Songs of Nanak
‘Symphony of the Being’
Taoshobuddha
JAP JI
Songs of Nanak
Jap ji is the poetry of the soul’s journey as narrated by the intoxicated one.
Taoshobuddha
Narrated by
Swami Anand Neelamber
CONTENTS
Preface
Introduction
Acknowledgement
Section 1
Ek Omkar Satnam
The Mool Mantra
1. Guru Nanak a biographical sketch
2. The Mool Mantra
3. ‘EK OMKAR’ the existential sound
4. ‘SAT NAAM’ the explanation of the sound
5. ‘KARTA PURUKH’ the Attributes of ‘EK OMKAR’
Section 2
Hukumu Hukum Chalai Rahu
6. Aadi sachu Jugadi sachu
7. Hukumu hukum chalai rahu
8. ‘HUKUM’ the cosmic law
9. Sacha sahab sachu nai
10. Gurumukh Nadam Gurumukh Vedam
11. Sabhana Jiya ka ek Data
12. Je ek guru ki sikh suni
Section 3
Nanak Bhagta Sada Vigasu
13. Nanak Bhagta Sada Vigasu
14. Nanak bhagta sada vigasu
15. Aisa naam niranjan hoi
16. Pancha ka guru ek dhyanu
17. Jo tudhu bhaive sai bhalikar
SECTION 4
Unche Upari Uncha Naau
18. Aape biji aape hi khahu
19. Aape jane aapu
20. Unche upari uncha naau
21. Aahke aakhe rahe livlai
SECTION 5
Nanak Uttam Neechu Na Koi
22. Soi soi sada sachu sahib
23. Aadeshu tise aadeshu
24. Jug jug aiko vesu
25. Nanak uttam neechu na koi
SECTION 6
Sach Khandi Vasai Nirankaroo
26. Karmi Karmi hoi Vicharu
27. Nanak antu na antu
28. Sach khandi vasai nirankaroo
29. Nanak Nadri Nadri nihal
GURUDWARA HARMINDER SAHAB, AMRITSAR, INDIA
GOLDEN TEMPLE
Golden Temple, Amritsar
PREFACE
S
angat bolo… Shri VahE… guru…. VahE Guru Ji ka Khalsa vahE Guru Ji ke Fatah! Hail to the master! O Congregations remember the master forever. Seek eternal! There is nothing more sublime and invigorating than the congregation of the master or his commune. That alone has the capability to transform you and your life.
I speak to you not of a Nanak who was not born on April 15th, 1469 in Talvandi to the parentage of Mehta Kalloo and Tripta; and who died in 1539 in a small village Kartarpur of Punjab, in India. This Nanak I know not. He is historical. I speak to you of the Nanak who was never born and never died. A Nanak who is existential! A Nanak whose energy field can never be destroyed! The energy field that is existential. Energy field that surrounds you each finite moment! Only you have lost connection with this existential energy field.
The actual work on Japuji began one autumn evening in 1977 when I was still in India. There came an incredible meeting with a person. This meeting was not arranged by any human efforts. It was ordained. I remembered a verse from Sri Aurobindo’s SAVITRI:
On the dumb bosom of this oblivious globe,
Although as unknown beings we seem to meet.
Our lives are not aliens nor as strangers join,
Moved to each other by causeless force!
The soul can recognize its answering soul.
Across dividing Time and, on life’s roads
Absorbed wrapped traveller, turning it recovers
Familiar splendors in an unknown face
And touched by the warning fingers of swift love
It thrills again to an immortal joy!
Wearing a mortal body for delight
There is a power within that knows beyond
Our knowings; we are greater than our thoughts
And sometimes earth unveils that vision here
To live, to love are signs of infinite things
Love is a glory from eternity’s spheres.
(SRI AUROBINDO SAVITRI BOOK V THE BOOK OF LOVE: CANTO 2)
The first word was the formal greeting. Then I asked the person, ‘Which places did you visit in India so far?’ This was my second sentence. The response was ‘Mother’s ashram in Pondicherry.’ Let me tell you about this. In Pondicherry, India there is the ashram of Sri Aurobindo a mystic and the Mother! This is a spiritual retreat. Now came the third sentence. I responded, ‘Peace and serenity dwells there. However this is the experience of my life that if one can keep his inner instrument attuned one can feel the feeblest of vibration anywhere in the world beyond time and space.’ This sentence narrates the methodology of a master. This cannot be destroyed. To feel this energy field beyond time and space an inner preparation is needed. This energy field is there to transform you.
JUST AS ATOM CANNOT BE DESTROYED SO TOO CONSCIOUSNESS CAN NEVER BE DESTROYED!!!
SCIENTISTS HAVE HARNESSED ATOMIC ENERGY ONLY FOR DESTRUCTIVE PURPOSES SO FAR! BUT NANAK HAS HARNESSED THE ENERGY FIELD OF CONSCIOUSNESS FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF HUMAN BEING! FEEL IT! BE IT!!! NANAK’S EFFORT IS THE BIRTH OF A NEW MAN OUT OF YOU! THE INTEGRATED, HARMONIZED, AND BLISSFUL!!! ONE WHO LIVES LIFE BEYOND DUALITY!!!
Since then my entire effort is to harness this energy field and make it available beyond time and space through my life, living, and efforts. The previous works ‘Meditation the way to self realization’, ‘The Secrets of Bhakti,’ and two volumes of ‘Leaves from a Sufi Heart’ all reflect this. The effect that these works have created worldwide with the readers simply reflects the methodology of a master. The effort still continues with the forthcoming works as well. Out of this energy field also evolved the works of Swami Anand Neelamber, Ma Prem Sutra, and Swami Dhyan Yatri.
The effort is to harness and present truth is its sublime and nascent form. Truth is sublime. Truth is beyond religions and even your gods and goddesses. Truth is solitary. Truth is auspicious. Truth is beyond duality. So is bliss or Anand. This alone is auspicious or Mangalam. Scriptures say:
sTy< prm xImih. AanNdm! prm xImih.
m
A Hindu mind listens to that which resonates and strengthens his mind. So is the case with a Sikh, Christian, Mohammedan and other sects as well. You are listening simply to strengthen your mind.
Nanak is unique. And he is unique in many ways. Nanak happened before Tulsi. Social values were declining. Politically that was the beginning of a new era. The message of the masters was loosing its inner fabric. Nanak’s role was to resurrect all these. Nanak came like a fresh breeze.
Look at the earlier scriptures. Valmiki used one meter throughout the entire narration. The meter happened to him during his one early morning bath in river Tamsa. There he saw basic act that we go on overlooking in our day to day life. He saw a pair of birds making love. At one plane this seems an ordinary act for pleasure for man and progeny for the other creatures. What actually happens during this act has lost its meaning. This is the communion or the confluence of two energies. One is young virgin or the feminine energy as symbolized through the female body. The young virgin symbolizes the undeveloped or underdeveloped consciousness. Or the subconsciousness where the entire growth pattern of human consciousness is in code form. Hindus call this energy field as ‘Prakriti’. And the male energy that Hindus call as ‘Purush’ is symbolized as male or soul. Transformation cannot happen until this union between the souls and the undeveloped virgin takes place.
These two male and female principles exist in each individual. With the passage of time a discontinuity came in this understanding. Leaving this here right now I move to the other aspect where I was speaking of the structure of various scriptures and there relevance with the message. Valmiki used one meter with eight quadrants which emerged during his morning bath spontaneously.
So too Bhagwad Gita also uses one meter and each composition is of four quadrants and two lines each this is the meter used throughout the text. All this describes one set pattern. Bhagwad Gita is the path of Yoga although different paths of Yoga are explained. And Ramayana is the story of Rama on the platter of Bhakti.
Nanak has used different meter in each Pauri. The Japuji Sahib does not follow any strict meter of poetry and even the rhyming seems, at places, uneven and incoherent. Besides, sometimes the basic line of thought appears to be intruded upon by verses in between, particularly if one relies solely upon translations and word meanings.
This explains that through each Pauri Nanak goes into in depth message of different systems of transformation used by the masters and paths. For instance in Pauri 27 Nanak explains the role of music, and existential sound as the system of transformation. And in the next Pauri 28 and 29 Nanak completely reviews the path of Tantra.
If I go on speaking like this for each Pauri I will never finish the preface. That is a fact one can spend the entire life explaining Japuji still something remains unfinished.
Anyone with linear consciousness or one track mind and understanding cannot understand Nanak. Only a master whose consciousness has reached its pinnacle! Or has merged with the ultimate can explain various systems of transformation of human consciousness as interwoven through various Pauris of Japuji.
This present work is such an effort of Taoshobuddha.
Beyond dualities, conditionings, and your beliefs lays the realm of Buddhas. Nanak is a Buddha - one who has not only attained to this Oneness with that which is, instead has harnessed this energy field for the transformation of human consciousness. Japuji is the expression of Truth as envisaged by Nanak. Japuji occupies a foremost place in Sikh religion. The entire Sikh religion revolves around Japuji and Nanak. Both Nanak and Japuji are inseparable. Both are the two sides of the same coin. Japuji is the fragrance of Nanak.
@k bar jae tUne pukara wa muHe tajISt mere mn bjtI rhI zhna$,
taAbd mere mn me bjtI rhI zhna$.
AaEr hm fUb ke tU)anae me th la@ smuNdr kI.
EK BAR JO TOONE PURARA THA MUJHE
TAZEEST MERE MN ME BAJTI RAHI SHAHNAI
TAABAD MERE MN ME BAJTI RAHI SAHNAI
AUR HAM DOOB KE TOOFANO ME TAH LAYE SAMUNDER KI!
Once you had called me so lovingly
Erelong its music echoes in my ears
Like the dissolving notes of a sweet melody!
And I dived deep within the ocean to bring forth the inner treasures from the realm of the Being!
Today I invite you to this mystical realm and the energy field of Nanak through Japuji. Japuji is my being, my life my living. The words of Nanak resonate in my mind. And this work on Japuji is the echo of that resonance that continues to linger in my being like the dissolving notes of an enchanting melody.
Allow a few drops of this nectar to ooze into your being. Allow this fragrance to sanctify and waft an aura of bliss in your inner being. Life will attain a new meaning.
Words are failing to express the ecstasy of my being. The orchestra is mute yet still melody overflows. I can speak no more for now. Now only the overflow is there. Drink it to your heart’s content.
Like a mad, intoxicated one, Nanak goes on speaking in His praise. These are not the words of a learned one. These are the words of some one who has drunk the mystical wine of Saqui (God). Like a drunkard he goes on repeating the same thing again and again. These words are the outcome of ecstasy. If you can understand the situation of a drunkard you will understand the words of Nanak. The only difference between an ordinary drunkard and Nanak is that Nanak drank the pristine mystical wine to his heart’s content. And now he is drowned in the ocean of oneness with God. This is the beauty of Nanak. Nanak is the poet of the inner. Japuji is the poetry of the soul’s journey as narrated by a drunkard.
Nanak says that which is cannot be destroyed. This is ‘akshar’. ‘Akshar’ cannot be translated as ‘word.’ And the closest reflection of ‘akshar’ is ‘Omkar’. Thus Nanak’s entire message revolves around ‘EK OMKAR SATNAM.’ If you have understood these three words you have understood Japuji. Whether you call this as Japuji or as Ek Omkar Satnam it is same. Then you have understood Nanak. Omkar is the only sound that cannot be destroyed. This is the only sound that continues to echo even without being written. This can never be destroyed till eternity lasts. Omkar is the music of the existence. Omkar is the echo or the whisper of the existence. Even when everything is destroyed ‘Omkar’ will continue to echo.
As
The indestructible, the imperishable, the unknown, the unknowable ‘akshar’ that was in the beginning, that is now and that will always be is the very name of God. This is the way of worship. Say no more. Just be filled with this existential sound. That is all. Prayer has now begun. You need not say that you are a sinner. No confession can ever become a prayer. Be filled with this presence. You are prayerful!
Out of ego, however man has created so many prayers. You go to the emperor you have to implore again and again, sing the glories only then you can gain any favour. Such implorations have become prayers.
Nanak says these cannot be a prayer. And God is not egoistic that you have to implore or beg. You are praising God as if you are trying to convince or invoke the sleeping God. Are you coaxing Him to shower favours on you? It seems these are your prayers.
No praise can ever become a prayer. Are you capable of praising Him? But ego thinks so. Then what can really be the prayer. Nanak says be filled with this existential sound. Beyond this existential sound there can be no prayer. Omkar is the end. Omkar is the prayer. Beyond Omkar there is nothing. Therefore drown in this existential sound. You are prayerful. Life will attain meaning.
Man created temples. And within this was created a devise of round structure of dome for the sound to echo. This devise is to create the echo of Omkar from within the forewalls of the temple as ‘temple echoes’. This devise amplifies the echo manyfold and it appears as if coming from far.
Now in the west a new devise ‘Bio feed’ has been created. This is an important devise. And in times to come these will be very useful. Accordingly through small instruments effort is made to render your mind silent.
East has created different bio-feed instruments. The dome in the temple and mosques is the bio-feed devise to create the echo of the existential sound. As your inner sound reaches close to the existential sound the intensity of the sound within will increase. As the sound begins to emanate more and more from the inner being and not the lips you will find that the quality of the echo returning from the dome has changed. The temple echoes are more peaceful and blissful as well.
Deeper you enter this existential echo within, temple echoes will become blissful. Then you can experience this sound echoing all around. Where you had experienced noise and disturbances once a new music a new echo evolves from there now! And when you attain to fruition, you will find the entire cosmos permeating the existential sound. And bliss overflows each finite moment.
Temple is a small devise. Begin from there. You can begin to learn swimming only in shallow waters. And then you can swim in deep waters. So too start drowning in the temple echoes. And then one day you will certainly learn the art of drowning in the vastness of all that is existential. Then entire existence becomes the abode of the unknown and the unknowable. And then wherever you will create this sound you will find the rain of bliss. This dome of the temple symbolizes the vast infinite sky.
Nanak says the ‘akshar’ the indestructible word is the prayer. This is ultimate knowing. This is the ultimate glory. Out of this sound evolves all that is manifest and unmanifest. This is your destiny. This is not only delicate instead difficult to comprehend as well.
Aora isir s
As this existential sound opens within life unfolds new meaning. Omkar is the key to bring about this inner change. Moving away from this leads to a life of misery and misfortune. Moving away from this is hell and coming closer is bliss. To be one with Omkar is moksha or salvation.
Only then my beloved friend you will understand the message contained in the words spoken by me in 1977. I repeat again.
‘Peace and serenity dwells not only there instead the entire cosmos is permeated by bliss. Bliss is the very texture of this cosmos. However this is the experience of my life that if one can keep his inner instrument attuned only then one can feel the feeblest of vibration anywhere in the world beyond time and space.’ This sentence narrates the methodology of a master. You may take one life or many matters not. Maybe I maybe around or maybe not to witness this happening but certainly one day you will attain. This is my certitude. This is my trust.
Remember you cannot attain without inner purification. No ritual bath, worship, visit to holy places can really purify your inner being. No it can never happen until your ego vanishes. Water can clean the outer dirt. However if your consciousness is full of such sins misunderstandings and misdemeanours then it can only be washed with love for ‘Satnam’ the name of God. Love alone can sanctify your inner being. Love alone can transform you. There is no greater energy than love that can give you a real birth. Allow it to enchant your being. And then a new birth takes out of you.
Nanak says no one can glorify Him. And yet still he goes on without a break. Because in the process of singing, or overflowing one attains to Samadhi! He cannot be described. Yet still glorifying enchants the being. This is not only beautiful instead nectarine as well. It is so blissful that in the process the singer is no more. Instead he dissolves in an unknown ocean. I will continue to overflow erelong because there is no better song, no better melody than being enchanted with Japuji.
His description! His glories are not mere words to entertain you. This is a technique of meditation. His description is the way to drown in His subtleties. Overflowing Him is a way to turn towards Him. Wherever His message overflows pause for a moment to listen! Maybe a drop of nectar may shower in your being. Maybe breaking all barriers of deafness a word may enter you. May be your blind eyes may be filled with light.
This is the reason Nanak goes on singing. As one continues singing you may drown in it. Nanak did not say anything. Instead he sang. Also he used music so that the inner ‘sur’ or tune may establish. Maybe in the musical melody you attain to inner silence. And once you have tasted this you will never forget.
The moment to reach the one everything becomes possible. There are temples of the Hindu trinity. But there is no temple of God. Nanak gave a beautiful name to the temple. He called this ‘Gurudwara’. This is not the temple of God. Instead this is the ‘door of the master’. That is door alone. From the door alone you can come in or exit. Door refers to transcendence. Door cannot be your resting place. You simply pass through gurudwara – the door of the master. Beyond this door of the master lies the abode or the realm of that which is ‘Satnam’ that whom Nanak calls as ‘Malik’.
Nanak says if the feeling has arisen to pay regards! Heart is ready to pay regards then do this to that oneness:
Aadesu itsE Aadesu.
Each word of Nanak is soaked with a deep understanding. These are not ordinary words. You can get the literal or philosophical meaning. You can give many interpretations. However the mystical meaning is difficult from your level of consciousness. Nanak is one with God. Nanak is enlightened. He is illiterate in the sense that he does not have university degrees. He is simple. To speak on Japuji needs inner preparation. Only an enlightened one can relive Nanak. This present work in not really a commentary on Nanak’s Japuji instead it is an effort to relive and present the message of Japuji for the future humanity.
My eyes are glittering with unshed tears. This you cannot see. But I am sure you can definitely feel such ripples arising in your being and from being to the surface. This is the moment when I have to express my feelings of gratitude towards the entire existence. In particular for you and all those who have been instrumental in making this overflow available to you? I can go on but my feelings for you will not exhaust. It is for you I dived deep within the ocean of divinity to bring the jewel of awareness.
Many friends are knocking the doors of my being. First is the Ultimate Being: the more I overflow the more I feel nothing has been said. Heart never feels contented that enough has been overflowed. Yet still I continue in many ways.
Many masters, saints and sages that have nourished the consciousness and insights need mention. Myriad salutations to you the flowers from the garden of the being!
Beloved Baldev Singh of Montreal, my heart calls out for all that you are to me. No amount thanks can express my feelings for your support and insights.
Dr Rasika Abkote a musician of peer from Pune India, and currently here on a Government of India ISSR assignment at Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation. Sangita Agrawal the Tabla player and exponent of Pakhawaj! Navin the flutist, Purwa Joshi another classical singer of peer need mention. Without their support and renditions the melody would be missing. Our Music director Dr Ajay Joshi, what a beautiful musical composition! Our publishers: Mr Surendra Ghai of Sterling Publishers Pvt Ltd of New Delhi India, Sonia Saini our editor in chief all have contributed in many ways to make this possible for you.
Only this much I can say to you for now as my final message and the rest you have to allow to happen on its own. Like a beacon light the message or the energy field of the master surrounds you. Just begin to drown in the vastness and serenity of love. The rest will happen on its own.
Swami Anand Neelamber and Swami Dhyan Yatri will continue from here onwards as there a long list of those who have to be acknowledged for their valuable contribution in this work.
However what do you mean to me only I know and I can acknowledge. Therefore:
EK OMKAR SATNAM!!!
SATNAM VAHI GURU!!!
LOVE ALONE WILL ENCHANT YOU!
Taoshobuddha
Web site: http//www.taoshobuddhameditations.com
Email: taoshobuddha@gmail.com
Introduction
T
hese songs of the mystic Nanak are the ancient intoxicating elixir poured into new bottles. And this overflow by Taoshobuddha is still an even newer representation of that ancient mystical alchemy. Taoshobuddha is like a fresh autumn breeze. His insights into the songs of Japuji bring newness and he revitalizes the message of Nanak – that had long been forgotten but preserved in Guru Granth Sahib.
Nanak did not only sing the truth; he lived it. He lived it because he discovered it firsthand. It was not borrowed. This is his central message as well. Truth must be seen to be transforming and enlightening. You cannot come to enlightenment by hearing, believing. You are enlightened by discovering truth and seeing it for yourself.
Taoshobuddha makes the quest for truth a palpable and enticing sojourn to self discovery.
Not all the songs are for everyone. You need only find the song that resonates with your inner being, which is your heart’s calling. Then you drown in the silent symphony of this song and dissolve into the inner mysteries.
Nanak sang on all the major disciplines of his time. And anyone can lead to Truth. Only the inner understanding is needed. Taoshobuddha through his compassionate insight uncovers the inner meaning.
I invite you to delve into these wondrous expositions and drown in the inner silence that is created through the mystical symphony of Japuji…
I wish to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the following persons for their enormous support in putting this work together: Baldev Singh Grewal of Montreal Canada, Pundit Gajendra Kumar of Divine Life Society Trinidad Inc., Davinder Singh Duggal (President of Gurudwara Trinidad Inc), Professor R. L. Hangloo (Chair of Indian Studies, Department of History at University Of the West Indies, Trinidad WI.), Swami Dhyan Yatri, Ma Prem Sutra, Professor Channan Sayan, Dr Hajendra Singh Missan, Dr Ajay Joshi. Ms Purwa Joshi, Dr. Rasika Obkote, Anamika Chakraborty, Karunamai, Joan Allekote, Shalisha Baksh, Mohan Samlal, organizers of various Gurudwaras worldwide, Gurbal Singh Sandhu, Indian High Commissioner in Trinidad & Tobago Mr Jagjit Singh Sapra, Mr Santosh K Mishra – first secretary Indian High Commission, many musicians and other well wishers
SATNAM VAHE GURU!
THUS BEGINS THE ETERNAL MESSAGE OF JAPUJI!!!
‘Ek Omkar Satnam’
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