Book Title: Harmony of All Religions
Author(s): Parmahans Maharaj, Veena Rani Howard
Publisher: USA Santmat Society of North America

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Page 285
________________ Time passed. One day Nanak came across Mardana, a singer who was also a master in playing the rabab, a string instrument. Nanak was very impressed with his music. Inspired by Nanak's knowledge, Mardana decided to stay in the tutelage of Nanak. Nanak was then 16 years of age. At this time Nanak's family became seriously concerned about his mental state. Their greatest fear was that in this state he would forsake householder life and choose the life of an ascetic. Hoping to avert such a crisis they hurriedly betrothed him to Sulakshani, the daughter of Mulchand, a pious merchant and landlord. The wise Nanak, always in accord with the larger Divine plan, allowed for his marriage to take place. However, since he was opposed to rituals and baseless customs, his wedding ceremony was not performed according to Vedic rites, but instead, hymns and chants, praising God, were sung on this auspicious day Meditation Practice (Sadhana) Nanaki's husband Jairam was the manager of the Modhikhana (stores) of Nawab Daulat Khan. When Nanak was persuaded by his family to take a job, Jairam invited him to Sultanpur to meet with the Nawab (the provincial governor of the Mughal Empire). The Nawab was a good man, and was very impressed by Nanak's honest demeanor. The Nawab was captivated by 276

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