cession, until at last he found refuge in a forest near Razad Khan's hillock, south of Khadur, where he was visited by neighbours who bore no allegiance to the haughty and hypocritical Tapa.
When Amar Das arrived in Khadur next morning, he found the Guru's house empty. On inquiring of the villagers, he learned all the circumstances connected with his master's exile. Amar Das told them they were fools, asked them if they had taken leave of their senses, and if a lamp could ever be substituted for the sun; that is, how could they have kept the Tapa and expelled the Guru? Upon this occasion Amar Das composed the two following sloks :—
By meeting the true Guru worldly hunger departeth, but
it departeth not by merely putting on a sectarial garb.
Through the pain of hunger the Tapa wandereth from
house to house; in the next world he shall obtain twofold
punishment.
His appetite is not satisfied, and he never eateth in comfort
what he obtaineth.
He ever beggeth with persistency and annoyeth the giver.
Leading the life of a householder, by which somebody
may gain, is better than putting on such a sectarial dress.
They who are imbued with the Word acquire understanding;
others are led astray by doubt.
They act as they were destined; it is of no use to address
them.
Nanak, they who please God are fortunate; they are
honoured and acceptable.
The fire of avarice is not extinguished by wearing a
sectarial dress; anxiety still continueth in the mind.
As striking a serpent's lair killeth not the serpent, so
a man without the Guru performeth useless acts.
Serve the generous true Guru, and let the Word abide
