Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The One who made the whole world holds the cause behind every cause.
This One shaped your very soul and body out of its own being.
How could we ever describe it, or see it with our eyes? It is beyond all words.
Yet through the teaching, the heart of it becomes known — so we sing its praise.
Guru Arjan says the One who made everything is beyond words, yet the Guru helps us know It.
Sabh jag jineh upaa-i-aa: the One made the whole world. Karan kaaran samrath: the One is the all-powerful Cause behind every cause.
Jee-o pind jin saaji-aa: the One shaped our soul and body. Day kar apnee vath: out of Its own stuff, the way a baker puts part of themselves into every loaf.
Kin kahee-ai ki-o daykhee-ai: how can we describe the One? How can we see It? Kartaa ayk akath: the Creator is one, and akath, beyond words.
Think of trying to explain the taste of mango to someone who has never had one. Words fall short. But hand them a slice, and they know.
That slice is the Guru. Gur govind salaahee-ai: praise the Guru, the Lord of the world. Jis tay jaapai tath: through the Guru, the tath, the true heart of things, becomes known.
Can you think of something real that’s hard to put into words?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI