Japji Sahib · Stanza 23
Pauri 23
We can praise God, but never measure His greatness — like rivers that join the ocean without knowing how vast it is.
ਸਾਲਾਹੀ ਸਾਲਾਹਿ ਏਤੀ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਨ ਪਾਈਆ ॥
Saalaahee saalaah etee surat na paa-ee-aa.
Those who praise God keep praising Him, yet they cannot fully grasp how great He is.
ਨਦੀਆ ਅਤੈ ਵਾਹ ਪਵਹਿ ਸਮੁੰਦਿ ਨ ਜਾਣੀਅਹਿ ॥
Nadee-aa atai vaah paveh samund na jaanee-ah.
Like rivers and streams flowing into the ocean, they cannot know how endless it is.
ਸਮੁੰਦ ਸਾਹ ਸੁਲਤਾਨ ਗਿਰਹਾ ਸੇਤੀ ਮਾਲੁ ਧਨੁ ॥
Samund saah sultaan girhaa setee maal dhan.
Even kings and emperors, with wealth piled high like oceans and mountains —
ਕੀੜੀ ਤੁਲਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਨੀ ਜੇ ਤਿਸੁ ਮਨਹੁ ਨ ਵੀਸਰਹਿ ॥੨੩॥
Keerhee tul na hovnee je tis manhu na veesreh. ॥23॥
are not equal to a tiny ant who never forgets God in her heart. ॥23॥
✦ The Gurmukhi shown is the original Gurbani. The transliteration and English meaning are a simple, kid-friendly rendering for learning — under review, not a replacement for the original bani.
Words to know
4 words from this stanza
ਸਾਲਾਹਿ
Saalaah
To praise; to give thanks
ਸੁਰਤਿ
Surat
Understanding; awareness
ਸਮੁੰਦ
Samund
The ocean
ਕੀੜੀ
Keerhee
An ant (the smallest of creatures)
Play & remember
Activities for this stanza
Guess what each Gurmukhi word means, then flip the card to check.
What does this word mean?
Take a guess, then flip the card.
A calm sheet with the Gurmukhi on a floral border — print it and color while you learn this stanza.
Print coloring sheet