Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Japji Sahib

Japji Sahib - the song of the soul.

Jap means to repeat and Ji means soul. The repetition of Japji gives you a consistent projection and allows you to access your own infinite source of inspiration and depth. Japji is one of the five daily prayers of the Sikhs. It was written by Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru who, with his companion, Mardana, traveled thousands of miles on foot teaching and inspiring people to live exalted and simple lives through his divine songs. Stated very clearly, "Guru Nanak spoke Japji as a way to guide and enlighten other human beings about the reality of the Divine within the visible and invisible Creation. Japji is a teacher for anyone seeking truth. The sound current of Japji and the meaning of its words, when meditated upon with openness and love, awakens a soul to its destiny. Step by step, Japji gives you the comprehensive power to know yourself as you are, and to be with God's Creation in a spirit of joyful surrender." Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa

The power of Japji comes from the combination of its sounds. This is called naad Sounds have profound effects on the psyche, and when they are produced using the science of naad, they have very specific transformative power. In past Shabd Guru articles ( Aquarian Times), we have explored and discussed this transformative power and the specific practical effects of reciting different stanzas—or pauris—of Japji.

Yogi Bhajan has taught that by reciting any one of these pauris eleven times a day, one can produce very specific effects. Reciting the Mool Mantra, for example, gives an experience of the depth of your soul and can change your destiny and grant prosperity. Similarly, it is said that the total knowledge of God and ecstasy is contained in the first pauri. Recitation of this pauri eleven times a day will lift you from the deepest depression, insecurity, nightmares and loss. Meditation on each of the remaining 38 verses offers an equally unique, rich, and powerful pathway of healing, self-discovery, and revelation. With the complete recitation of Japji, it is said that every problem can be solved and dissolved.

The structure of Japji is beautifully technical and precise. There are 40 pauris. The word pauri means 'step.' Japji is actually a spiritual staircase. Yogi Bhajan has stated that Japji starts from God and comes to earth. There are five elements or tattvas of which all matter is composed—earth, air, fire, water, and ether. Additionally, there are eight chakras (including the aura.) Mathematically, five times eight equals forty—the number of pauris in Japji. When you take the first 'step' of reciting the Mool Mantra, this is associated with the eighth chakra at the frequency of ether. As you continue to recite, you work progressively through the chakras and the tattvas until you end at the 40th step with the first chakra at the frequency of earth. In this way, reading the entire Japji completely adjusts "all the elements in all of the chakras as well as your subtle and physical bodies."

- Dev Soroop Kaur Khalsa - Aquarian Times 2003

1 Comments:

Blogger Uttam Singh said...

Vaheguroo! thats really interesting ji, thanks for sharing

Wednesday, February 01, 2006 7:07:00 PM  

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