“_Nanak._”—This founder of the religious and warlike commonwealth of
the Sikhs is so fully referred to by the able historians, “Hunter” and
“Elphinstone,” that there is little new to tell of him beyond the
folk-lore of the district to which these tales refer.
He flourished about the end of the fifteenth century, was a disciple of
“Kabir,” and was a sort of Hindu deist, with universal toleration to
all sects.
He is said to have ridiculed the religious washings and ablutions of
the Brahmins by telling his hearers that if water will take you to
Heaven, then what holy creatures the fish and frogs must be who are for
ever in the water.
The religious divisions of the Sikhs are many, the principal being the
Oodhāssee, Baydhee, Thayun, Bhullay, Sodhee, Akālis, Nahung, Giannee,
Soothra, Ghoee, Bhaie, Nirmale, Naga, Mujbee, or Rung, Raytay, Guru ki
bētah. In the time of their Gurus, Har Govind and Govind Singh Govind,
the Sikhs assumed the title of “Singh,” signifying a champion or lion.
A tale is told in the Hazara district that “Nanak” once went in
disguise to Mecca. Absorbed in his reflections, he lay down to rest for
the night, and quite forgot that his feet were turned towards the
“kaaba,” which is an insult to the Moslems.
He was aroused by a devout follower of the Prophet, and at once taxed
with his breach of reverence and respect, and asked who and what he
was.
“Nanak” replied,
Hindu kahen to marianh
Mussulman bhi na
Panj tutt ka pûthlâ
“Nanak” mera nâm.
Which translated will read,
If I say I am a Hindu you will kill me straight,
Though Mahomedan I cannot call myself;
I am rather a personation of the Five elements,
And my name is “Nanak.”
Another anecdote is given, viz., that when he visited the Chenāab on
his way to Mūltān, he very much enraged some “Jogis,” a description of
recluse penitents, who by means of mental and corporeal mortifications
acquire the command over the powers of nature, as stated in previous
notes.
These men did all they could by their powers of enchantments to terrify
him. They assumed the shape of wild beasts and snakes, fell from Heaven
in a shower of fire, and tore away the stars.
“Nanak” remained tranquil, and said, “A holy man needs no defence from
such things; his defence is in the purity of his doctrine, and though
the world may change, the Creator of it is immutable.”
These words brought them to his feet, and caused their miracles and
enchantments to cease as if by magic.
“_Blind beggar._”—Many of the blind amongst the Mahomedans are styled
“Hafiz,” which literally signifies in Arabic those of retentive memory,
and who know the Qorân, or Furkān, by heart: “Furkān” meaning the book
which distinguishes truth from falsehood.
These men live upon the alms of the faithful, and on festival days are
employed to repeat the Qorân, being fed from day to day, and at the
conclusion of the festival they are presented with a whole suit of
clothes, from head to foot.
Occasionally they are known to earn money by lacing “charpais” with
string or tape, which is quite an industry with them.
A blind man from the village of “Sheerka” used to be able to wander
about in the jungle, and find his way back to his hut. He was familiar
with the cries of many beasts and birds, and would imitate them most
correctly.
If asked to thread a needle this man would place the needle and cotton
beneath his tongue, and in a very short time pass the thread through
the eye of the needle.
“_Kummul._”—From the Sanscrit word “Kammal,” meaning literally a
blanket. It is made of coarse wool, loosely woven and soft in texture;
the word in its second signification meaning “soft.” A small blanket is
called a “Kumli.” In the winter, farmers and others in the district,
wear them over their other clothes.
In days long gone by, when the district was under a native yoke, anyone
found wearing a blanket, or as it was then locally called, a “Bhūra,”
was liable to be pressed to labour for the State; so the farmers had a
saying amongst themselves which ran thus:
Vassay meenh thay Bhoorah sheenh
Pavay Pallâh thay Bhoorah Shâllah
Yekho gul Bhoorah dhee marree
Thruth nappoundhâ Veegaree