If I Address You as a Leader, How is That Expressing Your Greatness?

The Sabad begins by addressing the One as the Emperor, acknowledging that any attempt to describe the Greatness of the One falls short. Guru Nanak Sahib expresses his humility, recognizing his ignorance and inability to fully capture the Majesty of the One. The Guru then makes a heartfelt plea for the grace to understand and sing the virtues of the One, aspiring to remain connected with the Eternal Source of Contentment. 

You are the Emperor.
If I address You as a leader,
how is that expressing Your greatness?
As You allow, so I speak, O! Divine,
I, the ignorant, don’t know how to express.  1.

Grace me with the understanding to sing Your virtue,
such that I remain with You, O! Eternal Contentment. 1. Reflect.

Whatever occurs, all is from You.
All is Your Greatness.
Your limit is unknown, my Sovereign,
I am blind—what intellect?  2.

What can I express?
Expressing and expressing, I see,
I cannot express the Inexpressible?
Whatever pleases You, I say,
it is a hint of Your greatness.  3.

There are several dogs-vices; I am the outcaste,
I bark-glorify to save this body.
If Nanak is without devotion even then,
Divine greatness-protection doesn’t diminish.  4.

     Guru Nanak Sahib in Rag Bilaval | Guru Granth Sahib 795

About Sabad of the Week

We are finite; our understanding is finite. Our understanding was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad. In this trans-creation, we have chosen to keep the repeating words in the Sabad same. We aspire to learn and retain the Divine attribute used in the original Sabad and avoid terms like God or Lord.