17th Paurree: 'Asa[n]kh Jap Asa[n]kh Bhaao[u]...'
For previous sections, please see here
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TN = Translator's Note
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Now, Guru Maharaj will describe the Saa[n]thkee/Saintly/Nurturing Powers of Param-Aathmaa Vaheguru Ji
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ਅਸੰਖ ਜਪ ਅਸੰਖ ਭਾਉ ॥
Asa[n]kh Jap Asa[n]kh Bhaao[u]
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Padh Arthh (word-by-word):
ਅਸੰਖ (Asa[n]kh) = That which cannot be counted, countless, endless, infinite
ਜਪ (Jap) = Those who do Jap (Chanting or Meditating)
ਭਾਉ (Bhaao[u]) = Those who love, keep respect
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The word Sankhyaa refers to counting. So A-sankh refers to that which cannot be counted. There are countless forms/types of Jap (Chanting/Meditation) and the people who do Jap are countless as well. There are countless amounts of love and countless lovers. There are countless objects of love as well. [TN: In context to love & Sathogun/Shaanthkee, it is referring to divine/selfless love and not lust]
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ਅਸੰਖ ਪੂਜਾ ਅਸੰਖ ਤਪ ਤਾਉ ॥
Asa[n]kh Poojaa Asa[n]kh Thap Thaao[u]
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Padh Arthh (word-by-word):
ਅਸੰਖ (Asa[n]kh) = That which cannot be counted, countless, endless, infinite
ਪੂਜਾ (Poojaa) = Worship
ਤਪ ਤਾਉ (Thap Thaao[u]) = Spiritual Hardship/Hardwork (often types extreme disciplined physical acts of dedication/sacrifice)
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There are countless Poojaa’s. Poojak (Worshipper) and Poojya (Worshipped) are inherent in the word Poojaa. There are many forms of Poojaa, many who worship, many forms which are worshipped. Poojaa can only happen if there is a worshiper and a Worshipped. Worship is the root word for both worshiper and Worshipped. Also, another quality: Worship can only be defined by including worshiper and the Worshiped. Guru Sahib use a few words but they carry deep meaning. This is the Highest Form of Poetry. What are the countless Thap and Thaao? This carries the same meaning as the last part: there are countless people who go through spiritual hardship and do so, in dedication to countless different beings which they go through the spiritual hardship for.
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ਅਸੰਖ ਗਰੰਥ ਮੁਖਿ ਵੇਦ ਪਾਠ ॥
Asa[n]kh Gara[n]thh Mukh[i] Vaedh Paatt
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Padh Arthh (word-by-word):
ਅਸੰਖ (Asa[n]kh) = That which cannot be counted, countless, endless, infinite
ਗਰੰਥ (Gara[n]thh/Granth) = Religious/Spiritual Granths/Texts/Scriptures
ਮੁਖਿ (Mukh[i]) = Through the mouth
ਵੇਦ ਪਾਠ (Vaedh Paatt) = Recite the Vedas, Granths, etc.
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There are countless granths/spiritual scriptures, countless creators of these granths, and there are countless reciters of these granths. What are these granths like? [TN: In India and in Traditional Indian Scholarship, Vedas are the Highest] The highest is said to be the recitation of the Vedas: Vedas are said to be Divinely revealed (Shruthee category) and the highest [in comparison to Simrithees and other texts which are said to be from human memory/recollection]. There are countless Divinely revealed scriptures. Also, each of the granths have different letters/alphabets/scripts, each of the meanings are different. There are countless granths, countless people who have memorized these granths and recite them.
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**Alankaar Information Omitted**
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ਅਸੰਖ ਜੋਗ ਮਨਿ ਰਹਹਿ ਉਦਾਸ ॥
Asa[n]kh Jog Man[i] Rahah[i] Udhaas
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Padh Arthh (word-by-word):
ਅਸੰਖ (Asa[n]kh) = That which cannot be counted, countless, endless, infinite
ਮਨਿ (Man[i]) = Within the mind, the mind
ਰਹਹਿ ਉਦਾਸ (Rahah[i] Udhaas) = remain detached, monastic, ascetic
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There are countless Yogee’s. What type of Yogee’s? Those who are always detached within their mind away from this world. Jog/Yog and Jogee/Yogee both mean different things. Are there countless Yogee’s? Those who are constantly in spiritual concentration are referred to as Yogee. There are countless detached beings who are disconnected from the vices.
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**Alankaar Information Omitted**
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ਅਸੰਖ ਭਗਤ ਗੁਣ ਗਿਆਨ ਵੀਚਾਰ ॥
Asa[n]kh Bhagath GuN Giaan Veechaar
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Padh Arthh (word-by-word):
ਅਸੰਖ (Asa[n]kh) = That which cannot be counted, countless, endless, infinite
ਭਗਤ (Bhagath) = Saints, Pious, Devotee
ਗੁਣ ਗਿਆਨ (GuN Giaan) = Scholars of Spiritual Qualities
ਵੀਚਾਰ (Veechaar) = Discussion, Contemplation, Reflection
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There are countless Devotees who sing the Praises of Parameshwar-Vaheguru. Gaavan/Singing is an inferred definition of the word ‘GaN’. There are countless spiritual/religious scholars. Those who sing the praises of Vaheguru, they constantly stay in reflection/contemplation of Vaheguru.
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**Alankaar Information Omitted**
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ਅਸੰਖ ਸਤੀ ਅਸੰਖ ਦਾਤਾਰ ॥
Asa[n]kh Sathee Asa[n]kh Dhaathaar
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Padh Arthh (word-by-word):
ਅਸੰਖ (Asa[n]kh) = That which cannot be counted, countless, endless, infinite
ਸਤੀ (Sathee) = Truthful, Honest
ਦਾਤਾਰ (Dhaathaar) = Givers, Donors, Philanthropists, Contributors
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There are countless Sathee’s, who are these? Those who speak the truth and don’t allow false things to be said. There are countless Donors/Givers but who are they? Those who have given the most... such as sacrificing their life.
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**Alankaar Information Omitted**
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ਅਸੰਖ ਸੂਰ ਮੁਹ ਭਖ ਸਾਰ ॥
Asa[n]kh Soor Muh Bhakh Saar
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Padh Arthh (word-by-word):
ਅਸੰਖ (Asa[n]kh) = That which cannot be counted, countless, endless, infinite
ਸੂਰ (Soor) = Warriors
ਮੁਹ ਭਖ ਸਾਰ (Muh Bhakh Saar) = Those who have to eat metal [ie those who have to bear the brunt of weapon attacks in battle]
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There are countless warriors. What are they like? ‘Saar’ refers to the Shasthar/Weapon. They come armed into battle with warriors and get struck by weapons upon their bodies. They keep tough disciplines such as never turning away their backs in battle.
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**Alankaar Information Omitted**
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ਅਸੰਖ ਮੋਨਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ਤਾਰ ॥
Asa[n]kh Mon[i] Liv Laa-i Thaar
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Padh Arthh (word-by-word):
ਅਸੰਖ (Asa[n]kh) = That which cannot be counted, countless, endless, infinite
ਮੋਨਿ (Mon[i]) = Monee = Those who have taken a vow of silence
ਲਿਵ (Liv) = Meditative Concentration, Love
ਲਾਇ (Laa-i) = Laaee = Applies, Does
ਤਾਰ (Thaar) = Continuous stream, without break, lit. wire
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There are countless people who have taken vows of silence. They don’t speak words and stay silent. There are countless people who are in deep Samadhhee: a constantly meditative state. What type of Samadhhee? They don’t let their continuous stream break off from meditation. They never focus outwards. Also, it is usually those who are in Samadhhee that also [involuntarily] are taking a vow of silence.
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**Alankaar Information Omitted**
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ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਵਣ ਕਹਾ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
Kudhrath[i] KavaN Kahaa Veechaar[u]
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Padh Arthh (word-by-word):
ਕੁਦਰਤਿ (Kudhrath[i]) = Vaheguru’s Creative Power and Nature
ਕਵਣ (KavaN) = How? Who? What?
ਕਹਾ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ (Kahaa Veechaar) = speak/describe or contemplate
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Kudhrath[i] refers specifically to the Maya-ShaktheePower. Who can speak about it? ‘Veechaar[u]’ can refer to counting/measuring as well. ‘Kudhrath[i] can also refer to the power within someone else. So: who has the power to be able to measure Parameshwar-Vaheguru?
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ਵਾਰਿਆ ਨ ਜਾਵਾ ਏਕ ਵਾਰ ॥
Vaariaa na Jaavaa Aek Vaar-Padh Arthh (word-by-word):
ਵਾਰਿਆ (Vaariaa) =Sacrifice or Varnan/Barnan = Describe
ਨ ਜਾਵਾ (na Jaavaa) = cannot, not go
ਏਕ ਵਾਰ (Aek Vaar) = [TN: even] one time
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It cannot be described even once. What cannot be described? Not even one pore’s worth of Vaheguru Ji’s Shakthee/Power. All of the Powers are Endless.-
ਜੋ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਸਾਈ ਭਲੀ ਕਾਰ ॥
Jo Thudh[u] Bhaavai Saaee Bhalee Kaar-Padh Arthh (word-by-word):
ਜੋ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਾਵੈ (Jo Thudh[u] Bhaavai) = Whatever pleases You - Vaheguru Ji
ਸਾਈ (Saaee) = Soee = Ohee = That
ਭਲੀ ਕਾਰ (Bhalee Kaar) = A good action/outcome
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This is why the Devotees have a conviction: If no one can find the end to the Power of Akaal Purakh Vaheguru then we can only accept what Vaheguru does (Hukam) as the best outcome. What does this mean? Vaheguru’s Actions/Doings are good. In describing the endlessness of Vaheguru, the Devotees teach us that it is only best to accept the Vaheguru’s Will. The Spiritually wise teach that Thath-Thvam-Asee [TN: You-Are-That; Vaheguru’s Seemingly Separate Godly Form and Your Seemingly Separate Soul/Self are actually One]. That Beautiful Form which is One within everyone and puts aside duality. This line can be referring to searching through dualistic perception of the world [TN: that Vaheguru and I are separate] and realizing that there is no end to this perceived world either. [TN: Ignorance is seemingly endless as well. The more one goes through darkness... darkness never ends but at the end, the darkness is given existence by something as well which is really Eternal]
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ਤੂ ਸਦਾ ਸਲਾਮਤਿ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ॥੧੭॥
Thoo Sadhaa Salaamath[i] nira[n]kaar
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Padh Arthh (word-by-word):
ਤੂ ਸਦਾ (Thoo Sadhaa) = You Always/Forever
ਸਲਾਮਤਿ (Salaamath[i]) = Secure/Stable/Permanent
ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ (nira[n]kaar) = Nir + Akaar = Without Form = Formless Vaheguru
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You + The Always Stable + Formless-Brahm Vaheguru
(You [Individualized Soul] + Permanent [connecting point: God {Param-Aatma} & Soul {Aatma} are Eternal] + Formless Vaheguru [God] = One)
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Please forgive any mistakes. Proofreading is heavily required.
Suggest changes where needed.
Guru Panth da Daas,
Aaeenaa
