Baba Makhan Shah Labana

Who is Baba Makhan Shah Labana?

Makhan Shah Lubana was a devout Sikh and a rich trader from Tanda district Jhelum who discovered the ninth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Tegh Bahadar in Bakala, India in around 1665. The Sakhi of that discovery was recorded in "Janamsakhis" and told as stories for many generations of Sikhs.

Makhan was a merchant who used to bring valuable merchandise by sea and sell it wholesale in parts of Gujarat and Punjab in India. His ship was caught up in a furious storm while he was sailing, fully loaded with trade goods northwards, up the coast of India towards the Gulf of Khambhat.

The ship was terribly damaged during the storm, with the force of lightning splitting the mainsail, the sails hanging in shreds, the ship taking on water and when it seemed like he would lose the ship, Makhan decided his time had come to remember his Guru and ask for his help. Completely powerless, he knelt down, and said his Ardas to God and Guru Nanak for safety. "Baba jee", he prayed desperately, "Please save my ship and my men... I pledge the 500 gold mohars tied to the belt at my waist, which without your help will soon be at the bottom of the sea. Please accept this as my humble offering. He then recited this Shabad of Guru Arjan Dev: