Akhan Jor

aakhan jor chupai nah jor.
There is no power in speaking; there is no power in silence.

jor na mangan dayn na jor.
Power is not gained through begging; there is no power in giving.

jor na jeevan maran nah jor.
Power is not gained through living; there is no power in death.

jor na raaj maal man sor.
Power is not gained by ruling over others with one’s wealth and occult mental powers.

jor na surtee gi-aan veechaar.
Power is not gained through understanding, spiritual wisdom, and meditation.

jor na jugtee chhutai sansaar.
Power is not gained by finding a way to escape from the world.

jis hath jor kar vaykhai so-ay.
It is He who watches over all who has the Power.

naanak utam neech na ko-ay.
O Nanak, no one is high nor low. 

The power to speak
Or keep silent-
I don’t have that power.

I don’t have the power
To beg or to give.

When I live,
When I die-
Is far beyond my power.

I have no power
To rule as a King,
With wealth
Or through the force
Of my own mental manipulations.

I have no power
To attach myself to God through meditation,
Or to attain wisdom,
Or to reflect on what I see.

I have no power
To know the way
To liberate myself
From the world.

Whose Hand
Holds this power?

The One
Who does and sees all.

Nanak,
No one is high
And no one is low.