In the Japuji Sahib, Guru Nanak, the esteemed first Sikh Guru, raises two profound questions: "How does one become a person of truth, and how can one shatter the barriers of falsehood?" The term "Japu" stems from "japna," which means recitation or meditation, and "Japuji Sahib" refers to the Sikh morning prayer, serving as the opening composition of the revered Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Nanak's inquiries delve into the very essence of leading a truthful life and overcoming the pervasive falsehood that surrounds us.
Elixir of life
Composed by Guru Nanak, Japuji Sahib is a sacred text in the Sikh faith, and it begins with the mool mantra, also known as the basic creed. This mantra beautifully encapsulates the attributes of the Supreme Being:
“There is only one God who is beyond time and beyond the circle of birth, death and rebirth. He, the Creator, is without fear and without hate. He is immortal, omniscient and omnipresent, self-existent, known by the grace of the Guru.”
According to Guru Nanak, living a truthful life requires pure actions, and spiritual success necessitates the suppression of one's ego through moral discipline and meditation. It also involves aligning one's life with hukam (the Divine order) and raza (the Divine will).
In essence, Japuji Sahib conveys the profound teachings of Guru Nanak, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness, humility, and adherence to the Divine will in leading a spiritually fulfilling life.
Understanding the hukam
Understanding the Guru's teachings can help one overcome their ego. The Guru outlines a three-fold path for realization: first, by listening to the Holy Name; second, by having unwavering faith in the Guru's teachings; and third, by implementing those teachings into daily life. These guidelines not only establish a code of ethics and conduct for an individual's well-being but also emphasize the importance of working for the welfare of society as a whole. This is evident even in the Sikh prayer, Ardas, which seeks the well-being of all humanity (Sarbat-da-bhala), as true worship of God is seen as serving His creation.
In the concluding part of Japuji Sahib, Guru Nanak mentions five stages of spiritual progress for a person seeking divinity. The journey begins in Dharam-Khand, the realm of duty, where one fulfils responsibilities towards oneself, family, community, and country. The foundation of this stage lies in maintaining purity of conduct.
Moving forward, the second stage is Gian-Khand, the realm of knowledge, where individuals recognize the vastness and diversity of God's creation. Here, they gain profound insights into the nature of existence.
Advancing further, the third stage is Saram-Khand, the region of toil and spiritual effort. Here, individuals strive to train their body and mind, developing spiritual qualities and understanding.
The next stage, Karam-Khand, is the realm of grace. It is marked by receiving Divine Grace, and through this, individuals become Gurmukh, inclined towards God rather than being self-centred.
In essence, these teachings encourage individuals to progress spiritually by fulfilling their duties, gaining knowledge, putting in the spiritual effort, and ultimately, surrendering to Divine Grace to develop a selfless connection with the divine.
The everlasting truth
Beyond the four regions mentioned earlier, there exists a place called Sach-Khand, the eternal Truth, where the Formless resides. Those devoted individuals now considered saints, live in harmony with the Almighty. Guru Nanak compares the spiritual growth of a devotee to the process of minting a flawless gold coin. To become a true person of God, one needs to possess qualities like self-control, patience, divine knowledge, wisdom, prayerfulness, simplicity, and love for the Divine Word.
The message of the Japuji is universal since it simply describes the nature of the Ultimate Reality and the way to comprehend it. The Sikhs always revere meditation and recitation of Bani as the Shabad.
Once, a yogi asked Guru Nanak, ‘Who is your Guru? Whose disciple are you?”. He replied,
"Shabda is my Guru, and the meditating mind the disciple/ By dwelling on Him I remain detached,/ Nanak, God, the cherisher of the world through the ages, is my Guru."
Guru Granth Sahib: The eternal Sikh Guru
Guru Gobind Singh declared the Sacred Granth to be the Guru in 1708. Since then, the Guru Granth Sahib has served as the exclusive source of spiritual guidance for Sikhs. Sikhs hold the Guru Granth Sahib in the highest esteem as their Sacred Guru and consider it to be the 11th Guru. This sacred scripture is not only a collection of spiritual writings but a living embodiment of divine wisdom and guidance for the Sikh community. It is revered as the eternal Guru, carrying the light of truth and enlightenment passed down from the ten human Gurus.
The Guru Granth Sahib serves as a source of inspiration, comfort, and direction for Sikhs in their daily lives, offering profound teachings on morality, spirituality, and the path to union with the Divine. With deep respect and devotion, Sikhs view the Guru Granth Sahib as their ultimate spiritual authority, a guide that leads them on the path of righteousness and selfless service.
*Based on an article by Kulbir Kaur, published in Times of India on 4th November 2008