Sikhism·Raag Aasaa·Shabad 325
Verse 5 of 5

The Universe Asks, and One Giver Is Right Here

ਜੇਤੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਜਨਾਈ ਰਸਨਾ ਤੇਤ ਭਨੀ ॥
jaytee parabhoo janaa-ee rasnaa tayt bhanee.
As much as God has revealed to us, that much we can speak with our tongues.
ਅਨਜਾਨਤ ਜੋ ਸੇਵੈ ਤੇਤੀ ਨਹ ਜਾਇ ਗਨੀ ॥
anjaanat jo sayvai taytee nah jaa-ay ganee.
Those unknown ones who serve You cannot be counted.
ਅਵਿਗਤ ਅਗਨਤ ਅਥਾਹ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਸਗਲ ਮੰਝੇ ਬਾਹਰਾ ॥
avigat agnat athaah thaakur sagal manjhay baahraa.
Imperishable, incalculable, and unfathomable is the Lord and Master; He is everywhere, inside and out.
ਸਰਬ ਜਾਚਿਕ ਏਕੁ ਦਾਤਾ ਨਹ ਦੂਰਿ ਸੰਗੀ ਜਾਹਰਾ ॥
sarab jaachik ayk daataa nah door sangee jaahraa.
We are all beggars, He is the One and only Giver; He is not far away, but is with us, ever-present.
ਵਸਿ ਭਗਤ ਥੀਆ ਮਿਲੇ ਜੀਆ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਉਪਮਾ ਕਿਤ ਗਨੀ ॥
vas bhagat thee-aa milay jee-aa taa kee upmaa kit ganee.
He is in the power of His devotees; those whose souls are united with Him - how can their praises be sung?
ਇਹੁ ਦਾਨੁ ਮਾਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਪਾਏ ਸੀਸੁ ਸਾਧਹ ਧਰਿ ਚਰਨੀ ॥੪॥੨॥੫॥
ih daan maan naanak paa-ay sees saaDhah Dhar charnee. ||4||2||5||
May Nanak receive this gift and honor, of placing his head on the feet of the Holy Saints. ||4||2||5||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

I can only speak the little bit that's been shown to me — the rest is far beyond counting.

We're all here asking, and there's one Giver, never far away but right here with us.

The One lets Himself be won over by those who love Him. Who could count the praise of those who are one with Him?

Let me just rest my head at the feet of the good-hearted.

The whole universe is asking, and there's one Giver — never far, always right here with you.
The deeper layer

We are all asking, and there is one Giver, right here with us.

The song ends with honesty. Jaytee parabhoo janaa-ee rasnaa tayt bhanee — as much as the One shows me, that much my tongue can say. After that huge list, the singer admits it has only named a tiny part. The rest is agnat, beyond counting, and athaah, too deep to measure.

Then two simple truths. Sarab jaachik ayk daataa — we are all askers, and there is one Giver. Everyone, from the mightiest god to the smallest child, receives from the same open hand. And nah door sangee jaahraa — the One is not far away but right here with us.

The One even lets Himself be won over by those who love Him. Think of a strong parent who lets a little child lead them by the hand. All that vastness ends in the humblest wish: to rest one's head at the feet of the good and holy. The journey ends in nearness and belonging.

A Question to Sit With

Out of everything the whole universe is seeking, what would you most want to rest in?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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