Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 1.djvu/126

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From fire and bubbles of water are we sprung; for what object were we created? My Lord, who knoweth Thy merits? My demerits cannot be numbered. How many shrubs and trees have we seen! how many beasts created by Thee! How many species of creeping things, and how many birds hast Thou caused to fly! Men break through the shops and great houses of cities and stealing therefrom go homewards. They look before them, they look behind them, but where can they hide themselves from Thee? The banks of streams of pilgrimage, the nine regions of the earth, shops, cities, and market-places have I seen. Becoming a shopkeeper I take a scale and try to weigh my actions in my heart. My sins are numerous as the waters of the seas and the ocean. Bestow compassion, extend a little mercy, save me who am like a sinking stone. My soul is burning like fire; it is as though shears were cutting my heart. Nanak humbly representeth—he who obeyeth God's order is happy day and night.

Kalu then desired that his son should embrace a mercantile life. He instructed him to go to Chuharkana in the present district of Gujranwala, and buy there salt, turmeric, and other articles to trade with. Nanak set out with a servant, and on the way met some holy men, whose vows obliged them to remain naked in all seasons. Nanak was struck with this peculiarity, and inquired of their head-priest Santren if they had no clothes to wear, or if, having clothes, they found it uncomfortable to