ਗਾਵੈ ਕੋ ਵੇਖੈ ਹਾਦਰਾ ਹਦੂਰਿ ॥
gaavai ko vaykhai haadraa hadoor.
Some Sing and contemplate with love and feel his presence.
ਕਥਨਾ ਕਥੀ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਤੋਟਿ ॥
kathnaa kathee na aavai tot.
There is no end to describing His virtues.
ਕਥਿ ਕਥਿ ਕਥੀ ਕੋਟੀ ਕੋਟਿ ਕੋਟਿ ॥
kath kath kathee kotee kot kot.
Millions have tried to describe Him numerous number of times.
ਦੇਦਾ ਦੇ ਲੈਦੇ ਥਕਿ ਪਾਹਿ ॥
daydaa day laiday thak paahi.
God keeps on providing for us and we keep on receiving His Gifts until we get tired of receiving. (Depart from this world)
ਜੁਗਾ ਜੁਗੰਤਰਿ ਖਾਹੀ ਖਾਹਿ ॥
jugaa jugantarkhaahee khaahi.
Throughout the ages, we keep consuming His gifts.
ਹੁਕਮੀ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਚਲਾਏ ਰਾਹੁ ॥
hukmee hukam chalaa-ay raahu.
The entire system of the universe is run according to God’s Command.
ਨਾਨਕ ਵਿਗਸੈ ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹੁ ॥੩॥
naanak vigsai vayparvaahu. ||3||
O’Nanak, the carefree Almighty always blooms in bliss (while caring for His creation). ||3||
Stanza 4
In this stanza, it is said that God cannot be pleased by worldly offerings. These offerings are already his and they are provided by Him to all. He can only be pleased by one who speaks to Him in His language of Love – love for Him and love for His Creation. A person who meditates on His Name with love and devotion, will become worthy of His Grace.
ਸਾਚਾ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਸਾਚੁ ਨਾਇ ਭਾਖਿਆ ਭਾਉ ਅਪਾਰੁ ॥
saachaa saahib saach naa-ay bhaakhi-aa bhaa-o apaar.
God is True (everlasting). His Name is True. His language is infinite love.
ਆਖਹਿ ਮੰਗਹਿ ਦੇਹਿ ਦੇਹਿ ਦਾਤਿ ਕਰੇ ਦਾਤਾਰੁ ॥
aakhahi mangahi dayhi dayhi daat karay daataar.
Creation begs for favors and blessings continually and the Great Giver keeps on giving.
ਫੇਰਿ ਕਿ ਅਗੈ ਰਖੀਐ ਜਿਤੁ ਦਿਸੈ ਦਰਬਾਰੁ ॥
fayr ke agai rakhee-ai jit disai darbaar.
What can we offer the Supreme Giver so we can get to see his Divine Court?
ਮੁਹੌ ਕਿ ਬੋਲਣੁ ਬੋਲੀਐ ਜਿਤੁ ਸੁਣਿ ਧਰੇ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥
muhou ke bolan bolee-ai jit sun Dharay pi-aar.
What words can we speak off to evoke His Love?
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਉ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
amrit vaylaa sach naa-o vadi-aa-ee veechaar.
At Amrit Vaylaa-A period before Dawn, recite the Name of God. Dwell upon the virtues of the Eternal Divine so the Ambrosial nectar of Naam is enjoyed.
ਕਰਮੀ ਆਵੈ ਕਪੜਾ ਨਦਰੀ ਮੋਖੁ ਦੁਆਰੁ ॥
karmee aavai kaprhaa nadree mokh du-aar.
The human body is obtained as a reward of good deeds done in the past and the liberation from the cycle of birth and death is attained by His Grace.
ਨਾਨਕ ਏਵੈ ਜਾਣੀਐ ਸਭੁ ਆਪੇ ਸਚਿਆਰੁ ॥੪॥
naanak ayvai jaanee-ai sabh aapay sachiaar. ||4||
O’Nanak, in this way we realize Him, who is self existant and everlasting.||4||
Stanza 5
In this stanza, it is said that those who remember God with love in their heart, achieve peace and happiness in their lives and receive true honor
ਥਾਪਿਆ ਨ ਜਾਇ ਕੀਤਾ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥
thaapi-aa na jaa-ay keetaa na ho-ay.
God cannot be established or created. (He is self-made and is all-pervading); He is flawless and pure.
ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਸੋਇ ॥
aapay aap niranjan so-ay.
The immaculate God came into existence by Himself.
ਜਿਨਿ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਤਿਨਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਮਾਨੁ ॥
jin sayvi-aa tin paa-i-aa maan.
Those who recited Naam with ferver and remembered Him with love and devotion got true honor.
ਨਾਨਕ ਗਾਵੀਐ ਗੁਣੀ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ॥
naanak gaavee-ai gunee niDhaan.
O’Nanak, let us meditate on Naam..
ਗਾਵੀਐ ਸੁਣੀਐ ਮਨਿ ਰਖੀਐ ਭਾਉ ॥
gaavee-ai sunee-ai man rakhee-ai bhaa-o.
By reciting Naam with complete devotion and being able to hear Naam from within,,
ਦੁਖੁ ਪਰਹਰਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਘਰਿ ਲੈ ਜਾਇ ॥
dukh parhar sukh ghar lai jaa-ay.
You will get rid of all your suffering and will be united within, in complete solace.
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਦੰ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵੇਦੰ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਈ ॥
gurmukh naadaN gurmukh vaydaN gurmukh rahi-aa samaa-ee.
Through the Guru, we hear God’s eternal song, God’s Word. Through the Guru, we receive divine knowledge and through the Guru, we realize that God is all-pervading.
ਗੁਰੁ ਈਸਰੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਗੋਰਖੁ ਬਰਮਾ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਰਬਤੀ ਮਾਈ ॥
gur eesar gur gorakh barmaa gur paarbatee maa-ee.
For us Our Guru is all Gods and Goddeses.
ਜੇ ਹਉ ਜਾਣਾ ਆਖਾ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਹਣਾ ਕਥਨੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥
jay ha-o jaanaa aakhaa naahee kahnaa kathan na jaa-ee.
Even if I get to know Him, I cannot describe Him, because He cannot be described by words.
ਗੁਰਾ ਇਕ ਦੇਹਿ ਬੁਝਾਈ ॥
guraa ik dayhi bujhaa-ee.
My Guru has blessed me with an understanding.
ਸਭਨਾ ਜੀਆ ਕਾ ਇਕੁ ਦਾਤਾ ਸੋ ਮੈ ਵਿਸਰਿ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੫॥
sabhnaa jee-aa kaa ik daataa so mai visar na jaa-ee. ||5||
That God is the provider to all living beings. I pray that I never get Him out of my mind.|5||
Stanza 6
This stanza states that pilgrimage to holy places is not the way to please God. Those who remember Him with love and passion become worthy of His Grace.
ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਵਾ ਜੇ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵਾ ਵਿਣੁ ਭਾਣੇ ਕਿ ਨਾਇ ਕਰੀ ॥
tirath naavaa jay tis bhaavaa vin bhaanay ke naa-ay karee.
Pilgrimage to holy places is useful if He is pleased. If He is not pleased, what good it is, taking ritulistic baths at holy places?
ਜੇਤੀ ਸਿਰਠਿ ਉਪਾਈ ਵੇਖਾ ਵਿਣੁ ਕਰਮਾ ਕਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਲਈ ॥
jaytee sirath upaa-ee vaykhaa vin karmaa ke milai la-ee.
When I look back at His creation, I realize that nothing can be obtained without His blessing.
ਮਤਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਰਤਨ ਜਵਾਹਰ ਮਾਣਿਕ ਜੇ ਇਕ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸਿਖ ਸੁਣੀ ॥
mat vich ratan javaahar maanik jay ik gur kee sikh sunee.
The mind becomes rich with divine knowledge when one listens to Guru’s teachings even once with deepest love and complete devotion.
ਗੁਰਾ ਇਕ ਦੇਹਿ ਬੁਝਾਈ ॥
guraa ik dayhi bujhaa-ee.
The Guru has given me this one understanding:
ਸਭਨਾ ਜੀਆ ਕਾ ਇਕੁ ਦਾਤਾ ਸੋ ਮੈ ਵਿਸਰਿ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੬॥
sabhnaa jee-aa kaa ik daataa so mai visar na jaa-ee. ||6||
there is only the One, the Giver of all souls. May I never forget Him! ||6||
Stanza 7
This stanza states that long life, worldly fame, recognition, and power are useless if His Grace is not obtained.
ਜੇ ਜੁਗ ਚਾਰੇ ਆਰਜਾ ਹੋਰ ਦਸੂਣੀ ਹੋਇ ॥
jay jug chaaray aarjaa hor dasoonee ho-ay.
Even if you could live throughout the four ages, or even ten times more,
ਨਵਾ ਖੰਡਾ ਵਿਚਿ ਜਾਣੀਐ ਨਾਲਿ ਚਲੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਇ ॥
navaa khanda vich jaanee-ai naal chalai sabh ko-ay.
and even if you were known throughout the nine continents and followed by all,
ਚੰਗਾ ਨਾਉ ਰਖਾਇ ਕੈ ਜਸੁ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਜਗਿ ਲੇਇ ॥
changa naa-o rakhaa-ay kai jas keerat jag lay-ay.
with a good name and reputation, with praise and fame throughout the world-
ਜੇ ਤਿਸੁ ਨਦਰਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਤ ਵਾਤ ਨ ਪੁਛੈ ਕੇ ॥
jay tis nadar na aavee ta vaat na puchhai kay.
still, if the Lord does not bless you with His Glance of Grace, then who cares? What is the use?
ਕੀਟਾ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਕੀਟੁ ਕਰਿ ਦੋਸੀ ਦੋਸੁ ਧਰੇ ॥
Keettaa Andhar Keett Kar Dhosee Dhos Dhharae ||
Among worms, you would be considered a lowly worm, and even contemptible sinners would hold you in contempt.
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਗੁਣਿ ਗੁਣੁ ਕਰੇ ਗੁਣਵੰਤਿਆ ਗੁਣੁ ਦੇ ॥
Naanak Niragun Gun Karae Gunavanthiaa Gun Dhae ||
O Nanak, God blesses the unworthy with virtue, and bestows virtue on the virtuous.
ਤੇਹਾ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਸੁਝਈ ਜਿ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਣੁ ਕੋਇ ਕਰੇ ॥੭॥
Thaehaa Koe N Sujhee J This Gun Koe Karae ||7||
All of that is worthless if God is not pleased with your deeds. ||7||
Stanza 8
Every line in this stanza starts with the word ’Suniae’. This word ‘Suniae’ means listening with complete focus, ultimate devotion and having absolutely no apprehension or reluctance in accepting what you are listening.
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸਿਧ ਪੀਰ ਸੁਰਿ ਨਾਥ ॥
suni-ai siDh peer sur naath.
By listening to God’s word with love and devotion, one becomes spiritually elevated.
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਧਰਤਿ ਧਵਲ ਆਕਾਸ ॥
suni-ai Dharat Dhaval aakaas.
By listening to God’s word with love and devotion, one gets to know that He is the only one supporting the earth (and not a bull as per the Hindu Scriptures).
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਦੀਪ ਲੋਅ ਪਾਤਾਲ ॥
suni-ai deep lo-a paataal.
By listening to God’s word with love and devotion, one comes to know that God alone is the support of all the continents and the nether regions.
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਪੋਹਿ ਨ ਸਕੈ ਕਾਲੁ ॥
suni-ai pohi na sakai kaal.
By listening to God’s word with love and devotion, one escapes from the effect of time and does not get into the cycle of birth and death.
ਨਾਨਕ ਭਗਤਾ ਸਦਾ ਵਿਗਾਸੁ ॥
naanak bhagtaa sadaa vigaas.
O’ Nanak, the devotees of God are forever in the state of joy and bliss.
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਦੂਖ ਪਾਪ ਕਾ ਨਾਸੁ ॥੮॥
suni-ai dookh paap kaa naas. ||8||
By listening to God’s word with love and devotion, inner pain (of worldly attachments) and sins are erased. ||8||
Stanza 9
Every line in this stanza starts with the word ’Suniae’. This word ‘Suniae’ means listening with complete focus, ultimate devotion and having absolutely no apprehension or reluctance in accepting what you are listening.
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਈਸਰੁ ਬਰਮਾ ਇੰਦੁ ॥
suni-ai eesar barmaa ind.
By listening to God’s word with love and devotion, one obtains Godly qualities (reference to the Hindu mythological gods Shiva, Brahma and Indra implies Godly qualities).
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਮੁਖਿ ਸਾਲਾਹਣ ਮੰਦੁ ॥
suni-ai mukh saalaahan mand.
By listening to God’s word with love and devotion, negative energy gets dissipated and they start singing the praises of God.
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਜੋਗ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਤਨਿ ਭੇਦ ॥
suni-ai jog jugat tan bhayd.
By listening to God’s word with love and devotion, one is able to know how the senses of the human body work and by using them properly, learn the art of unifying with God.
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸਾਸਤ ਸਿਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਵੇਦ ॥
suni-ai saasat simrit vayd.
By listening to God’s word with love and devotion, one attains spiritual knowledge. (reference to the Hindu Scriptures – Shastras, Simrities and Vedas implies spiritual knowledge).
ਨਾਨਕ ਭਗਤਾ ਸਦਾ ਵਿਗਾਸੁ ॥
naanak bhagtaa sadaa vigaas.
O’ Nanak, the devotees of God are forever in the state of joy and bliss.