Guru Nanak Dev Ji tested the devotion of His disciples to see who possessed complete faith, obedience, humility, and courage to carry forward His Guru Gaddi.
These tests were not meant to examine physical strength but the depth of a devotee's surrender to the Guru's command. Among all the disciples, Bhai Lehna Ji (who later became Guru Angad Dev Ji) demonstrated unwavering faith and passed every test with complete devotion.
First Test – The Lota in the Mud
Guru Nanak Dev Ji threw His lota into the mud beside Him and asked His disciples to bring it back.
Many hesitated because they did not want to dirty their clothes. However, Bhai Lehna Ji did not think about his clothes or the mud. Without hesitation, he stepped into the dirt and retrieved the lota, simply to obey Guru Nanak Dev Ji's command.
Second Test – The Jand Tree
Guru Nanak Dev Ji pointed towards a Jand tree and asked the disciples to shake it and collect sweets from it.
To ordinary minds, sweets could never grow on a tree. Yet Bhai Lehna Ji obeyed without questioning the Guru's words. His complete faith was stronger than logic.
Third Test – Washing the Clothes at Midnight
One night, Guru Nanak Dev Ji handed over His clothes and said,
"It is bright daylight outside. Go and wash these clothes in the River Ravi. They will dry quickly in the sunlight."
Although it was the middle of the night, Bhai Lehna Ji did not question the Guru's instruction. He accepted the Guru's words as truth and immediately left to wash the clothes.
Fourth Test – Building the Wall During a Storm
On a freezing night, during a heavy thunderstorm, Guru Nanak Dev Ji began building a wall near the place where the Sangat gathered for Satsang, Kirtan, and Langar.
While everyone else shivered in the cold, Bhai Lehna Ji stood beside the Guru and continued serving without complaint. His devotion was greater than the discomfort of the weather.
Fifth Test – The Covered Body
Guru Nanak Dev Ji placed Degh (Karah Prasad) beneath a white cloth, making it appear as though a dead body was lying underneath.
He then asked His disciples,
"Who among you will eat this dead body?"
The other disciples were frightened, but Bhai Lehna Ji trusted the Guru completely. When he lifted the cloth, he found sacred Degh (Karah Prasad) instead of a corpse.
The Spiritual Message
Through these five tests, Guru Nanak Dev Ji showed that a true disciple does not doubt the Guru's words. A true devotee walks the spiritual path with complete faith, courage, obedience, humility, and surrender.
These tests were not about miracles—they were about transforming an ordinary seeker into a fearless servant of God.
Only one who completely surrenders to the Guru becomes worthy of carrying forward the light of the Guru.
The disciple who succeeded Guru Nanak Dev Ji was Bhai Lehna Ji, who became Guru Angad Dev Ji