The Sikh Religion, Volume 1
Life Of Guru Nanak: Chapter IV

Women, men, kings, and emperors spring from flesh.

If they appear to you to be going to hell, then accept not their offerings.

See how wrong it would be that givers should go to hell and receivers to heaven.

Thou understandest not thyself, yet thou instructest others; O Pandit, thou art very wise![1]

O Pandit, thou knowest not from what flesh hath sprung.

Corn, sugar-cane, and cotton are produced from water;[2] from water the three worlds are deemed to have sprung.

Water saith, 'I am good in many ways'; many are the modifications of water.

If thou abandon the relish of such things, thou shalt be superhuman, saith Nanak deliberately.[3]

The Guru succeeded in making many converts at Kurkhetar. When departing, he thus addressed his Sikhs: 'Live in harmony, utter the Creator's name, and if any one salute you therewith, return his salute with the addition true, and say "Sat Kartar ", the True Creator, in reply. There are four ways by which, with the repetition of God's name, men may reach Him. The first is holy companionship, the second truth, the third contentment, and the fourth restraint of the senses. By whichsoever of these

[1. Said ironically.

2 Water assists the growth of vegetables, and on vegetables animals are fed.

3 Mâlar ki Wâr.]

{p. 50}

doors a man entereth, whether he be a hermit or a householder, he shall find God.'

The Guru next visited Hardwar in pursuance of his mission. A great crowd was assembled from the four cardinal points for the purpose of washing away their sins. The Guru saw that, while they were cleansing their bodies, their hearts remained filthy; and none of them restrained the wanderings of his mind or performed his ablutions with love and devotion. While they were throwing water towards the east for the manes of their ancestors, the Guru went among them, and, putting his hands together so as to form a cup, began to throw water towards the west, and continued to do so until a large crowd had gathered round him. Men in their astonishment began to inquire what he was doing, and whether he was a Hindu or Muhammadan. If the latter, why had he come to a Hindu place of pilgrimage? If he were a Hindu, why should he throw water towards the west instead of towards the rising sun? And who had taught him to do so? In reply, the Guru asked them why they threw water towards the east. To whom were they offering it, and who was to receive it? They replied that they were offering libations to the manes of their ancestors. It would satisfy them, and be a source of happiness to themselves.