"Atal Nanak" Updated Translation: Unmoving and eternal is Nanak (the unstruck divine melody).
"On this side is Nanak, on the other side is Nanak; Nanak is with both (or in both places)."
"On this side of existence is the Light of Nanak, and on the other side of existence is that same Light. Immovable and eternal is that Nanak; Timeless and undying is that Nanak."
Before we analyze the translation, we must understand the source. This couplet is not from the Guru Granth Sahib (the primary Sikh scripture), but rather from the Sri Sarbloh Granth, traditionally attributed to the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. It appears within the "Khalsa Mahima" (The Praise of the Khalsa).
The full couplet is:
"Aar Nanak Paar Nanak, Atal Nanak Akaal Nanak."
Historically, simpler translations rendered this as: "This side Nanak, the other side Nanak; Unchanging Nanak, Undying Nanak." While not incorrect, these older versions lose the directional, almost cartographic theology of the original.
| Gurmukhi | Updated Meaning | Why It Matters | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Aar Nanak | In the immanent, manifest world (this shore) – there is only the Guru/God. | Destroys “sacred vs. profane.” The material world is not separate from the Divine. | | Paar Nanak | In the transcendent, unmanifest beyond – there is only the Guru/God. | Destroys “God far away in heaven.” The transcendent is not separate from the Guru. | | Sabh Nanak | Totality of time, space, and thought – only the Guru. | Complete non-duality. No “other” exists. | | Har Har Har | The creative, all-pervading Divine (3x for past, present, future / three worlds). | Reinforces that “Nanak” is not a historical person but a name for the Formless One. |
"Atal Nanak" Updated Translation: Unmoving and eternal is Nanak (the unstruck divine melody).
"On this side is Nanak, on the other side is Nanak; Nanak is with both (or in both places)."
"On this side of existence is the Light of Nanak, and on the other side of existence is that same Light. Immovable and eternal is that Nanak; Timeless and undying is that Nanak."
Before we analyze the translation, we must understand the source. This couplet is not from the Guru Granth Sahib (the primary Sikh scripture), but rather from the Sri Sarbloh Granth, traditionally attributed to the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. It appears within the "Khalsa Mahima" (The Praise of the Khalsa).
The full couplet is:
"Aar Nanak Paar Nanak, Atal Nanak Akaal Nanak."
Historically, simpler translations rendered this as: "This side Nanak, the other side Nanak; Unchanging Nanak, Undying Nanak." While not incorrect, these older versions lose the directional, almost cartographic theology of the original.
| Gurmukhi | Updated Meaning | Why It Matters | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Aar Nanak | In the immanent, manifest world (this shore) – there is only the Guru/God. | Destroys “sacred vs. profane.” The material world is not separate from the Divine. | | Paar Nanak | In the transcendent, unmanifest beyond – there is only the Guru/God. | Destroys “God far away in heaven.” The transcendent is not separate from the Guru. | | Sabh Nanak | Totality of time, space, and thought – only the Guru. | Complete non-duality. No “other” exists. | | Har Har Har | The creative, all-pervading Divine (3x for past, present, future / three worlds). | Reinforces that “Nanak” is not a historical person but a name for the Formless One. |