In Rupa, merchant of Multan, Guru Teg Bahadur had a very devoted admirer. He was known as Rupa Seth. He often used to come to Guru to pay his respects or he would send gifts from Multan. He was a man of riches. When Guru Gobindrai descended on the throne he wished to come to Anandpur Sahib to pay his obeisance to the new Guru and see him with his own eyes. For gifts he got a pearl and diamond necklace and a beautiful pair of studded gold bracelets made.
But he could not find time due to business engagements to pay a personal visit. A Sikh faithful happened to be in Multan on a preaching mission who was scheduled to depart for Anandpur Sahib a few days hence. His name was Dulecha. Rupa handed those gifts to Dulecha and asked him to present them to Guru Gobindrai on his behalf. He accepted and took charge of the gifts.
The beauty of the bracelets evoked greed in the heart of Dulecha. He thought that no one would remember about them after sometime as Guru used to receive hundreds of gifts everyday and the Multan merchant was not supposed to meet Guru Gobindrai for some years. He decided to keep the bracelets for himself.
In the durbar of Guru Gobindrai he duly presented the pearl-diamond necklace on behalf of Rupa. He hid the bracelets in his turban. Guru Gobindrai looked at the necklace and smiled at Dulecha. He asked, “Bhai Dulecha! Aren’t you forgetting something?”
Dulecha felt the heat. He stammered, “F…forgetting?”
“Yes forgetting. May be, some one gave you something for me and you are forgetting to produce the same.”
Dulecha turned red. Was the young Guru really clairvoyant? A chill went down his spine. He tried to brazen it out by lying, “Oh Guru! I have been in the service of Guru Gaddi for years. How can you suspect me of any dishonesty? Kill me instead of dishonouring me in the august body of Sikhs. I am not a thief.”
“Glad to hear that. Then, come hither to me,” Guru Gobindrai said and signalled. Dulecha went to Guru Gobindrai shivering in fright. Guru spoke, “Forgive me Dulecha. I must do something unpleasant to you.”
With one swipe Guru brought Dulecha’s turban on the floor. The gem studded bracelets rolled out of the turban as the assembly watched in shock. Angry eyes confronted the shamefaced Dulecha. Guru Gobind raised his hands to signal everyone to stay calm.
Then, he picked up the turban and patronisingly put it on Dulecha’s head without any rebuke and advised softly, “You shouldn’t have done that. Just imagine when the person who so lovingly got them made for me learns about it, how would he feel?”
Dulecha fell at the feet of Guru and wept. He begged for Guru Gobindrai’s forgiveness.
Guru pardoned him magnanimously and warned him against such acts in future.
The incident firmly set the confidence of the Sikhs in their new leader, Guru Gobindrai.
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