With clasped hands the woman prayeth that she may night and day be steeped in God's love.

Nanak, the Beloved and His spouse unite in dalliance; my desires have been fulfilled.

{p. 304}

RAG ASA

The Creator bestows good gifts:--

If a beggar at God's gate cry aloud, God heareth him in His palace.

God may give him consolation or repulse him; He alone bestoweth greatness.

God knoweth man's virtues and inquireth not his caste; in the next world there is no caste.

God acteth Himself and causeth to act.

Thou, O Creator, payest heed to man's complaints.

Since it is Thou alone who actest,

Why should we be dependent on any but Thee?

What is the world to us?

Thou Thyself didst create; Thou Thyself dost bestow;

Thou forbiddest evil inclinations.

If Thou by the Guru's favour dwell in the heart,

Suffering and the darkness of ignorance shall depart therefrom.

Thou givest truth to those whom Thou lovest

Thou givest truth to none besides.

If Thou give truth to any one, saith Nanak, there shall be no inquiry made of him hereafter.

The following was addressed to a votary of Krishan, who was. worshipping his god with music and dancing:--

Make understanding thy fife, the love of God thy drum

By these joy and earnest desire are ever produced in the heart.

This is devotion; this is austerity-

In this wise dance beating time with thy feet.

Deem knowing how to praise God as beating time:

Other dances are sensuous pleasures.

Play truth and contentment as thy pair of cymbals

Make the perpetual vision of God the bells for thy feet

Make love for none but God thy measures and songs

In this wise, dance beating time with thy feet.

{p. 305}

Ever make the fear of God in thy heart and sour,

Whether sitting or standing, thy gyrations.

Make the knowledge that thy body is ashes thy recumbent posture [1]--

In this wise dance beating time with thy feet.

Thine audience shall be the disciples who love instruction,

Who hear the true Name from the Guru's lips,

And repeat it again and again-

Nanak, in this wise dance beating time with thy feet.

The following was intended to show God's superiority to His creatures Ram and Krishan, who are now adored as gods by the Hindus:--

God having created the atmosphere supported the whole earth and set bounds to water and fire.

The fatuous Rawan[2] had his ten heads cut off; what greatness was obtained by slaying him?

What praise of Thine, O God, shall be uttered?

Thou pervadest everything; Thou lovest all Thy creatures.

Having created living beings, Thou holdest their ways in Thy hand. What greatness was obtained by putting a nose-ring on the black serpent of the Jamna?[3]