The Beauty of Jap Ji Sahib
A Poetic Rendition Part 7
Pauree 21
Pilgrimage, austerity, piety and charity
May bring a little recognition – as little as sesame seed.
But listening, believing and loving Your Word
Is true cleansing in the shrine within.
All virtues flow from You – for I have none.
Without virtues, no Devotion is possible.
Salutations – the Creator, the Word.
The Truth, Beauty and the Eternal
What time was it; what day of the week?
What season, what month – when You brought forth Your creation?
If the Pundit knew, it would be penned in the Puran;
If the Qazi knew, it would be recorded in the Quran;
The Yogi is clueless, as is everybody else;
You, the Creator, alone know the timing of Your Creation.
How shall I speak in praise, or describe you? How shall I know You?
Says Nanak, we pretend to know You by making bold claims,
Great Master, great is Your law; what You ordain comes to pass.
Nanak, any claim to know Your depths can only lead to regret.
Pauree 22
Clusters of nether worlds; limitless, like the skies above,
Weary from counting, so affirm the Vedas.
Eighteen hundred reckon the Semitic books; in truth the essence is One.
If there were indeed a count, it could be recorded. Those who tried perished.
Says Nanak, the Great One alone knows.
Pauree 23
Those who praise You, know not Your greatness
Like rivers flowing into the ocean know not its vastness.
Mighty Kings, with vast ocean like domains and mountains of wealth
Compare not to that ant in whose heart You dwell.
Pauree 24
Endless Your qualities, endless the ways we praise
Endless Your creation and Your giving
Endless the sights and sounds,
Endless Your designs.
Endless the forms
Boundless, without limits
Seeking Your limit have many toiled in pain
But Your boundary cannot be found
Where You end no one knows,
The more we say the more You become
The Great Master, high is Your place
Above all, exalted is Your Name.
Like You if one were to become
Knowing You would then be possible
You alone know Your measure
Says Nanak, Your Grace is Your gift.
