Religious Problem in India

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

Page 80

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THE RELIGIOUS PROBLEM IN INDIA
He grows into youth, and is a most unsatisfactory son to the good dull father, for he will not take up agriculture, he won't have a shop, and he won't travel in commerce. His trade consists in giving money or rather food to Sannyasis, which his father thinks is not a good bargain, and finds little satisfactory, although Nanak thinks that it is the best bargain that can be made. What is to be done with such a young man? He sends him to his sister and her husband who love him. He takes service under a Nawab, and serves faithfully and well; but he is ever giving away in charity, and at last wearies of the world, and determines to give up service, to give up the household-life into which he has entered, to wander seeking for God, and for the realisation of His love. There comes another characteristic scene with the Nawab after he had left his service. The Nawab sends for the young man, and after a time he comes. The Nawab is angry because he has not come at once.
"I am not now your servant, Nawab Sahab,' was Nanak's reply. Now I am a servant of God.'
"Do you believe in one God or many Gods?' enquired the Nawab.
"Only in one, indivisible, self-existent, incomprehensible and all-pervading adorable God do I believe,' replied Nanak.
"Then since you believe in one God, and I too believe in one God, your God must be the same as mine; so then if you are a firm believer, come with me to the mosque and offer prayers with us.' "I am ready,' said Nanak.