In the original, you’ll see (not just once). In Sikh theology, three repetitions signify:
There is no “this side” without “that side.” And both sides are nothing but the One.
For centuries, the timeless verses of “Aar Nanak, Paar Nanak” have served as a spiritual anchor for the Sikh panth. However, translating the depth of Gurmukhi into English often leaves gaps in meaning, nuance, and feeling.
| Punjabi Lyrics (Gurmukhi) | English Translation (Updated) | | :--- | :--- | | ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਸਿਖਾਇਆ ਤੂੰ | You have taught us to wish well for everyone. | | ਕੋਈ ਘਾਟ ਨਹੀਂ, ਕੋਈ ਵਾਧ ਨਹੀਂ | There is no shortage in You, nor any excess. | | ਤੂੰ ਕੇਂਦਰ ਬਿੰਦੂ ਬ੍ਰਹਿਮੰਡ ਦਾ | You are the central point of the entire universe. | | ਤੂੰ ਸਿਰਜੀ ਸਾਰੀ ਖੇਡ ਬਾਬਾ | You are the one who created this entire cosmic play. | | ਜਦੋਂ ਪਾਇਆ ਦਸਵਾਂ ਜਾਮਾ ਤੂੰ | When You assumed the tenth form (a reference to Guru Gobind Singh), | | ਹੱਥਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਫੜ ਲਈ ਤੇਗ ਬਾਬਾ | You raised the sword (a symbol of justice and righteousness). | aar nanak paar nanak english translation updated
Furthermore, for English-speaking Sikhs of the diaspora, older translations felt archaic. This uses present, active verbs ("is," "pervades") rather than static descriptions, making the verse usable in kirtan (devotional singing) and daily ardas (prayer).
Over the years, various translations of "Aar Nanak Paar Nanak" have been published, but they often lack the poetic nuance and depth of the original. Here is an updated English translation, aimed at capturing the essence of the hymn:
| Phrase | Meaning | |--------|---------| | | On this shore (the world of form, illusion, or the beginning of creation) – God resides. | | Paar Nanak | On the far shore (the realm of truth, liberation, or the unmanifest) – God also resides. | | Duhee Nanak naal hai | The same Divine Presence accompanies both states. There is no duality; God is both the means and the destination. | In the original, you’ll see (not just once)
The head is blessed with the mark of Your approval, Your seal || The eyes are the eyes of Your creation, Your body ||
It serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how lonely or difficult a situation is, the protector (the Guru) is already there.
While popularly known by this refrain, the composition is historically found in the (Ang 1426) under the Rag Parbhati, composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji . The verse serves as a spiritual compass, pointing the seeker toward a reality where the distinction between "here" and "there," "this life" and "the next," dissolves into the singular truth of the One (Ik Onkar). However, translating the depth of Gurmukhi into English
To fully understand the mantra's power, we turn to the original source of inspiration within the Guru Granth Sahib. The essence of "Aar Nanak Paar Nanak" echoes the concept of the divine reality presented in the and the Japji Sahib , the foundational hymn of Sikhism.
Understanding Guru Nanak’s Vision of the One Without a Second
That side; the far shore; the distant or unseen realm.