So God is pleasing beyond all others to those who are imbued with their Lord.[1]

I am a sacrifice, I would be cut in pieces, O Lord, for Thy name.

The Lord is a fruit-bearing tree whose name is ambrosia.

They who have partaken of it are satisfied; I am a sacrifice unto them.

Why appearest Thou not unto me, O Lord, since Thou abidest with all?

[1. These two lines are also translated--

If drunkards obtain not stimulants, and fishes, water, they are pleased with nothing else,

So all who are imbued with their Lord are content with none but Him.

]

{p. 97}

How shall my thirst abate when there is a screen between the Tank[1]and me?

Nanak is Thy dealer; Thou O Lord, art his capital.

Illusion leaveth my mind when I praise and pray to Thee.[2]

His mother placed before Nanak the new clothes and sweets she had brought for him, and asked him to eat. He said he required no food. His mother inquired where he had eaten. He again called on Mardana to play an accompaniment to the following hymn:--

To obey God's word is all sweet flavour; to hear it is salt flavour;

To utter it with the mouth is acid flavour, and to sing it is spices.

The love of the one God is thirty-six dishes[3] for those on whom He looketh with favour.

O mother, other viands afford ruinous happiness

By eating them the body is pained, and sin entereth the mind.

His mother asked him to take off the faqir's jacket he wore, and put on the new becoming clothes, she had brought him. His reply was the following:--

To be imbued with God is as red, truth and charity as white clothing;

To cut away the blackness of sin is blue, to meditate on God's feet is the real raiment;

Contentment is the waistband Thy name, O Lord, is wealth and youth.

Mother, other dress affordeth ruinous happiness

By putting it on, the body is pained and sin entereth the mind.

By this time his father Kalu had heard of Nanak's arrival, and went on horseback to meet him. Nanak

[1. God.

2. Wadhans.

3. Indian gourmets enumerate thirty-six palatable dishes.]

{p. 98}

bowed to him, and fell at his feet. Meantime Kalu continued to weep for joy. He asked his son to mount the horse on which he had come, and go home with him. Nanak replied that he had no need of a horse, and then sang the following:--

To know Thy way, O God, is as horses with saddles made of gold.

To pursue virtue is as quivers, arrows, bows, spears, and sword-belts.

To be honourably distinguished is as bands and lances Thy favour, O God, is as caste for me.

Father, other conveyance affordeth ruinous happiness

By mounting it the body is pained, and sin entereth the mind.