Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 1.djvu/187

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LIFE OF GURU NANAK
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his heart disposed towards God, he would have gained holiness. 'I came with worldliness, and worldliness have I found.' Upon this he took up his basin and departed.

Shaikh Brahm remarked that it was difficult for those who attached themselves to mammon to obtain salvation, and inquired what aid besides God's name was ordinarily necessary for future happiness. The Guru replied with the following hymn:—

The union of father and mother produceth a body,
On which the Creator hath written its destiny,
The gifts, the divine lights, and the greatness allotted it;
But on associating with mammon it loseth remembrance of God.
O foolish man, why art thou proud?
Thou shalt have to depart when it pleaseth the Lord.
Abandon pleasures, and peace and happiness shall be thine.
Thou shalt have to leave thy home; no one is permanent here.
Eat a little and leave a little,
If thou art again to return to this world. [1]
Man decketh his body, dresseth it in silk,
And issueth many orders;
He maketh a couch of ease and sleepeth thereon.
Why weepeth he when he falleth into the hands of Death? [2]
Domestic entanglements are a whirlpool, O brother;
Sin is a stone which floateth not over.
Put thy soul on the raft of God s fear, and thou shalt be saved.
Saith Nanak, such a raft God giveth but to few. [3]

Then the people brought them bread, but Shaikh Brahm said that he had already dined. The people, annoyed that their offerings were thus spurned, said

  1. That is, to practise great economy would be useless for him who is not to return to this world.
  2. If man disregard the present opportunity of doing good works, why should he afterwards weep when Death seizes him for punishment?
  3. Māru.