Japji Sahib · Stanza 33
Pauri 33
On our own we have no real power — all true strength rests in God's hands alone.
Listen and read along
Your child does not need to read Gurmukhi to start this pauri. They can follow the words as they hear them.
- Press Listen and follow along — each word lights up exactly as it is recited.
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- Turn the transliteration or the meaning on and off, and make the Gurmukhi bigger or smaller.
ਆਖਣਿ ਜੋਰੁ ਚੁਪੈ ਨਹ ਜੋਰੁ ॥
Aakhan jor chupai nah jor.
We have no power to speak and no power to stay silent on our own.
ਜੋਰੁ ਨ ਮੰਗਣਿ ਦੇਣਿ ਨ ਜੋਰੁ ॥
Jor na mangan den na jor.
No power to ask, and no power to give.
ਜੋਰੁ ਨ ਜੀਵਣਿ ਮਰਣਿ ਨਹ ਜੋਰੁ ॥
Jor na jeevan maran nah jor.
No power to live, and no power to die.
ਜੋਰੁ ਨ ਰਾਜਿ ਮਾਲਿ ਮਨਿ ਸੋਰੁ ॥
Jor na raaj maal man sor.
No power to gain kingdom or wealth, which stir up noise in the mind.
ਜੋਰੁ ਨ ਸੁਰਤੀ ਗਿਆਨਿ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥
Jor na surtee giaan veechaar.
No power, by ourselves, to gain awareness, wisdom, or deep reflection.
ਜੋਰੁ ਨ ਜੁਗਤੀ ਛੁਟੈ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥
Jor na jugtee chhutai sansaar.
No power to find the way that frees us from the world.
ਜਿਸੁ ਹਥਿ ਜੋਰੁ ਕਰਿ ਵੇਖੈ ਸੋਇ ॥
Jis hath jor kar vekhai soe.
The One in whose hand all power rests acts and watches over everything.
ਨਾਨਕ ਉਤਮੁ ਨੀਚੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੩੩॥
Naanak utam neech na koe. ॥33॥
Says Nanak: by our own strength, no one is high and no one is low. ॥33॥
✦ The Gurmukhi shown is the original Gurbani. The transliteration and English meaning are a simple, kid-friendly rendering for learning — under review, not a replacement for the original bani.
Words to know
4 words from this stanza
ਜੋਰੁ
Jor
Power; strength; force
ਜੁਗਤੀ
Jugtee
The way; the method
ਉਤਮੁ
Utam
High; noble; the best
ਨੀਚੁ
Neech
Low; lesser
Play & remember
Activities for this stanza
Guess what each Gurmukhi word means, then flip the card to check.
What does this word mean?
Take a guess, then flip the card.
A calm sheet with the Gurmukhi on a floral border — print it and color while you learn this stanza.
Print coloring sheet