Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 1.djvu/198

102 into the forest for firewood, observed the Guru and his attendant. The latter was playing his rebeck and singing the following :

Thou art the tablet, Lord, Thou art the pen, and Thou art also the writing.

Speak of the one God ; O Nanak, why should there be a second ?

Shaikh Kamal went and, after obeisance, sat down near them, and asked to have the couplet repeated. This was done, and he learned it by heart. He then took up the firewood he had collected and went home. He told his master of his adventure, and repeated the couplet for him. Shaikh Brahm was highly pleased that the Guru had again visited his country, and he promptly proceeded to welcome him. After mutual salutations, the Guru thanked God for having again granted him a sight of Shaikh Brahm. After some friendly conversation, the Shaikh asked the Guru to explain the couplet. Nanak, thou sayest, &quot; There is only one God ; why should there be a second ? &quot; I say :

&amp;lt; There is one Lord and two ways ;

Which shall I adopt, and which reject ?

The Guru replied :

There is but one Lord and one way ; Adopt one and reject the other. Why should we worship a second who is born and dieth ? Remember the one God, Nanak, who is contained in sea and land.

The Muhammadan priest then said in turn :

Tear thy coat into tatters and wear a blanket instead ;

Adopt a dress by which thou mayest obtain the Lord.

The Guru traversed this instruction : It is not