Thus said Banda:

I know the real miracles thou dost perform:

My own powers pale 'fore the way they transform

Bairagi to Banda by power of thy word;

I'm completely changed since thy teachings I've heard!

Thy blest, fiery speech now enraptures my ears.

I cling to thy feet, washing them with my tears.

Thou dost command well both the word and sword;

The Almighty Mother hath blest thee, my Lord!

And now thou dost choose me to perform thy task:

I'm thine to command-what'er thou might ask.

Thus spoke Guru Gobind:

Yes, you are called to complete what's undone.

But don't praise me so-I'm a toll of the One.

The one difference is that I'm sure of mine.

What talents I have my guru did impart.

He told me, "Keep Goal, God, and Name in your heart."

I'm a simple man blest with divine love.

I'm like other men-I'm not up above.

I'm here to serve people, as you do too.

Don't place me above life-there's so much to do.

As you, I serve God-there is no difference there.

Our work must continue; please do not compare.

Thus said Banda:

My Lord, I know that we are one, and that is all there is,

But for the sake of joy and love, I point our differences.

My heart tells me there is just One, and that I do believe.

But eyes do see diversity, and boundaries I perceive.

Just as I see that and me as two as well as one.

So see I another pair where there perhaps is none.

For fight thee now in dharma's cause, while others make it fall.

How can all this be happening when Truth exists in all?

Thus spoke Guru Gobind:

You've found the wonder deep inside-

That Truth and fiction co-reside.

Fiction it is and Truth it is too.

Don't let this paradox overwhelm you.

Both Ravana and Rama live,

And to each other purpose give.

Our role upon the field of action

Is to put limit to the fraction

Of energy bound in evil's sway.

You must now know it's nature's way

That evil grows strong on its own,

While seeds of goodness must be sown.

Thus, spirit cannot ever dally-

'Against evil must it always rally,

Lest blind and selfish interest reign

And humankind submit to pain.

So ignorance must be contained;

The way of Light must be proclaimed!

Some darkness there may always be,

But one must hold the torch to see.

The question is then, who will reign:

Deluded people, or the sane?

The drama has this at its center:

If ever the hero fails to enter,

There then will be no contest run

And by default evil has won.

Amidst the vastness of black brine

A tiny spark of light does shine.

Its flickering must be ne'er lost;

We must defend it at all cost.

The real Truth is a sacred trust,

Preserving it an abs'lute must.

From this challenge there is no turning.

Thus said Banda:

Thou tellest well the task; yet I can see,

No sure case from it will there ever be.

On levels of phenomenal existence,

We must maintain with ongoing persistence

To keep the ride of evil at bay

And insure the righteous a clear way.

But do forgive this negative though:

If in a downward gyre were caught,

And even the godly must work to stay afloat,

Then chances for progress seem completely remote.

Is the same drama to go on forever?

Will one side or the other prevail never?

It seems an endless practice in futility;

I don't see that it has any utility.

Thus spoke Guru Gobind:

Dense, dark discouragement pervades your view.

You're a holy man; it ill becomes you.

Evidence of the downward draw is ample

Without using yourself as an example.

How well do lofty principles conceal themselves from view

If with them through experience we don't ourselves imbue.

That's why all mystics who are Sikhs within the world stay active

And hold inner and outer views as equally attractive.

It's not a choice of living in the world or 'bove it;

But one must find the way to be in both and love it.

Look now, your question indicates that you forgot to see

Think you there is no way free from this unending toil?

Will the darkness ever all our hopes for more light foil?

From the view of dualism, the play goes on and on,

But from the view behind the screen, then it is gone anon.

When the world you can perceive while keeping view of both,

Then will you success attain in your next phase of growth.

A waken you unto the fact that light in darkness dwells.

And when you can reside in light, you feel not darkness' spells.

Wise is he and rare the one who sees the light, yet stays

Amid the realm of those who dwell unknowing of its rays.

For them the drama never stops, no matter what their role,

But one who dwells within the light becomes one with the whole.

He sees the drama, sees its end, and sees it start again.

He sees the sets, the props, the stage, and the actors' acumen.

He knows it is important now; he knows it matters not.

And so he gives heart to man to help its desperate plot;

And so he keeps his heart within, content behind its locks.

This is the myst'ry of the sage; he is a paradox.

He gives his all and is not there;

He strives to win and does not care.

Who can understand this strange capacity?

Who can comprehend his vast sagacity?

Even the nearest disciple, O Banda, cannot penetrate

The marvelous folds of wondrous maya that ever radiate

About the guru's luminous field,

Protecting him just like a shield.

And thus the holy drama of depriver and deprived

Conceals the private hidden Source from which it is derived.

The drama goes on as it must, and players play it well,

But drama goes on as it must, and players play it well,

That rare knowledge serves them to intensify their skill,

Yet they've given all they are unto the divine will.

Victors rise and cultures fade,

Gods recede who once were paid

High praises vast. Noble lords

With glowing shields and gleaming swords

Are now forgot and turn to dust;

Their weapons and their honor rust.

O Banda, do you wonder why

We all are born if we must die?

Why must we daily take in food,

No matter if we're in the mood,

When by tomorrow hunger's growl

Will once more set us on the prowl?

And is it not a futile scene-

This constant battle to keep clean?

Just think of all the work and time

That's wasted warding off the grime

That migrates back to where we scrubbed

As soon as somewhere else we've rubbed.

You think I jest, but don't you see?

These are the questions you've asked me.

Of course, the ebb and flow go on,

And that's what life is based upon.

So we must ride well on the tide,

While knowing that from deep inside

It's shallow-yet we must still do it;

It is our duty to pursue it.

For thus we pierce through to the goal

And merge with universal soul.

For if the balance ever wavers,

Dharma's power sends its saviors.