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.
Listen and read along
Your child does not need to read Gurmukhi to start this pauri. They can follow the words as they hear them.
- Press Listen and follow along — each word lights up exactly as it is recited.
- Tap ▶ beside any line to hear just that line, as many times as you like.
- Turn the transliteration or the meaning on and off, and make the Gurmukhi bigger or smaller.
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