Understanding JapJi Sahib Pauri 8-11

Stanza IX

• By communion with the Word, one can attain the powers
  of Shiva, Brahma and Indra;
  By communion with the Word, one can win esteem from all
  irrespective of one's past;
  By communion with the Word, one can have yogic insight
  with the mysteries of life and self all revealed;
  By communion with the Word, one can acquire the true import
  of the Sastras,(1) Smritis(2) and Vedas;(3)
  O Nanak, His devotees live in perpetual ecstasy, for the Word
  washes away all sin and sorrow.

1. Sastras: The philosophical treatises of the Hindus.
2. Smritis: The ancient scriptures of the Hindus.
3. Vedas: The earliest books of human thought.


STANZA X

• By communion with the Word, one becomes the abode
  of Truth, contentment and true knowledge;
  By communion with the Word, one gets the fruit of ablution
  at sixty-eight pilgrimages;(l)
  By communion with the Word, one wins the honour of the learned;
  By communion with the Word, one attains the state of Sahaj;(2)
  O Nanak, His devotees live in perpetual ecstasy, for the Word
  washes away all sin and sorrow.

1. Ath-Sath: Literally these two words mean Eight and Sixty, i.e. sixty-eight. Nanak is once again making use of the Hindu belief that ablutions at sixty-eight places of pilgrimage bring purity from all sinful acts.

2. Sahaj: This term refers to the state when the turmoil of the physical, astral and causal worlds with all their enchanted panorama, are transcended and The Great Principle of life is seen within.


STANZA XI

• By communion with the Word, one becomes the abode of all virtues;
  By communion with the Word, one becomes a Sheikh, a Pir
  and a true spiritual king;
  By communion with the Word, the spiritually blind
  Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/jap-ji-sahib/15305-understanding-japji-sahib-pauri-8-11-a.html
  find their way to Realisation:
  By communion with the Word, one crosses beyond
  the Limitless Ocean of illusionary Matter;
  O Nanak, His devotees live in perpetual ecstasy, for the Word
  washes away all sin and sorrow.

Guru Nanak, having tried to describe the fruit of communion with the Word, in the preceding four stanzas, now goes on to tell about the state of one who has attuned his will with the Divine Will which cannot be described, as His Will is beyond description. The idea of the controlling power in this world may be said to be the Divine Will. God Himself is Formless, but He assumed Form, He became the Word or Naam. It was from this Word that the various planes of creation sprang into existence, one below the other. He who practices the Word, i.e. withdraws his soul from the body and lets it be drawn up by the power of the Divine Music of the Word, can progress from one spiritual plane to another, until he reaches the very Source and becomes one with it. As he proceeds on the journey, his mental and spiritual horizons widen. His soul is cleansed of its past sins and freed from the binding chains of "Karma". It thus transcends suffering and escapes from the wheel of transmigration. Once one has attained true salvation, one can help others on the Path as well. Great indeed is the Power of the Word.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15305
All this occupies stanzas XII to XV.


STANZA XII

• None can describe the condition of one who has made
  God's Will his own;
  Whoever tries to do so, must realise his folly.
  No supply of paper, pen or scribe can ever describe the state
  of such a one.
  O, great is the Power of the Word;
  But few there be that know it.

STANZA XIII

• By practice of the Word, one rises into universal consciousness
  and develops right understanding;
  By practice of the Word, one develops clairvoyance
  and transvision of the whole creation;
  By practice of the Word, one is freed from sorrow and suffering;
  By practice of the Word, one shall not go to Yama (1) after his death.
  0, great is the Power of the Word,
  But few there be that know it.

(1) Yama: it is known to the men who know of the world Beyond, that at the time of shaking off the mortal coil, souls are ushered into the other world by certain messengers who are the angels of Death (Yamduts). Sinners are badly treated by them, while the others are invariably led before Yama, the king of Death. But one who practises the Word escapes Yama altogether; for he is received at the Astral World by the Radiant Form of the Master and is escorted by Him to the spiritual planes.

STANZA XIV

• By practice of the Word, one speeds on to the
  Higher Spiritual Planes unhindered;
  By practice of the Word, one gets into the spiritual plane
  openly and honourably;
  By practice of the Word, one escapes the by-paths of Yama,
  the king of Death;
  By practice of the Word, one gets in close touch with the Truth.
  O, great is the Power of the Word,
  But few there be that know it.

STANZA XV

• By practice of the Word, one finally attains salvation;
  By practice of the Word, one leads one's kith and kin
  as well to freedom;
  By practice of the Word, one saves not only himself
  but when he becomes an Adept, many others whom he guides;
  By practice of the Word, one freed from desires, escapes from
  the wheel of transmigration.
  O, great is the Power of the Word,
  But few there be that know it.

 
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Begum ji

We are having a little conversation here. Remarkable isn't it that each pauree is built using the same poetric structure. Repitition of a phrase over an over moves the ear and mind forward to a beat, and at each line we are moved to the next and higher level of spiritual unfolding.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15305

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15305
The Japjui is so wonderful and Nanaak was so wise.

Respected Begum ji,
Very Many thanks for nice exposition.I shall be grateful for the reference that you may provide if you are using for the above stanzas. If it is your own production , It is simply marvellous.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15305

Regards.