Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 1.djvu/280

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184
THE SIKH RELIGION

I have a dog[1] and two bitches[2] with me;
Every morning they bark at the wind.[3]
Falsehood is my hunting-knife and carrion its handle.
O Creator, I remain in the guise of a huntsman;
I do not follow my Master's counsel or do His work.
I appear deformed and terrible.
Thy Name alone saveth the world;
It is my support; to obtain it is my desire.
I utter calumny day and night;
I am base and worthless; I covet my neighbour's house.
Lust and anger, which are pariahs, dwell in my heart.
O Creator, I remain in the guise of a huntsman;
In saint's dress I meditate to entrap others.
I am a cheat in a country of cheats.[4]
I deem myself very clever, and bear a great load of sin.
O Creator, I remain in the guise of a huntsman.
Ungrateful that I was, I did not appreciate what Thou didst for me.
How can I, who am wicked and dishonest, show my face?
Humble Nanak expresseth his thoughts—

Creator, I remain in the guise of a huntsman.[5]

As the party proceeded they found the road covered with copper coins. Some Sikhs took them up and departed. Further on were found silver coins. Several Sikhs took up the silver coins and returned home. As the Guru's party proceeded further, they saw gold coins on the road. Several of the remaining Sikhs took up the gold coins and quickly vanished. Only the Jogi, two Sikhs, and the Guru's attendant Lahina now remained.

On proceeding further they found a funeral pyre. Near the corpse were four lighted lamps. A sheet was stretched over it as it lay on the ground and emitted an offensive smell. The Guru said, 'Let

  1. Avarice.
  2. Desire and covetousness.
  3. The line means that desire and covetousness call in vain to the saint.
  4. Also translated—I am a cheat and cheat the country.
  5. Sri Rāg.