God Being Nirgun and Sargun

The creator has been projected as “Nirgun” (with out attributes of Maya or unseen) and “Sargun (with attributes of Maya/Mother Nature). God has said to possess no qualities when It has drawn the world within Itself. It is said to possess all qualities when It projects matter from It to form creation. Guru Nanak, Guru Arjan, and Guru Amardas describe in Raag Maru that God was with out attributes for 36(Many)ages (Jug’s) in the form of negativity. Sikh philosophy explains the metaphysical force/ God’sWill responsible for the creation and its overall justifiable cause and action in a responsible and justified manner. It further explains that Guru and Gnosis are required to purify the conscience of the man to fit it for the companionship of the Eternal with in and thus leading to transcendental uplift.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/24969-god-being-nirgun-and-sargun.html

AGGS explains the situations clearly that an individual does not have to live in a land of fantasy. Moral life cannot be lived in aloofness. Tranquility that comes through understanding and intellectual grasp of Truth is mental. God as such is indefinable but the best way it could be described is in the Mool Manter of Japji of Guru Nanak. He describes in Sidh Gost that God assumed immaculate form from formless in Mother Nature with attributes. Guru Arjan describes it beautifully in Ragas Asa and Gauri;

ਆਪੇ ਪੇਡੁ ਬਿਸਥਾਰੀ ਸਾਖ ॥ ਅਪਨੀ ਖੇਤੀ ਆਪੇ ਰਾਖ ॥੧॥ ਜਤ ਕਤ ਪੇਖਉ ਏਕੈ ਓਹੀ ॥ ਘਟ ਘਟ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਸੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਸੂਰੁ ਕਿਰਣਿ ਬਿਸਥਾਰੁ ॥ ਸੋਈ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਸੋਈ ਆਕਾਰੁ ॥੨॥ ਸਰਗੁਣ ਨਿਰਗੁਣ ਥਾਪੈ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਦੁਹ ਮਿਲਿ ਏਕੈ ਕੀਨੋ ਠਾਉ ॥੩॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਿ ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਭਉ ਖੋਇਆ ॥ ਅਨਦ ਰੂਪੁ ਸਭੁ ਨੈਨ ਅਲੋਇਆ ॥੪॥੧੭॥੬੮॥
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24969

Āpe ped bisthārī sākẖ. Apnī kẖeṯī āpe rākẖ. ||1|| Jaṯ kaṯ pekẖa▫o ekai ohī. Gẖat gẖat anṯar āpe so▫ī. ||1|| rahā▫o. Āpe sūr kiraṇ bisthār. So▫ī gupaṯ so▫ī ākār. ||2|| Sarguṇ nirguṇ thāpai nā▫o. Ḏuh mil ekai kīno ṯẖā▫o. ||3|| Kaho Nānak gur bẖaram bẖa▫o kẖo▫i▫ā. Anaḏ rūp sabẖ nain alo▫i▫ā. ||4||17||68||

Akal Purkh Itself is the tree, and the branches extending out, and preserves Its own crop. ||1|| wherever I look, I see that One Akal Purkh alone. Deep within each and every heart, It Itself is contained. ||1||Pause|| It Itself is the sun, and the rays emanating from it. It is concealed and revealed too. ||2|| It is said to be of the highest attributes, and without attributes. Both converge onto Its single point. ||3|| Says Nanak, the Guru has dispelled my doubt and fear. With my eyes, I perceive the Akal Purkh, the embodiment of bliss, to be everywhere. ||4||17||68|| ------Guru Arjan, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 387-18

ਬਾਰਨੈ ਬਲਿਹਾਰਨੈ ਲਖ ਬਰੀਆ ॥ ਨਾਮੋ ਹੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕੋ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਅਧਰੀਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਕਰਨ ਕਰਾਵਨ ਤੁਹੀ ਏਕ ॥ ਜੀਅ ਜੰਤ ਕੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਟੇਕ ॥੧॥ ਰਾਜ ਜੋਬਨ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੂੰ ਧਨੀ ॥ ਤੂੰ ਨਿਰਗੁਨ ਤੂੰ ਸਰਗੁਨੀ ॥੨॥ ਈਹਾ ਊਹਾ ਤੁਮ ਰਖੇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਕੋ ਲਖੇ ॥੩॥ ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸੁਜਾਨੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਕੀਆ ਤੁਹੀ ਤਾਣੁ ॥੪॥੫॥੧੪੩॥

Bārnai balihārnai lakẖ barī▫ā. Nāmo ho nām sāhib ko parān aḏẖrī▫ā. ||1|| rahā▫o. Karan karāvan ṯuhī ek. Jī▫a janṯ kī ṯuhī tek. ||1|| Rāj joban parabẖ ṯūʼn ḏẖanī. Ŧūʼn nirgun ṯūʼn sargunī. ||2|| Īhā ūhā ṯum rakẖe. Gur kirpā ṯe ko lakẖe. ||3|| Anṯarjāmī parabẖ sujān. Nānak ṯakī▫ā ṯuhī ṯāṇ. ||4||5||143|

I am a sacrifice, dedicated hundreds of thousands of times, to my Akal Purkh and Master. Its Name alone, is the Support of the breath of life. ||1||Pause||You alone are the Doer, the Cause of causes.You are the Support of all beings and creatures. ||1|| O God, You are my power, authority and youth.You are absolute, without attributes, and also related, with the most sublime attributes. ||2|| Here and hereafter, You are my Savior and Protector. By Guru's Grace, some understand You. ||3|| God is All-knowing, the Inner-knower, the Searcher of hearts.You are Nanak's strength and support. ||4||5||143||
-----Guru Arjan, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page 211-7

Sikhs strictly believe that there is One God, who is Nirgun (transcendent) and Sargun (immanent), and pervades in Its creation, It is omnipresent, but can never be incarnate. The principal Sikh belief puts stress upon one's actions rather than people's religious labels. While being absolute and beyond human comprehension, God can be realized and experienced through contemplation, deliberation, reflection, and service. The object of a Sikh way of life is to develop God consciousness and ultimately make him/her a candidate to receive God’s grace. Human life presents the opportunity to do so through truthful living and selfless service in the context of a house holder’s life.

Bibliography;

1. Guru Nanak, Raag Ramkali Sidh Gost, AGGS, Page, 940-14
2. Guru Arjan, Raag Majh, AGGS, Page, 98-2
3. Guru Arjan, Gauri Sukhmani, AGGS, Page, 287-11
4. Guru Arjan, Raag Gond, AGGS, Page, 862-6
5. Guru Arjan, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 827-16
6. Guru Arjan, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 803-12
7. Guru Arjan, Raag Suhi, AGGS, Page, 746-4
8. Guru Arjan, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 291-3
9. Guru Arjan, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 250-11&13
10. Guru Arjan, Gauri Sukhmani, AGGS, Page, 290-16
11. Bhagat Kabir, Raag Gauri Bairagan, AGGS, Page, 333-6
12. Bhagat Ravidas, Raag Gauri Bairagan, AGGS, Page, 346-17

Virinder S.Grewal

 
Do share your immediate thoughts or reactions on this issue? We value your views! Login Now! or Sign Up Today! to share your views with us.. Gurfateh!

Why don't we try to understand the terms "nirgun" and "sargun" in depth? That would be helpful. For the sake of this discussion, let me begin by saying that this statement may be overly simple:
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24969
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24969

The creator has been projected as “Nirgun” (with out attributes of Maya or unseen) and “Sargun (with attributes of Maya/Mother Nature). Nirgun may mean more than that. Sargun may also mean more than that.

I confess, I don't understand what this means. It is said to possess all qualities when It projects matter from It to form creation. When did this idea take birth? it is very theoretical, and my mind may be too cunning to help itself out of its own confusion.


And in this statement,
Guru Nanak, Guru Arjan, and Guru Amardas describe in Raag Maru that God was with out attributes for 36(Many)ages (Jug’s) in the form of negativity. If God is without attributes, then how can God take form of anything. Isn't negativity an attribute. Please explain where my intellect is lacking.






It is said to possess all qualities when It projects matter from It to form creation.

Dear Aad Ji,

The answers to your questions are fully described by Gurus Nanak and Arjan in the mode of Maru, AGGS, Page, 1035 onwards to 1037. Here are few;

History of Creation by Guru Nanak, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1035, 1036 & 1037;

ਅਰਬਦ ਨਰਬਦ ਧੁੰਧੂਕਾਰਾ ॥ਧਰਣਿ ਨ ਗਗਨਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥ਨਾ ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਨਿ ਨ ਚੰਦੁ ਨ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਲਗਾਇਦਾ ॥ਖਾਣੀ ਨ ਬਾਣੀ ਪਉਣ ਨ ਪਾਣੀ ॥ਓਪਤਿ ਖਪਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਣੀ ॥ਖੰਡ ਪਤਾਲ ਸਪਤ ਨਹੀ ਸਾਗਰ ਨਦੀ ਨ ਨੀਰੁ ਵਹਾਇਦਾ ॥ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਸੁਰਗੁ ਮਛੁ ਪਇਆਲਾ ॥ਦੋਜਕੁ ਭਿਸਤੁ ਨਹੀ ਖੈ ਕਾਲਾ ॥ਨਰਕੁ ਸੁਰਗੁ ਨਹੀ ਜੰਮਣੁ ਮਰਣਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਆਇ ਨ ਜਾਇਦਾ ॥ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹੇਸੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੀਸੈ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਈ ॥ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੀਸੈ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਈ ॥ਨਾਰਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਨ ਜਨਮਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਦੁਖੁ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਜਤੀ ਸਤੀ ਬਨਵਾਸੀ ॥ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਸਿਧ ਸਾਧਿਕ ਸੁਖਵਾਸੀ ॥ਜੋਗੀ ਜੰਗਮ ਭੇਖੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਨਾਥੁ ਕਹਾਇਦਾ ॥ਜਪ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮ ਨਾ ਬ੍ਰਤ ਪੂਜਾ ॥ਨਾ ਕੋ ਆਖਿ ਵਖਾਣੈ ਦੂਜਾ ॥ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਵਿਗਸੈ ਆਪੇ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਨਾ ਸੁਚਿ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਤੁਲਸੀ ਮਾਲਾ ॥ਗੋਪੀ ਕਾਨੁ ਨ ਗਊ ਗੋੁਆਲਾ ॥ਤੰਤੁ ਮੰਤੁ ਪਾਖੰਡੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਵੰਸੁ ਵਜਾਇਦਾ ॥ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਾਖੀ ॥ਜਾਤਿ ਜਨਮੁ ਨਹੀ ਦੀਸੈ ਆਖੀ ॥ਮਮਤਾ ਜਾਲੁ ਕਾਲੁ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਥੈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਿਸੈ ਧਿਆਇਦਾ ॥ਨਿੰਦੁ ਬਿੰਦੁ ਨਹੀ ਜੀਉ ਨ ਜਿੰਦੋ ॥ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਗੋਰਖੁ ਨਾ ਮਾਛਿੰਦੋ ॥ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਕੁਲ ਓਪਤਿ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਗਣਤ ਗਣਾਇਦਾ ॥ਵਰਨ ਭੇਖ ਨਹੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਣ ਖਤ੍ਰੀ ॥ਦੇਉ ਨ ਦੇਹੁਰਾ ਗਊ ਗਾਇਤ੍ਰੀ ॥ਹੋਮ ਜਗ ਨਹੀ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਵਣੁ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਪੂਜਾ ਲਾਇਦਾ ॥ਨਾ ਕੋ ਮੁਲਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਾਜੀ ॥ਨਾ ਕੋ ਸੇਖੁ ਮਸਾਇਕੁ ਹਾਜੀ ॥ਰਈਅਤਿ ਰਾਉ ਨ ਹਉਮੈ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਹਣੁ ਕਹਾਇਦਾ ॥ਭਾਉ ਨ ਭਗਤੀ ਨਾ ਸਿਵ ਸਕਤੀ ॥ਸਾਜਨੁ ਮੀਤੁ ਬਿੰਦੁ ਨਹੀ ਰਕਤੀ ॥ਆਪੇ ਸਾਹੁ ਆਪੇ ਵਣਜਾਰਾ ਸਾਚੇ ਏਹੋ ਭਾਇਦਾ ॥ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਨ ਸਿੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਸਾਸਤ ॥ਪਾਠ ਪੁਰਾਣ ਉਦੈ ਨਹੀ ਆਸਤ ॥ਕਹਤਾ ਬਕਤਾ ਆਪਿ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਆਪੇ ਅਲਖੁ ਲਖਾਇਦਾ ॥ਜਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਣਾ ਤਾ ਜਗਤੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ਬਾਝੁ ਕਲਾ ਆਡਾਣੁ ਰਹਾਇਆ ॥ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹੇਸੁ ਉਪਾਏ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਵਧਾਇਦਾ ॥ਵਿਰਲੇ ਕਉ ਗੁਰਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਸੁਣਾਇਆ ॥ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਖੈ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਸਬਾਇਆ ॥ਖੰਡ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ਪਾਤਾਲ ਅਰੰਭੇ ਗੁਪਤਹੁ ਪਰਗਟੀ ਆਇਦਾ ॥ਤਾ ਕਾ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੋਈ ॥ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਸੋਝੀ ਹੋਈ ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਚਿ ਰਤੇ ਬਿਸਮਾਦੀ ਬਿਸਮ ਭਏ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਇਦਾ ॥

Arbaḏ narbaḏ ḏẖunḏẖūkārā. Ḏẖaraṇ na gagnā hukam apārā. Nā ḏin rain na cẖanḏ na sūraj sunn samāḏẖ lagā¬iḏā. Kẖāṇī na baṇī pa¬uṇ na pāṇī. Opaṯ kẖapaṯ na āvaṇ jāṇī. Kẖand paṯāl sapaṯ nahī sāgar naḏī na nīr vahā¬iḏā. Nā ṯaḏ surag macẖẖ pa¬i¬ālā. Ḏojak bẖisaṯ nahī kẖai kālā. Narak surag nahī jamaṇ marṇā nā ko ā¬ė na jā¬iḏā. Barahmā bisan mahės na ko¬ī. Avar na ḏīsai ėko so¬ī. Nār purakẖ nahī jāṯ na janmā nā ko ḏukẖ sukẖ pā¬iḏā. Nā ṯaḏ jaṯī saṯī banvāsī. Nā ṯaḏ siḏẖ sāḏẖik sukẖvāsī. Jogī jangam bẖėkẖ na ko¬ī nā ko nāth kahā¬iḏā. Jap ṯap sanjam nā baraṯ pūjā. Nā ko ākẖ vakẖāṇai ḏūjā. Āpė āp upā¬ė vigsai āpė kīmaṯ pā¬iḏā. Nā sucẖ sanjam ṯulsī mālā. Gopī kān na ga¬ū go¬ālā. Ŧanṯ manṯ pakẖand na ko¬ī nā ko vans vajā¬iḏā. Karam ḏẖaram nahī mā¬i¬ā mākẖī. Jāṯ janam nahī ḏīsai ākẖī. Mamṯā jāl kāl nahī māthai nā ko kisai ḏẖi¬ā¬iḏā. Ninḏ binḏ nahī jī¬o na jinḏo. Nā ṯaḏ gorakẖ nā mācẖẖinḏo. Nā ṯaḏ gi¬ān ḏẖi¬ān kul opaṯ nā ko gaṇaṯ gaṇā¬iḏā. varan bẖėkẖ nahī barahmaṇ kẖaṯrī. Ḏė¬o na ḏėhurā ga¬ū gā¬iṯarī. Hom jag nahī ṯirath nāvaṇ nā ko pūjā lā¬iḏā. Nā ko mulā nā ko kājī. Nā ko sėkẖ masā¬ik hājī. Ra¬ī¬aṯ rā¬o na ha¬umai ḏunī¬ā nā ko kahaṇ kahā¬iḏā. Bẖā¬o na bẖagṯī nā siv sakṯī. Sājan mīṯ binḏ nahī rakṯī. Āpė sāhu āpė vaṇjārā sācẖė ėho bẖā¬iḏā. Bėḏ kaṯėb na simriṯ sāsaṯ. Pāṯẖ purāṇ uḏai nahī āsaṯ. Kahṯā bakṯā āp agocẖar āpė alakẖ lakẖā¬iḏā. Jā ṯis bẖāṇā ṯā jagaṯ upā¬i¬ā. Bājẖ kalā ādāṇ rahā¬i¬ā. Barahmā bisan mahės upā¬ė mā¬i¬ā moh vaḏẖā¬iḏā. virlė ka¬o gur sabaḏ suṇā¬i¬ā. Kar kar ḏėkẖai hukam sabā¬i¬ā. Kẖand barahmand pāṯāl arambẖė gupṯahu pargatī ā¬iḏā. Ŧā kā anṯ na jāṇai ko¬ī. Pūrė gur ṯė sojẖī ho¬ī. Nānak sāch ratė bismādī bisam bha¬ė gun gā¬idā.

For endless eons, there was only utter darkness. There was no earth or sky; there was only the infinite Command of Its Will/Order. There was no day or night, no moon or sun; God sat in primal, profound Samaadhi. There were no sources of creation or powers of speech, no air or water. There was no creation or destruction, no coming or going. There were no continents, nether regions, seven seas, rivers or flowing water. There were no heavenly realms, earth or nether regions of the underworld. There was no heaven or hell, no death or time. There was no hell or heaven, no birth or death, no coming or going in reincarnation. There was no Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva. No one was seen, except the One Akal Purkh. There was no female or male, no social class or caste of birth; no one experienced pain or pleasure. There were no people of celibacy or charity; no one lived in the forests. There were no Siddhas or seekers, no one living in peace. There were no Yogis, no wandering pilgrims, no religious robes; no one called himself the master. There was no chanting or meditation, no self-discipline, fasting or worship. No one spoke or talked in duality. God created Itself, and rejoiced; and evaluates Itself. There was no purification, no self-restraint, and no malas of basil seeds. There were no Gopis, no Krishna, no cows or cowherds. There were no tantras, no mantras and no hypocrisy; no one played the flute. There was no karma, no Dharma, no buzzing fly of Maya. Social class and birth were not seen with any eyes. There was no noose of attachment, no death inscribed upon the forehead; no one meditated on anything. There was no slander, no seed, no soul and no life. There was no Gorakh and no Maachhindra. There was no spiritual wisdom or meditation, no ancestry or creation, no reckoning of accounts. There were no castes or social classes, no religious robes, no Brahmin or Kh'shaatriya. There were no demi-gods or temples, no cows or Gaayatri prayer. There were no burnt offerings, no ceremonial feasts, no cleansing rituals at sacred shrines of pilgrimage; no one worshipped in adoration. There was no Mullah, there was no Qazis. There was no Sheikh, or pilgrims to Mecca. There was no king or subjects, and no worldly egotism; no one spoke of himself. There was no love or devotion, no Shiva or Shakti - no energy or matter. There were no friends or companions, no semen or blood. God Itself is the banker, and the merchant. Such is the Pleasure of the Will of the True Akal Purkh. There were no Vedas, or other scriptures, no Simritees or Shaastras. There was no recitation of the Puraanas, no sunrise or sunset. The Unfathomable God Itself was the speaker and the preacher; the unseen God Itself saw everything.
When Akal Purkh so willed, It created the world. Without any supporting power, God sustained the universe, and created Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva; God fostered enticement and attachment to Maya. How rare is that person who listens to the Word of the Guru's Sabd. God created the creation, and watches over it; the Will of Its Command is over all. God formed the planets, solar systems and nether regions, and brought what was hidden to manifestation. No one knows Its limits. This understanding comes from the Perfect Guru. O, Nanak, those who are attuned to the Truth is wonderstruck; singing Akal Purkh’s Glorious Praises, and is filled with wonder.

ਆਪੇ ਆਪੁ ਉਪਾਇ ਨਿਰਾਲਾ ॥ਸਾਚਾ ਥਾਨੁ ਕੀਓ ਦਇਆਲਾ ॥ਪਉਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਅਗਨੀ ਕਾ ਬੰਧਨੁ ਕਾਇਆ ਕੋਟੁ ਰਚਾਇਦਾ ॥ਨਉ ਘਰ ਥਾਪੇ ਥਾਪਣਹਾਰੈ ॥ਦਸਵੈ ਵਾਸਾ ਅਲਖ ਅਪਾਰੈ ॥ਸਾਇਰ ਸਪਤ ਭਰੇ ਜਲਿ ਨਿਰਮਲਿ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਲਾਇਦਾ ॥ਰਵਿ ਸਸਿ ਦੀਪਕ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਬਾਈ ॥ਆਪੇ ਕਰਿ ਵੇਖੈ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖਦਾਤਾ ਸਚੇ ਸੋਭਾ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਗੜ ਮਹਿ ਹਾਟ ਪਟਣ ਵਾਪਾਰਾ ॥ਪੂਰੈ ਤੋਲਿ ਤੋਲੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਾ ॥ਆਪੇ ਰਤਨੁ ਵਿਸਾਹੇ ਲੇਵੈ ਆਪੇ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਕੀਮਤਿ ਪਾਈ ਪਾਵਣਹਾਰੈ ॥ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹ ਪੂਰੇ ਭੰਡਾਰੈ ॥ਸਰਬ ਕਲਾ ਲੇ ਆਪੇ ਰਹਿਆ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਕਿਸੈ ਬੁਝਾਇਦਾ ॥ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਪੂਰਾ ਗੁਰੁ ਭੇਟੈ ॥ਜਮ ਜੰਦਾਰੁ ਨ ਮਾਰੈ ਫੇਟੈ ॥ਜਿਉ ਜਲ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਕਮਲੁ ਬਿਗਾਸੀ ਆਪੇ ਬਿਗਸਿ ਧਿਆਇਦਾ ॥ਆਪੇ ਵਰਖੈ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਧਾਰਾ ॥ਰਤਨ ਜਵੇਹਰ ਲਾਲ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਤ ਪੂਰਾ ਪਾਈਐ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਲਹੈ ਅਮੋਲੋ ॥ਕਬ ਹੀ ਨ ਘਾਟਸਿ ਪੂਰਾ ਤੋਲੋ ॥ਸਚੇ ਕਾ ਵਾਪਾਰੀ ਹੋਵੈ ਸਚੋ ਸਉਦਾ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸਚਾ ਸਉਦਾ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਕੋ ਪਾਏ ॥ਪੂਰਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਮਿਲਾਏ ॥ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਇ ਸੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਮਾਨੈ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਸਮਾਇਦਾ ॥ਹੁਕਮੇ ਆਇਆ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਸਮਾਇਆ ॥ਹੁਕਮੇ ਦੀਸੈ ਜਗਤੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ਹੁਕਮੇ ਸੁਰਗੁ ਮਛੁ ਪਇਆਲਾ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਕਲਾ ਰਹਾਇਦਾ ॥ਹੁਕਮੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਧਉਲ ਸਿਰਿ ਭਾਰੰ ॥ਹੁਕਮੇ ਪਉਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਗੈਣਾਰੰ ॥ਹੁਕਮੇ ਸਿਵ ਸਕਤੀ ਘਰਿ ਵਾਸਾ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਖੇਲ ਖੇਲਾਇਦਾ ॥ਹੁਕਮੇ ਆਡਾਣੇ ਆਗਾਸੀ ॥ਹੁਕਮੇ ਜਲ ਥਲ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਵਾਸੀ ॥ਹੁਕਮੇ ਸਾਸ ਗਿਰਾਸ ਸਦਾ ਫੁਨਿ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਦੇਖਿ ਦਿਖਾਇਦਾ ॥ਹੁਕਮਿ ਉਪਾਏ ਦਸ ਅਉਤਾਰਾ ॥ਦੇਵ ਦਾਨਵ ਅਗਣਤ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥ਮਾਨੈ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਸੁ ਦਰਗਹ ਪੈਝੈ ਸਾਚਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ਸਮਾਇਦਾ ॥ਹੁਕਮੇ ਜੁਗ ਛਤੀਹ ਗੁਦਾਰੇ ॥ਹੁਕਮੇ ਸਿਧ ਸਾਧਿਕ ਵੀਚਾਰੇ ॥ਆਪਿ ਨਾਥੁ ਨਥੀ ਸਭ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਬਖਸੇ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕਰਾਇਦਾ ॥ਕਾਇਆ ਕੋਟੁ ਗੜੈ ਮਹਿ ਰਾਜਾ ॥ਨੇਬ ਖਵਾਸ ਭਲਾ ਦਰਵਾਜਾ ॥ਮਿਥਿਆ ਲੋਭੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਘਰਿ ਵਾਸਾ ਲਬਿ ਪਾਪਿ ਪਛੁਤਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਨਗਰ ਮਹਿ ਕਾਰੀ ॥ਜਤੁ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਸਰਣਿ ਮੁਰਾਰੀ ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਸਹਜਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਜਗਜੀਵਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਪਤਿ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥

Āpė āp upā¬ė nirālā. Sācẖā thān kī¬o ḏa¬i¬ālā. Pa¬uṇ pāṇī agnī kā banḏẖan kā¬i¬ā kot racẖā¬iḏā. Na¬o gẖar thāpė thāpaṇhārai. Ḏasvai vāsā alakẖ apārai. Sā¬ir sapaṯ bẖarė jal nirmal gurmukẖ mail na lā¬iḏā. Rav sas ḏīpak joṯ sabā¬ī. Āpė kar vėkẖai vadi¬ā¬ī. Joṯ sarūp saḏā sukẖ¬ḏāṯa sacẖė sobẖā pā¬iḏā. Gaṛ meh hāt pataṇ vāpārā. Pūrai ṯol ṯolai vaṇjārā. Āpė raṯan visāhė lėvai āpė kīmaṯ pā¬iḏā. Kīmaṯ pā¬ī pāvaṇhārai. vėparvāh pūrė bẖandārai. Sarab kalā lė āpė rahi¬ā gurmukẖ kisai bujẖā¬iḏā. Naḏar karė pūrā gur bẖėtai. Jam janḏār na mārai fėtai. Ji¬o jal anṯar kamal bigāsī āpė bigas ḏẖi¬ā¬iḏā. Āpė varkẖai amriṯ ḏẖārā. Raṯan javėhar lāl apārā. Saṯgur milai ṯa pūrā pā¬ī¬ai parėm paḏārath pā¬iḏā. Parėm paḏārath lahai amolo. Kab hī na gẖātas pūrā ṯolo. Sacẖė kā vāpārī hovai sacẖo sa¬uḏā pā¬iḏā. Sacẖā sa¬uḏā virlā ko pā¬ė. Pūrā saṯgur milai milā¬ė. Gurmukẖ ho¬ė so hukam pacẖẖāṇai mānai hukam samā¬iḏā. Hukmė ā¬i¬ā hukam samā¬i¬ā. Hukmė ḏīsai jagaṯ upā¬i¬ā. Hukmė surag macẖẖ pa¬i¬ālā hukmė kalā rahā¬iḏā. Hukmė ḏẖarṯī ḏẖa¬ul sir bẖāraʼn. Hukmė pa¬uṇ pāṇī gaiṇāraʼn. Hukmė siv sakṯī gẖar vāsā hukmė kẖėl kẖėlā¬iḏā. Hukmė ādāṇė āgāsī. Hukmė jal thal ṯaribẖavaṇ vāsī. Hukmė sās girās saḏā fun hukmė ḏėkẖ ḏikẖā¬iḏā. Hukam upā¬ė ḏas a¬uṯārā. Ḏėv ḏānav agṇaṯ apārā. Mānai hukam so ḏargeh paijẖai sācẖ milā¬ė samā¬iḏā. Hukmė jug cẖẖaṯīh guḏārė. Hukmė siḏẖ sāḏẖik vīcẖārė. Āp nāth nathīʼn sabẖ jā kī bakẖsė mukaṯ karā¬iḏā. Kā¬i¬ā kot gaṛai meh rājā. Nėb kẖavās bẖalā ḏarvājā. Mithi¬ā lobẖ nāhī gẖar vāsā lab pāp pacẖẖuṯā¬iḏā. Saṯ sanṯokẖ nagar meh kārī. Jaṯ saṯ sanjam saraṇ murārī. Nānak sahj milai jagjīvan gur sabḏī paṯ pā¬iḏā.

God Itself created the creation, remaining unattached. The Merciful Creator has established Its True Home. Binding together air, water and fire, Akal Purkh created the fortress of the body. The Creator established the nine gates. In the Tenth Gate, is the dwelling of the infinite, unseen Akal Purkh? The seven seas are overflowing with the Ambrosial Water; the Gurmukhs are not stained with filth. The lamps of the sun and the moon fill all with light. Creating them, It beholds Its own glorious greatness. The Giver of peace is forever the embodiment of Light; from the True Akal Purkh, glory is obtained. Within the fortress are the stores and markets; the business is transacted there. The Supreme Merchant weighs with the perfect weights. God Itself buys the jewel, and appraises its value. The Independent Creator is overflowing with treasures and holds all powers, God is all-pervading; how few are those who, as Gurmukh, understand this. When Lord bestows Its Glance of Grace, one meets the Perfect Guru and the tyrannical Messenger of Death cannot strike him then. He blossoms forth like the lotus flower in the water; he blossoms forth in joyful meditation. Akal Purkh Itself rains down the Ambrosial Stream of jewels, diamonds, and rubies of priceless value. When they meet the True Guru, then they find the Akal Purkh; they obtain the treasure of Love. Whoever receives the priceless treasure of Love -his weight never decreases; he has perfect weight. The trader of Truth becomes true, and obtains the merchandise. How rare are those who obtain the true merchandise. Meeting the Perfect True Guru, one meets with the Lord. One who becomes Gurmukh realizes the Hukam of God’s command; surrendering to Its Command, one merges in the It. By Akal Purkh’s Command we come, and by Its command we merge into Lord again. By Its Command, the world was formed. By Its Command, the heavens, this world and the nether regions were created; by Its Command, its Power supports them. Its Command is the mythical bull which supports the burden of the earth on its head. By Its Will, air, water and fire came into being. By Its Will, one dwells in the house of matter and energy - Shiva and Shakti. God Plays Its plays through Its Will. By the command of Its Will, the sky is spread above and creatures dwell in the water, on the land and throughout the three worlds. By Its Will, we draw our breath and receive our food; and It, watches over us, and inspires us to see. By Its Will, God created Its ten incarnations, and the uncounted and infinite gods and devils. Whoever obeys the Command of Its Will is robed with honor in Its Court; united with the Truth, He merges in the Akal Purkh. By the Command of Its Will, the thirty-six ages passed and the Siddhas and seekers contemplate On the Lord. The Akal Purkh Itself has brought all under Its control. Whoever Akal Purkh forgives, is liberated. There is king in the strong fortress of the body, with its beautiful doors and special assistants and ministers. Those gripped by falsehood and greed do not dwell in the celestial home; engrossed in greed and sin, they come to regret and repent. Truth and contentment govern this body-village. Chastity, truth and self-control are in the Sanctuary of the Lord. O, Nanak, one intuitively meets the Akal Purkh, the Life of the World; the Word of the Guru's Sabd brings honor. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1035 & 36

Guru Nanak continues further on AGGS, Page, 1037 explaning from the void further;

In the Primal Void, the Infinite Akal Purkh assumed Its Power and being unattached, infinite and incomparable. It exercised Its Creative Power, and gazes upon Its creation; from the Primal Void, It fashioned air and water. Then created the universe, and became the king in the fortress of the body.

ਸੁੰਨ ਕਲਾ ਅਪਰੰਪਰਿ ਧਾਰੀ ॥ਆਪਿ ਨਿਰਾਲਮੁ ਅਪਰ ਅਪਾਰੀ ॥ਆਪੇ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਖੈ ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਸੁੰਨੁ ਉਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਪਉਣੁ ਪਾਣੀ ਸੁੰਨੈ ਤੇ ਸਾਜੇ ॥ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਕਾਇਆ ਗੜ ਰਾਜੇ ॥ਅਗਨਿ ਪਾਣੀ ਜੀਉ ਜੋਤਿ ਤੁਮਾਰੀ ਸੁੰਨੇ ਕਲਾ ਰਹਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹੇਸੁ ਉਪਾਏ ॥ਸੁੰਨੇ ਵਰਤੇ ਜੁਗ ਸਬਾਏ ॥ਇਸੁ ਪਦ ਵੀਚਾਰੇ ਸੋ ਜਨੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਮਿਲੀਐ ਭਰਮੁ ਚੁਕਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਸਪਤ ਸਰੋਵਰ ਥਾਪੇ ॥ਜਿਨਿ ਸਾਜੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੇ ਆਪੇ ॥ਤਿਤੁ ਸਤ ਸਰਿ ਮਨੂਆ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਵੈ ਫਿਰਿ ਬਾਹੁੜਿ ਜੋਨਿ ਨ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਚੰਦੁ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਗੈਣਾਰੇ ॥ਤਿਸ ਕੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਸਾਰੇ ॥ਸੁੰਨੇ ਅਲਖ ਅਪਾਰ ਨਿਰਾਲਮੁ ਸੁੰਨੇ ਤਾੜੀ ਲਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਧਰਤਿ ਅਕਾਸੁ ਉਪਾਏ ॥ਬਿਨੁ ਥੰਮਾ ਰਾਖੇ ਸਚੁ ਕਲ ਪਾਏ ॥ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਸਾਜਿ ਮੇਖੁਲੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਆਪਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਖਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਖਾਣੀ ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਬਾਣੀ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਉਪਜੀ ਸੁੰਨਿ ਸਮਾਣੀ ॥ਉਤਭੁਜੁ ਚਲਤੁ ਕੀਆ ਸਿਰਿ ਕਰਤੈ ਬਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਦੇਖਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਰਾਤਿ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਦੁਇ ਕੀਏ ॥ਓਪਤਿ ਖਪਤਿ ਸੁਖਾ ਦੁਖ ਦੀਏ ॥ਸੁਖ ਦੁਖ ਹੀ ਤੇ ਅਮਰੁ ਅਤੀਤਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਿਜ ਘਰੁ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸਾਮ ਵੇਦੁ ਰਿਗੁ ਜੁਜਰੁ ਅਥਰਬਣੁ ॥ਬ੍ਰਹਮੇ ਮੁਖਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਹੈ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ॥ਤਾ ਕੀ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਕਹਿ ਨ ਸਕੈ ਕੋ ਤਿਉ ਬੋਲੇ ਜਿਉ ਬੋਲਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਸਪਤ ਪਾਤਾਲ ਉਪਾਏ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਭਵਣ ਰਖੇ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਏ ॥ਆਪੇ ਕਾਰਣੁ ਕੀਆ ਅਪਰੰਪਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਤੇਰੋ ਕੀਆ ਕਮਾਇਦਾ ॥ਰਜ ਤਮ ਸਤ ਕਲ ਤੇਰੀ ਛਾਇਆ ॥ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਹਉਮੈ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗੁਣਿ ਚਉਥੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕਰਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਉਪਜੇ ਦਸ ਅਵਤਾਰਾ ॥ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਕੀਆ ਪਾਸਾਰਾ ॥ਦੇਵ ਦਾਨਵ ਗਣ ਗੰਧਰਬ ਸਾਜੇ ਸਭਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਇਦਾ ॥ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਮਝੈ ਰੋਗੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥ਇਹ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਪਉੜੀ ਜਾਣੈ ਜਨੁ ਕੋਈ ॥ਜੁਗਹ ਜੁਗੰਤਰਿ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਪਰਾਇਣ ਸੋ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਭਇਆ ਪਤਿ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਪੰਚ ਤਤੁ ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਪਰਗਾਸਾ ॥ਦੇਹ ਸੰਜੋਗੀ ਕਰਮ ਅਭਿਆਸਾ ॥ਬੁਰਾ ਭਲਾ ਦੁਇ ਮਸਤਕਿ ਲੀਖੇ ਪਾਪੁ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਬੀਜਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸਬਦਿ ਰਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਰਸਿ ਮਤਵਾਲੇ ॥ਰਿਧਿ ਬੁਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇ ਪਾਈਐ ਪੂਰੈ ਭਾਗਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਦਾ ॥ਇਸੁ ਮਨ ਮਾਇਆ ਕਉ ਨੇਹੁ ਘਨੇਰਾ ॥ਕੋਈ ਬੂਝਹੁ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕਰਹੁ ਨਿਬੇਰਾ ॥ਆਸਾ ਮਨਸਾ ਹਉਮੈ ਸਹਸਾ ਨਰੁ ਲੋਭੀ ਕੂੜੁ ਕਮਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਪਾਏ ਵੀਚਾਰਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਸਚੇ ਘਰ ਬਾਰਾ ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਨਾਦੁ ਸਬਦ ਧੁਨਿ ਸਚੁ ਰਾਮੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਇਦਾ ॥
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24969

In the Primal Void, the Infinite Akal Purkh assumed Its Power and being unattached, infinite and incomparable. It exercised Its Creative Power, and gazes upon Its creation; from the Primal Void, It fashioned air and water. Then created the universe, and became the king in the fortress of the body. Its Light pervades fire, water and souls. From this Primal Void, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva issued forth. This Primal Void is pervasive throughout all the ages. That humble being who contemplates this state is perfect; meeting with him, doubt is dispelled. From this Primal Void, the seven seas were established. The One, who created them, It self, contemplates them. That human being who becomes Guru willed, who bathes in the pool of Truth, is not cast into the womb of reincarnation again. From this Primal Void, came the moon, the sun and the earth. Its Light pervades all the three worlds. The God of this Primal Void is unseen, infinite and immaculate; and is absorbed in the Primal Trance of Deep Meditation. From this Primal Void, the earth and the cosmos were created. It supports them without any visible support, by exercising Its True Power/Will. It fashioned the three worlds, and the rope of Maya; and creates and destroys. From this Primal Void, came the four sources of creation, and the power of speech. They were created from the Void, and they will merge into the Void. The Supreme Creator created the play of Nature; through the Word of Its Sabd, It stages Its Wondrous Show. From this Primal Void, It made both night and day; Creation and destruction pleasure and pain. The Guru willed is immortal, untouched by pleasure and pain. He obtains the home of his own inner being. The Saam Veda, the Rig Veda, the Jujar Veda and the At'harva Veda from the mouth of Brahma; they speak of the three Gunas, the three qualities of Maya. None of them can describe Its worth. We speak as It inspires us to speak. From the Primal Void, He created the seven nether regions. From the Primal Void, He established this world to lovingly dwell upon It. The Infinite God It self created the creation. Everyone acts as You make them act, God. Your Power is diffused through the three gunas: raajas, taamas and satva. Through egotism, they suffer the pains of birth and death. Those blessed by Its Grace become Guru willed; they attain the fourth state, and are liberated. From the Primal Void, the ten incarnations welled up. Creating the Universe, It made the expanse. It fashioned the demi-gods and demons, the heavenly heralds and celestial musicians; everyone acts according to their past karma. The Guru willed understands, and does not suffer the disease. How rare are those who understand this ladder of the Guru. Throughout the ages, they are dedicated to liberation, and so they become liberated; thus they are honored. From the Primal Void, the five elements became manifest. They joined to form the body, which engages in actions. Both bad and good are written on the forehead, the seeds of vice and virtue. The True Guru, the Primal Being, is sublime and detached. Attuned to the Word of the Sabd, He is intoxicated with the sublime essence of the God. Riches, intellect, miraculous spiritual powers and spiritual wisdom are obtained from the Guru; through perfect destiny, they are received. This mind is so in love with Maya. Only a few are spiritually wise enough to understand and know this. In hope and desire, egotism and skepticism, the greedy man acts falsely. From the True Guru, contemplative meditation is obtained. And then, one dwells with the True God in Its celestial home, the Primal State of Absorption in Deepest Trance. O, Nanak, the immaculate sound current of the Naad, and the Music of the Sabd resound; one merges into the True Name of the God. Wherever I look, I see the God, merciful to the meek. God is compassionate; It does not come or go in reincarnation. It pervades all beings in Its mysterious way; the Sovereign God remains detached. The world is a reflection of It; and has no father or mother, sister or brother. There is no creation or destruction for It; and has no ancestry or social status. The Ageless God is pleasing to my mind. You are the Deathless Primal Being. Death does not hover over Your head. You are the unseen inaccessible and detached Primal God. You are true and content; the Word of Your Sabd is cool and soothing. Through it, we are lovingly, intuitively attuned to You. The three qualities are pervasive; the God dwells in Itss home, the fourth state and has made death and birth into a bite of food. The immaculate Light is the Life of the whole world. The Guru reveals the unstruck melody of the Sabd. Sublime and good are those humble Saints, the Beloveds of the Akal Purkh. They are intoxicated with the sublime essence of the God, and are carried across to the other side. Nanak is the dust of the Society of the Saints; by Guru's Grace, he finds the God. You are the Inner-knower, the Searcher of hearts. All beings belong to You. You are the Great Giver; I am Your slave. Please be merciful and bless me with Your Ambrosial Naam, and the jewel, the lamp of the Guru's spiritual wisdom. From the union of the five elements, this body was made. Finding the God, the Supreme Soul, peace is established. The good karma of past actions brings fruitful rewards, and man is blessed with the jewel of It's Name. His mind does not feel any hunger or thirst. He knows the Immaculate God to be everywhere, in each and every heart. Imbued with the God's ambrosial essence, he becomes a pure, detached renunciates; he is lovingly absorbed in the Guru's Teachings. Whoever does the deeds of the soul, day and night? Sees the immaculate Divine Light deep within. Enraptured with the delightful essence of the Sabd, the source of nectar, my tongue plays the sweet music of the flute. He alone plays the sweet music of this flute, who knows the three worlds? O, Nanak, know this, through the Guru's Teachings, one should lovingly focus on the God's Name.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24969

Cordially,

Virinder

virinderji

Thank you for the beautiful selection from Gurbani. They stand on their own as articles of truth. However, the ideas expressed have little relationship to the statements that I find difficult to penetrate.


The creator has been projected as “Nirgun” (with out attributes of Maya or unseen) and “Sargun (with attributes of Maya/Mother Nature).
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24969

It is said to possess all qualities when It projects matter from It to form creation.


Guru Nanak, Guru Arjan, and Guru Amardas describe in Raag Maru that God was with out attributes for 36(Many)ages (Jug’s) in the form of negativity.

How did God get projected in the form of negativity according to the shabad in your post? The shabad first states that there was a null state, the absence of positives and negatives. Then the shabad states that Akaal Purakh "created" existence. Existence has both positives and negatives. The original state was without form, had no forms. So how does negativity come into it? How does negativity relate to the original null state?

What is more -- "Sargun" can also be unseen. A sub-atomiic particle may be unseen but is also part of the Sargun of the Creator. The quality of being "unseen" does not explain "Nirgun" in an adequate way. The word "nirgun" itself means without attributes or qualities as you know. Its meaning is not limited to being unseen. Any idea of being unavailable to the senses -- e..g, the sense of sight or seeing -- oversimplifies the meaning of "without form, attributes, or qualities." In His "nirgun" the senses/lack of them are not even relevant to the discussion. When He is "nirgun" ordinary reality and ordinary means of grasping reality are useless. Non-ordinary intelligence which has no reference to seeing or not seeing is relevant.

The creator has been projected as “Nirgun” (with out attributes of Maya or unseen) and “Sargun (with attributes of Maya/Mother Nature). God has said to possess no qualities when It has drawn the world within Itself. It is said to possess all qualities when It projects matter from It to form creation. Guru Nanak, Guru Arjan, and Guru Amardas describe in Raag Maru that God was with out attributes for 36(Many)ages (Jug’s) in the form of negativity.(quote VSGrewal Ji)
Respected Vsgrewal Ji
What do you mean by negativity?
( Raag Maru Mehla 1, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 1023) you need to understand “dhandokar”(utter darkness where nothing is seen or knowable) too to grasp the idea otherwise the meaning of negativity will convey wrong meaning and this is the reason your ideas jump like a frog from one corner to another without any certainty, when your ideas like this are questioned, you take different road instead of explaining them. You are not trying to understand what Guru meant by “Sunnh and Dhandakar” but invent your own ideology like calling God a spiritual metaphysical energy and principle. Keeping the concept of “Sunnh and Dhandokar” described by Guru in mind, no reasonable person can call Him absolute principle. Principles cannot be in trance, negativity has a difficulty to be in existence if it is measured up to universe expansion as per Guru (not science). If you say God do not exist, I have no problem with that but if you attribute something like” God is a principle” to Gurbani, I would not let you go without questioning because facts in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji say otherwise.
Now let’s look at your given quote
ਆਪੇਪੇਡੁਬਿਸਥਾਰੀਸਾਖ॥ਅਪਨੀਖੇਤੀਆਪੇਰਾਖ॥੧॥ ਜਤਕਤਪੇਖਉਏਕੈਓਹੀ॥ਘਟਘਟਅੰਤਰਿਆਪੇਸੋਈ॥੧॥ਰਹਾਉ॥ ਆਪੇਸੂਰੁਕਿਰਣਿਬਿਸਥਾਰੁ॥ਸੋਈਗੁਪਤੁਸੋਈਆਕਾਰੁ॥੨॥ ਸਰਗੁਣਨਿਰਗੁਣਥਾਪੈਨਾਉ॥ਦੁਹਮਿਲਿਏਕੈਕੀਨੋਠਾਉ॥੩॥ ਕਹੁਨਾਨਕਗੁਰਿਭ੍ਰਮੁਭਉਖੋਇਆ॥ਅਨਦਰੂਪੁਸਭੁਨੈਨਅਲੋਇਆ॥੪॥੧੭॥੬੮॥

Āpe ped bisthārī sākẖ. Apnī kẖeṯī āpe rākẖ. ||1|| Jaṯ kaṯ pekẖa▫o ekai ohī. Gẖat gẖat anṯar āpe so▫ī. ||1|| rahā▫o. Āpe sūr kiraṇ bisthār. So▫ī gupaṯ so▫ī ākār. ||2|| Sarguṇ nirguṇ thāpai nā▫o. Ḏuh mil ekai kīno ṯẖā▫o. ||3|| Kaho Nānak gur bẖaram bẖa▫o kẖo▫i▫ā. Anaḏ rūp sabẖ nain alo▫i▫ā. ||4||17||68||
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24969

Akal Purkh Itself is the tree, and the branches extending out, and preserves Its own crop. ||1|| wherever I look, I see that One Akal Purkh alone. Deep within each and every heart, It Itself is contained. ||1||Pause|| It Itself is the sun, and the rays emanating from it. It is concealed and revealed too. ||2|| It is said to be of the highest attributes, and without attributes. Both converge onto Its single point. ||3|| Says Nanak, the Guru has dispelled my doubt and fear. With my eyes, I perceive the Akal Purkh, the embodiment of bliss, to be everywhere. ||4||17||68|| ------Guru Arjan, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 387-18
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24969
By passing your translation (because you have used a few words I don’t agree with them but still sense is conveyed) what I would like to ask you is that when you read above Gurbani, how you can reduce Him to be a principle or a spiritual metaphysical energy? Any hint about that in the above quote or in any other you are aware of? Here I am trying to say that either you follow Guru to pass on what he says instead of coining new concept of God or reject him to advocate your inventive concepts. Often you hint about open minds, do you think to coin new concepts of God is to have open mind while discussing Gurbani?
You also use “it” for Akalpurakh but Gurus haven’t looked at him in that way?
Are you worried of God 's gender? Guru Sahiban call Him, mata and also pita, but also address Him often as “Pati=Husband”, also call Him Karta not karnevali , Sahib not Sahiban, Khasam not Beevee. Why does it worry you, it didn’t bother Guru Sahiban. These are the complexes that break you away from them.
Aad Ji has asked you questions triggered by your statements, now you have quoted a few shabadas. Let me repeat her questions so that you can answer them since I am also interested in the answers if you provide ( I doubt though) Green fonts display your statements and black one is aad ji’s commentary like questions.
Note: Aad Ji, I hope you wouldn’t mind if I repeat your questions as I am also interested in answers.
“The creator has been projected as “Nirgun” (with out attributes of Maya or unseen) and “Sargun (with attributes of Maya/Mother Nature). Nirgun may mean more than that. Sargun may also mean more than that. “
Here she is simply telling you that the concept you are expressing could be bigger than that. I agree with her. Would you?

“I confess, I don't understand what this means. It is said to possess all qualities when It projects matter from It to form creation. When did this idea take birth? it is very theoretical, and my mind may be too cunning to help itself out of its own confusion. “
She is asking you to define the statement with example, you can do that. Let me make it more simple, are you saying when God projects matter to form creation, he posses all qualities but when he doesn’t project matter to form something, he doesn’t possess those qualities? I am aware Gurbani states He squeezes everything into Himself but question is about qualities.

And in this statement,
Guru Nanak, Guru Arjan, and Guru Amardas describe in Raag Maru that God was with out attributes for 36(Many)ages (Jug’s) in the form of negativity. If God is without attributes, then how can God take form of anything. Isn't negativity an attribute. Please explain where my intellect is lacking.
Here your use of “negativity” is confusing, please elaborate on that. The Guru shabadas you have quoted have no ambiguity as they are coming out of personal experience, your statement contains ambiguity as it is a sheer guessing. You have to clarify that.
With regards
G Singh

Dear Add Ji,

Guru Nanak in Raag Ramkali again describes when It becomes Sargun from Nirgun on Page 940-14
A. ਆਪੇ ਸੁਰਤਾ ਆਪੇ ਕਰਤਾ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਬੀਚਾਰੋ ॥ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਆਵੈ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਜਾਵੈ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਰਹੈ ਸਮਾਈ ॥ ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਸਾਚੁ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਗਤਿ ਮਿਤਿ ਸਬਦੇ ਪਾਈ ॥੨੨॥
Āpe surṯā āpe karṯā kaho Nānak bīcẖāro. Hukme āvai hukme jāvai hukme rahai samā▫ī. Pūre gur ṯe sācẖ kamāvai gaṯ miṯ sabḏe pā▫ī. ||22||

Akal Purkh Itself is consciousness, the Creator; share with us, Nanak, your wisdom. By Its Command we come, and by Its Command we go and we merge in absorption. Through the Perfect Guru, live the Truth; through the Word of the Sabd, the state of dignity is attained. ||22||

ਆਦਿ ਕਉ ਬਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ਕਥੀਅਲੇ ਸੁੰਨ ਨਿਰੰਤਰਿ ਵਾਸੁ ਲੀਆ ॥ ਅਕਲਪਤ ਮੁਦ੍ਰਾ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੀਅਲੇ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਸਾਚਾ ਸਰਬ ਜੀਆ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਬਚਨੀ ਅਵਿਗਤਿ ਸਮਾਈਐ ਤਤੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਸਹਜਿ ਲਹੈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੂਜੀ ਕਾਰ ਨ ਕਰਣੀ ਸੇਵੈ ਸਿਖੁ ਸੁ ਖੋਜਿ ਲਹੈ ॥ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਬਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਜੀਅ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਸਚੁ ਜਾਣੈ ਸੋਈ ॥ ਆਪੁ ਮੇਟਿ ਨਿਰਾਲਮੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਾਚੁ ਜੋਗੀ ਕਹੀਐ ਸੋਈ ॥੨੩॥
Āḏ ka▫o bismāḏ bīcẖār kathī▫ale sunn niranṯar vās lī▫ā. Akalpaṯ muḏrā gur gi▫ān bīcẖārī▫ale gẖat gẖat sācẖā sarab jī▫ā. Gur bacẖnī avigaṯ samā▫ī▫ai ṯaṯ niranjan sahj lahai. Nānak ḏūjī kār na karṇī sevai sikẖ so kẖoj lahai. Hukam bismāḏ hukam pacẖẖāṇai jī▫a jugaṯ sacẖ jāṇai so▫ī. Āp met nirālam hovai anṯar sācẖ jogī kahī▫ai so▫ī. ||23||
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24969

We can only express a sense of wonder about the beginning. The absolute abided endlessly deep within It self then. Consider freedom from desire to be the ear-rings of the Guru's spiritual wisdom. The True God, the Soul of all, dwells within each and every heart. Through the Guru's Word, one merges in the absolute, and intuitively receives the immaculate essence. O Nanak, that Sikh who seeks and finds the Way does not serve any other. Wonderful and amazing is Its Command; He alone realizes Its Command and knows the true way of life of Its creatures. One who eradicates his self-conceit becomes free of desire; he alone is a Yogi, who enshrines the True God deep within. ||23|| ਅਵਿਗਤੋ ਨਿਰਮਾਇਲੁ ਉਪਜੇ ਨਿਰਗੁਣ ਤੇਸਰਗੁਣੁ ਥੀਆ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪਰਚੈ ਪਰਮ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਸਾਚੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਮਾਇ ਲੀਆ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪਰਚੈ ਪਰਮ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਸਾਚੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਮਾਇ ਲੀਆ ॥ ਏਕੇ ਕਉ ਸਚੁ ਏਕਾ ਜਾਣੈ ਹਉਮੈ ਦੂਜਾ ਦੂਰਿ ਕੀਆ ॥ ਸੋ ਜੋਗੀ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਕਮਲੁ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ਥੀਆ ॥ ਸੋ ਜੋਗੀ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਕਮਲੁ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ਥੀਆ ॥ ਜੀਵਤੁ ਮਰੈ ਤਾ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਸੂਝੈ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਸਰਬ ਦਇਆ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਾ ਕਉ ਮਿਲੈ ਵਡਾਈ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਸਰਬ ਜੀਆ ॥੨੪॥
Avigaṯo nirmā­il upjė nirguṇṯė sarguṇ thī­ā. Saṯgur parcẖai param paḏ pā▫ī▫ai sācẖai sabaḏ samā▫e lī▫ā. Ėke ka▫o sacẖ ekā jāṇai ha▫umai ḏūjā ḏūr kī▫ā. So jogī gur sabaḏ pacẖẖāṇai anṯar kamal pargās thī▫ā. Jīvaṯ marai ṯā sabẖ kicẖẖ sūjẖai anṯar jāṇai sarab ḏa▫i▫ā. Nānak ṯā ka▫o milai vadā▫ī āp pacẖẖāṇai sarab jī▫ā. ||24||
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24969

From Its state of absolute existence, God assumed the immaculate form; from formless, It assumed the supreme form. By pleasing the True Guru, the supreme status is obtained, and one is absorbed in the True Word of the Sabd. He knows the True Akal Purkh as the One and only; he sends his egotism and duality far away. He alone is a Yogi, who realizes the Word of the Guru's Sabd; the lotus of the heart blossoms forth within. If one remains dead while yet alive, then he understands everything; he knows the Akal Purkh deep within himself, who is kind and compassionate to all. O Nanak, he is blessed with glorious greatness; he realizes himself in all beings. ||24||
-----Guru Nanak, Raag Ramkali Sidh Gost, AGGS, Page, 940-14
Cordially,

Virinder

Dear PK Ji,

Guru Nanak replies your question in Raag Ramkali, AGGS, Page, 940-14;

ਅਵਿਗਤੋ ਨਿਰਮਾਇਲੁ ਉਪਜੇ ਨਿਰਗੁਣ ਤੇਸਰਗੁਣੁ ਥੀਆ ॥

I have already posted the whole Sabd.

Cordially,

Virinder

Nirgun and Sirgun.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24969
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24969

Antonia ji,

Guru Fateh.

Allow me to add my 2cent worth here in a simple lay man's manner.

The way I understand Ik Ong Kaar being Nirgun and Sirgun means that this Creative Energy is in ALL that has existed, exists and shall exist. That is what SAT is all about.

Tejwant Singh

Dear Teji & Aad Ji,

Guru Nanak and others all left up to Akal Purkh Itself to know when from Nirgun to Sargun It became or when the creation came in to being to be praised by human senses. Here are few references;

Creation is the visual manifestation of “Akal Purkh” as Its Sargun character by showing Its attributes in “Mother Nature”. It is a divine act with further evolution taking over according to various religious, scientific, and philosophical explanations. Guru Nanak answers the questions about the change from Nirgun to Sargun in Ragas Malar, Bilawal, and in his Japji that only Akal Purkh knows the answer to the question;

ਆਪੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੈ ਆਪੁ ਸਾਜਿ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣਿਆ ॥ ਅੰਬਰੁ ਧਰਤਿ ਵਿਛੋੜਿ ਚੰਦੋਆ ਤਾਣਿਆ ॥ ਵਿਣੁ ਥੰਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਗਗਨੁ ਰਹਾਇ ਸਬਦੁ ਨੀਸਾਣਿਆ ॥ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਚੰਦੁ ਉਪਾਇ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਾਣਿਆ ॥ ਕੀਏ ਰਾਤਿ ਦਿਨੰਤੁ ਚੋਜ ਵਿਡਾਣਿਆ ॥ ਤੀਰਥ ਧਰਮ ਵੀਚਾਰ ਨਾਵਣ ਪੁਰਬਾਣਿਆ ॥ ਤੁਧੁ ਸਰਿ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ਕਿ ਆਖਿ ਵਖਾਣਿਆ॥ ਸਚੈ ਤਖਤਿ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ ਹੋਰ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਣਿਆ ॥

Āpīnĥai āp sāj āp pacẖẖāṇi▫ā. Ambar ḏẖaraṯ vicẖẖoṛ cẖanḏo▫ā ṯāṇi▫ā. viṇ thamĥā gagan rahā▫e sabaḏ nīsāṇi▫ā. Sūraj cẖanḏ upā▫e joṯ samāṇi▫ā. Kī▫e rāṯ ḏinanṯ cẖoj vidāṇi▫ā. Ŧirath ḏẖaram vīcẖār nāvaṇ purbāṇi▫ā. Ŧuḏẖ sar avar na ko▫e kė ākẖ vakẖāṇi▫ā. Sacẖai ṯakẖaṯ nivās hor āvaṇ jāṇi▫ā.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24969

Akal Purkh created It self, and understands Itself. Separating the sky and the earth, It has spread out Its canopy. Without any pillars, It supports the sky, through the insignia of Its Sabd. Creating the sun and the moon, It infused Its Light into them. It created the night and the day; wondrous are Its miraculous plays. It created the sacred shrines of pilgrimage, where people contemplate righteousness, and take cleansing baths on special occasions. There is no other equal to You; how can we speak and describe you? You are seated on the throne of Truth; all others come and go. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Malar, AGGS, Page, 1279

ਆਪੇ ਸਚੁ ਕੀਆ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ॥ਅੰਡਜ ਫੋੜਿ ਜੋੜਿ ਵਿਛੋੜਿ ॥ਧਰਤਿ ਅਕਾਸੁ ਕੀਏ ਬੈਸਣ ਕਉ ਥਾਉ ॥ਰਾਤਿ ਦਿਨੰਤੁ ਕੀਏ ਭਉ ਭਾਉ ॥ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਏ ਕਰਿ ਵੇਖਣਹਾਰਾ ॥ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ਸਿਰਜਣਹਾਰਾ ॥

Āpė sacẖ kī¬ā kar joṛ. Andaj foṛ joṛ vicẖẖoṛ. Ḏẖaraṯ akās kī¬ė baisaṇ ka¬o thā¬o. Rāṯ ḏinanṯ kī¬ė bẖa¬o bẖā¬o. Jin kī¬ė kar vėkẖaṇhārā. Avar na ḏūjā sirjaṇhārā.

Akal Purkh Itself created the universe, joining the elements together. Breaking the cosmic egg, It united, and separated. Then made the earth and the sky into places to live, and created day and night, fear and love. The One, who created the Creation, also watches over it. There is no other Creator than Akal Purkh. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 839

ਆਪੇ ਸਭ ਘਟ ਅੰਦਰੇ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਬਾਹਰਿ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਜਾਹਰਿ ॥ ਜੁਗ ਛਤੀਹ ਗੁਬਾਰੁ ਕਰਿ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਸੁੰਨਾਹਰਿ ॥ ਓਥੈ ਵੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਨ ਸਾਸਤਾ ਆਪੇ ਹਰਿ ਨਰਹਰਿ ॥ ਬੈਠਾ ਤਾੜੀ ਲਾਇ ਆਪਿ ਸਭ ਦੂ ਹੀ ਬਾਹਰਿ ॥ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਿਤਿ ਆਪਿ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਗਉਹਰੁ ॥੧੮॥

Āpe sabẖ gẖat anḏre āpe hī bāhar. Āpe gupaṯ varaṯḏā āpe hī jāhar. Jug cẖẖaṯīh gubār kar varṯi▫ā sunnāhar. Othai veḏ purān na sāsṯā āpe har narhar. Baiṯẖā ṯāṛī lā▫e āp sabẖ ḏū hī bāhar. Āpṇī miṯ āp jāṇḏā āpe hī ga▫uhar. ||18||

Akal Purkh Itself is deep within all hearts, and is outside as well; prevailing unmanifest, and is manifest. For thirty-six ages, He created the darkness, abiding in the void. There were no Vedas, Puraanas or Shaastras there; only the Akal Purkh Itself existed sitting in the absolute trance, withdrawn from everything. Only It Itself knows Its state; and is the unfathomable ocean. ||18|| -----Guru Amardas, Bihagra Ki Var, AGGS, Page, 555-17

Guru Nanak questions and replies in Japji about creation;

ਕਵਣੁ ਸੁ ਵੇਲਾ ਵਖਤੁ ਕਵਣੁ ਕਵਣ ਥਿਤਿ ਕਵਣੁ ਵਾਰੁ ॥ਕਵਣਿ ਸਿ ਰੁਤੀ ਮਾਹੁ ਕਵਣੁ ਜਿਤੁ ਹੋਆ ਆਕਾਰੁ ॥ਵੇਲ ਨ ਪਾਈਆ ਪੰਡਤੀ ਜਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਲੇਖੁ ਪੁਰਾਣੁ ॥ਵਖਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਕਾਦੀਆ ਜਿ ਲਿਖਨਿ ਲੇਖੁ ਕੁਰਾਣੁ ॥ਥਿਤਿ ਵਾਰੁ ਨਾ ਜੋਗੀ ਜਾਣੈ ਰੁਤਿ ਮਾਹੁ ਨਾ ਕੋਈ ॥ਜਾ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਿਰਠੀ ਕਉ ਸਾਜੇ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਸੋਈ ॥ਕਿਵ ਕਰਿ ਆਖਾ ਕਿਵ ਸਾਲਾਹੀ ਕਿਉ ਵਰਨੀ ਕਿਵ ਜਾਣਾ ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਆਖਣਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਆਖੈ ਇਕ ਦੂ ਇਕੁ ਸਿਆਣਾ ॥ਵਡਾ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਵਡੀ ਨਾਈ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਹੋਵੈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਆਪੌ ਜਾਣੈ ਅਗੈ ਗਇਆ ਨ ਸੋਹੈ ॥ਪਾਤਾਲਾ ਪਾਤਾਲ ਲਖ ਆਗਾਸਾ ਆਗਾਸ ॥ਓੜਕ ਓੜਕ ਭਾਲਿ ਥਕੇ ਵੇਦ ਕਹਨਿ ਇਕ ਵਾਤ ॥ਸਹਸ ਅਠਾਰਹ ਕਹਨਿ ਕਤੇਬਾ ਅਸੁਲੂ ਇਕੁ ਧਾਤੁ ॥ਲੇਖਾ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਲਿਖੀਐ ਲੇਖੈ ਹੋਇ ਵਿਣਾਸੁ ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਵਡਾ ਆਖੀਐ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਆਪੁ ॥

Kavaṇ so vėlā vakẖaṯ kavaṇ kavaṇ thiṯ kavaṇ vār. Kavaṇ se ruṯī māhu kavaṇ jiṯ ho¬ā ākār. vėl na pā¬ī¬ā pandṯī je hovai lėkẖ purāṇ. vakẖaṯ na pā¬i¬o kāḏī¬ā je likẖan lėkẖ kurāṇ. Thiṯ vār nā jogī jāṇai ruṯ māhu nā ko¬ī. Jā karṯā sirṯẖī ka¬o sājė āpė jāṇai so¬ī. Kiv kar ākẖā kiv sālāhī ki¬o varnī kiv jāṇā. Nānak ākẖaṇ sabẖ ko ākẖai ik ḏū ik si¬āṇā. vadā sāhib vadī nā¬ī kīṯā jā kā hovai. Nānak jė ko āpou jāṇai agai ga¬i¬ā na sohai. Pāṯālā pāṯāl lakẖ āgāsā āgās. Oṛak oṛak bẖāl thakė vėḏ kahan ik vāṯ. Sahas aṯẖārah kahan kaṯėbā asulū ik ḏẖāṯ. Lėkẖā ho¬ė ṯa likī¬ai lėkẖai ho¬ė viṇās. Nānak vadā ākẖī¬ai āpė jāṇai āp.

What was that time, and what was that moment? What was that day, and what was that date? What was that season, and what was that month, when the Universe was created? The Pundits, the religious scholars, cannot find that time, even if it is written in the Puraanas. That time is not known to the Qazis, who study the Koran. The day and the date are not known to the Yogis, nor is the month or the season.

The Creator who created this creation (Akal Purkh) Itself knows. How can we speak of It?

How can we praise It? How can we describe It? How can we know It? O, Nanak, everyone speaks of God, each one wiser than the rest. Great is the Master, Great is Its Name. Whatever happens is according to Its Will. O Nanak, one who claims to know everything shall not be decorated in the world hereafter. There are nether worlds beneath nether worlds, and hundreds of thousands of heavenly worlds above. The Vedas say that you can search and search for them all, until you grow weary. The scriptures say that there are 18,000 worlds, but in reality, there is only One Universe. If you try to write an account of this, you will surely finish yourself before you finish writing it. O Nanak, call Akal Purkh Great! It Itself knows Itself. -----Guru Nanak, Japji, AGGS, Page, 4 & 5

He further goes on in Japji;

The praiser’s praise the God, but they do not obtain intuitive understanding the streams and rivers flowing into the ocean do not know its vastness. Even kings and emperors, with mountains of property and oceans of wealth are not even equal to an ant, which does not forget God. Endless are Its Praises; endless are those who speak them. Endless are Its Actions, endless are Its Gifts. Endless is Its Vision, endless is Its Hearing. Its limits cannot be perceived. What is the Mystery of Its Mind? Its limits of the created universe cannot be perceived. Its limits here and beyond cannot be perceived. Many struggle to know Its limits, but Its limits cannot be found. No one can know these limits. The more you say about them, the more there still remains to be said. Great is the Master; High is Its Heavenly Home. Highest of the High, above all is Its Name. Only one as Great and as High as God can know Its Lofty and Exalted State.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24969

Only It Itself is that Great. It Itself knows Itself.

O, Nanak, by Its Glance of Grace, It bestows Its Blessings. Its Blessings are so abundant that there can be no written account of them. The Great Giver does not hold back anything. There are so many great, heroic warriors begging at the Door of the Infinite God. So many contemplate and dwell upon It, that they cannot be counted. So many wastes away to death engaged in corruption. So many take and take again, and then deny receiving. So many foolish consumers keep on consuming and so many endure distress, deprivation and constant abuse. Even these are Your Gifts, O Great Giver! Liberation from bondage comes only by Your Will. No one else has any say in this. If some fool should presume to say that he does, He shall learn, and feel the effects of his folly. It Itself knows, and Itself gives. Few, very few are those who acknowledge this. One who is blessed to sing the Praises of the Akal Purkh? O, Nanak is the king of kings.

Cordially,

Virinder