XXI

His Life and Conduct

*The life and conduct of a Perfect Master single Him out as a Unique Personality apart from the rest of mankind.

1. He is always a bestower of gifts and never a recipient. He never wishes for the slightest service from His following. He earns His own living and is never a burden upon anyone. All His personal savings, if any, He spends on the relief of the needy.

Touch ye not the feet of one who makes his living out of the offerings of the people; oh Nanak! He Who earns His own bread and helps the needy knows the Path.

2. He does not charge any fees for imparting Spiritual Instructions. On the contrary, He bestows Spirituality as a free gift like any other gift of God, viz. light, air, water and so forth.

3. He is a Living Embodiment of humility. With all His powers and greatness co-equal with God, He never claims credit for anything, but attributes everything to God or to His own Master. Like a fruit-laden branch of a tree, He bows to the lowest, and moves about in simple dignity peculiar to Him alone.

He Who regards Himself as the lowest is in fact the Highest.

4. He is at peace with all and is grouty with any. He smilingly forgives all who talk ill of Him, and does not pick flaws in others. His Love embraces the entire humanity. Christ-like, He proclaims and practises the cardinal Truth,

Love thine enemies.

5. Purity, Godliness and Spirituality flow from Him like shining springs of cool and refreshing waters, which bring life to the parched and arid hearts of the aspirants who merrily move along the Spiritual Path under His able guidance.

6. He does not wear any conspicuous form of dress. He adopts just an easy middle path. His grand trunk road bypasses austerities on the one hand, and forms and formalities on the other. His teachings consist of enunciating natural truths which sink into the soul, and everyone irrespective of sex and age can practise the Spiritual Discipline enjoined by Him.

7. He never believes in nor performs miracles for attracting people and gaining their credence, as a juggler would do. He keeps His treasures well concealed in the deepest recesses within Him. He may, if necessity demands, make use of His powers on some special occasion. The disciples, of course, everyday feel the hidden hand of the Master working for their welfare and advancement.

* (This section is adjusted to the First Edition of 1967;
Editor’s Note 2011.)