saloku.
eko eku bakhānīai birlā jāṇai svādu.
guṇ gobind na jāṇīai nānak sabhu bismādu.11.
-Guru Granth Sahib 299
Guru Arjan Sahib states that the virtues of IkOankar (the Divine) cannot be fully known or described, as the entire expanse of IkOankar is awe-inspiring. Corresponding to the fifteen-day lunar calendar and each pauri (stanza) correlates to each day formed by the waxing and waning of the moon. The eleventh pauri states that knowing IkOankar as ever-present, singing the virtues of IkOankar, and cultivating contentment and compassion are the true fasting to be observed on the eleventh lunar day.
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Interpretive Transcreation
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In the eleventh salok (couplet), Guru Arjan says that Gobind, the Knower of Creation, is the only One to be remembered, but only a few or the rare ones know the essence of this. Only a few enjoy the taste of this understanding, the bliss of this understanding. All virtues of Gobind cannot be known, and this lack of knowing is awe-inspiring. The Guru urges us to enjoy not knowing fully, to relish the taste of vastness in creation.
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