Abide the bitterness of the gourd, the colocynth, and the nim, and the poison of the akk[1] and dhatura.

[1. Caloptropis procera.]

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Nanak, to whom shall I tell it? Whoso forget Thee wander bereft of Thy favour, O God.

The unequal conditions of men:--

The bird, man, by his ideas and his acts sometimes flieth high and sometimes low,[1]

He sometimes percheth on a sandal-tree, sometimes on the branch of the akk-shrub, and sometimes again he loveth high flight.

Nanak saith, it is the custom of the Lord to lead all beings by His order.

Women's duty:--

If women adorn themselves with love and affection for their Spouse,

They shall not be restrained from their devotion to Him day or night.

They shall abide in His chambers, and the Word shall regenerate them;

They shall humbly supplicate the True One;

And they shall appear beautiful near their Spouse, walking according to His order.

They shall make hearty supplication to the Beloved.

Accursed the homes, wretched the lives of those who possess not the Word.

They whose hopes are fulfilled by the Word quaff nectar.

The Guru was requested to state the extent of his love of devotion:--

The desert is not satisfied with rain, and the hunger of fire is not appeased;

Kings are not satisfied with dominion; who hath ever filled the ocean?

How much hath Nanak inquired after the True Name, and not been satisfied!

Bhai Rama of Sultanpur inquired how God was known. The Guru replied --

He to whom God giveth understanding understandeth;

[1. Literally--is sometimes exalted and sometimes debased.]

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He to whom He giveth knowledge knoweth everything.

Man merely worrieth himself when he preacheth for the sake of mammon.

The Commander, who created all things,

Himself possesseth all knowledge.

He Himself, Nanak, spoke the Word--

Doubt shall depart from him to whom He gave it.

The Guru's reward for singing God's praises:--

Me, a minstrel out of work, God applieth to His work;

He ordered me in the beginning to sing His praises night and day.

The Master summoned the minstrel to His true court,

And put on him a robe of true praise and eulogy:

He then obtained the ambrosial food of the true Name.

They who have eaten under the Guru's instruction are satisfied, and have obtained comfort.

The minstrel uttereth praise and singeth the Word.

Nanak, he who uttereth true praise obtaineth the Perfect One.

RAG GAURI

The advantages resulting from the fear of God:--

The fear of God is very great and very heavy.

Man's wisdom is of little account, and so is his chatter.

Walk with the load of fear on thy head;

Meditate on the Guru who is kind and merciful.