Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 1.djvu/255

Rh Father, by quaffing the divine juice the mind becometh intoxicated and easily absorbed in God’s love. I have arranged to fix my attention on God day and night, and heard the unbeaten sound. God is true, His cup is pure; He giveth it to drink to him on whom He casteth a favouring glance. Why should he who dealeth in nectar feel love for paltry wine? The Guru’s word is a nectar-speech; by drinking it man becometh acceptable. When man performeth service at God’s gate to obtain a sight of Him, what careth he for salvation or paradise? He who is dyed with God’s praises never loveth the world, and loseth not his life in the game. Saith Nanak, hear, Jogi Bharthari, I am intoxicated with the nectareous stream.

The Jogis inquired if he lived by begging. The Guru replied, ‘Why should he who is absorbed in the Formless go to beg alms?’ They then asked if he were an Udasi or hermit. The Guru replied:—

He who taketh the sword of knowledge and wrestleth with his heart; Who knoweth the secrets of the ten organs of action and perception and of the five evil passions; Who can knot divine knowledge to his mind; Who maketh pilgrimage on each of the three hundred and sixty days of the year; Who washeth the filth of pride from his heart— Nanak saith, he is a hermit.