4. The Hindus believe this is Eko aham, bahu syâm, one, let Me become many.

5. Literally--repetitions of God's, name. Here the word is used by metonymy for those who repeat God's name.]

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Numberless Thy Jogis whose hearts are indifferent to the world;

Numberless the saints who ponder on Thine attributes and divine knowledge;

Numberless Thy true men; numberless Thine almsgivers

Numberless Thy heroes who face the steel of their enemies;

Numberless Thy silent worshippers who lovingly fix their thoughts upon Thee.

What power have I to describe Thee?

So lowly am I, that I cannot even once be a sacrifice unto Thee.

Whatever pleaseth Thee is good.

O Formless One, Thou art ever secure.

XVIII

Numberless are the fools appallingly blind

Numberless are the thieves and devourers of others' property;

Numberless those who establish their sovereignty by force;[1]

Numberless the cut-throats and murderers

Numberless the sinners who pride themselves on committing sin;

Numberless the liars who roam about lying;

Numberless the filthy[2] who enjoy filthy gain

Numberless the slanderers who carry loads of calumny, on their heads

Nanak thus describeth the degraded.

So lowly am I, I cannot even once be a sacrifice unto Thee.

Whatever pleaseth Thee is good.

O Formless One, Thou art ever Secure.

[1. Also translated--Numberless are those who issue oppressive orders.

2. Malechh. Whose desires are filthy, and who are deemed the lowest of the low, complete outcasts. In the Guru's time the word malechh was applied by Hindus as a term of opprobrium to Muhammadans. The Hindus still apply it to all who are not of their own persuasion.]

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XIX

Numberless Thy names, and numberless Thy places.

Completely beyond reach are Thy numberless worlds.

Numberless they who repeat Thy name with all the strength of their intellects.[1]

By letters[2] we repeat Thy name, by letters we praise Thee

By letters we acquire divine knowledge, and sing Thy praises and Thine attributes,

By letters we write and utter the word[3] of God;

By the letters recorded on man's head his destiny is declared.

He who inscribeth them on others, beareth them not on His own head.

As He ordaineth, so shall man obtain.

As great Thy creation, O God, so great is Thy fame

There is no place without Thy name.

What power have I to describe Thee

So lowly am I, that I cannot even once be a sacrifice unto Thee.

Whatever pleaseth Thee is good.

O Formless One, Thou art ever secure.

XX

When the hands, feet, and other members of the body are covered with filth,

It is removed by washing with water.

When thy clothes are polluted,