If God can be described by writing, then describe Him; but such description is impossible.

O Nanak, call Him great; only He Himself knoweth how great He is.

XXIII

Praisers praise God, but have not acquired a knowledge of Him,

As rivers and streams fall into the sea, but know not its extent.

Kings and emperors who possess oceans and mountains of property and wealth,[4]

Are not equal to the worm which forgetteth not God in its heart.

[1. The verse is also translated --The Veds have at last grown weary of searching for God's limits, but they cannot give the slightest description of Him.

2. There being only eighteen Purâns, the expression in the text means a thousand times eighteen or an indefinite number. The word sahans is also understood by the gyânis to refer to rikhis and learned men in indefinite numbers.

3. That is, that God is the root or principle of all things.

4. Also translated--As the sea is the king of streams, so is God the monarch of all. They who possess mountainous wealth, &c.]

{p. 208}

XXIV

There is no limit to God's praises;[1] to those who repeat them there is no limit.

There is no limit to His mercy, and to His gifts there. is no limit.

There is no limit to what God seeth, no limit to what He heareth.

The limit of the secret of His heart cannot be known.

The limit of His creation cannot be known; neither His near nor His far side can be discovered.[2]

To know His limits how many vex their hearts.[3]

His limits cannot be ascertained

Nobody knoweth His limits.

The more we say, the more there remains to be said.

Great is the Lord, and exalted is His seat.

His exalted name is higher than the most exalted.

Were any one else ever so exalted,

Then he would know that exalted Being

How great He is He knoweth Himself.

Nanak, God bestoweth gifts on whom He looketh with favour and mercy.

XXV

His many bounties[4] cannot be recorded,

He is a great giver and hath not it particle of covetousness.

How many, yea countless heroes beg of Him!

How many others whose number cannot be conceived

How many pine away in sin![5]

How many persons receive yet deny God's gifts

How many fools there are who merely eat!

How many are ever dying in distress and hunger

O Giver, these are also Thy gifts.

[1. Also translated--There is no limit to the Praised One.

2. A metaphor taken from the banks of a river.

3. Billâh, literally, cry in pain.

4. Karm, in Sanskrit, is work; in Persian, kindness, favour, or bounty. The context seems to show that the latter is intended.

5 Compare. Man Vekârin veria, the mind is encompassed with sin. Guru Amar Das.]

{p. 209}

Rebirth[1] and deliverance depend on Thy will:

Nobody can interfere with it.