Saith Nanak, O God, recognize Thy daily practice of forgiveness ; mortal ever erreth.
He who in adversity heedeth it not,
Who in prosperity feeleth neither affection nor fear, and who deemeth gold as dross ;
Who uttereth neither praise nor blame, and whp suffereth not from avarice, worldly love, or pride ;
Who is unaffected by joy or sorrow, by honour or dishonour ;
Who hath renounced all hopes and desires, and expecteth nothing from the world ;
Whom lust and wrath touch not—in such a person’s heart God dwelleth.
He to whom the Guru hath shown favour knoweth the way to this,
And shall be blended with God, O Nanak, as water with water.
My dear friends, know this in your hearts—
The whole world is entangled in its own pleasures; nobody is any one else’s friend.
In prosperity many persons come and sit together by one, encircling him on all sides ;
When adversity befalleth him, all abandon him and nobody cometh near him.
The wife of one’s home who hath been dearly loved, and who hath ever been attached to her husband,
On the departure of his soul from his body fleeth away crying, ‘ Ghost! ghost! ’
Such is the conduct of those whom we love :
At the last moment, Nanak, none but God is of any avail.
Dhanasari
God. \SMsvvgJa. ever apart. dweWeth everywhere, and is con-
tained even in thee.
HYMNS OF GURU TEG BAHADUR 403
As in flowers there is odour and in a mirror reflection,
So God dwelleth continually in thy heart; search for Him there, O brother.
Whether thou art abroad or at home, know that there is but one God ; this knowledge the Guru hath given me.
Nanak, without knowing thyself the scum of doubt shall not be removed.
O good people, this world hath been led astray by superstition ;
It hath forsaken the memory of God’s name, and it hath been sold to mammon.
It is involved in the love of mother, father, brother, son, and wife ;
Day and night it is mad with the intoxication of youth, wealth, and splendour;
It is not attached to Him who is compassionate to the poor and ever the Destroyer of sorrow.
Nanak, among millions few there are who become attached to the Guru and recognize God.
Think not that that Jogi
In whose heart thou recognizest covetousness, worldly love, and selfishness is united with God.
He who neither calumniateth nor flattereth others, to whom gold and iron are the same,
And who is free from joy or sorrow, is properly called a Jogi.
The restless mind of man hasteth in every direction, but whoever steadily fixeth it,
Saith Nanak, thou mayest rest assured is saved.
What effort shall I now make
That my mental anxiety may be at an end, and I may
cross the terrible ocean ?
I have done nothing good since I was born, wherefore I fear the more;
D d 2
I have not sung God’s praises in thought, word, or deed ; in my heart I feel anxious regarding this ;
Although I have heard the Guru’s instruction, yet no spiritual knowledge hath resulted; I fill my belly like a beast—
Saith Nanak, O God, adopt Thy daily practice of forgiveness, and I a sinner shall be saved.
Jaitsari
My erring mind hath been entangled with mammon ;
The more works I performed when devoted to avarice, the more I entangled myself;
I had no understanding, I devoted myself to sinful pleasures, and I forgot God’s praises ;
The Lord who was with me I did not recognize, I ran searching for Him into the forest.
The jewel of God was in my heart, but I knew it not.
Nanak, without worshipping God life is lost in vain.
O God, preserve mine honour :
When the fear of Death entered my heart, I clung to Thine asylum, O Ocean of mercy.
I was a great sinner, stupid and avaricious, but I have now grown weary of committing sin.
I have not forgotten the fear of Death ; in my anxiety my body hath wasted away,
I have been running in every direction contriving plans for my salvation;
But though the pure God dwelt in my heart, I knew it not.
I have no virtues nor have I performed devotion or penance : what work shall I now perform ?
Nanak, I have grown weary and have sought Thy protection ; 0 God, grant me salvation.
0 man, embrace true instruction.
Admit that without the name of God all this world is false;
HYMNS OF GURU TEG BAHADUR 405
Know that the Lord, for whom the Jogis grow weary of searching without finding His limit,
Is near thee, but without form or outline.
God’s name is the purifier of the world, yet thou hast never remembered it.
Saith Nanak, I have entered Thine asylum; O Thou to whom the world boweth down, preserve me as is Thy practice.
Todi
What shall I say of my baseness ?
I have been entangled in the love of gold and woman, and have not sung God’s praises.
Believing this false world to be true I conceived an attachment for it;
I never remembered the Protector of the poor, who is my companion and helper ;
I remained night and day absorbed in worldly affairs, and the filth of my heart forsook me not.
Saith Nanak, I have now nowhere salvation except in the protection of God.
Tilang
O mortal, if thou have wisdom, then think of God night and day ;
Every moment life is passing away like water from a cracked vessel.
Why singest thou not the praises of God, thou ignorant fool ?
Attached to false avarice thou hast not thought of death ;
No harm hath yet been done if thou even now sing God’s praises.
Saith Nanak, by singing them thou shalt obtain the fearless dignity.
Awake, O man, awake ; why dost thou heedlessly sleep ?
The body which was born with thee shall not depart with thee ;
The mother, father, sons, and relatives whom thou lovest,
Will throw thy body into the fire when the soul departeth from it.
. Know that the affairs of the world last only during life.
Nanak, sing God’s praises ; everything is like a dream.
O man, sing the praises of God who is with thee :
The opportunity is passing away, obey my words.
Thou hast loved too well wealth, equipages, women, and empire.
When Death’s noose falleth on thy neck, all shall become the property of others.
O madman, thou hast intentionally ruined thine affairs ;
Thou didst not shrink from the commission of sin or dismiss pride.
Hear, O my brother, how the Guru hath instructed me.
Nanak loudly proclaimeth—seek God’s protection.
Bilawal
Recognize God’s name as the remover of sorrow :
Know in thy heart that by remembering Him Ajamal and the courtesan were saved ;
The elephant’s fear departed directly he muttered God’s name.
The boy Dhru listened to Narad’s instruction, and became engrossed in worship;
He obtained the durable, immortal, and fearless rank, and the world was amazed.
Nanak saith, admit that God the Protector of saints is near thee.
Without God’s name thou shalt suffer ;
Without piety doubts are not at an end ; the Guru gave me this secret.
If thou enter not God’s asylum, what shall pilgrimage and fasting avail thee ?
HYMNS OF GURU TEG BAHADUR 407
Be assured that the practice of J og and sacrificial feasts are fruitless if man forget the praises of God.
Such man as layeth aside both pride and worldly love, and singeth God’s praises,
Saith Nanak, shall be said to have obtained salvation, during life.
He in whom there is no devotion to God,
Hath lost his life in vain ; bear this in mind.
I speak verily unto you; believe his piety to be fruitless
Who performeth pilgrimage and even fasting, but who hath not control over his heart.
As water penetrateth not stone immersed in it,
So deem that mortal who worshippeth not . 1
In the Kal age salvation is obtained by the name of God ; the Guru discloseth this secret.
Saith Nanak, he is a great man who singeth God’s praises.
Ramkali
O my soul, take shelter in God’s name ;
By remembering it evil thoughts are dispelled, and the rank of nirvan obtained.
Know that that man is very fortunate who singeth God’s praises ;
Having lost the sins of different births he shall go to heaven.
At the last moment Ajamal thought of God,
And obtained in an instant the state which superior J ogis desire.
The elephant had no merits, no learning, and what religious ceremonies had he performed ?
Yet, O Nanak, behold the daily practice of God who granted him safety.
O my good people, what way shall man now adopt
By which all evil thoughts may be dispelled and his heart be steeped in devotion to God.
The heart remaineth entangled by mammon, and knoweth naught of divine knowledge.
Whose name is that in the world by remembering which thou shalt obtain the rank of nirvan ?
When the saints were compassionate and kind they taught me this—
Know that he who hath sung God’s praises hath performed all religious duties;
And he who night and day claspeth God’s name to his heart, even for a moment,
Shall lose all fear of Death and reform his life.
O mortal, think of God :
Every moment life decreaseth ; night and day it passeth away in vain.
Thou hast lost thy youth in sensual pleasures and thy childhood in ignorance ;
Thou hast grown old and even now thou understandest not in what folly thou art entangled.
Why hast thou forgotten God who gave thee human birth ?
Thou hast not sung for a moment the praises of Him by remembering whom man obtaineth salvation.
Why art thou proud of worldly wealth ? it will not depart with any one.
Nanak saith, think upon the Fulfiller of desires ; He will be our Helper at last.
Maru
God’s name ever bestoweth comfort;
By remembering it Ajamal was saved, and the courtesan also obtained deliverance ;
Panchali 1 at the royal assemblage remembered the name of God;
HYMNS OF GURU TEG BAHADUR 409
The Merciful One removed her suffering and enhanced His own renown. -
The Ocean of mercy, assisteth whomsoever hath sung His praises;
Saith Nanak, relying on this I have come and sought His protection.
Now what shall I do, O mother ?
I have lost my whole life in sensual pleasures and have not remembered God.
When Death throweth his halter on my neck, I shall have lost all my reason . 1
Except the name of God what shall assist me in that affliction ?
The wealth thou deemest thine own becometh in one moment another’s.
Saith Nanak, I have been reflecting in my mind that I have never sung God’s praises.
O mother, I have not renounced the pride of my heart;
I have passed my life in the intoxication of worldly love, and have not applied myself to the worship of God.
When Death’s mace fell upon my head, then I awoke from my slumber.
But what availeth present repentance ? I shall not escape even by running . 2
When this thought arose in my mind I fell in love with the Guru’s feet.
Life is only profitable, Nanak, when we are absorbed in God’s praises.
all. Duryodhan finding himself in possession of Draupadi ordered her to sweep his house. On her refusal she was dragged by Dhusasan, Duryodhan’s brother, before an assemblage of the KaUravs. He endeavoured to pull off her clothes, but God saved her from disgrace. Draupadi is here called Panchali, for she was daughter of Drupad the king of Panchal.
4IQ /I i' IsHE SIKH RELIGION
Basant
O good people, know that this body is temporary ;
The God who dwelleth within it recognize as permanent.
This world is like wealth obtained in a dream; why be elated on beholding it ?
Why are you wrapped up in it ? nothing shall depart with you.
Renounce both flattery and slander ; take God’s praises to thy heart.
Nanak, the one God filleth all things.
The sinner hath given lust a seat in his heart ; 1
Wherefore his restless mind is not restrained.
This net of lust is cast
Over Jogis, Jangams, and Sanyasis.
They who remember the name of God
Cross over the terrible ocean.
The slave Nanak hath taken refuge in God ;
Grant me Thy name, 0 God, that I may continue to sing Thy praises.
O mother, I have obtained God’s name as my wealth ; My heart hath ceased to wander and lain down to rest. Worldly love and selfishness have fled from my body, and pure spiritual knowledge hath sprung up in me.
Avarice and worldly love cannot touch me ; I have embraced God’s service.
When I acquired the jewel of the Name, the fear of continual birth was at an end.
■ When all covetousness hath departed from the heart it is absorbed in special happiness.
He to whom the Ocean of mercy is compassionate, singeth His praises.
HYMNS OF GURU TEG BAiHADUR 411
Saith Nanak, this form of wealth some rare holy man obtaineth.
O my soul, why hast thou forgotten God’s name ?
When the body perisheth thou shalt have to do with Death.
This world is a hill of smoke ;
What induced thee to consider it real ?
Understand that wealth, wife, property, and home Will not depart with thee ;
The worship of God alone will accompany thee.
Saith Nanak, adore Him with unmixed love.
Why hast thou gone astray and attached thyself to false avarice ?
There is no harm done if even to-day thou awake'.
Know that this world is like a dream ;
It will be destroyed in a moment; accept this as true. Adore that God day and night, 0 my friend,
Who dwelleth continually with thee.
Sing the praises of Him,
Saith Nanak, who will assist thee at the last moment.
Sarang
Thou hast no helper but God ;
Who hath a mother, father, son, or wife ? who hath a brother ?
Of all the wealth, land, and property which thou deemest thine own,
Nothing shall depart with thee when thou diest; why art thou wrapped up in them ?
Thou hast not increased thy love for Him who is compassionate to the poor and ever the Destroyer of misery.
Nanak saith, the whole world is unreal like a nightly dream.
41 ?
O my soul, why art thou entangled in sensual pleasures ?
In this world none may remain ; one cometh and another goet-h.
Who hath body and wealth ? who hath property ? what shall one love ?
Everything which is visible shall vanish like the shadow of a cloud.
Lay aside pride, grasp the protection of the saints, and thou shalt at once obtain salvation.
Nanak, without worshipping God there is no happiness even in one’s dreams.
Why, O man, hast thou wasted thy life ?
Intoxicated by worldly love thou hast attached thyself to sensual pleasures and not entered God’s protection.
This world is all a dream ; so why art thou covetous ?
Everything that was created shall perish; nothing shall be allowed to remain.
This temporary body thou deemest permanent; in this way hast thou entangled thyself.
Nanak, Only he who applieth his mind to the adoration of God, shall obtain salvation in this world. 1
I never heartily sang the praises of God ;
I remained attached to sensual pleasures night and day, and did what pleased myself.
I never carefully listened to the Guru’s instruction : I became entangled with others’ wives.
I busied myself greatly in calumniating others, and understood not the counsels I received.
How far shall I describe my acts—how I have wasted my life ?
Saith Nanak, in me are all demerits ; protect me, O God, I have come to thy sanctuary.
HYMNS OF GURU TEG BAHADUR 413
Jaijawanti 1
Remember God, remember God, this is thy duty ;
Abandon the companionship of worldly love; cling to God’s sanctuary ; admit that the pleasures of the world are false ; everything is unreal.
Consider wealth as a dream; of what art thou proud ? the empire of the earth is as a wall of sand.
The slave Nanak saith, thy body shall be destroyed; yesterday passed away moment by moment, so also shall to-day.
Adore God, adore God ; thy life passeth away.
Why should I warn thee every moment ? why under- standest thou not, O fool ? The body is like hail, it vanisheth in a moment.
Reject all doubt and repeat God’s name; at the last moment this alone will depart with thee.
Forsake sensual pleasures as poison; take the praise of God to thy heart; Nanak proclaimeth, the opportunity is passing away.
O man, what shall be thy condition ?
In this world the only means of salvation is God’s name to which thou hast not attentively listened; thou hast been excessively addicted to sensual pleasures, and not diverted thy thoughts from them.
Thou hast obtained human life, yet thou hast not remembered God for a moment; thou hast been in subjection to the charms of woman and thy feet are fettered.
Nanak proclaimeth, the extension of the world is like a dream ; why thinkest thou not upon God to whom mammon is but a handmaiden ? 2
Thy life shall pass away, shall pass away in vain ;
Though thou hearest night and day the ancient histories,