Japji Sahib · Stanza 7
Pauri 7
A long life, fame, and power mean nothing without God's grace — and only God can make the worthless worthy.
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.
- Tap ▶ beside any line to hear just that line, as many times as you like.
- Turn the transliteration or the meaning on and off, and make the Gurmukhi bigger or smaller.
ਜੇ ਜੁਗ ਚਾਰੇ ਆਰਜਾ ਹੋਰ ਦਸੂਣੀ ਹੋਇ ॥
Je jug chaare aarjaa hor dasoonee hoe.
Even if someone lived through all four ages, and ten times longer still,
ਨਵਾ ਖੰਡਾ ਵਿਚਿ ਜਾਣੀਐ ਨਾਲਿ ਚਲੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਇ ॥
Navaa khandaa vich jaanee-ai naal chalai sabh koe.
and were famous across all nine regions of the world, with everyone following along,
ਚੰਗਾ ਨਾਉ ਰਖਾਇ ਕੈ ਜਸੁ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਜਗਿ ਲੇਇ ॥
Changaa naau rakhaae kai jas keerat jag le-e.
earning a great name and winning praise all over the world —
ਜੇ ਤਿਸੁ ਨਦਰਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਤ ਵਾਤ ਨ ਪੁਛੈ ਕੇ ॥
Je tis nadar na aavee ta vaat na puchhai ke.
yet if God's grace does not fall on them, no one truly cares for them.
ਕੀਟਾ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਕੀਟੁ ਕਰਿ ਦੋਸੀ ਦੋਸੁ ਧਰੇ ॥
Keetaa andar keet kar dosee dos dhare.
They are counted the lowest worm among worms, and even wrongdoers blame them.
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਗੁਣਿ ਗੁਣੁ ਕਰੇ ਗੁਣਵੰਤਿਆ ਗੁਣੁ ਦੇ ॥
Naanak nirgun gun kare gunvantiaa gun de.
Says Nanak: God gives goodness to those who have none, and more goodness to the good.
ਤੇਹਾ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਸੁਝਈ ਜਿ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਣੁ ਕੋਇ ਕਰੇ ॥੭॥
Tehaa koe na sujha-ee ji tis gun koe kare. ॥7॥
I cannot imagine anyone who could grant goodness to God in return. ॥7॥
✦ 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
ਆਰਜਾ
Aarjaa
Lifespan; length of life
ਨਦਰਿ
Nadar
God's gracious glance
ਨਿਰਗੁਣਿ
Nirgun
One without virtues; the unworthy
ਗੁਣੁ
Gun
Virtue; goodness
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