Japji Pauris 8-11, Suniai

Listening – Suniai

There are five aids to spiritual advancement –

• Living by Hukam or Divine will – Dutifulness.

• Remembering God’s virtues.

• Listening.

• Believing.

• Belief leading to faith.

This paper discusses the aspect of listening.

Listening has an important connotation – that of being the second person to one who speaks. It thus has an element of humility. Humility is the other name for submission, not subjugation as to a tyrant, but to someone who is more profound, and naturally to God.

According to Gurmat i.e. the guru’s teachings we are to listen to Naam. Literally speaking Naam refers to God’s virtues. However it also has a deep meaning of God’s commands and will, which we are required to comply with:

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਬੋਲੇ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਜੋ ਸੁਣੇ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਸੁ ਉਤਰੈ ਪਾਰਿ ॥ ਜਨਮਿ ਨ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਤੀ ਓਹੁ ਰਹੈ ਸਮਾਇ ॥੪॥੨॥ ੫ ੩੭੦

This servant describes the divine virtues;

One who listens and emulates, crosses over the world ocean;

Such a person does not reincarnate,

absorbed as he (or she) is in God all the time (M: 5, p 370).

In the reference given here M: 5 means it is the composition of the fifth Sikh Guru while the page is of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), the Sikh scripture. This is followed throughout this paper.

By emulating the virtues we comply with Hukam i.e. God’s commands or will. Naam and Hukam are therefore synonymous. We learn this from the guru:

ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਬੁਝਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥੫॥ ੧ ੭੨

The guru gives the understanding that Naam and Hukam are the same M: 1, p 72).

Guru Nanak says in Jap Ji Sahib:

Hukam razaaee chalna Nanak likhiaa naali (Pauri 2).

Live by the preordained commands.

Pauri 2 stands for the 2nd stanza.

We can carry out an order satisfactorily only if we understand it. The commands were given to the soul and are therefore known to it. Also alerts are being sounded all the time within the body. The soul or mind is also reminded by the Divine within the body, which we call conscience, which tells us what is right or wrong.

But we still go wrong as we succumb to temptations. The guru cautions us if we care to pay heed:

ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥

ਮਨ ਹਰਿ ਜੀ ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾਲਿ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਰੰਗੁ ਮਾਣੁ ॥ ੩ ੪੪੧

My mind you are the embodiment of the Divine light, know your roots;

God is with you enjoy the bliss through the guru’s teachings (M: 3, p 441).

Even otherwise the happenings around us should act as reminders. When we see death it should remind us of the transitory nature of life. When we see others doing their duties we should be motivated. Then there are the scriptures that guide us.

Human birth is beautiful let us be alert and not let it be wasted. Should we not understand ourselves the guru is there to help:

ਜਾਗੁ ਸਲੋਨੜੀਏ ਬੋਲੈ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਰਾਮ ॥

ਜਿਨਿ ਸੁਣਿ ਮੰਨਿਅੜੀ ਅਕਥ ਕਹਾਣੀ ਰਾਮ ॥

ਅਕਥ ਕਹਾਣੀ ਪਦੁ ਨਿਰਬਾਣੀ ਕੋ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝਏ ॥

ਓਹੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਮਾਏ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਏ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਸੋਝੀ ਸੂਝਏ ॥ ੧ ੮੪੪

O beautiful life wake up listen to the guru’s word;

One who listens to the ineffable word and acts on it,

Achieves salvation, but a rare one understands this through the guru;

Immersing himself in the Word he loses his identity, but understands the world (M: 1, p 644).

The Guru says what the creator wants to be conveyed to us:

ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਘਰੀ ਵਸਾਏ ॥

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਣਹੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਆਪਿ ਮੁਹਹੁ ਕਢਾਏ ॥ ੪ ੩੦੮

Remember God’s virtues for ever, O Guru’s Sikhs,

God will then abide in your mind;

Accept the true guru’s word as authentic,

because the Creator Itself makes him say (M: 4, p 308).

If we still do not pay heed we cannot blame any one else because we are being alerted all the time:

ਏਤੁ ਜਨਮਿ ਹਰਿ ਨ ਚੇਤਿਓ ਭਾਈ ਕਿਆ ਮੁਹੁ ਦੇਸੀ ਜਾਇ ॥

ਕਿੜੀ ਪਵੰਦੀ ਮੁਹਾਇਓਨੁ ਭਾਈ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਨੋ ਲੋਭਾਇ ॥੭॥ ੩ ੬੩੯

If we do not keep the commands in mind in human birth, how shall we face the Master?

Despite being alerted we are being robbed by temptations and greed (M: 3, p 639).

Further

ਆਇਓ ਸੁਨਨ ਪੜਨ ਕਉ ਬਾਣੀ ॥

ਨਾਮੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿ ਲਗਹਿ ਅਨ ਲਾਲਚਿ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਪਰਾਣੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ੫ ੧੨੧੯

Man comes to listen and read the Word;

But he forgets that under temptations and wastes the human birth (M: 5, p 1219).

What this means is that the Baani is there to remind us of our duties, but temptations get the better of us. If the temptations are overcome we get the message from within and act according to our conscience:

ਆਤਮ ਰਸੁ ਜਿਹ ਜਾਨਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗ ਸਹਜੇ ਮਾਣੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਧਨਿ ਧਨਿ ਧੰਨਿ ਜਨ ਆਏ ਤੇ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥੧॥ ੫ ੨੫੨

One who identifies the Divine presence within,

Enjoys God’s presence naturally;

Such a person is praiseworthy;

He makes a success of life (M: 5, p 252).

Listening to the inner voice or by reading is greatly facilitated by participation in holy company or Sat Sangat also called Sadh Sangat:

ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਸਾਈ ਹਰਿ ਤੇਰੀ ਜਿਤੁ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੁਨਣੇ ॥

ਜਿਨ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਮਨੁ ਭੀਨਾ ਤਿਨ ਹਮ ਸ੍ਰੇਵਹ ਨਿਤ ਚਰਣੇ ॥੧॥ ੪ ੧੧੩੫

The holy congregation is one in which we listen to Your praises O Lord;

I shall serve at the feet of one who listens and immerses in Your Naam (M: 4, p 1135).

The subjects of listening are initially covered in Japji Sahib, the first composition in SGGS in Pauris 8-11 and later elaborated in Pauri 35 and part of Pauri 36.

Pauris 8 to 11 are dedicated to listening and all end with the following statement which is their underlying message:

ਨਾਨਕ ਭਗਤਾ ਸਦਾ ਵਿਗਾਸੁ ॥ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਦੂਖ ਪਾਪ ਕਾ ਨਾਸੁ ॥

The devotees are always joyful;

Because by listening, they avoid transgressions and the resulting suffering.

Let us study what each of these Pauris says in addition:

ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸਿਧ ਪੀਰ ਸੁਰਿ ਨਾਥ ॥ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਧਰਤਿ ਧਵਲ ਆਕਾਸ ॥

ਸੁਣਿਐ ਦੀਪ ਲੋਅ ਪਾਤਾਲ ॥ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਪੋਹਿ ਨ ਸਕੈ ਕਾਲੁ ॥

By listening one -

becomes an accomplished person, spiritual guide, angel and yogi;

Gets knowledge about the earth, the metaphoric bull supporting it, and the sky;

Learns about the earth, the planets and the lower regions;

Fears death no more. Pauri 8.

ਸੁਣਿਐ ਈਸਰੁ ਬਰਮਾ ਇੰਦੁ ॥ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਮੁਖਿ ਸਾਲਾਹਣ ਮੰਦੁ ॥

ਸੁਣਿਐ ਜੋਗ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਤਨਿ ਭੇਦ ॥ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸਾਸਤ ਸਿਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਵੇਦ ॥

By listening -

We learn about the Hindu gods Mahadev, Brahma, and Indra;

Even those caught in evil are motivated to praise God;

We learn about the ways of yoga, and the mystries of the body;

We learn what the scripture say. Pauri 9.

ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਅਠਸਠਿ ਕਾ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ॥

ਸੁਣਿਐ ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਮਾਨੁ ॥ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਲਾਗੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥

By listening we -

Share what we have with others, be contented and learn;

Get purified by remembering Divine virtues rather than by ritual baths;

Are motivated to study to learn and receive honor;

Are able to concentrate effortlessly. Pauri 10.

ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸਰਾ ਗੁਣਾ ਕੇ ਗਾਹ ॥ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸੇਖ ਪੀਰ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹ ॥

ਸੁਣਿਐ ਅੰਧੇ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਰਾਹੁ ॥ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਹਾਥ ਹੋਵੈ ਅਸਗਾਹੁ ॥

By listening –

We imbibe profound virtues;

We can get the status of spiritual and temporal guides and kings;

The uneducated can learn;

One knows mysteries of life like a diver explores the ocean. Pauri 10.

Japji Sahib describes these experiences of gaining knowledge twice, the second time after describing the realm of knowledge:

ਗਿਆਨ ਖੰਡ ਮਹਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪਰਚੰਡੁ ॥ ਤਿਥੈ ਨਾਦ ਬਿਨੋਦ ਕੋਡ ਅਨੰਦੁ ॥

Knowledge reigns supreme in the realm of learning;

One enjoys the celestial music and great bliss. Pauri 36.

These accord with the central message of Pauris 8-11 given above i.e.

The devotees are always joyful;

Because by listening, they avoid transgressions and the resulting suffering.

The Guru has thus introduced the principle that learning is necessary in order to avoid the pitfalls that we face in life all the time. Once we do that bliss is obtained.

Pauri 35 elaborates on the learning in greater detail and imparts advanced knowledge. The reader would notice that a number of words and concepts are common between Pauris 8-11 and 35. Let us savor:

ਕੇਤੇ ਪਵਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਵੈਸੰਤਰ ਕੇਤੇ ਕਾਨ ਮਹੇਸ ॥

ਕੇਤੇ ਬਰਮੇ ਘਾੜਤਿ ਘੜੀਅਹਿ ਰੂਪ ਰੰਗ ਕੇ ਵੇਸ ॥

ਕੇਤੀਆ ਕਰਮ ਭੂਮੀ ਮੇਰ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਧੂ ਉਪਦੇਸ ॥

ਕੇਤੇ ਇੰਦ ਚੰਦ ਸੂਰ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਮੰਡਲ ਦੇਸ ॥

ਕੇਤੇ ਸਿਧ ਬੁਧ ਨਾਥ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਦੇਵੀ ਵੇਸ ॥

ਕੇਤੇ ਦੇਵ ਦਾਨਵ ਮੁਨਿ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਰਤਨ ਸਮੁੰਦ ॥

ਕੇਤੀਆ ਖਾਣੀ ਕੇਤੀਆ ਬਾਣੀ ਕੇਤੇ ਪਾਤ ਨਰਿੰਦ ॥

ਕੇਤੀਆ ਸੁਰਤੀ ਸੇਵਕ ਕੇਤੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਅੰਤੁ ॥੩੫॥

There are numerous –

Gases, liquids, types of energy, the Hindu gods;

Types of creators who make things of diverse types and hues;

Types of places to work, guides and their disciples;

Skies, moons, suns, galaxies and planets;

Accomplished people, intellectuals, yogis and forms of goddesses;

Gods, demons, silent yogis, and jewels in the ocean;

Types of life forms, their forms of speech and kings of men;

People in contemplation, in service;

there is no end to all these. Pauri 35.

The subject of listening is also addressed by Guru Nanak in Pauris 6-8 of Saarang Ki Vaar on page 1240 of SGGS. Four lines out of five in each of these Pauris starts with ‘Naaey Suniai’ meaning ‘by listening to Naam’. They emphasize that Naam is the subject of listening and learning. They list the benefits of listening to and emulating Divine virtues. Further a common feature of all these Pauris is that the fifth line motivates us to follow the guru’s teachings which assist in contemplating on God’s virtues.

ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਮਨੁ ਰਹਸੀਐ ਨਾਮੇ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਆਈ ॥

ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਮਨੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤੀਐ ਸਭ ਦੁਖ ਗਵਾਈ ॥

ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਨਾਉ ਊਪਜੈ ਨਾਮੇ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥

ਨਾਮੇ ਹੀ ਸਭ ਜਾਤਿ ਪਤਿ ਨਾਮੇ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈ ॥

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ ॥੬॥ ੧ ੧੨੪੦

By listening to Naam –

We experience bliss and peace of mind;

The mind is satisfied, craves no more and afflictions leave;

Naam (virtues) show up in our conduct and we praise God;

One sees honor in Naam and not caste; Naam leads to salvation;

We contemplate on God’s virtues through the guru’s teachings. Pauri 6, p 1240.

ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸਭ ਸਿਧਿ ਹੈ ਰਿਧਿ ਪਿਛੈ ਆਵੈ ॥

ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਮਨ ਚਿੰਦਿਆ ਪਾਵੈ ॥

ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਹੋਇ ਕਵਲਾ ਚਰਨ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥

ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸਹਜੁ ਊਪਜੈ ਸਹਜੇ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥

ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਨਾਉ ਪਾਈਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵੈ ॥੭॥ ੧ ੧੨੪੦

Listening to Naam –

One can achieve every thing and what he wishes for follows him;

All the treasures are obtained and wishes fulfilled;

One’s mind gets satisfaction; wealth seeks him;

One develops equipoise and obtains peace effortlessly;

One emulates virtues and praises God through the guru’s teachings. Pauri 7, p 1240.

ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸੁਚਿ ਸੰਜਮੋ ਜਮੁ ਨੇੜਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥

ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਘਟਿ ਚਾਨਣਾ ਆਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੇਰੁ ਗਵਾਵੈ ॥

ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਆਪੁ ਬੁਝੀਐ ਲਾਹਾ ਨਾਉ ਪਾਵੈ ॥

ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਪਾਪ ਕਟੀਅਹਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਸਚੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਮੁਖ ਉਜਲੇ ਨਾਉ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥੮॥ ੧ ੧੨੪੦

Listening to Naam –

Obviates rituals and austerities, the messenger of death keeps away;

The inner self is illuminated and ignorance leaves;

We understand the self and get Naam as the fruit of our efforts;

We avoid transgressions and get to the eternal impeccable Lord;

Remembering God through the guru’s teachings we receive honor. Pauri 8, p 1240.

The last Pauri has stated that by listening to Naam our efforts fructify in obtaining Naam itself. We are able to emulate Divine virtues and be entitled to merge into the Divine. The purpose of human life is thus fulfilled.

Guru Nanak says:

ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਰਹੀਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਿਛੁ ਸੁਣੀਐ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਹੀਐ ॥

ਭਾਲਿ ਰਹੇ ਹਮ ਰਹਣੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜੀਵਤਿਆ ਮਰਿ ਰਹੀਐ ॥੫॥੨॥ ੧ ੬੬੧

As long as we are in this world we should listen to and talk about God;

Search tells us that no one lives for ever so live in humility (M: 1, p 661).