Japji is a prayer written by Guru Nanak, the first of the Sikh gurus. Each pauri, or stanza, imparts a special healing quality, especially when recited eleven times per day. The 25th pauri is said to take away duality, expand the radiant body, and bring prosperity.
The Practice
Suggested Posture: Sit in Easy Pose, with a straight spine. The hands are resting on the knees in gyan mudra (first fingers and thumb tips are touching).
Eyes: Eyes may be open or closed.
Mantra:
Bahutaa karam likhi-aa naa jaa-ei.
Vaddaa daataa til na tamaa-ei.
Kaytay mangeh jodh apaar.
Kayti-aa gannat nehee veechaar.
Kaytay khap tutteh vaykaar.
Kaytay lai lai mukar paa-eh.
Kaytay moorakh khaahee khaa-eh.
Kayti-aa dookh bhookh sad maar.
Ayeh bhi daat tayree daataar.
Band khalaasee bhaannai ho-ei.
Hor aakh na sakhi ko-ei.
Jay ko khaa-ik aakhann paa-ei.
Oho jaannai jaytee-aa mu-eh khaa-ei.
Aapay jaannai aapay day-ei.
Aakheh si bhi kayee kay-ei.
Jis no bakhsay sifat saalaah.
Naanak paatishaahee paatishaaho. II 25 II
If you would like to chant along to a recording, we recommend this simple recitation by Guru Darbar Singh, or Guru Shabd Singh’s recording for a more musical rendition.
English Translation:
By Dr. Sant Singh
There are so many karmic plays, it isn’t possible to write them all.
The Great Giver withholds nothing—not even the tiniest sesame seed.
There are so many warriors begging to merge into Thee. There are so many
Who are counting but never reflect on or see You.
So many are exhausted, having broken themselves on vice.
There are so many who take everything and then deny receiving.
So many foolish ones do nothing but stuff their face with food.
So many are continually beaten down by endless pain and hunger.
Even these are your Gifts to us, Great Giver.
Slavery. Freedom. Both come from You.
It isn’t possible for anyone to say more than this.
If someone who likes the sound of his own voice tries to speak about this, He’ll
be shamed in so many ways.
You, Yourself, know. You, Yourself, give.
Those who can speak of it this way are very few.
The ones You bless to meditatively and lovingly chant and sing Your wonders,
Nanak, These persons are the nobility of nobility.
Time depends on how many repetitions you want to do, and, if you are reading, how quickly you read. One repetition takes about 30 seconds at a normal reading pace.
Comments:
The 25th pauri is said to change poverty into prosperity. It works on the pranic body, the aura, and the radiant body, moving energy from the Earth to the Heavens. It can take away duality, because it covers every aspect of the projection of the self. And when the mind comes out of duality, prosperity is there.
In this stanza, Guru Nanak describes how limitless are God’s bounties, remarking that they are so extensive that they cannot be counted. Guru tells us that God gives openly and freely with no expectation of receiving anything in return.