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==Language==  
==Language==  
 
[[Image:Jaapsaabwallpaper.jpg|thumb|right|300px|jaap Sahib]]
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.
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.


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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:
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:


[[Image:Jaapsaabwallpaper.jpg|thumb|right|300px|jaap Sahib]]
 
"Thou fillest and feedest the whole universe,
"Thou fillest and feedest the whole universe,



Revision as of 06:47, 28 February 2009

jaap Sahib

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.

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

jaap Sahib

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

Jaapsaabh.jpg

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

What God is? Read Jaap Sahib

Video

External Links

References

  • Singh, Dr.Santokh (1990). English Transliteration and Interpretation of Nitnaym Baanees, Sikh Prayers for English Speaking Sikh Youth. Sikh Resource Centre. ISBN 1895471087.
These are the Popular Banis of Sikhism

Mool Mantar | Japji | Jaap | Anand | Rehras | Benti Chaupai | Tav-Prasad Savaiye | Kirtan Sohila | Shabad Hazaray | Sukhmani | Salok Mahala 9 | Asa di Var | Ardas

These are the Popular Banis of Sikhism

Mool Mantar | Japji | Jaap | Anand | Rehras | Benti Chaupai | Tav-Prasad Savaiye | Kirtan Sohila | Shabad Hazaray | Sukhmani | Salok Mahala 9 | Asa di Var | Ardas