Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 1.djvu/231

Rh I abide in the Name, and the Name abideth in my heart.

Without the Guru all is darkness ; without the Word nothing can be known.

By the Guru s instruction light shineth, and man con- tinueth to love the True One.

Death entereth not where the soul s light is blended with God s.

Thou, God, art the Friend ; Thou art wise ; it is Thou who unitest men with Thee.

Under the Guru s instruction, O man, praise Him who hath no end or limit.

Death entereth not where there is the incomparable Word of the Guru.

By God s order all sentient beings were produced ; by God s order they perform their functions.

By God s order they are in the power of death ; by God s order they are absorbed in the True One.

Nanak, what pleaseth God shall happen ; there is nothing whatever in the power of His creatures. 1

The boy to whom the above hymn was addressed was subsequently known as Bhai Budha on account of the complimentary expression of the Guru. He was held in such high estimation that he was commissioned to confer the tilaks or patches of Guruship on the first five successors of Guru Nanak.

Kalu with all his people proceeded to where his son the Guru had fixed his habitation. Sikh societies then began to be formed. The Guru took off his extraordinary costume and dressed in a more con ventional manner. With a cloth around his waist, a sheet over his shoulder, and a turban on his head, he looked the impersonation of holiness. The string of his fame rose to heaven, it was said, like that of a kite. Every one addressed him, 'Hail, Nanak ! a great saint hath been born in the world.

1 Sri Rag, Ashtapadi.