Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 1.djvu/307

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THE JAPJI
211

Indar seated on his throne with the gods at Thy gate sing Thee.
Sidhs in meditation sing Thee ; holy men in contemplation sing Thee.
The continent, the true, and the patient sing Thee ; unyielding heroes sing Thee.
The pandits and the supreme Rikhis,[1] reading their Veds, sing Thee in every age.
The lovely celestial maids who beguile the heart in the upper, middle, and nether regions sing Thee.[2]
The jewels created by Thee with the sixty-eight places of Hindu pilgrimage sing Thee.
Mighty warriors and divine heroes sing Thee ; the four sources of life sing Thee.
The continents, the worlds, and the universe made and supported by Thy hands sing Thee.
The saints who please Thee, and who are imbued with Thy love[3] sing Thee.
The many others who sing Thee I cannot remember ; how could Nanak recount them ? [4]

  1. There are said to be seven supreme Rikhis. The Veds were written by Rikhis.
  2. Also translated - The lovely celestial maids who beguile the heart sing Thee in the upper, and the fish in the lower regions.
  3. Rasāle is, literally, an abode of pleasure.
  4. The following is offered as a free blank verse paraphrase of this pauri :-
    What is that gate, that mansion what, where Thou
    Dost sit and watch o'er all Thy wondrous works ?
    Many the harps and songs which tune Thy praise,
    Yea countless; Thy musicians who can tell?
    How many measures sung with high delight,
    And voices which exalt Thy peerless name !
    To Thee sing water, wind, and breathing fire ;
    To Thee sings Dharamrāj in regions drear ;
    To Thee sing th' angels who men's deeds record
    For judgement final by that king of death.
    To Thee sing Shiva, Brahma, and the Queen
    Of Heav'n with radiant beauty ever crown'd.
    To Thee sing Indar and th' attendant gods
    Around Thy throne and seraphs at Thy gate.
    To Thee sing Sidhs in meditation deep,
    And holy men who ponder but on Thee.
    To Thee sing chaste and patient of mankind,
    Unyielding heroes of true faith approved.
    To Thee sing pandits and the chiefs of saints ;
    The ages four and Veds to them assigned.
    To Thee sing maidens who delight the sense,
    This world of ours, high heaven, and hell below.
    To Thee sing gems from Vishnu's sea that rose,
    And eight and sixty spots of pilgrims haunt.
    To Thee sing heroes and the men of might ;
    The sources four from which all life doth spring.
    To Thee sing regions, orbs, and universe,
    Created, cherish'd, and upheld by Thee !
    To Thee sing those whose deeds delight Thine eye,
    The hosts who wear the colours of Thy faith.
    All things beside which sing Thy glorious name,
    Could ne'er be told by Nanak's lowly song.