head out the door looking both ways then scooted out without being seen. He ran for his bike and hopped on whistling to Old Faithful. Faithful bounded up wagging her tail sensing an exciting current in Jeffery's mood. Hoping that it might involve a tasty tidbit, she licked her chops eagerly.

Tantalizing Aroma
-In the Kitchen-
Three little princesses sat at their school desks. One looked longingly out the window at green grassy hills in the distance wishing her toes could be squishing into the cool brown earth that very moment, her face turned up to the sun. “How lovely that would be”, she sighed, imagining herself a sweetly scented flower with a little lady bug crawling on her leaf - when one flew right in the window and landed on her arm. Looking around to see if anyone else noticed, she bent down and looked the lady bug straight in the eye. To her astonishment the lady bug began to speak…

naanak naam milai taa(n) jeevaa(n) tan man theevai hariaa ||1||
O Nanak, if I am blessed with the Naam, I live, and my body and mind blossom forth. ||1||
Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Mundhaavanee Fifth Mehl
1429”

Wha wha wahtttt???” stuttered the little princess nearly speechless with surprise.

“Meet me after school at the periwinkle patch in the corner of the kitchen garden and I’ll explain.” ordered the lady bug spreading her wings and flying off just as quickly as she’d flown in.

A second little princess sat at her desk dreaming about her mother’s kitchen. She could almost smell the tantalizing aroma of naam ladoo baking in the oven. Her mouth watered hungrily. Reaching in her pocket she pulled out a little box and put it on her desk. Glancing about to make sure no one could see, she opened the box and looked in at a freshly baked naam laddo her mother had packed for lunch. “Mmm” she inhaled deeply. All of a sudden the naam laddo gave a little shake and dusted itself off (for those who don’t know naam laddos have been rolled in powdered sugar twice while still warm.) From beneath the powdered sugar a pair of eyes looked up at the princess. “Ahem,” the naam laddo cleared its throat of sugar specks before reciting…

har har baas suga(n)dhh basaaee ||5||
inhale deeply the sweet aroma and fragrance of the Lord, Har, Har. ||5||
Bhagat Kabeer Ji
Raag Gauree
326

The 2nd little princess just sputtered unable to say a word, “Meet me after school in the kitchen behind the sugar bin. I’ll tell you everything.” the naam laado told her. In shock she slammed the lid closed and jammed the box back into her pocket looking up at the black board just in time to see the third little princess pick a piece of chalk.

Now the third little princess, unlike the other two absolutely, loved school. If fact she planned on becoming a teacher just as soon as she grew up, if not before, and took every opportunity she could get to act like one. “Students” she instructed, “please pick up your slates and copy these word I’m writing on the blackboard. She sniffed at the chalk, “ahhhh what a scholarly fragrance” she thought satisfactorily, taking another whiff. She adored writing and planned in her spare time, after classes, to become an author. As she made the first stroke the chalk wriggled in her fingers almost as if it had a life of its own, spelling out to her utter amazement the words…

baavan akhar sodhh kai har charanee chith laae ||173||
Find the essence of the letters of the alphabet, and focus your consciousness on the Lord. ||173||
Bhagat Kabeer Ji
Salok Kabeer Jee
1373

Wrapping her fingers tightly around the piece of chalk she hurriedly thrust it between the pages of her folder. Blushing deeply she turned and quickly curtsied to her teacher before returning to her desk. The room filled with the noise of pencils busily scratching slate boards. Scanning the room to be sure the others wouldn’t see, she took a peek in her copy book. A note fell out on her desk. She snatched it up and she read the words. “Let’s meet after school in the kitchen where the recipe books are kept and continue our lessons.”

Naamnet said...

The first little princess ran straight to the periwinkle patch in a corner of the kitchen garden just a soon as class let out. She saw dozens of lady bugs crawling over the cabbages leaves, carrot fronds, pea pods and potato vines, but not a single one could she spy among the periwinkles. “Hmmm,” she thought glancing up at the sky and squinting to measure the angle of the sun. “Perhaps I’m early, I’m sure the lady bug will be here soon” so she settled down among the posies bordering the periwinkle patch. No sooner had she spread her petticoats then several lady bugs lit on her fingers. “Tee Hee” she giggled, “Maybe they really think I am a flower.” She held her hands up close to her face and carefully examined each lady bug, questioning each of them in turn. But not one of them replied.

Several other students passed by and shook their heads tittering. But the little princess didn’t mind at all because she knew some thing the others didn’t. Lady bugs could talk - well at least one could - and she just had to find it. The late afternoon suns long fingers reached down caressing her, lulling her with their warmth. Presently she grew a little drowsy. Eyelids drooping heavily, she breathed in deeply, feeling a part of everything surrounding her. The earth beneath her seemed alive, clean and fresh. Pursing their silky petals, flowers blew her fragrant satiny kisses. She heard the rustle of a large black beetle whose spindly legs parted the blades of grass as it blazed a trail to the potato patch. She felt the tickle of tiny ants marching in a column across one of her toes. The faintest squishy squashy squooshiness told of an earthworm pushing its way through its tunnel, burrowing beneath the fallen withered yellow bloom of a zucchini. Wings whirring, a bumble bee buzzed, busily by, on its way to pollinate a tall sunflower. A flittering bird twittered from the swaying branch of a near by tree singing…

Anonymous said...

NAAM LADOO: "lok avganaa kee banHai ganthrhee gun na vihaajhai ko-ay. gun kaa gaahak naankaa virlaa ko-ee ho-ay. vin gaahuk gunn vaycheeay tao gunn sahgho jaa-ay. gunn kaa gaahuk jay milai tao gunn laakh vikaa-ay"

PRINCESS: "mol amol na paa-ee-ai vanaj na leejai haat. naanak pooraa tol hai kabahu na hovai ghaat. gunaa kaa hovai vaasulaa kadh vaas la-eejai. jay gun hovniH saajnaa mil saanjh kareejai"

------------------

NAAM LADOO: "People tie up bundles of demerits; no one deals in virtue. Rare is that person, O Nanak, who purchases virtue. If virtue is sold when there is no buyer, then it is sold very cheap. But if one meets a buyer of virtue, then virtue sells for hundreds of thousands."

PRINCESS: "Priceless virtues are not obtained for any price; they cannot be purchased in a store. O Nanak, their weight is full and perfect; it never decreases at all. One who has a basket of fragrant virtues, should enjoy its fragrance. If my friends have virtues, I will share in them."

Anonymous said...

Thanks everyone for the wonderful stories. Please write more if you can. They are very nice.

Naamnet said

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa
Waheguru ji ki Fateh

Tantalizing Aroma
-The Three little Princesses-

Three little princesses sat at their school desks. One looked longingly out the window at green grassy hills in the distance wishing her toes could be squishing into the cool brown earth that very moment, her face turned up to the sun. “How lovely that would be”, she sighed, imagining herself a sweetly scented flower with a little lady bug crawling on her leaf - when one flew right in the window and landed on her arm. Looking around to see if anyone else noticed, she bent down and looked the lady bug straight in the eye. To her astonishment the lady bug began to speak…

naanak naam milai taa(n) jeevaa(n) tan man theevai hariaa ||1||
O Nanak, if I am blessed with the Naam, I live, and my body and mind blossom forth. ||1||
Guru Arjan Dev Ji Mundhaavanee Fifth Mehl 1429”

Wah wah wahtttt???” stuttered the little princess nearly speechless with surprise.

“Meet me after school at the periwinkle patch in the corner of the kitchen garden and I’ll explain.” ordered the lady bug spreading her wings and flying off just as quickly as she’d flown in.

A second little princess sat at her desk dreaming about her mother’s kitchen. She could almost smell the tantalizing aroma of naam ladoo baking in the oven. Her mouth watered hungrily. Reaching in her pocket she pulled out a little box and put it on her desk. Glancing about to make sure no one could see, she opened the box and looked in at a freshly baked naam laddo her mother had packed for lunch. “Mmm” she inhaled deeply. All of a sudden the naam laddo gave a little shake and dusted itself off (for those who don’t know naam laddos have been rolled in powdered sugar twice while still warm.) From beneath the powdered sugar a pair of eyes looked up at the princess. “Ahem,” the naam laddo cleared its throat of sugar specks before reciting…

har har baas suga(n)dh basaaee ||5||
inhale deeply the sweet aroma and fragrance of the Lord, Har, Har. ||5||
Bhagat Kabeer Ji Raag Gauree 326

The 2nd little princess just sputtered unable to say a word, “Meet me after school in the kitchen behind the sugar bin. I’ll tell you everything.” the naam laado told her. In shock she slammed the lid closed and jammed the box back into her pocket looking up at the black board just in time to see the third little princess pick a piece of chalk.

Now the third little princess, unlike the other two absolutely, loved school. If fact she planned on becoming a teacher just as soon as she grew up, if not before, and took every opportunity she could get to act like one. “Students” she instructed, “Please pick up your slates and copy these words I’m writing on the blackboard.” She sniffed at the chalk, “ahhhh what a scholarly fragrance” she thought satisfactorily, taking another whiff. She adored writing and intended during her spare time, after classes, to become an author. As she made the first stroke the chalk wriggled in her fingers almost as if it had a life of its own, spelling out to her utter amazement the words…

baavan akhar sodh kai har charanee chit laae ||173||
Find the essence of the letters of the alphabet, and focus your consciousness on the Lord. ||173||
Bhagat Kabeer Ji Salok Kabeer Jee 1373

Wrapping her fingers tightly around the piece of chalk she hurriedly thrust it between the pages of her folder. Blushing deeply she turned and quickly curtsied to her teacher before returning to her desk. The room filled with the noise of pencils busily scratching slate boards. Scanning the room to be sure the others wouldn’t see, she took a peek in her copy book. A note fell out on her desk. She snatched it up and read the words. “Let’s meet after school in the kitchen where the recipe books are kept and continue our lessons.

-2-

The three little princesses attended a secluded school nestled on the sloping foothills of the Mystical Mountains, which descended into a lush green valley. A high wall ran around the school compound protecting it from mountain breezes whistling through tall pines. Winding through an orchard on its way to the valley below, an icy cold creek bubbled through the compound. Minnows darted under stones where eddies had formed pools in which pollywogs wiggled. Water striders skated along mossy banks. Hidden among water rushes emerald frogs croaked. Accompanying them, black crickets chirped in chorus, from their hideouts in the reeds.

A road, lined with boulders cut from the mountain, twisted steeply up from the valley floor. A tiny grey donkey pulling a creaking cart piled high with bundles trudged along, its hooves kicking up puffs of dust. Tinkling bells hung from the collars of milk goats grazing in surrounding meadows. Dancing kids butted heads playfully, prancing and frolicking with wooly lambs and the calf of a brown spotted cow. A yapping dog kept guard over the flocks, watchful lest forest creatures molest its wards until days end when they returned to their barns. Lingering coral rays kissed the earth, tinting twilight with dusky hues. Lengthening lavender shadows faded into nightfall. The hills grew quiet. A moon rose and bade the day farewell. Stars studded the dark sky, piercing it in punctured patterns of brilliance. The compound gates swung closed on creaking hinges, barred until first light illumed pastel pastures in glorious morning and day began anew.

The three little princesses had come with their Mother and Father from a far away land that Father called the ‘State of Separation’, which did not allow prayer in the classroom. He brought his daughters to learn “that which could not be taught, but must be lived.” Not wanting to be parted from them while they completed their schooling, Father had become head master of mathematics for secondary students and chief story teller (not necessarily in that order).

Mother spent her mornings overseeing the communal kitchen and vegetable plot, lending a hand where ever needed. Afternoons she instructed the primary class in fine arts including singing, stitchery, drawing & waterclolour. Evenings she and her family shared supper in a tiny apartment on the school grounds. Before bedtime Father told stories and they sang together. Mother would tell them:

bhalee suhaavee shhaaparee jaa mehi gun gaaeae ||
Blessed beautiful is the Hut where the Lords praise is sung:

kith hee kaam n dhhoulehar jith har bisaraaeae ||1|| rehaao ||
Worthless is the palace Where the Lord is forgotten ||1||Pause||
Guru Arjan Dev Ji Raag Soohee 745 (Dr. Gopal Translation)

“Though wherever you are will always be a palace, because you are in it princess :)” Father would assure her. “All my girls are princesses!” and he would say and pat each one lovingly, gathering them all into his hug.

“And you the king of our castle!” they would chime back squealing happily.

“Stature is not about position.” He would remind them. “Privilege is the birthright of every citizen who earns it through comportment of honour dignity, integrity and grace.

What makes our home a palace, is when our hearts become an abode of love where waheguru is the supreme ruler. One who remember waheguru in thought and deed, and take each breath with gratitude…

ounaa kae mukh sad oujalae ounaa no sabh jagat karae namasakaar ||1||
Their faces are forever radiant, the whole world bows in reverence before them. ||1||
Guru Amar Daas Ji Siree Raag 91

Mother and Father had carefully chosen names for their daughters worthy of princesses. The eldest they called Princess Ras Naam or (Gods) Nectarlike Name, the second daughter they called Princess Har Nidh or Gods Treasure and they littlest one they called Princess Prabh Roop or Gods Beautiful Image.

Mornings the three princesses woke at dawn, bathed and attended morning prayers, in the worship hall. Here they partook of the flavors of spiritual fare. Afterwards they met in the dining hall for tasty breakfast of seasonal fruit and fresh goat milk to feed their material bodies. Before convening in a single classroom at the far edge of the compound, the princesses picked up a carry along lunch mother packed.

The youngest daughter, Princess Prab Roop, at nearly 3 years of age had already mastered her alphabet, counting and the spelling aloud of a few very simple words. Not really old enough to be in school, she begged ardently to attend class with her sisters, sweetly promising to behave nicely and help teacher. No one, least of all teacher who had devoted her life to learning, could resist her pretty ways or precocious manner. The bright little girl listened to lessons in attentive fascination quickly absorbing an astounding amount of information for one so young. Teacher gave her a little desk all her own and so long as she did not disturb others studies, allowed her eager little pupil to toddle about the class room quietly, or doodle at the chalkboard. That very morning when she’d begun forming actual letters, teacher had presented her with a pretty piece of colored chalk all her own.

The middle daughter, Princess Har Nidh, before the age of 6 had become quite adept in the kitchen. She loved helping her Mother and the other cooks. Not being old enough to use knives or be allowed close to the stove, she developed her culinary skills in areas such as picking stones from the dried peas and beans that went into luscious soups. Her nimble fingers, sharp eyes and readiness to lend a helping hand won favor with the head cook whose aging sight and crotchety fingers made such tasks difficult. The princess loved plunging her arms into sudsy warm water, washing mixing bowls, cups and spoons. To her utter delight cook often rewarded her with a tasty tidbit and just that morning had slipped a luscious naam laddo into her pocket.

The eldest daughter, Princess Ras Naam, loved being out of doors and being nearly 8 years old her mother allowed her to wander through the compound exploring on her own. Carrying a basket over her arm, she took walks to the orchard to bury her face in fragrant blossoms in springtime, or pick fruits for breakfast, in summer and fall. She dipped her toes in the gurgling spring, splashing the froggies just to watch them jump from the water lilies into the rushes. More often then not, she splashed her apron attempting to catch a pollywog or water bug. She also enjoyed tending the vegetable garden She, pulled weeds with incredible enthusiasm, cultivated the earth with rake and hoe, watered and picked vegetables for supper. She absolutely cherished the flower bed, caring for it by pinching off faded blooms or yellowed leaves. She observed yellow striped honey bees and incandescent humming birds sipping nectar, imagining how divine it must taste. Caterpillars crawled along the leaves delighting her. Ladybugs flew from petal to petal lingering on the loveliest blooms. This morning one had landed on her briefly too, before flying off.

-3-

The first little princess ran straight to the periwinkle patch in a corner of the kitchen garden just a soon as class let out. She saw dozens of lady bugs crawling over the cabbages leaves, carrot fronds, pea pods and potato vines, but not a single one could she spy among the periwinkles. “Hmmm,” she thought glancing up at the sky and squinting to measure the angle of the sun. “Perhaps I’m early, I’m sure the lady bug will be here soon” so she settled down among the posies bordering the periwinkle patch. No sooner had she spread her petticoats then several lady bugs lit on her fingers. “Tee Hee” she giggled, “Maybe they really think I am a flower.” She held her hands up close to her face and carefully examined each lady bug, questioning each of them in turn. But not one of them replied.

Several other students passed by and shook their heads tittering. But the little princess didn’t mind at all because she knew some thing the others didn’t. Lady bugs could talk - well at least one could - and she just had to find it. The late afternoon suns long fingers reached down caressing her, lulling her with their warmth. Presently she grew a little drowsy. Eyelids drooping heavily, she breathed in deeply, feeling a part of everything surrounding her. The earth beneath her seemed alive, clean and fresh. Pursing their silky petals, flowers blew her fragrant satiny kisses. She heard the rustle of a large black beetle whose spindly legs parted the blades of grass as it blazed a trail to the potato patch. She felt the tickle of tiny ants marching in a column across one of her toes. The faintest squishy squashy squooshiness told of an earthworm pushing its way through its tunnel, burrowing beneath the fallen withered yellow bloom of a zucchini. Wings whirring, a bumble bee buzzed, busily by, on its way to pollinate a tall sunflower. A flittering bird twittered from the swaying branch of a near by tree singing…

agiaan a(n)dhaeraa kattiaa gur giaan pracha(n)dd balaaeiaa ||
The darkness of ignorance has vanished. The Guru has blazed the trail of spiritual wisdom.

baliaa gur giaan a(n)dhaeraa binasiaa har ratan padaarathh laadhaa ||
Blazing the Trail of Gurus spiritual wisdom dispelled the darkness I have found the Priceless Jewel of the Lord.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji Siree Raag 77 (Edited using Dr.Gopal Singh Translation)

Sparkling like jeweled velvet in the sunlight, a butterfly fluttered by, pausing to sip the nectar from a honey suckle vine which twined its way along the garden gate. A tall rose bush laden with fragrant blooms bent low arcing gracefully. Hopping along its stem to avoid the prickly thorns a red-breasted blue bird picked up the chorus warbling merrily…

bhavar lobhee kusam baas kaa mil aap ba(n)dhaavai ||
The bumble bee is greedy for the flower's fragrance; finding it, he traps himself in it.

thio sa(n)t janaa har preeh hai daekh daras aghaavai ||12||
Just so, humble Saints love the Lord; beholding His Blessed Vision, they are satisfied and satiated. ||12||
Guru Arjan Dev Ji Raag Jaithsree 708

The little princess felt a pleasant little prickle and opened her eyes just in time to see a ladybug land right on the tip of her nose. Folding its dotted red carapace and tucking its lacy black wings underneath, it recited…

eik adh naae raseearraa kaa viralee jaae vutthee ||3||
Hardly anyone loves the Lord's Name; how rare is that place which is in bloom. ||3||
Guru Arjan Dev Ji Raag Gauree 218

The little princess clapped her hands delightedly, “Oh you’ve come at last!” Carefully, she put one hand up to her nose. The ladybug crawled onto the tip of her finger. “Oh lady bug” she sighed. “I feel just like a real flower when you are near. How lovely it must be to have pretty perfumed petals and live in a glorious garden.” Absently she picked up a twig and traced the letters WAHEGURU in the dust. “Why,” she exclaimed, “I’d give anything to blossom.”

“What is that you’ve written?” asked the ladybug?”

“Oh that’s a word I learned how to spell in school today. I hear my Mother sing it all the time. Like this Waheguru waheguru waheguru waheguru. It’s really nice. Whenever I sing waheguru, I feel like a bud about to blossom. I guess that’s why I want to be a flower so badly” she admitted. “An incredible longing builds up inside me and I want to unfurl my petals, only I don’t’ have any,” She hung her head sadly. “So I come to the garden when ever I can, or imagine I’m a little flower in the woods. When I remember Waheguru it feels almost real. When you came to day I thought maybe, just for an instant, I had bloomed,” she brightened.

The lady bug fanned her wings and told her..

satigur man kaamanaa teerath hai jis no daee bujhaae ||
The True Guru is the mind's desire and the sacred shrine of pilgrimage, for those unto whom He has given this understanding.

man chi(n)diaa var paavanaa jo eichhai so fal paae ||
The blessings of the wishes of the mind are obtained, and so the fruits of one's desires.

naao dhiaaeeai naao ma(n)geeai naamae sehaj samaae ||1||
Meditate on the Name, worship the Name, and through the Name, you shall be absorbed in intuitive peace and poise. ||1||

“Do you mean I really can become a flower?” The princess wanted to know. “Please tell me how!”

Lady bug replied…

jinee satigur saeviaa tinee paaeiaa naam nidhaan ||
Those who serve the True Guru obtain the Treasure of Naam.

a(n)tar har ras rav rehiaa chookaa man abhimaan ||
Deep within, they are drenched with the Essence of the Lord, and the egotistical pride of the mind is subdued.

hirdai kamal pragaasiaa laagaa sehaj dhiaan ||
The heart-lotus blossoms forth, and they intuitively center themselves in meditation.

man niramal har rav rehiaa paaeiaa daragehi maan ||2||
Their minds become pure, and they remain immersed in the Lord; they are honored in His Court. ||2||
Guru Amar Daas Ji Siree Raag 26

“Hmmm, I think I understand. “When one remembers waheguru, the mind stills, and desires hush, then the heart blossoms open in love and ones entire being is perfumed with devotion. The Court of the Lord is a garden for those who remember his name with love and they are the flowers blooming in it. So…”

a(n)har kamal pragaasiaa a(n)mrit bhariaa aghaae ||
The lotus blossoms deep within the heart, and filled with Ambrosial Nectar, one is satisfied.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Siree Raag 22

“Exactly!” replied the lady bug. “It’s like this…

a(n)tar naam kamal paragaasaa ||
Within them is the Naam, and their heart lotus blossoms forth.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Raag Aasaa 412

kamal bigaas sadaa sukh paaeiaa jotee jot milaavaniaa ||6||
The heart-lotus blossoms forth, and eternal peace is obtained, as one's light merges into the Light. ||6||
Guru Amar Daas JiRaag Maajh 126

The princess turned her face to the sun and blossomed.

-4-

Just as soon as she could get away from her desk, the second little princess started out for the kitchen. Halfway there she took a peek at her naam ladoo. When it said nothing she popped it back in her pocket rather disappointedly.

The kitchen appeared deserted except for a tray of freshly baked naam laddo next to the sugar bin. Unable to resist the divine aroma, the princess picked one up and popped it whole to her mouth, but not before making certain it couldn’t speak of course. The naam laddo melted on her tongue. She swallowed. Sweetness slowly saturated her taste buds. “Mmmmm… utterly delicious,” she murmured delightedly, (as well as she could with a mouthful of naam laddo).

Keeping one eye on the tray, she drew the little box from her pocket and opened it again. She took out the naam laddo turning it over and examining it from every angle. She shook it just a little, sprinkling the front of her pinafore with specks of sugar. “Hmmm how curious?” she thought. It looked just like an ordinary naam laddo – that is if any naam laddo could be considered to be ordinary considering their extraordinary sweetness. A bit of it broke off and crumbled in her hand, her fingers got all sticky from the sugar, so of course she had to eat that bit, and lick the sugar from her fingers. Then somehow the rest of the naam laddo broke into pieces and shared the same fate. She went to the sink and washed and dried her hands. Time to get serious about finding a naam laddo who could talk she decided.

Being a connoisseur of naam laddo, the princess could tell that this particular tray of naam laddo had only been dipped in powdered sugar once. A Second tray sat empty. Guessing her mother had been interrupted before she could roll them in powdered sugar twice, the little princess decided to do a good deed and help her mother out.

She knew exactly what to do. She hummed “waheguru waheguru” under her breath and carefully picked up a warm laddo. She dipped it in the sugar bin and set it on the tray. Oops… a little sugar spilled. She watched as it drifted to the floor. She picked up another laddo “waheguru waheguru.” Oh oh… the delicate laddo broke in half. She set it aside (to snack on later) and picked up a third. This one rolled over gently without breaking, picking up so much sugar it seemed almost alive, so she scrutinized it carefully hoping it might be a talking naam laddo before setting it in the tray. A little more sugar dropped, sprinkling to the floor. Checking each naam laddo before and after rolling it in sugar to be sure it couldn’t speak, the little princess proceeded to dip each ladoo until she had emptied the first tray and filled the second.

Quite a few minutes had passed and she felt a little hungry from all the dipping she’d done. The scrumptious smelling naam laddo seemed to be begging her to eat them (surely that’s what they’d be saying if indeed they COULD talk).

A blizzard of powdered sugar specs sifted through the air. Mother’s kitchen significantly resembled a powdered sugar snow storm, and she a snow maiden. There seemed to be nothing left to do except take a bite of the broken naam laddo she’d been saving. Popping it into her mouth, she plopped to the floor raising a cloud of sugar specs which settled back down sprinkling her arms with their sweetness. Naam laddo crumbs dribbled down her front. “Hehe” she giggled to herself, “Now I’m beginning to resemble a naam laddo too. Maybe the sugar thinks I’m a laddo and that’s why it wants to get all over me.” Musing amusedly, she helped her self to another. She bit into it, munching and sighing contentedly between bites… “Waheguru waheguru wahehguru…mmm MMM mmmm…” Savoring the sweetness… she waited a full minute before helping herself to another… Closing her eyes she nibbled at the sugary coating…

“Careful princess,” cautioned the laddo in her fingers… “You are mussing my second coat”. Her eyes sprang open…the laddo stared back at her smiling and spoke…

hir kw nwmu mITw iprw jIau jw cwKih icqu lwey ]
har kaa naam meet(h)aa piraa jeeo jaa chaakhehi chith laaeae ||
The Name of the Lord is so sweet, O my dear; taste it, and focus your consciousness on it.
Guru Amar Daas Ji Raag Gauree 246

“Oooh Sorry I didn’t mean to take a bite of YOU ladoo dear. Please forgive me” exclaimed the little princess. “I’ve been waiting to talk with you all afternoon! I kept busy while trying to find you. But I hope I didn’t..umm.. eat any of your friends.” gulped the guilty girl. “Please forgive me for being so naughty and helping myself to so many of Mothers sweets. I promise I’ll be better… although it’s really hard not to get hungry around so many delicious naam laddo,” she confessed glancing at the tray of delectable goodies.

The naam laddo looked at her intently and replied just a little sternly “Though you repeat Waheguru with your tongue, it would seem little princess that…

rwm nwmu Gt AMqir nwhI hoir jwxY rs ks mITy ]
raam naam ghatt a(n)thar naahee hor jaanai ras kas meet(h)ae ||
The Lord's Name is not within your heart, but all sorts of other tastes seem sweet to you.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Siree Raag 75

The little princess flushed, “I do tend to let my tongue get ahead of me, but really I mean well.”

The laddo explained…

loku Avgxw kI bMn@Y gMTVI gux n ivhwJY koie ]
lok avaganaa kee ba(n)nhai ga(n)t(h)arree gun n vihaajhai koe ||
People tie up bundles of demerits; no one deals in virtue.

gux kw gwhku nwnkw ivrlw koeI hoie ]
gun kaa gaahak naanakaa viralaa koee hoe ||
Rare is that person, O Nanak, who purchases virtue.
Guru Amar Daas Ji Raag Maaroo 1092

“Huh? Do you mean that Mother was making naam laddo to take to the village to sell to raise money for the school and I ate up the profits? Am I going to get a black mark now?” queried the princess hanging her head in confusion.

The naam laddo replied cryptically…

ivxu gwhk guxu vycIAY qau guxu shGo jwie ]
vin gaahak gun vaecheeai tho gun sehagho jaae ||
If virtue is sold when there is no buyer, then it is sold very cheap.

gux kw gwhku jy imlY qau guxu lwK ivkwie ]
gun kaa gaahak jae milai tho gun laakh vikaae ||
But if one meets a buyer of virtue, then virtue sells for hundreds of thousands.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Raag Maaroo 1086

“Oh I think I understand,” retorted the princess. “You mean the naam in laddo is a treasure which cannot be easily sold like sugar might, because…

muoil Amuolu n pweIAY vxij n lIjY hwit ]
muol amuol n paaeeai vanaj n leejai haatt ||
Priceless virtues are not obtained for any price; they cannot be purchased in a store.

nwnk pUrw qolu hY kbhu n hovY Gwit ]1]
naanak pooraa thol hai kabahu n hovai ghaatt ||1||
O Nanak, their weight is full and perfect; it never decreases at all. ||1|
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Raag Maaroo 1087

For the sweetness in naam laddo really comes from naam and not just from the sugar. And that any one who ingests one merely for the sweetness of just the sugar flavor is missing out on the its true value. Naam can be bought and sold in the ordinary sense but can be shared by those who recongnize its value. So…

guxw kw hovY vwsulw kiF vwsu leIjY ]
gunaa kaa hovai vaasulaa kadt vaas leejai ||
One who has a basket of fragrant virtues, should enjoy its fragrance

jy gux hovin@ swjnw imil swJ krIjY ]
jae gun hovanih saajanaa mil saajh kareejai ||
If my friends have virtues, I will share in them.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Raag Soohee 765

Which means that after all it IS ok for me to share in your sweetness, you lovely naam ladoo.” When the naam laddo did not reply, the little princess greedliy gobbled it up. Patting her tummy contendly she quoted:

siqgur BIiKAw dyih mY qUM sMmRQu dwqwru ]
sathigur bheekhiaa dhaehi mai thoo(n) sa(n)mrathh dhaathaar ||
O True Guru, bless me with Your charity; You are the All-powerful Giver.

haumY grbu invwrIAY kwmu k®oDu AhMkwru ]
houmai garab nivaareeai kaam krodhh aha(n)kaar ||
May I subdue and quiet my egotism, pride, desire, anger and self-conceit.

lbu loBu prjwlIAY nwmu imlY AwDwru ]
lab lobh parajaaleeai naam milai aadhhaar ||
Burn away all my greed, and give me the Support of Naam, the Name of the Lord.

Aihinis nvqn inrmlw mYlw kbhUM n hoie ]
ahinis navathan niramalaa mailaa kabehoo(n) n hoe ||
Day and night, keep me ever-fresh and new, spotless and pure; let me never be soiled by sin.

nwnk ieh ibiD CutIAY ndir qyrI suKu hoie ]1]
naanak eih bidhh shhutteeai nadhar thaeree sukh hoe ||1||
O Nanak, in this way I am saved; by Your Grace, I have found peace. ||1||
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Raag Soohee 790

Smacking her lips in utter satisfaction, she declared it to be the tastiest naam laddo she had ever partaken.

-5-

The third little princess lingered in the school room long after the other students departed. She liked helping the teacher when ever she could. She erased the curious message the chalk had written of its own accord, pondering over it thoughtfully. Certainly letters and the words they formed could convey powerful ideas. She stepped outside and clapped the erasers together raising clouds of chalk dust which settled on her shoulders. Absently brushing herself off, she wondered about the essence of letters. Could it be anything at all like chalkdust? She looked at her fingers. One had an ink stain; another had a smudge from a lead pencil. OR maybe essence meant the crux of an idea which at some point would be written down for others to read and share.

She noted that chalk dust had filtered down to the ground and settled in patterns which looked very much like letters. She bent to look closer and made out the letters WA HE GU RU She returned the erasers to the school room picked up her school bag and wandered towards the kitchen deep in thought.

On her way she passed by far side of the kitchen garden. She noticed several columns of ants marching along. “Huh?” she looked closer. Why the formations they made looked suspiciously like living letters spelling out W A H E G U R U. “Goodness, this had been a very curious day!”

Perplexed she entered the kitchen through the back door. Somebody had been very busy baking. Powdered sugar had collected into little drifts resembling letters which appeared to read W A H E G U R U. Hiking up her pantaloons, she tiptoed carefully to avoid stepping there, and slipped into the pantry..

Several recipe books rested on a shelf above a well worn desk. “Maybe I ought to write a famous cookbook” she thought to herself. She pulled out the largest titled “Thirty Six Delicacies” and opened to the table of contents. She ran a finger down the list until she came to an entry which sharpened her hunger for knowledge. She turned to the page for Alphabet Soup and read…

miq AlUxI iPkw swdu ]
mat aloonee fikaa saad ||
The flavor of the intellect is bland and insipid without the Salt.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Siree Raag 25

“What ever does that mean?” she wondered. Quick as a whisk in a flutter of turning pages the book fell open to…

siB rs imTy mMinAY suixAY swloxy ]
sabh ras mit(h)ae ma(n)niai suniai saalonae ||
Believing: All tastes are sweet. Hearing: The salty flavors are tasted;

Kt qursI muiK bolxw mwrx nwd kIey ]
khatt thurasee mukh bolanaa maaran naadh keeeae ||
Chanting: with one's mouth, the spicy flavors are savored. All these spices emanate from Sound-current of Spirit.

“Pretty interesting!” she interjected as she continued reading…

CqIh AMimRq Bwau eyku jw kau ndir kryie ]1]
chhatheeh a(n)mrit bhaao eaek jaa ko nadar karaee ||1||
The thirty-six flavors of ambrosial nectar are manifest in the Love of the One Lord; they are tasted only by one who is blessed by His gracious Glance. ||1||

bwbw horu Kwxw KusI KuAwru ]
baabaa hor khaanaa khusee khuaar ||
O Baba, the pleasures of other foods are false.

ijqu KwDY qnu pIVIAY mn mih clih ivkwr ]1] rhwau ]
jith khaadhai tan peerreeai man mehi chalehi vikaar ||1|| rehaao ||
Eating them, the body is ruined, for wickedness and corruption enter into the mind. ||1||Pause||
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Siree Raag 16

“Wow” she considered, “I suppose it’s very important to be careful of what one imbibes. This subject would make a great scholarly dissertation. Perhaps I should use it for my thesis, and publish when I’m an adult. I could begin right away. Now where does mother keep her pen and paper? Perhaps, it’s in this drawer”. She took out a sheet of paper, sharpened a pen and began to write. The pen wiggled in her fingers, dropped a big blot on the page, and then began writing of its own accord…

klau mswjnI ikAw sdweIAY ihrdY hI iliK lyhu ]
kalo masaajanee kiaa sahaaeeai hiradai hee likh laehu ||
Why ask for a pen, and the pot of ink? Write on the tablet of thy heart.

sdw swihb kY rMig rhY kbhUM n qUtis nyhu ]
sadaa saahib kai ra(n)g rehai kabehoo(n) n toottas naehu ||
Abide for ever and ever in the Love of the Lord
klau mswjnI jwiesI iliKAw BI nwly jwie ]

kalo masaajanee jaaeisee likhiaa bhee naalae jaae ||
For the pen and the ink-pot and their writings will all go.

nwnk sh pRIiq n jwiesI jo Duir CofI scY pwie ]1]
naanak seh preet n jaaeisee jo dhur chhoddee sachai paae ||1||
O Nanak, But not so the Love of the Lord, for it is Writ in thy Lot by God ||1||

The little princess lay the pen down on a piece of blotting paper thoughtfully… “It never occurred to me to make my heart a tablet. I wonder how one goes about doing that? Maybe there is a recipe that tells how. Let’s see” … She turned the page. “Hmmm… here’s one called Food for Thought.” She read…

klm jlau sxu msvwxIAY kwgdu BI jil jwau ]
kalam jalo san masavaaneeai kaagadh bhee jal jaao ||
Burn the pen, burn the ink; burn the paper as well.

ilKx vwlw jil blau ijin iliKAw dUjw Bwau ]
likhan vaalaa jal balo jin likhiaa dhoojaa bhaao ||
Burn the writer who writes in love of duality.

naanak poorab likhiaa kamaavanaa avar n karanaa jaae ||1||
O Nanak, one does what is writ for him; and cannot do anything else. ||1|

“Oh,” she cried in dismay, “but I did so have my heart set on becoming a famous professor some day. How grand to stand in the front of a lecture hall and address my audience with a discourse on the subject in which I take my degree. To have tenure at a University would be exemplary. A plaque bearing my name with my alma mater would a very fine thing to see and a memorial for all time.” Perturbed she asked, “What sort of lessons are we learning here which teach that…?

horu kUVu pVxw kUVu bolxw mwieAw nwil ipAwru ]
hor koorr parranaa koorr bolanaa maaeiaa naal piaar ||
False is other study, and false are speeches, and false the love of fame.

nwnk ivxu nwvY ko iQru nhI piV piV hoie KuAwru ]2]
naanak vin naavai ko thhir nehee parr parr hoe khuaar ||2||
O Nanak, without the Name, nothing is permanent; those who read, studying another waste their lives away. ||2||
Guru Amar Daas Ji Siree Raag 84 (Edited using Dr. Gopals Translation)

She picked up the pen and began to take notes, but what she wrote came out… “Profess Gods Name”. She gave the pen a little shake on the blotter then looked at its tip and down it’s length… pointing it at the page, she asked it, “What sorts of recipes are these which admonish…?

jYhih Awtw lon ijau son smwin srIru ]117]
jaihehi aattaa lon jio son samaan sareer ||117||
As salt is lost when mixed in the flour, so shall your golden body be lost. ||117|
Bhagat Kabeer Ji Salok Kabeer Jee 1370

The little princess picked up the box of salt thoughtfully. She spilled a little into the palm of her hand and sprinkled it onto a plate with a little white flour. Sure enough it disappeared and she couldn’t see a single grain.

The pen wrote…

kbIr prBwqy qwry iKsih iqau iehu iKsY srIru ]
kabeer parabhaathae thaarae khisehi thio eihu khisai sareer ||
Kabeer, just as the stars disappear at dawn, so shall this body disappear.

ey duie AKr nw iKsih so gih rihE kbIru ]171]
eae dhue akhar naa khisehi so gehi rehiou kabeer ||171||
Only the letters of God's Name do not disappear; Kabeer holds these tight. ||171||
Bhagat Kabeer Ji Salok Kabeer Jee 1373

So the little princess conceded, “The mere pursuit of study for studies sake, to gain name and fame in order to amass wealth, are a purposeless waste of precious life if one does not learn the first lesson… The only letters of worth, are the letters of Gods name.”

She spelled out WAHEGURU. “I can put two and two together…

eynw AKrw mih jo gurmuiK bUJY iqsu isir lyKu n hoeI ]2]
eaenaa akharaa mehi jo guramukh boojhai this sir laekh n hoee ||2||
No accounting is due from the Gurmukh who understands the Lord through these letters. ||2||
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Raag Aasaa 432
“That’s absolutely ‘write’ little scholar,” the pen confirmed.

She chuckled, “Then from today on I shall study first and foremost waheguru. My beginning lesson will be start with salt and flour. She picked up the plate of flour and salt and with her precious plump little baby finger traced, WAHEGURU.

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