Aap japaaye jappe so Naao – Raag Gauree – Ang 270

 SGGS Angg 270.

Raag Gauree (Gauri) Sukhmani M.5

In the 1st Astpadhi, Guru Ji tells us simran is a must if you seek to meet the Lord. It is the highest form of devotional worship.

“Prabh ka simran sabh te uchaa.”

In the 2nd Astpadhi, we are told to take the Sharan of Satguru Nanak and to do simran using Naam.

“Deen Dukh Bhanjna ghat ghat Nath Anath; Sharan Tumari aayo Nanak ke Prabh saath.”

In the 3rd Astpadhi we are told, no other method equals to Naam.

“Baho Shastar baho Simritee pekhay sarab dhandol; pujjas nahi Har Hare Nanak Naam amolh.”

The 4th Astpadhi looks at man’s conduct. His behaviour is beastly, although he claims to be from the human race.

“Kartoot passu ki maanas jaat; lok pacharaa karey dinn raat.”

The 5th Astpadhi tells us about man’s foolishness in forsaking the Lord and attaching himself to perishables. He latches himself to fellow travellers, and gets no blessings at all.

“Batavu seyo jo laavhe neh; ta ko haath na aave keh.”

Astpadhi 6 tells us about all the blessings we take for granted. The water we drink, the air we breathe, the clothes we wear, the perfumes we use, are all given to us in His Grace. The words “Jeh Parsad” is constantly used to drive home the point that man is ungrateful (nashukra, akritghan) for all the bounty he gets.

This is the 8th (final) pada of the 6th Astpadhi, Sukhmani Sahib.

Guru Ji tells us we all make efforts to sing His Naam. This is praiseworthy. But one only truly sings His Praises when He takes over completely (i.e haumai is eradicated and there is Gur Parsad). Thus, the Lord Himself sings His Praises.

When He Himself recites, only then can it be truly said, that Naam is being recited; those whom He Himself inspires to sing, truly sing His Praises.

“Aap japaaye jappe so Naao; Aap gavaaye so Har gunn gaao.”

By God’s Grace, Enlightenment comes; by His Mercy, the heart lotus blossoms forth; when the Lord is truly pleased, He comes to dwell in the mind; by His Mercy, the intellect is exalted.

“Prabh kirpa te hoye pargaas; Prabhu Dya te kamal bighaas; Prabh soprasun basse mann soye; Prabh Dya te matt uttam hoye.”

As his intellect flourishes, the Sikh says:

All Treasures O Lord, come with Your Kind Mercy; no one can obtain anything by himself; as You attach us to, so do we apply ourselves O Lord and Master; Nanak says, nothing is in the hands of these mortals.

“Sarab Nidhaan Prabh Teri Mehya; aapo kachu na kinhu lehya; jit jit laavho titt lagge Har Naath; Nanak ein ke kachu na haath.”

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube