????�(a?t)
Meaning:�noun:�End, limit.
Quote:
???? ? ????? � ???? ? ?????
a?t na siphtee�� kaha? na a?t.�
There is no end to the virtues of the Virtuous; through narration of these virtues, His end or limits cannot be found. – Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 05
Message:�This verse from�pauri�24 of Jap Ji Sahib reiterates the theme of the infinity of creation and the futility of our puny faculties attempting to take a measure of the vastness of His expanse. The refrain in this�pauri�is��a?t�,end or boundary. Guru Nanak tells us that the domain of the Infinite is endless and without boundaries. Endless are its qualities, endless its creativity, endless its compassion and charity, endless its sights and forms, endless its designs.
Guru Nanak again emphasizes the ineffectiveness and vanity in attempting to describe the One. The One alone knows Itself.
???? ??? ???? ???? ???? ??? ?? ??? ????
Only one who is as great as the Creator can know Him.�- Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 05
Keen to Explore Further?
There is no end to the attributes of the Almighty. No amount of praising and narration can list all His virtues. Through no amount of striving can the limits of His creation be found. Through no amount of giving on one�s part can His capacity to give be known. Through no amount of observing His creation can His end be known. Through no amount of hearing about Him can His end be found. There is no end to knowing His intentions or predicting His actions. There is no end to knowing the vastness of His creation. There is no end to knowing where His creation starts and where it ends.
Countless cry, struggling to find His end, even then, they cannot find it. No one can know His end or limits. The more that is said about Him, the more there is still left unsaid. He is greatest of all, and exalted of all is His position. Highest of all is His Name, His Glory.
Only the one who is as great as the Creator can know His greatness; but there is none as great as Him. Hence, only He Himself knows how great He is.
Etymology:�From Sanskrit�ant�(end, border, proximity) ? Pali�ant�? Prakrit�a?t�(end).�
Summary of the Week:
The discussion of�pauris�21 through 24 began with a definition of the true shrine and pilgrimage, which, Guru Nanak told us, is the sacred space within us. Through a lifelong apprenticeship to Gurbani, a seeker cultivates this inner space where divine qualities flower.
These qualities collectively constitute true spirituality�(dharam).
Can these divine qualities, compassion, gratitude, awe, humility, joy, devotion be reconciled with the message of success and accomplishment we hear on a daily basis: self-assertiveness and pride in oneself, aggression and vaulting ambition? That is the question.
What stands out in these�pauris�is the fact that the modern scientific worldview is consistent with Guru Nanak�s cosmology. Science is the�lingua franca�of today and it is important to note that modern science is consistent with Guru Nanak�s view of creation.
The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time, have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth. -Albert Einstein, 1879-1955
