Guru Nanak Sahib recognises the ills of the World and prescribes Naam (‘Spiritual Strength’ / ‘Divine Sohjee’) as a remedy:-

ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਰੋਗੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਦਾਰੂ ਮੈਲੁ ਲਾਗੈ ਸਚ ਬਿਨਾ ॥ (Raag Dhanaasree M. 1, GGS. 687-15).
Sansaar Rogee Naam Dhaaroo Mail Laagai Sach Binaa ||
The world is sick, and the Naam is the medicine to cure it; without the True Lord, filth sticks to it.

ਗੁਰ ਵਾਕੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਸਦਾ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਨਿਤ ਸਾਚੁ ਤੀਰਥੁ ਮਜਨਾ ॥੧॥
Gur Vaak Niramal Sadhaa Chaanan Nith Saach Theerathh Majanaa ||1||
The Guru’s Word is immaculate and pure; it radiates a steady Light. Constantly bathe in such a true shrine of pilgrimage. ||1||

Guru Nanak Sahib guides us on the basis of his own tried trust and faith in Naam:-

ਤੇਰਾ ਏਕੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਤਾਰੇ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਮੈ ਏਹਾ ਆਸ ਏਹੋ ਆਧਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (,Sri Raag M. 1, GGS. 24-15).
Thaeraa Eaek Naam Thaarae Sansaar || Mai Eaehaa Aas Eaeho Aadhhaar ||1|| Rehaao ||
Your Name alone, Lord, saves the world. This is my hope; this is my support. ||1||Pause||

Gurmat of other Gurus offers solutions in Gurbani:-

ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਇਸੁ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਕਰਮਿ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਏ ॥੧॥ (Sri Raag M. 3, GGS. 67-10).
Gurabaanee Eis Jag Mehi Chaanan Karam Vasai Man Aaeae ||1||
Gurbani is the Light to illuminate this world; by His Grace, it comes to abide within the mind. ||1||

The rider is “ਕਰਮਿ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਏ” – here we need Gurparsad.

Guru Ram Das Ji reinforces Gurbani and Naam:-

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਆਰਾਧਿਆ ਆਰਾਧਿ ਹਰਿ ਮਿਲਿਆ ॥੧॥ (Raag Asa M. 4, GGS. 450-8).
Jan Naanak Naam Aaraadhhiaa Aaraadhh Har Miliaa ||1||
Servant Nanak meditates on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, and in meditation, he meets the Lord. ||1||

Guru Arjan Dev Ji also identifies the cause our ILLS is due to our turning away from God (Waheguru):-

ਪਰਮੇਸਰ ਤੇ ਭੁਲਿਆਂ ਵਿਆਪਨਿ ਸਭੇ ਰੋਗ ॥ (Raag Maajh M. 5, GGS. 135-5).
Paramaesar Thae Bhuliaaan Viaapan Sabhae Rog ||
Forgetting the Transcendent Lord, all sorts of illnesses are contracted.

Guru Teg Bahadur Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Jiare the torch-bearer of the message of preceeding Gurus:-

– ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਉਰ ਮੈ ਗਹਿਓ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਸਮ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥ (Salok M. 9, GGS. 1429-10).
Raam Naam Our Mai Gehiou Jaa Kai Sam Nehee Koe ||
I have enshrined the Lord’s Name within my heart; there is nothing equal to it.

ਜਿਹ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਸੰਕਟ ਮਿਟੈ ਦਰਸੁ ਤੁਹਾਰੋ ਹੋਇ ॥੫੭॥੧॥
Jih Simarath Sankatt Mittai Dharas Thuhaaro Hoe ||57||1||
Meditating in remembrance on it, my troubles are taken away; I have received the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan. ||57||1||

– ਏਕ ਚਿਤ ਜਿਹ ਇਕ ਛਿਨ ਧਿਆਇਓ ॥ (Akal Ustat, Guru Gobind Singh, Dasam Granth, 10/3)
Eeka Chita Jih Eika Chhin Dhiaaeiao ॥
He Who meditates upon Him with single mind even for an instant

ਕਾਲ ਫਾਸਿ ਕੇ ਬੀਚ ਨ ਆਇਓ ॥੧੦॥
Kaal Phaasi Ke Beecha Na Aaeiao ॥10॥
He doth not come within the trap of death. 10.

There are poetic verses of the like of “Nanak Naam Chardi Kalaa Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhalla” and “Nanak Naam Jahaz Hei Charre So Uttarey Paar” are not part of the Gurbani but are coined by well meaning and enlightened Gurmukhs as part of their Anubhav of Gurbani. Both the verses touch on the strength of ‘Naam’, which is pivotal in Gurbani of Guru Nanak.

It sums up that ‘Naam’ is a tool (Kalaa) that fills a person with such a degree of optimism (much more than anand and santhok) that makes a person ‘Pur-Upkari’ who on obtaining ‘Naam’ becomes instrumental in serving one and all.

According to Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the state of Naam comes by when Akalpurakh/Waheguru is in the driving seat:-

ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਈਐ ਤਾ ਸਹੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਅਉਰੁ ਕੈਸੀ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ॥ (Raag Tilang M. 1, GGS. 722-13).
Aap Gavaaeeai Thaa Sahu Paaeeai Aour Kaisee Chathuraaee ||
Give up your selfhood, and so obtain your Husband Lord; what other clever tricks are of any use?

The finest examples are of Bhai Lehna Ji and Bhai Jetha Ji who got dissolved in their respective Gurus through Naam by losing their houmai/ego. The magic of Naam is amply demonstrated in how Jetha Ji was transformed through Naam to rise from rags to riches not only in ordinary wealth but in Spiritual Wealth as well.

A Sikh imbued with ‘Naam’ is ik-mik with Waheguru and accepts the Divine Hukam as It comes and lives accordingly. The history of Sikh Gurus and Gurmukhs testifies the strength of ‘Naam’. And the same belief and faith of Guru Nanak Sahib continues till date.

With Waheguru’s blessings.

Kirpal Singh
Wellington, New Zealand