Lehal Library

Birth of Sikhism 43 its own juice gives it the proper flavour, so a gradual training of the body and mind will bring out the goodness that is inherent in all human beings. There is no general rule applicable to everyone; each person should discipline himself according to his physical capacity and temperament. Ascetic austerity, penances, celibacy, etc. had no place in Nanak's religion. lo addition to self-imposed discipline of the mind, he advocated listening to kinan (hymn singing). Nanak's verses were put to music in ragas or modes best suited to convey their meaning. He advised his followers to rise well before dawn and listen to the soft strains of music under the light of the stars. He believed that in the st~ss of the ambrosial hours {amrit-vela) one was best able to have communion with God. What Nanak taught was not startling in its originality. Different Bhaktas and Sufis had stressed one or another aspeets in their writings. Some bad condemned polytheism and idolatry; some castigated the caste system and the monopoly of the priestly Brahmins over spiritual matters. Most of them had talked of the fundamental unity of all religions, and regretted that form and ritual should have created rifts between people of different religious professions. They had composed and sung hymns in praise of God and advocated the love of one's neighbours. Nanak alone made all these into one system and of which Wordswonh ~pok.~ in Lhe 'Lines composed a few miles above Tintem Abbey': That blessed mood. In which the burthen of the mystery, In which the heavy and weary weight Of all this unintelligible world. ls lightened-that serene and blessed mood, In which the affection.!> gently lead us on Until, the breath of this corporeal fram~ And even the motion of our human blood Almost suspended, we are laid asleep In body, and become a living soul; While with an eye made quiet by the power Of harmony, and the deep power of joy, We see into the life of things.