Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 2.djvu/80

68 would only cleanse a mountain's side. When Goindwal rose to importance some Muhammadan dignitaries settled there. Blinded by authority and wealth, they deemed every one inferior to themselves. They could not tolerate the fame of the Guru, and caused him every form of annoyance, but, so far from desiring to take revenge, he used to pray to heaven to soften their hearts and guide them aright. When Sikhs went to fetch water for the Guru's kitchen, Muhammadan boys were instigated to break their earthen vessels with pellets and clods. When-ever the Sikhs remonstrated, the Muhammadans assaulted them. When the Sikhs, driven to extremities, complained to the Guru, he told them, instead of fragile earthen vessels, to use goatskins which could not be so easily broken. This advice the Sikhs adopted, but the Muhammadans pierced the goatskins with arrows, and continued to harass the Sikh water-carriers as before. The Guru then counselled his people to use brass utensils. These the Muhammadans knocked off the bearers heads with bricks and stones, and drove the Sikhs almost to distraction. But, however much the Muhammadans annoyed the Sikhs and the Guru, he never uttered a harsh word, but, on the contrary, prayed that God would remove the hate and religious rancour of their hearts. His Sikhs asked how long they should bear the tyranny of the Muhammadans. The Guru replied, ‘As long as you live. It is not proper for saints to take revenge. Nay, there is no greater penance than patience, no greater happiness than contentment, no greater evil than greed, no greater virtue than mercy, and no more potent weapon than forgiveness. Whatever man soweth he shall reap. If he sow trouble, trouble shall be his harvest. If a man sow poison, he cannot expect ambrosia.’ On hearing this homily the Sikhs regained their peace of mind.

A company of armed Sanyasis arrived in Goind-