Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 1.djvu/247

Rh They spread out their ordure, they inhale its smell, they are shy to look at water; They have their heads plucked like sheep; the pluckers’ hands are smeared with ashes— They spoil the occupations of their parents; their families weep and wail for them. They give not their deceased relations lamps or perform their last rites, or place anywhere barley rolls and leaves for them. The sixty-eight places of pilgrimage grant them no access; the Brahmans will not eat their food. They are ever filthy day and night; they have no sacrificial marks on their foreheads. They ever sit close as if they were at a wake, and they enter no assembly. They hold cups in their hands; they have brooms by their sides; they walk in single file. They are not Jogis, or Jangams, or Qazis, or Mullas. God hath ruined them; they go about despised; their words are like curses. God killeth and restoreth animals to life; none else may preserve them. The Jains make not gifts or perform ablutions; dust lighteth on their plucked heads. From water gems arose when Meru was made the churning staff. The gods appointed the sixty-eight places of pilgrimages, and holy days were fixed accordingly by their orders.