ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਰੋਗੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਦਾਰੂ
The concept of “Nam” is another crucial word in the Sikh belief toward Emancipation or liberation (Jivan-Mukta). “The word ‘Nam’ is the summary expression for,[1] the whole nature of Akal Purakh (God). In this way Sikhism is a religion of Nam (Meditation).According to the corporate Sikh obligatory Ardaas (Prayer) a Sikh is said to pray that the Religion of Nam preached by Guru Nanak should bring prosper and peace to all humankind, “Nanak Nam chardi kala tere bhane sarbat ka Bhala”.[2] (“Nanak asks for ‘Naam’ (name of God) with which comes well-being, happiness and positive spirit and with your blessings, Lord may everyone in the world prosper and be in peace”).
The literal meaning of this phrase Nam-Simran is “God’s remembrance” or perhaps “to hold God constantly in mind”.[3]The word Nam-Simram (ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਨ) has been depicted in Shri Guru Granth Sahib with various words.[4] According to Sikh code of conduct it refers to a way of life that encompasses both spiritual and ethical conduct in accordance with the guidance as laid down in Sikh‘s holy book the “Guru Granth “.[5]
Guru Granth further adds that, “The world is sick, and the Naam is the medicine to cure it; without the True Lord, filth sticks to it. The Guru’s Word is immaculate and pure; it radiates a steady Light. Constantly bathe in such a true shrine of pilgrimage” (SGGS, p. 687).”[6] So, it makes clear that this world is sick and the cure can only be found in Naam. Thus, Sikhism asserts the highest place to Nam among its philosophy.
In order to attain enlightenment and to get the ever-abiding presence of Sat Nam Karta Purakh (True name of the creator God), a Sikh is urged to surrender his or her ego (Haumai or Ahankar) to the Guru’s teaching and the teachings of Guru helps a disciple to engage in Nam-Simran (recitation of Name)and this provides him an opportunity for spiritual growth and enlightenment. SGGS repeatedlyspeaks the cause of sickness and urges that a Bhakta has to run to Guru, “This world is entangled in earthly affections and so in the immense suffering of death and rebirth; flee to the True Guru’s Shelter. There repeat the Nam God in your heart and so obtain Salvation (SGGS, p. 505).”[7]
According to Guru Arjun Dev, “God’s Name is the key to emancipation (Mukti) and the means of attaining it (Jugati) God’s Name is the fulfillment (Tripati) and enjoyment (Bhugati) (SGGS, p. 264-265).[8] Thus,he who repeats God’s Name suffers no setback. Repetition of God’s Name (Nam Simram) shows the craving of man to obtain Lord’s grace and affection towards his friend. The fact of the matter is that the universe is sustained and held together by Naam: “The Naam is the Support of the earth and solar systems” (SGGS, p.284).[9]
Guru Nanak further says that, His eternal name is “Sat”, i.e. Truth. He is true and the same is with His Naam, “True is the Master, True is His Name-speak it with infinite love“ (SGGS, p.2).[10] The word, Sat Naam, is one of the attributes which has been spoken in the Mool Mantra (Creed) as well. So, God can be reached through a ladder called Naam.
Thus, in a nutshell, we can say that Sikhism is the way of Nam (The path of recitation), which leads a disciple towards realization. But one cannot comprehend the mystery of Nam without divine grace, which comes through the Guru and again it is God’s grace or the favour of Akal Purakh, which makes a person to meet with Guru. The practice of Nam-Simran individually as well as in Sangat (corporate fellowship) makes a person free from the cycle of transmigration and confers one to the gift of eternal bliss.
If humankind has to be prospers and find peace which is now suffering due to the corruption or sickness of world, then the cure can only be found in Naam as suggested above. Thus, a seeker has to run to the True Guru for his spiritual growth and enlightenment thereby obtaining Salvation as this is the Naam that sustains and hold together this Universe. As a result, it could bring redemption to it as well. However, this leads us to ask some pivotal questions: how and why God’s creation got corrupted or is suffering from sickness? Where to find Naam for emancipation? Who is it that holds this creation?
In order to get answers to these crucial questions, we have to turn again towards the Granth Bible. Granth Bible clearly tells us that, after the creation of the Universe and Humankind, God was well pleased with them. But, soon humankind rebelled against him as narrated in the Guru Granth as well, “Opening His ledger, God will call you to account. Those rebels who have unpaid accounts shall be called out (SGGS, p. 953).[11] Hence, the people whom God created not only lost the relation with Him, not only the bliss, joy, friendship, union and peace but more importantly the very glory of God, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
In addition, the effect of this rebellion (Haumai) was so high that it corrupted the entire Universe to such extent that it got cursed or became sick, “because of you (human); Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field” (Genesis 3:17-18). Granth Bible further adds that this sickness grew as the time passed by, “Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and full of violence. And God looked upon the earth and saw that it was corrupt; for all living creatures on the earth had corrupted their ways” (Genesis 6:11-12). As a result even this creation is longing for redemption,
“For the creation waits in eager expectation… For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one (human) who subjected it, in hope, that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory… We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time”.
Romans 8:19-22
But, the good news is that there is a True Name (Sat Naam) given by God, who will not only heal this Creation from its sickness but also redeems a Bhakta who is right now captive in the bondage of the filth of this Creation and this True Name will bring perfect union of love between God and a Seeker, between Bride and Bride-groom, between Wife and Husband, between Lover and Beloved. This True Name that is given from above, from God (Akal Purkh), destroys the influence of sin [Haumai], or the corruption, or the sickness and prepares a seeker for emancipation and takes him to the point of the realization of God.
This is the only name given to mankind by which one can attain everlasting life (Amrit Jal or Guru-prasad), beside this Name, there is no other Name, and that name is Satguru Jesus the Christ. About Him Granth Bible says in this way:
“Therefore, God has highly exalted Him (Satguru Jesus Christ) and bestowed on Him the ‘Name’ which is above every Name that at the “Name” of Jesus ever knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Master-Sawami), to the glory of God”.
Philippians 2:9-11
Granth Bible further explains that, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other ‘Name’ under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12), but Satguru Jesus Christ. Granth Bible clarifies further as it says, it is this ‘Name’ that holds everything together,
“He (True Name – Sat Nam) is the image of the invisible God… For by him (True Name – Sat Nam) all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he (True Name – Sat Nam) is before all things, and in him (True Name – Sat Nam) all things hold together.
Colossians 1:15-17
Therefore, Satguru Jesus Christ is the ‘Name’, given by God to the suffering humankind. Through whom only God could be glorified, by whom only God could be contemplated, in Him alone one can have redemption, and because of Him one can reach to God, to his beloved since He is the ‘Name’ given to humankind by most merciful and compassionate God. Hence, this ‘Name’ is the whole summary and essence of the nature of God. This ‘Name’ is the key to emancipation (Mukti), this name is the means of attainment (Jugati), this ‘Name’ is the one that quenches thirst (Tripti), and this ‘Name’ is the bliss (Bhugati) nothing else is sought of this Name. It is therefore the wordings of Guru Granth are apt here to quote to cross the world-ocean:
With my hands I do God’s work;
with my tongue I sing God’s Glorious Praises.
With my feet, I walk on the Path of my Lord and Master. ((1))
It is a good time, when I remember Him in meditation.
Meditating on the Naam, the Name of the Lord,
I cross over the terrifying world-ocean. (1) (Pause)[12]
SGGS, p. 190
[1] ………….Basic Principle Of Sikhism (Ludhiana: Sikh Missionary Collage P 24.
[2] ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ ॥ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ॥
[3] Joseph. T, O’connell et.al; “Sikh history and Religion in the Twentieth Century,” (New Delhi: Manohar Pub, 1990), p. 44-51.
[4] ………….Basic Principle Of Sikhism (Ludhiana: Sikh Missionary Collage P 24.
[5] Repetition of Name (ਨਾਮ ਜਪਣਾ), Chanting of Name (ਸਿਮਰਣ), Contemplation (ਧਿਆਉਣਾ), Speaking (ਬੋਲਣਾ), ਰਵਣ (Vibrating) ਜਾਂ Utterance (ਉਚਰਨਾ) and the like.
[6] ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਰੋਗੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਦਾਰੂ, ਮੈਲੁ ਲਾਗੈ ਸਚ ਬਿਨਾ।।
ਗੁਰ ਵਾਕੁ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਸਦਾ ਚਾਨਣੁ, ਨਿਤ ਸਾਚੁ ਤੀਰਥੁ ਮਜਨਾ।। (SGGS, p, 687)
[7] ਇਹੁ ਜਗੁ ਮੋਹ ਹੇਤ ਬਿਆਪਿਤੰ ਦੁਖੁ ਅਧਿਕ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣੰ ॥ ਭਜੁ ਸਰਣਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਊਬਰਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਿਦ ਰਮਣੰ ॥੫॥
See also Siddhi Gosti 32, SGGS, P. 941, (“Nanak, he who is…..the eternal peace”).
[8] ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਜੁਗਤਿ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਭੁਗਤਿ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਨ ਕਾ ਰੂਪ ਰੰਗੁ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਤ ਕਬ ਪਰੈ ਨ ਭੰਗੁ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਨ ਕੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਜਨ ਸੋਭਾ ਪਾਈ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਭੋਗ ਜੋਗ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਤ ਕਛੁ ਨਾਹਿ ਬਿਓਗੁ ॥
ਜਨੁ ਰਾਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ॥
The Name of the Lord is the path of liberation for His humble servants.
With the food of the Name of the Lord, His servants are satisfied.
The Name of the Lord is the beauty and delight of His servants.
Chanting the Lord’s Name, one is never blocked by obstacles.
The Name of the Lord is the glorious greatness of His servants.
Through the Name of the Lord, His servants obtain honor.
The Name of the Lord is the enjoyment and Yoga of His servants.
Chanting the Lord’s Name, there is no separation from Him.
His servants are imbued with the service of the Lord’s Name.
[9] ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਖੰਡ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ॥
[10] ਸਾਚਾ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਸਾਚੁ ਨਾਇ ਭਾਖਿਆ ਭਾਉ ਅਪਾਰੁ ॥
[11] ਲੇਖਾ ਰਬੁ ਮੰਗੇਸੀਆ ਬੈਠਾ ਕਢਿ ਵਹੀ ॥ ਤਲਬਾ ਪਉਸਨਿ ਆਕੀਆ ਬਾਕੀ ਜਿਨਾ ਰਹੀ ॥
[12] ਚਰਨ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕੈ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਧਾਵਉ ॥੧॥ ਭਲੋ ਸਮੋ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥
ਸਿਮਰਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਭੈ ਪਾਰਿ ਉਤਰੀਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥