I
By thinking I cannot obtain a conception of Him, even though I think hundreds of thousands of times.
Even though I be silent and keep my attention firmly fixed on Him, I cannot preserve silence.
The hunger of the hungry for God subsideth not though they obtain the load of the worlds.
If man should have thousands and hundreds of thousands of devices, even one would not assist him in obtaining God.
How shall man become true before God ? How shall the veil of falsehood be rent ?[1]
By walking, O Nanak, according to the will[2] of the Commander as preordained.
II
By His order bodies are produced ; His order cannot be
described.
By His order souls[3] are infused into them ; by His order
greatness is obtained.
By His order men are high or low ; by His order they
obtain preordained pain or pleasure.
By His order some obtain their reward ;[4] by His order
others must ever wander in transmigration.
All are subject to His order ; none is exempt from it.
He who understandeth God's order, O Nanak, is never
guilty of egoism.[5]
III
Who can sing His power ? Who hath power to sing it ?[6]
Who can sing His gifts or know His signs ?[7]
- ↑ Also translated How shall the line of falsehood be broken ?
- ↑ Rajāi, the Arabic razā, the divine pleasure.
- ↑ In these two lines some suppose akār to refer to the non-sentient, jiv to the sentient world.
- ↑ That is, to be blended with God.
- ↑ Literally - would not be guilty of saying haun main, i.e. I exist by myself independently of God. This is the sin of spiritual pride.
- ↑ Also translated - Whoever has the power.
- ↑ Also translated - He who knows his signs.
