Man obtaineth honour when he knoweth God under the Guru's instruction.

Qazis, shaikhs, and faqirs in religious garbs

Call themselves great, but through pride their bodies are in pain.

Death will not release them without receiving the true Guru's consolation.

[1. According to many Hindus Vishnu was the creator of the world. From Vishnu's navel there grew a lotus from which the god Brahma was produced. Brahma on attaining . intelligence began to consider the source of his birth. It could not be from such an insignificant thing as a lotus. He rejected the idea and kicked the lotus at the same time, whereupon he descended into it and remained long wandering in its stem until he repented of his error. He then rose to the top where he sat enthroned as before.

2 Literally--draw within Himself. Creation is God's extension; destruction, His contraction.]

{p. 301}

The net of Death is over man's tongue and eyes;

It is over his ears when he listeneth to unchaste language.

He is robbed day and night without the Word.

Death cannot espy him in whose heart

God's true -name dwelleth, and who singeth God's praises--

Nanak, the pious shall be absorbed in the Word.

A prayer to God for protection:--

As a herdsman guardeth and keepeth watch over his cattle,

So God day and night cherisheth and guardeth man and keepeth him in happiness.

O Thou compassionate to the poor, I seek Thy protection; look on me with favour.

Preserve me in this world and the next.

Wherever I look there art Thou contained; guard me, O Guardian.

Thou art the Giver, Thou art the Enjoyer, Thou art the support of the soul.

Man must supplement his prayers by good acts:--

Without meditating on divine knowledge man ascendeth or descendeth according to his acts.

Without praising the Lord of the world the darkness of ignorance shall not be dispelled.

We see that the world is perishing through covetousness and pride.

By serving the Guru, God and the true gate of salvation are attained.

What hath man brought into the world? What shall he take away when he is entangled in Death's noose?

Like a well-bucket firmly attached to a rope, he is now in heaven, now in hell.

A spiritual guide is necessary for salvation:--

His account is settled who through the Guru's favour knoweth God.

God, called the Pure One, who is in every heart, is my Lord.

{p. 302}

Man shall not be emancipated without the Guru's instruction; see and ponder upon this.

Even though man performed hundreds of thousands of ceremonies, all would still be darkness without the Guru.

What shall we say to those who are blind and devoid of wisdom?

Without the Guru the way cannot be seen; how shall we reach the goal?