The Ādi Granth, or the Holy Scriptures of the Sikhs (1877) · 123

If they serve the true Guni, then they obtain the station (degree) of salvation, Hari dwells in (their) heart.

If (their) thought is fixed on the true word (of the Guru), coming and going is stopped.

(6). The Pandit reading and reading explains an argumentation, without the Gum he is led astray in error.

' Xama or Xaindev, a famous devotee, nlio is considered the first Marathi writer (Jlolesworth, Maratlii Dictionary, Introd. p. xxv), is said to have been a contemporary of Kablr (about 1480 a.d.). Kahir, the weaver, a Musalman by birth (as borue out by the Granth and the testimony of Ravidas) and disciple of Ramanand, lived partly at Magar and partly at Benares under the reign of Sikandar Shah Lodi (1488 — 1512). Portions of the writings of both are incorporated in the Granth, especially of Kabir, who comes in for a con- siderable share in every Rag, and who is to be considered as the author of the whole reformatory movement going on in India during the Middle Ages, \anak and the folloning Sikh Gurus have iudorsed the tenets of Kabir and made them their own.

^ The sons of Brahma; the mind-born sons of Brahma, who are called Sanatkumara, Sananda, Sanaka and Sanatana (with sometimes a fifth, Ribhii, addedj. They are said to have declined to create progeny and to have ever remained boys (Kumara), pure and innocent. The " sabd" means here the initiatory mantr (so ham), implying identity with the Supreme; they refused therefore to enter duality I)y procreation.

' %3 V^i the son of the Daitya (Hiranyakas'ipu) Prahlad, whose story is told in the Vishnu Purana. His preceptor did not teacli him tlie name of Vishnu, but Vishnu himself (wlio is here to be understood I)y the JTfsr 3r3i. the instructor of the whole world. His father is said to have made different attempts on tlie life of his son, but to have signally failed; at last Hiranyakasipu was torn in pieces by Vishnu in the Avatar of the Narsinha (man-lion) issuing from a pillar of the hall. This story is frequently mentioned in the Granth.

* ♦l(V>'HT'n (tl^ltlTl. one who has cast off all worldly desires and possessions, a religious mendicant (now different from the fourth order of BrahmaasJ. The Sanyasis are generally followers of Shiva, the Bairagis of Vishnu.

94 SIRI RAG, MAH. III., ASTPAD. VI. (XXIII.)

The round of the eighty-four kikhs (of forms of existence) is allotted (to him), without the word (instruction of the Guru) he does not obtain salvation.

When he reflects on the name, then he obtains salvation, when the true Guru unites (him) to union (with Hari).

(7). In the assembly of the holy ones the name of Hari is produced, where the true Guru is naturally met with.

Soul and body I offer up, my own self I remove, I walk in faith in the true Guru.

I am always a sacrifice for my own Guru, who fixes my mind on Hari.

(8). He is a Brahman who knows Brahm, who is in love with Hari.

The Lord, who dwells near in the heart of all, is known by some rare disciple.

0 Nanak! the name, (by means of which) greatness is obtained, is known from the word of the Guru.

(1). The whole world seeks composure,' (but) without the Guru it cannot be obtained.

The Pandits and astrologers, reading and reading (treatises), have become tired, by (faqir-) dresses and error they are led astray.

By meeting with the Guru composure is obtained, if he (/.c. Hari) bestow his own mercy and good pleasure.

O brother, without the Guru comi^osure does not accrue.

From the word (of the Guru) alone composure springs up, that true Hari is obtained (from it).

(2). What is sung in composure is acceptable, wdthout composure the recital (of the Purans, etc.) is useless.

Easily devotion is produced by composure, out of natural love and abandonment of the world.

From composure comfort and tranquillity are obtained, without composure life is useless.

(3). By composure (the disciple) always, always praises (Hari), easily giving himself to deep meditation.

By composure he utters the qualities (of Hari), he performs devotion directing his thoughts (on Hari).

By the word (of the Guru) Hari dwells in his heart, his tongue eats the juice of Hari.

(4). By composure death is driven away, if (one) fall on the asylum of the True one.

By composure the name of Hari dwells in (his) heart, he does true work.

Those are very fortunate who have obtained it, they remain easily absorbed (in Hari).