Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 2.djvu/79

Rh years. When he came of age his father died, leaving him considerable wealth. This he increased by his industry, while at the same time he relieved every case of distress brought before him, and became famous for his charities. Lal means a ruby. The Guru on hearing his name said, ‘Lalo Har rang rangia gaya,’ an expression which may be either translated—Lalo is imbued with God's love, or—the ruby glows with every colour. Lalo on receiving instruction and initiation became a ruby or gem of the Guru. He used to visit him on the first day of every month. When returning home he always took with him one or two Sikhs. These he would bring back on the occasion of his next monthly visit, and then take one or two others to accompany him. By means of these relays of earnest Sikhs he preserved his orthodoxy and his connexion with the Guru.

During one of Bhai Lalo's visits the Guru complimented him on his great public benefactions. Then, patting him on the forehead, the Guru said that he had invested him with spiritual power and sanctity. On thus receiving the approbation of the Guru, Bhai Lalo returned home for the last time, and there continued to exercise the humility and generosity for which he had been previously so distinguished.

A Khatri named Mahesha of Sultanpur also sought the Guru's protection and permission to sit at his feet. The Guru initiated him into the Sikh religion and taught him its tenets. A short time afterwards Mahesha lost all his wealth, but not his faith in the Guru. On the Guru's intercession God restored him all his property, and granted him the priceless boon of salvation.

The Guru preached lessons of forgiveness and endurance, but his enemies only returned evil for the favours he had intended them. Their slander, however, was to him like a rain shower which, though it might cause a mud wall to crumble down, Rh