318 Translation of the Vichittra N&tak. [No. 4. 



And when his mind had comprehended well, the fourth, 



Or Atharv Ved, his sins instantly forsook him. 



Full of religion, he gave up his kingdom 



To the Vedis, and sought the shelter of the woods. 



There to reflect, and make atonement for his crimes, 



His people all went with him, and remain' d content 



That he, their king, had giv'n up all for God. 



The Vedis rejoiced to get the kingdom, 



And most diffusely scattered their alms ; 



They promised, in the iron age to come 



As Nanak, and take the king to heaven. 



The race of Lav dwelt in solitude and 



The Vedis enjoyed their possessions. 

 Oh king ! just as thou listenedst to three Veds in silence, hut on 

 hearing the fourth, gave up thy soul to penitence, and thy kingdom to 

 us, so we shall pass through three stages of existence, and at our 

 fourth coming, thou shalt be made a Guru. 



The Raja comforted with this assurance, arose and went to the 

 forests, and the Vedis were happy in the possession of their new king- 

 dom. To what length shall I extend my narrative ? I fear my volume 

 will be a bulky one ! 



This concludes the 4th Chapter which tells of the king of Lav and 

 the Holy Veds. 



Chapter V. 



In the course of time, however, the Vedis were subjected to feuds 

 and animosities, which the wisest among them were unable to quell or 

 avert, and after many struggles, their race became almost extinct, for 

 Brahmans demeaning themselves, became almost as Sudras, Kshetris 

 resembled Baishyas, whilst Baishyas were as Kshetris, and Sudras 

 were exalted to Brahmans. 



The Vedis retained some twenty villages, the remnant of their large 

 possessions, and became cultivators of the soil ; they continued to be 

 farmers for a long time, until at length Nanak appeared on earth. 



Nanak did not long remain with this remnant of his tribe, he wan- 

 dered among the Sikhs, and imparted comfort to them and religious 

 consolation. 



