MAILAGARSINGH

MAILAGAR SINGH or Mailagar Singh, one of the Sikhs who rallied round Guru Gobind Singh during his travels in the Malva region after the battle of Chamkaur (7 December 1705), earned the Guru\’s appreciation for his spirit of contentment. According to Malva Des Ratan di Sakhi Pothi, as Guru Gobind Singh arrived at Saravan, the villagers took the Sikhs out in batches to their houses for meals. One very poor man, not to be left behind in serving a fellow Sikh, invited Mailagar Singh although he had little to offer except some dried pilu (fruit of van tree Quercus incana) soaked in water. As Sikhs reassembled and as the Guru asked them how they had been entertained, they described in turn the rich viands they had been treated to.

When Guru Gobind Singh learnt about what delicacy had been offered him, he praised Mailagar Singh\’s spirit of humility and contentment. According to Santokh Singh, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, the Guru spoke: A Sikh who has the means but entertains not the visitor, Blameworthy is he. He who expects a feast from a destitute Sikh is not without fault, either.

References :

1. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amrtsar, 1927-35
2. Gian Singh, Giani, Twarikh Guru Khalsa. Patiala, 1970
3. Attar Singh, Malva Des Ratan Di Sakhi Pothi. Amritsar, 1950
4. Macauliife, M.A., The Sikh Religion. Oxford, 1909