Thus shall thy lamp burn without oil.

Make such a light, and thou shalt find the Lord.

When God's words leave an impression on man

And service is performed, happiness is obtained.

All worlds come and go:

While abiding in this world perform worship;

Thus shalt thou obtain a seat in God's court,

And, saith Nanak, triumphantly swing thine arm.'

Mian Mitha then put to the Guru the question contained in the first line of the following hymn. He also inquired the condition of the souls of the wicked after death. The Guru replied as follows:--

'My brother, salam alaikum! for God's sake tell the truth; how shall man obtain distinction in God's court?'

As man soweth so shall he reap; he shall eat what he obtaineth from the Commander.

Nanak, without the true Name man shall be bound and endure suffering.

Praise be to the Creator; when man goeth down to the wretched dark grave, God's power shall be manifested.

The angels, the heralds of the Almighty, shall come with His orders.

They shall hold quivers, maces, battle-axes, two-edged swords, bows,

Lances, and shields made of fire; and put chains on men's necks.

By God's order they shall bind and lead away the back biter as well as the man without a priest.

Nanak, the true Name, the source of consolation in this last age, shall procure man's acceptance in God's court.

Ye fear lions, jackals, and snakes; but they shall make their dwellings in your graves.

Oxen shall root up your graves, and even your enemies' hatred of you shall cool.

[1. Sri Râg.]

{p. 125}

Brethren, friends, and lovers read the fatiha,[1] and say prayers for the departed.

Nanak, such things are false, and God alone is true.

The sinners who have committed transgressions are bound and led away.

Their luggage of sins is so heavy that they cannot lift it.

The steep road ahead is dark, while the executioner walketh behind them.

In front is a sea of fire; how shall they cross it?

Ravens stand on men's skulls, and peck at them fast as a shower of sparks.

Nanak, where shall man escape when the punishment is by God's order?

The eyes of the sinful shall be torn out; they shall be come blind, and terrible darkness prevail.

Their ears shall be pressed as if they were the sockets of oil-presses,[2] and storms of filth shall assail their noses.

Their tongues shall be cut out for breaking their promises and forgetting the True One.

They shall cry aloud when their skulls are burning in the fire.

No one can save the ignorant man who is covetous and hath no priest;

But they whose demerits are pardoned through their merits shall be, O Nanak, of the elect.