ik-oNkaar satnaam kartaa purakh nirbha-o nirvair akaal moorat ajoonee saibhaN gur parsaad.
One Universal Creator God. Truth Is The Name. Creative Being Personified. No Fear. No Hatred. Image Of The Undying. Beyond Birth. Self-Existent. By Guru’s Grace:
aasaa mehlaa 1.
Aasaa, First Mehl:
vaar salokaa naal salok bhee mahlay pahilay kay likhay tunday as raajai kee Dhunee.
Vaar With Shaloks, And Shaloks Written By The First Mehl. To Be Sung To The Tune Of ‘Tunda-Asraajaa’:
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
balihaaree gur aapnay di-uhaarhee sad vaar.
A hundred times a day, I am a sacrifice to my Guru;
jin maanas tay dayvtay kee-ay karat na laagee vaar. ||1||
He made angels out of men, without delay. ||1||
mehlaa 2.
Second Mehl:
jay sa-o chandaa ugvahi sooraj charheh hajaar.
If a hundred moons were to rise, and a thousand suns appeared,
aytay chaanan hidi-aaN gur bin ghor anDhaar. ||2||
even with such light, there would still be pitch darkness without the Guru. ||2||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
naanak guroo na chaytnee man aapnai suchayt.
O Nanak, those who do not think of the Guru, and who think of themselves as clever,
chhutay til boo-aarh ji-o sunjay andar khayt.
shall be left abandoned in the field, like the scattered sesame.
khaytai andar chhuti-aa kaho naanak sa-o naah.
They are abandoned in the field, says Nanak, and they have a hundred masters to please.
falee-ah fulee-ah bapurhay bhee tan vich su-aah. ||3||
The wretches bear fruit and flower, but within their bodies, they are filled with ashes. ||3||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
aapeenHai aap saaji-o aapeenHai rachi-o naa-o.
He Himself created Himself; He Himself assumed His Name.
duyee kudrat saajee-ai kar aasan ditho chaa-o.
Secondly, He fashioned the creation; seated within the creation, He beholds it with delight.
daataa kartaa aap tooN tus dayveh karahi pasaa-o.
You Yourself are the Giver and the Creator; by Your Pleasure, You bestow Your Mercy.
tooN jaano-ee sabhsai day laisahi jind kavaa-o.
You are the Knower of all; You give life, and take it away again with a word.
kar aasan ditho chaa-o. ||1||
Seated within the creation, You behold it with delight. ||1||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
sachay tayray khand sachay barahmand.
True are Your worlds, True are Your solar Systems.
sachay tayray lo-a sachay aakaar.
True are Your realms, True is Your creation.
sachay tayray karnay sarab beechaar.
True are Your actions, and all Your deliberations.
sachaa tayraa amar sachaa deebaan.
True is Your Command, and True is Your Court.
sachaa tayraa hukam sachaa furmaan.
True is the Command of Your Will, True is Your Order.
sachaa tayraa karam sachaa neesaan.
True is Your Mercy, True is Your Insignia.
sachay tuDh aakhahi lakh karorh.
Hundreds of thousands and millions call You True.
sachai sabh taan sachai sabh jor.
In the True Lord is all power, in the True Lord is all might.
sachee tayree sifat sachee saalaah.
True is Your Praise, True is Your Adoration.
sachee tayree kudrat sachay paatisaah.
True is Your almighty creative power, True King.
naanak sach Dhi-aa-in sach.
O Nanak, true are those who meditate on the True One.
jo mar jammay so kach nikach. ||1||
Those who are subject to birth and death are totally false. ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
vadee vadi-aa-ee jaa vadaa naa-o.
Great is His greatness, as great as His Name.
vadee vadi-aa-ee jaa sach ni-aa-o.
Great is His greatness, as True is His justice.
vadee vadi-aa-ee jaa nihchal thaa-o.
Great is His greatness, as permanent as His Throne.
vadee vadi-aa-ee jaanai aalaa-o.
Great is His greatness, as He knows our utterances.
vadee vadi-aa-ee bujhai sabh bhaa-o.
Great is His greatness, as He understands all our affections.
vadee vadi-aa-ee jaa puchh na daat.
Great is His greatness, as He gives without being asked.
vadee vadi-aa-ee jaa aapay aap.
Great is His greatness, as He Himself is all-in-all.
naanak kaar na kathnee jaa-ay.
O Nanak, His actions cannot be described.
keetaa karnaa sarab rajaa-ay. ||2||
Whatever He has done, or will do, is all by His Own Will. ||2||
mehlaa 2.
Second Mehl:
ih jag sachai kee hai koth–rhee sachay kaa vich vaas.
This world is the room of the True Lord; within it is the dwelling of the True Lord.
iknHaa hukam samaa-ay la-ay iknHaa hukmay karay vinaas.
By His Command, some are merged into Him, and some, by His Command, are destroyed.
iknHaa bhaanai kadh la-ay iknHaa maa-i-aa vich nivaas.
Some, by the Pleasure of His Will, are lifted up out of Maya, while others are made to dwell within it.
ayv bhe aakh na jaap-ee je kisai aanay raas.
No one can say who will be rescued.
naanak gurmukh jaanee-ai jaa ka-o aap karay pargaas. ||3||
O Nanak, he alone is known as Gurmukh, unto whom the Lord reveals Himself. ||3||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
naanak jee-a upaa-ay kai likh naavai Dharam bahaali-aa.
O Nanak, having created the souls, the Lord installed the Righteous Judge of Dharma to read and record their accounts.
othai sachay hee sach nibrhai chun vakh kadhay jajmaali-aa.
There, only the Truth is judged true; the sinners are picked out and separated.
thaa-o na paa-in koorhi-aar muh kaalHai dojak chaali-aa.
The false find no place there, and they go to hell with their faces blackened.
tayrai naa-ay ratay say jin ga-ay haar ga-ay se thagan vaali-aa.
Those who are imbued with Your Name win, while the cheaters lose.
likh naavai Dharam bahaali-aa. ||2||
The Lord installed the Righteous Judge of Dharma to read and record the accounts. ||2||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
vismaad naad vismaad vayd.
Wonderful is the sound current of the Naad, wonderful is the knowledge of the Vedas.
vismaad jee-a vismaad bhayd.
Wonderful are the beings, wonderful are the species.
vismaad roop vismaad rang.
Wonderful are the forms, wonderful are the colors.
vismaad naagay fireh jant.
Wonderful are the beings who wander around naked.
vismaad pa-un vismaad paanee.
Wonderful is the wind, wonderful is the water.
vismaad agnee khaydeh vidaanee.
Wonderful is fire, which works wonders.
vismaad Dhartee vismaad khaanee.
Wonderful is the earth, wonderful the sources of creation.
vismaad saad lageh paraanee.
Wonderful are the tastes to which mortals are attached.
vismaad sanjog vismaad vijog.
Wonderful is union, and wonderful is separation.
vismaad bhukh vismaad bhog.
Wonderful is hunger, wonderful is satisfaction.
vismaad sifat vismaad saalaah.
Wonderful is His Praise, wonderful is His adoration.
vismaad ujharh vismaad raah.
Wonderful is the wilderness, wonderful is the path.
vismaad nayrhai vismaad door.
Wonderful is closeness, wonderful is distance.
vismaad daykhai haajraa hajoor.
How wonderful to behold the Lord, ever-present here.
vaykh vidaan rahi-aa vismaad.
Beholding His wonders, I am wonder-struck.
naanak bujhan poorai bhaag. ||1||
O Nanak, those who understand this are blessed with perfect destiny. ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
kudrat disai kudrat sunee-ai kudrat bha-o sukh saar.
By His Power we see, by His Power we hear; by His Power we have fear, and the essence of happiness.
kudrat paataalee aakaasee kudrat sarab aakaar.
By His Power the nether worlds exist, and the Akaashic ethers; by His Power the entire creation exists.
kudrat vayd puraan kataybaa kudrat sarab veechaar.
By His Power the Vedas and the Puraanas exist, and the Holy Scriptures of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic religions. By His Power all deliberations exist.
kudrat khaanaa peenaa painHan kudrat sarab pi-aar.
By His Power we eat, drink and dress; by His Power all love exists.
kudrat jaatee jinsee rangee kudrat jee-a jahaan.
– By His Power come the species of all kinds and colors; by His Power the living beings of the world exist.
kudrat naykee-aa kudrat badee-aa kudrat maan abhimaan.
By His Power virtues exist, and by His Power vices exist. By His Power come honor and dishonor.
kudrat pa-un paanee baisantar kudrat Dhartee khaak.
By His Power wind, water and fire exist; by His Power earth and dust exist.
sabh tayree kudrat tooN kaadir kartaa paakee naa-ee paak.
Everything is in Your Power, Lord; You are the all-powerful Creator. Your Name is the Holiest of the Holy.
naanak hukmai andar vaykhai vartai taako taak. ||2||
O Nanak, through the Command of His Will, He beholds and pervades the creation; He is absolutely unrivalled. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
aapeenHai bhog bhog kai ho-ay bhasmarh bha-ur siDhaa-i-aa.
Enjoying his pleasures, one is reduced to a pile of ashes, and the soul passes away.
vadaa ho-aa duneedaar gal sangal ghat chalaa-i-aa.
He may be great, but when he dies, the chain is thrown around his neck, and he is led away.
agai karnee keerat vaachee-ai bahi laykhaa kar samjhaa-i-aa.
There, his good and bad deeds are added up; sitting there, his account is read.
thaa-o na hovee pa-udee-ee hun sunee-ai ki-aa roo-aa-i-aa.
He is whipped, but finds no place of rest, and no one hears his cries of pain.
man anDhai janam gavaa-i-aa. ||3||
The blind man has wasted his life away. ||3||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
bhai vich pavan vahai sadvaa-o.
In the Fear of God, the wind and breezes ever blow.
bhai vich chaleh lakh daree-aa-o.
In the Fear of God, thousands of rivers flow.
bhai vich agan kadhai vaygaar.
In the Fear of God, fire is forced to labor.
bhai vich Dhartee dabee bhaar.
In the Fear of God, the earth is crushed under its burden.
bhai vich ind firai sir bhaar.
In the Fear of God, the clouds move across the sky.
bhai vich raajaa Dharam du-aar.
In the Fear of God, the Righteous Judge of Dharma stands at His Door.
bhai vich sooraj bhai vich chand.
In the Fear of God, the sun shines, and in the Fear of God, the moon reflects.
koh karorhee chalat na ant.
They travel millions of miles, endlessly.
bhai vich siDh buDh sur naath.
In the Fear of God, the Siddhas exist, as do the Buddhas, the demi-gods and Yogis.
bhai vich aadaanay aakaas.
In the Fear of God, the Akaashic ethers are stretched across the sky.
bhai vich joDh mahaabal soor.
In the Fear of God, the warriors and the most powerful heroes exist.
bhai vich aavahi jaaveh poor.
In the Fear of God, multitudes come and go.
sagli-aa bha-o likhi-aa sir laykh.
God has inscribed the Inscription of His Fear upon the heads of all.
naanak nirbha-o nirankaar sach ayk. ||1||
O Nanak, the Fearless Lord, the Formless Lord, the True Lord, is One. ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
naanak nirbha-o nirankaar hor kaytay raam ravaal.
O Nanak, the Lord is fearless and formless; myriads of others, like Rama, are mere dust before Him.
kaytee-aa kanH kahaanee-aa kaytay bayd beechaar.
There are so many stories of Krishna, so many who reflect over the Vedas.
kaytay nacheh mangtay girh murh pooreh taal.
So many beggars dance, spinning around to the beat.
baajaaree baajaar meh aa-ay kadheh baajaar.
The magicians perform their magic in the market place, creating a false illusion.
gaavahi raajay raanee-aa boleh aal pataal.
They sing as kings and queens, and speak of this and that.
lakh taki-aa kay mund–rhay lakh taki-aa kay haar.
They wear earrings, and necklaces worth thousands of dollars.
jit tan paa-ee-ah naankaa say tan hoveh chhaar.
Those bodies on which they are worn, O Nanak, those bodies turn to ashes.
gi-aan na galee-ee dhoodhee-ai kathnaa karrhaa saar.
Wisdom cannot be found through mere words. To explain it is as hard as iron.
karam milai taa paa-ee-ai hor hikmat hukam khu-aar. ||2||
When the Lord bestows His Grace, then alone it is received; other tricks and orders are useless. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
nadar karahi jay aapnee taa nadree satgur paa-i-aa.
If the Merciful Lord shows His Mercy, then the True Guru is found.
ayhu jee-o bahutay janam bharammi-aa taa satgur sabad sunaa-i-aa.
This soul wandered through countless incarnations, until the True Guru instructed it in the Word of the Shabad.
satgur jayvad daataa ko nahee sabh suni-ahu lok sabaa-i-aa.
There is no giver as great as the True Guru; hear this, all you people.
satgur mili-ai sach paa-i-aa jinHee vichahu aap gavaa-i-aa.
Meeting the True Guru, the True Lord is found; He removes self-conceit from within,
jin sacho sach bujhaa-i-aa. ||4||
and instructs us in the Truth of Truths. ||4||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
gharhee-aa sabhay gopee-aa pahar kanH gopaal.
All the hours are the milk-maids, and the quarters of the day are the Krishnas.
gahnay pa-un paanee baisantar chand sooraj avtaar.
The wind, water and fire are the ornaments; the sun and moon are the incarnations.
saglee Dhartee maal Dhan vartan sarab janjaal.
All of the earth, property, wealth and articles are all entanglements.
naanak musai gi-aan vihoonee khaa-ay ga-i-aa jamkaal. ||1||
O Nanak, without divine knowledge, one is plundered, and devoured by the Messenger of Death. ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
vaa-in chaylay nachan gur.
The disciples play the music, and the gurus dance.
pair halaa-in fayrniH sir.
They move their feet and roll their heads.
ud ud raavaa jhaatai paa-ay.
The dust flies and falls upon their hair.
vaykhai lok hasai ghar jaa-ay.
Beholding them, the people laugh, and then go home.
rotee-aa kaaran pooreh taal.
They beat the drums for the sake of bread.
aap pachhaarheh Dhartee naal.
They throw themselves upon the ground.
gaavan gopee-aa gaavan kaanH.
They sing of the milk-maids, they sing of the Krishnas.
gaavan seetaa raajay raam.
They sing of Sitas, and Ramas and kings.
nirbha-o nirankaar sach naam.
The Lord is fearless and formless; His Name is True.
jaa kaa kee-aa sagal jahaan.
The entire universe is His Creation.
sayvak sayveh karam charhaa-o.
Those servants, whose destiny is awakened, serve the Lord.
bhinnee rain jinHaa man chaa-o.
The night of their lives is cool with dew; their minds are filled with love for the Lord.
sikhee sikhi-aa gur veechaar.
Contemplating the Guru, I have been taught these teachings;
nadree karam laghaa-ay paar.
granting His Grace, He carries His servants across.
koloo charkhaa chakee chak.
The oil-press, the spinning wheel, the grinding stones, the potter’s wheel,
thal vaarolay bahut anant.
the numerous, countless whirlwinds in the desert,
laatoo maaDhaanee-aa angaah.
the spinning tops, the churning sticks, the threshers,
pankhee bha-udee-aa lain na saah.
the breathless tumblings of the birds,
soo-ai chaarh bhavaa-ee-ah jant.
and the men moving round and round on spindles
naanak bha-udi-aa ganat na ant.
– O Nanak, the tumblers are countless and endless.
banDhan banDh bhavaa-ay so-ay.
The Lord binds us in bondage – so do we spin around.
pa-i-ai kirat nachai sabh ko-ay.
According to their actions, so do all people dance.
nach nach haseh chaleh say ro-ay.
Those who dance and dance and laugh, shall weep on their ultimate departure.
ud na jaahee siDh na hohi.
They do not fly to the heavens, nor do they become Siddhas.
nachan kudan man kaa chaa-o.
They dance and jump around on the urgings of their minds.
naanak jinH man bha-o tinHaa man bhaa-o. ||2||
O Nanak, those whose minds are filled with the Fear of God, have the love of God in their minds as well. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
naa-o tayraa nirankaar hai naa-ay la-i-ai narak na jaa-ee-ai.
Your Name is the Fearless Lord; chanting Your Name, one does not have to go to hell.
jee-o pind sabh tis daa day khaajai aakh gavaa-ee-ai.
Soul and body all belong to Him; asking Him to give us sustenance is a waste.
jay lorheh changa aapnaa kar punnhu neech sadaa-ee-ai.
If you yearn for goodness, then perform good deeds and feel humble.
jay jarvaanaa parharai jar vays karaydee aa-ee-ai.
Even if you remove the signs of old age, old age shall still come in the guise of death.
ko rahai na bharee-ai paa-ee-ai. ||5||
No one remains here when the count of the breaths is full. ||5||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
musalmaanaa sifat saree-at parh parh karahi beechaar.
The Muslims praise the Islamic law; they read and reflect upon it.
banday say je paveh vich bandee vaykhan ka-o deedaar.
The Lord’s bound servants are those who bind themselves to see the Lord’s Vision.
hindoo saalaahee saalaahan darsan roop apaar.
The Hindus praise the Praiseworthy Lord; the Blessed Vision of His Darshan, His form is incomparable.
tirath naaveh archaa poojaa agar vaas behkaar.
They bathe at sacred shrines of pilgrimage, making offerings of flowers, and burning incense before idols.
jogee sunn Dhi-aavniH jaytay alakh naam kartaar.
The Yogis meditate on the absolute Lord there; they call the Creator the Unseen Lord.
sookham moorat naam niranjan kaa-i-aa kaa aakaar.
But to the subtle image of the Immaculate Name, they apply the form of a body.
satee-aa man santokh upjai daynai kai veechaar.
In the minds of the virtuous, contentment is produced, thinking about their giving.
day day mangeh sahsaa goonaa sobh karay sansaar.
They give and give, but ask a thousand-fold more, and hope that the world will honor them.
choraa jaaraa tai koorhi-aaraa khaaraabaa vaykaar.
The thieves, adulterers, perjurers, evil-doers and sinners
ik hodaa khaa-ay chaleh aithaa-oo tinaa bhe kaa-ee kaar.
– after using up what good karma they had, they depart; have they done any good deeds here at all?
jal thal jee-aa puree-aa lo-aa aakaaraa aakaar.
There are beings and creatures in the water and on the land, in the worlds and universes, form upon form.
o-ay je aakhahi so tooNhai jaaneh tinaa bhe tayree saar.
Whatever they say, You know; You care for them all.
naanak bhagtaa bhukh saalaahan sach naam aaDhaar.
O Nanak, the hunger of the devotees is to praise You; the True Name is their only support.
sadaa anand raheh din raatee gunvanti-aa paa chhaar. ||1||
They live in eternal bliss, day and night; they are the dust of the feet of the virtuous. ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
mitee musalmaan kee payrhai pa-ee kumHi-aar.
The clay of the Muslim’s grave becomes clay for the potter’s wheel.
gharh bhaaNday itaa kee-aa jaldee karay pukaar.
Pots and bricks are fashioned from it, and it cries out as it burns.
jal jal rovai bapurhee jharh jharh paveh angi-aar.
The poor clay burns, burns and weeps, as the fiery coals fall upon it.
naanak jin kartai kaaran kee-aa so jaanai kartaar. ||2||
O Nanak, the Creator created the creation; the Creator Lord alone knows. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
bin satgur kinai na paa-i-o bin satgur kinai na paa-i-aa.
Without the True Guru, no one has obtained the Lord; without the True Guru, no one has obtained the Lord.
satgur vich aap rakhi-on kar pargat aakh sunaa-i-aa.
He has placed Himself within the True Guru; revealing Himself, He declares this openly.
satgur mili-ai sadaa mukat hai jin vichahu moh chukaa-i-aa.
Meeting the True Guru, eternal liberation is obtained; He has banished attachment from within.
utam ayhu beechaar hai jin sachay si-o chit laa-i-aa.
This is the highest thought, that one’s consciousness is attached to the True Lord.
jagjeevan daataa paa-i-aa. ||6||
Thus the Lord of the World, the Great Giver is obtained. ||6||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
ha-o vich aa-i-aa ha-o vich ga-i-aa.
In ego they come, and in ego they go.
ha-o vich jammi-aa ha-o vich mu-aa.
In ego they are born, and in ego they die.
ha-o vich ditaa ha-o vich la-i-aa.
In ego they give, and in ego they take.
ha-o vich khati-aa ha-o vich ga-i-aa.
In ego they earn, and in ego they lose.
ha-o vich sachiaar koorhi-aar.
In ego they become truthful or false.
ha-o vich paap punn veechaar.
In ego they reflect on virtue and sin.
ha-o vich narak surag avtaar.
In ego they go to heaven or hell.
ha-o vich hasai ha-o vich rovai.
In ego they laugh, and in ego they weep.
ha-o vich bharee-ai ha-o vich Dhovai.
In ego they become dirty, and in ego they are washed clean.
ha-o vich jaatee jinsee khovai.
In ego they lose social status and class.
ha-o vich moorakh ha-o vich si-aanaa.
In ego they are ignorant, and in ego they are wise.
mokh mukat kee saar na jaanaa.
They do not know the value of salvation and liberation.
ha-o vich maa-i-aa ha-o vich chhaa-i-aa.
In ego they love Maya, and in ego they are kept in darkness by it.
ha-umai kar kar jant upaa-i-aa.
Living in ego, mortal beings are created.
ha-umai boojhai taa dar soojhai.
When one understands ego, then the Lord’s gate is known.
gi-aan vihoonaa kath kath loojhai.
Without spiritual wisdom, they babble and argue.
naanak hukmee likee-ai laykh.
O Nanak, by the Lord’s Command, destiny is recorded.
jayhaa vaykheh tayhaa vaykh. ||1||
As the Lord sees us, so are we seen. ||1||
mehlaa 2.
Second Mehl:
ha-umai ayhaa jaat hai ha-umai karam kamaahi.
This is the nature of ego, that people perform their actions in ego.
ha-umai ay-ee banDhnaa fir fir jonee paahi.
This is the bondage of ego, that time and time again, they are reborn.
ha-umai kithhu oopjai kit sanjam ih jaa-ay.
Where does ego come from? How can it be removed?
ha-umai ayho hukam hai pa-i-ai kirat firaahi.
This ego exists by the Lord’s Order; people wander according to their past actions.
ha-umai deeragh rog hai daaroo bhee is maahi.
Ego is a chronic disease, but it contains its own cure as well.
kirpaa karay jay aapnee taa gur kaa sabad kamaahi.
If the Lord grants His Grace, one acts according to the Teachings of the Guru’s Shabad.
naanak kahai sunhu janhu it sanjam dukh jaahi. ||2||
Nanak says, listen, people: in this way, troubles depart. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
sayv keetee santokhee-eeN jinHee sacho sach Dhi-aa-i-aa.
Those who serve are content. They meditate on the Truest of the True.
onHee mandai pair na rakhi-o kar sukarit Dharam kamaa-i-aa.
They do not place their feet in sin, but do good deeds and live righteously in Dharma.
onHee dunee-aa torhay banDhnaa ann paanee thorhaa khaa-i-aa.
They burn away the bonds of the world, and eat a simple diet of grain and water.
tooN bakhseesee aglaa nit dayveh charheh savaa-i-aa.
You are the Great Forgiver; You give continually, more and more each day.
vadi-aa-ee vadaa paa-i-aa. ||7||
By His greatness, the Great Lord is obtained. ||7||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
purkhaaN birkhaaN teerthaaN tataaN mayghaaN khaytaaNh.
Men, trees, sacred shrines of pilgrimage, banks of sacred rivers, clouds, fields,
deepaaN lo-aaN mandlaaN khandaaN varbhandaaNh.
islands, continents, worlds, solar systems, and universes;
andaj jayraj ut–bhujaaN khaanee saytjaaNh.
the four sources of creation – born of eggs, born of the womb, born of the earth and born of sweat;
so mit jaanai naankaa saraaN mayraaN jantaah.
oceans, mountains, and all beings – O Nanak, He alone knows their condition.
naanak jant upaa-ay kai sammaalay sabhnaah.
O Nanak, having created the living beings, He cherishes them all.
jin kartai karnaa kee-aa chintaa bhe karnee taah.
The Creator who created the creation, takes care of it as well.
so kartaa chintaa karay jin upaa-i-aa jag.
He, the Creator who formed the world, cares for it.
tis johaaree su-asat tis tis deebaan abhag.
Unto Him I bow and offer my reverence; His Royal Court is eternal.
naanak sachay naam bin ki-aa tikaa ki-aa tag. ||1||
O Nanak, without the True Name, of what use is the frontal mark of the Hindus, or their sacred thread? ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
lakh naykee-aa chang-aa-ee-aa lakh punnaa parvaan.
Hundreds of thousands of virtues and good actions, and hundreds of thousands of blessed charities,
lakh tap upar teerthaaN sahj jog baybaan.
hundreds of thousands of penances at sacred shrines, and the practice of Sehj Yoga in the wilderness,
lakh soortan sangraam ran meh chhuteh paraan.
hundreds of thousands of courageous actions and giving up the breath of life on the field of battle,
lakh surtee lakh gi-aan Dhi-aan parhee-ah paath puraan.
hundreds of thousands of divine understandings, hundreds of thousands of divine wisdoms and meditations and readings of the Vedas and the Puraanas
jin kartai karnaa kee-aa likhi-aa aavan jaan.
– before the Creator who created the creation, and who ordained coming and going,
naanak matee mithi-aa karam sachaa neesaan. ||2||
O Nanak, all these things are false. True is the Insignia of His Grace. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
sachaa saahib ayk tooN jin sacho sach vartaa-i-aa.
You alone are the True Lord. The Truth of Truths is pervading everywhere.
jis tooN deh tis milai sach taa tinHee sach kamaa-i-aa.
He alone receives the Truth, unto whom You give it; then, he practices Truth.
satgur mili-ai sach paa-i-aa jinH kai hirdai sach vasaa-i-aa.
Meeting the True Guru, Truth is found. In His Heart, Truth is abiding.
moorakh sach na jaananHee manmukhee janam gavaa-i-aa.
The fools do not know the Truth. The self-willed manmukhs waste their lives away in vain.
vich dunee-aa kaahay aa-i-aa. ||8||
Why have they even come into the world? ||8||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
parh parh gadee ladee-ah parh parh bharee-ah saath.
You may read and read loads of books; you may read and study vast multitudes of books.
parh parh bayrhee paa-ee-ai parh parh gadee-ah khaat.
You may read and read boat-loads of books; you may read and read and fill pits with them.
parhee-ah jaytay baras baras parhee-ah jaytay maas.
You may read them year after year; you may read them as many months are there are.
parhee-ai jaytee aarjaa parhee-ah jaytay saas.
You may read them all your life; you may read them with every breath.
naanak laykhai ik gal hor ha-umai jhakh–naa jhaakh. ||1||
O Nanak, only one thing is of any account: everything else is useless babbling and idle talk in ego. ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
likh likh parhi-aa.
The more one write and reads,
taytaa karhi-aa.
the more one burns.
baho tirath bhavi-aa.
The more one wanders at sacred shrines of pilgrimage,
tayto lavi-aa.
the more one talks uselessly.
baho bhaykh kee-aa dayhee dukh dee-aa.
The more one wears religious robes, the more pain he causes his body.
saho vay jee-aa apnaa kee-aa.
O my soul, you must endure the consequences of your own actions.
ann na khaa-i-aa saad gavaa-i-aa.
One who does not eat the corn, misses out on the taste.
baho dukh paa-i-aa doojaa bhaa-i-aa.
One obtains great pain, in the love of duality.
bastar na pahirai.
One who does not wear any clothes,
ahinis kahrai.
suffers night and day.
mon vigootaa.
Through silence, he is ruined.
ki-o jaagai gur bin sootaa.
How can the sleeping one be awakened without the Guru?
pag upaytaanaa.
One who goes barefoot
apnaa kee-aa kamaanaa.
suffers by his own actions.
al mal khaa-ee sir chhaa-ee paa-ee.
One who eats filth and throws ashes on his head
moorakh anDhai pat gavaa-ee.
– the blind fool loses his honor.
vin naavai kichh thaa-ay na paa-ee.
Without the Name, nothing is of any use.
rahai baybaanee marhee masaanee.
One who lives in the wilderness, in cemetaries and cremation grounds
anDh na jaanai fir pachhutaanee.
– that blind man does not know the Lord; he regrets and repents in the end.
satgur bhaytay so sukh paa-ay.
One who meets the True Guru finds peace.
har kaa naam man vasaa-ay.
He enshrines the Name of the Lord in his mind.
naanak nadar karay so paa-ay.
O Nanak, when the Lord grants His Grace, He is obtained.
aas andaysay tay nihkayval ha-umai sabad jalaa-ay. ||2||
He becomes free of hope and fear, and burns away his ego with the Word of the Shabad. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
bhagat tayrai man bhaavday dar sohan keerat gaavday.
Your devotees are pleasing to Your Mind, Lord. They look beautiful at Your door, singing Your Praises.
naanak karmaa baahray dar dho-a na lehnHee Dhaavday.
O Nanak, those who are denied Your Grace, find no shelter at Your Door; they continue wandering.
ik mool na bujhniH aapnaa anhodaa aap ganaa-iday.
Some do not understand their origins, and without cause, they display their self-conceit.
ha-o dhaadhee kaa neech jaat hor utam jaat sadaa-iday.
I am the Lord’s minstrel, of low social status; others call themselves high caste.
tinH mangaa je tujhai Dhi-aa-iday. ||9||
I seek those who meditate on You. ||9||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
koorh raajaa koorh parjaa koorh sabh sansaar.
False is the king, false are the subjects; false is the whole world.
koorh mandap koorh maarhee koorh baisanhaar.
False is the mansion, false are the skyscrapers; false are those who live in them.
koorh su-inaa koorh rupaa koorh painHanhaar.
False is gold, and false is silver; false are those who wear them.
koorh kaa-i-aa koorh kaparh koorh roop apaar.
False is the body, false are the clothes; false is incomparable beauty.
koorh mee-aa koorh beebee khap ho-ay khaar.
False is the husband, false is the wife; they mourn and waste away.
koorh koorhai nayhu lagaa visri-aa kartaar.
The false ones love falsehood, and forget their Creator.
kis naal keechai dostee sabh jag chalanhaar.
With whom should I become friends, if all the world shall pass away?
koorh mithaa koorh maakhi-o koorh dobay poor.
False is sweetness, false is honey; through falsehood, boat-loads of men have drowned.
naanak vakhaanai bayntee tuDh baajh koorho koorh. ||1||
Nanak speaks this prayer: without You, Lord, everything is totally false. ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
sach taa par jaanee-ai jaa ridai sachaa ho-ay.
One knows the Truth only when the Truth is in his heart.
koorh kee mal utrai tan karay hachhaa Dho-ay.
The filth of falsehood departs, and the body is washed clean.
sach taa par jaanee-ai jaa sach Dharay pi-aar.
One knows the Truth only when he bears love to the True Lord.
naa-o sun man rehsee-ai taa paa-ay mokh du-aar.
Hearing the Name, the mind is enraptured; then, he attains the gate of salvation.
sach taa par jaanee-ai jaa jugat jaanai jee-o.
One knows the Truth only when he knows the true way of life.
Dharat kaa-i-aa saaDh kai vich day-ay kartaa bee-o.
Preparing the field of the body, he plants the Seed of the Creator.
sach taa par jaanee-ai jaa sikh sachee lay-ay.
One knows the Truth only when he receives true instruction.
da-i-aa jaanai jee-a kee kichh punn daan karay-i.
Showing mercy to other beings, he makes donations to charities.
sach taaN par jaanee-ai jaa aatam tirath karay nivaas.
One knows the Truth only when he dwells in the sacred shrine of pilgrimage of his own soul.
satguroo no puchh kai bahi rahai karay nivaas.
He sits and receives instruction from the True Guru, and lives in accordance with His Will.
sach sabhnaa ho-ay daaroo paap kadhai Dho-ay.
Truth is the medicine for all; it removes and washes away our sins.
naanak vakhaanai bayntee jin sach palai ho-ay. ||2||
Nanak speaks this prayer to those who have Truth in their laps. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
daan mahindaa talee khaak jay milai ta mastak laa-ee-ai.
The gift I seek is the dust of the feet of the Saints; if I were to obtain it, I would apply it to my forehead.
koorhaa laalach chhadee-ai ho-ay ik man alakh Dhi-aa-ee-ai.
Renounce false greed, and meditate single-mindedly on the unseen Lord.
fal tayvayho paa-ee-ai jayvayhee kaar kamaa-ee-ai.
As are the actions we commit, so are the rewards we receive.
jay hovai poorab likhi-aa taa Dhoorh tinHaa dee paa-ee-ai.
If it is so pre-ordained, then one obtains the dust of the feet of the Saints.
mat thorhee sayv gavaa-ee-ai. ||10||
But through small-mindedness, we forfeit the merits of selfless service. ||10||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
sach kaal koorh varti-aa kal kaalakh baytaal.
There is a famine of Truth; falsehood prevails, and the blackness of the Dark Age of Kali Yuga has turned men into demons.
bee-o beej pat lai ga-ay ab ki-o ugvai daal.
Those who planted their seed have departed with honor; now, how can the shattered seed sprout?
jay ik ho-ay ta ugvai rutee hoo rut ho-ay.
If the seed is whole, and it is the proper season, then the seed will sprout.
naanak paahai baahraa korai rang na so-ay.
O Nanak, without treatment, the raw fabric cannot be dyed.
bhai vich khumb charhaa-ee-ai saram paahu tan ho-ay.
In the Fear of God it is bleached white, if the treatment of modesty is applied to the cloth of the body.
naanak bhagtee jay rapai koorhai so-ay na ko-ay. ||1||
O Nanak, if one is imbued with devotional worship, his reputation is not false. ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
lab paap du-ay raajaa mahtaa koorh ho-aa sikdaar.
Greed and sin are the king and prime minister; falsehood is the treasurer.
kaam nayb sad puchhee-ai bahi bahi karay beechaar.
Sexual desire, the chief advisor, is summoned and consulted; they all sit together and contemplate their plans.
anDhee rayat gi-aan vihoonee bhaahi bharay murdaar.
Their subjects are blind, and without wisdom, they try to please the will of the dead.
gi-aanee nacheh vaajay vaaveh roop karahi seegaar.
The spiritually wise dance and play their musical instruments, adorning themselves with beautiful decorations.
oochay kookeh vaadaa gaavahi joDhaa kaa veechaar.
They shout out loud, and sing epic poems and heroic stories.
moorakh pandit hikmat hujat sanjai karahi pi-aar.
The fools call themselves spiritual scholars, and by their clever tricks, they love to gather wealth.
Dharmee Dharam karahi gaavaaveh mangeh mokh du-aar.
The righteous waste their righteousness, by asking for the door of salvation.
jatee sadaaveh jugat na jaaneh chhad baheh ghar baar.
They call themselves celibate, and abandon their homes, but they do not know the true way of life.
sabh ko pooraa aapay hovai ghat na ko-ee aakhai.
Everyone calls himself perfect; none call themselves imperfect.
pat parvaanaa pichhai paa-ee-ai taa naanak toli-aa jaapai. ||2||
If the weight of honor is placed on the scale, then, O Nanak, one sees his true weight. ||2||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
vadee so vajag naankaa sachaa vaykhai so-ay.
Evil actions become publicly known; O Nanak, the True Lord sees everything.
sabhnee chhaalaa maaree-aa kartaa karay so ho-ay.
Everyone makes the attempt, but that alone happens which the Creator Lord does.
agai jaat na jor hai agai jee-o navay.
In the world hereafter, social status and power mean nothing; hereafter, the soul is new.
jin kee laykhai pat pavai changay say-ee kay-ay. ||3||
Those few, whose honor is confirmed, are good. ||3||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
Dhur karam jinaa ka-o tuDh paa-i-aa taa tinee khasam Dhi-aa-i-aa.
Only those whose karma You have pre-ordained from the very beginning, O Lord, meditate on You.
aynaa jantaa kai vas kichh naahee tuDh vaykee jagat upaa-i-aa.
Nothing is in the power of these beings; You created the various worlds.
iknaa no tooN mayl laihi ik aaphu tuDh khu-aa-i-aa.
Some, You unite with Yourself, and some, You lead astray.
gur kirpaa tay jaani-aa jithai tuDh aap bujhaa-i-aa.
By Guru’s Grace You are known; through Him, You reveal Yourself.
sehjay hee sach samaa-i-aa. ||11||
We are easily absorbed in You. ||11||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
dukh daaroo sukh rog bha-i-aa jaa sukh taam na ho-ee.
Suffering is the medicine, and pleasure the disease, because where there is pleasure, there is no desire for God.
tooN kartaa karnaa mai naahee jaa ha-o karee na ho-ee. ||1||
You are the Creator Lord; I can do nothing. Even if I try, nothing happens. ||1||
balihaaree kudrat vasi-aa.
I am a sacrifice to Your almighty creative power which is pervading everywhere.
tayraa ant na jaa-ee lakhi-aa. ||1|| rahaa-o.
Your limits cannot be known. ||1||Pause||
jaat meh jot jot meh jaataa akal kalaa bharpoor rahi-aa.
Your Light is in Your creatures, and Your creatures are in Your Light; Your almighty power is pervading everywhere.
tooN sachaa saahib sifat su-aaliha-o jin keetee so paar pa-i-aa.
You are the True Lord and Master; Your Praise is so beautiful. One who sings it, is carried across.
kaho naanak kartay kee-aa baataa jo kichh karnaa so kar rahi-aa. ||2||
Nanak speaks the stories of the Creator Lord; whatever He is to do, He does. ||2||
mehlaa 2.
Second Mehl:
jog sabdaN gi-aan sabdaN bayd sabdaN baraahmaneh.
The Way of Yoga is the Way of spiritual wisdom; the Vedas are the Way of the Brahmins.
khatree sabdaN soor sabdaN soodar sabdaN paraa kirteh.
The Way of the Khshatriya is the Way of bravery; the Way of the Shudras is service to others.
sarab sabdaN ayk sabdaN jay ko jaanai bhay-o. naanak taa kaa daas hai so-ee niranjan day-o. ||3||
The Way of all is the Way of the One; Nanak is a slave to one who knows this secret; he himself is the Immaculate Divine Lord. ||3||
mehlaa 2.
Second Mehl:
ayk krisanN sarab dayvaa dayv dayvaa ta aatmaa.
The One Lord Krishna is the Divine Lord of all; He is the Divinity of the individual soul.
aatmaa baasdayvsi-y jay ko jaanai bhay-o. naanak taa kaa daas hai so-ee niranjan day-o. ||4||
Nanak is a slave to anyone who understands this mystery of the all-pervading Lord; he himself is the Immaculate Divine Lord. ||4||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
kumbhay baDhaa jal rahai jal bin kumbh na ho-ay.
Water remains confined within the pitcher, but without water, the pitcher could not have been formed;
gi-aan kaa baDhaa man rahai gur bin gi-aan na ho-ay. ||5||
just so, the mind is restrained by spiritual wisdom, but without the Guru, there is no spiritual wisdom. ||5||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
parhi-aa hovai gunahgaar taa omee saaDh na maaree-ai.
If an educated person is a sinner, then the illiterate holy man is not to be punished.
jayhaa ghaalay ghaalnaa tayvayho naa-o pachaaree-ai.
As are the deeds done, so is the reputation one acquires.
aisee kalaa na khaydee-ai jit dargeh ga-i-aa haaree-ai.
So do not play such a game, which will bring you to ruin at the Court of the Lord.
parhi-aa atai omee-aa veechaar agai veechaaree-ai.
The accounts of the educated and the illiterate shall be judged in the world hereafter.
muhi chalai so agai maaree-ai. ||12||
One who stubbornly follows his own mind shall suffer in the world hereafter. ||12||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
naanak mayr sareer kaa ik rath ik rathvaahu.
O Nanak, the soul of the body has one chariot and one charioteer.
jug jug fayr vataa-ee-ah gi-aanee bujheh taahi.
In age after age they change; the spiritually wise understand this.
satjug rath santokh kaa Dharam agai rathvaahu.
In the Golden Age of Sat Yuga, contentment was the chariot and righteousness the charioteer.
taraytai rath jatai kaa jor agai rathvaahu.
In the Silver Age of Traytaa Yuga, celibacy was the chariot and power the charioteer.
du-aapur rath tapai kaa sat agai rathvaahu.
In the Brass Age of Dwaapar Yuga, penance was the chariot and truth the charioteer.
kaljug rath agan kaa koorh agai rathvaahu. ||1||
In the Iron Age of Kali Yuga, fire is the chariot and falsehood the charioteer. ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
saam kahai saytambar su-aamee sach meh aachhai saach rahay. sabh ko sach samaavai.
The Sama Veda says that the Lord Master is robed in white; in the Age of Truth, everyone desired Truth, abided in Truth, and was merged in the Truth.
rig kahai rahi-aa bharpoor.
The Rig Veda says that God is permeating and pervading everywhere;
raam naam dayvaa meh soor.
among the deities, the Lord’s Name is the most exalted.
naa-ay la-i-ai paraachhat jaahi.
Chanting the Name, sins depart;
naanak ta-o mokhantar paahi.
O Nanak, then, one obtains salvation.
juj meh jor chhalee chandraaval kaanH krisan jaadam bha-i-aa.
In the Jujar Veda, Kaan Krishna of the Yaadva tribe seduced Chandraavali by force.
paarjaat gopee lai aa-i-aa bindraaban meh rang kee-aa.
He brought the Elysian Tree for his milk-maid, and revelled in Brindaaban.
kal meh bayd atharban hoo-aa naa-o khudaa-ee alhu bha-i-aa.
In the Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Atharva Veda became prominent; Allah became the Name of God.
neel bastar lay kaprhay pahiray turak pathaanee amal kee-aa.
Men began to wear blue robes and garments; Turks and Pat’haans assumed power.
chaaray vayd ho-ay sachiaar.
The four Vedas each claim to be true.
parheh guneh tinH chaar veechaar.
Reading and studying them, four doctrines are found.
bhaa-o bhagat kar neech sadaa-ay. ta-o naanak mokhantar paa-ay. ||2||
With loving devotional worship, abiding in humility, O Nanak, salvation is attained. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
satgur vitahu vaari-aa jit mili-ai khasam samaali-aa.
I am a sacrifice to the True Guru; meeting Him, I have come to cherish the Lord Master.
jin kar updays gi-aan anjan dee-aa inHee naytree jagat nihaali-aa.
He has taught me and given me the healing ointment of spiritual wisdom, and with these eyes, I behold the world.
khasam chhod doojai lagay dubay say vanjaari-aa.
Those dealers who abandon their Lord and Master and attach themselves to another, are drowned.
satguroo hai bohithaa virlai kinai veechaari-aa.
The True Guru is the boat, but few are those who realize this.
kar kirpaa paar utaari-aa. ||13||
Granting His Grace, He carries them across. ||13||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
simmal rukh saraa-iraa at deeragh at much.
The simmal tree is straight as an arrow; it is very tall, and very thick.
o-ay je aavahi aas kar jaahi niraasay kit.
But those birds which visit it hopefully, depart disappointed.
fal fikay ful bakbakay kamm na aavahi pat.
Its fruits are tasteless, its flowers are nauseating, and its leaves are useless.
mithat neevee naankaa gun chang-aa-ee-aa tat.
Sweetness and humility, O Nanak, are the essence of virtue and goodness.
sabh ko nivai aap ka-o par ka-o nivai na ko-ay.
Everyone bows down to himself; no one bows down to another.
Dhar taaraajoo tolee-ai nivai so ga-uraa ho-ay.
When something is placed on the balancing scale and weighed, the side which descends is heavier.
apraaDhee doonaa nivai jo hantaa miragaahi.
The sinner, like the deer hunter, bows down twice as much.
sees nivaa-i-ai ki-aa thee-ai jaa ridai kusuDhay jaahi. ||1||
But what can be achieved by bowing the head, when the heart is impure? ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
parh pustak sanDhi-aa baadaN.
You read your books and say your prayers, and then engage in debate;
sil poojas bagul samaaDhaN.
you worship stones and sit like a stork, pretending to be in Samaadhi.
mukh jhooth bibhookhan saaraN.
With your mouth you utter falsehood, and you adorn yourself with precious decorations;
taraipaal tihaal bichaaraN.
you recite the three lines of the Gayatri three times a day.
gal maalaa tilak lilaataN.
Around your neck is a rosary, and on your forehead is a sacred mark;
du-ay Dhotee bastar kapaataN.
upon your head is a turban, and you wear two loin cloths.
jay jaanas barahmaN karmaN.
If you knew the nature of God,
sabh fokat nischa-o karmaN.
you would know that all of these beliefs and rituals are in vain.
kaho naanak nihcha-o Dhi-aavai.
Says Nanak, meditate with deep faith;
vin satgur vaat na paavai. ||2||
without the True Guru, no one finds the Way. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
kaparh roop suhaavanaa chhad dunee-aa andar jaavnaa.
Abandoning the world of beauty, and beautiful clothes, one must depart.
mandaa changa aapnaa aapay hee keetaa paavnaa.
He obtains the rewards of his good and bad deeds.
hukam kee-ay man bhaavday raahi bheerhai agai jaavnaa.
He may issue whatever commands he wishes, but he shall have to take to the narrow path hereafter.
nangaa dojak chaali-aa taa disai kharaa daraavanaa.
He goes to hell naked, and he looks hideous then.
kar a-ugan pachhotaavanaa. ||14||
He regrets the sins he committed. ||14||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
da-i-aa kapaah santokh soot jat gandhee sat vat.
Make compassion the cotton, contentment the thread, modesty the knot and truth the twist.
ayhu janay-oo jee-a kaa ha-ee ta paaday ghat.
This is the sacred thread of the soul; if you have it, then go ahead and put it on me.
naa ayhu tutai naa mal lagai naa ayhu jalai na jaa-ay.
It does not break, it cannot be soiled by filth, it cannot be burnt, or lost.
Dhan so maanas naankaa jo gal chalay paa-ay.
Blessed are those mortal beings, O Nanak, who wear such a thread around their necks.
cha-ukarh mul anaa-i-aa bahi cha-ukai paa-i-aa.
You buy the thread for a few shells, and seated in your enclosure, you put it on.
sikhaa kann charhaa-ee-aa gur baraahman thi-aa.
Whispering instructions into others’ ears, the Brahmin becomes a guru.
oh mu-aa oh jharh pa-i-aa vaytgaa ga-i-aa. ||1||
But he dies, and the sacred thread falls away, and the soul departs without it. ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
lakh choree-aa lakh jaaree-aa lakh koorhee-aa lakh gaal.
He commits thousands of robberies, thousands of acts of adultery, thousands of falsehoods and thousands of abuses.
lakh thagee-aa pahinaamee-aa raat dinas jee-a naal.
He practices thousands of deceptions and secret deeds, night and day, against his fellow beings.
tag kapaahahu katee-ai baamHan vatay aa-ay.
The thread is spun from cotton, and the Brahmin comes and twists it.
kuhi bakraa rinniH khaa-i-aa sabh ko aakhai paa-ay.
The goat is killed, cooked and eaten, and everyone then says, “Put on the sacred thread.”
ho-ay puraanaa sutee-ai bhee fir paa-ee-ai hor.
When it wears out, it is thrown away, and another one is put on.
naanak tag na tut-ee jay tag hovai jor. ||2||
O Nanak, the thread would not break, if it had any real strength. ||2||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
naa-ay mani-ai pat oopjai saalaahee sach soot.
Believing in the Name, honor is obtained. The Lord’s Praise is the true sacred thread.
dargeh andar paa-ee-ai tag na tootas poot. ||3||
Such a sacred thread is worn in the Court of the Lord; it shall never break. ||3||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
tag na indree tag na naaree.
There is no sacred thread for the sexual organ, and no thread for woman.
bhalkay thuk pavai nit daarhee.
The man’s beard is spat upon daily.
tag na pairee tag na hathee.
There is no sacred thread for the feet, and no thread for the hands;
tag na jihvaa tag na akhee.
no thread for the tongue, and no thread for the eyes.
vaytgaa aapay vatai.
The Brahmin himself goes to the world hereafter without a sacred thread.
vat Dhaagay avraa ghatai.
Twisting the threads, he puts them on others.
lai bhaarh karay vee-aahu.
He takes payment for performing marriages;
kadh kaagal dasay raahu.
reading their horoscopes, he shows them the way.
sun vaykhhu lokaa ayhu vidaan.
Hear, and see, O people, this wondrous thing.
man anDhaa naa-o sujaan. ||4||
He is mentally blind, and yet his name is wisdom. ||4||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
saahib ho-ay da-i-aal kirpaa karay taa saa-ee kaar karaa-isee.
One, upon whom the Merciful Lord bestows His Grace, performs His service.
so sayvak sayvaa karay jis no hukam manaa-isee.
That servant, whom the Lord causes to obey the Order of His Will, serves Him.
hukam mani-ai hovai parvaan taa khasmai kaa mahal paa-isee.
Obeying the Order of His Will, he becomes acceptable, and then, he obtains the Mansion of the Lord’s Presence.
khasmai bhaavai so karay manhu chindi-aa so fal paa-isee.
One who acts to please His Lord and Master, obtains the fruits of his mind’s desires.
taa dargeh paiDhaa jaa-isee. ||15||
Then, he goes to the Court of the Lord, wearing robes of honor. ||15||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
ga-oo biraahman ka-o kar laavhu gobar taran na jaa-ee.
They tax the cows and the Brahmins, but the cow-dung they apply to their kitchen will not save them.
Dhotee tikaa tai japmaalee Dhaan malaychhaaN khaa-ee.
They wear their loin cloths, apply ritual frontal marks to their foreheads, and carry their rosaries, but they eat food with the Muslims.
antar poojaa parheh kataybaa sanjam turkaa bhaa-ee.
O Siblings of Destiny, you perform devotional worship indoors, but read the Islamic sacred texts, and adopt the Muslim way of life.
chhodeelay paakhandaa.
Renounce your hypocrisy!
naam la-i-ai jaahi tarandaa. ||1||
Taking the Naam, the Name of the Lord, you shall swim across. ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
maanas khaanay karahi nivaaj.
The man-eaters say their prayers.
chhuree vagaa-in tin gal taag.
Those who wield the knife wear the sacred thread around their necks.
tin ghar barahman pooreh naad.
In their homes, the Brahmins sound the conch.
unHaa bhe aavahi o-ee saad.
They too have the same taste.
koorhee raas koorhaa vaapaar.
False is their capital, and false is their trade.
koorh bol karahi aahaar.
Speaking falsehood, they take their food.
saram Dharam kaa dayraa door.
The home of modesty and Dharma is far from them.
naanak koorh rahi-aa bharpoor.
O Nanak, they are totally permeated with falsehood.
mathai tikaa tayrh Dhotee kakhaa-ee.
The sacred marks are on their foreheads, and the saffron loin-cloths are around their waists;
hath chhuree jagat kaasaa-ee.
in their hands they hold the knives – they are the butchers of the world!
neel vastar pahir hoveh parvaan.
Wearing blue robes, they seek the approval of the Muslim rulers.
malaychh Dhaan lay poojeh puraan.
Accepting bread from the Muslim rulers, they still worship the Puraanas.
abhaakhi-aa kaa kuthaa bakraa khaanaa.
They eat the meat of the goats, killed after the Muslim prayers are read over them,
cha-ukay upar kisai na jaanaa.
but they do not allow anyone else to enter their kitchen areas.
day kai cha-ukaa kadhee kaar.
They draw lines around them, plastering the ground with cow-dung.
upar aa-ay baithay koorhi-aar.
The false come and sit within them.
mat bhitai vay mat bhitai. ih ann asaadaa fitai.
They cry out, “Do not touch our food, or it will be polluted!”
tan fitai fayrh karayn.
But with their polluted bodies, they commit evil deeds.
man joothai chulee bharayn.
With filthy minds, they try to cleanse their mouths.
kaho naanak sach Dhi-aa-ee-ai.
Says Nanak, meditate on the True Lord.
such hovai taa sach paa-ee-ai. ||2||
If you are pure, you will obtain the True Lord. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
chitai andar sabh ko vaykh nadree hayth chalaa-idaa.
All are within Your mind; You see and move them under Your Glance of Grace, O Lord.
aapay day vadi-aa-ee-aa aapay hee karam karaa-idaa.
You Yourself grant them glory, and You Yourself cause them to act.
vadahu vadaa vad maydnee siray sir DhanDhai laa-idaa.
The Lord is the greatest of the great; great is His world. He enjoins all to their tasks.
nadar upthee jay karay sultaanaa ghaahu karaa-idaa.
If he should cast an angry glance, He can transform kings into blades of grass.
dar mangan bhikh na paa-idaa. ||16||
Even though they may beg from door to door, no one will give them charity. ||16||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
jay mohaakaa ghar muhai ghar muhi pitree day-ay.
The thief robs a house, and offers the stolen goods to his ancestors.
agai vasat sinjaanee-ai pitree chor karay-i.
In the world hereafter, this is recognized, and his ancestors are considered thieves as well.
vadhee-ah hath dalaal kay musfee ayh karay-i.
The hands of the go-between are cut off; this is the Lord’s justice.
naanak agai so milai je khatay ghaalay day-ay. ||1||
O Nanak, in the world hereafter, that alone is received, which one gives to the needy from his own earnings and labor. ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
ji-o joroo sirnaavanee aavai vaaro vaar.
As a woman has her periods, month after month,
joothay joothaa mukh vasai nit nit ho-ay khu-aar.
so does falsehood dwell in the mouth of the false; they suffer forever, again and again.
soochay ayhi na aakhee-ahi bahan je pindaa Dho-ay.
They are not called pure, who sit down after merely washing their bodies.
soochay say-ee naankaa jin man vasi-aa so-ay. ||2||
Only they are pure, O Nanak, within whose minds the Lord abides. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
turay palaanay pa-un vayg har rangee haram savaari-aa.
With saddled horses, as fast as the wind, and harems decorated in every way;
kothay mandap maarhee-aa laa-ay baithay kar paasaari-aa.
in houses and pavilions and lofty mansions, they dwell, making ostentatious shows.
cheej karan man bhaavday har bujhan naahee haari-aa.
They act out their minds’ desires, but they do not understand the Lord, and so they are ruined.
kar furmaa-is khaa-i-aa vaykh mahlat maran visaari-aa.
Asserting their authority, they eat, and beholding their mansions, they forget about death.
jar aa-ee joban haari-aa. ||17||
But old age comes, and youth is lost. ||17||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
jay kar sootak mannee-ai sabh tai sootak ho-ay.
If one accepts the concept of impurity, then there is impurity everywhere.
gohay atai lakrhee andar keerhaa ho-ay.
In cow-dung and wood there are worms.
jaytay daanay ann kay jee-aa baajh na ko-ay.
As many as are the grains of corn, none is without life.
pahilaa paanee jee-o hai jit hari-aa sabh ko-ay.
First, there is life in the water, by which everything else is made green.
sootak ki-o kar rakhee-ai sootak pavai raso-ay.
How can it be protected from impurity? It touches our own kitchen.
naanak sootak ayv na utrai gi-aan utaaray Dho-ay. ||1||
O Nanak, impurity cannot be removed in this way; it is washed away only by spiritual wisdom. ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
man kaa sootak lobh hai jihvaa sootak koorh.
The impurity of the mind is greed, and the impurity of the tongue is falsehood.
akhee sootak vaykh–naa par tari-a par Dhan roop.
The impurity of the eyes is to gaze upon the beauty of another man’s wife, and his wealth.
kannee sootak kann pai laa-itbaaree khaahi.
The impurity of the ears is to listen to the slander of others.
naanak hansaa aadmee baDhay jam pur jaahi. ||2||
O Nanak, the mortal’s soul goes, bound and gagged to the city of Death. ||2||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
sabho sootak bharam hai doojai lagai jaa-ay.
All impurity comes from doubt and attachment to duality.
jaman marnaa hukam hai bhaanai aavai jaa-ay.
Birth and death are subject to the Command of the Lord’s Will; through His Will we come and go.
khaanaa peenaa pavitar hai diton rijak sambaahi.
Eating and drinking are pure, since the Lord gives nourishment to all.
naanak jinHee gurmukh bujhi-aa tinHaa sootak naahi. ||3||
O Nanak, the Gurmukhs, who understand the Lord, are not stained by impurity. ||3||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
satgur vadaa kar salaahee-ai jis vich vadee-aa vadi-aa-ee-aa.
Praise the Great True Guru; within Him is the greatest greatness.
seh maylay taa nadree aa-ee-aa.
When the Lord causes us to meet the Guru, then we come to see them.
jaa tis bhaanaa taa man vasaa-ee-aa.
When it pleases Him, they come to dwell in our minds.
kar hukam mastak hath Dhar vichahu maar kadhee-aa buri-aa-ee-aa.
By His Command, when He places His hand on our foreheads, wickedness departs from within.
seh tuthai na-o niDh paa-ee-aa. ||18||
When the Lord is thoroughly pleased, the nine treasures are obtained. ||18||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
pahilaa suchaa aap ho-ay suchai baithaa aa-ay.
First, purifying himself, the Brahmin comes and sits in his purified enclosure.
suchay agai rakhi-on ko-ay na bhiti-o jaa-ay.
The pure foods, which no one else has touched, are placed before him.
suchaa ho-ay kai jayvi-aa lagaa parhan salok.
Being purified, he takes his food, and begins to read his sacred verses.
kuhthee jaa-ee sati-aa kis ayhu lagaa dokh.
But it is then thrown into a filthy place – whose fault is this?
ann dayvtaa paanee dayvtaa baisantar dayvtaa loon panjvaa paa-i-aa ghirat.
The corn is sacred, the water is sacred; the fire and salt are sacred as well; when the fifth thing, the ghee, is added,
taa ho-aa paak pavit.
then the food becomes pure and sanctified.
paapee si-o tan gadi-aa thukaa pa-ee-aa tit.
Coming into contact with the sinful human body, the food becomes so impure that is is spat upon.
jit mukh naam na oochrahi bin naavai ras khaahi.
That mouth which does not chant the Naam, and without the Name eats tasty foods
naanak ayvai jaanee-ai tit mukh thukaa paahi. ||1||
– O Nanak, know this: such a mouth is to be spat upon. ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
bhand jammee-ai bhand nimmee-ai bhand mangan vee-aahu.
From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married.
bhandahu hovai dostee bhandahu chalai raahu.
Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come.
bhand mu-aa bhand bhaalee-ai bhand hovai banDhaan.
When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound.
so ki-o mandaa aakhee-ai jit jameh raajaan.
So why call her bad? From her, kings are born.
bhandahu hee bhand oopjai bhandai baajh na ko-ay.
From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all.
naanak bhandai baahraa ayko sachaa so-ay.
O Nanak, only the True Lord is without a woman.
jit mukh sadaa salaahee-ai bhaagaa ratee chaar.
That mouth which praises the Lord continually is blessed and beautiful.
naanak tay mukh oojlay tit sachai darbaar. ||2||
O Nanak, those faces shall be radiant in the Court of the True Lord. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
sabh ko aakhai aapnaa jis naahee so chun kadhee-ai.
All call You their own, Lord; one who does not own You, is picked up and thrown away.
keetaa aapo aapnaa aapay hee laykhaa sandhee-ai.
Everyone receives the rewards of his own actions; his account is adjusted accordingly.
jaa rahnaa naahee ait jag taa kaa-it gaarab handhee-ai.
Since one is not destined to remain in this world anyway, why should he ruin himself in pride?
mandaa kisai na aakhee-ai parh akhar ayho bujhee-ai.
Do not call anyone bad; read these words, and understand.
moorkhai naal na lujhee-ai. ||19||
Don’t argue with fools. ||19||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
naanak fikai boli-ai tan man fikaa ho-ay.
O Nanak, speaking insipid words, the body and mind become insipid.
fiko fikaa sadee-ai fikay fikee so-ay.
He is called the most insipid of the insipid; the most insipid of the insipid is his reputation.
fikaa dargeh satee-ai muhi thukaa fikay paa-ay.
The insipid person is discarded in the Court of the Lord, and the insipid one’s face is spat upon.
fikaa moorakh aakhee-ai paanaa lahai sajaa-ay. ||1||
The insipid one is called a fool; he is beaten with shoes in punishment. ||1||
mehlaa 1.
First Mehl:
andrahu jhoothay paij baahar dunee-aa andar fail.
Those who are false within, and honorable on the outside, are very common in this world.
athsath tirath jay naaveh utrai naahee mail.
Even though they may bathe at the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage, still, their filth does not depart.
jinH pat andar baahar gudarh tay bhalay sansaar.
Those who have silk on the inside and rags on the outside, are the good ones in this world.
tinH nayhu lagaa rab saytee daykhnHay veechaar.
They embrace love for the Lord, and contemplate beholding Him.
rang haseh rang roveh chup bhee kar jaahi.
In the Lord’s Love, they laugh, and in the Lord’s Love, they weep, and also keep silent.
parvaah naahee kisai kayree baajh sachay naah.
They do not care for anything else, except their True Husband Lord.
dar vaat upar kharach mangaa jabai day-ay ta khaahi.
Sitting, waiting at the Lord’s Door, they beg for food, and when He gives to them, they eat.
deebaan ayko kalam aykaa hamaa tumHaa mayl.
There is only One Court of the Lord, and He has only one pen; there, you and I shall meet.
dar la-ay laykhaa peerh chhutai naankaa ji-o tayl. ||2||
In the Court of the Lord, the accounts are examined; O Nanak, the sinners are crushed, like oil seeds in the press. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
aapay hee karnaa kee-o kal aapay hee tai Dhaaree-ai.
You Yourself created the creation; You Yourself infused Your power into it.
daykheh keetaa aapnaa Dhar kachee pakee saaree-ai.
You behold Your creation, like the losing and winning dice of the earth.
jo aa-i-aa so chalsee sabh ko-ee aa-ee vaaree-ai.
Whoever has come, shall depart; all shall have their turn.
jis kay jee-a paraan heh ki-o saahib manhu visaaree-ai.
He who owns our soul, and our very breath of life – why should we forget that Lord and Master from our minds?
aapan hathee aapnaa aapay hee kaaj savaaree-ai. ||20||
With our own hands, let us resolve our own affairs. ||20||
salok mehlaa 2.
Shalok, Second Mehl:
ayh kinayhee aaskee doojai lagai jaa-ay.
What sort of love is this, which clings to duality?
naanak aasak kaaNdhee-ai sad hee rahai samaa-ay.
O Nanak, he alone is called a lover, who remains forever immersed in absorption.
changai changa kar mannay mandai mandaa ho-ay.
But one who feels good only when good is done for him, and feels bad when things go badly
aasak ayhu na aakhee-ai je laykhai vartai so-ay. ||1||
– do not call him a lover. He trades only for his own account. ||1||
mehlaa 2.
Second Mehl:
salaam jabaab dovai karay mundhhu ghuthaa jaa-ay.
One who offers both respectful greetings and rude refusal to his master, has gone wrong from the very beginning.
naanak dovai koorhee-aa thaa-ay na kaa-ee paa-ay. ||2||
O Nanak, both of his actions are false; he obtains no place in the Court of the Lord. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
jit sayvi-ai sukh paa-ee-ai so saahib sadaa samHaalee-ai.
Serving Him, peace is obtained; meditate and dwell upon that Lord and Master forever.
jit keetaa paa-ee-ai aapnaa saa ghaal buree ki-o ghaalee-ai.
Why do you do such evil deeds, that you shall have to suffer so?
mandaa mool na keech-ee day lammee nadar nihaalee-ai.
Do not do any evil at all; look ahead to the future with foresight.
ji-o saahib naal na haaree-ai tavayhaa paasaa dhaalee-ai.
So throw the dice in such a way, that you shall not lose with your Lord and Master.
kichh laahay upar ghaalee-ai. ||21||
Do those deeds which shall bring you profit. ||21||
salok mehlaa 2.
Shalok, Second Mehl:
chaakar lagai chaakree naalay gaarab vaad.
If a servant performs service, while being vain and argumentative,
galaa karay ghanayree-aa khasam na paa-ay saad.
he may talk as much as he wants, but he shall not be pleasing to his Master.
aap gavaa-ay sayvaa karay taa kichh paa-ay maan.
But if he eliminates his self-conceit and then performs service, he shall be honored.
naanak jis no lagaa tis milai lagaa so parvaan. ||1||
O Nanak, if he merges with the one with whom he is attached, his attachment becomes acceptable. ||1||
mehlaa 2.
Second Mehl:
jo jee-ay ho-ay so ugvai muh kaa kahi-aa vaa-o.
Whatever is in the mind, comes forth; spoken words by themselves are just wind.
beejay bikh mangai amrit vaykhhu ayhu ni-aa-o. ||2||
He sows seeds of poison, and demands Ambrosial Nectar. Behold – what justice is this? ||2||
mehlaa 2.
Second Mehl:
naal i-aanay dostee kaday na aavai raas.
Friendship with a fool never works out right.
jayhaa jaanai tayho vartai vaykhhu ko nirjaas.
As he knows, he acts; behold, and see that it is so.
vastoo andar vasat samaavai doojee hovai paas.
One thing can be absorbed into another thing, but duality keeps them apart.
saahib saytee hukam na chalai kahee banai ardaas.
No one can issue commands to the Lord Master; offer instead humble prayers.
koorh kamaanai koorho hovai naanak sifat vigaas. ||3||
Practicing falsehood, only falsehood is obtained. O Nanak, through the Lord’s Praise, one blossoms forth. ||3||
mehlaa 2.
Second Mehl:
naal i-aanay dostee vadaaroo si-o nayhu.
Friendship with a fool, and love with a pompous person,
paanee andar leek ji-o tis daa thaa-o na thayhu. ||4||
are like lines drawn in water, leaving no trace or mark. ||4||
mehlaa 2.
Second Mehl:
ho-ay i-aanaa karay kamm aan na sakai raas.
If a fool does a job, he cannot do it right.
jay ik aDh changee karay doojee bhee vayraas. ||5||
Even if he does something right, he does the next thing wrong. ||5||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
chaakar lagai chaakree jay chalai khasmai bhaa-ay.
If a servant, performing service, obeys the Will of his Master,
hurmat tis no aglee oh vajahu bhe doonaa khaa-ay.
his honor increases, and he receives double his wages.
khasmai karay baraabaree fir gairat andar paa-ay.
But if he claims to be equal to his Master, he earns his Master’s displeasure.
vajahu gavaa-ay aglaa muhay muhi paanaa khaa-ay.
He loses his entire salary, and is also beaten on his face with shoes.
jis daa ditaa khaavnaa tis kahee-ai saabaas.
Let us all celebrate Him, from whom we receive our nourishment.
naanak hukam na chal-ee naal khasam chalai ardaas. ||22||
O Nanak, no one can issue commands to the Lord Master; let us offer prayers instead. ||22||
salok mehlaa 2.
Shalok, Second Mehl:
ayh kinayhee daat aapas tay jo paa-ee-ai.
What sort of gift is this, which we receive only by our own asking?
naanak saa karmaat saahib tuthai jo milai. ||1||
O Nanak, that is the most wonderful gift, which is received from the Lord, when He is totally pleased. ||1||
mehlaa 2.
Second Mehl:
ayh kinayhee chaakree jit bha-o khasam na jaa-ay.
What sort of service is this, by which the fear of the Lord Master does not depart?
naanak sayvak kaadhee-ai je saytee khasam samaa-ay. ||2||
O Nanak, he alone is called a servant, who merges with the Lord Master. ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
naanak ant na jaapnHee har taa kay paaraavaar.
O Nanak, the Lord’s limits cannot be known; He has no end or limitation.
aap karaa-ay saakh–tee fir aap karaa-ay maar.
He Himself creates, and then He Himself destroys.
iknHaa galee janjeeree-aa ik turee charheh bisee-aar.
Some have chains around their necks, while some ride on many horses.
aap karaa-ay karay aap ha-o kai si-o karee pukaar.
He Himself acts, and He Himself causes us to act. Unto whom should I complain?
naanak karnaa jin kee-aa fir tis hee karnee saar. ||23||
O Nanak, the One who created the creation – He Himself takes care of it. ||23||
salok mehlaa 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
aapay bhaaNday saaji-an aapay pooran day-ay.
He Himself fashioned the vessel of the body, and He Himself fills it.
iknHee duDh samaa-ee-ai ik chulHai rehniH charhay.
Into some, milk is poured, while others remain on the fire.
ik nihaalee pai savniH ik upar rahan kharhay.
Some lie down and sleep on soft beds, while others remain watchful.
tinHaa savaaray naankaa jinH ka-o nadar karay. ||1||
He adorns those, O Nanak, upon whom He casts His Glance of Grace. ||1||
mehlaa 2.
Second Mehl:
aapay saajay karay aap jaa-ee bhe rakhai aap.
He Himself creates and fashions the world, and He Himself keeps it in order.
tis vich jant upaa-ay kai daykhai thaap uthaap.
Having created the beings within it, He oversees their birth and death.
kis no kahee-ai naankaa sabh kichh aapay aap. ||2||
Unto whom should we speak, O Nanak, when He Himself is all-in-all? ||2||
pa-orhee.
Pauree:
vaday kee-aa vadi-aa-ee-aa kichh kahnaa kahan na jaa-ay.
The description of the greatness of the Great Lord cannot be described.
so kartaa kaadar kareem day jee-aa rijak sambaahi.
He is the Creator, all-lowerful and benevolent; He gives sustenance to all beings.
saa-ee kaar kamaavnee Dhur chhodee tinnai paa-ay.
The mortal does that work, which has been pre-destined from the very beginning.
naanak aykee baahree hor doojee naahee jaa-ay.
O Nanak, except for the One Lord, there is no other place at all.
so karay je tisai rajaa-ay. ||24||1|| suDhu
He does whatever He wills. ||24||1|| Sudh||
