ioss-aoss
04:youth section-april:02
MOOL MANTRA
KHARAK SINGH
Guru Granth Sahib begins with Japuji which in turn begins with what is commonly referred
to as Mool Mantra. Mool literally means root or a base or a foundation supporting an
entire structure. Mantra is a set of words or verses meant for repeated recitation or
chanting to propitiate particular spirits or deities or forces to invoke their blessings
in the pursuit of specific objectives or boons. The efficacy of a mantra lies in the
sounds produced in the process of chanting; which has, therefore, to be done in a
prescribed manner and tone and by individuals authorised to do it. It will not be
effective unless it is rendered accurately in all respects. Meaning is not important in a
mantra. It is not necessary, therefore, for the priest who recites the mantra or the
person for whom it is being done, to understand its meaning. In fact, a mantra may have no
meaning at all. If correct sounds are produced, the deity concerned will be pleased and
grant the boon or favour sought.
By this definition, while the Mool Mantra is indeed the root of or basic to Guru Nanaks system or the Sikh thought, it is not a mantra. It is, as we shall soon see, rich in content and full of meaning. It is a unique statement of the existence of the Sole One Ultimate Reality that pervades the entire universe. It enlists some of Gods attributes which are essential for the spiritual progress of a seeker :
He is the Creator,
Immanent as well as transcendent;
He is a Person, (loving and responding to love);
He is without fear or enmity;
Timeless is His form;
He is Unincarnate and Self-existent;
He dispels darkness or ignorance, and is the source of light or wisdom;
He is the Guru and Embodiment of Grace.
This list is by no means exhaustive. God is an Ocean of attributes (guni gahira). Nobody can count His attributes. But a seeker who aspires to a union with Him, must know His attributes and inculcate His virtues. Bhagti is not possible without virtues (vin gun kitai bhagt na hoi). In fact a Bhagta has to be like Him (har jan aisa chahie, jaisa har hi hoi).
Mool Mantra is a Mangal or Praise of God
While Mool Mantra is an integral part of Japji, it is by no means a prologue exclusive to it. It occurs at the beginning of all major hymns in Guru Granth Sahib. It has obviously been used in accordance with the practice in vogue, as a mangal or a tribute to the power (God in the case of Guru Nanak) whose blessings are sought for successful completion of a job.
Mool Mantra indicates revealed nature of bani
It must be noted that the Mool Mantra ends with Gur parsadi (gurprasad-i), parsad means grace. With the Punjabi vowel sihari ( i ) added to it, it become Parsadi and means by the grace of. This means the hymn following it is the result of His Grace. In other words it is revealed bani' coming from the True Guru or God through the Guru. This mangal or prologue has been used 568 times in full or abbreviated form in Guru Granth Sahib, leaving no doubt that the entire bani comes from God. Guru Nanak has said clearly :
hu aapahu bol na janda mai kahia sabh hukamau jiu. p
763
Cherished friend, no power of utterance have I;
All by Divine command have I stated.
ta mai kahia kahan ja tujhai kahaia
p. 566
I have uttered only what Thou hast inspired.
In some translations, gurprasad has been translated as realised through the Grace of the Guru. The addition of the word realised is arbitrary and appears to be superfluous.
Mool Mantra is used as Nishan or Gurus Signature
In the Gurus times authentication of a document was done through a nishan, a mark, or a seal. The practice of signing ones name did not exist. The Gurus have used the Mool Mantra as their nishan or signature. Old recensions of Guru Granth Sahib are available bearing the Mool Mantra in the Gurus own hand. The Kartarpuri bir is one which bears the Mool Mantra written on it in Guru Arjun Devs hand. Similar nishan in the hands of Guru Hargobind and Guru Tegh Bahadur on birs is also available. Mool Mantra is thus the Gurus signature and cannot be used by anybody else. Some people use it on their letterheads. The right thing for them is to use 'ik ongkar waheguru ji ki fateh' instead.
Mool Mantra ends with Gur Parsadi
It has recently been suggested from some quarters that the Mool
Mantra does not end with Gur Parsad but at Nanak hosi bhi sach. It is difficult to accept
this suggestion, because the Mool Mantra is common to hundreds of other hymns and it
invariably ends with Gur Parsad. There is no reason why the sloka 'aad sach, jugad sach,
hai bhi sach, nanak hos bhi sach. (1) (True in the beginning, True in the Primeval age.
True now, Nanak, He will always be True) should be added to the Mool Mantra. This sloka is
repeated separately and independently by Guru Arjun in Sukhmani Sahib. Another proof of
this view is available in Parchian Sewadas, from which a part of episode No. 1 is
reproduced below :
"Gorakh Nath invited the Guru to become a yogi, wear yogis dress with earrings, and
to adopt a guru, for no one should be without a guru. I am not without guru. I have a
guru, replied Guru Nanak. Well, then who is your guru ? asked Gorakh Nath. My Guru is the
Creator Himself. What are His attributes ? questioned Gorakh Nath. In answer to this
question Guru Nanak recited the first sloka of the Japji, True in the beginning (Primal
Time), True in all ages; True now and ever will He be True."
It is clear from the above dialogue recorded by Sewadas, a contemporary of Guru Gobind Singh that aad sach, jugad sach, hai bhi sach, nanak hos bhi sach (1) was considered the first sloka of Japji, and not a part of the Mool Mantra.
Summary
Mool Mantra, basic to the Sikh philosophical thought, is not a mantra in the sense of Vedic mantras, to be used by tantrics for achieving certain material or even spiritual goals. It is an assertion of the existence of One Sole Creator of the universe, who is an Ocean of virtue. Mool Mantra lists some of His major attributes and is used as a mangal, to seek Gods blessings. The devotees are required to keep God and His attributes in mind always. It is necessary to inculcate these virtues, for union with Him is not possible without these virtues. Mool Mantra is the Gurus nishan used for authentication. Lastly, the Mool Mantra is not an exclusive part of Japji. Like all other hymns which start with the Mool Mantra, it confirms the divine origin or revealed nature of the bani.