May it not be that on beholding them I may forget Thee and not remember Thy name!
Were I to become a Sidh and work miracles; could I command the wealth of the universe to come to me;
Could I disappear and appear at pleasure, and were the
world to honour me;
May it not be that on beholding these things I may forget
Thee and not remember Thy name!
Were I to become a monarch on my throne and raise an
army;
Were dominion and regal revenue mine—O Nanak, they
would be all worthless—
May it not be that on beholding these things I may forget
Thee and not remember Thy name! [1]
Then Kaljug went round him in adoration, fell at his feet, and took his departure. On the way Guru and Mardana sought shelter in a village, but were not allowed to remain there. The villagers began to play practical jokes on them. The Guru on that occasion uttered the following verses:—
When I remain silent, they say I have no understanding
in my heart;
When I speak, they say I chatter too much;
When I sit, they say I have spread my pallet to stay;
When I go away, they say I have thrown dust on my head; [2]
When I bow down, they say I perform my devotions through fear.
I can do nothing by which I may spend my time in peace.
Both here and hereafter may the Creator preserve Nanak's honour!
Then the Guru composed the following hymn in the Rag Malar:—
