Poetic Translation of Japji Sahib for the Next Generation

A project of Nanak Naam
NN Logo-Gradient-YT.png Nanak Naam
San Antonio, Texas, US
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Our Vision
Many of our children and grandchildren grow up just reciting Japji Sahib, but not understanding it. Imagine them feeling devotion and awe from Gurbani, yet in a language and rhythm that moves their hearts.

This project is a complete poetic translation of Guru Nanak’s Japji Sahib into modern, rhyming English. Every verse is transformed into lyrical poetry that captures the spiritual depth of the original Gurbani while speaking clearly to today’s generation.
This is more than a translation, it’s a bridge. A bridge between ancient divine wisdom and the modern world, between the language of devotion and the language of understanding.

Why This Matters
Across the world, many young Sikhs feel disconnected from Gurbani. They hear it, they respect it, but they don’t always understand it. The meaning, the living wisdom of Guru Nanak often remains locked behind linguistic and cultural barriers.

Meanwhile, seekers of truth around the world yearn for teachings of peace, equality, and Oneness, exactly what Guru Nanak shared over 500 years ago!

This project opens those teachings for everyone, with poetry that children can understand, youth can connect with, and adults can reflect upon deeply.


Sample from the Project
Each verse of Japji Sahib is lovingly recreated in poetic English while staying faithful to the original meaning and rhythm.
Here’s a sample from Pauri 12 “Manne Ki Gat” (The State of Acceptance):

ਮੰਨੇ ਕੀ ਗਤਿ ਕਹੀ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਜੇ ਕੋ ਕਹੈ ਪਿਛੈ ਪਛੁਤਾਇ ॥
ਕਾਗਦਿ ਕਲਮ ਨ ਲਿਖਣਹਾਰੁ ॥
ਮੰਨੇ ਕਾ ਬਹਿ ਕਰਨਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
ਐਸਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਜੇ ਕੋ ਮੰਨਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਮਨਿ ਕੋਇ ॥੧੨॥

Acceptance is a state that none can explain,
Whoever will try they'll only feel shame.
No paper, no pen, no writer exists,
Acceptance is that which none can discuss.
This is the Name to reach the Divine,
For those who accept within their own mind. [12]




How Your Support Helps
Your donations will fund the creation, production, and global sharing of this poetic translation in multiple forms - book, audio, and digital media.

Your contributions will go directly toward: 

* Music Production: Studio recording, vocals, mixing, and mastering for devotional renditions- $23,669
* Video Production- $13,149
* Book Designing & Printing- $9,204
* Marketing & Outreach- $10,519
* Creative Team & Coordination- $6,574

By contributing to this project, you are helping to share Guru Nanak’s wisdom with future generations, not as a distant philosophy, but as living, breathing inspiration.

Please kindly take a few minutes to listen and experience the concept we are looking to create by clicking on the link below. 
Poetic Translation of Japji Sahib for the Next Generation

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