Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 1.djvu/234

138 perversely do the very reverse. These vices—envy, pride, slander, and obstinacy—belong to the perverse. Relinquish them, acting as trees do when they drop their leaves in autumn.'

The Guru was asked why the words Sat Nam—the True Name—were always written as an introduction to his hymns. He replied, 'The Name is the God of all gods. Some propitiate Durga, some Shiv, some Ganesh, and some other gods; but the Guru's Sikhs worship the True Name and thus remove all obstacles to salvation. Accordingly, the prefatory words, the True Name, are written in all compositions.' It was here the Guru composed his poem on the Twelve Months of the year. The description is of course suited to the climate of the Panjab, his native country. We here give a translation in extenso :—

Hear Thou, O God—according to men s acts in previous states of existence The weal or woe which Thougivest to each individual is just. O God, the Creation is Thine; what is my condition? I cannot live for a moment without Thee. I am miserable without my Beloved; I have no friend; yet from the Guru's instruction I drink nectar. The Formless One continueth His creation; to obey God is the best of human acts.