1851.] Translation of the Vichittra Ndtak. 3 1 9 



In this iron age, he taught his doctrines 

 And pointed out the true religion. 

 Such as listen to his precepts and walk 

 In his ways are free from sin, and happy, 

 God put away the sins and cheered the hearts 

 Of all those who became his disciples ; 

 They suffered neither sorrow, nor hunger. 

 *Nor were entrapped within the net of time. 

 Nanak afterwards appeared as Angad, 

 And lived religiously in the world ; 

 Then, as one lamp receives its shining light 

 From other lamp, he came as Amar-das ; 

 Then as Ram-das, when, having quite fulfilled 

 fHis promise to the Raja, he went to heaven. 

 These four were emanations of one spirit 

 Which fools repudiate, but wisdom understands. 

 Many believ'd they were distinct persons, 

 Only a few acknowledg'd them as one. 

 These latter reaped the reward of good faith, 

 And unbelievers lost by their folly. 

 Ram-das was absorbed in omnipotence, 

 But the spirit of this Guru once more 

 Descended, and took the form of Arjun. 

 When Arjun sought the realms of happiness 

 Lo ! he was succeeded by Hargovind, 

 And after Hargovind, there came Himrai ; 

 Har-kishn then, then follow'd Tegh Bahadur 

 Whose sacred cord the God of gods revered ; 

 His fame was glorious in this iron age, 

 For all his words were wise, his actions good ; 

 JHe gave his life, a Martyr to his faith ! 

 True to his creed, unflinching, lo ! he died. 



* Which signifies " They obtained their pardon." 



f Vide 4th Chapter. 



X The great but bigoted Emperor Aurungzdb seized the reformer Tegh Bahadur, 

 and having in vain endeavoured to make him forswear his religion, put him to 

 death by skinning him alive, after which he was decapitated and his head exhibited 

 publicly. 



