Gurmat Saachi Saacha Vichaar

What a strong proclamation from Guru Nanak Sahib about the support of name of Waheguru, in which Guru Ji puts all his hopes:-

– ਤੇਰਾ ਏਕੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਤਾਰੇ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਮੈ ਏਹਾ ਆਸ ਏਹੋ ਆਧਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Sri Raag M.1, GGS. 24-15).

Your Name alone, Lord, saves the world.

This is my hope; this is my support. ||1||Pause||

Guru Arjan Dev Ji regards that the reciting of the name of Waheguru brings budh-bebik, which in turns destroys our sorrows originating out of ignorance:-

– ਦੁਖ ਭੰਜਨੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜੀ ਦੁਖ ਭੰਜਨੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮੁ ॥ ਆਠ ਪਹਰ ਆਰਾਧੀਐ ਪੂਰਨ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Maajh M. 5, GGS. 218-4).

The Destroyer of sorrow is Your Name, Lord; the Destroyer of sorrow is Your Name.

Twenty-four hours a day, dwell upon the wisdom of the Perfect True Guru. ||1||Pause||

ਜਿਤੁ ਘਟਿ ਵਸੈ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਸੋਈ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ ਥਾਉ ॥ ਜਮ ਕੰਕਰੁ ਨੇੜਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਰਸਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਉ ॥੧॥

That heart, in which the Supreme Lord God abides, is the most beautiful place.

The Messenger of Death does not even approach those who chant the Glorious Praises of the Lord with the tongue. ||1||

Guru Arjan Dev Ji goes on to add that reciting and meditating on Waheguru helps in resolving our all kinds of our affairs:-

– ਹਰਿ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮਾ ॥ਜਪਿ ਪੂਰਨ ਹੋਏ ਕਾਮਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Maajh M. 5, GGS. 218-9).

The Lord, the Lord, Raam, Raam, Raam:

Meditating on Him, all affairs are resolved. ||1||Pause||

Guru Nanak Sahib claims that the greatness of remembering the name of Waheguru is supreme & guaranteed and surpasses the spiritual gains from pilgrimages to sacred shrines, study of Holy books and/or Charities etc.

– ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਏਦੂ ਉਪਰਿ ਕਰਮੁ ਨਹੀ ॥ ਤੀਰਥ ਸਿੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਪੁੰਨ ਦਾਨ ਕਿਛੁ ਲਾਹਾ ਮਿਲੈ ਦਿਹਾੜੀ ॥(Raag Raamkali M. 1, GGS. 903-5).

Nanak has obtained the glorious greatness of the Naam, the Name of the Lord. There is no action higher than this.

Making pilgrimages to sacred shrines, reading the Simritees and giving donations in charity – these do bring any profit.

– ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਮੇਕਾ ਘੜੀ ਸਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਲੀ ॥੮॥੧॥੮॥ (Raag Basant M. 1, GGS. 1191-6).

O Nanak, glorious greatness is obtained in an instant, remembering the Naam, the Name of the Lord. ||8||1||8||

– ਐਸਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਤਨੁ ਨਿਧਿ ਮੇਰੈ ॥ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਦੇਹਿ ਲਗਉ ਪਗਿ ਤੇਰੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Parbhati M. 1, GGS. 1330-4).

Such is my Treasure, the Jewel of the Naam; Please bless me with the Guru’s Teachings, so that I may fall at Your Feet. ||1||Pause||

– ਮੂੜੇ ਰਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਗੁਣ ਸਾਰਿ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਮਤਾ ਮੋਹਣੀ ਸਭ ਮੁਠੀ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Sri Raag M. 1, GGS. 19-8)

You fool: chant the Name of the Lord, and preserve your virtue. Egotism and possessiveness are very enticing; egotistical pride has plundered everyone. ||1||Pause||

– ਮੰਨੇ ਨਾਉ ਸੋਈ ਜਿਣਿ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਅਉਰੀ ਕਰਮ ਨ ਲੇਖੈ ਲਾਇ ॥੧॥ (Raag Raamkali M. 1, GGS. 954-5).

He alone is victorious, who believes in the Lord’s Name.

No other action is of any account. ||1||

Guru Angad Dev Ji singles out the Waheguru Name as an only Ambrosial Nectar, which is obtained through the grace of Waheguru:-

– ਜਿਨ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਤੇ ਰਤੇ ਮਨ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਏਕੁ ਹੈ ਦੂਜਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਨਾਹਿ ॥Raag Sarang M. 2, GGS. 1238-18).

Those who are blessed with the glorious greatness of Your Name – their minds are imbued with Your Love. O Nanak, there is only One Ambrosial Nectar; there is no other nectar at all.

ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਮਨੈ ਮਾਹਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਪੀਤਾ ਰੰਗ ਸਿਉ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕਉ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਆਦਿ ॥੧॥

O Nanak, the Ambrosial Nectar is obtained within the mind, by Guru’s Grace. They alone drink it in with love, who have such preordained destiny. ||1||

Guru Amardas Ji adds that the remembering and reciting of Waheguru Name attracts peace of mind by removing doubts:-

– ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਵੈ ਕੀ ਸਚੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਨਾਮੋ ਮੰਨਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੮॥੩੦॥੩੧॥ (Raag Maajh M. 3, GGS. 128-12).

O Nanak, True is the Greatness of the Name. Believing in the Name, peace is obtained. ||8||30||31||

– ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਚੇਤੇ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਭਰਮੁ ਚੁਕਾਏ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੇ ਨਾਉ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਏ ॥੪॥੧੧॥੩੧॥Raag Gauri Guaarayee M. 3, GGS. 161-6).

Remembering the One Name, doubt is cast out from within.

O Nanak, chanting the Naam, the Name of the Lord, the nine treasures of the Name are obtained. ||4||11||31||

Kabir Ji emphases on the meditating of the name of Waheguru, which alone brings about salvation in our lives:-

– ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਪਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਪਰਵਾਨੁ ॥

ਸਰਬ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਭਜੁ ਕੇਵਲ ਰਾਮੁ ॥੪॥੩॥ (Raag Gauri Bhagat Kabir, GGS. 324-4).

Says Kabeer, honor is that which is accepted by the Lord. Give up everything – meditate, vibrate upon the Lord alone. ||4||3||

ਨਗਨ ਫਿਰਤ ਜੌ ਪਾਈਐ ਜੋਗੁ ॥ ਬਨ ਕਾ ਮਿਰਗੁ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਸਭੁ ਹੋਗੁ ॥੧॥

If Yoga could be obtained by wandering around naked, Then all the deer of the forest would be liberated. ||1||

ਕਿਆ ਨਾਗੇ ਕਿਆ ਬਾਧੇ ਚਾਮ ॥ ਜਬ ਨਹੀ ਚੀਨਸਿ ਆਤਮ ਰਾਮ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

What does it matter whether someone goes naked, or wears a deer skin, If he does not remember the Lord within his soul? ||1||Pause||

ਮੂਡ ਮੁੰਡਾਏ ਜੌ ਸਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ॥ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਭੇਡ ਨ ਗਈਆ ਕਾਈ ॥੨॥

If the spiritual perfection of the Siddhas could be obtained by shaving the head, Then why haven’t sheep found liberation? ||2||

ਬਿੰਦੁ ਰਾਖਿ ਜੌ ਤਰੀਐ ਭਾਈ ॥

ਖੁਸਰੈ ਕਿਉ ਨ ਪਰਮ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈ ॥੩॥ ?

If someone could save himself by celibacy, O Siblings of Destiny, Why then haven’t eunuchs obtained the state of supreme dignity? ||3||

ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਨਰ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਕਿਨਿ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈ ॥੪॥੪॥

Says Kabeer, listen, O men, O Siblings of Destiny: Without the Lord’s Name, who has ever found salvation? ||4||4||

Kabir Ji puts his TOTAL faith in Waheguru Naam Japna:-

– ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਪਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਪਰਵਾਨੁ ॥ ਸਰਬ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਭਜੁ ਕੇਵਲ ਰਾਮੁ ॥੪॥੩॥ (raag Gauri Bhagat Kabir, GGS. 324-4).

Says Kabeer, honor is that which is accepted by the Lord.Give up everything – meditate, vibrate upon the Lord alone. ||4||3||

Guru Amardas Ji and Guru Ram Dass and Guru Arjan Dev Ji put emphasis on Waheguru Naam Japana in Gurbani:-

– ਜਪਿ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਤੂ ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ॥ ਸਤਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਮੋ ਕਉ ਏਹੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Vadhans M. 3, GGS. 558-10).

O my mind, chant the One Name.

The True Guru has given me this treasure. ||1||Pause||

– ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਅਗਮ ਅਗਾਧਿ ਅਪਰੰਪਰ ਅਪਰਪਰਾ ॥ ਜੋ ਤੁਮ ਧਿਆਵਹਿ ਜਗਦੀਸ ਤੇ ਜਨ ਭਉ ਬਿਖਮੁ ਤਰਾ ॥ (Raag Tukhaari M. 4, GGS. 1114-11).

The Lord, Har, Har, is Inaccessible, Unfathomable, Infinite, the Farthest of the Far. Those who meditate on You, O Lord of the Universe – those humble beings cross over the terrifying, treacherous world-ocean.

– ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਨਕਟੇ ਨਰ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਤਿਨ ਘਸਿ ਘਸਿ ਨਾਕ ਵਢੀਜੈ ॥ ਸਾਕਤ ਨਰ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੀ ਕਹੀਅਹਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਧ੍ਰਿਗੁ ਜੀਵੀਜੈ ॥੭॥ ((Raag Kalyan M.4, GGS. 1325-13).

Without the Naam, the Name of the Lord, people look like criminals with their noses cut off; bit by bit, their noses are cut off. The faithless cynics are called egotistical; without the Name, their lives are cursed. ||7||

Guru Arjan Dev Ji sums up the strength and significance of Waheguru Naam clearly in the following verses:-

– ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਭੰਨਣ ਘੜਣ ਸਮਰਥੁ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸਦਾ ਸਮਾਲਹਿ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਤੂ ਦੁਖੁ ਸਬਾਇਆ ਲਥੁ ॥੧॥ (Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 317-3).

Guru Nanak implanted the Naam, the Name of the Lord, within me; He is All-powerful, to create and destroy. Remember God forever, my friend, and all your suffering will disappear. ||1||

– ਜਾ ਕਉ ਅਪਨੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰੈ ॥ ਸੋ ਜਨੁ ਰਸਨਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਉਚਾਰੈ ॥੧॥ (Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 190-4).

Those, upon whom the Lord Himself showers His Mercy,

So Jan Rasanaa Naam Ouchaarai ||1||

Chant the Naam, the Name of the Lord, with their tongues. ||1||

ਹਰਿ ਬਿਸਰਤ ਸਹਸਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਬਿਆਪੈ ॥ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਭਰਮੁ ਭਉ ਭਾਗੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Forgetting the Lord, superstition and sorrow shall overtake you.

Meditating on the Naam, doubt and fear shall depart. ||1||Pause||

ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਸੁਣੈ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਗਾਵੈ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਜਨ ਦੂਖੁ ਨਿਕਟਿ ਨਹੀ ਆਵੈ ॥੨॥

Listening to the Kirtan of the Lord’s Praises, and singing the Lord’s Kirtan

Misfortune shall not even come near you. ||2||

ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਟਹਲ ਕਰਤ ਜਨੁ ਸੋਹੈ ॥ ਤਾ ਕਉ ਮਾਇਆ ਅਗਨਿ ਨ ਪੋਹੈ ॥੩॥

Working for the Lord, His humble servants look beautiful.

The fire of Maya does not touch them. ||3||

ਮਨਿ ਤਨਿ ਮੁਖਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦਇਆਲ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਜੀਅਲੇ ਅਵਰਿ ਜੰਜਾਲ ॥੪॥੫੨॥੧੨੧॥

Within their minds, bodies and mouths, is the Name of the Merciful Lord.

Nanak has renounced other entanglements. ||4||52||121||

Bhagat Namdev Ji highlights the significance Waheguru Naam Japna with tongue as a mean for crossing the vast ocean of life meaningfully:-

– ਮਿਥਿਆ ਜਿਹਬਾ ਅਵਰੇਂ ਕਾਮ ॥ ਨਿਰਬਾਣ ਪਦੁ ਇਕੁ ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ॥੨॥ (Raag Bhaira-o Bhagat Namdev, GGS. 1163-12).

O my tongue, other occupations are false. The state of Nirvaanaa comes only through the Lord’s Name. ||2||

ਅਸੰਖ ਕੋਟਿ ਅਨ ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰੀ ॥ ਏਕ ਨ ਪੂਜਸਿ ਨਾਮੈ ਹਰੀ ॥੩॥

The performance of countless millions of other devotion Is not equal to even one devotion to the Name of the Lord. ||3||

Guru Arjan Dev Ji explains the importance of reciting the name of Waheguru and goes on to narrate a historical spiritual evolution of Bhagats (such as Kabir, Sain, Naam Dev and Ravi Dass) who availed the spiritual technique of Waheguru Naam Japna to meet with Waheguru:-

– ਉਆ ਅਉਸਰ ਕੈ ਹਉ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਆਠ ਪਹਰ ਅਪਨਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸਿਮਰਨੁ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਂਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Sarang M. 5, GGS. 1207-16).

I am a sacrifice to that occasion.

Twenty-four hours a day, I meditate in remembrance on my God; by great good fortune, I have found the Lord. ||1||Pause||

ਭਲੋ ਕਬੀਰੁ ਦਾਸੁ ਦਾਸਨ ਕੋ ਊਤਮੁ ਸੈਨੁ ਜਨੁ ਨਾਈ ॥ ਊਚ ਤੇ ਊਚ ਨਾਮਦੇਉ ਸਮਦਰਸੀ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਬਣਿ ਆਈ ॥੧॥

Kabeer is good, the slave of the Lord’s slaves; the humble barber Sain is sublime.

Highest of the high is Naam Dayv, who looked upon all alike; Ravi Daas was in tune with the Lord. ||1||

ਜੀਉ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਤਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਸਾਧਨ ਕਾ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਸੰਤ ਰੇਨਾਈ ॥ ਸੰਤ ਪ੍ਰਤਾਪਿ ਭਰਮ ਸਭਿ ਨਾਸੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਿਲੇ ਗੁਸਾਈ ॥੨॥੪॥੧੮॥

My soul, body and wealth belong to the Saints; my mind longs for the dust of the Saints.

And by the radiant Grace of the Saints, all my doubts have been erased. O Nanak, I have met the Lord. ||2||4||18||

Guru Teg Bahadur Ji gives his personal experience on enshrining the Waheguuru Naam in the following Salok:-

ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਉਰ ਮੈ ਗਹਿਓ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਸਮ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਜਿਹ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਸੰਕਟ ਮਿਟੈ ਦਰਸੁ ਤੁਹਾਰੋ ਹੋਇ ॥੫੭॥੧॥ (Salok M. 9, GGS. 1429-10).

I have enshrined the Lord’s Name within my heart; there is nothing equal to it. Meditating in remembrance on it, my troubles are taken away; I have received the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan. ||57||1||

Finally Guru Nanak Sahib sums up his own personal evolution through Waheguru Naam to become a GURMUKH:-

ਮਨ ਰੇ ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਸਾਰਿ ॥ ਜਿਨ ਖਿਨੁ ਪਲੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਵੀਸਰੈ ਤੇ ਜਨ ਵਿਰਲੇ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Sri Raag M. 1, GGS. 21-16).

O mind, enshrine the Praises of the Lord, day and night.

One who does not forget the Naam, for a moment or even an instant-how rare is such a person in this world! ||1||Pause||

ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਈਐ ਸੁਰਤੀ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਸੰਜੋਗੁ ॥ ਹਿੰਸਾ ਹਉਮੈ ਗਤੁ ਗਏ ਨਾਹੀ ਸਹਸਾ ਸੋਗੁ ॥

When one’s light merges into the Light, and one’s intuitive consciousness is joined with the Intuitive Consciousness,

Then one’s cruel and violent instincts and egotism depart, and skepticism and sorrow are taken away.

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਿਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਮੇਲੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਸੰਜੋਗੁ ॥੨॥ ਕਾਇਆ ਕਾਮਣਿ ਜੇ ਕਰੀ ਭੋਗੇ ਭੋਗਣਹਾਰੁ ॥

The Lord abides within the mind of the Gurmukh, who merges in the Lord’s Union, through the Guru. ||2||

If I surrender my body like a bride, the Enjoyer will enjoy me.

ਤਿਸੁ ਸਿਉ ਨੇਹੁ ਨ ਕੀਜਈ ਜੋ ਦੀਸੈ ਚਲਣਹਾਰੁ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਰਵਹਿ ਸੋਹਾਗਣੀ ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸੇਜ ਭਤਾਰੁ ॥੩॥

Do not make love with one who is just a passing show.

The Gurmukh is ravished like the pure and happy bride on the Bed of God, her Husband. ||3||

Kirpal Singh
Wellington, New Zealand
kirpal2singh@yahoo.com