Shaikh Brahm remarked that it was difficult for those who attached themselves to mammon to obtain salvation, and inquired what aid besides God's name was ordinarily necessary for future happiness. The Guru replied with the following hymn:--

The union of father and mother produceth a body,

On which the Creator hath written its destiny,

The gifts, the divine lights, and the greatness allotted it;

But on associating with mammon it loseth remembrance of God.

O foolish man, why art thou proud?

Thou shalt have to depart when it pleaseth the Lord.

Abandon pleasures, and peace and happiness shall be thine.

Thou shalt have to leave thy home; no one is permanent here.

Eat a little and leave a little,

If thou art again to return to this world.[1]

Man decketh his body, dresseth it in silk,

And issueth many orders;

He maketh a couch of ease and sleepeth thereon.

Why weepeth he when he falleth into the hands of Death?[2]

Domestic entanglements are a whirlpool, O brother

Sin is a stone which floateth not over.

Put thy soul on the raft of God's fear, and thou shalt be saved.

Saith Nanak, such a raft God giveth but to few.[3]

Then the people brought them bread, but Shaikh Brahm said that he had already dined. The people, annoyed that their offerings were thus spurned, said

[1. That is, to practise great economy would be useless for him who is not to return to this world.

2. If man disregard the present opportunity of doing good works, why should he afterwards weep when Death seizes him for punishment?

3. Mâru.]

{p. 92}

to him: 'You must be a liar from that country where Farid, who wore a wooden cake on his stomach, held religious sway. Whenever any one offered him food he used to say he had taken dinner.'[1] Upon this Shaikh Brahm said: 'What shall be my condition, who am ever saying that I have dined, when I am only fasting?' The Guru was pleased to observe the Shaikh's tender conscience, and said to him: 'Shaikh Brahm, God is in thee.' The Shaikh then asked the Guru to tell him of God, and by what virtues and merits He was to be found. The Guru replied as follows:--

Come, my sisters and dear companions, embrace me.

Having embraced me, tell me tales of the Omnipotent Spouse.

In the true Lord are all merits, in- us all demerits.

O Creator, every one is in Thy power.

Meditate on the one Word; where Thou, O God, art, what more is required?

Go ask the happy wife by what merits she enjoyeth her Spouse-

'Composure, contentment, and sweet discourse are mine ornaments.

'I met my Beloved, who is an abode of pleasure, when I heard the Guru's word.'

How great, O God, is Thy power! how great Thy gifts!

How many men and lower animals utter Thy praises day and night!