In action they are dogs; shall they be accepted at God's gate?
If man by the favour of his guru deem himself a guest in this world,
He shall acquire some honour in God s court.[1]
Again the Guru uttered the following verses:
In words we are good, but in acts bad.
We are impure-minded and black-hearted, yet we wear the white robes of innocence.[2]
We envy those who stand and serve at His gate.
They who love the Bridegroom and enjoy the pleasure of
His embraces,
Are lowly even in their strength, and remain humble.
Nanak, our lives shall be profitable if we meet such women. [3]
When the Guru had uttered these verses, Nurshah thought she would tempt him with wealth. Her attendants brought pearls, diamonds, gold, silver, coral, sumptuous dresses, all things precious the state treasury contained, and laid them at his feet. The Guru rejected all the proffered presents, and uttered the following hymn, which he sang to Mardana's rebeck:—
O silly woman, why art thou proud?
Why enjoyest thou not the love of God [4] in thine own home?
The Spouse is near; O foolish woman, why searchest thou abroad?
Put the surma[5] needles of God's fear into thine eyes, and wear the decoration of love.
Thou shalt be known as a devoted happy wife[6] if thou love the Bridegroom.
- ↑ Äsa.
- ↑ Literally— we are white outside.
- ↑ Sri Räg ki Wār.
- ↑ The Indian husband is deemed as a god by his wife.
- ↑ A species of collyrium.
- ↑ Suhāgan, from the Sanskrit su, good, and bhãg, fortune, is applied to a wife whose husband is alive. Her lot is happy, and her state deemed holy in comparison with that of a widow.
