UNFATHOMABLE GOD /ਅਥਾਹ

ABSTRACT

Immortal God cannot be defined because It applies to every thing, and can not be measured, Atula, Atolak (ਅਤੁਲ, ਅਤੋਲਕ). The fullness of the reality of spiritual metaphysical energy, is infinite and all inclusive. The all-pervading spiritual energy is consciously and simultaneously presents everywhere. You cannot define something in terms of itself. God is an absolute Principle of Truth.  God cannot be anthropomorphized since It is Infinite and hence cannot be squeezed into a finite human body. Creation is a single whole unfolding process brought into being by the Word.  Principle and process are inseparable. Guru Nanak addresses God in Raag Bilawal as:

ਅਗਮ ਅਗੋਚਰ ਅਲਖ ਅਪਾਰਾ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਹਮਾਰੀ ॥

ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਭਰਿਪੁਰਿ ਲੀਣਾ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਰੀ ॥੨॥

Agam Agochar Alakh Apaaraa Chintaa Karoh Hamaaree Jal thal mahī▫al bẖaripur līṇā gẖat gẖat joṯ ṯumĥārī. ||2||.

O, God, inaccessible, unfathomable, invisible, and infinite Higher Power: please, take care of us! In the water, on the land and in sky, You are totally pervading. Your Light is in each and every heart. ||2|-----Guru Nanak, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 795-11                                                                     

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It is of utmost importance to have a correct intellectual conception by the individual of the “Supreme.” Illogical and erroneous conceptions are capable of misleading people, who otherwise may have correct intuitions. Wrong concepts can keep them in the dark and lead them astray.  One should keep an open mind and keep the prejudices aside. Prejudiced people see only what fits their prejudices. The false conception of God is responsible for the ignorance as stated by Guru Nanak in his Japji:

ਅਸੰਖ ਮੂਰਖ ਅੰਧ ਘੋਰ ॥

Asankh Moorkh Andh Ghor.

Countless fools, blinded by ignorance.-----Guru Nanak, Japji, AGGS, Page, AGGS, Page, 4-3

According to Sikh philosophy God cannot be fathomed. There is no absolute scientific proof of the presence of The Absolute, Infinite, and Apaar (ਅਪਾਰ) Eternal God. That accounts for the existence of a variety of faiths and religions trying to sell their own version of the Truth. Its subtle essence cannot be obtained by any one. Those who fathom It cannot behold God and those who behold God cannot fathom It. God does not have a gender so He or She are inadequate in referring to God. Sikh Gurus, Bhagats, Bards in AGGS have used the words such as Agochar (ਅਗੋਚਰ), Agaadh (ਅਗਾਧ), Athaha (ਅਥਾਹ), and Agam (ਅਗਮੁ) etc. to express Its Unfathomable nature. Guru Arjan describes God in Raag Gujri as follows:

ਹੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਊ ਬੂਝਨਹਾਰੋ ਜਾਨੈ ਕਵਨੁ ਭਤਾ ॥

ਸਿਵ ਬਿਰੰਚਿ ਅਰੁ ਸਗਲ ਮੋਨਿ ਜਨ ਗਹਿ ਨ ਸਕਾਹਿ ਗਤਾ ॥

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਅਗਮ ਅਗਾਧਿ ਕਥਾ ॥

ਸੁਨੀਐ ਅਵਰ ਅਵਰ ਬਿਧਿ ਬੁਝੀਐ ਬਕਨ ਕਥਨ ਰਹਤਾ ॥

ਆਪੇ ਭਗਤਾ ਆਪਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਆਪਨ ਸੰਗਿ ਰਤਾ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਕੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਹੈ ਪੇਖਿਓ ਜਤ੍ਰ ਕਤਾ ॥
Hai nāhī ko­ū būjẖanhāro jānai kavan bẖaṯā. Siv birancẖ ar sagal mon jan geh na sakāhi gaṯā. Parabẖ kī agam agāḏẖ kathā. Sunī­ai avar avar biḏẖ bujẖī­ai bakan kathan rahṯā. Āpė bẖagṯā āp su­āmī āpan sang raṯā. Nānak ko parabẖ pūr rahi­o hai pėkẖi­o jaṯar kaṯā.

No one understands the God, who can understand Its plans? Shiva, Brahma and all the silent sages could not understand the state of God. God's sermon is profound and unfathomable. God is heard to be one thing, but is understood to be something else again; God is beyond description and explanation. God Itself is the devotee, and Master; is imbued with Itself. Nanak's God is pervading and permeating everywhere; wherever one looks he finds It there. -----Guru Arjan, Raag Gujri, AGGS, Page, 498

He, who sees the Eternal (ਸਰਬ ਵਿਆਪਕ) existing alike in imperishable and perishable things, sees indeed.  God is everywhere (ਅਪਾਰ), in every atom of the visible and invisible Cosmos -- as a Power of evolution and involution. Thus the Universe itself is unfolding out of its own essence beyond the reach of our limited senses. It is a waste of time to argue with people who do not want to be convinced.  They ridicule everything, which is new to their limited outlook. The message is for those -- who want to know and are seeking something that will solve their doubts, duality and remove their difficulties with Its support.  This can be accomplished by prayers as indicated by Guru Arjan in Raag Asa:

ਕਿਛੂ ਨ ਜਾਨਾ ਮਤਿ ਮੇਰੀ ਥੋਰੀ ॥

ਬਿਨਵਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਓਟ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੋਰੀ ॥

Kichoo Na Jana Mat Mayree Thoree, Binvat Nanak Oatt Prabh Toree.

I know nothing, and my intellect is inadequate. Prays Nanak, O God, You are my only Support.-----Guru Arjan, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 388-3

There are hundreds of hymns explaining the Unfathomable nature of the “Supreme Higher Power” found through the access contained in AGGS. Here are some examples;

ਦਰਸਨਿ ਰੂਪਿ ਅਥਾਹ ਵਿਰਲੇ ਪਾਈਅਹਿ ॥

Darsan Roop Athaah Virlay Paaee-aah.

Few can obtain sight of the Unfathomable Being.-----Guru Angad, Raag Majh Ki Var, AGGS, Page, 146-4                 

ਅਗਮੁ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਅਤਿ ਵਡਾ ਅਤੁਲੁ ਨ ਤੁਲਿਆ ਜਾਇ ॥

Agam Agochar Ut Vadaa Atul Na Tuliaa Jaaey.

God is inaccessible, Unfathomable, very great, and is un-weighable.-----Guru Amar Das, Raag Bihagrha Ki Var, AGGS, Page, 555-11

ਤੁਮ ਹਰਿ ਸਰਵਰ ਅਤਿ ਅਗਾਹ ਹਮ ਲਹਿ ਨ ਸਕਹਿ ਅੰਤੁ ਮਾਤੀ ॥

Tum Har Sarvar Ut Agaah Ham Leh Na Sakeh Unt Maatee.

God is the deepest, most Unfathomable ocean; I cannot find even a trace of Its limits.-----Guru Ram Das, Raag Dhanasari, AGGS, Page, 668-4

ਅਗਮ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਬੇਅੰਤ ਅਤੋਲਾ ਹੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਿਛੁ ਆਹਾੜਾ ॥

Agam Agochar Bayunt Atolaa Hai Naahee Kichh Aahaarhaa.

God is inaccessible, Unfathomable, infinite, un-weighable and immeasurable.-----Guru Arjan, Raag Maru Sohlay, AGGS, Page, 1081-16

ਥਥਾ ਅਥਾਹ ਥਾਹ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਵਾ ॥

ਓਹੁ ਅਥਾਹ ਇਹੁ ਥਿਰੁ ਨ ਰਹਾਵਾ ॥

Thathā athāh thāh nahī pāvā.,Oh athāh ih thir na rahāvā.

T'HAT'HA: God is Unfathomable -- its depths cannot be fathomed, but the body is impermanent, and unstable.-----Kabir, Raag Gauri Poorbi Bawan Akhree, AGGS, Page, 341-11

ਲੋਗਾ ਭਰਮਿ ਨ ਭੂਲਹੁ ਭਾਈ ॥

ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਖਲਕ ਖਲਕ ਮਹਿ ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਸ੍ਰਬ ਠਾਂਈ ॥

Logaa Bharam Na Bhooloh Bhaa-ee, Khalik Khalk Khalk Meh Khalik Poor Rehiou Sarb Than-ee.

O people, O Siblings of Destiny, do not wander deluded by doubt. The Creation is in the Creator, and the Creator is in the Creation, totally pervading and permeating all places.-----Kabir, Raag Parbhati Bhibhas, AGGS, Page, 1350-1

ਪਰਵਦਗਾਰ ਅਪਾਰ ਅਗਮ ਬੇਅੰਤ ਤੂ ॥

                                              ਜਿਨਾ ਪਛਾਤਾ ਸਚੁ ਚੁੰਮਾ ਪੈਰ ਮੂੰ ॥

Parvarḏagār apār agam bė­anṯ ṯū., Jinā pacẖẖāṯā sacẖ cẖummā pair mūʼn.

O, God, Sustainer and Cherisher, You are infinite, Unfathomable and endless. Those who recognize the True God - I kiss their feet.-----Sheikh Farid, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 488-10

ਅਟਲੁ ਅਥਾਹੁ ਅਤੋਲੁ ਤੂ ਤੇਰਾ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਰਾਵਾਰਿਆ ॥

ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਤੂੰ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਭਾਉ ਕਰਿ ਸੇ ਤੁਧੁ ਪਾਰਿ ਉਤਾਰਿਆ ॥

Atal athāhu aṯol ṯū ṯėrā anṯ na pārāvāri­ā.Jinĥī ṯūʼn sėvi­ā bẖā­o kar sė ṯuḏẖ pār uṯāri­ā.

You are unchanging, Unfathomable and immeasurable; You have no end or limitation. Those who serve You with love - You carry them across.-----Surdas, Raag Ramkali, AGGS, Page, 968-10

ਅਬਿਗਤ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਅਪਰਪਰੁ ਮਨਿ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੁ ਵਸਾਇਅਉ ॥

Abigat Agochar Aparpar Man Gur Sabad Vasaaiao.

Within His mind, the Guru has enshrined the Sabd, the Word of the Unseen, Unfathomable, Infinite God.-----Bhatt Kalsar, Swayeay Mahlay 4^th, AGGS, Page, 1397-16

ਅਗਮ ਅਲਖ ਕਾਰਣ ਪੁਰਖ ਜੋ ਫੁਰਮਾਵਹਿ ਸੋ ਕਹਉ ॥

Agam Alakh KaaraN Purakh Jo Furmaaveh So Khou.

The Unfathomable and Unseen Primal God, the Cause of cause, as It orders, so do I speak.-----Bhatt Kirat, Swayeay Mahlay 3^rd, AGGS, Page, 1395-14

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਅਗਮ ਅਗਾਧਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਕੇਹੜਾ ਝਲੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਦੀ ਝਾਲਾ ॥

Satigur Agam Agaadhh Purakh Kayhrhaa Jhalay Gur Dee Jhaalaa.

This true Guru was Unfathomable Supreme Purusha (Consciousness) and who could bear with his effulgence (radiance). -----Bhai Gurdas, Vaar 1, Pauri, 31

The Eternal is the source of everlasting life, power, and wisdom through its manifestations in the world. Some call him hypothetical personal Creator-- to whom they petition—for the fulfillment of personal questionable desires. This Eternal power teaches that right action is the truest supplication for the benefit desired. The present age is learning to apply scientific method to find that truth about the Eternal Wisdom.

The forces and qualities of Mother Nature are not blind and unintelligent they may appear so when viewed by our physical senses but in the depth of the thought they are alive and conscious. It is not irreverent to say that God acts through some form of energy or force (heat/electricity/magnetic/some form of waves). In history at one time people were persecuted for making scientific discoveries, which are now widely accepted.

Conclusion:

God is the sum of metaphysical forces higher than the real Self. The Higher Self is far higher than ordinary conception of God, which is limited by the imperfections of mind that imagines and tries to fathoms It. When man’s nature becomes so sublimated that he can rise beyond thought to a higher and fuller state of consciousness and becomes enlightened with the Divine knowledge. It is then that he may stultify the nature of that “Higher Power”.

ਸਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਵਰਤੈ ਗਹਿਰ ਗੰਭੀਰਾ ॥

Saṯ saṯ varṯai gahir gambẖīrā.

Truth (God) was pervasive; Truth is deep, profound and unfathomable.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1023-14

No Name can be given to unfathomable Energy/God. It is individual’s own perception and feeling of that Higher Power and he/she may call it what ever according to his/her perception and understanding.