Punishment of Injustice .

- When people commit crimes, the king punishes them - but what if the king himself does wrong?

- JIVRAM JOSHI

T his is a story from history. A young man was walking down a city road. A military officer came from the opposite side. He stopped the young man and asked, "Who are you? Where are you going?"

The young man replied, "I am a poor man. I'm going to work."

The officer said, "Come with me. Carry this bundle and follow me."

The young man asked, "Where to?"

The officer said, "To the army camp."

The young man replied, "The camp is far away. If I go there, I'll be late. If I don't reach my job on time, my Sheth (employer) will scold me."

The officer said, "I'm in a hurry. If you're late, just tell your Sheth that it was because of army work."

The young man pleaded, "Please take someone else. If I'm late, I'll get in trouble."

But the officer didn't listen. He forced the young man to carry the bundle and took him to the camp. He paid the young man for the work.

After reaching the camp, the young man went back to his job. The Sheth was angry for being late.

The young man explained everything. But the Sheth didn't calm down. He fired the young man from the job.

The Raja (king) of the city had issued a rule: No officer of the kingdom should treat anyone unfairly or cause them harm. Anyone who did would be punished.

Another rule was: If someone from the kingdom suffered injustice, they must report it directly to the Raja.

The third rule was: If someone came to make a complaint, no one should stop them. They should go straight to the Raja.

So the young man went to the Raja and explained what had happened - how the army officer forced him to carry a bundle and took him to the camp.

The Raja asked, "You were paid for the work. You didn't do it for free. So it's not really injustice."

Saying this, the Raja dismissed the complaint and sent the young man away.

This Raja was Ranjit Singh - King of Punjab.

In Amritsar, the seat of the great religious teacher was held by Guru Phula Singh.

The young man went to Guru Phula Singh and said, "One of the Raja's officers did me wrong. But even the Raja himself did injustice by not hearing me out."

Guru Phula Singh listened to the young man and gave him food and shelter.

He sent a message to Raja Ranjit Singh in Lahore: "Come and meet me."

Following the Guru's command is every Sikh's duty - whether rich or poor, even a king.

Raja Ranjit Singh went to Amritsar and met Guru Phula Singh.

The Guru said, "Understand this, Maharaja: when common people do wrong, the spiritual leader punishes them. But if a king does injustice, shouldn't he also be punished?"

The Raja said, "If a ruler commits wrong and deserves a bullet for justice, then so be it. A king who makes his people suffer deserves the biggest punishment."

The Guru said, "Your officer forced a poor young man to work. And you did not listen to his complaint."

The Raja replied, "But he was paid. It wasn't free labor."

The Guru said, "Forcing someone to work against their will is a great injustice. And if the Raja does not hear the complaint and gives wrong justice, he must be punished too. You must accept that punishment."

Raja Ranjit Singh folded his hands and said, "If I have truly done wrong, and didn't listen to my subject's honest complaint, then please punish me. I will accept it."

Guru Phula Singh said, "Forcing labor is a small crime, so the punishment is also small. But when a king or minister ignores a complaint, that crime is greater and should have a harsher punishment."

The Raja said, "I will happily accept that punishment. Please give it."

Guru Phula Singh declared the punishment: "There is a tamarind tree nearby. Tie the Raja to its trunk and whip him a hundred times."

At that moment, many respected citizens were present. They didn't like this harsh punishment.

One respected Sheth made a request to the Guru, "This is a small matter, and the Raja has already admitted his fault. He should not be whipped."

Raja Ranjit Singh said, "No. Poison and crime are the same. Even a tiny drop of poison can kill a person. Likewise, even a small crime can make someone sinful. I will gladly accept whatever punishment the Guru gives me."

Saying this, Raja Ranjit Singh stood up and removed all his royal clothes. He took off his slippers and stood bare, wearing only a simple cloth. He stood near the tamarind tree and said, "Guruji, I have a request. Please don't tie me to the tree. I'll stand still on my own and receive the punishment."

The Guru agreed.

The whip was brought.

Guruji held the whip himself and said, "I will whip with my own hands. What if someone else doesn't strike properly?"

He got ready.

Raja Ranjit Singh stood tall.

The Guru took position, held the whip tight, and struck once with full strength.

The crack of the whip echoed in the air like a lightning bolt.

Everyone around gasped.

And what about Raja Ranjit Singh?

He stood still, eyes closed, as if bearing deep pain.

Guruji lowered the whip and looked at the Raja.

After drinking down the pain, Raja Ranjit Singh opened his eyes.

Guruji threw the whip aside, ran forward, and hugged the Raja. He rested his head on Ranjit Singh's shoulder.

Tears began flowing from the Guru's eyes.

Ranjit Singh's shoulder was wet.

The warmth of the tears could be felt.

Ranjit Singh gently held the Guru's shoulders and lifted his head. The Guru's eyes were full of tears.

Ranjit Singh said, "Guruji, there are still ninety-nine lashes left."

Guruji replied, "Ranjit Singh! I had put all one hundred lashes into that one strike. You are a true king. A real gem is often tested with just a single tap."

***

Such were the kings of India.

They knew the true duty of a ruler.

When they forgot it - their fall came on its own.

A real gem can be tested with just a single tap.