Japji sahib: Difference between revisions

An exquisitely illuminated page from one of the Guru Granth Sahib manuscripts at the Sikh Reference Library, showing the Mool Mantar and the begining of the Japji Sahib Bani

Japji Sahib consists of the Mool Mantar, a set of 38 paurees (hymns) and a final Salok. This Bani called the Japji,appear at the very beginning of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib from Page 1 to Page 8, the Holy Book of the Sikhs. It is regarded as the most important Bani or 'set of verses' by the Sikhs and is recited every morning by all practising faithful of this religion. The word ‘Jap’ means to ‘recite’ or ‘to ‘chant’. ‘Ji’ is a word that is used to show respect as is the word ‘Sahib’.

This Bani was composed by the founder of the faith, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji who was the first of ten human Gurus of this faith. The Ten Gurus of Sikhism were responsible for the creation of this faith which was took place over period 1469 to 1708 - a period of about 239 years. At the point when the last of these Gurus departed this Earth, the Guruship was passed to the Sikh Holy Book, the SGGS. The Sikh treat the SGGS as a living Guru and the respect shown for the Shabad or ‘Message of the Gurus’ is unique in the religion.

See also Mool Mantar

English Translation

• Please note that Gurbani in general is gender neutral when referring to God - So when translating into English, this gender-neutral stand has been impossible to maintain as the English language tends to be more gender-specific in this respect. So the reader is asked to adjust for this in their mind when reading the translation! (God in Sikhism is gender neutral and is referred to in Gurbani as both male & female)

The Mool Mantar

Mool Mantar in the handwriting of Guru Arjan Dev ji

See also Mool Mantar

Hymn 1,2 & 3

Hymn 1

• By thinking and thinking again a hundred thousand times, one cannot find a solution.
• By being quiet, peace cannot be found even if poised deep in meditation forever.
• The hunger of the hungry cannot be quenched if food is carried as baggage.
• One may possess a hundred thousand clever ideas, but even one will not accompany him/her*.
• Then, How can one be purified? How can one throw away the falsehood? Says Nanak, By Abiding by the Command of God, which is written along with everyone! |1|

Hymn 2

• By Your Command entities are formed. Your Command cannot be predicted.
• With your Command one obtains respect and is honoured.
• By Your Command Ups & Downs occur. With Your Command is written suffering and happiness.
• Without Your Command no one is blessed. With your Command one lives in perpetual migrations.
• Everyone in Within Your Command, None is outside His Order.
• Says Nanak, “Whosoever realizes Your Command, Never speaks in ego.” ||2||

Hymn 3

• Many sing of His power, who has that power. Many sing of the Gift, who knows the Sign.
• Many sing of Virtues, Praises and Greatness. Many Sing of knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
• Many sing about how He creates and destroys. Many sing about how He takes life and then restores it.
• Many Sing, chant and see far. Many sing that He watches, is ever-present one-on-one.
• There is no shortage of those who preach and teach.
• Millions upon millions offer millions of sermons and stories.
• The Great Giver keeps on giving, the receivers grow weary of receiving.
• Throughout the ages, consumers consume.
• The Commander, by His Command, leads us to walk on the Path.
• O Nanak, only He blossoms forth, carefree and untroubled. ||3||

Hymn 4,5 & 6:

Hymn 4

• True Master, True is His Name - Meditate it with deep love.
• They ask and beg, "Give, give" - The Giver gives in abundance.
• What can we place before Him, by which the Darbaar can be seen?
• What words can we utter, listening to which His Love is gained?
• In the Ambrosial period, dwell upon His True Name and praises.
• With good past karmas, this robe is obtained, By His Grace, the Gate of Liberation is found.
• O Nanak, know this well: Everything is in the Righteous Lord!

Hymn 5

• He cannot be established; By doing it cannot be done.
• He Himself is Immaculate and Pure. Those who serve Him receive honored.
• O Nanak sing - Only Lord has endless Virtues. Sing, listen, and keep your mind humble.
• For your every pain, take home peace. The Guru’s Word is the Sound-current, wisdom of the Vedas and the ultimate protector.
• The Guru is Shiva, Gorak and Brahma; the Guru is Paarvati and Lakhshmi.
• Even knowing Him, I cannot describe Him; He is beyond description in words.
• The Guru has extinguished this doubt: All creatures have only the one God – May I never forget this!

Hymn 6

• If by bathing at holy places, He could be obtained, Without His Blessing one cannot get there
• I gaze upon His Creation: without good karmas, what will they receive?
• Within the mind are gems, jewels and rubies, when the Sikh listens to the One Guru.
• The Guru has extinguished this doubt: All creatures have only the one God – May I never forget this!

Hymn 7 to 11

Hymn 7

• Even if you lived the four ages, or even ten times more,
• and even if you were known throughout the nine continents and everyone followed you,
• with a good name and reputation, the whole world sang your praises –
• still, if you do not please the Lord, no one will ask about you!
• Among worms, you would be considered a lowly worm, and even contemptible sinners would hold you in contempt.
• O Nanak, He makes unworthy, worthy and gives virtues to the virtuous.
• I know of no other who can grant so much to others!

Hymn 8

• Listening - the saints, priests, warriors and recluse. Listening - the earth, its support and sky.
• Listening - the oceans, lands of the world and the nether regions. Listening - Death cannot even touch you.
• O Nanak, the devotees are forever in bliss. Listening - pain and sin are erased.

Hymn 9

• Listening - Shiva, Brahma and Indra. Listening - even foul-mouthed people praise Him.
• Listening - the technology of Yoga and the secrets of the body. Listening – the Holy Books, Philosophy and the Vedas.
• O Nanak, the devotees are forever in bliss. Listening-pain and sin are erased.

Hymn 10

• Listening - truth, contentment and spiritual wisdom. Listening - bathe at the sixty-eight holy places.
• Listening - reading and reciting, honor is obtained. Listening – one attains sure dedication.
• O Nanak, the devotees are forever in bliss. Listening-pain and sin are erased. ||10||

Hymn 11

• Listening - dive deep into the ocean of virtue. Listening - the religious scholars, spiritual teachers and emperors.
• Listening - even the blind find the Path. Listening - the Unreachable comes within grasp.
• O Nanak, the devotees are forever in bliss. Listening-pain and sin are erased. ||11||

Hymn 12 to 15

Hymn 12

• The state of the Believer cannot be described.
• The One who tries shall regret the attempt.
• Neither paper nor pen can narrate.
• Many study the concept of faith.
• Such personality obtains purity.
• If one mind understands another’s mind.

Hymn 13

• With faith, awareness and enlightenment is obtained.
• With faith, all types of realms are understood.
• The faithful does not face trouble.
• The faithful do not go with the Messenger of Death.
• Such personality obtains purity.
• If one mind understands another’s mind.

Hymn 14

• The path of the faithful is never blocked.
• The faithful shall depart with honor and fame.
• The faithful do not follow empty religious rituals.
• The faithful are firmly bound to the Dharma.
• Such personality obtains purity.
• If one mind understands another’s mind.

Hymn 15

• The faithful find the Door of Liberation.
• The faithful uplift and redeem their family and relations.
• The faithful are saved, together with the Sikhs of the Guru.
• The faithful, O Nanak, do not wander around begging.
• Such personality obtains purity.
• If one mind understands another’s mind.

Hymn 16

• The chosen are accepted and preside.
• The chosen are honored in the Court of the Lord.
• The chosen look beautiful in the courts of kings.
• The chosen meditate single-mindedly on the Guru.
• What is said, mediate on this thought.
• the actions of the Creator cannot be counted.
• Bull, the Dharma, is the son of compassion;
• Contentment patiently holds it in its place.
• One who understands becomes pure.
• What is the great load on the bull?
• There is another world, then many, more and more!
• Who holds their weight in balance with this force?
• Beings, species, colors have names
• were all inscribed by the Almighty’s Pen.
• This written account is only known to a few?
• How massive is this written account?
• What awesome power, fascinating beauty!
• Whose wonderful gifts! Who can know their limit?
• He created the Universe with One Word!
• Within it flow hundreds of thousands of rivers.
• Think about the mighty Creative Potency?
• I cannot even begin to describe You.
• Whatever pleases You, All will be blessed,
• You always protect us, Formless One!

Hymn 17 to 18

Hymn 17

• Countless mediate, countless yearn.
• Countless worship, countless exercise self-restrain.
• Countless recite granths and Vedas prayers.
• Countless Yogis detached their minds from the world.
• Countless devotees contemplate the Virtues and Wisdoms
• Countless sacrifice; countless donate.
• Countless warriors, face attack head on.
• Countless in silence, focus their thoughts.
• Think about the mighty Creative Potency?
• I cannot even begin to describe You.
• Whatever pleases You, All will be blessed,
• You always protect us, Formless One!

Hymn 18

• Countless fools, blinded by ignorance.
• Countless thieves and cheaters.
• Countless impose their will by force.
• Countless cut-throats and gather sins.
• Countless sinners who keep on sinning.
• Countless liars, wander lost in their lies.
• Countless wretches, eat filth for food.
• Countless slanderers, making their heads heavy.
• Lowly Nanak, gives this explanation.
• I cannot even begin to describe You.
• Whatever pleases You, All will be blessed,
• You always protect us, Formless One!

Hymn 19 to 20

Hymn 19

• Countless names, countless places.
• Inaccessible, unapproachable, countless celestial bodies.
• Even to call them countless is to carry weight on your head.
• The Word brings Naam; the Word brings Praise.
• The Word brings wisdom and the singing of songs of His Glory.
• The Word brings the written and spoken words and hymns.
• The Word brings destiny written on one's forehead.
• But Writer of the destiny – None are written on His Forehead.
• As He proclaims, so do we receive.
• Whatever You do, its in Your Name.
• Without Your Name, there is no place at all.
• Think about the mighty Creative Potency?
• I cannot even begin to describe You.
• Whatever pleases You, All will be blessed,
• You always protect us, Formless One!

Hymn 20

• Hands, feet and the body that are polluted,
• With water the dirt can be washed away.
• Clothes that are soiled and stained by urine,
• With soap they can be washed clean.
• When the intellect is stained and polluted by sin,
• That can be cleansed by the Color of the Naam.
• Virtue and vice do not come by mere words;
• actions repeated, again and again, are engraved on the soul.
• What you plant is what you shall harvest.
• O Nanak, by God's Command, we come and go.

Hymn 21 to 22

Hymn 21

• Pilgrimages, austere discipline, compassion and charity
• these, by themselves, bring only an iota of merit.
• By listening and believing bring humility in your mind;
• Within the sacred inner shrine, cleanse your mind.
• Lord, all virtues are Yours, none are mine.
• Without good deeds, there is no worship.
• Forever vibrate the Bani of Brahma.
• O Mind, forever seek the Companionship of Truth.
• What is that time, that moment? What is that day, that date?
• What is that season, that month, when the Universe was created?
• The Pandits, who have the writings of the Puraans, cannot provide this time.
• The time is not known to the Qazis, who study the Koran.
• The day and date are not known to the Yogis, nor is the month or the season.
• The Creator who created this creation only He Himself knows.
• How does one describe or give an opinion of Him or praise or get to know Him?
• Nanak, everyone speaks of Him, one wiser than the next!
• The Great Master with a Great Name by His doing - everything happens.
• O Nanak, one who thinks he knows all, shall not move forwarded. ||21||

Hymn 22

The scriptures speak of 18,000 worlds, in reality there is only One Universe. If one had the knowledge, one could write the account, but it could not be finished. Nanak, call Him Great, for He Himself knows all. ||22||

Hymn 23 to 24

Hymn 23

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