Re: Bani Nirakaar hi--How to interpret
Zee beeg probleme mon ami is this.
Gurbani is poetry. Poetry in any language does not in every verse in every line depend on literal meaning. Or it would not be poetry but prose. Even reading in Punjabi, the verses, the words would not have literal reference to ordinary definitions and use. There is no way to avoid a discussion of what this poet, a poet, any poet intended. Whether you read the scripture in Gurmukhi or another language. The imagery in Punjabi is still imagery. And somehow must be mapped on to imagery in English, or French, or German.
Plus - Gurbani is not written in modern Punjabi, or only in Punjabi alone. Even a Punjabi speaker must make allowances for words from perhaps 6 other languages found in the scripture.
How does one explain this without discussion?
ਵਡਾ ਮੇਰਾ ਗੋਵਿੰਦੁ ਅਗਮ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਆਦਿ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ਜੀਉ ॥
vaddaa maeraa govindh agam agochar aadh niranjan nirankaar jeeo ||
My Lord of the Universe is great, unapproachable, unfathomable, primal, immaculate and formless.
Understanding is translation.