JAPJI Sahib : A Way of Life

(A Message from Guru NANAK)

Japji Sahib, placed at the beginning of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, is
that truthful rendering, daily recitation of which is an integral part of
life routine of not only Sikhs, but also a great many other followers of
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
What we need to analyse is that apart from recitation, do we
really make effort to actually live our life in tandem / conformity with
the teachings which have been conveyed to us through Japji Sahib.
Should we not spare some time from our mindless race of materialistic
pursuits and try to understand what is the message communicated to
us by Guru Sahib?
Mool Mantra, the introduction to Japji Sahib, contains Guru
Sahibs description of the attributes of The Almighty that He is One,
Om is His primal sound and He is All-Pervasive. His Divine Name is the
real truth. He is the real Creator. He is the supreme Being. He knows
no fear. He has no enmity. He is an Entity beyond the effect of time.
He is free from the cycles of birth and death. He is Self-illumined / Selfeffulgent. His comprehension can be had through Gurus grace.
In Japji Sahib, at the very outset, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, declares
that the actual truth in this world is the existence of Almighty. He has
always been True, is presently True and shall verily ever remain True.
Guru Sahib referring to the religious practices then in vogue, explains
that mere cleanliness (baths at holy places), keeping silence (being in
samadhi), attempting to satiate ones worldly desires or reasoning of
mind alone are worthless on the spiritual path. Thus the question that
naturally arises is whether it is possible for a human being to rend the
veil of worldly untruth and attain the position of truthfulness? Guru
Sahib clearly affirms this possibility and also mentions that in such a
state the human being also becomes capable of happily accepting
whatever is ordained for him by The Almighty:
Live (as per) Almightys ordains,
(Says) Nanak (that are) written (in) life.
If human beings are to live as per the decree of The Almighty, it
becomes important to know what is His decree. Explaining this, Guru
Sahib states that all shapes, living creatures, good and evil persons,
happiness and agony, birth and death etc. or in other words, complete
creation is under His control. His decree is so widespread that it can
not be fully explained. By His order some get praised. Some get
graced by His benevolence. Whatever exists or is happening is His

ordain. Under ordain every one, free (of) ordain no one. If a person
follows the path described by Guru Sahib, he comes to understand that
nothing happens because of his own doing and that he himself is not
the doer. When this fact dawns on the person, his Iness ( Iness is the
concept of duality which a person harbours considering his own existence as distinct
from that of Almighty) gets automatically lost. Nanak (says) if (His) decree

(one) understands, then Iness claims no one. On this perception of

Iness, which as per Guru Sahibs teachings is a great ill, one realizes
that he is merely a small chip of the gigantic worldly wheel created by
The Almighty. He Himself is the supreme Doer. As per ones own
understanding / capability, everybody describes the quality and praise
shaped ordains of Almighty but, despite effort done at great length, the
complete description eludes everyone. This is so because the whole
universe is progressing in accordance with His wishes.
When a person, through application of his physical / mental
faculties, achieves something, his sense of Iness gets further
accentuated. He gets a feeling that the achievement is the result of
his own efforts. Guru Sahib states the truth that the whole world has
been created by Almighty and is perishable. Only He Himself is the
eternal Truth. Along with Him, His Name too is True. As per Guru
Sahib, one ought to say this with abundant love:
True Lord, True (His) Name,
(Have) said (with) emotional abundance.
Further Guru Sahib explains that it is Almighty Himself who fulfils
all the wishes of everybody. When Almighty Himself is the source of
fulfillment of wishes of everyone, then is it possible to please Him by
offering to Him any worldly present or gift? Without leaving any scope
for doubt, Guru Sahib has given the candid answer that getting up
early in the morning, reciting Divine Name and pondering over
Almightys praises is the way to earn His grace:
(At the) time (of) pre-dawn,
Ponder (on) True Name (and His) praises.
Rumination of Divine Name and recitation of Gurbani, with full
understanding of its meaning, is itself pondering over His praises.
Guru Sahib explains that The Almighty is to be praised, not with any
wish, but by being devoid of desires, because the resultant benefit /
salvation is to flow, not because of our efforts but due to Almightys
grace. Grace (gets us the) door (of) deliverance.
Guru Sahib clearly says that one must consider the whole worldly
creation as The Almighty personified:
Nanak (says) consider as (if),
(The) Truthful (Almighty) Himself (is) Everything.

When The Almighty Himself pervades the whole universe, then

praying of Him and helping the needy is His service that brings honour:
Those (who) serve, they get honoured.
Guru Sahib bids everyone to sing praises of Almighty who
Himself is the Fortune of all virtues:
Nanak (says),
Sing (of the) Treasure (of) excellence.
While singing, Guru Sahib lays extreme stress on the faculty of
listening and asks one to listen with the feeling of love and regard
filling the mind:
Sing, listen,
Filling (the) mind (with) feelings.
One is to sing and listen to the praises / virtues of the supreme Giver in
such a manner that He is never out of ones thought process, even for
a moment:
One (is the) Provider of all creatures,
Him I shall not forget.
One must try to live his life, being happy with and praising all
actions of Almighty. This is the only way to become eligible and
entitled to be liked by The Almighty. All human efforts need to be
directed towards this aim:
(Its) bath (at) pilgrimage,
If (Im) liked (by The) Almighty,
Without (His getting) pleased,
Whats (the point of) taking (such) baths.
Individuals wishes or desires are not of much consequence. Earning
grace of Almighty is what matters. This is the touchstone on which the
success or failure of ones life is to be decided:
If Almightys benevolence (is) not earned,
Then no one cares,
(or) bothers (for such a person).
When one traverses this path stated in Gurbani and lives his life
in conformity with the teachings contained therein, The Almighty
showers His grace. Qualities of Almighty Himself are then engrained in
the human beings so graced.
Counting the innumerable benefits of the path of Divine Name
and Almightys praise, Guru Sahib explains that it brings fearlessness
of physical death, removal of ailments and sins, enlightenment as well
as all other good qualities and happiness. Guru Sahib explains that
listening to the truth of Almightys existence and living as per His

ordains, develop ones love for Almighty, bring enlightenment about

the reality of worldly creation, one is not subjected to control of the
Lord of Death, there are no obstacles in ones life and one achieves
salvation without getting lost on the way. Repeatedly laying stress on
the faculty of listening, Guru Sahib clarifies that through this, one can
attain the position of ever happiness where mind is in a happy
disposition. Nanak (says) devotees (are) ever (in) bliss. This is the
normal and natural state of mind.
A forceful belief in the existence of Almighty and unending
trueness of the Divine Name must always be maintained. Guru Sahib
narrates the fact that one who is able to develop this firm belief is in a
state, which can not be explained. (The) state of (perfect) believer
cant be described. One must therefore accept the truth of Almightys
existence without harbouring any doubt. Guru Sahib has also clarified
that rumination of the Divine Name shall manifest its fruition only
when one unconditionally submits / accedes to the supreme power of
The Almighty in all spheres from the core of his heart:
Such is (the Divine) Name,
(Of the) Blemishless (Almighty).
If one consciously accepts (His will),
(From the core of) his (subconscious) mind.
Code of conduct of saints is the ever-remembrance of Almighty.
One should learn to observe that by whom and where are the feelings
through the five senses ultimately unified within him. If he wishes to
succeed in life then this very methodology is required to be adopted by
him:
Technique of saints (is to),
Concentrate (on) One (Almighty).
Saints, in this manner, become familiar with the goings on of the entire
Universe.
They come to realize and acknowledge the unending
vastness of this worldly creation. While accepting this, to move
towards the position of ever joy is the correct path of human life. Guru
Sahib also states that simultaneously, every ordain of Almighty must
be praised.
Whatever You (do in) pleasure,
That (is) good act.
Guru Sahib also states that one needs to constantly bear in mind the
fact that in this whole worldly creation none else but The Almighty is
the everlasting Entity:
You exist forever,
(O) Formless (One).

This Earth along with all its fauna and flora, Moon, Sun, stars
rather the whole universe is held in place by or is moving with which
power? Answering this question at the time when nobody had any
plausible explanation and it was believed that Earth is stationed on the
horns of a bull, Guru Sahib declared that it is the power of the Divine
laws framed by The Almighty that holds them in place. These very
divine laws, according to which the whole creation moves on, form the
path of spirituality.
For a human being, under all circumstances, retaining
remembrance of The Almighty in all his thoughts, developing an
irresistible urge to come face to face with Almighty and praising His
every action is the true path of spirituality.
It is not possible for the man to fully understand or have
perception of complete creation of The Almighty.
It is endless,
unexplainable and unfathomable.
The empowerment to ruminate the Divine Name of the Creator of
this universe and to narrate His praises comes from the Divine writs of
Almighty Himself as per His Own pleasure. Such empowering Divine
writs allow a person to describe many things. Amongst them are the
Divine Name, His praises, knowledge, hymns, virtues etc. However
one can not totally describe the Creator Himself. Almighty is allpowerful and is not answerable to anyone else. Guru Sahib explains
that creation of this world has been undertaken by Almighty by
manifesting His Own Self. Thus The Almighty Himself is pervading in it.
Every creation (is) Thy Name. Without Name, there (is) no place.
Instead of getting attracted towards creations of the supreme
Creator, developing attraction towards the Divine Name of the Creator
Himself brings clarity of mind. If ignoring this path, one acts as per
directions of his own mind, he walks away from spiritual path, on the
path of sin. To get rid of the load of sins, one must base the support
for his life on the Divine Name of The Almighty:
(If) mind (gets) polluted, (by) company of sins.
It (can be) cleansed (by getting oneself),
Coloured with (Divine) Name.
Guru Sahib mentions that pious deeds and sins are not empty
words but reality of life. Pious, sinners (are) not (mere) sayings. One
must, therefore, seriously attempt to refrain from wrong doings and
live a righteous life. All the actions shall be recorded and one will have
to account for them. Do your actions, carry them along. (As) you sow,
(so you) yourself reap. Pointing towards freedom from this circle of
doing actions and reaping the results, Guru Sahib directs everyone to
listen to the Divine Name and accept His ordains with feelings of love,
respect, regard and affection filling our mind:

Heard, accepted, (with) mind full (of) feelings.

By living a life, ruminating the Divine Name in this manner, one
can attain a stage where the benefits of visits to holy places can be
derived from within oneself. Inner self (equals) prolonged baths (at)
holy-places. Thus one is required to keep His remembrance in the
mind all the time. One is to chant His Name, sing His praises, but it is
also to be remembered that it is The Almighty Himself who makes one
pray. All virtues (are) Yours, I dont (have) any. Without (Your) giving
(the) virtues, prayer (is) not possible. It is necessary to say this so
that while ruminating Name, reciting daily prayers and doing righteous
actions, the mind may not, through an illusion, become a victim of
Iness, thinking that by ones own efforts everything can be achieved.
Explaining the worthlessness of the mundane pursuits of the
material world, Guru Sahib states that in The Almightys court, even
the kingdoms extending beyond oceans and mountain-loads of worldly
riches pale away in comparison to the ant that carries Almightys Name
in its heart. (Rule of) emperors, kings (beyond) seas, (with) money /
wealth equaling mountains. Does not equal (an) ant, if (its) mind
doesnt forget (The) Almighty. It is also true that it is not possible for a
man to fully understand The Almighty. The ultimate freedom can only
come through His grace. Shackles removal happens (by) ordain.
About the demands made from Almighty while praying of Him,
Guru Sahib explains that Almighty is Himself fully in the know of
everyones requirements all the time. He also fulfils ones needs
accordingly. (He) Himself knows, Himself provides. Hence no demands
need to be made from Him. But it is a rare person who understands
and says this. Sayeth thus still (a) rare person. Therefore instead of
asking for more alms from The Almighty one should be ever thankful
for what he already has. As per Guru Sahib, if at all something is to be
asked for, it should be the ability to praise Him, because it is this gift
that is equivalent to the big empires of the emperors. To whom
(Almighty) grants, (power of) praise (and) appreciation. (He, says)
Nanak, (is) emperor (of) emperors.
Praises of the endless, unexplainable and all-powerful Almighty
are invaluable. The whole universe is engaged in singing His paeans
all the time. Restraining from saying anything in contradiction of Him,
Guru Sahib comments that in doing so one shall be ranked as silliest of
the silly. If one speaks (any) word, twisting (the facts). Consider him,
(a) big fool (amongst) fools. Guru Sahib exhorts everyone to make
serious effort to live his life as per ordains of the ever true Creator of
this whole universe, Whose praises are being sung by the total creation
as per His Own decree:
Almighty (is the) Emperor,
(Of) kings (and) emperors.

Nanak (says) remain (under His) orders.

Guru Sahib clarifies that this materialistic world is a deceptive
creation of celestial origin but at the same time instructs that it is not
to be renounced in the physical sense, in the manner as is being done
by ascetics, the so called saints. Instead of only acquiring the physical
attributes of an ascetic viz. ear-rings, begging bowl and bag, ash on
forehead and body, bundle of clothes, yogic techniques and stick used
as arm-rest, what is required is a life full of contentment, hard labour,
meditation, remembrance of death, body free of vices and unfaltering
faith, respectively:
Contentment (be the) ear-rings,
(Hard) labour (be the begging) bowl (and) bag,
Of meditation be (the) ash.
Bundle (of clothes be,
The remembrance of) death,
Vice-free body (be the yogic) technique,
(Complete) faith (be the arm-rest) stick.
One who considers all humans as his fellow beings and maintains
control over his mind, easily wins the battle of life:
All humans (are) colleagues (of) faith,
Win (over) mind (leads to) win (over) world.
This is what everyone has to attempt. Guru Sahib pronounces that the
aim of human life is to always feel obliged to Almighty and bow in
reverence to Him. He should be saluted as many times as possible:
Obeisance (unto The) Almighty,
(And) obeisance (once again).
In order to reach the door of salvation, the food that an ascetic
ought to seek is that of Divine knowledge for enlightenment. He
should also exhibit the feeling of compassion towards everyone else:
(Let Divine) knowledge (be the) ration,
Compassion (be the) storekeeper,
(Ethereal) music (shall) ring (in) each heart.
It is Almighty Who writes future of everyone, is Omni-present,
takes care of all, renders true justice to all and carries on the goings on
of the world. Guru Sahib prescribes the path of ruminating Almightys
Divine Name all the time without any desire of getting anything in
return. It is not proper to harbour any wish for supernatural powers.
This perishable materialistic world has been created by The Almighty
and He Himself controls it. Also He Himself pervades in the whole
creation.
Guru Sahib pronounces that if one tongue gets converted to
hundred thousand tongues or even two million tongues, still ruminating

His Name a hundred thousand times from each tongue would be the
technique of proceeding on the path of spirituality with head held high:
If one tongue becomes hundred-thousand,
Hundred-thousand become twenty hundred-thousand.
Utter hundred-thousand times (from) each,
One Name (of the) Lord (of Universe).
This way ascend stairs (of this path,
With) reputation (and) be graced.
Guru Sahib again reminds that howsoever hard one may try, but
the rumination of the Divine Name can be undertaken by him only on
Almightys grace being showered on him and all other talks are mere
great lies. Nanak (says, by) grace (we) get (this and all else is) liars
big lie.
On spiritual path, by Gurus grace, in the first stage man
understands that he has taken birth in this world for a specific purpose
and it is only through performance of that purpose that he will be
honoured before Almighty. In the second stage, through knowledge
and application of analysis, he is freed from false notions and gets an
insight that the creation of Almighty is endless. The joy that he derives
from the enhancement of his understanding is much greater than the
enjoyments one gets out of possession and consumption of worldly
matter. In the third stage of the spiritual path man through hard
labour, living as per Gurus directions, gets superior consciousness and
knowledge and is mentally awakened. The penultimate stage is that of
freedom from vices, seeing Almighty everywhere, continuously
remembering Him, always being in His presence and being ever
joyous. The fifth or the last stage on the path of spirituality is, by the
grace of Almighty, losing ones individual identity by being one with
Him or merging with the light-form Almighty. Guru Sahib explains that
full appreciation of these stages can be had only on attaining them,
their details can not be fully explained and to describe them is an
extremely difficult task.
Finally before concluding, talking about the path of the high
stage in which the Gurbani has been rendered, Guru Nanak Dev Ji gives
guidance by summarizing the prescribed way of life. Making allegory
to the melting of gold by a goldsmith, for jewellery making, Guru Sahib
propels everyone to inculcate the qualities of good character, patience,
reasoning, knowledge, fear of Almighty, hard labour and love. These
characteristics are pre-requisite for passing the test of spiritual way of
life which is the ultimate objective of human life:
(Let impeccable) character (be the) furnace,
Patience (the) goldsmith.
Reason (be the) anvil,
Knowledge (be the) tools.

Fear (of God be the) bellow,

Doing penance (be the) fire.
(The) pot (be of) love,
Nectar (be) melted therein.
(Thus) create Word (in such a) true mint.
(Creation of Word means rumination of Almightys Name in a manner and to
an extent whereby it gets converted into a virtual reality.)

At the same time, in order to strengthen the belief in Almightys

graciousness and to develop and maintain humility in oneself, Guru
Sahib asks one to remember that only that person can acquire these
qualities who has been blessed by The Almighty. Those (who are)
graced by (Almightys) benevolence, their (are these) acts.
Lastly Guru Nanak Dev Ji has once again very clearly and
unambiguously stated that effort of only those who ruminate the
Divine Name can be successful. It is only their life that can be
meaningful:
Those (who) ruminated Name,
Have succeeded (in their) effort.
Only those who tread on the path revealed by Guru Sahib are
honoured in the court of Almighty. They are hallowed and are also the
medium of salvation for those coming into contact with them. Nanak
(says) their faces shine, (they) along with (themselves also get) others
liberated.
In the end it can be said that Japji Sahib helps us in
understanding the very purpose of human life. It explains the specific
acts to be performed in life and the manner in which they are to be
performed for achieving the laid down objective. There cant be a
simpler version of why and how of human life than the one detailed in
Japji Sahib. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jis rendering of Japji Sahib is a service
to mankind to which it is very difficult to find another equal.
Narendrapal Singh Dhillon
[email protected]