covery. Upon this the Guru stood up, and there
then shone such light as if a thousand suns had
arisen. Babar saluted, and asked the Guru to be
gracious unto him. The Guru replied, If thou,
O Emperor, desire kindness, set all thy captives
free. He agreed, on one condition that the Guru
should promise that his empire should continue from
generation to generation. The Guru replied, Thine
empire shall remain for a time. The Emperor on
this ordered that all his prisoners should be clothed
with robes of honour, a matter which gave great
pleasure and satisfaction to the Guru. The Emperor
asked the Guru for instruction suitable to his position.
The Guru said, Deliver just judgements, reverence
holy men, forswear wine and gambling. The monarch
who indulgeth in these vices shall, if he survive,
bewail his misdeeds. Be merciful to the vanquished,
and worship God in spirit and in truth.
At the final parting, the Emperor pressed the Guru to embrace Islam, which recognized only one God, as the Guru himself had been preaching, so he would not have far to go on his spiritual journey and his progress to salvation. Moreover, on embracing Islam he would have the advantage of the mediation of God s holy and last prophet Muhammad. The Guru replied :
There are hundreds of thousands of Muhammads, but only one God.
The Unseen is true and without anxiety.
Many Muhammads stand in His court.
So numberless they cannot be reckoned.
Prophets have been sent and come into the world.
Whenever He pleaseth He hath them arrested and brought before Him.
The slave Nanak hath ascertained
That God alone is pure and all else impure.
The Emperor, instead of being incensed at this outspoken language, invited the Guru to ask him
