The Padam (Priceless Jewel in which
the image of Guru Nanak is Visible & His Right foot Thumb print is also visible).
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History
of the Padam ( Priceless Jewel) involving Saalis Rai the Jeweler
During on of his visit to Patna Guru
Nanak Dev Ji accompanied by his disciples Bala & Mardana rested at place near Bishambharpur.
There Mardana told him that he was hungry and wanted something to eat upon which
Guru Nanak dev Ji dug the ground with his right foot thumb and took out a stone
and gave it to Mardana & told him to go the nearby city of Patna and
sell the stone & buy something to eat with the proceed. when Mardana shows the
stone to shopkeepers nobody was prepared to buy it saying it was worthless. Finally
Mardana reached the shop to a famous jeweler Saalis Rai. When Saalis Rai saw the
stone he saw the image of Guru Nanak in the stone. He bowed down in front of it
gave rupees one hundred one to Mardana & also return the stone to him saying that
this offering of rupees 101 is only the Darshan Bhet ( fee for having a glimpse
of the stone). In fact this was not a ordinary stone this was the Padam (priceless
Jewel). This Padam bears the image of Guru Nank Dev ji & also bears his right foot
thumb print. This Padam has descended in our family since the time of Guru Nank
dev ji & kept in the Pothimala Building. The custom of paying the fee of Rs 101
for having the Darshan of Padam prevails even today.