Nanak saith, I am Thy slave, and the dust of the feet of Thy servants.[3]

The high priest then asked the Guru to tell him the composition of matter, the nature of the God he adored, how He was to be found, and in what consisted the essence of his religion. The Guru replied again in the Persian language:--

Know that according to the Musalmans everything is produced from air, fire, water, and earth;

But the pure God created the world out of five elements.[4]

However high man may leap, he shall fall on the earth again.

Even though a bird fly, it cannot compete in endurance with the torrent and the wind which move by God's will.

How great shall I call God? to whom shall I go to in quire regarding Him?

[1. Azrâil is frequently mentioned in the. Sikh sacred writings. In the Muhammadan dispensation be is. the minister of Death who separates men's souls from their bodies by violently tearing them asunder. The Qurân, Sûras 32 and 79.

2. Takbîr is understood to be for the Arabic taqdîr, destiny.

3. Tilang.

4. Akâsh, or ether, being the fifth.]

{p. 179}

He is the greatest of the great, and great is His world men depart in their pride.[1]

I have consulted the four Veds, but these writings find not God's limits.

I have consulted the four books of the Muhammadans, but God s worth is not described in them.

I have consulted the nine regions of the earth; one improveth upon what the other saith.

Having turned my heart into a boat, I have searched in every sea;

I have dwelt by rivers and streams, and bathed at the sixty-eight places of pilgrimage;

I have lived among the forests and glades of the three worlds and eaten bitter and sweet;

I have seen the seven nether regions and heavens upon heavens.

And I, Nanak, say man shall be true to his faith if he fear God and do good works.[1]

In due time the Guru proceeded to Madina, where he vanquished the Muhammadan priests in argument. Thence he journeyed to Baghdad, and took up his position outside the city. He shouted the call to prayer, on which the whole population became wrapt in silent astonishment.[2] The high priest of Baghdad, on meeting face to face the enthusiastic stranger, inquired who he was and to what sect he belonged. The Guru replied, 'I have appeared in this age to indicate the way unto men. I reject all sects, and only know one God, whom I recognize in the earth, the heavens, and in all directions.'

Upon this the Guru began to repeat the Japji. As the high priest listened to its doctrines he said, 'This is a very impious faqir. He is working

[1. Banno's Granth Sâhib.

2 It is certain that the Guru omitted the words Muhammad ar rasûl Allah of the creed, and substituted Arabic words of a similar sound to express his own ideas. Hence the astonishment of the people.]

{p. 180}