A beginner's guide to Japji Sahib: Pauri 27

so  dar  key-haa,  so  ghar  key-haa,
jit  beh  sarab  s-maa-ley.
The world - the doorwayò to Your House - is so amazing, and the Divine-Houseâ where you sit and take care of all is so unique and incredible!
One who recognises that the world is special and a place to learn and get close to Vaheguru will begin to see everything within the creation singing the tune of Vaheguru, and their existence is the Praise of Vaheguru. After the next two lines, the forces of nature, angels, gods, demons, mystics, men of wonder, etc. that some people worshipped have been described as singing of a higher power, the Ultimate Power, i.e. Vaheguru. Therefore, the true spiritual speaker should make their life the song of Vaheguru and recognise this world as a doorway to the Divine, to achieving permanent union with Vaheguru (i.e. residing in Sach Khand).

vaa-jey  naad  a-ney’k  a’sann-khaa,
key-tey  vaa’vaN-haa-rey.
Infinite beautiful music flows and vibrates from You, played by countless musicians.
Vaheguru is a Divine Light and a Divine Sound. Whenever saints, holy personalities and mystics have talked of God or communicated with God, they have done so through poetry or music. The music of God flows through the universe and within all, which the blessed souls tap into.

key-tey  raag  par-ee  si-o  key-hee-an,
key-tey  gaa’vaN-haa-rey.
Infinite musical melodies come from You that are sung by countless musicians.
In all spiritual traditions, those who have spoken about God, have sung about God. God’s praise has been written and shared in all traditions in poetry and rhythm because music flows from God. Those who tune into God, also become musical or poetical.

gaa-veh  tuh-no  pa-uN  paa-Nee  bai-sann-tar,
gaa-vai  raa-jaa  Dharam  du-aa-rey.
The wind, water, and fire singÝ; Dharam Raaj (the appointed judge of the next world that judges the accounts of the souls) sings at Your Door.
In this line and the lines that follow, various forces of nature, personalities known as gods, angels, and holy people are mentioned, which people throughout world history have begun to sing about, i.e. worship. However, all these forces of nature, spirit beings, gods, and holy people are mentioned as singing of a higher power, i.e. Vaheguru. Therefore, we should sing of God alone and connect with God directly.

gaa-veh  chit  gupt  likh  jaa-Neh,
likh  likh  Dharam  vee-chaa-rey.
Chitr Gupat (the appointed powers that record our actions) and Dharam Raaj (the appointed judge of the next world) who judges this record, sing of You.

gaa-veh  ee-shar  bar-maa  dey-vee,
so-han  sad-aa  s-vaar-ey.
Shiva (the force of destruction), Brahma (the force of creation), and other invisible powers created and fashioned by You sing of Your praises.

gaa-veh  inn’d  inn-daasan  bai-They,
dey’v-tiyaa  dar  naa-ley.
The appointed powers of the skies sing of You along with other invisible powers (devtas) at Your Door.
In Hindu culture, Indar is considered the name or role of a god that is the king of the skies/heavens and responsible for rain and lightning. People picturized such powers (i.e. the power of rain and lightning) and began the idol worship of them. However, Guru Nanak Dev Ji explains that even these created powers or gods sing or acknowledge a higher Power, i.e. Vaheguru.

gaa-veh  siDh  s-maa-Dhee  ann-dar,
gaa-van  saaDh  vi-chaa-rey.
The Sidhs (miracle-workers) sitting in meditative poses sing of You; the holy saints sing of You in contemplation.

gaa-van  jatee  satee  sann-tokhee,
gaa-veh  veer  k-raa-rey.
The disciplined,× the truthful, and the contented sing; and bold warriors, sing Your praises.

gaavan  pann-dit   paRan  r-khee-sar,
jug  jug  vey-daa  naa-ley.
The religious scholars, learned saints, and reciters of the religious texts of the Vedas throughout the ages, sing of Your praises.

gaa-veh  moh-Nee-aa  man  mo-han,
sur-gaa  mashh  pe-aa-ley.
The mind-captivating illusions¨ of the upper-worlds, this world, and the lower-worlds, all sing of You.

gaa-van  ratan  u-paa-ey  tey-rey,
aTh-saTh  tee-rath  naa-ley.
The jewels (saintly people) created by You along with the places blessed by them sing Your praises.
God's jewels are the saints. Similar to how exceptional stones within rocks are referred to as jewels, exceptional holy people within humans in the eyes of God are referred to as jewels. Wherever saintly people sit to sing of God and engage in devotional worship, those locations become blessed places, known as ‘Teeraths.’ Such places become sing of God’s praises, i.e. they glorify God.

gaa-veh  joDh  m-haa-bal  soo-raa,
gaa-veh  khaa-Nee  chaa-rey.
The brave and mighty warriors sing; the spiritual heroes and the four sources of creation sing.

gaa-veh  khand  man-ddal  var-bhann-daa,
kar  kar  rakh-ey  Dhaa-rey.
The planets, solar systems, and galaxies created and arranged by Your Hand, sing of You.

sey-ee  tuDh-uno  gaa-veh,  jo  tuDh  bhaa-van,
r-tey  tey-rey  bhagat  r-saa-ley.
They alone sing, who are pleasing to Your Will. Your devotees are filled with the Bliss of devotion to You.

hor  key-tey  gaa-van,  sey  mai  chit  na  aa-van,
naa-nak  k’yaa  vee-chaa-rey.
So many others sing that they do not come to mind. (Guru) Nanak (Ji) says- how can I consider them all?

so-ee  so-ee,  sad-aa  sach,
saa-hib  saa-chaa,  saa-chee  naa-ee.
That True Lord is True, Forever True, and True is Their Name.

hai  bhee  hosee,  jaa-e  na  jaa-see,
rach-naa  jin  r-chaa-ee.
Vaheguru exists now and shall always be. They shall not depart, even when this Universe that They created departs.

rann-gee  rann-gee  bhaaⁿ-tee,  kar  kar  jin-see,
maa-yaa  jin  u-paa-ee.
They created the world-play (Maya) with various species of different colours and kinds.

kar  kar  vey-khai,  kee-taa  aa-paNaa,
jiv  tis  dee  vadd-yaa-ee.
Having created the creation, They watch over it Themself, by Their Greatness.

jo  tis  bhaa-vai  so-ee  kar-see,
hukam  na  kar-Naa  jaa-ee.
They do whatever They please. No order can be issued to Them.

so  paa-te-shaah,  shaa-haa  paa-te-saa’hib,
naa-nak  reh-aN  r-zaa-ee.  ||27||
They are the King, the Master of kings. Nanak remains happily subject to Their Will. ||27||

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ò This links to the line ‘mann-nai,  paa-veh  mo’kh  du-aar’ written in the 15^th verse (pauree), which translates as: “faithfully obeying (the Guru’s Wisdom), one finds the Door to Salvation.” One who faithfully obeys the Guru’s Wisdom, comes to understands that this world is the doorway to salvation. In the evening prayer of Rehraas Sahib, Guru Ji says, ‘gobind milan kee eh teree baree-aa,’ meaning this life is an opportunity to meet the Lord of the Universe, Vaheguru. This world is an opportunity to earn devotional worship (bhagtee) and practice spiritual living and therefore acts as a doorway to meeting Vaheguru.  

â ‘House’ refers to Sach Khand, the eternal place where Vaheguru resides in Their full glory, which is outside of the impermanent creation.

Ý Singing in this entire verse refers to acknowledging that there is a power beyond them, i.e. an Ultimate Power, God.

× ‘Jatee’ means disciplined ones, i.e. those who have controlled their sensory organs, sexual urges, and worldly desires.

¨ Alternative translation: ‘mind captivating beauties.’ In Hindu & Buddhist mythology, this refers to apsaraa (pronounced as ‘ap-saraa’), a type of female spirit of the clouds and waters that entertains and serves Indar, the Hindu god who is the king of the heavens. One of their jobs is to help king Indar retain the kingdom of heaven by alluring those who try to win over heaven by spiritual devotion and discipline. In reality, it symbolises the power of the worldly-illusion, Maya, which seems attractive but actually deceives a person from the pathway to the Truth. Although the pull of the worldly-illusion may be powerful, it is acknowledged that it is subservient to the Ultimate Power, Vaheguru. Therefore, one should not be scared of Maya, the world-illusion, and instead lose oneself in the loving worship and praise Vaheguru. 

A beginner's guide to Japji Sahib: Pauri 24 to 26

 

ann’t  na  sif-tee,  k-haN  na  ann’t.
Endless are Their Praises, endless are those who speak (Their Praises).

ann't  na  kar-Nai,  dey’N  na  ann’t.
Endless are Their Actions, endless are Their Gifts.

ann't  na  vey-khaN,  su-NaN  na  ann’t.
Endless is Their Vision, endless is Their Hearing.

ann't  na  jaa-pai  k’yaa  man  mann’t.
Their limits and the mystery of Their Mind cannot be perceived.

ann't  na  jaa-pai,  kee-taa  aa-kaar.
The limits of the created universe cannot be perceived.

ann't  na  jaa-pai  paa-raa-vaar.
Its limits here and beyond cannot be perceived.

ann't  kaa-raN  key-tey  bil-laa-eh.
There are many who struggle to know Vaheguru’s limits,

taa  key  ann’t  na  paa-ey  jaa-eh.
but Their limits cannot be found.

ey-hu  ann’t  na  jaa-Nai  ko-e.
The limits that many humans attempt to find are not possible.

b-hu-taa  k-hee-yai  b-hu-taa  ho-e.
The more you say about them, the more there remains to be said.

v-daa  saa-hib,  oo-chaa  thaa-o.
Great is the Master, High is Their Heavenly Home.

oo-chey  up-par,  oo-chaa  naa-o.
The highest of the High, above all, is Their Name.

ey-vadd  oo-chaa,  ho-vai  ko-e.
If someone is as Great as Vaheguru (i.e. equal to Them),

tis  oo-chey  kou,  jaa-Nai  so-e.
only then would they be able to understand the Great One (Vaheguru).

jey-vadd  aap,  jaa-Nai  aap  aap.
Only Vaheguru knows Their Greatness.

naa-nak, nad-ree,  kar-mee  daat.  ||24||
(Guru) Nanak (Ji) says- one gets this gift (of understanding of the Greatness of Vaheguru) through Vaheguru’s Grace and Kindness. ||24||

b-hu-taa  karam,  likh-yaa  naa  jaa-e.
There are lots of blessings from Vaheguru in our life that are not recorded (for us to pay back).
There are lots of blessings from Vaheguru in our life and Vaheguru does not expect anything back in return, for example, the water we drink, the air we breathe, etc.

v-daa  daa-taa,  til  na  t-maa-e.
The Great Universal-Giver has no greedy desires (in return for giving us Their blessings).

key-tey  mann-geh,  joDh  a-paar.
There are so many great warriors (despite claiming to possess power and strength) who beg for Vaheguru’s blessings (to be victorious).

key-tiyaa,  gaNat  n-hee  vee-chaar.
There are so many more beggars like this that are beyond the thought of counting.

key-tey,  khap  tutt-eh  vey-kaar.
There are so many who (use Vaheguru’s Gifts but) waste away and destroy themselves engaged in corrupt ways.
The power to see, speak and move our body etc., are gifts from God. However, the use or misuse of this power is our own free-will. Some people decide to use the gift that powers our body to smoke and drink and destroy the body, whilst others use this gift wisely and bring themselves lasting peace and happiness.

key-tey,  lai lai muk-kar paa-eh.
So many take and take from Vaheguru, but then deny receiving anything.

key-tey  moo-rakh,  khaa-hee  khaa-eh.
There are so many fools (despite denying taking Gifts from Vaheguru,) who keep consuming Their Gifts.

key-tiyaa,  dookh  bhookh  sad  maar.
Many pains and hungers come in life in accordance to one's written karma.

ey-eh  bhe  daat,  tey-ree  daa-taar.
However, even these become gifts, O Great-Giver!
A spiritually wise person accepts pain and difficult situations as part of the Divine-Order. By doing so, they make themselves so strong internally that the feelings of pain and distress go away.

bann'd  khalaa-see,  bhaa-Nai  ho-e.
Accepting the Divine-Will one can be freed from being tied down to suffering and desires.

hor  aakh,  na  sak-kai  ko-e.
No one else can say any different.

jey  ko  khaa-ik,  aa-khaN  paa-e.
If some fool should try to say that there is,

oh  jaa-Nai,  jey-tee-aa  mu-eh  khaa-e.
then they will know how many strikes on the face they receive (as a result of this foolishness).

aa-pey  jaa-Nai,  aa-pey  dey-e.
Vaheguru Themself knows, Vaheguru Themself gives.

aakh-eh  se  bhe,  key-ee  key-e.
Few, very few are those who acknowledge this.

jis  no  bakh-shey  sifat  saa-laah.
(Guru) Nanak (Ji) says- one who is blessed to sing the Praises of the Lord,

naa-nak  paat-shaa-hee  paat-shaah.  ||25||
is the king of kings. ||25||

a-mul guN, a-mul vaa-paar.
Priceless are the Virtues of Vaheguru and priceless are Their Dealings.

a-mul vaa-paa-ree-ey, a-mul bhann-daar.
Priceless are those who deal with Them and priceless are Their goods.

a-mul  aa-veh,  a-mul  lai  jaa-eh.
Priceless are those who come to Them and priceless are those who take (away blessings) from Them.

a-mul  bhaa-e,  a-mu-laa  s-maa-eh.
Priceless is Love for Them and priceless is absorption into Them.

a-mul  Dharam,  a-mul  dee-baaN.
Priceless is the Divine-Law of living and priceless Divine-Court.

a-mul  tul,  a-mul  par-vaaN.
Priceless are the scales and priceless are the weights (that measure the deeds of all beings).

a-mul  bakh-sheesh,  a-mul  nee-shaaN.
Priceless are Their Blessings and priceless are Their Signs.

a-mul  karam,  a-mul  fur-maaN.
Priceless is Their Mercy and priceless is Their Royal Command.

a-mulo  a-mul,  aa’kh-yaa na jaa-e.
Vaheguru is priceless beyond pricelessness cannot be described!

aakh  aakh,  reh-ey  liv  laa-e.
By continuously speaking of the Ultimate Power, Vaheguru, one remains absorbed in Them.

aakh-eh,  vey’d  paaTh  pu-raaN.
Readers of the religious texts of the Vedas and Puraans acknowledge and speak of the Ultimate Power beyond them.

aakh-eh,  paR-ey  k-reh  vakh-yaaN.
Learned people who deliver sermons acknowledge and speak of the Ultimate Power beyond.

aakh-eh  bar-mey,  aakh-eh  inn’d.
Many Brahmas and many Indras acknowledge and speak of the Ultimate Power beyond them.
People worship different gods, demons, people with spiritual powers, and personalities (as mentioned in these several lines), however, all of them talk of a Power that is greater than them, i.e. God. Therefore, one should speak about God and worship Them directly, rather than worshipping those under God.

aakh-eh  go-pee,  tai  go-vinn’d.
Many Gopis (female servants of Krishna) and many Krishnas acknowledge and speak of the Ultimate Power beyond them

aakh-eh  ee-shar.  aakh-eh  siDh.
Many Shivas and many Sidhs (spiritual achievers) acknowledge and speak of the Ultimate Power beyond them.

aakh-eh,  key-tey  kee-tey  buDh.
Many Buddhas (Buddhist monks) created by Vaheguru acknowledge and speak of the Ultimate Power beyond them.

aakh-eh  daa-nav,  aakh-eh  dey’v.
Many demonic and godly beings acknowledge and speak of the Ultimate Power beyond them.

aakh-eh  sur  nar,  mun  jan  sey’v.
Many angelic humans, sages, and devotees acknowledge and speak of the Ultimate Power beyond them.

key-tey  aa-kheh,  aa-khaN  paa-eh.
Many acknowledge and speak of the Ultimate Power beyond them and try to describe Them.

key-tey  keh  keh,  uTh  uTh  jaa-eh.
Many have left this world having spoken over and over about the greatness of Vaheguru.

ey-tey  kee-tey,  hor  k-reh.
If Vaheguru were to create as many again as there already are,

taa  aakh  na  sak-eh,  key-ee  key-e.
even then, they could not describe Them.

jey-vadd  bhaa-vai,  tey-vadd  ho-e.
Vaheguru is as Great as They wish to be.

naa-nak, jaa-Nai,  saa-chaa  so-e.
(Guru) Nanak (Ji) says- only the True Lord knows (how great They are).

jey  ko  aa-khai  bol-vigaaR.
If anyone presumes to describe Vaheguru,

taa  likhee-yai,  sir  gaa-vaa-raa  gaa-vaar.  ||26||
they shall be known as the greatest fool of fools! ||26||