43
of the JapjL By M. Macauliffk, I.C.S. M.R.A.S., (retired).
Translation
IV.?
Art.
bo repeated is the prayer which must every Japji was true It Sikhs. all morning by composed by Balm of in advanced Nanak years, and gives a brief summary His idea of God, and his ethics, cosmogony. religion, Tjih
on
views
these
in his other The
Sikhs
are found
much further expanded in the Ad Granth. compositions incorporated regard the Japji as the key to the teaching of subjects
the early Gurus. I Last year learned
Sikhs
favour
of
printed a
and privately of translation
circulated the
among the for Japji was translation
rough return. and The correction to me with corrections and suggestions returned by very learned and distinguished Sikhs, among whom I may many Prince Ripdaman mention His Highness Singh (Tikka Sahib Sumer Singh Baba of Nabha), (Mahant, Patna Sahib), Sirdar Lilaram Watanmal (Subordinate Judge, Sind), Sirdar
Sirdar Aya Singh (District Judge, Singh of Nabha, of and Hazara Bhais Singh Bhngwuu Singh Punjab), and Bhai Avatar Singh, Bhai Lachhman Amritsar, Singh, rendered me. others whom I beg to thank for the assistance and suggestions received I have now placed The corrections or professional of tho before several gyanis interpreters Kahn
of whom is Bhai Sardul Singh the amended result is the following Gyani, Amritsar; to not able been have translation. accept all My gyanis some because and suggestions the corrections received, very but all of thera have did not suit the context; obviously it is believed, and none rejected, been carefully considered, reason. sufficient without
Granth
Sahib,
at the head and
44
TRANSLATION OF THE JAIM I.
one of the most difficult of human is perhaps to the translation may notes The appended compositions. a but idea of the struggle some, very give only inadequate, the gyanis and myself The Ad have had with the text. now the Granth is also called Sahib, Granth, unintelligible or two to the great mass of the Sikhs, and in a generation there will bo hardly any gyanis left, and the Sikh religion The
Japji
if there in Hinduism be lost, or have become absorbed, be no translation now made in some literary language.
will
THE JAPJI. There
is but
one God
whose
devoid
name
of fear and enmity, immortal, the favour of the Guru.8 by Repeat
His
is true, unborn,
the Creator,1 self-existent2;
name.
The True One was in the beginning; in the primal age. The True One is4 now also, 0 Nanak,5 shall be.
the True
One was
the True
One
also
1Karta to translate the word purukh. it is perhaps not necessary purnl-h. or creative The all-pervading It means male spirit in union with Agency. In tho Granth a female element uttered a word from which sprang creation. as females. Sahib the Gnrns speak of God as a male and themselves 2 Saibhan is derived from the Sanskrit swayamhhu, which I have fouud in this in a very aucicnt Sikh MS. passage 3 Gur rarsad. of to the iu deference these words 1 have translated opinions I have no doubt that hut with several learned of the Sikhs; the majority gyanis as epithets of God, the great and bountiful. Vide Candler's they wore intended Guru Ntinak had no under the words yur and prasadwit. Sanskrit Dictionary It was during the spiritual sunroniacy of his human guru ; his guru was God. for successors the favour of tho Guru was invoked, and deemed indispensable deliverance. l * There are two bh'xs iu this line which some say are idiomatic. also.' Jlhi, 1 have very little doubt that the first bhi is nu obsolete past tense of the defective True One is, was, and verb bhu, and that the verse ought to be translated?The also shall be. 6 lu Orieutal it is usual for tho poet to iuscrfc his real or poetical works or section of a composition. This assumed name iu the eud of a composition
45
TRANSLATION OF THE JAPJI. I. I cannot obtain a conception of Him, thinking of times. I hundreds of think thousands though l Even though I be silent and keep my attention firmly on Him, I cannot preserve silence.
even
By
ceaseth
for God, my hunger load of the worlds.
Hungry
not though
fixed
I obtain
the
If man How
should have thousands and hundreds of thousands of devices, even one would not assist him in obtaining God. shall man become true before God? How shall the veil of falsehood be rent ?2
By walking,
0 Nanak, as
mander
to the will3
according
of
the Com
preordained.
II. By His
order
bodies
are produced
; His
order
cannot
be
described. By His
order
souls4
aro
infused
into them ; by nis
is obtained. greatness men are high or low; By His order by Ilia order preordained
By
His
order others
pain
some
must
ever
All are subject to His He who understandeth of egoism.0
or
order
they obtain
pleasure.
obtain wander
order God's
their in
; none
reward;5
by His
order
transmigration.
is exempt order, 0 Nanak,
from it. is never
guilty
imitators practice is unknown to European poets except in tho case of' professed I therefore of Oriental poetry. to omit the word Wero Nanak' wherever it the taste of European occurs, I should lie consulting readers, but the Sikhs do not desire such an omission. * 1 It sometimes to Liv, the Sanskrit lipsa, appears to correspond longing.' the English word 'love.' 2 Also translated?How shall the line of falsehood be broken? 8 llajai, raja, the Arabic raza, the divine pleasure. 4 Iu these, two lines some suppose akar to refer to the non-sentient, jiv to the sentient world. 6 That to he blended with God. is, 6 would not be guilty of saying haun main, Literally, i.e., I exist by myself of God. This is the sin of spiritual pride. independently
46
TRANSLATION OF THE JAPJI. III.
Who Who Who Who Who Who Who
can sing His power P Who has power to sing it P l can sing His gifts or know His signs Pa can His His attributes, greatness, and His deeds P3 sing can sing His knowledge whose study is arduous ? can who fashioneth the body and again sing Him, it P destroyeth can sing Him, who taketh away life and again re it? stored can sing Him, who appeareth to be far, but is known
to be near? can sing Him, who is ^//-seeing and omnipresent?4 In describing Him there would never be an end. of descriptions of men give millions Millions upon millions
Who
to describe Him. but they fail tho receiver groweth weary of receiving. giveth ; man subsisteth His In every age bounty. by The Commander by His order hath laid out the way of the of Him,
The Giver
world.
Nanak,
God, who
is free from care,
is happy.
IV. True
is the Lord,
true isHis
name;
it is uttered with
endless
the Giver
giveth
love.5
People
pray and bog, "Give me, His gifts,
give me";
1 has the power. Also translated?Whoever 3 Also translated?He who knows his signs. 3 Char is understood to he a contracted Some translate form of aehar. ' and make it an epithet of tvadiai. word excellent,* 4 The :? are this of lines also translated pauri precediug Some sing His power according to their abilities; Some sing His gifts according to their knowledgo of His signs; aud His deeds ; Some sing His attributes, His greatness, whose study is arduous; Some sing His kuowlcdpe the body aud agaiu destroyeth Some siug that He fashioneth it; Some that He taketh away the soul and again rcstorcth it; far from mortal gage ; Some that He appeareth Some that He is nil-seeing and omnipresent. 5 Also translated?His attributes are described iu endless languages.
tho
TRANSLATION OF THE JAIMI.
47
can we offer Him whereby His court may be seen? shall we utter with our lips, on hearing which He may love us ? on the true name the ambrosial hour of morning meditate
Then what What At
words
and Godfs greatness. One will give us a robe of honour, and by His favour we shall reach the gate of salvation.1 we shall thus know that God is true.2 altogether
The Kind Nanak,
V. nor is He created. is not established, one The pure existeth by Himself. They who worshipped Him have obtained honour. who is the Treasury Nanak, sing the praines of Him,
He
of
excellencies.
Sing and hear and put His Thus shall your sorrows absorbed Under
love in your hearts. and you shall removed, in Him who is the abode of happiness.3 be
tho Guru's
instruction
the Guru's
instruction
under everywhere
The Guru
the Guru's
be
word is heard] under its knowledge is acquired; instruction man learns that God is God's
contained.4
is Shiva; is Vishnu the Guru and Brahma Guru is Parbati, Lakhshmi, and Saraswati.5
; the
1 This ver.se is also our former acts wo acquire this human translated?By vesture, aud by God's favour reach tbu gate of salvation. 8 This verso is shall then know that God is all in all commonly translated?We this translation Himself?but does not appear to harmonize with the preceding part8 of the pauri. Also translated?And you shall take happiness to your homes. 1 This very didlctilt verso is also translated? The voice as in the Vedas; of is found as well iu other compositions God (1) thi! voice of God is all-pervading. that God is everywhere con instruction, (2) The pious know tho Guru's tained. for the holy; (3) Tho voice of the Guru is as tbe Vedas they are absorbed in it. 6 This verse is also translated? is greater than Shiva; ; greater (1) He greater than Vishnu and^ Brahma thau Parbati, Lakhshmi, and Saraswati. For tho is the Guru the Guru Shiva is Vishnu tbe and holy ; (2) Brahma; Guru is rarbati, and Saraswati. Lakhshmi, '* Tho tenth Guru says: Khanda prithmo saj ke Jin sab sansar upaiya." (God
TRANSLATION OF THE JAPJI.
48 If I knew Him, described
should
I not describe
Him
? He
cannot
be
by words.
one thing to me? My Guru hath explained on all living there is but one Bestower That
beings
; may
I not forget Him !
VI. to batho in ; that is my place of pilgrimage If I please Him, if I please Him not, what ablutions shall I make P can all the created creatures I behold obtain without What precious good acts ? stones, jewels, and gems shall be treasured up in thy heart if thou hearken to even one word of the Guru. The Guru hath explained one thing to me? on all That there is but one Bestower may living beings; I not forget Him !
Precious
VII. Were
man
to live
through
the
four
ages,
yea
ten
times
longer,
on the nine continents, to be known and were to in follow his train,1 everybody he to obtain a great name and praise and renown2 in Were the world, look of favour fell not on him, no one would If God's notice him.
Were
He
ho
would
be
accounted
sinners would
a
impute
worm
among
worms,
and
even
sin to him.
and then the world.) So here first created the sword, the emblem of Death, as the ageut of destruction. The word uttered Shiva obtains precedence by of Him God became the source of knowledge through the Guru in the three forms and Brahma. of Shiva, Vishnu, 1 That is, to show him respect. 2 Jas is praise in one's presence, kirat praise in one'a absence.
TRANSLATION OP THE JAPJI.
49
God may bestow virtue on those who are devoid of it, as well as on those who already possess it; no such person is seen as can bestow virtue upon Him.
Nanak, But
VIII. the name of God men become Sidhs, Pirs, Surs, hearing and Naths.1 the name man understandeth the real nature of the By hearing earth, its supporting bull,2 and Heaven. the name man ohtaineth a knowledge of the By hearing By
the worlds, and the nether regions. continents, name the death doth not affect one.3 By hearing the saints are ever happy. Nanak, the name sorrow and sin are no more. By hearing
IX.
By
the name man
hearing
becoraeth
as Shiva,
Brahma,
and
Indra.
By By
the name even the low become highly the name the way of the jogi and hearing of the body arc obtained.
hearing
lauded.4 the secrets
the name man nnderstandeth the real nature hearing the Shastras, the Simritis, and the Vedas.5 the saints are ever happy. Nanak, By
By
hearing
the
name
sorrow
and
sin
arc
of
no more.
1 Sidhs are men who have ; Pir> powers by asceticism acquired supernatural are Muhammadan Naths aro superiors among jogi*. saints; Surs are demigods; 2 The bull which the Hindus believe supports the earth. is not believed This in by the Sikhs. Sec below, pauri XVI. * Man shall not die again, but obtain deliverance. 4 Also hearing the name one is praised by high and low. * There translated?By are six Shastras, nnd four Vedas. Simritis, twenty-seven j.h.a.s.
1900.
4
50
TRANSLATION OF THE JAPJI. X.
the name truth, contentment, and divine know are obtained. ledge at the sixty-eight is equal to bathing the name Hearing places of pilgrimage.1 By hearing the name and reading it man obtaineth honour.2 on God.3 By hearing the name the mind is composed and fixed the saints are ever happy. Nanak, sorrow and sin are no more. By hearing the name By
hearing
XI. By
hearing
the name,
the depth
of
the
sea of virtue
is
sounded.4
the name men become shekhs,5 pirs, and emperors. the name a blind man findeth his way. becometh fathomable. By hearing the name the unfathomable are ever saints the Nanak, happy. ure no more. By hoaring the namo sorrow and sin By hearing By hearing
XII. of him who obeyeth God cannot be described. Whoever repent. tryeth to describe it, shall afterward There is no paper, or pen, or writer To describe the condition of him who obeyeth God. The
condition
80 pure Whoever
is God's
name, obeyeth God knoweth
the pleasure
of it in his own
heart.6
1 of the Hindus. is the number of holy places in the Sixty-eight opinion 2 Also* honour by tho know translated?On hearing the "name man obtaineth h dge acquired. 3 upon God. hearing the name mail easily nieditateth Or?By * Also translated?Man acquircth the best virtues. 5 Shekhs are mouks. really superiors of Mithammadau fi he kuows it in his own mind, that is, he obtains a pleasure which Literally, is incommunicable.
TRANSLATION OF THE JAPJI.
51
XIII. By By By By So
enter the mind. wisdom and understanding man knoweth all worlds.1 Him obeying man suffereth not punishment.2 obeying Him man shall not depart with Jam.3 obeying Him obeying
pure
Whoever
Him
is God's
obeyeth
name,
God
knoweth
the pleasure
of
it in his own
heart.
XIV. man's path is not obstructed. man departeth with honour and distinction. man proceedeth in ecstasy4 on his way. an man Him formeth alliance with virtue.
Him
By
obeying
By
obeying Him obeying Him
By
By obeying So pure is God's name, Whoever obeyeth God knoweth
the pleasure
of
it in his own
heart.
XV. the By obeying Him man obtaincth man is Him saved with By obeying By obeying Him the Guru is saved, man 0 Nanak, By obeying Him, of alms/' So pure is God's name, the Whoever obeyeth God knoweth
gate of salvation. his family. and saveth his disciples. not in quest wandcreth
pleasure
of it in his own
heart.
1 to Hindus Bhawan. and Musalmans there are fourteen worlds According all forming the universe. % cateth not blows on his mouth. 3 Literally, known as Yuma in Sanskrit writings. This verse Jam, the God of Death, means that man shall not die again, but bo absorbed in God. * This word is understood to be for magan. Thoso who read mayu Mtigun. na trauslatc? (1) By obeying Him man proceedeth not by the path of destruction. (2) Man proceedeth by the broad, not the narrow way. 6 This is explained to mean?Docs not wander iu transmigration.
52
.TRANSLATION"OF THE JAPJI. XVI.
elect1 are acceptable, the elect are distinguished. elect obtain honour in God's court. The elect shed lustre 2 on the courts of kings. The attention of the elect is bestowed on the one Guru.8 If anyone say he can form an idea of God, he may say so, The
The
But
the Creator's
The
bull
works cannot be numbered. that is spoken of is righteousness, the offspring
of
mercy,
Which Whoever What
the order of nature.4 supported by patience maintaincth a man. understandeth this is true a load there is upon the bull!5 this
Beyond
earth
there
arc
more
worlds,
more
and
more.
power can support their weight P The names of living things, their species, and colours, Have all been written with a flowing pen. Does anyone know how to write an account of them ? If the account were written, how great it would be ! What are thine, 0 God. form and beautiful power Who hath power0 to know how great Thy gifts are? of the world, By one word7 Thou didst effect the expausion were hundreds of thousands of rivers Whereby produced. What power have I to describe Thee P I cannot even once be a sacrifice unto Thee. What
Whatever Thou,
pleaseth Thee is good. 0 Formless One, art ever secure.
1 'five.' The number conveys tho idea of selection. There ranch, literally " is a Hindustani hni" Panchon men Faranieskwar proverb, (Where live are Others say that punch refers to the assembled, God is in the midst of them). live classes of persons previously mentioned?those who walk according to God's to he true, who praise Him, who hear His name, and who will, who know Him Him. obey 2*This is the interpretation in his of sohabi given by Bhni Chanda Singh ou the Granth Sahib. commentary 3 The elect have one God as their Guru or spiritual guide, and meditate on Him. 4 is The Guru menus by pntienco Suf, the thread on which the world strung. the adjusted balance of the world, everything being in equipoise. 8 Here Guru Nanak tho Hiudu obviously rejects story of the bull. ' 6 I understand hit as the Arabic hiwwat. If kut be held to mean food,1 a meaning which the word so pronounced also bears in Arabic, the verse will he translated-?Who knoweth the extent of Thy gifts of sustenance? " 7 The am olio, let me Hindus believe this is Eko aliani, bahu ayani"?I become mauy.
TRANSLATION OF THE JAPJI.
53
XVII. and numberless Thy lovers; Thy worshippers,1 Thine adorers, and numberless those who perform for Thee; austerities Numberless the reciters of sacred books and Vedas ; to the Numberless jogis whoso hearts are indifferent Thy Numberless
Numberless
world; the Numberless divine Numberless Numberless
saints who
ponder
on Thine
attributes
knowledge; true men; numberless Thine almsgivers ; who of heroes the their steel face enemies;2 Thy
Thy
worshippers who lovingly Thee. thoughts upon What power have I to describe Thee? I cannot even once be a sacrifice unto Thee. Numberless
Whatever 0 Formless
and
Thy
silent
fix
their
pleaseth Thee is good. One, Thou art ever secure.
XVIII. .Numberless Numberless Numberless
aro tho fools appallingly blind; are the thieves aud devourers of others' property ;* those who establish their sovereignty by force;4
Numberless
the
Numberless
the sinners who pride themselves on committing the liars who roam about lying ;
Numberless Numberless Numberless
cut-throats
and
murderers
;
the filthy5 who enjoy filthy gain the slanderers who carry loads
sin ;
; of calumny
on
their heads; thus describeth the degraded. 1 cannot even once bo a sacrifice unto Thee.
Nanak
1 of God's name. Here the word is used hy metonymy repetitions Literally, for those who repeat God's name. 3 eat irou with their mouths. who Literally, ' 3Huramkhor. means eaters of forbidden food.* This word 4 Also trannlatnd?Numberless literally aro those who issue oppressive orders. 5Malcch?Whose desires arc filthy, and who are deemed the lowest of the low, complete outcasts.
54 Whatever 0 Formless
TRANSLATION OF THE JAFJL
pleaseth Thee is good. One, Thou art ever secure.
XIX. Thy names, and numberless Thy places. Completely beyond reachl are Thy numberless worlds. Numberless those who repeat Thy name with all the strength of their intellects.2 By letters3 we repeat Thy name, by letters we praise Thee; and sing Thy praises By letters we acquire divine knowledge, and Thine attributes; Numberless
By
letters we write
and utter the word4 of God; recorded on man's head his destiny is declared.5 inscribeth them on others, beareth not them on His
the letters
By He who
own
head.
so shall man obtain. As He ordaineth, As great Thy creation, O God, so great Thy There is no place without Thy name. What power have I to describe Thee P 1 cannot
even
once
a sacrifice
be
unto
fame!
Thee.
pleaseth Thee is good. 0 Formless One, Thou art ever secure.
Whatever
XX. the hands, feet, and other members covered with filth, It is removed by washing with water.
When
1 from a meaning Jgam, 2 Also translated? their bodies (1) With religious (2) Those who heads.
'
not*
aud gam
of the body
are
'to go.'
reversed, that is, standing on their heads, a form of austerity practised in India. try to describe Thee shall have to carry loads of sin on their
8 Letters here appear to 'mean sacred literature. 4 JBan menus Here it is understood custom/ 5 Also generally translated?His uuiou with God is determined.
to be used for bam.
55
TRANSLATION OF THE JAPJI. are polluted, thy clothes the and impurity shall be washed Apply soap, So when the mind is defiled by sin, It is cleansed by the colour1 of the name. do not become saints or sinners by Men
When
themselves
away.
merely
calling
so.
The recording angels take with them a record of man's It is he himself soweth, and he himself eateth. Nanak, man suffereth transmigration by God's order.
acts.
XXI. on general and almsgiving austerities, mercy, Pilgrimage, aud special occasions2 Whoever may obtain some little honour. performeth, But he who heareth and obeyeth and loveth God iu his heart, Shall
wash
off his
impurity
in
the
place
of
pilgrimage him. within All virtues are thine, O Lord; none are mine. virtue. There is no devotion without issued From the self-existent proceeded Maya (athi), whence a word which produced Brahma and the rest3? art true, Thou art beautiful, "Thou there is ever pleasure What
in Thy heart \" the time, what the epoch, what the week-day,
What
the season,
and what
what
the month,
the
lunar day,
and
when
the world
was
created,
The
had they done pandits did not discover; have recorded it iu the Puranas.
Nor
did the kazis4 have
so, they would
it; had they done so, they would in the Kuran. it
discover
recorded
1 a colour, water a in which of the washing Rang. Literally, dye, powder iu India use indigo in washing. Laundrvmcu tho name has been dissolved. a Dat means festivals. dan, gifts at religions almsgiviug; " 3 Tho verse isgeneral is said to have been tho also translated?" Illessiug ou Thee ! first salutation that Brahma addressed Thee. * Baba Nanak means the scribes who reduced the Kuran to writing.
56 Neither When
TRANSLATION OF THE JAFJI.
the jogi nor any other mortal knows the lunar day, or the or or the the month. season, week-day, the Creator the world fashioned only he Himself knoweth.
How shall I address Thee, 0 God ? how shall I praise Thee P how Thee Saith
shall ?
I describe
Nanak, everj'body the other.
Thee?
speaketh
and how of Thee,
shall
I know
one wiser
than
it is only what He is His name; to pass.1 is spiritually proud shall not be honoured
Great
is the Lord, great doeth that cometh
Nanak,
he who on his arrival
in the next world.
XXII. There arc hundreds of thousands of nether and upper regions. Men have grown weary at last of search ing, for God's limits; the Vedas say one thing, that God has no limit.2 The thousands of Puranas3 aud Muhammadan books4 toll is that in reality there but one principle.5 If God can be described by writing, then describe llirn; but is impossible. such description 0 Nanak, call Him great; knoweth how only He Himself is. Ho great
1 That can do nothing of himself. Whatever ho docs proceeds is, mau lrom God. 7 is true, the source of kuowledgo, "Satyau jnanam anantan Rrahm"?God without end. The verse is also translated?Tho Vedas have at last grown weary of searchiug for God's the slightest limits, but they cannot give description of Him. 8 There are only eighteen iu the text moans Parana*. The expression a thousand times or an indefinite number. The word saltans is also eighteen understood by the gyanis to refer to rishis aud learned men of indefinite numbers. 4Kitcba is understood the four books accepted to mean learned Muham by the Psalms of David, the New Testament, and tho madaus?the Old Testament, Kuran. ft That "Eko Brnhm, dutiyo is, that God is the root or principle of all things. uastyev."
TRANSLATION OF THE JAPJI.
07
XXIII. praise God, but have not acquired of Him, rivers and streams fall into the sea, but
a
Praisers As
knowledge
know
not
its
extent.
Kings Arc
emperors who possess l property and wealth not equal to the worm which and
oceans
of
and mountains
forgctteth
not God
in its
heart.
XXIV. is no
limit to God's praises;2 to those who repeat them then; is no limit. There is no limit to His mercy, and to His gilts there is no limit. is no limit to what God seeth, no limit to what Ho There heareth. The limit of the secret of His heart cannot be known. The limit of His creation cannot be known; neither His limit nor His end can be ascertained.3 To know His limits how many vex their hearts.4 His limits cannot be ascertained; There
knoweth
Nobody The
more
Great His Wero
Then
we
say,
His the
limits. more
that
remains
to be
said.
is the Lord, and exalted is His seat. exalted name is higher than the most exalted. anyone
else
over
so
exalted,
ho would
know that exalted Being. How groat Ho is He knoweth Himself. Nanak, God bostoweth gifts on those on whom He favour
and
looks with
mercy.
1 Also translated?As so is God the monarch the sea is the kiug of stream*, Those who possess mountainous etc. of men. wealth, 2 Also translated?There is no limit to tho Praised One, 3 "neither His near nor His further side can bo known," a Literally, metaphor taken from the banks of a river. ' * in Billah, cry literally pain.'
58
TRANSLATION OF THE JAPJI. XXV.
His many bounties* cannot be recorded. is a great giver and hath not a particle of covetousness. How many, yea, countless heroes beg of Him! How many others whose number cauuot be conceived ! How many pine away in sin !
He
How
porsons receive many fools there are How many are ever dying O giver, these things also we shall again Whether many
How
yet deny God's gifts! who merely eat! in distress and want! come from Thee.
be enclosed in a body or obtain on deliverance will: dependeth Thy can interfere with it. Nobody If any fool2 try to interfere with it, He shall know himself the punishment he shall suffer. to whom He God himself knoweth should give, and He Himself giveth. this.3 Only very few acknowledge to whom God hath He the boon of praising and given lauding Him, O Nanak, is the King
of kings.1
XXVI. Priceless
are Thine
attributes,
0
God,
and
priceless
dealings;5 Priceless Thy dealers,6 priceless Thy storehouses ; is what cometh from Thee, and priceless Priceless taken away;
Thy
what
is
' 1Kami ' in Sanskrit is work,' iu Persiau Tho kinduess, favour, or bounty.' context seems to show that the last mentioned is inteudcd. " 2 Khaik. Sri ltag ki war?thno nahin is also found in the This word khaika." 3 The favours are obtained of people suppose that God's majority through a mediator. 4 Also translated?To those few, 0 Nanak, the King of kings Giveth the boon of praising nnd lauding Him. 5 In the True name. 6 That is, religious men who deal in the True name.
TRANSLATION OF THE JAIM I. Priceless
Thy
Priceless
Thy
Priceless
and priceless Thy measures;2 Thy weights and Thy gifts priceless Thy marks;
Priceless
rate and priceless the time for dealing and justice priceless Thy court;
59 ;l
Priceless
Thy mercy and priceless Thy ordinances. beyond all prico Thou art cannot be stated. to fix their Ever speaking of Thee men continue
How
thoughts
on Thee.3
who read the Vedas and Puranas speak of Thee; Learned men speak of Thee and deliver discourses on Thee
Those
;
speak of Thee, and Indras speak of Thee; The milkmaids and Krishna speak of Thee; Shivas speak of Thee, the Sidhs speak of Thee; All the Budhas Thou hast created speak of Thee; Brahmas
speak of Thee, the gods speak of Thee; Thy demigods, men, munis, and servants speak of Thee; How many speak of Thee or attempt to speak of Thee ! How many depart while speaking of Thee! If thou wert to create as many more as Thou hast created, The demons
Even Thou
few of them would of Thee.
then
mayest
be
as
great
as Thou
be able
to speak
adequately
pleasest.
knoweth how great He Nanak, only the True one Himself If anyone were to speak improperly of God, him down as the most ignorant of all men. Write
is.
XXVII. What How
is that gate, what is that mansion, where Thou, 0 God, sittest and watchest over all things ? many musicians songs to sing various and countless Thee !
1 Also translated?Priceless those who are absorbed is thy love, and priceless in it. 8 I read If the latter be read, the translation will be pranwn lor par wan. of mortals. A third and priceless Thine Priceless acceptance Thy weights scale and priceless Thy weights. translation is?Priceless Thy :1Also that Thou art priceless men continue to fix their translated?Repeating attention on Thee.
CO TRANSLATION OF THE JAPJI. measures
with their consorts, and how !l Thee singers sing and fire water, Wind, sing Thee; Dharmraj sings at Thy gate. The recording angels,2 who know how to write and on whose 3 record Dharmraj judgeth, sing Thee. and Devi,5 ever beautiful as adorned by Thee, Ishar,4 Brahma, Thee. sing Indar, seated on His throne, with the gods at Thy gate sing How
many
musical
many
Thee. in meditation
Sidhs6
holy men
sing Thee;
Tho
sing Thee. the true, and the patient continent, heroes sing Thee. yielding
The
pandits
The
in contemplation sing
un
and the supreme Rikhis,7 reading their Vedas, in Thee every ago. sing lovely celestial maids who beguile the heart in the upper,
middle,8 and nether regions sing Thee. the sixty-eight The jewels9 created by Thee with pilgrimage sing Thee. warriors and divine heroes sing Thee; Mighty sources of life 10 sing Thee. The
Thee;
continents,
supported
1 There
the
and
worlds,
by Thy
hands
the
universe
places
of
tho four made
and
sing Thee.
are six rags or musical measures, which have each five raginis as their eousorte, and eight minor rags as their offspring. * 2 Chitr and to Chitr means invisible.' 'visible,' Gupt Gupt. According the Sikhs, Chitr records man's overt acts, Gupt the designs of his heart. In one of Sanskrit literature Chitrgupt is Yama. person, the lteeordcr 8 The Pluto of the Greeks. ? A title of Shiva. s Tho female energy of nature. She has numerous names in Sanskrit literature fi Men who have acquired .supernatural power by tho practice of jog. 1 There sons oi Ihahma. are said to be seven supreme Rikhis, Tho Vedas Mire written by ltikhis. ' * to be the earth. lish.' It is bore understood JFai'h, literally '' to the Hindus, iu bis Karmavatara Vishnu assumed tho shape of According a tortoise which tho earth while the god6 churned the oceau. t'rom supported the ocean were produced the fourteen gems or They jewels here referred to. arc Lakhshmi, wile of Vishnu, the moon, a white horse with seven heads, a holy the tree of plenty, tho all-yielding cow, etc. sage, a prodigious elephant, 10 The Hindus enumerate four sources of life, and say that auimnls arc born the earth, and perspiration. from egg*, wombs,
TRANSLATION OF THE JAIM I.
61
please Thee, and who are imbued with Thy love1 sing Thee. The many others who sing Thee I cannot remember; how recount them ? 2 could Nanak is the true Lord, and the true That God is ever true, He The
saints who
name.
He who made
this world is and shall nor be made to depart.8
depart who through
created Maya and species, descriptions, His handiwork which Beholdcth
He
be ; he shall
neither
of different
colours,
things attesteth
His greatness.
1 Jtamle ran nak, which is literally an abode of pleasure. The reading would remove all difficulty, has been suggested. 2 The is offered as a free blank verse paraphrase of this pauii ?: following What is that gate, that mansion what, where thou Dost sit and watch o'er all Thy wondrous works V Many the harps and songs which time Thy praise, who can tell ? Yea, countless; Thy musicians How many measures sung with high delight, And voices which exult Thy peerless name ! To Thee sing water, wind, and breathing lire; To Thee sings Dharaturaj iu regions drear; To Thee sing th' angels who men's deeds record For judgment final by that king of death. To Thee sing Shiva, Brahma, and the Queen Of Ilcav'u with radiant beauty ever erown'd ; To Thee sing India and th' attendant gods Around Thy throne and seraphs at Thy gate. To Then sing Sidhs in meditation deop, And holy men who ponder but on Thee. To Thee sing chaste and patient of mankind, heroes of true faith approved. Unyielding To Thee sing pandits and the chiefs of saints; The ages four and Yeds to them assigned. To Thee sing maidens who delight, the sense, This world of ours, high heaven, and hell below. sea that rose, To Thee sing gems from Vishnu's And eight and sixty spots of pilgrims' haunt. To Thee sing heroes and the men of might; The sources four from which all life doth spring. To Thee sing regions, orbs, and universe, (heated, cherished, and upheld by Thee ! To Theo sing those whoso deeds delight Thine eye, The hosts that wear the colours of Thy faith. All things beside which sing Thy glorious name, Could ne'er be told by Nanak's lowly song. 8 Also
translated?
(1) Creation shall depart, but not lie who made it. (2) He who made creation shall not he born or die.
<)2
TRANSLATION OF THE JAPJI.
He
will
He
is king, the king to His will.
do what to Him.
pleaseth
no order ma}'
Himself;
of kings,
0 Nanak;
all
be issued
remain
subject
XXVIII. Make
contentment
thine
and self-respect earrings, modesty meditation the ashes to smear on thy body. is only a morsel for death, thy body, which thy and faith rulo of life and thy staff.1 coat, beggar's thy association with all thine Ai Panth,2 and the conquest of thy heart the conquest of the world. thy wallet,
Make Make
Hail The
to Him,
!3 Hail
primal, the pure,4 without the same in every age!
beginning,
the indestructible,
XXIX. Make
divine
knowledge thy food, and the which voice keeper, to to call meats. pipe
thy store compassion is in every heart tho
string strung the whole world on His let wealth and supernatural Lord; thy spiritual power be relishes for others. Union and separation is the law which rcgulateth the world.5 we our receive By destiny portion.
Make
Him
who
hath
Hail The
! Hail
primal, the pure, without the saine in every age!
to Him, bogiuning,
the
indestructible,
1 coats, rub ashes on their bodies, and carry Jogis wear earrings, patched a wallet and a stall. of thy The verse is also translated?Make the chastening body, not yet wedded to death, thy patched coat, and faith thy beggar's staff. 2"A sect of jogis. 3Adcsh moans ! the ordinary salutation of jogis. Baba Nanak that this salutation should only be offered to God. 4 a blue colour, as Krishna is represented. Anil, literally, not of 5 Also translated?Favourable and unfavourable destinies 6hape men's actions.
6'J
TRANSLATION OF THE JAPJI. XXX.
One Maya in union with God gave birth to three acceptable children.1 the One of them is the creator, the second the provider, the function of destroyer.2 third performoth As He
them by His lie directeth seen but is not them, by them.
it pleaseth beholdeth
God,
mar
ous.
veil
Hail
orders. is very This
to Him,
! Hail
Tho primal, tho pure, without beginning, the same in every age !
the
indestructible,
XXXI. aro in every world. seat and his storehouses3 was to be put into them was put in at ono time,4 What The Creator beholdeth His creation. His
Nanak,
true is the work of the True One. Hail
to Him,
! Hail
The primal, the pure, without the same in every age!
beginning,
the
indestructible,
XXXII. to become a hundred and a thousand, tongue thousand to become twontyfold more, hundred I would the name of the one Lord of the world utter hundreds of thousands of times with all my tongues.
Were
one
1 Chele, literally 'disciples.' 2 Lai or reaper (lave). Both meaning9 may either mean absorption tho idea of destruction. 3 To human necessities. 4 That supplybefore man is is, born, his portion is fully allotted him.
convey
64 In
TRANSLATION OF THE JAPJI.
this way I should ascend become one with Him.1 of the exaltation
On hearing Nanak,
the stairs
of
of
the religious
jealous.2 theformer have found God, while of the false.
false
the Lord,
and
the vile become is the boasting
XXXIII. I have no strength I have no strength I have no strength I
have
to be silent.3 to speak and no strength to give; to ask and no strength to live and no strength to die; to acquire which empire or wealth, strength
no produce
a commotion
I have no strength
in
to meditate
the
heart.
on Thee
or ponder
on divine
knowledge; to find the way to escape from the world. I have no strength in whose arm there is strength may see what ho can do. He Nanak, no one is of superior or inferior strength beforo God.
XXXIV. God created nights, seasons, lunar days, and week-days, water, fire, and the nether regions. Wind, the earth as a temple.4 In the midst of these He established
In it He
placed
living beings of different habits and
descriptions. 1 Some this way I should ascend the stairs of honour by gyanis translate-In That chambers of the vertebral column. the tweuty-one is, I should conduct God renoses, aud where I should find him. The my breath to the braiu where five lumbar, seven dorsal, and nine cervical vertebrae through jogis enumerate which tho breath passes to the braiu. 2 on bearing matters connected with heaven worms grow jealous. Literally, s This means to do anything without that man has no strength hyperbole God's assistance. * Dharmsal. means a large building divino in which This word generally and children receivo is held, where travellers obtnlu free accommodation, worship instruction. religious
TRANSLATION of Their
names
are
various
and
the
65
jaimi.
endless,
to their acts. they are judged according true is His court. True is God, and There the elect are accepted and honoured. to their acts.1 them according The Merciful One marketh
And
Tho bad aud the good shall there be distinguished. Nanak, on arrival there, this shall be seen.
XXXV. Such is the practice in the realm of righteousness. I now describe the condition of the realm of knowledge. How many winds, waters, and fires! how many Krishnas and Shivas! How
who
Brahmas2
many forms,
and
colours,
fashioned
worlds!
how many
garbs!
How many lands of grace like thisl3 how many mountains! * and instructors5 how many Dhrus such as his ! How
and
regions
How How How How
how
Indras,
many
moons
many
countries
and
suns,
how
many
!
and Naths ! how many goddesses many Sidhs, Budhs, and representations of them ! and demons! how many many demigods saints, how and seas! many jewels sources of life! how many and how many languages! of ! lines many kings many
possessors
worshippers!
of Nanak,
divine
how many knowledge! no there is end of them.
1 Or?God marketh those on whom He looketh with favour. 2 The Hindus believe it was through tho agency of Brahma the world. 3 "Where men the results of their acts. reap 4 is said to have been Dhru, a mau wlio, owiug to his virtues, skies as the polar star. 5 who to obtain such dignity. instructed him Narad, j.r.a.8.
1900.
5
God
raised
created
to the
66
TRANSLATION OP THE JAINTI. XXXVI.
In the realm of knowledge There
resplendent. are heard
the light from
songs
of divine
which
is
knowledge
millions
of
joys
and
proceed.
pleasures
"Beauty is the characteristic There things are fashioned is done there cannot What
of the realm of happiness.1 in an incomparable manner. be described.
to describe it shall afterwards endeavoureth Whoever repent. There are fashioned knowledge, wisdom, intellect, and under standing ; And there too is fashioned the skill of demigods and men of supernatural
power.
XXXVII. is the characteristic of the realm of action.2 are those who dwell therein. Incomparable There are very powerful warriors and heroes. are filled with the might of Rama. They There are many Sitas 3 in the midst of greatness. Force
beauty cannot be described. die not, neither are they led astray,4 They In whose hearts God dwelleth. of saints; There dwell congregations Their
They rejoice; God dwelleth He
looketh
the True One
in the realm of truth. on its denizens with
rendereth There
are
is in their hearts.
continents,
an
eye
of
favour,
and
them happy. worlds,
and
universes.
* 1 Sharm khaud. sharm is here not the Persian Sharm shame,' nor tho l ' Jlani is under It is the Sanskrit sharmnn, Sanskrit shram toil.' happiness.' aro the words of stood to be for Mn. The verse is also translated?Beautiful those who have obtained the realm of tho happy. 2 That is, the world. 3 Sita's name is here as she was the wife of Rama introduced apparently line. mentioned in tho preceding ' 4 Art are not deceived.' thagejah, literally
67
TRANSLATION OF THE JAPJI. Whoover
to describe
trieth
them shall never arrive
at an end.
are worlds
upon worlds and forms upon forms. their functions according to God's orders. They perform them is pleased. and contemplating God beholding as as iron. were to them describe hard Nanak, There
XXXVIII. Make
continence
furnace, forbearance Thy goldsmith, anvil, divine knowledge Thy tools,
Thy Thine
Understanding Tho fear of God Thy bellows, austerities Thy fire, Divine love Thy crucible, and melt God's name therein. shall be coined. In such a true mint the Word This is the practice of those on whom God looketh with of
eye
the Kind
Nanak,
an
favour.
One,
by a glance maketh
them happy.
SLOK. The
Day
air and
is the Guru, our mother; night
aro
water
our
two
our father, nurses,
male
and
the great
and
female,
earth
who
sot
the whole world Merits
and demerits
a-playing.1 shall be read out
judge. to men's acts, According distant from God. Those Shall
some
shall
in tho presence be near
and
of the others
on the name and have pondered departed after the completion of their toil, have their countenances made bright, 0 Nanak; how in shall be with them! many company emancipated who
1Here the denizens of the world are likened to children. Their father is said to be water, the human sperm; tbe earth like a mother affords them nutriment; to lulls them them with the ; rest; and the breath occupation night day supplies In the East of the Guru imparts divine instruction. it is usual for the rich to have two nurses for a child?a female nurse by uight and a male nurse to and play with it by day. accompany