Japji Sahib · Stanza 3
Pauri 3
The whole world sings God's praises in countless ways — yet God is beyond all words, and gives without end.
Listen and read along
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ਗਾਵੈ ਕੋ ਤਾਣੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਕਿਸੈ ਤਾਣੁ ॥
Gaavai ko taan hovai kisai taan.
Some sing of God's power — if they have the power to sing it.
ਗਾਵੈ ਕੋ ਦਾਤਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥
Gaavai ko daat jaanai neesaan.
Some sing of God's gifts, and know them as signs of grace.
ਗਾਵੈ ਕੋ ਗੁਣ ਵਡਿਆਈਆ ਚਾਰ ॥
Gaavai ko gun vadiaa-ee-aa chaar.
Some sing of God's beautiful qualities and greatness.
ਗਾਵੈ ਕੋ ਵਿਦਿਆ ਵਿਖਮੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
Gaavai ko vidiaa vikham veechaar.
Some sing of God's deep, hard-to-grasp wisdom.
ਗਾਵੈ ਕੋ ਸਾਜਿ ਕਰੇ ਤਨੁ ਖੇਹ ॥
Gaavai ko saaj kare tan kheh.
Some sing that God shapes the body, then turns it back to dust.
ਗਾਵੈ ਕੋ ਜੀਅ ਲੈ ਫਿਰਿ ਦੇਹ ॥
Gaavai ko jee-a lai fir deh.
Some sing that God takes life away, and then gives it again.
ਗਾਵੈ ਕੋ ਜਾਪੈ ਦਿਸੈ ਦੂਰਿ ॥
Gaavai ko jaapai disai door.
Some sing that God seems to be far away.
ਗਾਵੈ ਕੋ ਵੇਖੈ ਹਾਦਰਾ ਹਦੂਰਿ ॥
Gaavai ko vekhai haadraa hadoor.
Some sing that God is watching, ever-present, right here.
ਕਥਨਾ ਕਥੀ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਤੋਟਿ ॥
Kathnaa kathee na aavai tot.
There is no end to the ways people describe God.
ਕਥਿ ਕਥਿ ਕਥੀ ਕੋਟੀ ਕੋਟਿ ਕੋਟਿ ॥
Kath kath kathee kotee kot kot.
Millions upon millions describe God, again and again.
ਦੇਦਾ ਦੇ ਲੈਦੇ ਥਕਿ ਪਾਹਿ ॥
Dedaa de laide thak paahi.
The Giver keeps on giving, while those who receive grow tired of receiving.
ਜੁਗਾ ਜੁਗੰਤਰਿ ਖਾਹੀ ਖਾਹਿ ॥
Jugaa jugantar khaahee khaahi.
Age after age, everyone lives on God's gifts.
ਹੁਕਮੀ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਚਲਾਏ ਰਾਹੁ ॥
Hukmee hukam chalaa-e raahu.
By the Hukam, God runs the way of the whole world.
ਨਾਨਕ ਵਿਗਸੈ ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹੁ ॥੩॥
Naanak vigsai veparvaahu. ॥3॥
Says Nanak: the carefree God is forever joyful. ॥3॥
✦ 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
11 words from this stanza
ਗਾਵੈ
Gaavai
Sings; sings praises
ਦਾਤਿ
Daat
Gift
ਹਾਦਰਾ ਹਦੂਰਿ
Haadraa Hadoor
Ever-present, right here
ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹੁ
Veparvaah
Carefree; without worry
ਤਾਣੁ
Taan
Power; strength
ਗੁਣ
Gun
Virtues; good qualities
ਵਿਦਿਆ
Vidiaa
Knowledge; learning
ਵੀਚਾਰੁ
Veechaar
Deep reflection; wisdom
ਦੂਰਿ
Door
Far away
ਤਨੁ
Tan
The body
ਖੇਹ
Kheh
Dust; ashes
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