Praises of God - undescribable

Pauri 23

Salahi Salahi Eti Surti Na Payeea
Nadian Ate Vah Paveh Samund Na Janiah
Samund Sah Sultan Girha Seti Mal Dhan
Kiri Tul Na Hovani Je Tis Manhon Na Visre

Translation~~

Praise and adoration
Yet reveals not Thy infinite glory
Like streams and rivers upon merging
Know not the might of the Ocean
An emperor with treasurers and dominion
Vast like the Ocean
Is not equal to an ant
Whose heart retains the Love of God.

Pauri - 24

Ant Na Siphti Kahen Na Ant
Ant Na Karne Dein Na Ant
Ant Na Vekhan Sunan Na Ant
Ant Na Japey Kya Man Mant
Ant Na Japey Keeta Aakar
Ant Na Japey Paravaar
Ant Karan Kete Billahe
Ta Ke Ant Na Paye Jahe
Ehu Ant Na Janne Koye
Bahuta Kahiye Bahuta Hoye
Vadda Sahib Uncha Thaun
Unche Ooper Unchan Naun
Evad Uncha Hove Koye
Tis Unche Ko Janne Soye
Jevad Aap Janne Aap Aap
Nanak Nadri Karmi Daat

Translation~~
Infinite His praises endless expressions
Infinite His creation boundless His gifts

A limitless sight with endless sound
Incomprehensible is what is in His mind
Unfathomable is the extent of His creation
Unknowable is the boundary

Millions have vexed to determine the extent
Yet the boundless has remained unfound
None knows the limits and extent
More we describe, more becomes unfound

Great is the Master exalted His abode
Higher than that is His exalted Name
Of that stature one has to be
To truly know how great is He
His majesty only He alone knows
Says Nanak
His Grace and Bounty is what we may know.

Explanation~~

Is God comprehensible? Can infinity be measured? Is there an end to what "is"? These and similar questions are posed by Guru Nanak in this Pauri. Attributing God as the greatest Master, placing him in the most exalted conceivable abode and declaring His Name to be Supreme, Guru Nanak affirms that to comprehend and to realize this, one has to raise one's stature to that level.

The closing line of the Pauri underlines the central idea. God is beyond comprehension.

Pauri - 25

Bahuta Karam Likhia Na Jaye
Vada Data Til Na Tamaye
Kete Mangeh Jodh Apaar
Ketian Ganat Nahin Vichaar
Kete Khap Tutte Vekar
Kete Lai Lai Mukkar Pahin
Kete Moorakh Khahi Khahin
Ketian Dookh Bhookh Sud Mar
Ehi Bhi Daat Teri Dataar
Bund Khalasi Bhane Hoye
Hore Akh Na Sakkey Koye
Je Ko Khaik Akhan Payee
Ohu Janey Jetian Muhin Khayee
Aape Jane Aape Deyee
Akhain Si Bhi Keti Keyee
Jis Nu Bakshe Siphat Salaah
Nanak Patisahi Patisahu

Translation~~
One cannot record His abundant deeds
His benevolence has no iota of greed
Many valiant beg at His door
Uncountable remain many more

Many are consumed by evil deeds
Many negate after what they receive
Numerous fools obsessed with greed
Many remain afflicted with pain
This too is His divine plan
Liberation from bondage happens by His will

None can say more about this
Were a fool would otherwise say
Disgrace would only come his way
He alone knows what to dispense
Few only do yet confess
Whoever is bestowed by His grace divine
Says Nanak,
Surely is the king of kings.

Pauri - 26

Amul Gun Amul Vapar
Amul Vapariye Amul Bhandar
Amul Aaveh Amul Lai Jahin
Amul Bhayee Amula Samahi
Amul Dharam Amul Dibaan
Amul Tul Amul Parvan
Amul Bakhsis Amul Nisan
Amul Karam Amul Phurman
Amulon Amul Aakhia Na Jayee
Akh Akh Rahe Liv Layee
Akhain Ved Path Puraan
Akhain Pare Karhi Vakhiyan
Akhain Barme Akhain Ind
Akhain Gopi Te Govind
Akhain Isar Akhain Sidh
Akhain Kete Keete Budh
Akhain Danav Akhain Dev
Akhain Sur Nar Muni Jan Sev
Kete Akhain Akhan Pahi
Kete Kahi Kahi Uth Uth Jahi
Ete Keete Hore Karehi
Tan akh na sakke kei kei
Jevad Bhave Tevad Hoye
Nanak Janne Sacha Soye
Je Ko Akhai Bol Vigaar
Tan Likhiye Sir Gavaran Gavaru

Translation~~

Priceless attributes priceless dispensation
Blessed dealers of virtuous treasures
Innumerable visitors with blessed bounties depart
Precious is to love and get absorbed

Perfect laws of the divine court
Flawless scales graceful judgment
Priceless blessings with Thy mark thereon
Measureless generosity profitable commands
Beyond expression is the invaluable manifestation
Leading towards Thy wondrous adoration

Vedas and scriptures dwell on this
The learned too converse about this
So say Brahma and Indra
As do the maidens and Krishna
Shiva and Shivaites say this too
The innumerable Buddhas have said too

Demons and Deities bow to Thee
Sages, men, saints and of service also adore Thee
Many have attempted to describe Thee
And many have yet failed in expressing Thee
If He were to create as many more
Inexpressible yet remain will He
Thou art as wondrous as it pleases Thee

Says Nanak, Thy greatness is only known to Thee
If anyone claims that God can be described
Then declare him to be stupid among fools.