Japji Sahib Pauree 21
- Jan 22
- 3 min read
Japji Sahib Pauree 21
The Countless Devotions • The Infinite Ways of Love • An IFS-Aligned Teaching
Original Gurmukhi
ਕੇਤੇ ਜਪੀਅਹਿ ਜਾਪੁ ਵਖਾਣ ॥
ਕੇਤੇ ਪੜਿਹਿ ਪੜਿ ਬੁਝਹਿ ਬਖਿਆਣ ॥
ਕੇਤੇ ਗਾਵਹਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਵੀਚਾਰ ॥
ਕੇਤੇ ਕਹਹਿ ਕਰੇਹਿ ਵੀਚਾਰ ॥
ਕੇਤੇ ਤਨ ਮਨ ਖੰਡਨਹਾਰ ॥
ਕੇਤੇ ਤਪਹਿ ਰਹਹਿ ਉਦਾਸ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਦਰੀ ਪਾਈਐ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ॥੨੧॥
Transliteration
Kaytay japee-ah jaap vakhaan.
Kaytay parrih parr bujheh bakhiaan
Kaytay gaaveh kareh veechaar
.Kaytay kaheh kareh veechaar.
Kaytay tan man khandanhaar.
Kaytay tapeh raheh udaas.
Nanak nadree paa-ee-ai sach naam pargaas. ॥21॥
Straight Meaning (Sikh-Accurate)
Guru Nanak teaches:
Countless chant and recite sacred names.
Countless study scriptures and try to explain them.
Countless sing and reflect.
Countless speak and contemplate.
Countless discipline body and mind.
Countless withdraw from the world in renunciation.
Guru Nanak says:
Truth is realized only through Divine Grace, the radiance of the True Name shining within.
Sacred Commentary
Pauree 21 is an immense widening of compassion.
Guru Nanak looks at the whole spectrum of spiritual effort:
those who chant
those who study
those who sing
those who teach
those who discipline the body
those who renounce the world
He names all of them without hierarchy.
No one is shamed.
No one is elevated.
He is saying:
There are endless ways humans reach for the Divine.
But none of these efforts create realization.
They are expressions of longing,
movements of love,
gestures toward truth,
but they are not the source of awakening.
Realization, Naam, the inner radiance of Truth, arrives not as an achievement, but as a gift.
This Pauree softens the spiritual ego
and comforts the spiritual struggler.
You do not have to earn your way into God’s presence.
You do not have to find the “right” method.
You do not have to outperform anyone on the path.
Your longing is enough.
Your sincerity is enough.
Your being is enough.
Grace is what opens the door.
The IFS Lens
IFS understands this Pauree intimately.
Parts try so hard:
a striving part that wants to get it right
a spiritual achiever that reads everything
a perfectionist that wants the “best” method
a renunciate part that believes suffering equals holiness
a teacher part that wants to understand and explain
These parts are not wrong.
Their longing is beautiful.
They are trying to get us home.
Guru Nanak meets them with compassion.
Effort is natural.
Effort is human.
But effort is not the doorway to Self.
Self-energy comes when parts soften, not when they accomplish.
The “Grace” of this Pauree mirrors the moment
when a part realizes it does not carry the burden alone.
Naam, the light of Truth, arises when the system relaxes
into openness rather than performance.
Trauma-Informed Practice (Curiosity Only)
If it feels comfortable, settle into your body
in whatever way allows ease.
Bring the central message of Pauree 21 into the room:
“There are countless ways to seek the Divine, but realization is received, not earned.”
Let this idea stay near you, gently.
Notice what arises inside, resonance, pressure, softness, confusion, distancing, or stillness.
All responses are valid.
Turn toward whichever part responds first.
Not to change it, only to be with it.
You may explore softly:
What happens in me when I hear that awakening isn’t earned?
Is there a part that believes it must work hard to be worthy?
What feels tender or threatened about the idea of Grace?
If it feels safe, let the part express whatever it needs, in words, sensations, images, or silence.
This practice is not about accepting theology.
It is about offering presence
to the part that believes everything depends on its effort.
This is the practice.
Closing Reflection
Pauree 21 is a balm for the weary seeker.
It tells you:
You don’t have to chant perfectly.
You don’t have to understand everything.
You don’t have to become a monk.
You don’t have to earn belonging.
Your longing is already a form of devotion.
Your sincerity is already a kind of prayer.
Grace does not check credentials.
It arrives where the heart is open enough to receive it.
Many paths.
Many attempts.
Many forms of reaching.
And yet…
The Light comes as gift.
Not as prize.
Let yourself rest in that freedom.
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