'My Spouse cometh not home; I am dying with the pang of separation; the flash of the lightning terrifieth me.

'I am alone on my couch and greatly grieved; O mother, my pain is as bad as death.

'Say how can sleep and appetite come to me without God? Raiment affordeth my body no comfort.'

[1. God, in the sense that He loves not the sinner, The word Bairâgi

ordinarily means a man without love for the world. The Bairâgis now

form a special sect who worship Vishnu and wear sacrificial threads. They are distinguished from the Sanyâsis who worship Shiv and dispense with sacrificial threads.

2. We are obliged here to take a liberty with the word bhala, which

means good.

3. After the summer solstice.]

{p. 142}

Nanak, she is the happy wife who is embraced by her beloved Spouse.

In the month of Bhadon woman in the bloom of youth is led astray by doubt, but afterwards repenteth.

The lakes and the meadows are filled with water; it is the rainy season--the time for pleasure.

It raineth during the dark night; how can the young wife have comfort without her mate? Frogs and peacocks are croaking.

'Prio, prio' crieth the chatrik; serpents go abroad biting;

Mosquitoes sting; lakes are filled to the brim; how shall man obtain comfort without God?

Nanak, I will ask my Guru and go where the Lord is.

In Assu come, O Beloved; the wife is pining and dying for Thee.

Man can meet the Lord when He granteth him an interview; but love of mammon ruineth him.

When woman is spoiled by falsehood, her husband putteth her away; then bloom the kukah and the kahi reeds.[1]

The heat is over, the cool season is approaching; on seeing this my mind is uneasy.[2]

On all sides the trees are green and verdant; that which slowly ripeneth is sweet.

Nanak, the true Guru hath become my mediator; may I meet my Beloved in Assu!

In Kartik what pleaseth God is recorded in man's destiny.

The lamp which is lit by divine knowledge easily burneth.

Love is the oil of the lamp; the woman and her Beloved have met;[3] she is overwhelmed with delight.

She whom sin killeth shall not be acceptable at her death, while she whom virtue killeth shall really die.[4]

God hath given His name and service to those who dwell in their own homes; ever their prayer is--

[1. Kukâh is supposed to be the Saccharum munja, and kâhi the Saccharum spontaneum.

2. That is, so much time has passed away, that I fear I shall never meet my Beloved.

3. Guided by the lamp's light.

4. Shall not suffer transmigration.]

{p. 143}

Meet us, O God, and open the doors of our understanding; otherwise one hour shall be as six months.'

The month of Maghar is pleasant for those who are blended with God's person by singing His praises.