Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 1.djvu/208

112 rebeck. Mardana replied that he could not do so, as he was holding a horse. The Guru bade him utter ’Wah Guru’ and let go the horse. Mardana obeyed and played the Rag Asa, to which the Guru sang the following hymn:—

They who wore beautiful tresses and the partings of whose hair were dyed with vermilion,

Have their locks now shorn with the scissors, and dust is thrown upon their heads.

They dwelt in their private chambers; now they cannot find a seat in public

Hail, Father! hail!

Primal Being, Thy limit is not known; Thou makest and beholdest the different phases of existence When they were married, they appeared beautiful near their spouses;

They came in their sedans adorned with ivory ;

Water was waved round their heads, and glittering fans over them.

They had hundreds of thousands waiting on them sitting, and hundreds of thousands waiting on them standing.

Eating coco-nuts and dates they sported on their couches ; But now chains are on their necks, and broken are their strings of pearls.

The wealth and beauty which afforded them pleasure have now become their bane.

The order was given to the soldiers to take and dishonour them.

If it please God, He giveth greatness; and if it please Him, He giveth punishment.

If they had thought of Him before, why should they have received punishment ?

But they had lost all thought of God in joys, in spectacles, and in pleasures.

When Babar’s rule was proclaimed no Pathan prince ate his food.