Japji – 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 on foot over thousands of miles teaching people through song and simple inspiration to live exalted and simple lives.

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 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 be with God’s Creation in a spirit of joyful surrender.

The power of Japji comes from the combination of its sounds, or naad. Sounds have profound effects on the psyche, and when they are arranged in the science of naad, they have very specific transformative power.

By reciting different stanzas—or pauris—of Japji eleven times a day, one can access very specific effects. Reciting the Mool Mantra, for example, gives an experience of the depth and consciousness of your soul and can change your destiny to complete 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 equally unique, rich and powerful pathways of healing, self-discovery and revelation. With the complete recitation of Japji Sahib, it is said that every problem can be solved and dissolved.

 

The Structure of Japji

The structure of Japji is beautifully technical and precise. There are 40 pauris in Japji. The word “pauri” means “step,” as on a staircase. It is taught 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 40—the number of paurees 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 Sahib completely adjusts “all the elements in all of the chakras and completely adjusts your subtle and physical bodies.”

Many recitations and transcriptions of Japji Sahib can be found here.

Dev Suroop Kaur

Dev Suroop Kaur

Dev Suroop Kaur Khalsa delights in sharing the pure practicality of nurturing a successful and deeply authentic life. An accomplished musician, recording artist, and Lead Trainer in the KRI Aquarian Trainer Academy, Dev Suroop Kaur strives to break it down, keep it real, and guide students to their own empowered authenticity. Blessed to study directly with Yogi Bhajan for most of her adult life, she gratefully shares what she has learned—and continues to learn—about how to love, work, and live better in the world. She deeply enjoys training students and teachers of Kundalini Yoga in the science of Naad Yoga, women’s teachings, and how to access the beauty and power of their personal voice. She currently lives with her husband in Espanola, New Mexico and, in addition to her teaching and music activities, works to maintain a peaceful mind as a business executive.

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