The One Is Great in the Ways That Comfort You
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Great beyond measure is the One — great as its Name, great in justice, in patience, in a throne that never topples.
Great enough to know every word we say and every feeling we hide. Great enough to give, again and again, without ever being asked. Great, because the One is all in all.
Says Nanak, what the One does cannot be told. All that is done, or will be done, is by the One's own Will.
Guru Nanak lists the ways the One is great, and they turn out to be the ways that comfort us.
This is a chant built on one word, repeated line after line. Vadee vadi-aa-ee — great is the greatness. Great as the Name. Great in true justice. Great as a throne that never moves. Jaanai aalaa-o — great because the One knows every word we say. Great because the One understands every feeling. Puchh na daat — great because the One gives without being asked.
Notice what kind of greatness this is. It is not power that crushes. It is greatness that knows your feelings, gives before you ask, and is fair and patient.
Think of a big, strong grandparent who kneels down to hear a small child whisper. That is the kind of greatness here. The One is vast, and vast in kindness.
And the honest ending: naanak kaar na kathnee jaa-ay — what the One does cannot be put into words. The greatness spills over any list. Everything happens by the One's own Will.
What's the difference between greatness that scares you and greatness that comforts you?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI