In one of his mission to enlighten people, Guru ji traveled many miles in the wilderness of Assam. His minstrel,Mardana was very hungry and tired, so they sat under a tree. After sometime, Mardana went to get something to eat. On his way he met Kauda, the cannibal. Kauda took Mardana by surprise and bounded his 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 Guru ji to come to his rescue. The all-knowing Guru realized what was happening to Mardana, so he started walking towards Kauda’s place in order to rescue Mardana.Kauda was trying to light the fire when Guru ji appeared. This bewildered Kauda completely. He went towards the Guru and captured him. He lit the fire and within minutes the oil was burning hot. Upon seeing this, the Guru said that he wants be the first one to be fried. Kauda was astonished, bewildered. He had never seen someone like this. Kauda carried on his routine and lifted Guru ji to be put in the big pan.
When the Guru’s feet touched the hot oil, it became cold as ice. Kauda then knew that Guru Nanak Dev ji was not an ordinary person. Guru ji looked at him compassionately and graciously and said, "Kauda! You do not see what you do, would you cast yourself in the burning fire of hell?" Kauda, whose conscience was dead with heinous crimes, suddenly came to realization and was overwhelmed with repentance. The very gracious and holy sight of the Divine Master made him realize his guilt and 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 person and thereafter lived as a devout disciple of the Guru as a completely honest worshipper of God.