Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 1.djvu/475

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HYMNS OF GURU NANAK
379

Thou art, O God, an ocean of merits; in me are demerits.
The pursuit of worldly things is a foolish and sinful act.
The blockhead thinketh too highly of himself, and cannot understand his duty.
The perverse desire fascinating wealth, and their speech is evil.
According to the Hindus foul is the ablution of the Chandal, and vain are his religious ceremonies and decorations.
False is the wisdom of the perverse; their acts produce strife.
In the impure man is pride; he obtaineth not the flavour of the Lord.
Insipid the pleasure of doing other than the repetition of God's name.


Additional Sloks

When Guru Nanak visited Ceylon he gave the following advice to its queen, who was proud of her beauty and her state:—

Hear, young woman with the gazelle eyes, hear my serious and weighty words.
First examine thy goods and make thy traffic.
Dismiss[1] the evil and welcome the good.
Consider, O young woman, what proclamation to give by which thou mayest find friends.
Give thy soul and body to thy friends, and thou shalt thus enjoy the utmost hilarity.
Love not that which is transitory;
Nanak, I am a sacrifice to those who understand this.

In spiritual matters consult the holy:—

If thou art to cross the water, consult those who have the skill to cross:
They are very wise and will keep clear of the whirlpool.

The dangers of the world:—

There are continual showers, squalls, and torrents; hundreds of thousands of waves succeed one another.

  1. Dohi dichai. Literally—make a proclamation to depart.