A beginner's guide to Japji Sahib: End Salok (Epilogue)

s-loh’k.
Salokò (Epilogue or ending verse):
In the conclusion of Jap Ji Sahib, a summary of the purpose of life is given.

pavan  gur-oo,  paa-Nee  pit-aa,
maa-taa  Dharat  m-hat.
For our existence, Vaheguru has given us air that is important as the Guru,× water that is important as a father, and the great earth that is as important as a mother.
Air, water and earth are the essentials of existence given to us in this game of life. Just like for a Sikh their Guru, father, and mother are important. Just as one is spiritually dead without a Guru (i.e. in utter darkness), similarly, the body is dead with air/breath. Father protects and provides for the family, similarly, water protects and provides for our body. Mother is considering the highest for giving birth and its virtue of being nurturing. Similarly, the earth produces life and nurtures our existence by providing for us.

divas  raat  du-e,  daa-ee  daa-yaa,
khey-lai  sagal  jagat.
The world is playing the game of life in the laps of day and night, just as nannies help a child to play and sleep.

chang-yaa-ee-yaa⁽ⁿ⁾,  bur-yaa-ee-yaa⁽ⁿ⁾,
vaa-chai  Dharam  h-door.
(Within this world-play, every action we do is recorded and) the record of our good and bad deeds is read out in the presence of Dharam-Raaj (the appointed judge of the next world).

kar-mee  aa-po  aap-Nee,
key  ney-Rai  key  door.
According to our own actions, some are drawn closer, whilst others go further away from Vaheguru.

jin-nee  naam  Dhi-yaa-yaa,
ge-ye  m-shak-kat  ghaal.
Those whose fix their attention on the Divine Sound (Naam), make their hard work worthwhile.

naa-nak, tey  mukh  uj-ley,
key-tee  shhu-tee  naal.  ||1||
(Guru) Nanak (Ji says) - their faces glow with glory, and they also free many others (from falsehood)! ||1||

 

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ò In Sanskrit, Salok means ‘sound,’ ‘song of praise,’ ‘praise,’ or ‘stanza.’ Salok is a chief verse that consists of two verse lines of sixteen syllables each or four half lines of eight syllables each.

× Air, our breath, is the most important. Through air, the Sound of God and the Name of God is uttered and one can connect with inner sound and vibration. Without air, i.e. breathing one is dead. The air when linked to the Divine Word as revealed by the Guru, our life becomes fulfilled and worthwhile. However, most humans waste this opportunity of life by giving over attention to the body and bodily desires.