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InSikhism,Nām Japō (Punjabi:ਨਾਮ ਜਪੋ, pronunciation:[näːmd͡ʒəpo]), also known asNaam Japna orNaam Simran, is the remembrance of God or theAkal Purkh, the supreme formless power that is timeless and immortal, through themeditation or contemplation of the variousNames of God (or qualities of God), especially the chanting of the word "Waheguru" ('Wonderful Lord') representing the formless being, the creator of all the forms, and the being omnipresent in all forms.[1]
Less commonly, it is the vocal singing ofhymns from theGuru Granth Sahib; Singing of hymns with musical accompaniment is generally referred to askirtan. While contemplating God's names a devotee is able to getnām, the divine connection with God. Throughnām, the devotees are able to harness Godly qualities and removethe five thieves.
Nām Japna is the remembrance of God or theAkal Purkh, the supreme formless power that is timeless and deathless,[2] by repeating and focusing the mind on a single repetition of one of God's various names or qualities. A particular name or phase is administered to someone when they areinitiated into the Sikh faith more often than not this is theMul Mantar,[3] which is repeated throughout theGuru Granth Sahib. Many other names are also found inGuru Gobind Singh'sJaap Sahib, which contains 950 names of God.[4] The guideline in theRehat Maryada ofGuru Gobind Singh demands that theSikh engage inNām Simran as part of his or her daily routine.
Nām Japō is one of thethree pillars of Sikhism,[5] along withKirat karō andVaṇḍ chakkō. Critical importance is given to the meditation in theGuru Granth Sahib as the way in which humans can conquer ego, greed, attachment, anger and lust, together commonly called theFive Evils or Five Thieves and to bring peace and tranquility into one's mind. The Sikhs practice both the quiet individual recitation ofNaam in one's mind, commonly calledNaam Simran, and the loud and communal recitation ofNaam, calledNaam Jaap. However, this is not a strict definition of these phrases.
ThisNām Simran (recitation of nām or literally merging with the nām) is believed to have immaculate propertiesGuru Arjan further describes the benefits of Nām inSukhmani Sahib (beacon of peace prayer,Raga Gauri),Ashtapadian (eight couplets) 1-3, such as it to cure all pain, destroy ego and difficulties, and for it to save even your enemies.[6]
In the Guru Granth Sahib:
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))
With your eyes, behold the Blessed Vision of the Saints.
Record the Immortal Lord God within your mind. ((2))
Listen to the Kirtan of God's Praises, at the Feet of the Holy.
Your fears of birth and death shall depart. ((3))
Enshrine the Lotus Feet of your Lord and Master within your heart.
Thus this human life, so difficult to obtain, shall be redeemed. ((4)(51)(120))
— Guru Granth Sahib, page 189[7]
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