ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ (niraňjan)
Meaning: adjective: Beyond Maya, the world and its snares; immaculate, an adjective used for the Divine.
Quote:
ਐਸਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਹੋਇ॥ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਮੰਨਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਮਨਿ ਕੋਇ॥
aisaa naam niraňjan hoi. je ko maňn jaaṇai man koi.
Such is Naam or the divine teaching of the Guru that one who accepts it becomes immaculate, but only if one knows to accept it within one’s mind. – Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 3
Message: These are the concluding verses, which follow all four stanzas from 12 -15 of Jap Ji. The ending lines conclude that such is the blessing of the divine teaching of the Guru or the Name of the Divine, that one who pays heed, accepts, and imbibes it is purified.
One becomes immaculate, detached from the entanglements of worldly temptations and snares but only when one experiences spiritual awareness within one self and practises it externally and internally, in speech, words and deeds.
Etymology: From Sanskrit niraňjan, blend of nir, a prefix(without, beyond) + aňjan (anointing, ointment)→ Punjabi aňjan (kohl, representing Maya, worldly temptations and snares).
Summary of the Week:
Out of these four stanzas, number 12 describes the profound state of accepting and practising the divine teaching of the Guru, while stanzas 13 -15 describe how such a devotee is transformed.
By accepting and emulating, one’s consciousness and wisdom are awakened. One does not fall into the traps of any cult, creed or sect and meaningless rituals. Instead, one treads on the path of righteousness. One achieves self-realisation and liberation whilst living, and helps liberate others too.
Maňnai signifies the experience or state that results from heeding and treading on the path. When we travel Guru-ward, we rebuild our fractured relationship with the Ultimate Reality or Consciousness. This brings about a metamorphosis, an inner change that shifts our orientation.
Maňnai signifies this culmination or shift in our inner consciousness, from acquired belief to authentic wisdom; from hearing to meaning and experience; from passive formalities to internalization and active absorption; from acting on handed-down cultural traditions to living by genuine wisdom.
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. -Edgar Guest, poet, 1881-1959
