Naam Japna

Everyone wishes to have a life of comfort and peace. Some people employ means like rituals and worships. Some go amke their abodes in jungles to escape the world. Everyone makes efforts for physical and financial comfort. Guru Nanak says that whether in religious or mundane terms real satisfaction cannot be obtained with symbolism or cleverness.

The fourth Guru mentions:

Jab aanai valvanch kar-i jhootth, tab jaanai jag jiteeaa. M: 4, age 723

It may be noted this is for reflection. Otherwise,

Man meyrey sukh sahj seyti jap naau. Aatth pahar prabh dhiaaey too gun goid nit gaau. M: 5, p 44.

So Naam Japna is conforming to Divine commands every moment.

Naam is not some word like Vahiguru and Jaap or Japna is not meditating or chanting but obeying, according to Gurbani.

Naam in Gurbani has two connotations.

First Divine virtues or attributes, and second Hukam/Divine commands/laws of nature/cosmic laws.

Guru Nanak says on the first.

Your names/attributes and forms are numerous, Your virtues/attributes cannot be counted.

He says on the second.

Eyko Naam Hukam hai nanak satigur deeaa bujhaaey jeeo. M: 1, p 71.

Ik Oankaar satinaam. Mool Mantar – The One all-pervasive with eternal writ/authority. It is to be kept in mind for compliance, as the fourth Guru says “Jap man satinaam, sadaa satinaam” ever keep the eternal Naam in mind and comply.

Aisa Naam niranjan hoey, jey ko man-i jaanai man-i koey. Such is the pristine Naam, if one complies then one knows the experience. Japji Paurris 12, 13, 14, 15.

Jini naam dhiaaiaa gaey masakt-i ghaal. Slok/epilogue to Japji Sahib. Those who pay attention to/comply with Naam, leave after putting in effort, i.e. do their duties. Naam here is Hukam/directions/commands.

Aapeenai aap-i saajio aapeenai rachio naau; duee kudrat saajeeai kar-i aasan dittho chaau. The Creator created the self, then the cosmic laws and after that the creation. Aasa Di Vaar Paurri 1. Sukhmani Sahib paraphrases it thus “Naam key dhaarey sagley jant. Naam key dhaarey khandd brahmandd” All creatures exist/function by Naam, and all cosmos exists by Naam. Naam here is cosmic laws.

Tis vich dharti thaap-i rakhi dharamsaal. Tis vich jeea jugat key rang. Tin key naam aneyk anant. Japji Paurri 34. The Creator established the earth in a system of cosmic laws for creatures to perform their duties. They have numerous Naam of various types, i.e. the creatures have diverse roles. 

All these can be reduced to one – Naam is directions/laws/guide for role for every type of existence. Guru Nanak sums it up thus in Japji Paurri 19: Jeyta keeta teyta naau, vin naavai naahi ko thaau. There is Naam/law for everything/everyone created and no place is outside application of Naam.

Sheikh Farid Ji says it in typical Punjabi.

Visriaa jin Naam sey bhuey bhaar theeay. P 488. Those who forget/ignore Naam/duties become burden on the earth/on the society.

It is compliance with Naam/Divine commands/duties that makes life fruitful and provides lasting satisfaction.

So Naam/Hukam is to be complied with, it is to be lived.

Now about Jap or Jaap. The Sanskrit dictionary describes Jap as muttering/chanting in low volume. It is a Hindu practice to do this for a word given by one’s guru, and is different for different wishes like money, job, marriage, children and so on. This practice is what the Deras, Taksaal and Sant Samaj teach. It has become practice with many Sikhs and groups to chant the word Vahiguru and call it Simran of Naam Jaap.

Guru Nanak cautions against it saying:

Barti barat rahai nihkaam. Ajpa jaap japai mukh-i naam. P 840

One keeps fasts/makes resolution to attain something. But the seeker remains without a wish/prayer. S/he does not mutter a word from the mouth, but only obeys..

A question which is never answered is:

Yes, it cannot be answered because Guru Nanak says Naam is knowlede/Hukam present within”Aisa giaan japah-u man meyrey; hovah-u chaakar saachey keyrey“. M: 1, p 728

My mind, Japo that knowledge which shows you are servant of the Eternal Almighty, obey the commands of the Creator, which is Naam,  “Eyko naam hukam hai, nanak satigur deeaa bataaey jeeo”. M: 1,P 71.

The fifth Guru clarifies on Jap.

Aap japah-u avraa naam japavah-u. Sunat kahat raht gat-i paavah-u. M: 5, P 290, Sukhmani Sahib

Obey Naam yourself and guide others. You will get freedom from temptations in the world by listening, saying and conforming to Naam.

That means Naam is to be kept in mind for compliance.

This peace is not meant to say the word Vahiguru should not be used. The word Vahiguru is an exclamation saying Great Almighty Guru. But praise is always done after noticing or experiencing some thing. The third guru says:

Vaah-u vaah-u sey jan sadaa karah-i jik kau aapey dey-i bujhaaey. M: 3, p 515.

In fact the fifth Guru mocks at those who do it without understanding.

Har-i araadh-i na jaana rey. Har-i gur gur karta rey. M: 5, p 612

And then says I am known as servant/devotee of God.

Har-i ji naam pario raamdaas. P 612

The whole discussion may be summed with Guru Nanak saying

Teyrey gun gaava deyh bujhaaee. Jaisey sach mah-i rah-u rajaaee. M: 1, p 795.

Gurbani is replete with saying that Naam is only understood from the guru. Satigur vich aap rakhion kar-i pargatt aakh sunaaiaa. Aasa Di Vaar Paurri 6, p 466. The Almighty has kept awareness of the Almighty in the true guru, who relates to the Sikh/seeker.

No Guru has advocated chanting the world Vahiguru. Naam is the edict/guide for leading life.