Jaapu reverently called Jaap Sahib, a composition of the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh has 199 verses. It is the second Baani after Japu or Jap Ji Sahib in the morning Nitnem, the daily practice of remembering the Formless Creator, Nirakaar. This Baani addresses or talks about Akal Purakh, the timeless and deathless Master throughout. Japu conditions the mind taking it from Ik Oankaar to Sach Khand the abode of Nirakaar. Jaapu enables the mind to be absorbed in Nirankaar on the lines of:
Gun keh Guni samaavniaa (SGGS, p 110).
(Merging in the virtuous Entity by praising Its virtues).
The creator is described as Nirgun or Subtle whom we can experience in the mind, but not physically. It is also Sargun or gross in which form It manifests as, and in, nature. Jaapu is about both and describes it beautifully.
Numerous expressions are used in Jaapu to describe Divine virtues, many of them repeated many times. There are also groups of expressions that are repeated but accompanied by different expressions. It is interesting to understand their significance.
Jaap Sahib comprises of various types of Chhants, a composition which has a social significance. In the Panjab, according to an old custom, a bridegroom when he goes to the bride’s place at the time of the wedding is asked to recite some Chhants. The purpose is to establish communication. The Chhants in Jaapu similarly establish communication with Akal Purakh. An attempt has been made in this article to try and not repeat the virtues but there are still some. The numbers given after every explanation is of the relevant Chhant.
It has a large number of Sanskrit and Persian/Arabic words. In some Chhants these words are so well mixed that the Guru seems to be addressing the Master from the view of Hindus and Muslims at the same time.

The flow of the Baani is such that enables being absorbed even without understanding all the words in initially. No sequence is seen in the Chhants. It is simply ecstatic.
It has a prologue which is the same as for all Gurbani.
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
One Akal Purakh who is known with the grace of the Guru.
Next comes the name of the Baani, ਜਾਪੁ Jaapu and then
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮੁਖਵਾਕ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੀ ੧੦ ॥
The sacred words of the Tenth Guru.
The Baani starts with

ਚੱਕ੍ਰ ਚਿਹਨ ਅਰੁ ਬਰਨ ਜਾਤਿ ਅਰੁ ਪਾਤਿ ਨਹਿਨ ਜਿਹ ॥
ਰੂਪ ਰੰਗ ਅਰੁ ਰੇਖ ਭੇਖ ਕੋਊ ਕਹਿ ਨ ਸਕਤਿ ਕਿਹ ॥
ਅਚਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਨਭਉ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ ਅਮਿਤੋਜਿ ਕਹਿਜੈ ॥
ਕੋਟਿ ਇੰਦ੍ਰ ਇੰਦ੍ਰਾਣਿ ਸਾਹੁ ਸਾਹਾਣਿ ਗਣਿਜੈ ॥
ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਮਹੀਪ ਸੁਰ ਨਰ ਅਸੁਰ ਨੇਤਿ ਨੇਤਿ ਬਨ ਤ੍ਰਿਣ ਕਹਤ ॥
ਤ੍ਵ ਸਰਬ ਨਾਮ ਕਥੈ ਕਵਨ ਕਰਮ ਨਾਮ ਬਰਣਤ ਸੁਮਤਿ ॥੧॥
The Lord of the universe has No identification marks, caste or lineage, Features, color, marks or apparel, Is in steady state, self created, has unlimited powers, Indra, the king of gods, and kings on earth are all Its subjects Has domain over the whole universe, whom gods, men, demons and all vegetation do not understand and say not this, not only this; O Lord who can describe all your names? The wise only describe your virtues. 1.
The above description cannot be of a person, the Lord of the universe is therefore Spirit.
The Kings being subject to its domain means they obey It by way of obeying the laws of the Lord of all universe, the laws of nature. The concept of the Creator therefore is one of Spirit whose laws are applicable every where.

All these and that follow praise the embodiment of Laws of nature A rough synopsis of the Divine virtues include,

One unique, all powerful, above all, unborn, self existent, eternal. The beginning of every thing but Itself without a beginning. Chastiser but still compassionate. Has no body but is beautiful. Unknowable but with every one. It is Spirit, one needs to seek.
Let us study.

ਨਮਸਤ੍ਵੰ ਅਕਾਲੇ ॥ ਨਮਸਤ੍ਵੰ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲੇ ॥ ਨਮਸਤ੍ਵੰ ਅਰੂਪੇ ॥ ਨਮਸਤ੍ਵੰ ਅਨੂਪੇ ॥੨॥
Obeisance tone who is timeless, compassionate, without form and unique.

The Baani pays obeisance to the Almighty throughout. Forgiveness is sought for assuming and not describing obeisance hereafter.

ਅਕਾਏ without a body, ਅਜਾਏ unborn. 3.
But at the same time –
ਸੁਭੰ ਸਰਬ ਭਾਗੇ ॥ ਸੁ ਸਰਬਾ ਅਨੁਰਾਗੇ ॥੧੨੯॥

All Your organs are beautiful, all love You and You love all. 129.

ਅਗੰਜੇ none has dominion over It, ਅਭੰਜੇ cannot be broken.
ਅਨਾਮੇ without Name, ਅਠਾਮੇ no one abode . 4.
ਅਕਰਮੰ, ਅਧਰਮੰ needs no rituals. 5.

ਅਜੀਤੇ ਅਭੀਤੇ not defeated or intimidated.
That means the Laws of nature are not made in fear of, or to please, any one and do not require observance of religious rituals in their compliance. This is further confirmed by

ਅਮਜਬੇ ॥ ਅਜਬੇ ॥੧੭॥ You have no religion, you are wonderous.17.
ਨਮਸਤੰ ਤ੍ਰਿਮਾਨੇ acknowledged in the three worlds(universe), ਨਿਧਾਨੇ is the treasure of virtues. 13.

ਨਮਸਤੰ ਅਗੰਮੇ ॥ ਨਮਸਤਸਤੁ ਰੰਮੇ ॥

Is at once unreachable and present in all. The Lord is all pervasive and Its laws have no boundaries in their application. 16
ਨਮੋ ਸਰਬ ਧੰਧੇ ॥ ਨਮੋ ਸਤ ਅਬੰਧੇ ॥੨੪॥ You are involved in all activities of the creation but still beyond bondage. 24. This is the manifest form. At the same time,

ਅਧੰਧ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਅਬੰਧ ਹੈਂ ॥੩੬॥ You are not involved in the activities and are beyond bondage. It is worth noting that in either concept the creator is beyond bondage.

ਅਲਾਹ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਅਜਾਹ ਹੈਂ ॥ 38॥ You are Allah i.e. hard to find because you are not at any one place. 38.
Again ਨ੍ਰਿਲੰਭ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਅਸੰਭ ਹੈਂ॥੩੯॥ Cannot be found, are unfathomable. 39.
In this expansive universe-

ਅਨੇਕ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਫਿਰਿ ਏਕ ਹੈਂ ॥੪੩॥ You are in many and still One. 43.
This is how to look at It in the mind.
How? See the seas waves making merry, vegetation dancing and hear the celestial music, the sound of the breeze moving the tree leaves and the crops in the fields, the unstruck sound in stillness of nature;
ਨਮੋ ਨ੍ਰਿੱਤ ਨਿੱਰਤੇ ॥ ਨਮੋ ਨਾਦ ਨਾਦੇ ॥ You are the dance of the dancer, the sound of the singer.
ਨਮੋ ਪਾਨ ਪਾਨੇ ॥ ਨਮੋ ਬਾਦ ਬਾਦੇ ॥੪੮॥ the player of the musical instruments.48.
Its form is both of strength of the father and tenderness of the mother.
ਨਮੋ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਪਾਣੇ ॥ ਨਮੋ ਅਸਤ੍ਰ ਮਾਣੇ ॥ The wielder of the hand- held and long distance weapons.
ਨਮੋ ਪਰਮ ਗਿਆਤਾ ॥ ਨਮੋ ਲੋਕ ਮਾਤਾ ॥੫੨॥ The omniscient, the mother of all. 52.

No Mantras can influence it:
ਨਮੋ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੰ ॥ ਨਮੋ ਜੰਤ੍ਰ ਜੰਤ੍ਰੰ ॥ You are the mantra of the mantras and all items used for worship.
ਨਮੋ ਸਰਬ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੰ ॥ ਨਮੋ ਸਰਬ ਜੰਤ੍ਰੰ ॥੭੦॥ Nay You are the supreme Mantra, the supreme instrument of worship. 70.

ਨਮੋ ਇਸਟ ਇਸਟੇ ॥ ਨਮੋ ਤੰਤ੍ਰ ਤੰਤ੍ਰੰ ॥੫੭॥ You are the beloved deity and know all the tricks people play in Your name. 57.
ਸਦਾ ਸੱਚਦਾਨੰਦ ਸਰਬੰ ਪ੍ਰਣਾਸੀ ॥ It is Sat Chit Anand (Truth, Consciousness and Bliss) and capable of destroying all; 58.
At the same time,
ਸਦਾ ਸੱਚਿਦਾਨੰਦ ਸੱਤ੍ਰੰ ਪ੍ਰਣਾਸੀ ॥ In its embodiment of Truth, Consciousness and Bliss and destroys evil 198.

It is at once:
ਕਰੀਮੁਲ ਕੁਨਿੰਦਾ ਸਮਸਤੁਲ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ॥ compassionate creator and pervading all,
and
ਅਜਾਇਬ ਬਿਭੂਤੇ ਗਜਾਇਬ ਗਨੀਮੇ ॥ Has awesome wonder,is the tormentor of the violators;
ਹਰੀਅੰ ਕਰੀਅੰ ਕਰੀਮੁਲ ਰਹੀਮੇ॥੧੯੮॥ The destroyer, creator, the compassionate and merciful. 198.
It is fascinating to see how the Tenth Guru uses the Sanskrit and Persian/ Arabic words together as above.

ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲੰ ਸਰੂਪੇ ਕੁਕਰਮੰ ਪ੍ਰਣਾਸੀ ॥ The embodiment of compassion the destroyer of evil deeds.

ਸਦਾ ਸਰਬਦਾ ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧੰ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ॥੭੩॥ Is ever every where; all miracles are there in It.
ਆਦਿ ਰੂਪ ਅਨਾਦਿ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੋਨਿ ਪੁਰਖ ਅਪਾਰ ॥ The beginning of every thing, Itself without a beginning, unborn and infinite 79.

ਖੇਲ ਖੇਲਿ ਅਖੇਲ ਖੇਲਨ ਅੰਤ ਕੋ ਫਿਰਿ ਏਕ ॥੮੧॥ Creates the world play but ultimately every thing goes back and merges in It, the One. 81.
ਦੇਵ ਭੇਵ ਨ ਜਾਨਹੀ ਜਿਹ ਬੇਦ ਅਉਰ ਕਤੇਬ ॥ The gods, the Eastern or Semitic scripture do not know its secrets. 82.
ਪਰਮ ਰੂਪ ਪੁਨੀਤ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਪੂਰਨ ਪੁਰਖ ਅਪਾਰ ॥ The Supreme being, unstained, accomplished and infinite;
ਸਰਬ ਬਿਸ੍ਵ ਰਚਿਓ ਸੁਯੰਭਵ ਗੜਨ ਭੰਜਨਹਾਰ ॥੮੩॥ who created the whole universe from Itself and is capable of destroying what It creates. 83.
ਰਾਜਾਨ ਰਾਜ ॥ ਭਾਨਾਨ ਭਾਨ ॥ The King of Kings, Its writ runs on the kings and emperors; is the source of thesun’s energy. 89.
That is the most powerful in the world are also subject to the laws of nature, also called Hukam.
ਆਲਿਸ੍ਯ ਕਰਮ ॥ ਆਦ੍ਰਿਸ੍ਯ ਧਰਮ ॥ Its acts are effortless and laws exemplary i.e. without flaw.

ਸਰਬਾ ਭਰਣਾਢਯ ॥ ਅਨਡੰਡ ਬਾਢਯ ॥੯੩॥ Is the decoration of all, no one can do any harm to you.93.

ਕਿ ਪਾਕ ਬਿਐਬ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਕਿ ਗੈਬੁਲ ਗ਼ੈਬ ਹੈਂ ॥੧੦੮॥ You are sacrosanct, without flaw, not manifest and concealed. 108.

ਕਿ ਅਫਵੁਲ ਗੁਨਾਹ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਕਿ ਸ਼ਾਹਾਨ ਸ਼ਾਹ ਹੈਂ ॥ You forgive transgressions; you are the emperor of emperors. 109.
ਕਿ ਸਰਬੰ ਕਲੀਮੈ ॥ ਕਿ ਪਰਮੰ ਫ਼ਹੀਮੈ ॥ You are the Supreme speaker and super intelligent.
ਕਿ ਆਕਿਲ ਅਲਾਮੈ ॥ ਕਿ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕਲਾਮੈ ॥੧੨੦॥ The wise all knowing, the master speaker. 120.
ਕਿ ਹੁਸਨਲ ਵਜੂ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਤਮਾਮੁਲ ਰੁਜੂ ਹੈਂ ॥ Such beauty you are that all are attracted towards you.
ਹਮੇਸੁਲ ਸਲਾਮੈ ॥ ਸਲੀਖਤ ਮੁਦਾਮੈਂ ॥੧੨੧॥ Eternal, keeps every thing in order for ever.121.
ਕਿ ਨਰਕੰ ਪ੍ਰਣਾਸ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਿਥੀਉਲ ਪ੍ਰਵਾਸ ਹੈਂ ॥੧੩੦॥ You are the destroyer of hell, You abide on the earth. 130. Again ,
ਕਿ ਨਰਕੰ ਪ੍ਰਣਾਸ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਬਹਿਸਤੁਲ ਨਿਵਾਸ ਹੈਂ ॥ ੧੫੫ ॥ You are destroyer of hel,l You abide in heaven. 155.
These two put together say heaven is here on the earth
ਅਭਗਤ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਬਿਰਕਤ ਹੈਂ ॥ You are indivisible, have no blood relationship. 137.

ਪ੍ਰਮਾਥੰ ਪ੍ਰਮਾਥੇ ॥ ਸਦਾ ਸਰਬ ਸਾਥੇ ॥ The destroyer of tormentors, ever with every one. 146.
ਕਿ ਜ਼ਾਹਿਰ ਜ਼ਹੂਰ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਕਿ ਹਾਜ਼ਿਰ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਹੈਂ ॥ You are ever manifest, present right in front of all. 150.

ਕਿ ਰੋਜ਼ੀ ਦਿਹਿੰਦ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਕਿ ਰਾਜ਼ਕ ਰਹਿੰਦ ਹੈਂ ॥ You are the Sustainer and reliever from bondage. 152.

ਜ਼ਮੀਨੁਲ ਜ਼ਮਾਂ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਅਮੀਕੁਲ ਇਮਾਂ ਹੈਂ ॥ You are on all over the earth at all times; your laws are profound. 158.

ਆਡੀਠ ਧਰਮ ॥ ਅਤਿ ਢੀਠ ਕਰਮ ॥ Your laws are unseen and actions sustained. 170.

ਧ੍ਰਿਤ ਕੇ ਧ੍ਰਣ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਜਗ ਕੇ ਕ੍ਰਣ ਹੈਂ ॥ You are the support of the earth, the creator of the universe.

ਮਨ ਮਾਨਿਯ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਜਗ ਜਾਨਿਯ ਹੈਂ ॥੧੭੩॥ Are acknowledged every where. 173.
ਪਰਮਾਤਮ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਸਰਬਾਤਮ ਹੈਂ ॥ You are the Supreme soul and the souls of all

ਆਤਮ ਬਸ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਜਸ ਕੇ ਜਸ ਹੈਂ ॥੧੮੪॥ you are subject to your own control, You are Your own praise. 184.
ਨਮੋ ਅੰਧਕਾਰੇ ਨਮੋ ਤੇਜ ਤੇਜੇ ॥ All darkness and illumination are You.
ਨਮੋ ਬ੍ਰਿੰਦ ਬ੍ਰਿੰਦੇ ਨਮੋ ਬੀਜ ਬੀਜੇ ॥੧੮੫॥ You are the multitude as well the essence. 185.

ਨਮੋ ਰਾਜਸੰ ਤਾਮਸੰ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਰੂਪੇ ॥ You are the three gunas of Tamas, Rajas and Sattva.
ਨਮੋ ਪਰਮ ਤੱਤੰ ਅਤਤੰ ਸਰੂਪੇ ॥ You are the Supreme existence but formless;
ਨਮੋ ਜੋਗ ਜੋਗੇ ਨਮੋ ਗਿਆਨ ਗਿਆਨੇ ॥ ਨਮੋ ਮੰਤਰ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੇ ਨਮੋ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਿਆਨੇ ॥ ੧੮੬ ॥ All Yoga, knowledge. Mantras and meditation seek You. 186.

ਨਮੋ ਕਲਹ ਕਰਤਾ ਨਮੋ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਰੂਪੇ ॥ You create conflicts but are the embodiment of peace 187.

Jaapu started with saying Not this, Not only this and continued with the fascination. It ends by saying that one can experience the Divine presence every where within every one
ਦੁਕਾਲੰ ਪ੍ਰਣਾਸੀ ਦਿਆਲੰ ਸਰੂਪੇ ॥ The destroyer of hard times, the embodiment of compassion;
ਸਦਾ ਅੰਗ ਸੰਗੇ ਅਭੰਗੰ ਬਿਭੂਤੇ ॥੧੯੯॥ You are ever with me; Your grandeur never fades. 199.