The Priceless Nature of the Divine – Japji Sahib (Paurī 26)

Based on Maskeen Ji’s Discourse on Japji Sahib

Guru Nanak’s Japji Sahib is a journey into the Infinite. In each Paurī, Guru Nanak unfolds different aspects of the Divine reality and the relationship of human beings with that Supreme Truth. In Paurī 26, the focus turns towards the priceless nature of God’s qualities, His order, His grace, and the saints who live in alignment with Him.

Through repeated use of the word “amul” (priceless), Guru Nanak conveys that the Divine cannot be measured, valued, or confined within human calculations. Maskeen Ji, in his exposition, takes us into this vision of Guru Nanak, showing how the Guru sketches a profound picture of the Infinite and those rare souls who merge with Him.

amul guṇ amul vāpār

“God’s virtues are priceless; the trade in those virtues is also priceless.”

Maskeen Ji explains that in the world, everything is weighed by cost and value. But the qualities of God—truth, compassion, humility, love—cannot be bought. No wealth, no bargaining can obtain them. They are not commodities to be traded in a marketplace.

Yet Guru Nanak uses the word “vāpār” (trade). In the spiritual sense, trade means sharing and embodying those qualities. Saints “deal” in these divine virtues, but their trade is not ordinary commerce. It is a sacred exchange where the more one gives, the more the wealth increases.

Kabīr Ji also describes this divine business: while some trade in copper, some in betel, the saints trade in the Name of the Lord. This trade is beyond value, for it deals in the wealth of the Infinite. Guru Nanak calls such seekers banjārās—traveling traders, not of worldly goods, but of God’s qualities.

amul vāpārīe amul bhaṇḍār

“Those saints who engage in this trade, and the treasure of God’s virtues—they too are priceless.”

Those who live and spread these virtues cannot be valued. Human beings live with the constant refrain of “my caste, my wealth, my family, my language, my color, my status.” Rare is the soul who declares: “Nothing is mine; all belongs to You, Lord.”

Kabīr Ji once said: “tū̃ tū̃ kartā tū̃ bhaiā, mujh meh rahā na hū̃—When I said ‘You, You,’ all the time, then I ceased to exist, and only You remained.”

Saints are beyond valuation because they live in this state. They hold the treasure of God’s virtues (amul bhaṇḍār). This storehouse is endless. No one can measure its extent.

amul āvah amul lai jāh

“The coming of such saints is priceless; their departure too is beyond value.”

Maskeen Ji emphasizes that ordinary births may serve little purpose, but when saints take birth, the world receives divine wealth. Their coming uplifts humanity. They come not to take but to give.

Bhāī Nand Lāl Ji described Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s birth as adorning the world with color and vibrancy. Such beings are jīvan-mukt—liberated while alive. Their coming and going are not bound by karma, but chosen for the benefit of humanity.

Even their departure is priceless. Unlike worldly wealth, which decreases when divided, the wealth of the Divine multiplies the more it is shared. As Guru Arjan says: “ṭoṭ na āvai vaḍḍhdo jāi—The Divine wealth does not diminish; it only increases as it is shared.”

This is why saints’ birthdays (janam divas) and death anniversaries (barsī) are celebrated. Their birth inspires us to transcend worldly attachments, and their departure teaches us to rise above the fear of death.

amul bhāe amulā samāh

“Their love for God is priceless; their merging into Him is equally priceless.”

Love is not measurable, and divine love least of all. When saints love God, they are absorbed in Him. Their merging is like a drop entering the ocean, becoming one with it. The value of such merging cannot be assessed.

amul dharam amul dībāṇ

“The Divine order and the court of God are priceless.”

The world stands on Divine order. The sun, moon, and stars are held in place by His law. Our body too is structured by Divine design. Every nerve, bone, and organ functions in perfect system.

Guru Nanak says: “puttarī terī bidh kartā ṭī—O human, this body was made by the Perfect Creator according to His law.”

The same law that governs the body also governs the cosmos. “jo brahmaṇḍe soī piṇḍe—What is in the universe is in the body.” This law, this Divine court (dībāṇ), cannot be measured. It is beyond value.

amul tul amul parvāṇ

“The scales that weigh deeds, and the acceptance of actions—these too are priceless.”

Maskeen Ji explains that even the system of justice is divine. Every action of humans is weighed on the scales of God. The balance, the weights, and the criteria are beyond human comprehension.

The laws of karma and Divine judgment are not subject to our calculations. They are based on God’s wisdom, which is priceless.

amul bakhasīs amul nīsāṇ

“His gifts are beyond value, and the signs of His grace are priceless.”

Consider the gifts of life: hands, feet, eyes, air, sunlight, health. Artificial limbs can be made, but the living body is priceless. Air, without which we cannot live even for a second, is given free. The sun’s light and heat are also gifts without price.

The nīsāṇ—the signs of grace—are seen in noble character, virtues, beauty, and health. When someone lives with truth, compassion, and humility, it is a sign of God’s blessing.

Guru Arjan says: “jih prasād aroga kanchan dehī—By His grace, the body is healthy and radiant.” All these are signs of His infinite bounty.

amul karam amul phurmāṇ

“His mercy is priceless, His decree is priceless.”

His command is vast like Himself. His decree applies to all, with no exception. There is no place where His order does not reach. His mercy, His hukam, and His blessings cannot be measured.

amulo amul ākhia na jāi

“Even to call Him ‘priceless’ is difficult.”

Maskeen Ji notes that the Guru repeats “amul” to stress that even the word “priceless” is inadequate. To truly express His greatness is impossible. The mind fails, the tongue falters, and one becomes silent.

ākh ākh rahe liv lāi

“Those who attempt to describe Him, end up absorbed in Him and fall silent.”

At first, they try to describe Him, estimating His greatness. But as they continue, they lose themselves in Him, becoming absorbed in His love. Their speech ends, silence takes over.

ākheh ved pāṭh purāṇ …

The Guru now lists the many who attempt to speak of God’s greatness:

• The Vedas and Purāṇas declare Him priceless.
• Scholars and philosophers proclaim Him beyond value.
• Brahmā and Indra say He cannot be measured.
• The Gopīs and Krishna themselves affirm His infinitude.
• Shiva, Siddhas, and yogis declare Him beyond value.
• Buddhas and enlightened ones proclaim Him infinite.
• Even demons and gods, humans, sages, and servants say the same.

All agree: He is amul—beyond estimation.

kete ākheh ākhaṇ pāh …

“Countless continue to speak of Him, countless more begin anew.”

Some start fresh today, becoming new disciples. Kabīr Ji said: “O Lord, You are the True Guru, and I am Your new disciple.” Countless others, new and old, attempt to describe Him.

Many speak all their lives, yet leave the world still declaring Him priceless.

ete kīte hor kareh, tā ākh na sakah keī kei

Even if God were to create many more beings, none would be able to describe His value. Infinite Buddhas, Krishnas, Shivas, and Brahmās could be created, but His greatness would still be beyond estimation.

jevḍ bhāvai tevḍ hoi, nānak jāṇai sācā soi

He becomes as great as He wills. His expansion is endless, without boundary. Only the True One knows His own vastness.

je ko ākhai bolvigāṛ, tā likhīai sir gāvārā gāvār

If anyone claims, “I know God’s extent, I have measured Him,” that person speaks foolishness. Guru Nanak says: such a person is not merely ignorant but the leader of the ignorant.

The true wisdom is to know that He is beyond value, and that human understanding can never capture His greatness.

Conclusion

Paurī 26 of Japji Sahib is a hymn of humility before the Infinite. Guru Nanak uses the word “amul” again and again to remind us that the Divine cannot be priced, measured, or defined. His virtues, His law, His gifts, His decree—all are beyond human calculation.

The saints who embody His qualities are themselves priceless. Their birth and departure uplift the world. Their love and merging with God are beyond value. The Vedas, the Purāṇas, the gods, sages, philosophers, demons, and humans—all declare Him immeasurable. And still, none can truly know His measure.

To claim otherwise is folly. True wisdom lies in acknowledging the limitlessness of God, surrendering pride, and engaging in the sacred trade of His virtues.

This is the path Guru Nanak opens in Paurī 26—a call to humility, to divine remembrance, and to live in the wealth of God’s priceless Name.