Guru Nanak journeyed on and arrived in Dihli. An elephant belonging to the reigning sovereign Ibrahim Lodi had just died; and the keepers, regretting the loss of the animal whose service had afforded them maintenance, were bewailing its death. The Guru inquired whose the elephant was. They replied in Oriental fashion, that it was the Emperor's, but that all things belonged to God. The Guru said. that the elephant was alive, and bade them go and rub its forehead with their hands, and say at the same time, 'Wah Guru'--hail to the Guru![1] It is said that the elephant stood up to the astonishment of all. The Emperor, having received information of the miracle, sent for the animal, mounted it, and went to the Guru, and asked if it was he who had restored it to life. The Guru replied, 'God is the only Destroyer and Re-animater. Prayers are for faqirs, and mercy for Him.' The monarch then asked, if the elephant were killed would the Guru again restore it. The Guru, not wishing to be treated as an itinerant showman, replied:--

It is He (pointing on high) who destroyeth and destroying re-animateth;

Nanak, there is none but the one God.

The animal then died, the inference of the chroniclers being that it died at the will of the Guru, as it had been previously called to life by him. The Emperor ordered him to again revivify it. The Guru replied, 'Hail to your Majesty! Iron when heated in the fire becometh red, and cannot be held for a moment in the hand. In the same way faqirs

[1. Wâhguru generally means God. We here merely give its apparent meaning.]

{p. 57}

become red in the heat of God's love, and cannot be constrained.' The Monarch, it is said, was pleased at this reply, and requested the Guru to accept a present from him. The Guru replied:--

Nanak is hungry for God, and careth for naught besides. I ask for God, I ask for nothing else.

The king returned to his palace, and the Guru continued his wanderings.

The Guru next proceeded to Bindraban, where he saw enacted the play called Krishanlila, in which the exploits of Krishan[1] are represented. Krishan appears making love to milkmaids, stealing their clothes while they were bathing, and killing his uncle Kans. The Guru expressed his dissatisfaction with the subject of the performance

The disciples play, the gurus dance,

Shake their feet, and roll their heads.

Dust flieth and falleth on their hair;

The audience seeing it laugh and go home.

For the sake of food the performers beat time,

And dash themselves on the ground.

The milkmaids sing, Krishans sing,

Sitas and royal Rams sing.

Fearless is the Formless One, whose name is true,

And whose creation is the whole world.

The worshippers on whom God bestoweth kindness worship Him;

Pleasant is the night for those who long for Him in their hearts.