Gurbani Defines Jap, Tap, Jat, Sat, Sanjam…

To convey the truth of the BANI, all 35 composers of Bani (ਬਾਣੀਕਾਰ) who are included in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) have used language, vocabulary, beliefs, phrases, terms, metaphors, and traditions that were already within the use and within the psyche of people of the time. The verses written in different poetic forms and various languages in the SGGS highlight this aspect well.

The use of this vocabulary does NOT at all mean that they have accepted the meaning of the vocabulary in the form in which it was prevalent. GURUS and BHAGATS have used these terms as examples (ਹਵਾਲਾ), but explicitly with new meanings and understanding to fit the new spiritual paradigms of Sikhi or Gurmat of Guru Nanak. It is so because the Gurbani enshrined within the SGGS is not meant to regurgitate the pre-1469 belief system which Guru Nanak has rejected in no uncertain terms.

Jap, Tap, Jat, Sat, Sanjam

The term ‘Jap’ (‘ਜਪ’, ‘ਜਪੁ’ …) is also often seen translated in English Teekaas as ‘meditation’, ‘chanting’ some mantra etc, which is the Sanatanism practice, NOT the Gurmat’s definition of ‘Jap’.

‘JAP (॥ ਜਪੁ ॥’) as envisaged by the SGGS is a process of Realization — listening to the Gurbani (with complete involvement of the mind), Knowing or Understanding, Believing or Accepting, remembering or Internalizing the enlightening Message contained within the Guru Shabad (i.e. BECOMING the Gurbani – ‘ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਬਣੀਐ‘), then Emulating or applying it in daily life when transacting with the outside world of objects, emotions, and thoughts.

• ॥ ਜਪੁ ॥ ਆਦਿ ਸਚੁ ਜੁਗਾਦਿ ਸਚੁ ॥ ਹੈ ਭੀ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੋਸੀ ਭੀ ਸਚੁ ॥੧॥: ‘Jap-ਜਪੁ’ = Realization (within). The Creator is within me from my ‘Aad’ (Conception). He is within me SINCE Conception, following Conception. He is within me Here and Now. Nanak, He is within me throughout my existence. ||1|| (sggs 1).

In a nutshell, as per the Gurmat, bringing the Enlightening Spiritual Message contained within the Guru SHABAD into one’s mind (conscience-Surt) is meditation/Simran/Naam Jap!

• ਐਸਾ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ॥ ਹੋਵਹੁ ਚਾਕਰ ਸਾਚੇ ਕੇਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : O my mind! Internalize (Jap) such divine Giyan-Wisdom so that you can Realize the Creator within (i.e. traverse spiritual Life of Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam). ||1||Pause|| (sggs 728).
• ਊਠਤ ਬੈਠਤ ਸੋਵਤ ਜਾਗਤ ਸਾਸਿ ਸਾਸਿ ਸਾਸਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਨੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : Standing up and sitting down, while sleeping and awake (i.e., continually – ਸਦਾ), with each and every breath, I remain engaged in Hari’s Jap. ||1||Pause|| sggs 1298).
• ਜੋਗ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਗਿਆਨ ਭੁਗਤਿ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਸਬਦ ਤਤ ਬੇਤੇ ਜਪੁ ਤਪੁ ਅਖੰਡਲੀ ॥ : The Path to Union with God is through the nourishment of divine Giyan-Wisdom, the understanding of the Guru’s teachings; those who have realized the Reality remain constantly immersed in the service of the One God which is like doing Jap and Tap for them. (sggs 1322).
• ਜਪਿ ਜਗਦੀਸੁ ਜਪਉ ਮਨ ਮਾਹਾ ॥ : O praiseworthy Creator, I always remember (Vichar, reflect) You in my mind (i.e. the Divine Virtues / Hukam). (sggs 699).

If we noticed, ‘Jap‘ and ‘Tap’ in the foregoing verses (and many more throughout SGGS), appear together. It is because they are complementary to each other.

In pre-1469 beliefs, the term ‘Tap‘ is widely used in the scriptural guidelines is to mean that a person should retire to seclusion, escape from the worldly life, engage in torturous penance etc. Guru Nanak rejected that belief system in no uncertain terms. However, based on the Sanatanism belief, in Teekas of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) widely available on the internet and used in Gurdwaras worldwide, ‘Tap‘ or Tapa’ (ਤਪ) is seen translated in English as penance, austerities, austere discipline, and so on. Clearly, that’s NOT the Gurmat’s definition of ‘Tap’.

• ਬਾਨਾਰਸੀ ਤਪੁ ਕਰੈ ਉਲਟਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਮਰੈ ਅਗਨਿ ਦਹੈ ਕਾਇਆ ਕਲਪੁ ਕੀਜੈ ॥ ਅਸੁਮੇਧ ਜਗੁ ਕੀਜੈ ਸੋਨਾ ਗਰਭ ਦਾਨੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਸਰਿ ਤਊ ਨ ਪੂਜੈ ॥੧॥ ਛੋਡਿ ਛੋਡਿ ਰੇ ਪਾਖੰਡੀ ਮਨ ਕਪਟੁ ਨ ਕੀਜੈ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤਹਿ ਲੀਜੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : If a person goes to Baanaaras and performs Tap by hanging upside down (body-torturing penance), dies at a Teeraths location (pilgrimage), burns oneself in fire, rejuvenate  his body, make offerings of expensive items such as horse-sacrifice ceremony (Yagna) and give gold as concealed charity; even then none of these is equal to Internalization of the Divine Naam (Giyan-Wisdom /  Virtues / Hukam). O my hypocritical (Pakhnadee) mind, do not practice deception (i.e. fraud etc), so renounce it. (Instead) always live in conformance with the Divine Naam. ॥1॥ Pause ॥ (sggs 973).

Having said that, in a nutshell, ‘Tap‘ as envisaged by the Gurbani enshrined within the SGGS is to put self-efforts to understand and internalize the Divine Naam! Consider the following verses from the Gurbani (SGGS):

• ਜਪੁ ਤਪੁ ਸਭੁ ਇਹੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਹੈ ਸਾਰੁ ॥੫॥੨॥੪॥ : This Shabad (Upadesh, Giyan-Wisdom of the Gurbani) is the essence of all Jap and Tap (i.e. understanding/internalizing the Enlightening Spiritual Message contained within the Shabad and live one’s life within the confines of this (‘ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ‘) is real Jap and Tap). ||5||2||4|| (sggs 661).
• ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਦਾਸ ਉਦਾਸ ਤਜੁ ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਤਪਨ ਤਪੁ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨ ॥ : O Daas Rvidass! (by removing ignorance) dispelling your doubt, and acting on the Gur-Giyan-Wisdom is the Tap. (sggs 486).
• ਗਿਆਨ ਧਿਆਨ ਸਗਲੇ ਸਭਿ ਜਪ ਤਪ ਜਿਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਅਲਖ ਅਭੇਵਾ ॥ : A person in whose mind the invisible and ineffable God is realized, it is as if all Jap, Tap, Giyan-knowledge and meditation have been attained. (sggs 356).
• ਸੋਈ ਭਗਤੁ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਧਿਆਨੀ ਤਪਾ ਸੋਈ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕੀਜੈ ॥੩॥੧॥੨੯॥ : Nanak, the one on who makes himself/herself fit for the Divine grace is a true Bhagat, Enlightened or Wise, and a Tapaa. ||3||1||29|| (sggs 678).

There are some other terms often seen appearing along with ‘Jap’ and ‘Tap’ are ‘Jat’, ‘Sat’, ‘Sanjam‘ etc.

‘Jat‘ (also spelt Jata) is generally seen translated into English as, self-control, celibacy, Brahmcharya etc. ‘Sat‘ (also spelt Satya etc.) is generally translated as Truth. ‘Sat’ or ‘Sach’ of the Gurbani is that which is permanently in Existence, which remains forever, constant, ਹੋਂਦ, True, Real, the One Creator (Universal Energy etc.) – Hukam which is permanently in Existence, The Gurbani says:

• ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਸੋਈ ਜਤੀ ॥ : One who kills this – false ego, delusion, duality etc – that person is ‘Jati‘ (i.e. untouched by vices/Bikaar…). (sggs 238).
• ਹਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਭਏ ਸਿਧ ਜਤੀ ਦਾਤੇ ॥ : By God’s Simran (i.e.  remembering and living a life of godly Virtues), mortals become ‘Sidh’, ‘Jati’ and ‘Giver’. (sggs 263).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜੋਗੁ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਅਉਧੂ ਜਤੁ ਸਤੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ॥੨੦॥ : (O yogi),the one who has become Gurmukh (Enlightened, Guru Shabad-Oriented beings) practices Yoga, ‘Jat’, ‘Sat‘ only by Reflecting on the Shabad. ||20|| (sggs 908).
• ਜਤੁ ਸਤੁ ਤਪੁ ਪਵਿਤੁ ਸਰੀਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਏ ॥ : Internalizing the enlightening spiritual Message contained in the Guru Shabad brings the merits of ‘Jat’, ‘Sat‘ and ‘Tap’. The body is purified; and God comes to dwell within the mind. (sggs 31).
• ਦਇਆ ਕਪਾਹ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਸੂਤੁ ਜਤੁ ਗੰਢੀ ਸਤੁ ਵਟੁ ॥ ਏਹੁ ਜਨੇਊ ਜੀਅ ਕਾ ਹਈ ਤ ਪਾਡੇ ਘਤੁ ॥ : Make compassion the cotton, contentment the yarn, continence the knot and Truth (godliness, ਸਚਿਆਰਤਾ) the twist. O Pandit (Pujaaree), a thread of this type Awakens the inner-self (conscience). If you have such a ‘Janaeu‘ (‘ਜਨੇਊ’-religious thread), then put it on me (i.e. this is the thread of the mind or conscience which both male and female can wear). (sggs 471).

‘Sanjam‘ is self-check, control of mind and senses from vices/Bikaar etc (ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਕਾਬੂ ਚ ਰੱਖਣਾ).

• ਜਤੁ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੈ ਵਿਣੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥ : The Divine Naam (Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam) is Jap, Tap and Sanjam, and no one becomes pure within without Naam. (sggs 33).
• ਅੰਤਰਿ ਜਪੁ ਤਪੁ ਸੰਜਮੋ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਜਾਪੈ ॥ : The true Jap, Tap and Sanjam is realized through internalizing the enlightening Message contained within the Guru Shabad. (sggs 1092).
• ਵਾ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਜਪੁ ਤਪੁ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰਿ ॥ : By Reflecting On the Guru Shabad (Upadesh, Instructions…), one’s consciousness turns towards ‘Sevaa‘ (selfless service). That person earns the merits of Jap, Tap and Sanjam by subduing false ego-sense. (sggs 1343).
• ਜਪੁ ਤਪੁ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਮੑਾਲਿਆ ॥ : That person whose mind abides in the Divine Naam (Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam), for that person this Divine Naam is the Jap, tap and Sanjam. (sggs 1348).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਪ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮੀ ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥ : For the Gurmukh, the love of the Divine Naam of the Lord is Jap, tap and Sanjam. (sggs 29).
• ਜਪ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮ ਕਰਮ ਨ ਜਾਨਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੇਰਾ ॥ : O God, I do not practice Jap, Tap, Sanjam or other religious rituals (as prescribed in Sanatanism); instead I only internalize your Naam (Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam). (sggs 878).
• ਹੋਮ ਜਗ ਜਪ ਤਪ ਸਭਿ ਸੰਜਮ ਤਟਿ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਮਿਟਿਆ ਆਪੁ ਪਏ ਸਰਣਾਈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਗਤੁ ਤਰਾਇਆ ॥੪॥੧॥੧੪॥ : God cannot be realized by offering sacrificial fires, Jap, Tap, Sanjam or going to the river banks and bathing at pilgrim locations. God is realized by dissolving false ego-sense and becoming the Gurmukh (enlightened/ Guru Shabad-Oriented); this is the way the ocean of worldly attractions and their corrupting influences (Bhav Saagar) is ferried across.  ||4||1||14|| (sggs 1139).
• ਸੋ ਜਪੁ ਸੋ ਤਪੁ ਸਾ ਬ੍ਰਤ ਪੂਜਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਲਗਾਇ ॥ : That Naam contemplation, through which one develops love for God (Divine Virtues/Hukam…), is the real Japa, Tapa, fasting and Pooja. (sggs 720).
• ਜਪ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮ ਗਿਆਨ ਤਤ ਬੇਤਾ ਜਿਸੁ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਗੋੁਪਾਲਾ ॥ : (By connecting with Gurmat Bhagti) One who realizes God’s presence in his mind, receives the merits of Jap, Tap and Sanjam and becomes Wise and a knower of Reality. (sggs 615).

Ending

Clearly, all terms mentioned above are interrelated and complimentary to each other and are means to achieving secular and spiritual sovereignty in life. Simply put, Sikhi considers Hukam as Universal Dharma. It is living Virtuous life in conformance with the divine Hukam — Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature with which the Kudrat functions (ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ), the law of choices and consequences:

• ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ ਕਿਵ ਕੂੜੈ ਤੁਟੈ ਪਾਲਿ ॥ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੧॥ : How then can I become God-Realized being within (‘Sachiaaraa‘)? How can I remove the obstacle of my non-realized state within? O Nanak! (The way to realize Creator within is to) remain within the confines of His Hukam (the Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ…), as (Creator and His Hukam) is contained with us. ||1|| (sggs 1).

In a nutshell, Gurmat teaches us practical Spirituality in a natural form that is not bound by time, place, posture, position, special breathing techniques, rituals (Karamkaand), ritualized dogmas, traditional methods of Tap and Jap or pre-1469 religious traditions etc that have been rejected by Guru Nanak in no uncertain terms.

• ਜਪ ਤਪ ਕਾ ਬੰਧੁ ਬੇੜੁਲਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਲੰਘਹਿ ਵਹੇਲਾ ॥ ਨਾ ਸਰਵਰੁ ਨਾ ਊਛਲੈ ਐਸਾ ਪੰਥੁ ਸੁਹੇਲਾ ॥੧॥ : Build a raft of Jap and Tap that takes you across the ocean of worldliness (Bhav Saagar) quickly. By doing so, your spiritual journey (Panth) would go so smoothly as if there were no ocean of worldliness (Bhav Saagar and no tides/turbulence (of mind sans of Naam). ||1|| (sggs 729).
• ਐਸਾ ਜੋਗੁ ਕਮਾਵਹੁ ਜੋਗੀ ॥ ਜਪ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਭੋਗੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : O Yogi! Practice such a Yoga that while living as a house-holder, if you become the Gurmukh (Enlightened, Guru Shabad-Oriented) then this would be your Japa, Tapa, and Sanjam. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 970).

That said, the Gurbani (SGGS) attests that everything else is just ‘Pakhand‘ Bhed Chaal or sheep mentality, religious Karamkaand. falsity etc which lead to accumulation of vices/Bikaar causing havoc in the mind.

• ਹਿਰਦੈ ਸਚੁ ਏਹ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਹੋਰੁ ਸਭੁ ਪਾਖੰਡੁ ਪੂਜ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥੬॥ : Realize the Creator within the Heart, make this your sole aim. Otherwise all else is falsity (Pakhand) and the Poojaa of falsity as such. ||6|| (sggs 1343).
• ਜਪ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮ ਤੁਮੑ ਖੰਡੇ ਜਮ ਕੇ ਦੁਖ ਡਾਂਡ ॥ : O my mind, you deny (revoke, repeal etc) Jap, Tap and Sanjam (as defined in the Gurmat); that is how you bring upon yourself the pain and punishment by the demon of vices/Bikaar. (sggs 815).

Some related posts:

• Core of Gurmat Spirituality – ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ
• Gurbani is not Meant to Regurgitate Pre-1469 Belief System
• Gurmat Meditation – Simran, Naam Japnaa…
• Sikhi: a New ‘Way’ of Life
• Develop Partnership with Virtues
• Realize Enlightening Message Embedded within Shabad
• Become the Gurbani
• Gurbani Rejects Ritual Poojaa…
• Crowds follow the path of Falsehood, Pakhand…
• Sheepish Attitude – People See, People do
• Religious Rituals – Karamkaand
• Stubborn Mindedness – Religious Robes
• Stubborn Mindedness – Ritual Bathing
• Gurbani on Religious Paraphernalia
• The Egg of Doubt Must Burst
• Gurbani can only be Comprehended Through Gurbani Itself
• Truthful Living is the Highest Form of Living