Naam As Guru-Mantra

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Naam As Guru-Mantra

source: taken from book 'Naam' by Phd Surinder Singh Kohli

Guru Granth Sahib has decried all those incantations (called mantras in Indian terminology), which are recited for the fulfilment of certain worldly wishes, The Practice of incantation differs greatly in different cultures. As incantation contains "words of power" meant to accomplish a desired objective. The power of the chanted formula may be good or bad. In olden times as incantation was consided as a form of magic, but as a powerful scriptural expression, it is called mantra. Guru Nanak Dev has rejected the use of incantations or spells. He says: "The one, who strays away from the path, recites incantations at the crematoriums wastes away his life. He does not know the word(Shabda) and speaks evil". (Ramkali, Siddh Gostha, M.1, p.941)".

These incantations are of no avail. At the time of invasion of Babur, the pirs(divines) of the Muslims recited incantations in order to check his advance, but the temples weer burnt and princes were murdered. " (Asa M, 1, p.417).

The word mantra is a sanskrit term for 'sacred speech'. It has been derived from the root 'man' meaning "to think", conveying the idea of 'a vechile of thought'. The proper concentration of the speaker (incantor) brings in the desired result of the mantra. The orginal mantras of Hinduism are contained in four vedas. By reciting a mantra, some god or goddess is invoked. A mantra forms part of a ritual. But Sikhism has no faith in gods, goddesses and the rtiuals. The mantra of the Tantriks are nothing more than hypocrisy or guile. Guru Nanak Dev says: "I do not know the hypocrisies of tantras and mantras. My mind is only pleased with the Name of the Lord". (Suhi. M-1, p,766)..

Since this guru gives his mantra to the devotee, it is known as Guru- Mantra. A few words mentioning the attributes of Brahman(vahiguroo), which are given in the very beginning of the Sikh Scripture and form part of Japu are called Mool Mantra (the preliminary mantra). This mantra occurs hundreds of times in Guru Granth Sahib. There is also mention of Bija Mantra in Sikhism. This word occurs in Sukhmani of Guru Arjan Dev and the swayyas of the bards. Guru Arjan Dev says: "He, who listens to and contemplates on the Name of the Lord, all his maladies disappear. He recites the great mantra and sings the praises of the Lord." (Bilawal M.5p-814).

We give hereunder the translation of a few quotations from Guru Granth Sahib regarding Guru-Mantra, which apprise us about its impact on the devotee, who may be called the striver (Sadhik):

1. The Guru gave his mantra, the name of the Lord, Saith Nanak, chanting which the devotee does not undergo the suffering of birth and death. (Manu M. 5, p-1002)

2. The Guru gave his mantra, the true shabda. (Wadhans. M. 5 ,p- 576)

3. The human being, who is without the mantra of the Guru, fie on is defiled birth; that fool is not even equal to a dog, a pig, a a ss , a crow and a snake. (Sahaskriti Shlokas, pp.1356-57)

4 The Guru gives a firm understanding of his mantra and tells the method of enjoying the taste of Lord's name with great relish. He drips the ambrosia of the Lord's Name in the mouth of the devotee. (Asa M. p-447)

5 Pulling your bow, shoot your arrow and bring down the sins. Remember the mantra of the Guru Nanak and thus you will not undergo any suffering, saith nanak. (Gujri Ki var M 5 , p-521)

The above examples make it clear that Guru-Mantra is the name of the Lord or the word (Shabda) of the GUur. It ends all the suffering of the devotee. He does not transmigrate any more. He enjoys the superior relish of Naam with great gusto. All his sins committed earlier fall down, ending all their ill-effects. A person without the gift of Guru-Mantra from the Guru wastes his birth and is even inferior to a dog, a pig, a ss, a crow and a serpent.

Now the question arises as to What naam has been given to us by our Gurus. Our living Guru, Guru Granth Sahib must guide us on this issue. It is clearly written in the hyms that the shabda or the bani is the Guru. While holding his discussions with the adepts and Yogis, Guru Nanak Dev said that shabda was his Guru. Guru Ram das also said:

Bani is the Guru and the Guru is the Bani, all ambrosia are withing the Bani, The devotee should follow whatever Guru-Bani says, the Guru will apparently emancipate him (Nat M4, P-982)

There are hints in the hymns of Guru Amar Das regarding Guru-Mantra.A few examples will suffice:

1. He, the true lord cause himself to be called 'Wahu, Wahu' through the Guru's word (Var Gujri M.3, p.514)

2. True is the utterance (Bani) 'Wahu, Wahu' by which one meets the True lord. By chanting 'Wahu, Wahu' the lord if attained by his grace is obtained. (Var Gujri M.3, p.514)

3. The tongue is adorned by the Shabda 'Wahu, Wahu'. With this perfect shabda, the Lord is realised. (Var Gujri M.3, p.514)

4. Beauteous are the persons, who utter 'Wahu, Wahu', the people come to adore them. (Var Gujri M.3, p.514)

5. By uttering 'Wahu, Wahu', the night passes in peace. O my mother! by uttering 'Wahu, Wahu', one is ever in bliss. (Var Gujri. M 3, p -514)

6. The utterance (Bani) of 'Wahu, Wahu' is true, the Guruward has found it through search (Var Gujri, M.3, p-514)

7. The lord is realised by chanting 'Wahu, Wahu' which the Guruwards have found spontaneously through search (Var Gujri. M-3 , p-514)

8. The lord is realised by chanting 'Wahu, Wahu' and the self-willed die eating poision. They do not like 'Wahu, Wahu' and pass their life in great misery. (Var Gujri. M,3. p-515)

9. The mind is purified by uttering 'Wahu, Wahu' and the ego vanished from within. The disciples who always utter 'Wahu, Wahu' are rewarded to their heart's content (Var Gujri. M. 3, p-515)

10. I utter 'Wahu, Wahu', within my heart and also with my mouth; those who utter 'Wahu, Wahu' I surrender my body and mind to them. (Var Gujri. M. 3, p-515)

11. It is through the grace of the Lord that we obtain the utterance of 'Wahu, Wahu'. The Lord himself bestows it through his Kindness. The Guruward obtains 'Wahu, Wahu', saith Nanak, he remembers this name of the lord night and day. (Var Gujri. M. 3, p-515)

Only a few quotations have been given above, which amply prove that the Guruward is blessed with the Shabda of the Guru or the Name of the Lord ie. 'Wahu, Wahu' by the grace of Lord. His ego vanishes and he is ever absorbed in this Name or mantra.

The first Sikh thelogian, Bhai Gurdas, who lived in the times of the four Sikh Gurus, from Guru Amar Das to Guru Hargobind, has very said in his vars:

1. 'Waheguru' is Guru-Mantra, by chanting which the ego is affaced (Bhai Gurdas, Var13).

2. The Guru-Shabada asks for the eulogy of "Waheguru' (Bhai Gurdas, var 13).

3. The Guru caused us to listen to the Shabda 'Waheguru' (Bhai Gurdas, Var 24)

The Guru Manatra ie 'Waheguru', is inconceivable by Vedas and Katebas i.e- Hindu and Semitic Scriptures (Bhai Gurdas, Var 12). Fie on that tongue, which remember mantras other than the Guru-Mantra (Bhai Gurdas Var 24)

We find the use of Guru-Mantra 'Waheguru' in the swayyas of Bhatts(Bards) in Guru Granth Sahib. Guru- Mantra "Waheguru' is repeated several times in the swayyas of the fourth Guru like this:

Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru Wahe jiu

(Swayye M, 4, p-1402)

The traditional Guru-Mantra in Hinduism has been Aum, which has been used in Guru Granth Sahib also. It occurs in the very beginning of Japu and Dakni Oankar. Though it forms part of the Mool Mantra and is recited by the devout Sikhs many times, but has not been recommended as Guru-Mantra, which is only Waheguru for a Sikh. Wahe and Wahu are the combination of two letters "W' and 'h'. They even occur in Taittiriya Upanishad. Their combination means 'Wonderful' and 'Guru' means 'enlightnener', Who is God Himself. Though Aum means (Akar= Brahma +Ukar- Vishnu+Makar-Shiva) the wielder of the three persons of creation preservation and destruction, it does not give us a full picture of Brahman, which the Guru-Mantra 'Waheguru' gives 'Waheguru' provides a sikh with the enlightment of all the marvels of the Lord. It brings in the complete identity of the Lord with the Sikh, which is highly desirable in the case of Guru-Mantra.

Thus the Guru-Mantra for a Sikh is 'Waheguru' and he is requied to remember it at all times, which is objective of his life.

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What does Guru Mantra litraelly mean?