Later Mughals v1.c6.s16.4

v1.c6.s16.4

Another leading doctrine was the necessity of absorption into the Absolute Substance. When the soul reaches this goal, it ceases its individual existence. Austerities, renunciation of pleasure, bathing at holy places, almsgiving are meritorious and are efficacious in helping to this consummation. But the name of Hari is the only giver of final bliss. To repeat the name of Hari with effect, initiation from the Gurus is required. Unconditional submission to the Guru is essential, in mind and body. Whatever the Guru does is approved by Hari. Blind obedience to him is the first duty, the second is the service of the saints. Nanak himself enjoined abstinence from animal food, but except as regards cow-killing this has been silently dropped. The grand difference, however, between Nanak and other founders of sects, one which caused the most profound consequences on his sect's subsequent development, was that the state of a householder was held to be equally acceptable with that of a recluse; secular business was no obstacle to final emancipation. The rogueries of mendicants and Brahmans were severely denounced. The caste system was not directly assailed and, though men of all castes were received as disciples, the Brahman family priest was tolerated and retained.