Japji Sahib - The 35th Pauri - Beginning the Journey Home

Reciting the 35th pauri gives you the capacity to do your duty and fulfill your responsibility. In the 34-37th pauris of Japji Sahib, Guru Nanak describes the journey home. It happens in stages, in refinements of consciousness. Guru Nanak uses the term "Khand" in these pauris. Khand often gets translated as "realm." But the Khands are not physical places you visit – like Paris or the Grand Canyon. The Khands are a way of seeing and experiencing the Universe.

The more you develop and refine your consciousness, the more you begin to perceive something that you couldn't perceive before. Finally, at the end, your perception becomes so subtle, you merge back into the Oneness. There, you watch the play of the Universe without taking form again.

ਧਰਮ ਖੰਡ ਕਾ ਏਹੋ ਧਰਮੁ ॥
dharam khand kaa ayho dharam

ਗਿਆਨ ਖੰਡ ਕਾ ਆਖਹੁ ਕਰਮੁ ॥
gi-aan khand kaa aakhhu karam
Such is life in the Realm of Dharma, But now let us speak f the Realm of Wisdom.

ਕੇਤੇ ਪਵਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਵੈਸੰਤਰ ਕੇਤੇ ਕਾਨ ਮਹੇਸ ॥
kaytay pavan paanee vaisantar kaytay kaan mahays
So many waters, winds and fires! So many Krishnas! So many Shivas!

ਕੇਤੇ ਬਰਮੇ ਘਾੜਤਿ ਘੜੀਅਹਿ ਰੂਪ ਰੰਗ ਕੇ ਵੇਸ ॥
kaytay barmay ghaarhat gharhee-ahi roop rang kay vays
So many Brahmas creating colors Shapes and forms of countless kinds!

ਕੇਤੀਆ ਕਰਮ ਭੂਮੀ ਮੇਰ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਧੂ ਉਪਦੇਸ ॥
kaytee-aa karam bhoomee mayr kayay kaytay dhoo updays
So many planets, mountains and actions! So many ways to learn devotion!

ਕੇਤੇ ਇੰਦ ਚੰਦ ਸੂਰ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਮੰਡਲ ਦੇਸ ॥
kaytay ind chand soor kaytay kaytay mandai days
So many Indras, suns and moons! So many galaxies! So many places!

ਕੇਤੇ ਸਿਧ ਬੁਧ ਨਾਥ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਦੇਵੀ ਵੇਸ ॥
kaytay sidh budh naath kaytay kaytay dayvee vays
So many souls of power and wisdom! So many goddesses! So many yogis!

ਕੇਤੇ ਦੇਵ ਦਾਨਵ ਮੁਨਿ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਰਤਨ ਸਮੁੰਦ ॥
kaytay dayv daanav mun kaytay kaytay ratan samund
So many gods and demons and sages ! So many jewels! So many oceans!

ਕੇਤੀਆ ਖਾਣੀ ਕੇਤੀਆ ਬਾਣੀ ਕੇਤੇ ਪਾਤ ਨਰਿੰਦ ॥
kaytee-aa khaanee kaytee-aa banee kaytay paat narind
So many sources and manners of speaking! So many kingdoms! So many kings!

ਕੇਤੀਆ ਸੁਰਤੀ ਸੇਵਕ ਕੇਤੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਅੰਤੁ ॥੩੫॥
kaytee-aa surtee sayvak kaytay naanak ant na ant
So many ways to tune in and to serve! O Nanak! So many things!

Previous - Japji Sahib, Page 35

Next - Japji Sahib, Page 37 The Indescribable Experiences The 36th Pauree of Japji