The True Signs of a Yogi – Japji Sahib (Paurī 28)

Based on Maskeen Ji’s Discourse on Japji Sahib

Introduction

The twenty-eighth paurī of Japji Sahib continues Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s subtle yet powerful dialogue with the yogis of his time. The yogis followed strict outward practices: they wore ear-rings, carried begging bowls, smeared ashes on their bodies, and dressed in patched garments. To them, these external marks defined spiritual life. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, however, redefined the meaning of true renunciation and discipline. In this paurī, he reveals that the essence of spirituality lies not in ritual or external show, but in inner transformation — in contentment, humility, purity, meditation, and faith.

At the close of the paurī, Guru Ji bows to the Eternal One, the Source who is primal, stainless, without beginning, indestructible, and unchanging across all ages. This paurī, therefore, is both a response to the yogis and a timeless guide for seekers in every era.

Redefining the Marks of a Yogi

The yogis asked Guru Nanak Dev Ji: “Where are your ear-rings, your patched robe, your begging bowl, and the ash on your body? Without these, how can you call yourself a yogi?”

Guru Ji responded not with rejection but with redefinition. He explained that while the body is temporary and will perish, the true signs of a yogi must be applied to the mind and spirit. He declared:

Mundā santokh saram pat jholī, dhīān kī karah bibhūt.
“Let contentment be your earrings, modesty your begging bowl, and let meditation be the sacred ashes you apply.”

Instead of ear-rings of metal, Guru Ji spoke of ear-rings of santokh — contentment. A restless, craving mind cannot meditate on the Divine. Only the heart content with what it has can develop the stillness necessary for remembrance.

Instead of a begging bowl, Guru Ji chose saram — honest labor. Whatever one receives through hard work and dignity is far greater than begging from door to door. To live from one’s own effort is to live in self-respect.

Instead of ashes smeared on the body, Guru Ji suggested the ash of dhīān — meditation. Physical ash may ward off insects or protect from heat and cold, but the ash of remembrance protects the soul from disease, despair, and restlessness. The yogi who wears this inner ash becomes unshaken by life’s seasons of pain or pleasure.

Clothing the Soul in Awareness

Guru Nanak Dev Ji continued:

Khinthā kāl kuārī kāiā, jugat daṇḍā pratīt.
“Let the patched coat be the awareness of death, let the body remain pure as a virgin, and let faith be your staff.”

The yogis wore patched garments as a symbol of renunciation. Guru Ji reinterpreted this: the true robe of a seeker is awareness of death. When death is remembered, pride, greed, and ego dissolve. The robe of mortality humbles the human spirit and turns it toward the Eternal.

The body, he said, must be kept kuārī — pure, untouched by corruption. The eyes should not gaze upon evil, the tongue should not speak falsehood, the hands should not commit sin. A pure body becomes a vessel of Divine remembrance.

The staff carried by yogis was a sign of discipline. Guru Ji replaced it with pratīt — faith. True support in life comes from trust in God. Faith is the staff that protects from the blows of despair, fear, and temptation. Without faith, the seeker collapses; with it, he walks steadily on the path.

A Universal Path

Guru Ji then defined his path:

Āī panthī sagal jamātī, man jītai jag jīt.
“Consider your path to be the path of all humanity; conquer the mind, and you conquer the world.”

Unlike the yogis, who divided themselves into twelve sects, Guru Nanak Dev Ji saw all of humanity as one congregation. He did not align himself with a single sect but embraced all paths as part of one great family. His way was universal.

The true conquest, he explained, is not over nations, wealth, or occult powers, but over the mind. One who conquers the mind — subdues desire, pride, anger, greed, and ego — has conquered the world. Without inner victory, outward victories are hollow.

Bowing to the Eternal One

Guru Ji concludes with reverence:

Ādes tisai ādes.
“Salutations to that One, salutations.”

Ād anīl anād anāhat, jug jug eko ves.
“He is primal, stainless, without beginning, indestructible, and ever the same through the ages.”

The Divine is the origin of the world, yet He Himself has no origin. He is without stain, beyond decay, untouched by time, and unchanging across all ages. To such a Being alone belongs our reverence, our bowing, our surrender.

Living the Teaching

This paurī does not reject the yogic tradition but transforms it from outer ritual to inner discipline. The earrings of contentment, the begging bowl of labor, the ash of meditation, the robe of mortality, the purity of the body, the staff of faith — these are the true marks of the yogi.

By living with contentment, working with dignity, meditating with focus, remembering death, keeping the body pure, and trusting God, one becomes a true renunciate while still engaged in life. The world becomes one congregation, and victory is achieved not through conquest of others but through mastery of the mind.

Conclusion

Paurī 28 of Japji Sahib is a profound guide for spiritual life. Guru Nanak Dev Ji did not deny the symbols of the yogis but reinterpreted them so that every seeker, whether householder or renunciate, could apply them inwardly. He reminded humanity that God is not attained through outer marks but through inner transformation.

The Eternal One is primal, stainless, without beginning or end, indestructible and unchanging. To Him alone belong our bows and salutations. The seeker who conquers the mind and embraces contentment, humility, and faith has already conquered the world. This is the true yoga, the universal path, taught by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.