26. Discourse with Kauda Cannibal

Kauda Bheel (also Known as Kauda Rakshish, Kauda Bheel) was once a cannibal, who became a Sikh after an encounter with Guru Nanak that changed his life. Guru Ji, during his Southern journeys, often crossed forests, baren lands and mountains, which resulted in his entering the area of the Bheel people. His now famous encounter with Kauda was (Acc. to Prof. Sahib Singh) near Kudapa, which is today a village about 70 km from Vijayawada in the Andhra Pardesh section of India. The Guru travelled many miles in the wilderness of Assam. His minstrel Mardana was very hungry and tired, so they sat under a tree. After sometimes Mardana went to get something to eat. On his way he met Kauda, the cannibal. Kauda took Mardana by surprise and bound him hand and foot by a rope and then carried him to the spot where he had kept a big pan full of oil for frying the flesh of his victims. Kauda started to lighten fire under the pan. When Mardana saw that, he was very frightened and prayed to the Guru to come to his rescue. The Guru already knew and was on his way to get him released. Kauda was trying to light the fire when the Guru appeared. This bewildered Kauda completely. The Guru looked at him compassionately and graciously and said,"Kauda! See-est thou not what thou dost, wilt thou cast thyself in the burning fire of hell?" The very gracious and holy sight of the Divine Master made such people realize their guilt and they fell on his feet and begged for mercy. Kauda whose conscience was dead with heinous crimes, suddenly came to realization and was overwhelmed with repentance. He fell on the feet of the Master and prayed for mercy. The gracious Master blessed him with the Name. Kauda was completely a changed man and thereafter lived as a devout disciple of the Guru.