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pundit said: “From today I am your guru and you are my disciple. You must first bow your head and pray to the Shaligram (Lord Vishnu worshipped in an abstract form-a sacred stone).” Without hesitation the youth replied: “Why should I bow down to this stone?” The pundit responded: "Because this is a qualified (manifested) form of Lord Vishnu.” The young Nanak picked up the Shaligram and said: “How could this stone be the qualified form of the infinite God? If this small stone can become a deity such as Vishnu and Brahma, then should we as well consider the large mountain as the qualified form of the Infinite God? Isn't it true that the entire universe itself is the visible and manifest form of God? And isn't it also the case that the light of that Infinite Divine Form and His energy are ever shining in each human being? Instead of praying to this stone wouldn't it be better to recognize God in each human being and serve them?” When the pundit heard this he was speechless. Nanak's father became apprehensive and asked the pundit: “Why are you arguing with this naive boy? I have no idea where has he acquired such knowledge that he makes everyone speechless with his astute arguments.”
The pundit resumed the sacred thread ceremony and chanted the sacred Gayatri mantra (a highly revered invocation) from the Vedas in the ear of Nanak and instructed him: “You must repeat
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