Countless Paths of Devotion – Japji Sahib (Paurī 17)

Based on Maskeen Ji’s Discourse on Japji Sahib

Introduction

Japji Sahib is the opening composition of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and is revered as the foundation of Sikh spiritual practice. Composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, it is recited daily in the ambrosial hours by Sikhs around the world. Within its 38 paurīs (stanzas), Guru Nanak outlines the essence of truth, humility, meditation on the Divine Name, and the mystery of Hukam (Divine Will).

Paurī 17 continues Guru Nanak’s exploration of the vastness of creation and the infinite expressions of human devotion. Here, Guru Nanak lists the countless ways people remember, worship, and seek the Divine—through meditation, love, service, scripture, truth, and sacrifice. But even after recounting these endless paths, he humbly admits: I cannot even offer myself once in full surrender; only what pleases You is good, O Eternal Formless One.

This humility and wonder form the heart of Sikh spirituality: to recognize the infinite diversity of creation, to acknowledge the limitations of human comprehension, and to rest in gratitude for the Divine Will.

The Countless Expressions of Devotion

Guru Nanak begins this paurī with the word “asaṅkh”—meaning “countless, beyond number, innumerable.” He repeats it again and again, emphasizing the infinite diversity of human spiritual practice.

There are countless who meditate (jap), repeating the Name of the Divine in love. There are countless who worship (pūjā), each in their own way. There are countless forms of austerity (tap), where individuals strive to discipline the body and mind.

Scriptures too are countless. From the ancient Vedas, Purāṇas, and Upaniṣads of India, to the Torah, Bible, and Qur’ān, to the Sikh scripture—the Guru Granth Sahib Ji—humanity has never ceased to record its encounters with the Divine. And even beyond the major texts are endless commentaries, saintly writings, hymns, and oral traditions.

Countless yogis practice union with the Divine. Some renounce the world entirely, seeking detachment. Others live as householders but remain inwardly absorbed in God. Both paths, when rooted in love and truth, are honored.

Countless devotees (bhagat) reflect on the qualities of God—His mercy, His justice, His beauty. They are like sugarcane, drawing sweetness from any soil they are planted in, manifesting devotion across nations, castes, and cultures.

Countless truthful ones (satī) strive to make every word, thought, and deed true. Countless givers (dātār) sacrifice wealth, food, clothing, land, and even their very lives for the sake of truth. Guru Gobind Singh Ji is remembered as Sarbanṣ Dānī, the giver of all, who sacrificed father, mother, sons, Sikhs, and finally himself for righteousness.

Countless warriors (sūr) endure blows, bleeding yet unshaken. They remain firm in their faith, unflinching in their devotion.

Countless silent ones (monī) restrain speech and conserve their inner power, absorbed in meditation. Saints and sages have always warned against excessive speech, reminding us that one word of truth is worth more than a thousand empty phrases.

In listing these, Guru Nanak shows that the paths to God are endless, beyond counting. No single way can claim exclusivity, for Divine devotion manifests in countless forms.

Maskeen Ji on the Flow of Opposites

Giani Sant Singh Ji Maskeen, reflecting on this paurī, reminds us that creation itself is built on opposing currents. Birth is tied with death, joy with sorrow, fragrance with foul odor, honor with dishonor. Just as music arises from blending opposing notes, the beauty of life arises from the dance of opposites.

He recalls history: when Draupadī was dishonored in the Kaurava court, when Dhruva was cast aside by his stepmother, when Prahlād was tortured by his father, when Guru Nanak himself was ridiculed, when innocent children were bricked alive, when Guru Tegh Bahadur was martyred—people lamented, “The times are bad, the age is corrupt.” But, Maskeen Ji says, this lament has always been there. Where there is day, there is night. Where there is good, there is evil. Both currents have always flowed together.

Thus, when Guru Nanak speaks of countless paths of devotion, he does so within the recognition that creation is woven of opposites. Both good and bad exist, yet in the midst of this duality, countless souls turn towards the Divine.

The Supremacy of Jap and Bhāu

Among virtues, Guru Nanak places Jap (repetition of the Name) and Bhāu (love) at the highest. All other virtues are born from remembrance and love.

Maskeen Ji explains: the bond of a child with parents is formed by love. Without love, no relationship is alive. Similarly, the soul’s relationship with the Divine is sustained by love. As worldly life progresses, love for God diminishes; this is why sangat (holy company) is essential—to rekindle love so that it binds us to the Divine.

Worship and Austerity in Many Forms

Guru Nanak acknowledges the diversity of worship. Some offer wealth, others a single flower, others only the sincerity of their heart. The greatness is not in the object offered but in the depth of the feeling.

Austerities too are many. Rising at amrit velā is tapas. Chanting the Divine Name is tapas. Sitting by a fire or in the sun is tapas. Controlling the senses is tapas. Disciplining the mind is tapas. Each path is valid when it is done in remembrance of the Divine.

Scriptures and Eternal Revelation

Maskeen Ji stresses that revelation is not limited to one scripture. Across ages, the Word of God has emerged from the hearts of saints and prophets. The Torah, Bible, Qur’ān, Vedas, and Guru Granth Sahib are all streams of the same Divine source. Beyond these, there are countless smaller writings, hymns, and commentaries. To attempt to count them is impossible.

This teaches humility: truth is not confined to one book or one tradition. God’s Word flows endlessly through humanity.

Yogis and Renunciates

Guru Nanak honors the countless yogis and renunciates. Some leave the world entirely; others remain as householders but inwardly detached. Maskeen Ji recalls Baba Śrī Chand, who founded the Udāsī tradition of renunciation. Yet Bhagat Kabīr reminds us that one can be a householder, raising children, working daily, and still remain detached. True renunciation is not in abandoning the world but in rising above attachment.

Devotees, Philosophers, and Truthful Ones

Countless devotees have arisen in every land and every faith. Their devotion is like sugarcane, drawing sweetness from any soil. They reflect on the Divine qualities—His mercy, His justice, His beauty. Philosophers and saints contemplate deeply, discovering that God is pervading, merciful, forgiving, blissful, and eternally beautiful.

Countless truthful ones strive to make every action true. Countless givers offer food, wealth, clothing, land, and even their lives. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, as Sarbanṣ Dānī, exemplifies this spirit of total giving.

Warriors and the Silent Ones

Countless warriors endure blows upon their bodies, blood flowing, yet their faces remain unturned. Their courage becomes worship. Countless silent ones restrain speech and conserve energy, absorbed in meditation. Saints warn that excessive speech dissipates inner strength, while a single word of truth is more fragrant than heaps of empty talk.

The Humility of Guru Nanak

After listing these endless expressions of devotion, Guru Nanak concludes with deep humility:

kudarat kavaṇ kahā vīcār — How can I describe Your creation?
vāriā na jāvā ek vār — I cannot even sacrifice myself once.
jo tudh bhāvai sāī bhalī kār — Whatever pleases You is good.
tū sadā salāmat nirankār — O Formless One, You alone are eternal.

Maskeen Ji explains: the worldly mind is always filled with complaint—“My bowl was large, but You gave me nothing.” But the devotee’s heart says: “My bowl was so small, yet You filled it to overflowing.” The difference is gratitude. The devotee accepts whatever comes, knowing that the Divine Will is always good.

Everything in creation perishes—mountains crumble, palaces fall, even the earth will vanish. Only the Formless One is forever. To live in this awareness is to live in surrender: “Whatever pleases You, that is good.”

Conclusion

Paurī 17 of Japji Sahib is a hymn to infinity. Guru Nanak enumerates the countless ways in which humanity seeks the Divine—through meditation, love, worship, austerity, scripture, devotion, truth, sacrifice, courage, and silence. Yet even after describing this vastness, he bows his head in humility: I cannot even offer myself once; only what pleases You is good.

Maskeen Ji’s commentary deepens this message by showing how creation itself is woven of opposites, and how true devotion lies not in complaint but in gratitude. The devotee accepts life’s dualities, lives in remembrance and love, and recognizes that the Eternal Formless One alone endures.