The Transformative Power of Listening — Japji Sahib (Paurī 9)

Based on Maskeen Ji’s Discourse on Japji Sahib

Introduction

Among the spiritual treasures of Sikh scripture, Japji Sahib occupies a place of singular importance. Composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, it distills the essence of divine wisdom into a series of Pauris (stanzas) that guide seekers towards truth, liberation, and union with the Divine. Within this composition, Pauris 8–11 focus exclusively on suni-ai — listening. This repetition itself highlights how central listening is to the spiritual path.

Pauri 9, in particular, reveals the profound transformative potential that lies in listening to the Shabad (Divine Word) and the Naam (Divine Name). Listening here does not mean simply allowing sound to pass through the ears; it means a deep, attentive, soul-awakening act. Giani Sant Singh Ji Maskeen, through his lucid expositions, emphasizes that sunna (listening) is the very foundation of spiritual progress. It awakens the inner self, dissolves sin, and brings forth joy.

This article offers an expanded reflection on Pauri 9. We will explore each line with transliteration, translation, and Maskeen Ji’s commentary, supplemented with examples, philosophy, and practical applications for modern life. The aim is to grasp why Guru Nanak Dev Ji insists that listening is not passive but is the key to transformation.

Commentary and Reflection

Listening as a Spiritual Discipline

When Guru Nanak Dev Ji uses the word suṇiai, he does not refer to casual hearing. True listening is attentive, receptive, and transformative. Maskeen Ji explains that when the Divine Word enters through the ears with full awareness, it penetrates the consciousness and awakens the inner self. This listening creates spiritual clarity, dissolves ignorance, and initiates a process of purification.

Maskeen Ji often emphasized that sins are not arbitrary infractions but actions that harm others through thought, word, or deed. When we harm others, we inevitably harm ourselves, for the universe operates on the principle of return. What we send out comes back. Listening to the Shabad breaks this cycle by transforming the inner being, removing the tendency to cause harm, and thereby ending suffering at its root.

Becoming Like Īsar, Brahma, and Indra

suṇiai īsar barmā indu
Listening, one attains the wisdom of Shiva (Īsar), Brahma, and Indra.

The invocation of Shiva, Brahma, and Indra in this line is not random. Each figure represents a spiritual quality revered in Indian philosophy:

• Brahma embodies the principle of creation and deep philosophical inquiry into existence.
• Shiva (Īsar) represents renunciation, transcendence, and the destruction of ignorance.
• Indra symbolizes authority, dignity, and the experience of pleasure.

Maskeen Ji explains that through listening, the devotee acquires the wisdom of Brahma, the renunciation of Shiva, and the dignity of Indra. It is not that one literally becomes these deities, but rather that the qualities they represent begin to blossom in the listener. Listening elevates the mind to philosophical depth, detaches it from worldliness, and grants a dignity greater than worldly power. The worldly pleasures of Indra’s heaven are fleeting, but the bliss from listening to the Shabad is lasting and profound.

The Transformation of Speech

suṇiai mukh sālāhaṇ mand
Listening, even the lowly and slanderous tongues begin to praise the Divine.

The miracle of listening is that it reshapes character from within. Maskeen Ji highlights that the tongue, which may once have been used for lies, gossip, or slander, becomes sanctified. It spontaneously begins to utter praise. This is not a forced discipline but a natural flowering of listening. The more deeply one listens, the more the inner self aligns with truth, and the more naturally the tongue reflects that truth. In effect, listening reorients the entire being so that what once was destructive now becomes life-giving.

Unlocking Yogic Wisdom

suṇiai jog jugat tan bhed
Listening, one understands the method of yoga and the secrets of the body.

Yoga literally means “union,” the joining of the soul with the Divine. The jugat refers to the method or discipline that makes this union possible. Tan bhēd means the secrets of the body — the inner workings of the human system, from its gross physical functions to its subtle spiritual channels (nāḍīs).

Maskeen Ji observes that ancient sages knew the body at a depth that even modern science is only beginning to explore. They understood how food transforms into energy, how thoughts affect health, and how subtle currents within the body influence spiritual states. This knowledge was preserved in Vedic and yogic texts. Guru Nanak, however, teaches that such knowledge is not reserved for a few ascetics but becomes accessible through listening to the Shabad. The attentive listener intuitively grasps the jugat of yoga and perceives the inner mysteries of the body.

Maskeen Ji uses a simple analogy: just as thirst is quenched only by drinking and hunger satisfied only by eating, the longing for union with the Divine can only be fulfilled by listening. It is impossible to say, “First let my thirst be quenched, then I will drink.” The act itself brings the result. Similarly, listening itself is the practice that yields realization.

Access to the Scriptures

suṇiai sāst simrit ved
Listening, one comprehends the scriptures, Simritis, and the Vedas.

The vast library of sacred texts — the Shāstras, Simritis, and Vedas — contain oceans of wisdom, but without spiritual awakening they remain mere words. Maskeen Ji emphasizes that true understanding of scripture arises not from intellectual study alone but from listening with the heart. When the Shabad is received with attention and devotion, it illuminates the essence of all scriptures. Guru Nanak thus directs us to the living Word, reminding us that real comprehension is a matter of inner transformation, not accumulation of texts.

The Blossoming of Devotees

nānak bhagtā sadā vigās
O Nanak, the devotees are forever in bliss.

For those immersed in listening, life is marked by joy. The word vigās means blossoming, expansion, delight. This is not a temporary happiness dependent on circumstances but a deep, inner joy that sustains the devotee. Listening continuously nourishes the soul, keeping it vibrant and alive. Such bliss cannot be compared to worldly pleasures; it is self-sustaining and ever-renewing, rooted in union with the Divine.

The End of Sin and Suffering

suṇiai dūkh pāp kā nās
Listening, pain and sin are destroyed.

Maskeen Ji concludes by reminding us that the fruits of listening are profound: the end of suffering and the dissolution of sin. Here, sin is not ritual defilement but the harm we cause to others through selfish actions. Suffering, likewise, is not just physical pain but the restlessness, dissatisfaction, and anguish of the soul. Listening purifies the blood of the devotee, metaphorically transforming it into nectar. Even suffering endured for truth, as in the lives of martyrs, becomes sanctified. Their blood, shed in devotion, continues to inspire future generations. Thus, listening not only purifies the individual but uplifts entire communities.

Modern Relevance of Pauri 9

In today’s world, noise surrounds us — digital chatter, endless media, constant distraction. We hear much, but we seldom listen. Guru Nanak’s wisdom is strikingly relevant: true listening is the antidote to the modern condition. To listen deeply is to filter through the noise and attend to the voice of truth. It is to quiet the mind enough to allow the Divine Word to resonate within.

Practically, this means cultivating silence, making space for reflection, and approaching Gurbani not as mere recitation but as living guidance. By listening to kirtan, to katha, to the Shabad with full presence, we begin to embody the transformation Guru Nanak describes. Our speech becomes gentler, our bodies healthier, our minds clearer, and our lives more joyful. The end of sin and suffering is not an abstract promise but an experiential reality for the one who listens.

Conclusion

Pauri 9 of Japji Sahib is a profound reminder that listening is both the path and the destination of spiritual life. Through listening:

• We acquire wisdom like Brahma, renunciation like Shiva, and dignity like Indra.
• Our tongues transform from slander to praise.
• We discover the method of yoga and the secrets of the body.
• We comprehend the essence of all scriptures.
• We live in continuous joy and blossoming.
• Sin and suffering are destroyed.

Maskeen Ji’s exposition makes clear that listening is not passive but active, not superficial but transformative. Guru Nanak’s call is to cultivate the art of deep listening in every moment of life. In the stillness of such listening, the Shabad becomes our guide, our nourishment, and our liberation. The devotee who listens truly embodies the promise of Guru Nanak’s words:

“nānak bhagtā sadā vigās, suṇiai dūkh pāp kā nās”