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Location: New Mexico

Publications: Japji Sahib: The Song of the Soul by Guru Nanak translated by Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa. Anand Sahib: The Song of Bliss by Guru Amar Das translated by Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa. Available through www.sikhdharma.org.

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Anand Sahib Translation: Published

Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh.

Almost two years ago (oh my goodness – has it really been that long??), I posted a draft translation of Guru Amar Das’s Anand Sahib on my blog. Since that time, the translation has gone through a few minor tweaks, and a lengthy self-publishing process. But this summer, the translation of Guru Amar Das’s Anand Sahib made it into book form (at last.) For those of you who like the writing that I do, and who may have read the translation on-line, if you would like a copy of the publication, please visit:
www.sikhdharma.org/store/products/anand-sahib-song-bliss.


This translation is not typical. It plays with language on a deeper level. To my mind, it does not make sense that one word of Gurbani equals one word of English. Gurbani says something that the English language has never even imagined. To understand the theoretical framework behind the translation – please take a look at this essay from January of 2007. http://ekongkaar.blogspot.com/2007/01/anand-sahib-maps-of-reality-in.html

One “perk” about the actual physical publication is that there is an essay in the beginning by the late Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahiba Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji (also known as Yogi Bhajan). It is an essay where he talks about the state and psychology of Anand. It’s an essay that I listened to over and over again during the translation process – because it gave me a starting point and direction to understand what Guru Amar Das was talking about when he sung this teaching song about "Bliss." If you decide to get a copy of the book, I hope you enjoy the essay. It's quite amazing.

May you be blessed to experience the truth, reality and bliss in yourSelf. And may the Divine Light in you shine with love and grace for all to see for endless times to come.

With Divine Light, Divine Love and many blessings,

Ek Ong Kaar Kaur