Amir Khusrau's Devotion: The Priceless Value of a Guru's Footwear
Amir Khusrau was a strong bonded disciple of his Guru “Nizamuddin Ahuliya”.
In Sufism he is known as a great devotee to his Guru, his devotion and love for his Guru was beyond to explanation. Guru “Nizamuddin Ahuliya” used to reside in a small cottage.
Once upon there was a needy visited Guru “Nizamuddin Ahuliya”, asked the Guru that;
I have heard here we get everything we need.
Guru replied;
Dear how can I help you?
The person replied; I am facing poverty issue; I have to do the arrangements for my two daughters to get married. I have no money for them.
Guru Nizamuddin replied;
If you need money we will try to get the money arranged, I myself don’t have enough money with me at the moment, however, I advise you stay here and if someone from the disciple comes to me; whatever charity of wealth they will give, you may take that all.
The person agreed and started living at their place. Days pass, now it’s been 40 days but none of the devotees visited Guru Nizamuddin, in the meanwhile the person attempted to leave the premises twice in a thought of wasting his time waiting there. Guru Nizamuddin suggested him to wait for few more days in a hope, if somebody would arrive.
Just after waiting days exceeded to 40 days, the person insisted Guru to allow him to leave and give whatever they can bless him to help. He said nobody comes to visit till now and I have a load of doing the arrangements for my daughter’s marriage, I need to head back to my place now. After such insistence Guru Nizamuddin saw here and there, and saw a pair of his new footwear that was gifted to him from one of the disciple. Guru Nizamuddin handover those pair to him and said that I being a Saint have this with me; the rest I have nothing that I can gave it to you from my old cloths and closet. I know you feel sad but I have no other thing to give to you. Take this and rest leaves it on God, God will help you.
The poor man with the sense of dissatisfaction from inside accepted the footwear of Guru and head back in a worry of how to make the marriage arrangements without money.
Amir Khusrau in those days got the retirement from his work and very excitingly decided to visit his Guru Nizamuddin. The king under whom Amir Khusrau worked as a loyal minister his whole life; gifted Amir Khusrau 88 camels loaded with gold ornaments and coins.
On his way to visit his Guru Nizamuddin, Amir Khusrau feels a sense of presence of his Guru Nizamuddin. Being immensely attached to his Guru, he smelled the essence of his Guru footwear.
He certainly meets the poor person who was heading back with the sadness carrying the footwear that Guru Nizamuddin gave to him. Amir Khusrau approached the person and got thrilled seeing the footwear of his Guru Nizamuddin in the person’s hand.
Amir Khusrau listens about the entire incident from the person that was spent at Guru Nizamuddin place. Amir Khusrau asked the person to give that footwear of Guru Nizamuddin to him.
And told him that these are soo precious for him and he cannot know the real value for them.
Amir Khusrau in return gave all his 88 gold luggage loaded camels and took the footwear from him, placed them on his head and head towards his Guru Nizamuddin. Upon reaching to Guru Nizamuddin, Amir Khusrau greets his Guru saying;
“Oh Master don’t gave your precious belongings to the ones who don’t know it’s real value”.
Guru Nizamuddin smiled and replies Amir Khusrau;
You have arrived; how much did you put the price for this footwear?
Amir Khusrau replied; Guru these are priceless, even if I sacrifice my life to death then also I cannot calculate you the real value for these precious footwear.
This small incident/ Sakhi dictates us an extreme love of a devotee towards his holy master. That money, fame, knowledge and life are no where equivalent to a True Spiritual Master.