The Ādi Granth, or the Holy Scriptures of the Sikhs (1877) · 49

One sings: having made the body he reduces it to ashes. Another sings: having taken life he gives it again.

One sings: he is known (manifest), (but) seen afar off. Another sings: being present he sees in the presence.

There is no end of sayings and tellings. The story, story is told by crores, crores, crores.^

He {i.e. God) goes on giving, they taking become tired. For ages and ages they go on eating.

The Lord goes on executing his order. 0 Nanak! he expands unconcerned.

True is the Lord, of a true name, in language his love is infinite.'

If they speak and ask, he gives, he gives, the Liberal bestows gifts.

What shall again be placed before (him), by means of which his court may be seen?

What speech shall be uttered by the mouth, which having heard he may bestow love?

llefiect at early dawn on the greatness of the true name!

From the destiny conies clothing, from his (favourable) look the gate of salvation.

Thus, 0 Nanak! it is known, that he himself is true in all (things).*

He cannot be established, he is not made. He himself is the Supreme Being.'

' J^?TT^ s.m. explained in the commentary by Stf, lot, destiny. The sense Is apparently, that God may he known from the gifts he Is bestowing. But J^JfTc^ niay also be referred to the Sansk. prJUjUlj = fimjiJl'ST, perception: " If be knows the perception (of it), if he is able to perceive it" (i.e. the ^Tfe)-

^ The sense is: God is praised in various ways by innumerable people.

' An old SiUli commentary gives the following p.vplanatinn of tliis dark passage: ^"3 '^'Q "LTS'lll'S ifft

^ JT3 f *T5f5 msf3 3Tftf»KT ^75 frtf flTf W^ft 3Tf ^TCT 9 f^f f^f Mmft! ^# ■@f^^^, "All the other names of God are uttered in praise; as inside (in the heart) love dwells, so they praise him."

* Explained by the commentator: TTS W3 cJ"3T§ WTtV IfrfV " He himself does and causes to be done all."

' nSd"HA CfM"^^*!).!>" epitliet of the Supreme Being, free from any stain or contact with the Maya; pure, light.

By whom he is worshipped, hy him honour is obtained. 0 Xanak, if the abode of virtues ' be praised.

If he be praised, heard, if love (to him) be kept in the mind. He ' puts away his pain and brings comfort to his house.

From the mouth of the Guru' (=God) is the sound, fiom the mouth of the Guru is the Veda, in the mouth of the Gtiru it is contained (or absorbed).

The Guru is Isar (Shiva), the Guru is Gorakh (Yishnu), Brahma, the Guru is the mother Parbatl.

If I would know, would I not tell? the story cannot be told.

0 Guru! let me know the One! That the one liberal patron of all living beings may not be for- gotten by me! *

1 bathe at a Tirtha, if I please him; without pleasing him, what shall I do with bathing? As much as I see created, what is obtained without destiny,' that I may take it?

In (thy) advice are gems, jewels and rubies, if I hear the instruction of the one Guru. 0 Guru ' let me know the One, that the one liberal patron of all living beings may not be for- gotten by me!

If (one's) life last the four periods (of the world), or become tenfold more. If he be known in the nine regions (of the earth), and every one go with (him).

If having got a good name he obtain renown and fame in the world. If his (God's) merciful sight do not come upon him, none will ask a word about him.

Having made him a worm amongst worms (in hell) he puts the sin on the sinner."