The Guru replied :
Humility is the word, forbearance the virtue, and civility the priceless spell.
Make these three[1] thy dress, O sister, and the Spouse shall come into thy power. [2]
The Spouse shall be hers who serveth Him. Forsaking all His other companions He will go to her.
The Shaikh then said he wanted a knife Give me such a knife as will make those who are killed with it acceptable to God. With the ordinary knife in use the lower animals are killed, and if a man’s throat be cut with it he becomes carrion. The Guru replied : Dear Shaikh, here it is :
Truth is the knife, truth is pure steel ; Its fashion is altogether incomparable. Put it on the hone of the Word, And fit it into the scabbard of merit. If any one be bled with that, O Shaikh, The blood of avarice will be seen to issue forth. If man be slaughtered with it, he shall go to meet God, O Nanak, and be absorbed in the sight of Him.[3]
On hearing this the Shaikh raised his head in amazement and said, Well done. Thou hast seen God, and art dear to Him. God hath been very kind to me in that I have met thee. It would be rude to ask any further questions of those who are so beloved by Him. The Guru then volunteered the following :
There is friendship between beauty and love, alliance between hunger and dainty viands ;
Companionship between greed and wealth, between a sleepy man and a bed and coverlet.
