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An Introduction To Japji Sahib (Part 1 out 3)
A lot of books are written by various writers on JAPJI Sahib in Punjabi as well in English but I feel that due to its compact language, it is highly difficult to come up with perfect interpretation. Always some thing is left out. Fifth Nanak while compiling Guru Granth Sahib Ji, gave it a primary place. Even before, Jap Ji was revered to the highest. I do think there was a fundamental reason behind that. Japji Sahib is also interpreted further by Guru Sahiban in various Shabad. Bearing only those interpretations in mind, I shall try to introduce Japji Sahib to our readers with its dominating logical idea.
By the time Satguru came on the stage of this world, people of various religions in India were enveloped with duality and their faiths were reduced to ritualism. Concept of God was confusing and was taken as a tool of trade either to govern or to make financial gains. Major religions were Hinduism and Islam in those days. Believers of Islam were in ruling class and would malign other’s faiths. Believers of the later were in service category and had turned hypocrites. No real logical way was in sight. That was the other reason Bhai Gurdas, a Sikh intellectual compared “coming of Satguru” to a risen sun which dispels mist away. Satguru’s coming was itself a miracle so to speak because the truth was taken over by false religious practices in those times. Muslims claimed (though they believed in monotheism) only Islam was real religion; most of the killings were triggered by that kind of a theory prevailed in Islam. It advocated conversion by force in pursuit of achieving lofty prizes even after life. Hinduism advocated ritualism to have good fruits by worshipping various known deities of various gods. Literally it was a trade affair. Some others would go to extreme practice of abandoning the society or going through harsh physical punishment which was also product of ego. In imaginative Puratan Sakhi it is stated that Satguru Nanak was asked by The Almighty to make NAAM an occupation. Actually this kind of reference is available in Satguru’s Majh Ki VaarPaur 27 too. So Satguru took the job and performed well; Japji is a testimony to that. First of all when surroundings are infested with illusions, they must be cleaned up. In Japji Sahib lies a logical answer to all illusions and delusions. Actually a systematic cleaning is done in the field of spirituality. Dust is needed to be settled to see the vision. The very first word Satguru uses is “Ikk Onkaar” stressing on logical aspects of monotheism and disregarding theistic ideology. He then goes on defining the word to dispel other misconceptions around HIM. The powerful word Satguru have used in that regard is Satnaam, it is used as a reference to HIS existence to be a reality not a myth. And there is One Creator of all whom some see and some cannot. Favoritism attached to the Creator is disregarded completely by honouring Him with these words” beyond fear and animosity”. Who HE should fear? He is the creator. Why should HE do favoritism or enmity, all are HIS creation and whatever way they live is also under HIS command. After making clear the nature of Creator, Patshah takes on another trading practice of those times; people would establish and make their own gods. Saying no to it, Sahib says that the Creator is beyond death and birth and He is self luminous, He cannot be established or made up to worship. Logically when you talk about such power, how short cut can be logical and fruitful. If He is like that how could He be known, the question comes to mind automatically. Very certain reply follows, with the grace of a Guru who has experienced Him ( GGS Ji page311). This interpretation of The infinite is also known as Moolmantra which is interpreted by Saguru Sahiban in various Shabad in detail.(GGS Ji Sarg M1 1232, Bilawal M-1. There are many examples of it in GGS Ji)
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/gurmat-vichaar/20230-an-introduction-to-jap-ji-sahib.html
Strayed must know that the Only One was actually there in the beginning, before all ages began, is now and the Eternal will remain forever. Avalanche of superstitions and fabricated theories to create illusions and delusions was stopped with logic by Satguru through Japji. Satguru questions how cleaning is possible logically by just bathing and doing other prevailed practices? Questioning continues. How sitting in meditation can lead us to HIM since in silence the tongue rests but doesn’t affect the uncontrollable mind. How hunger of knowing HIM can be satisfied while boundless desires are in power. Why after having a lot, a desire to get more grows stronger and stronger? Well then what is the way to get out of the falsehood we are enveloped in? Here lies a dominating idea about our separation from the Creator. The falsehood that blocks us from realizing Him is beautifully expressed in Ram Kli Mehla 1 page 877 GGSJi. Here in this context, Sahib echoes the question and then answers that without understanding His way of Command, one is doomed to suffer .His command must be understood and lived by it. Systematically Satguru guides readers to understand HIS command by telling that every thing seen or not by the naked eye, is created as per HIS ordinance. Good or bad, honoured or disgraced, high or low, one with stilled mind or in frustration, all are under HIS binding. No one is above His Command.(1-2)
Satguru starts telling about His creation by stating how people behave, how they are in good or bad deeds, how they have different ways of doing HIS praise and different ways of living. In reality, all are acting as per His Will.. By just understanding HIS vast command one enables oneself to eliminate ego. Curiosity and fear inspire people to look towards HIM and people start praising Him defining Him as per their limited knowledge.(3) Advice follows to contemplate on Him in the early morning when mind hasn’t experienced world of Maya. That way, a state of falling in love with Him is created.. Satguru asks us not to ever forget Him. While living in this world which is controlled dominantly by Maya and its illusion, why to do things which are not accepted by the Immaculate? ( 6) To do the right thing, it is advised to surrender unconditionally to Guru and follow him.. It doesn’t matter how big name one earns, or powerful one becomes in this world but is worthless at His door if one remains devoid of love for Him (7) Satguru states as His infinity is made clear then why to practice duality and petty rituals. His powerful love dispels falseness, enlightens the mind, turns mind to be knowledge about HIM. Living while being involved in Him, truth becomes a part of life and contentment glows within. Disregarding all other established gods, only Attributive One should be contemplated. Why to waste time in trying to explain the Inexpressible (3), just get tuned to Him. Reverence and devotion towards Him should be made a basic rule of living since by doing so duality and illusions are eliminated forever (12). Without love and respect there is no faith because without love and respect, faith becomes conditional behaviour. So devoid of love and respect for Almighty nothing blossoms in the heart; and Maya keeps its control on mind All this is covered up to Puri 15 of Jap Ji
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=20230
PS This is not an interpretation of Jap Ji Sahib…Continued. Sorry if any mistake is occured
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