Malik Bhago, a rich landlord of Kshatriya caste and an official of the local Pathan Nawab, was giving a feast. He had invited all religious and holy men to join in the feast. When he came to know that Guru Nanak was staying at the house of Lalo, he sent a servant to invite the Guru to join in the feast. After repeatedly requesting the Guru to come, the Guru Nanak went to Malik Bhago.

Malik Bhago asked the Guru, “Why do you refuse my bread and eat at the house of a low-caste Hindu, though you are a holy man of high-caste?” The Guru replied, “I have no caste, for me all men are equal.” “Then why did you decline to join my feast?” asked Malik Bhago. Answered the Guru, ‘ You really want to know?’ Bhago said, “Yes, I want to know why you preferred Lalo’s simple bread to my sumptuous food.”

The Guru asked Bhago to bring some of his food, and asked Bhai Lalo to do the same. When the food was brought by both, the Guru took a piece from Lalo’s food in one hand, and a piece from Bhago’s food in the other. When he squeezed his hands, from Lalo’s food oozed out drops of milk, and from Bhago’s food, drops of blood.

The Guru said, ‘Now you see why I declined to join your feast; your food is blood stained because you have accumulated your wealth by exploiting the poor, while Bhai Lalo earns his bread by the sweat of his brow, and shares his earnings with the needy. Bhai Lalo earns his living by honest work .’ Malik Bhago was much ashamed at this and became speechless. He fell at the Guru’s feet and prayed for mercy. All the people gathered there, bowed in humility before the Guru. The Guru looked at them with a loving glance and said, ‘That which belongs to another is unlawful, and as dirty as eating the flesh of the dead. A Guru showers his grace on those who re-frain from eating the dead. The flesh of the dead does not become lawful by breath-ing God’s Name over it. Nor do we attain salvation by merely reciting the holy verses.’ Bhago could not deny the allegations made against him at his face in the presence of the respectable people of the village. Good senses prevailed and Malik Bhago confessed his guilt. He requested to be pardoned for his past deeds and promised to live a true and honest life in the future.

On Bhai Lalo Guru Nanak sermoned ‘That was the sweet flavour of truthfulness and honesty that you tasted. This taste is above the tepid experience of worldly delicacies.’

The news spread that a Guru, who could challenge caste and authority, with such courage unknown before, travelled the countryside. More and more people came to listen to the enlightening words of the Guru. Bhai Lalo was blessed by Guru Nanak to spread the message of the Mantra of the great Guru. He became a devout Sikh and preached the Guru’s mission to the people of Saidpur and adjoining areas.

Once the Sultan of Emnabad’s son fell ill and could not be cured by any doctor. After a lot of search and trials, a ‘faqir’ (mystic) suggested that Bhai Lalo, who also had specialist knowledge in Ayurvedic medicine, should be summoned. Guru Nanak was also present, when the Sultan ordered Bhai Lalo to tend to his son. Guru Nanak told the Sultan that to ask somebody to do something for one required humility and not stubborn commands. The Sultan’s wife caught hold of Guru Nana’s feet and asked for forgiveness. Guru Nanak asked Bhai Lalo to bring a piece of bread (roti) from his house. Having brought the bread, the Guru asked the boy to eat the piece of roti. As soon as the boy had eaten he was cured of his illness. The Guru’s classical singing of self-composed hymns in praise of God, with the accompaniment of stringed musical instrument ‘Rabab’ by Mardana, attracted many people in Emnabad.

It was here that the Mughal Emperor Babur first met Guru Nanak, and the Guru blessed him with seven generations of rule (Suraj Parkash). It was also here that Guru Nanak uttered the Gurbani Shabad of ‘Jaisi Mein Aavey Khasam Ki Bani, Tesra kari gyan vey Lalo.’  – As the Word of the Forgiving Lord comes to me, so do I express it, O Lalo” Holy Adi Granth p722.

Above image illustrates Guru Nanak squeezing blood from Malik Bhago’s food and milk from Bhai Lalo’s bread.

*Bhai is usually a term associated with a respected scholar/wise brother