Concept Of Naam In Sikhi

CONCEPT OF NAM IN Sikhi
According to Gurmat (Guru's teaching), before the creation, God lived Absolutely by Himself, Formless. When He made Himself manifest, He first formed Himself into NAM (Divine Name) and then created Nature. After creating Nature, He did not go away from it, rather He sustained His creation with His Own presence into it, and felt delighted.

• "Aapinai aap sajio aapinai rachio Nao
  Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/gurmat-vichaar/15726-concept-of-naam-in-sikhi.html
  Dui kudrat sajiai kar asan ditho chao."
  (Asa Mohalla 1- pauri 1, p-463)
  "God created Himself and assumed Name
  Second besides Himself He created Nature
  Seated in Nature He watches with delight what He creates."
  (Translation of the above)

NAM (Divine Name) and God are not two different entities. Nam is just another aspect of the Almighty, still Formless. Nam is the total expression of all that God is. Nam sustains everything:

• "Nam sustains and controls all beings
  Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15726
  Nam supports the universe and its regions."
  (Gauri Sukhmani Mohalla 5, 16-5, p-284)

Nam is not expressed as mere noun and it does not mean that there is a special name of God and by enchanting of which, one will meet Him. He is Infinite and can be called with infinite names, but who can count His infinite names? The enlightened and the blessed ones remember Him through His Attributes:

• "Tav sarb nam kathai kavan
  Karm nam barnat sumat."
  (Guru Gobind Singh- Jap Sahib)

God may be called by countless names by the devotees, who create these names according to the attributes of their Godhead, but the first and the foremost name of God is clearly depicted as 'SAT' (Eternal Truth) which shows the ever-existence of God:

• "Kirtam nam kathai terei jihba
  Satnam tera pra purbla."
  (Maru Mohalla 5, p-1083)

The word NAM is a mystic Word used in practical religious life and in discipline of meditation. God is remembered by His attributive names. There is another aspect of it called true Name which emanates from a prophet's personal experience. It emerges from a vision that the Prophet has of the Divine Being. Such a mystic Word in Sikh religion is called 'Waheguru' or Wonderful God or 'Thou art Wonderful'. True Name is not the word by which we describe an object, but the total power, quality and character of Reality. Through the word 'Waheguru' the prophet has tried to sum up mystic power and experience of His presence all around. Prophets have given us Divine Names of the nameless God, which reflect His presence in our consciousness. Contemplation or meditation on true Name (Waheguru) is called practicing the presence of God in one's conscious.

• Gurbani is Nam: "Gurmukh bani Nam hai.."
  (Sarang ki Var-pauri, p-1239)
  Gurbani is Guru: "Bani Guru, Guru hai Bani..."
  (Nat Mohalla 4, p-982)
  Gurbani is Nirankar:"Wauh wauh bani nirankar hai Tis jiwad avar na koi."
  (Slok Mohalla 3, p-515)
  'Wauh wauh Bani is the Formless One
  There is none as great as He."
  (Translation of the above)
  Gurbani is every Nad and Ved:
  "Sabh nad beid gurbani Man rata sarang pani."
  (Ramkli Mohalla 1, p-879)

It is, therefore, Nam that ultimately leads a person to Eternal Bliss. For God consciousness, one must come in contact with Nam, but without Guru one cannot attain Nam and would wander away in the darkness.

 
Do share your immediate thoughts or reactions on this issue? We value your views! Login Now! or Sign Up Today! to share your views with us.. Gurfateh!

Respected Gogi Ji,

most welcome to the forum.

Naam Niranjan......

AMg 3

ang 3

Page 3

mMny kI giq khI n jwie ]

munnae kee gath kehee n jaae

The state of the faithful cannot be described.

jy ko khY ipCY pCuqwie ]

jae ko kehai pishai pushuthaae

One who tries to describe this shall regret the attempt.

kwgid klm n ilKxhwru ]

kaagadh kulum n likhunehaar

No paper, no pen, no scribe

mMny kw bih krin vIcwru ]

munnae kaa behi kuran veechaar

can record the state of the faithful.

AYsw nwmu inrMjnu hoie ]

aisaa naam nirunjun hoe

Such is the Name of the Immaculate Lord.

jy ko mMin jwxY min koie ]12]

jae ko munn jaanai man koe

Only one who has faith comes to know such a state of mind. ||12||

source of gurbani transliteration:SikhiToTheMax




A Sikh must read Gurbani attentively and follow Guru Ji's word ........

LET US ALL LIVE THE TRUTH TRUTHFULLY.
Dhan Dhan Siri Guru Granth Sahib ji
Dhan Dhan Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

humbly asking for everybody's forgiveness

Thanks Surinder ji
For your nice comments. Yes, agreed one should always read gurbani carefully and also carry on Naam Jaap as well. It may sound a personal question. Kindly ignore if it goes beyond the comfort zone. Since when or for how long have you been reading/studying Gurbani. I am a nimana only.Would you kindly let me know the site from which you have down loaded the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The font and presentation is very nice.

Respected Gogi Ji,

i dont remember Ji.....

humbly asking for everybody's forgiveness.

Respected Surinder ji,
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15726


AkQ kQw vIcwr kY ausqq inµdw vrj rhwey]
The Sikhs ponder on the words of the Ineffable, and abstain from praise and blame.[6-10-4]


I was going thru. 'Varan' and the above appeared at 'Vaar' no.6 paudi 10. Could you kindly let me have the meaning of the above line.I shall be grateful. Have a nice day.

Wonderful topic "Gogi" ji.

I was reading this Gurbani post the other day from sikhlionz site:


" Waheguru's Naam is everything. It is the root of all occurrences, of all creations. Those whose minds resonate with a universal outlook come to receive this vibration of Naam. Such an experience is overwhelming for the devotee, and being overwhelmed is simply indicative of the power of Naam. It is priceless.

hir hir nwmu Amolw ]
The Name of the Lord, Har, Har, is priceless.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15726

The nature of Naam is to bless the devotee with sehaj, comfort, satisfaction, and acceptance of His Will.

Ehu shij suhylw ]1]
It brings peace and poise. ||1||

Naam is to remember, to contemplate upon the Supreme Master. Naam is the force which resides within Shabad Guru. To connect with Shabad is to experience Naam. The Guru goes on to say,

sMig shweI Coif n jweI Ehu Agh Aqolw ]1]
The Lord is my Companion and Helper; He shall not forsake me or leave me. He is unfathomable and unequalled. ||1||

As long as we are devoted towards His Remembrance, His Protective Shield of Naam will surround us. Within this circular shield resides the wisdom of Shabad. Such wisdom, when accepted by a devotee, guides us through life. It becomes much like our companion, sMig. Much like a helper, shweI. He does not forsake those whose devotion is filled with love.

Coif n jweI

Naam is always present, always there. This force is everywhere. There is not a place in this universe where Naam does not pervade. In this regard, the Guru says,

Ehu Agh Aqolw

Indeed God is unfathomable, unweighable, and unconquerable. The Guru goes on to say,

pRIqmu BweI bwpu moro mweI Bgqn kw El@w ]2]
He is my Beloved, my brother, father and mother; He is the Support of His devotees. ||2||

For some He is a Friend, for others a Brother. To some He becomes a Father, a Mother. Yet, for others, He provides as a Source of Shelter. Indeed this line indicates that Waheguru has many forms, many relations. Such a Wondrous Lord who can relate to everyone. Unlike us, He has no limits. He is not bound by relationships. He has no prejudices. He does not reject. He is totally accepting. Finally, the Guru says,
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15726

AlKu lKwieAw gur qy pwieAw nwnk iehu hir kw col@w ]3]5]145]
The Invisible Lord is seen through the Guru; O Nanak, this is the wondrous play of the Lord. ||3||5||145||

Shabad is the light which allows us to see and experience the invisible Lord. The journey of this life is indeed an unpredictable one. One, which can only be predicted by Waheguru. Being unpredictable is exactly why it is wondrous and amazing how Waheguru plays with the universe.

by sikhitothemax and humble kaur "

• Thanks friend for your beautiful response.
  
  
  1. Gurbani (Divine Word) itself is NAM.
  
  2.Gurbani itself is Nam:
  "Gurmukh bani nam hai, nam ridai vasaie."
  (Sarang ki Var-pauri, p-1239)
  
  
  3.Gurbani invokes one's consciousness to the maximum level, into the presence of God:
  
  "Har kirat utam Nam hai vich kaljug karni sar."
  (Kanre ki Var Mohalla 4, p-1314)
  
  
  The Gurmat explains that the recitation of the word 'Har Har..' is Nam Japna:
  
  "Har har har har nam hai gurmukh pavai koei."
  (Kanre ki Var Mohalla 4, p-1313)
  
  4.Salvation cannot be attained without Nam. In other words anything that delivers salvation is Nam. Since Gurbani delivers salvation, therefore, Gurbani is Nam:
  
  "Sachi bani mithi amritdhar
  Jinh piti tis mokhdwar."
  (Malar Mohalla 1, p-1275)
  'The True Bani is sweet-nectar
  Whosoever is devoted to it, attaineth salvation."
  Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15726
  (Translation of the above)
  
  "Sachi bani sion dhare piyar
  Tako pavai mokhdwar."
  (Dhanasari Mohalla 1, p-661)
  'Whosoever devoted to Eternal Bani
  Will get deliverance."
  (Translation of the above)

It is therefore, very clear and evident that any form of recitation of Gurbani, may be simple reading with attention and devotion or meditation on any Sabad of Gurbani or Kirtan of Gurbani, is fully deemed as Nam Japna (meditation on Nam), that is to invoke the presence of God in one's conscious.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15726

It may be mentioned here that there are small sects who mislead the innocent Sikhs on the subject of Gurbani and Nam. These sect leaders very emphatically say to the innocent Sikhs," Gurbani says that one must meditate on Nam, but Gurbani is not Nam. Come on, we will give you Nam." Then they whisper in their ears some broken sentence of Gurbani which they call Nam, and warn them not to tell any one; if ever they disclose this Nam to any one, some curse will fall on them. In this way they run their cults (shops). Thus, innocent Sikhs and others are lured and misled into their fold.


One can eulogise Naam To any extent but will fall short of Words.Thanks again for taking out your time and telling us nice things.

Nam and Salvation

In order to attain salvation one must live a honest life and meditate on God. Sikhism shows the way to attain salvation and become One with God. Sikhism instructs that you do not have to fast, abstain, go on renunciation or enter a monastery in order to meet God. All you have to do is have faith, recite the Name of God and remember Him for each possible moment. Guru Ji themselves got married and lived a family life and showed everyone that you can meet God while living a family life. Furthermore, Guru Ji said that your mind has to be detached from this world, you have to look this world as a temporary place, you will not be here forever, one day you will have to die. What you do while you are alive is critical, so make your decisions wisely. Furthermore, you do not have to detach yourself from this world physically, you can lead a normal family life and still be able to meet God.

The life to lead in order to attain salvation is clearly explained by Ninth Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur Ji in his sloks (name of a part of scripture). It is translated and summarized as follows:

Mortals are attached to this fake world and are not detached from it even for a moment. Your wealth, your spouse and everything you posses, which you think as of your own, Nanak says, the truth is that none of them shall go along with you at the time of your death. Mortal view this world as his own, but nothing here belongs to him. Mortal’s consciousness dwindles all the time because of money and among millions is one, who actually remembers God. Mortal have not enchanted the praises of Lord and have wasted all of his life. Mortals do not remember the name of Lord, and are completely drenched in money. All naïve and foolish mortals are worried about money. Nanak says, without reciting the name of Lord, this life is useless. Without reciting the name of Lord, you shall be caught in the cycle of birth and death again. For the one who does not recite the name of Lord, the use of his body is no greater than that of any animal that walks on this earth. Nanak says, everything is useless without reciting the name of Lord.

The one who goes to pilgrimages, sustain fast, make donations and by doing so take pride in his mind. His actions are like of an elephant that takes bath in the river and rolls in mud. Mortals are made of flesh and blood and consider themselves intelligent and clever. Mortals are very proud of their body; it all perishes in an instant. Nanak says, the mortals who have recited upon the Name of Lord wins upon this world.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15726

Be aware of three phases of life, childhood, youth and old age. Youth passes away in no time and you shall attain an old body. Mortal wished never to die but death came upon him. Mortal plotted to deceive it but death stood on his very own threshold.

Nothing comes in mind when you are old and death stand at your threshold. Mortals did not do what they were suppose to, and remained entangled in greed. Says Nanak, all the time has passed away, mortal did not worship God, then and why is he crying now? Mortal have not loved the One who gave him the body and wealth.

Mortal’s head shakes, feet stagger, and eyes become dull and weak. Nanak says, this is the condition mortals face, and why still they do not recite the Name of Lord? Nanak Says, O my naïve friend, when death is near you, you shake and tremble helplessly. Have you recited the Name of Lord, you would not have feared death.

Nanak says, human body is hard to attain, do not waste it. Mortals have numerous friends in good time and none in bad. Nanak says, tell your conscience to recite the Name of Lord, and He shall be your companion in the end (at the time of death).

God has given you body, wealth, peace, and house to live. Nanak says, why don’t you recite the name of Lord? Lord is the only giver of peace and happiness, and there is none else. God is the savior of sinners. He is the destroyer of fear, eradicator of evil-mindedness and the protector of every orphan. Nanak says, He always resides near you, make an attempt to know Him. Immerse your mind in Him, just like the fish in the water and you shall not be caught in the cycle of birth and death again. Always recite the One, by reciting whom you attain salvation. And salvation is attained only by reciting the name of God. Your dignity lies in merging in the one whom you originated from. Nanak says, tell your conscience to recite the name of Lord, and you shall be able to meet Him.

The one who is not affected by happiness, pain, greed, emotional attachment and egotistical pride. The one who is beyond praise and slander, and treats iron and gold alike. The one who is not touched by pain or pleasure, and treats his friends and enemies alike. The one who does not terrorize anyone and neither is afraid of anybody. The one who leaves all the materialistic things, renounces wealth and have detached himself from this world. The one who recites the name of God day and night, Nanak says, that person is the one who knows what is salvation, that person becomes spiritually aware, that is the person whose future is bright and that person becomes the image of Lord. The truth is that by become the image of Lord it means that there remains no difference between God and that individual. Just like a drop of water merges in the ocean.

Mortals have wandered lost and confused through countless lifetimes and yet they have not overcome the fear of death. Nanak says, tell your conscience, reciting the name of Lord, and you shall merge in the fearless Lord.

All mortals in this whole world roam around like beggar; Lord is the giver of all. Nanak says, by reciting Him in the heart, all work comes to completeness. The ones who always long happiness should start reciting the name of Lord. Tell you tongue to recite the Name of Lord and tell your ears to hear the Name of Lord. Says Nanak, tell your conscience if you do so, you shall not be caught in the cycle of birth and death ever.

Consider this world just like a dream. Nothing here is true besides God. Says Nanak, tell your conscience that all mortals are created in this world just like ripples on the water, who comes in existence and fade away all the time. Nanak says, nothing in this world is yours.

You should be worried if death was to wipe only you. But this is the condition everyone in this whole world has to face, no one is stable here. The one who has taken birth has to die; everyone has to perish. The world and its affairs are totally fake, be aware of this my friend. Just like a sand castle, this world will not last long. This world is like a dream, nothing lasts forever here. Nanak says, this is the time to sing praises of Lord and give up all entanglements. Nanak says, stable is the worshipper of God, enshrine this in your mind. Stable is the Name of Lord and stable is Lord. Says Nanak, rare are ones who have enchanted the praises of Lord.

Whenever a mortals who recites the name of Lord loses strength and is caught in worldly means and cannot do anything at all to save himself. He then asks God for help, God helps him with the strength which is greatest of all. Then he regains his strength and is able to do forsake this world. He knows that the almighty God is with him. Nanak says, everything is in the hand of God; He is the greatest savior and protector. Nanak has enshrine the Name of Lord in his heart and he says there is nothing else equivalent to it. Its His Name by reciting all the troubles disappear and Lord Himself come in appearance. According to Sikhism, how can one attain salvation? What kind of life one should lead to attain salvation?

gogi ji
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15726

This is very nice. Your writing is full of images that foster understanding.