Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 2.djvu/72

60 tained audience, they interrogated him on religious matters, and he resolved their doubts. In such benevolent and engrossing duties and in the peace and tranquillity he enjoyed, the Guru took no account of the flight of time.

It is related that, though the greatest delicacies were served from his kitchen, the Guru himself lived on coarse food, and observed the most ascetic habits. He used sometimes to consult the Veds, the Shastars, and the Purans, but they offered him no spiritual consolation. He thus expressed his

At this stage of their history, when the Sikhs met they treated one another affectionately, and saluted one another with God's name. All who came to receive the Guru's instruction sat in a line and ate together. Even they who had not previously accepted the divine message, were allowed free access to the Guru, and partook of his hospitality.

The inhabitants of Goindwal daily increased and the city extended itself owing to the number of those who sought the Guru's spiritual advice and instruction. There then arose a difficulty in procuring timber for the construction of houses, and a deputation waited on the Guru to represent the matter. The Guru ordered his nephew Sawan Mal to proceed to Haripur in the Kangra district to cut down pine