India, April 13 -- This particular incident from the travels of Guru Nanak Dev alludes to the practice of "Charon's obol", which was the practice of placing a coin in a dead person's mouth as payment for Charon, the ferryman who was thought to convey souls across the river that divided this world and the next.

Guru Nanak reaches an opulent and rich-looking city, but whose people are poor. The people tell Guru Nanak that their King, named Karu, had developed a fascination for gold and silver. He imposed high taxes, leaving little for either consumption, or for investment.

As a result, the country has fallen into poverty, even though the King is rich.

On the same day, Karu's advisers start a devious scheme to take away any last gold or s...