.1851.] Translation of the Vichitra Natak. 489 



There came one called Dut,* who established a creed of his own, 

 he recommended that there should be long nails to the fingers, and 

 that the hair should be platted, but he forgot me. 



To him succeeded Gorakhnath,f who converted mighty princes. He 

 advised his followers to bore their ears, and to wear large glass orna- 

 ments in them, but he forgot me. 



Then there was Rama, the Joyous, who founded the tribe of Byragis. 

 These wear necklaces of wood and beads, and cover their bodies with 

 white ashes, but he forgot me. 



In short the more talented the being was, whom I created, the more 

 he inculcated vain doctrines of his own. Mohammed came, and held 

 religious sway over Arabia. 



He propagated his notions and told mankind that heaven could only 

 be gained by mutilation and circumcision ; he aspired to a divine origin 

 and taught people to abandon me. 



All in fact clung to their own tenets, and few acknowledged me. 

 Therefore in pity for the blindness of my people, I called Govind 

 Sinh, and instructing him, sent him forth into the world, to proclaim 

 these my words — 



Oh Govind Sinh ! Thou art as it were my son, I send thee to make 

 many converts. Scatter abroad the seeds of my religion withersoever 

 thou goest, and turn men from their folly and evil ways. 



Govind speaks : — 



I stood in humble obeisance, and bowing my head reverentially, 

 replied, Great God, thou wiliest it, and I shall be the instrument for 

 spreading thy religion throughout the universal world. 



And so God sent me, and for this purpose came I into the world 

 that I should teach all of you the revealed word of God, without 

 animosity or ill feeling towards those who differ. 



Beware, I would not that you should think me divine, those who 

 style me God will be doomed to eternal perdition. I am but the poor 

 servant of God, never think otherwise of me. 



I am only the servant of God, whom he sent into the world to clear 

 away all doubts, and arrange all the confusion which exists. I will 



* Datya, the third of the name, who founded the Sect, Sannyasis. 

 f Gorakhnath the founder of the Jogi tribe. 

 3 r 2 



