Sikhism·Raag Gond·Shabad 9
Verse 3 of 5

The One Whose Greatness Can't Be Measured

ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਏ ਰੰਗ ਅਨਿਕ ਪਰਕਾਰ ॥
jin kee-ay rang anik parkaar.
He created plays and dramas of all sorts;
ਓਪਤਿ ਪਰਲਉ ਨਿਮਖ ਮਝਾਰ ॥
opat parla-o nimakh majhaar.
He creates and destroys in an instant;
ਜਾ ਕੀ ਗਤਿ ਮਿਤਿ ਕਹੀ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥
jaa kee gat mit kahee na jaa-ay.
His state and condition cannot be described.
ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਦਾ ਧਿਆਇ ॥੨॥
so parabh man mayray sadaa Dhi-aa-ay. ||2||
Meditate forever on that God, O my mind. ||2||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The One set in motion this whole play of colors and wonders, and can begin or end it in the blink of an eye.

No words can capture how vast the One truly is — so I simply keep it in my mind, always.

The One is too vast to measure — so we hold it in wonder, not in words.
The deeper layer

The Guru says the One made this whole world of wonders, and it is too big for words.

Jin kee-ay rang anik parkaar — the One made plays of every kind. Rang means color and play. The world is like a huge show full of colors, animals, oceans, and people.

Opat parla-o nimakh majhaar — the One can start it or end it in the blink of an eye. Nimakh means one blink.

Jaa kee gat mit kahee na jaa-ay — no one can say how great the One is or how far the One goes.

So what do we do? We do not try to explain it all. We dhi-aa-ay, which means keep the One lovingly in mind. Think of standing at the edge of the sea. You cannot measure it, but you can love it and keep it in your heart.

A Question to Sit With

What is something so big or beautiful that words can't quite reach it?

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

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