The.Ten.Masters.by.P.. - Gurmat Veechar

ARJUN DEV NANAK 81
orthodox opinion. The Master replied, "I acknowlegde no
earthly king in this matter. The true King has inspired these
hymns, and they are informed with the Spirit of God. I
cannot alter the sacred word. It is destined to stand by itself,
and needs no support of any other scriptures. The sacred
book contains nothing but the song-ehants of the Glory of
the Highest; at Whose high door wait a million prophets,
from Whom all cometh out, and to Whom all return."
Jehangir, it seems, handed over the person of the Guru to
Chandu, on the latter's promise to recover the fine withbut
unnecessary molestation. But this promise Chandu never
meant to keep.
ARJUN DEV mE POET PROPHET AND PEOPLE 5 KING
The last days of Arjun Dev can be imagined, nQw that
the character of his captor has been madeclear. He was kept
prisoner in Chandu's own house; where, in strictest secrecy,
he was made to suffer unthinkable tortures from day to
day. Burning sands were poured on his bare body, he was
compelled to sit on hot iron sheets. And, as he would take
nothing from Chandu's house and his Sikhs were never
allowed to come near him, the Master was starved. In the
daily routine of torture, Chandu allowed short intervals
when he went and asked the Guru to accept the alliance
with his family that had been proposed, and thus to release
himself from prison. He made no reply. The Sikhs were
eager to pay the ransom aJ..ld to rescue him, but he had
forbidden payment of unjust fines. Mian Mir heard the tale
of sorrow, and came to see him when it was late. Mian was
indignant on seeing the condition of the Master, and
wished to move the Emperor for his release. But the Master
calmed his mind and asked him to look up. As Mian Mir
looked up, he saw the whole Heaven gathered around his
head and the Angels forming a canopy over him with their
wings. In strong contrast with his anxious disciples, the
Guru was calm, undisturbed, full of ineffable peace. Mian