Thou art the Lord, I am Thy player; Nanak representeth, what is caste?[1]

The Guru further remonstrated with his attendant: 'We cannot succeed without God's word. Think of some hymn and play the rebeck.' Mardana replied that his throat was collapsing for want of food, and he had no strength to move, much less to play. The Guru then pointed to a tree and told him to eat his fill of its fruit, but take none with him. Mardana accordingly began to eat, and so much enjoyed the flavour of the fruit, that he thought he would eat what he could, and also take some with him, lest he might soon again find himself in a similar plight.

As they continued their wanderings, Mardana again felt hungry, so he drew forth his stock of fruit. Directly he tasted it he fell down. The Guru inquired what had happened. Mardana confessed his disobedience of his master's instructions in having brought with him and eaten some of the forbidden fruit. The Guru remonstrated with him for his disregard of orders. The fruit was poisonous, but the Guru had blessed it for the occasion and made

[1. Âsa.]

{p. 95}

it wholesome, The Guru put his foot on Mardana's forehead as he lay stretched on the ground, and he at once revived.

Next: Life Of Guru Nanak: Chapter VIII

Sikhism

« Previous: Life Of Guru Nanak: Chapter VI

Next: Life Of Guru Nanak: Chapter VIII »