"waheguruji ka khalsa and waheguruji ki fateh"

The Guru's Langar

The king, along with the Rajah of Haripur, arrived in Goindwal where the Guru lived. They were shown round the place and Akbar was interested to know how the Guru\\\\\\\'s Langar was run. Simple food was served to all in the Guru\\\\\\\'s Langar. It remained open day and night. Travellers, beggars, and strangers, as well as the followers of the Guru, were all served with food.

The Guru had given an order that all persons coming to visit his place must have their food in the Langar (when hungry). There they were to sit in rows (Pangat) as equals and were to be served simple food in turn. Akbar and the Rajah of Haripur sat in Pangat (rows, as is still the custom today). They sat among the common people in a row as other Sikhs served them food.

Impressed with the Guru\\\'s Langar, Akbar said to the Guru, "I like Guru Nanak\\\'s religion very much and I respect you for your teachings. The Guru is said to have replied, "Dear Akbar, I am very glad you like the path of Baba Nanak.

The Guru likes all to work hard to earn (Kirt Karni) and to share their honest earnings (Wand Chakna) with others, by giving something to the Langar from their honest earnings to help others. As such, the Guru\\\'s langar is the people\\\'s (Sangat\\\'s) Langar and it must be run on people\\\'s free gifts. That is why all share equally in the Guru\\\'s Langar and no one is looked upon as an outsider.

In the Guru\\\'s Langar, each gives as much as we can spare and takes as much as he/she needs. Here, there is no difference between kings and beggars. All sit together; and eat simple food served with loving care.

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