Twilight of the Sultanate c18.s3.16

c18.s3.16

Man's soul is held by Nānak to be a ray of light emanating from the Light Divine.³⁷ But being enmeshed in Māyā, men are deluded into egotism and think of their existence as apart from His. This delusion prevents the pure soul from freeing itself from the matter, and hence the long chain of painful births and deaths, of transmigration of the soul. To remove this delusion and to return and merge with the Light Divine should be the aim of man. It is like *fanā* of the Sūfīs and *Nirvāna* of the Buddhists. This can be achieved by constant remembrance of His name (*Smarana*), ardent, constant, sincere *smarana*, be it of any name of God. One who is constantly lost in love of God is in harmony with Him and His creations. He loves and serves all, and hates none. Nānak laid great emphasis on right action and humility of temper.