Religious Problem in India

Author(s): Annie Besant
Publisher: Theosophist Office Adyar

Page 79

SIKHISM
71
“If a man who has put on this sacred thread, said Nānak, 'does not change his ways, and leads an impure life, does this thread purify him and help him in any way in the end? Does not he reap the fruit of his actions ?'
“I do not know,' replied the Purohit, but it is ordained in the Shastras, and we must follow our forefathers.'
“From the cotton of compassion spin out the thread of love; make the knots of abstinence and truth; let your mind pnt on this thread; it is not broken, nor soiled, nor burned, nor lost. Praised be ther who have put this on,' said Vānak.
“You have spoken well,' said the Purohit, but look at all the expense and trouble your father has been put to, see all these friends and relations; they will be all disappointed if you won't put this on.'
“I am truly sorry that I cannot oblige you,' said Nānak; 'I cannot put it on, and I will advise you also to think more about the essence of things than the form. Only by true conviction one gains respect, and by praising God and by living truthfully man reaches perfection.'
"At last his mother entreated him for her sake not to disappoint her. Then Nānak simply said; Mother, I ober,' took the thread and put it on.” *
There you have a very characteristic story of this youth with the marks of a Prophet upon him, ever seeking the inner truth through the outer shows.
* Life of Gnru Nanak, in C. HC. Jagazine, by Jogendra Singh.