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'''Jaap''' is the [[Bani]] uttered by [[Guru Gobind Singh]] ji, the Tenth [[Guru]], the Tenth [[Guru Nanak | Nanak]]. It is one of the [[5 Banis | Five Banis]] recited by the [[Panj Pyare]] while preparing [[Amrit]] on the occasion of [[Amrit Sanchaar]] (initiation), a ceremony held to admit initiates into the [[Khalsa]] Brotherhood. ''Jaap Sahib'' is Guru Gobind Singh’s tribute to 'TRUTH god' , wherein TRUTH god's magnanimity, implied in [[Japji Sahib]] and [[Guru Granth Sahib|Satgur Granth Sahib]], has been composed in ONE. It is the second Bani in the daily morning prayers of a Sikh. | '''Jaap''' is the [[Bani]] uttered by [[Guru Gobind Singh]] ji, the Tenth [[Guru]], the Tenth [[Guru Nanak | Nanak]]. It is one of the [[5 Banis | Five Banis]] recited by the [[Panj Pyare]] while preparing [[Amrit]] on the occasion of [[Amrit Sanchaar]] (initiation), a ceremony held to admit initiates into the [[Khalsa]] Brotherhood. ''Jaap Sahib'' is Guru Gobind Singh’s tribute to 'TRUTH god' , wherein TRUTH god's magnanimity, implied in [[Japji Sahib]] and [[Guru Granth Sahib|Satgur Granth Sahib]], has been composed in ONE. It is the second Bani in the daily morning prayers of a Sikh. | ||
This bani have the same place in Dasam Granth as Japji Sahib in | This bani have the same place in [[Dasam Granth]] as [[Japji Sahib]] in [[Guru Granth Sahib]]. [[Guru Gobind Singh]] was worshipper of one God(Akal) this is prooved by the first stanza of Jaap sahib. Guru Gobind Singh ji completed thyis bani before 1699, because this bani was recited during the installation of khalsa. Professor Sahib singh Says" That Guru Gobind SIngh went to Nahan in 1684 and lived there for approx. 3 years. During these three years guru Sahib might composed Jaap Sahib, Swaiyey & Akal Ustat. | ||
==Form== | ==Form== |
Revision as of 09:20, 1 March 2009
Jaap is the Bani uttered by Guru Gobind Singh ji, the Tenth Guru, the Tenth Nanak. It is one of the Five Banis recited by the Panj Pyare while preparing Amrit on the occasion of Amrit Sanchaar (initiation), a ceremony held to admit initiates into the Khalsa Brotherhood. Jaap Sahib is Guru Gobind Singh’s tribute to 'TRUTH god' , wherein TRUTH god's magnanimity, implied in Japji Sahib and Satgur Granth Sahib, has been composed in ONE. It is the second Bani in the daily morning prayers of a Sikh.
This bani have the same place in Dasam Granth as Japji Sahib in Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh was worshipper of one God(Akal) this is prooved by the first stanza of Jaap sahib. Guru Gobind Singh ji completed thyis bani before 1699, because this bani was recited during the installation of khalsa. Professor Sahib singh Says" That Guru Gobind SIngh went to Nahan in 1684 and lived there for approx. 3 years. During these three years guru Sahib might composed Jaap Sahib, Swaiyey & Akal Ustat.
Form
Jaap Sahib is made up of 199 verses and is the first Bani of the Dasam Granth (p.1-10). The Jaap Sahib begins with "Sri Mukhwakh Patshahi Dasvee," "By the holy mouth of the Tenth King." This appears to be a specific saying to authenticate the writings of Guru Gobind Singh himself.
Macauliffe says, "The Hindus have a work enitled Vishnu Sahasar Nam, 'Vishnu's Thousand Names.' The Jaapji was composed to supply the Sikhs with a similar number of epithets of the Creator." Jap is a Sanskrit word which means "to utter in a low voice, whisper, mutter (especially prayers or incantations); to invoke or call upon in a low voice." The form of the word here is Japu, which makes it a noun, meaning "meditation on nothing but TRUTH 'god'."
Language
The language of Jaap, is close to classical with words and compounds drawn from Sanskrit, Brij Bhasha, Arabic and Persian. The contents of Jaap Sahib, are divided into various Chhands bearing the name of the related meter according to the then prevalent system of prosody in India.
In most of the verses God is described in negative terms. As all these verses are in the form of rhymed couplets, the vocabularly and ingenuity of the poet are superb. The opening verse is typical:
"Thou hast no form or feature,
No caste or lineage;
None can describe Thy appearence,
Colour, mark or garb."
There is an all inclusiveness and universalism that keeps coming to the surface. "All" seems to be the key word as the poet breaks through to more positive description:
"Thou art the source of all light,
And the object of all praise;
Thou art the supreme Lord of all,
And the moon of the Universe."
-Verse 119
"Perfect is Thy discernment.
All turn to Thee for refuge.
Thou art the Great Companion;
Thou art the sure Providence."
-Verse 123
The fervour of the true Bhakta comes out in hailing the immortal as man's companion. Something of the devoutness of the Guru's nature comes to a climax in the concluding verse:
"Thou fillest and feedest the whole universe,
Thyself self-existent, auspicious and united with all.
Thou art the embodiment of mercy;
Thou art the deliverer from birth and death.
Thou art man's constant Companion.
Everlasting is Thy glory!"
Among the thousand names there are seventy-five Muslim names. Only a few of these, such as Rahim and Karim, Razakai (Nourisher), Aruv (Pardoner), and Salamai (Peaceful) are among the Muslim's ninety-nine names of Allah: but all the names used would be familiar to Punjabi Muslims. The Mohammadan tongue and ear would surely delight in Allah and Nirsharik; Karimur Rahim; Husnul Chirag, Garibun Niwaz; Kamal Karim; Rajak Rahim; Bahistun Niwas; and many such others.
Content
The immortal One is for Guru Gobind Singh sometimes the 'wholly Other,' far above human comprehension, before whom man can but bow again and again. As the suceeding waves of negative attributes roll on one may well wander how there can be any communication with this inscrutable Being. The answer is, of course, that He of his grace has offered companionship to man, so that man does not have to understand, but only to accept and adore. Sikhism offers a new path of salvation in addition to the traditional paths of knowledge, work and devotion - the path of the Name, Naam. Meditation on Name produces Wismad, wonder; and the object of such poetry as the Japp Sahib is the creation of the mood of asthetic ecstasy: Sher Singh in the Philosophy of Sikhism writes: "It is the poetry and the music of the contents of the Granth revealing simple and direct truths which charm a reader of Gurbani...and can bring peace to the soul." "It is the aesthetical insight leading man through appearence to reality." Meditation on the Name is fundamental to Sikhism, and so in this opening hymn of the Dasam Granth, men are given a thousand names on which to meditate.
Summary
Jaap Sahib is a rhythmic hymn composed like a necklace with pearls and gems beauteously arranged around a string: the string is the Supreme God; the pearls and gems are His attributes, excellences, and glories. The glories sung by Guru Sahib revolve around the following attributes of God:
- God is metaphysical , beyond time, Eternal, Unborn, Uncreated, Self-existant, and withour form, feature, colour or contour. Therefore, neither can He be described or depicted, nor can anyone make His image or idol.
- God is Universally Pervasive in His manifestations. He cannot be confined to any particular place, land, country, religion, race, garb, body or name.
- God is the Creator of the Universe and the laws governing it. Never can anyone outside the ambit of these laws nor can anyone have the power to oppose them. His Law and Justice is Righteous and Ultimate.
- God is pervasive in His Creation and also extends beyond it; He is thus Immanent in His Creation and at the same time Transcends it.
- God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient; nothing, whether good or evil, can happen outside of His Will; He is the Creator-Sustainer-Annuller of His Creation. He Himself is the Life of life, the Death of death. He Himself is the Darkness of darkness, the Light of light.
Related Articles
- Jaap Sahib in Gurmukhi - Beta Test
- Jaap Sahib in English
Audio Links
- JaapSahib.mp3 - Download 1.028M or Play 17.32 min
- Audio from www.Sikhnet.com
- Jaswant Singh Parwana - Jaap Sahib Viakhya
- Sant Singh Maskeen - Jaap Sahib Katha
- Darshan Singh (Dhakki Sahib Wale) - Taksali Nitnem - Jaap Sahib
- Jarnail Singh - Damdami Taksal Nitnem - Jaap Sahib
- Rajnarind Kaur - Bani Pro 1
- Sri Jap Sahib By Amrit Kaur Jullundhri and Giani Jiwan Singh Ex-IAF
Video
External Links
- English Translation of Jaap Sahib
- Read articles on Jaap Sahib and the Sri Dasam Granth
- Read Jaap Sahib Online
- Jaap Sahib in Gurmukhi, English and its Transliteration by Sikh Research and Education Center
- English Translation by www.GobindSadan.org
- Russian Translation by Gobindsadan
References
- Singh, Dr.Santokh (1990). English Transliteration and Interpretation of Nitnaym Baanees, Sikh Prayers for English Speaking Sikh Youth. Sikh Resource Centre. ISBN 1895471087.
Banis: | Jaap | Akal Ustat | Bachitar Natak | Chandi Charitar Ukat(i) Bilas | Chandi Charitar 2 | | Chandi di Var | Gyan Parbodh | Chobis Avatar | Brahm Avtar | Rudar Avtar | Shabad Hazarey | 33 Swaiyey | Swayyae| Shastar Nam Mala | Charitropakhyan | Zafarnama | Hikayats |
History: | Historical References · Guru Gobind Singh · Paonta Sahib · Bhai Mani Singh · Mata Sundri |
Philosphy: | Idol Worship · Pilgrimages · Chandi · Triya · Shastar · Waheguru |
Sikh Scholars About Dasam Bani: | Singh Sabha Lahore · Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha · Professor Sahib Singh · Bhai Veer Singh · Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale · Anti Dasam Bani Movement |