Through the Guru man obtaineth real life, and through the Guru man departeth to God's home.

Nanak, through the Guru man is absorbed in the True One; through the Guru man obtaineth the special dignity of deliverance.[1]

On the same occasion the Guru composed the following:--

They who forget the Name go astray in worldly love and superstition;

They let go the stem and cling to the branches; what shall they obtain? Ashes.

How can man be saved without the Name? If any one know, let him tell it.

If man be holy he shall be saved; the perverse shall lose their honour.

Perfect is the wisdom of those who serve the one God.

Servants of God, take shelter in Him who was in the beginning, in every age, and who is the Bright One.

My Lord is one; there is none other, my brethren.

By the favour of the True One happiness is obtained.

Without the Guru no one hath obtained God, however much the matter be debated.

He Himself showeth the way and fixeth true devotion in the heart.

Even though thou advise the perverse man, he will still go to the wilderness;

But without God's name he shall not be saved; he shall die and go to hell.

He who repeateth not God's name shall wander in birth and death.

God's worth cannot be known without serving the true Guru.

Whatever service God causeth men to do, that will be done.

It is God Himself who acteth; whom besides shall I mention? God beholdeth His own greatness.

He whom God inspireth serveth the Guru.

[1. Prabhâti.]

{p. 150}

Nanak, they who give their lives shall be saved, and shall obtain honour in God's court.[1]

The Guru arrived at a Saravagi or Jain temple, which was much frequented. Narbhi, the Jain priest, went with his disciple to visit him. The Jains attach an exaggerated value to life in every form. The Jain priest heard that the Guru had not the same tender scruples on the subject, and began to catechize him. 'Eatest thou old or new corn? (that is, dost thou eat corn with worms in it or not?) 'Drinkest thou cold water; shakest thou the trees of the forest to eat their fruit? Who is thy guru, and what power hath he to pardon thee since thou violatest all rules and destroyest life?' The Guru in reply uttered the following pauri:--

When the True Guru is merciful, faith is perfected.

When the True Guru is merciful, man shall never grieve.

When the True Guru is merciful, man shall know no sorrow.

When the True Guru is merciful, man shall enjoy divine pleasure.

When the True Guru is merciful, what fear hath man of Death?

When the True Guru is merciful he ever bestoweth happiness.

When the True Guru is merciful, man obtaineth the nine treasures.[2]

When the Guru is merciful, man is absorbed in the True One.[3]