Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj once visited Haridwar. While taking a bath in the holy Ganga River, he observed the Brahmins of the locality following a tradition: they stood waist-deep in the river early in the morning, offering water in the direction of the rising sun.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, however, began offering water in the opposite direction—away from the sun. Noticing this unusual act, one of the Brahmins assumed that Guru Nanak Ji might not be able to see the sun due to old age or weak eyesight. He approached Guru Ji and politely suggested that he redirect the water towards the sun.
Guru Nanak Ji calmly replied, “Yes, I know the sun is in the opposite direction. Before entering the river, I inquired about the ritual you all follow. You believe that by offering water towards the sun with pure devotion, it reaches the sun, despite it being miles away. If that is so, then I am doing the same—with a different intention.”
Guru ji continued, “I am concerned about my fields, which are far from here and suffering due to lack of water. Hence, with the same belief, I am offering water in their direction, expecting it to reach my farms.
All the Brahmins were left stunned at the rational and thoughtful reply of Guru Nanak Ji.
Guru ji's perspective made them think deeply about the ritual they had been carrying out blindly generation after generation.
Guru Nanak Ji then told them, "This is the point that I want you all to realize: don't limit your worship to rituals or the sun itself but look for He who made the sun—the One Supreme God."
He stressed, "Real devotion is not to become a sun-worshipper alone. Real bhakti is to sing the name of the One who created the sun, man, earth, and all others—the Supreme Creator of all."
This sacred instruction by Guru Nanak Dev Ji opened the souls of the people of Haridwar. They started to live with a better vision and deeper insight, no longer blindly following rituals. Guru Ji enlightened their hearts with pure wisdom and spiritual understanding.