Chapter 5

                                                   SAJJAN, THE ROBBER


1. Q: Who was Sajjan, and what does his name mean?

Ans: Sajjan was a rich man who lived in a village visited by Guru Nanak Dev. His name means “a good man,” but ironically, he was very bad because he killed travelers and stole their belongings.

2. Q: How did Sajjan treat the travelers who came to his house?

Ans: Sajjan welcomed the travelers politely, gave them free food, and allowed them to stay in his house for a night.

3. Q: What did Sajjan do to the travelers at night?

Ans: At night, Sajjan killed the travelers, took their possessions, and threw their bodies into a well.

4. Q: Who accompanied Guru Nanak Dev to the village where Sajjan lived?

Ans: Mardana, Guru Nanak Dev’s companion, accompanied him to the village.

5. Q: What was Guru Nanak Dev’s purpose in visiting Sajjan?

Ans: Guru Nanak Dev visited Sajjan with the purpose of reforming him and turning him into a good man.

6. Q: How did Sajjan introduce himself to Guru Nanak Dev?

Ans: Sajjan introduced himself politely, saying that Hindus call him Sajjan Mal, Muslims call him Sajjan Shah, but he considered himself just Sajjan.

7. Q: What did Sajjan claim about being a friend?

Ans: Sajjan claimed to be a true friend because he gave free food to everyone and treated them nicely. He also built a mosque for Muslims and a temple for Hindus.

8. Q: How did Guru Nanak Dev respond to Sajjan’s claim of being a true friend?

Ans: Guru Nanak Dev explained that Sajjan was not a true friend because he looted and killed people, cheated them, and collected money by bad means. He warned Sajjan that God knows his deeds and would punish him.

9. Q: What did Guru Nanak Dev warn Sajjan about?

Ans: Guru Nanak Dev warned Sajjan that money gained by sinful means will not accompany him after death, but his sins certainly will, and God will punish him.

10. Q: How did Sajjan react to Guru Nanak Dev’s warning?

Ans: Sajjan began to weep, fell at Guru Nanak Dev’s feet, and pleaded to be saved.

11. Q: What advice did Guru Nanak Dev give to Sajjan to become a good man?

Ans: Guru Nanak Dev advised Sajjan to repent for his sins, pray to God, give away his wealth to the poor, live righteously, and help everyone. Then God would forgive him.

12. Q: What promise did Sajjan make after Guru Nanak Dev’s advice?

Ans: Sajjan promised to be good to all, give away his wealth to the poor, and live as a virtuous man.

13. Q: What did Sajjan do with his wealth after his repentance?

Ans: Sajjan gave away his wealth to the poor and converted his house into a dharamshala, a place for travelers and the needy.

14. Q: How did Sajjan contribute to spreading Guru Nanak Dev’s teachings?

Ans: After reforming, Sajjan preached Guru Nanak Dev’s teachings in his area, encouraging others to live righteously.

15. Q: What moral lesson does Sajjan’s story teach?

Ans: The story teaches that repentance, good deeds, helping the poor, and following righteous guidance can transform even the worst person into a virtuous one.

16. Q: How is the theme of forgiveness shown in the story?

Ans: Guru Nanak Dev forgives Sajjan and guides him to repent and reform, showing that forgiveness and guidance can lead to positive change.

17. Q: What does the story say about cheating and sinful deeds?

Ans: The story explains that cheating and sinful deeds are known to God, will not benefit a person in the end, and will lead to punishment unless one repents.

18. Q: How does the story illustrate the importance of helping others?

Ans: Sajjan became good by giving his wealth to the poor and converting his house into a dharamshala, showing that helping others is a key part of righteous living.

19. Q: Why was Sajjan called a bad man despite his name meaning “good man”?

Ans: Sajjan was called a bad man because he killed travelers and stole their possessions, which were actions contrary to goodness.

20. Q: How does Guru Nanak Dev’s intervention change Sajjan’s life?

Ans: Guru Nanak Dev’s guidance makes Sajjan repent for his sins, give up his sinful ways, help the poor, and lead a virtuous life.

21. Q: How does the story emphasize the power of God’s knowledge?

Ans: Guru Nanak Dev tells Sajjan that God knows all his deeds, and even if people are deceived, God sees everything and will punish sinning.

22. Q: What role does polite behavior play in Sajjan’s interactions with Guru Nanak Dev?

Ans: Sajjan’s politeness in greeting Guru Nanak Dev shows that outward manners are not enough; true goodness comes from righteous actions.

23. Q: What does the story teach about the difference between appearances and reality?

Ans: Sajjan appeared generous by feeding travelers and building religious places, but in reality, he was a murderer. True goodness is judged by deeds, not appearances.

24. Q: How did Sajjan show remorse for his actions?

Ans: Sajjan wept, fell at Guru Nanak Dev’s feet, and sincerely asked to be saved, showing true remorse.

25. Q: How does the story teach the importance of repentance?

Ans: Sajjan’s transformation shows that acknowledging mistakes, repenting sincerely, and changing behavior can lead to forgiveness and moral reform.

26. Q: What lesson does the story teach about wealth and its proper use?

Ans: The story teaches that wealth should be earned honestly and used to help others, not acquired by cheating or sinful means.

27. Q: How does the story illustrate the role of a guru or teacher?

Ans: Guru Nanak Dev guides Sajjan to reform, demonstrating that a wise teacher can correct the wrong path and lead others toward righteousness.

28. Q: Why did Guru Nanak Dev emphasize giving away wealth to the poor?

Ans: He emphasized this because helping the needy cleanses sins and ensures that one’s life is meaningful and virtuous.

29. Q: How does the story address the concept of divine justice?

Ans: The story shows that God observes all deeds and ensures that sinful actions are punished while repentance and good deeds are rewarded.

30. Q: What is a dharamshala, and why did Sajjan convert his house into one?

Ans: A dharamshala is a rest house for travelers. Sajjan converted his house into one to help others and live a righteous life, making amends for his past deeds.

Answer by Mrinmoee