Gems of Gurbani

Guru Granth Sahib – 18

The glory of Japuji Sahib :

My father in law always recited first five puari of japuji that he had learned from someone as he could not read and write. The devotion and conviction with which he did that every morning was simply fascinating. I once asked him whether he understood the meaning of what he is reciting  and his answer was simple like his devotion to Gurbani, he said; ‘when you chant Gurbani loudly all those spaces where its sound reaches becomes immaculate and holy.’ That was his cosmic relation with the Almighty God and his confirmed belief in Gurbani. This mechanized recitation of all banis without understanding their message is way of life for many and they feel satisfied that they are following something divine. The contentment that they have done their religious duty is keeping them happy. The missing inquisitiveness and going in depth to understand the message doesn’t bother simple people. It is only when we start learning and questioning that in depth knowledge becomes requirement. In the beginning Guru Nanak ji put forward his message by creating melodrama and playing pranks. He needed this message to put forward by creating dramatic situation because even learned people are very adamant and they simply don’t want reasoning and arguments. For example at Haridwar where Pandas were offering water to Sun God in east and he started offering in the west where in Punjab he had his fields. By doing something unorthodox he attracted people to tell his message about the truthfulness of One God. Japuji is considered to be a bani for meditation and many recite it that way in the ambrosial hours of the morning. The message this bani gives us the actual summary of Guru Granth Sahib ji. The mul mantra or invocation that is beginning of Granth Sahib finds its explanation in the Japuji sahib. For understanding  Guru Granth Sahib ji it is important to know the message depicted in Japuji Sahib.

To continue……