variably gave her permission. At the same time he would remind her of the following composition of his own :—
The world is dead through pride, the proud have no means
of living.
He who walketh as it pleaseth the Guru, shall obtain the
dignity of eternal life.
They who fix their attention on God's feet shall live for
ever.
Nanak, when He who looketh on all with favour, dwelleth
in the heart, the pious man is easily absorbed in Him.
She used to say to her playmates, ‘We are thoughtless beings like the skipping and playing lambs while the butcher Death standeth over us.’ She would then recite Guru Nanak's lines :—
This message is ever sent to every house, such invitations
are ever issued.
Remember the Caller; Nanak, the day is approaching.
By this she meant that Death stood ready for his victims, and it was a mistake to think too much of earthly pleasures. Her mother, who used to ac company her, would then say, ‘By Guru Nanak's favour remain free from anxiety. What fear hast thou of Death? The Guru hath granted his Sikhs happiness in this life and salvation in the next, and hath commanded them to eat and enjoy themselves.’
A faithful Sikh once asked the Guru's permission to offer Bibi Bhani money to purchase dresses and ornaments, so that she might decorate herself like other girls, and not appear at a disadvantage in their company. On hearing of the offer she repeated Guru Nanak's words :—
False is gold, false is silver, false those who wear them;
and reminded the Sikh that the best use to which money could be applied, would be to fill the Guru's kitchen with corn and supply the necessities of pilgrims.
