Nanak, this is the state of this degenerate age,

That men only speak of themselves and think themselves the best.

The following is also a satire on Brahmans, Muhammadan priests, and Jogis.--

A Brahman goeth to the house of a Hindu,

Readeth texts, and putteth the sacrificial thread on a boy's neck.

If the boy commit sin after putting on the thread,

He shall not be accepted for all his ablutions and washings.

The Musalman may praise himself,

But without a guru or a priest he shall not be accepted.

Even when the road is pointed out, few travel by it.

Without good works heaven is not obtained.

Men seek the way in a Jogi's monastery;

And on that account put rings in their ears and become his disciples.

With earrings on they wander about the world,

While the Creator they pretend to search for is everywhere.

{p. 357}

All souls are travellers:

When the death-warrant cometh for them there must be no delay.

He who knoweth God in this world, shall recognize Him in the next.

All others, whether Hindus or Musalmans, are chatterers.

All men's accounts shall be taken in God's court

And no one shall be saved without good works.

He who repeateth the name of the Truest of the true,

Shall not, O Nanak, be examinèd hereafter.

Only the good shall be saved when the final reckoning is called for:--

Nanak saith, O man, hear true instruction--

God seated in judgement will produce His book and call on thee for thine account.

The stiff-necked who owe anything shall be summoned;

And the angel Azrail placed over them.

They shall see no way of escape; they shall be entangled in the narrow streets.

Falsehood is at an end, O Nanak, and truth shall at last prevail.

The following was addressed to a proud Muhammadan governor:--

At thy waist is a handsome sword, thou art mounted on a handsome steed:

Be not proud, saith Nanak, lest thou fall on thy head.

Only good men can remain in the society of the saints:--

Between the lake and the swan there is affinity from the beginning; so it pleased the Lord.

In the lake there are diamonds and pearls which form the swan's food.

Cranes and ravens, however cunning they may be, cannot remain in lake Mansarowar.[1]

They cannot subsist there; their food is different.

[1. It is said that Lake Mânsarowar in the Himâlayas contains pearls, which are food for swans, but not for cranes and ravens.]

{p.358}

By the practice of truth, truth is obtained; O false ones, false is your pride.

Nanak, they for whom it was so ordered from the beginning meet the True Guru.

My Lord is effulgent, if any one reflect on it.

Nanak, serve Him who giveth ever and ever;

Nanak serve Him by whose service sorrow departeth,