In Praise of Sri Japji Sahib

Last updated on Nov 25, 2022

Gold plated Mool-Mantra along with inscription noting down that Maharaja Ranjeet Singh had this seva done in 1887 Bikrami (1830 CE)

For the previous sections, please see here

ਜਪੁਜੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਤੇ ਮਹਾਤਮ:
Jap[u]jee Mahimaa Thae Mahaatham
In Praise of the Greatness known as [Sri] Japji Sahib

ਦੋਹਰਾ॥ Dhoharaa
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਜਪੁਜੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਮਹਾਂ ਬਰਨਿ ਸਕੈ ਕਹੁ ਕੌਨ।
Sree Jap[u]jee Mahimaa Mahaa[n],
Baran[i] Sakai Kah[u] Kaun
-
Word-by-word:
Mahimaa = Praise | Mahaa[n] = Great, Grand | Baran[i] = Describe | Sakai = in relation to possibility |
-
In praising Sri Japji Sahib, [we can only say It is] quite great...
who could ever properly give justice to Sri Japji's Greatness?
[Praising one aspect would be excluding another... the act is praising Vaheguru... all we can describe with is Anoop (cannot be praised in a way which can completely describe)]
-
ਮਨ ਬਾਂਛਤ ਫਲ-ਦਾਇਨੀ ਚਤੁਰ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਭੌਨ ॥੨੫॥
Man Baa[n]chhath Phal-Dhaaeinee,
Chathur Padhaarathh Bhaun
-
Word-by-word:
Baa[n]chhath = Desires | Phal = Fruit, Reward | Dhaaeinee = Giver | Chathur = Clever, Wise |
Padhaarath = Things, Material | Bhaun = Cycle, Home, World |
-
Sri Japji Sahib is the Fulfiller of the Mind’s Desires, the Home of the 4 Padhaarathh (Arth = Wealth, Moksh = Liberation, Kaam = Desire, Dharam = Divine Path, Righteousness)
-
ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਨਵ ਨਿਧਿ ਜੇ ਸਭ ਬਿਧਿ ਕੀ ਦਾਤਾਰੁ ॥
Ridhh[i] Sidhh[i] nav nidhh[i],
Jae Sabh Bidhh[i] Kee Dhaathaar[u]
-
Word-by-word: Ridhh[i] = Ridhhee = Success, Achievement | Sidhh[i] = 18 Spiritual Powers | Nav-Nidhh[i] = 9 Treasures: Padham, Mahapadham, Shankh, Makar, Kachhap, Mukand, Kand, Neel, Vrach | Bidhh[i] = Ways, Traditions | Dhaathaar = Giver | Note: a lot of these are seen as desirable in traditional South Asia... even to this day, if we take the most desired things and reflect on the expectations of happiness we have for them... then we realize that we will not actually receive eternal happiness as a result. Let us connect to the eternal happiness that comes as a result of Sri Japji Sahib and let the flames of those previous desires extinguish.
-
Sri Japji Sahib is the Giver of all desired things (Ridhhiyaan, Sidhhiyaan, Nau Nidhh, etc)
-
ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ਕਰਿ ਜੋਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਧਰ ਪਰ ਸਿਰ ਕਹੁ ਧਾਰਿ॥੨੬॥
Namaskaar Kar[i] Jor[i] Kar[i],
Dhhar Par Sir Kah[u] Dhaar[i]
-
Word-by-word:
Namaskaar = Bow down, Rever | Jor[i] = clasped, closed, join | Kar[i] = Do, Hand | Dhhar = Earth, Ground | Par = On| Dhhaar[i] = Take On, Accept |
-
Doing Namaskaar with hands folded,
l place my head on the ground and bow down in front of Sri Japji Sahib...

Trace of Mool Mantar as it appears in Karthaarpur Saroop (the first ever arrangement of Gurbani as Aadh[i] Granth by Dhan Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji Maharaj, scribed by Bhai Gurdas Ji... which was again arranged by Dhan Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj and given Guruship as Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj

ਜਿਸ ਤੇ ਚਾਹਤ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕੋ ਸੁਰ ਗਨ ਹ੍ਵੈ ਗੁਰ ਸਿਖ੍ਯ ।
Jis Thae Chaahath Mukath[i] Ko,
Sur Gan Hvai Gur Sikhya
-
Word-by-word: Jis Thae = From Which| Chaahath = | Mukath[i] = Mukathee = Liberation, Transcendence | Surgan = Heavenly Qualities, With Attribution | Hvai = Hovai = Will Be |
-
Whoever seeks liberation must have virtuous qualities and
thus, become a Gursikh
-
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਜਪੁ ਸਦਾ ਜਿ ਸੇਵਹੀਂ ਧੰਨੁ ਸਿ ਨਰ ਜਗ ਦਿਖ੍ਯ॥੨੭॥
Sree Jap[u] Sadhaa Ji Saev-hee[n],
Dhha[n]n[u] Si nar Jag Dhikhy
-
Word-by-word: Ji = If | Saevhee[n] = Do Seva Of; Seva = Service… (can do seva physically but also concentrating on something can be serving Vaheguru as a way as worship)| Dha[n]n = | Si = specifying word | Nar = man, human | Dhikhy = seen |
-
If you always recite & contemplate Sri Japji Sahib then you will be
seen as blessed in this world.

0:00

Japanese Professor Tomio Mizokami attempted translation of Sri Japji Sahib, here is a short interview clip with him discussing in Punjabi. In another interview, Mizokami-san confesses that he learned Punjabi not to converse and speak to others but to read literature and Guru Granth Sahib. It took him 3 years to learn. He states that he finds peace of mind at Gurdwara Sahib.

-
ਬਿਧਿ ਪ੍ਰਪੰਚ ਮੈ ਜੇਅ ਹੈਂ ਊਚ ਨੀਚ ਸੁਰ ਪ੍ਰੇਤ।
Bidhh[i] Prapa[n]ch Mai Jae-a Hai[n],
Ooch neech Sur Praeth
-
Word-by-word:
Prapa[n]ch = The Expansion of the 5 Elements, Universe | Jae-a = Jee-a = Jeev = Separated Beings | Ooch = High | neech = Low | Sur = Heavenly |
Praeth = Spirits, Ghosts |
-
All of the types of spirits in this world, whether good or bad...
-
ਜਪ ਸੇਵਕ ਕੇ ਬਿਘਨ ਕੋ ਕਰਿ ਨ ਸਕੈ ਕਛੁ ਹੇਤ॥੨੮॥
Jap Saevak Kae Bighan Ko,
Kar[i] n Sakai Kachh[u] Haeth
-
Word-by-word:
Saevak = Servant | Bighan = Obstacles | Kachh[u] = Kuchh = Anything | Haeth = referring to be towards something |
-
The Servant of Sri Japji Sahib will not face any obstacles from these spirits.
-
ਇਸ ਤੇ ਊਪਰ ਔਰ ਨਹਿਂ ਸਭ ਮੰਤ੍ਰਨਿ ਸਿਰਮੌਰ ।
Eis Thae Oopar Aur nah[in],
Sabh Ma[n]thran[i] Sirmaur
-
Word-by-word:
Is Thae = From This, Of This | Oopar = Above | nah[i] = Not, No | Sabh = All | Ma[n]tharan[i] = Plural of Mantra = Teaching often given to be recited | Sirmaur = Sir = Head; Maur = Coin ~ Highest Form of Currency |
-
There is nothing above Sri Japji Sahib, it is the Highest of all Mantras (lit. highest coin, among currency of spiritual teachings)

Unofficial coins supposedly used as token to offer at Gurdwara Sahib with Mool Mantra & Gurmantar scribed (Sikh Coins Blogspot)

ਜਪੁ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਦ੍ਵੈ ਲੋਕ ਮੈਂ ਸਨਮਾਨਤ ਸਭ ਠੌਰ ॥੨੯॥
Jap[u] Saevak[u] Dhwai Lok,
Mai[n] Sanmaanath Sabh Ttaur
-
Word-by-word:
Dhwai = Both | Lok = Realms, People | Sanmaanath = Honours, Awards | Ttaur = Place|
-
The Servant of Sri Japji Sahib will receive honours in every place they go... (including both realms of life and afterlife)
-
ਪਠਨਿ ਸੁਨਨਿ ਫਲੁ ਜਾਹਿਂ ਕੋ ਸਭ ਤੇ ਊਚ ਮਹਾਨ ।
Pattan[i] Sunan[i] Phal[u] Jaah[in] Ko,
Sabh Thae Ooch Mahaan
-
Word-by-word:
Pattan[i] = Reading | Sunan[i] = Listening | Jaah[in] = Will Do |
-
Reciting and listening to Sri Japji Sahib will result in receiving the Ultimate and Greatest Reward
-
ਇਸ ਕੇ ਸਮ ਨਹਿਂ ਔਰ ਮੈਂ ਖੋਜਿਯ ਸਰਬ ਜਹਾਨ॥੩੦॥
Eis Kae Sum nah[in] Aur,
Mai[n] Khojiy Sarab Jahaan
-
Word-by-word:
Sum = Parallel, Of Same Value | Aur = Other, And | Khojiy = Khojeey = Searched | Jahaan = World, Universe |
-
I have searched the entire world... There is nothing like Sri Japji Sahib.

Sri Japji Sahib in Perso-Arabic Shahmukhi Script

ਨਰਨਿ ਉਧਾਰਨਿ ਕਾਰਨੇ ਕਲਿ ਮੈਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਪ੍ਰਬੀਨ ।
Naran[i] Oudhhaaran[i] Kaaranae,
Kal[i] Mai[n] Guroo Prabeen
-
Word-by-word:
Naran[i] = Humanity, Population | Oudhhaaran[i] = Float, Save | Kaaranae = For the Cause, For the Purpose | Kal[i] = Kalyug = Age of Darkness | Prabeen = Wise, Expert |
-
Guru Sahib is the most capable of saving humanity in this Kalyug.
-
ਹਾਨ ਅਗ੍ਯਾਨਹਿ ਗ੍ਯਾਨ ਦਾ ਮਹਾਂ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਯਹ ਕੀਨ॥੩੧॥
Haan Agyaanah[i] Gyaan Dhaa,
Mahaa[n] Ma[n]thr Yah Keen
-
Word-by-word:
Haan = Letting Go, Renounce | Agyaanah[i] = Agiaan = Misunderstanding, Ignorance | Gyaan = Spiritual Wisdom, Reality | Ma[n]thr = Teaching, usually to be chanted or reflected upon | Yah = This | Keen = Did, Made, Developed |
-
Letting go of Ignorance, Sri Japji Sahib is the Maha Mantra of Wisdom developed for us [Ultimate Teaching to reflect on]
-
ਥਿਰੁ ਮਨੁ ਰੋਕਿ ਰਿਖੀਕ ਕੋ ਨਿਤਪ੍ਤਿ ਜਪੁਜੀ ਜਾਪ।
Thhir[u] Man[u] Rok[i] Rikheek Ko, nithprath[i] Jap[u]jee Jaap
-
Word-by-word:
Thhir[u] = Unmoving, Stable | Rok[i] = Rokee = Stopped | Rikheek = Indriya = Senses; 5 Karam Indriya are Function-Power behind Speech, Hands, Feet, Anus, Genitals; 5 Giaan Indriya are Function-Power behind Sight, Hearing, Taste, Touch, Smell | nithprath[i] = Daily, Routinely | Jaap = Repeated, Chanted, Recited, Reflected on |
-
The mind becomes stable when Sri Japji Sahib is recited & as a result, the senses (5 Karam and 5 Giaan Indriya) are in control [ie we stop living to chase what the senses think is pleasure filled]
-
ਫਲ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੁਇ ਮਹਾਂ ਪਦ ਹਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਤੀਨਹੁ ਤਾਪ॥੩੨॥
Phal Praapath[i] Hue[i] Mahaa[n] Padh,
Har[i] Kar[i] Theenah[u] Thaap
-
Word-by-word:
Praapath[i] = Praapathee = Attain | Hue[i] = Hooee = Happened | Padh = State, Position | Har[i] = Har = Remove, different arths also exist but not in context to this line | Theenah[u] = All 3 | Thaap = Fevers (Mind, Body, Spiritual Trouble) |
-
One attains the highest spiritual state as a result of reciting & contemplating upon Sri Japji Sahib and so the 3 fevers (Aadhhee, Biyaadhhee, Oupaadhhee) will be removed.
-
ਨਾਮ ਧਰਯੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ੍ਯ ਨਿਜ ਜਪੁਜੀ ਕੰਠ ਨ ਕੀਨ।
Naam Dhharayo Guras[i]khy nij,
Jap[u]jee Ka[n]tt n Keen
-
Word-by-word:
Nij = Own | Ka[n]tt = Memorized, Internalized |
-
When a Gursikh (one who has internalized Naam)
does not have Sri Japji Sahib memorized...

The rice gives the rice husk its value. In the same way... Naam Simran & other forms of connecting to Guru Sahib become so much more spiritually fulfilling when Sri Japji Sahib is memorized and meanings internalized.

ਤੰਦੁਲ ਬਿਨ ਤੁਖ ਕਾਜ ਕਿਹ ਨਿਸ਼ਫਲ ਇਸ ਬਿਧਿ ਚੀਨ ॥੩੩॥
Tha[n]dhul Bin Thukh Kaaj Kih,
Nishphal Eis Bidhh[i] Cheen
-
Word-by-word:
Tha[n]dhul = Rice | Bin = Without | Thukh = Husk | Kaaj = Task | Kih = In Which, How | nish-phal = Without Fruit, Without reward | Is Bidhh[i] = In This Way | Cheen = Understand, See, Realize |
-
[Just] like the husk/shell is worthless without the rice,
In this way, realize that there won’t be the fruit of liberation without memorizing Sri Japji Sahib.
-
ਅਬ ਆਗੈ ਪਰਗਟ ਕਰੀਂ ਅਰਥ ਗ੍ਯਾਨ ਕੇ ਧਾਮ।
Ab Aagai Pargat Karee[n],
Arthh Gyaan Kae Dhhaam
-
Word-by-word:
Ab = Now | Aagai = Ahead, Coming Soon | Pargat = Make Visible, Present | Karee[n] = Will do | Arthh = Meanings | Dhhaam = Home, Place of Angels, Body |
-
Now, I will present the Home of Arth-Gyaan
(Spiritual Wisdom found through reflecting on the Meanings of Sri Japji Sahib)
-
ਨਿਸਚੇ ਕਰਿ ਪਠਿ ਜੇ ਸੁਨਹਿਂ ਮਨ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਬਿਸ੍ਰਾਮ ॥੩੪॥
Nischae Kar[i] Patt[i] Jae Sunah[in],
Man Paavah[i] Bisraam
-
Word-by-word:
Nischae = Conviction, Trust, Faith | Paavah[i] = Will Receive |
Bisraam = Peace, Stability|
-
The mind will find peace if it engrains the knowledge received through reciting and listening Sri Japji Sahib.
~~~
Please point out any mistakes, omissions, corrections etc.
Forgive for any mistakes.
Guru Panth Ka Daas,
Aaeenaa