Guru Nanak, in this stanza, gives the picture of those engaged in good deeds, those who seek to reach Him in diverse ways. These set ways, though praiseworthy, are not to be compared to the God-vision made possible by communion with and practice of the Holy Word, by which means alone, one can make God’s Will his own.
Stanza XVII
Countless there are that remember Thee, and countless those that love Thee; countless there are that worship Thee, and countless those that seek Thee in austerity and penance; countless there are that recite from sacred books Thy praises; and countless those that, absorbed in Yoga, stand indifferent to the world; countless those Thy devotees who contemplate Thy attributes and wisdom; and countless those that practice truth and charity; countless are the heroes that boldly face the foeman’s steel; and countless those who have vowed silence, meditate on Thee with unceasing love. What power have I to conceive of Thy wonderful nature? Too poor, am I, to make an offering of my life to Thee. Whatever pleaseth Thee is good: Thou art forevermore; oh, Formless One.