papai pātisāhu parmesaru vekhaṇ kaü parpancu kīā.
dekhai būjhai sabhu kichu jāṇai antari bāhari ravi rahiā.24.
-Guru Granth Sahib 433
The Patti composition revealed by Guru Nanak Sahib consists of thirty-five stanzas, each containing two lines. This composition is based on the thirty-five letters of the alphabet prevalent at that time. In this composition the Guru has established a foundational system based on letters. In the rahau line, by addressing his own mind, the Guru provides insights, saying, “O fool! Why do you remain forgetful? You will be considered truly educated only when you are able to settle the account of your deeds in IkOankar’s (the Divine) court.” The Guru goes on to explain the mystery of the letters, enlightening that the limits of IkOankar, the Creator, cannot be known. All beings are under IkOankar’s command, and no one else can exercise authority over them. All-pervading IkOankar is the cause of everything in the creation. An arrogant being who forgets IkOankar and is engrossed in worldly matters continues to suffer. However, if a being recognizes the eternal IkOankar through the Wisdom (Guru), they are freed from suffering. The being who understands the mystery explained through these thirty-five letters becomes one with IkOankar.
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
O mind! Why do you forget, O foolish mind? You will be considered learned only when you give the account of your deeds, O sibling! In the twenty-fourth couplet, Guru Nanak delivers a message through the letter ਪ (‘pappā,’ #26) and says, the Patisahu, the sovereign Parmeshvar, created the parpanch, the phenomenal world to watch over. Parmeshvar is a name or attribute of IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One) that refers to the One as the Supreme Sovereign. These larger elements of sovereignty, transcendence, and power are emphasized in this couplet as the Guru continues: the Sovereign Own-Self watches over, comprehends, and knows everything. The Sovereign alone is pervading within and without. Elements of the political and spiritual attributes of IkOankar are emphasized here. IkOankar is watching the play and drama and phenomenon of creation play out. Will we understand this truth, that the only one operating and exercising sovereignty over the expanse of creation is the Sovereign IkOankar? Will we feel the presence of that all-pervading Sovereign? Will it change the way we operate in this expanse, this play?
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