Life Of Guru Nanak: Chapter XIV | Internet Sacred Text Archive

Sikhism

CHAPTER XIV

The Guru continued his journey to the north He wore leather on his feet and on his head, twisted a rope round his body, and on his forehead stamped a saffron tilak. He was accompanied by Hassu, a smith, and Sihan, a calico-printer. The party went as far as Srinagar in Kashmir, where they stayed some time and made many converts.

Brahm Das was then the most eminent of the Kashmiri pandits. On hearing of the Guru's arrival, he went to pay him a formal visit. The better to impress the Guru with his piety and learning, he wore an idol suspended from his neck, and took with him two loads of Sanskrit books. On seeing the Guru's dress he said, 'Is that the sort of faqir thou art? Why wearest thou leather, which is unclean? Why twistest thou a rope round thy body? Why hast thou abandoned the observances of thy religion? And why eatest thou flesh and fish?' The Guru, not paying much attention to these impertinent questions, thus unburdened him self of the thoughts which filled his mind:--

There is but one road,. one door; the Guru is the ladder to reach one's home.

Beautiful is God; Nanak, all happiness is in His name.

[1. Âsa.]

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PAURI

God Himself created and recognized His creation.

He separated the earth from the sky and spread a canopy over it.

He fixed the heavens without pillars by the utterance of it word.

Having created the sun and moon, He infused His light into them.

He made the wonderful play of night and day.

Pilgrimage, religion, meditation, and bathing on holy days-

None of these is equal to Thee, O God; how can I describe Thee?

Thou sittest on a true throne; all else are subject to birth and death.

After a pause the Guru again burst forth in God's praises:--

Thou, O God, who didst diffuse truth, art the truest of the true.

Thou sittest in an attitude of contemplation concealed in the lotus of the heart.

Brahma called himself great, but he found not Thy limit.

Thou hast no father or mother; who begot Thee?

Thou art devoid of all form, outline, or caste.

Thou feelest not hunger or thirst; Thou art satisfied and satiated.

The great God is contained in Himself, and hath diffused His word.

They who are satisfied with the True One are absorbed in Him.[1]

Brahm Das then recognizing the Guru's piety and genius fell at his feet, and asked him what existed before creation? The Guru in reply uttered the following hymn known as Solaha[2] in Rag Maru:--

[1. Malâr ki Wâr.

2. A hymn containing sixteen stanzas.]

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In the beginning[1] there was indescribable darkness;

Then was not earth or heaven, naught but God's unequalled order.