Home > Society > Religion in India > Naam Japo
Naam Japo
Naam Japo means remembering God by repeating and meditating by focusing the mind on His name. Naam Japo is able to fulfill all desires and cleanse the mind of its impurities.

Share this Article:

Naam JapoNaam Japo means remembering God by repeating and meditating by focusing the mind on His name. It is also called Naam, Naam Japo, Naam Jaap or Naam Japna. In Sikhism, it refers to the vocal singing of hymns from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib or contemplating the various Names of God especially the chanting of the word Waheguru, which means "Wonderful Lord". Waheguru represents the formless being the creator of all the forms and being omnipresent in all forms. Singing of hymns generally is also referred to as Nam Jap, sometimes also called Nam Simran. When musical instruments accompany this singing of hymns it is called Kirtan.

Practice of Naam Japo
The devotee can practice Naam Japo by remembering God or the Akal Purkh, the supreme formless power that is timeless and deathless. One can also repeat various names and qualities of God. Some of the names of Gods can be found in the Mul Mantar, which is repeated throughout the Guru Granth Sahib, and also found in Guru Gobind Singh`s Jaap Sahib, which contains 950 names of God. According to the guideline in the Rehit Mariyada of Guru Gobind Singh, the Sikh should engage in Naam Simran as part of his or her everyday routine. The Sikhs practice both the quiet individual recitation of naam and the loud and communal recitation of Naam. The quiet individual recitation is commonly called Naam Simran and the communal recitation is called Naam Jaap.

Significance of Naam Japo
It is believed that Naam Japo has the power to bring positivity in life. The believers of Naam Japo opine that while remembering God`s names a devotee is able to establish the divine connection with God. Nam is able to fulfill all desires and cleanse the mind of its impurities. Through these hymns, the disciples are able to harness Godly qualities and remove the five thieves or evils which are kaam (lust), krodh (rage), lobh (greed), moh (attachment) and hankaar (ego). By removing these evils, Naam Japo brings peace and tranquility into ones mind.

Thus, this act of meditation, singing and chanting is a one of three main pillars of Sikhism.


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in Religion in India

Religion in Indus Valley Civilization
Religion in Indus Valley Civilisation included Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Details about the religion in Indus Valley Civilization have been gathered from archaeological artefacts.
Shaivism Religion
Shaivism is the second largest “religious community” in modern India with its roots deeply seated in the Hindu Vedic belief.
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is among the more popular denominations of Hinduism, with its own distinctive ideas about spirituality and morality. Vaishnavism concentrates on worshipping god Vishnu and of his incarnations.
Hinduism Religion
Hinduism is more of a philosophy which is a way of living according to the understanding of the principles of Vedas and Upanishads.
Islam
Islam is a religion that beliefs in Allah as the one and only God and creator of the Universe. Islamic law or Sharia is characterised by the five pillars of Islam which comprise the essential duties of every Muslim.
Christianity
Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and it is the largest religion in the world.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy that encompasses a wide variety of beliefs, practices and traditions that are chiefly based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and its later disciples.
Jainism
Jainism chronologically preceded the religion of Buddhism. It is considered as one of the oldest religions of India. Jainism in India shared with Hinduism and Buddhism. It is an integral part of South Asian religious belief and practice, but it is not a Hindu sect and not a Buddhist heresy, as earlier scholars believed.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, closely related to Judaism, Christianity and Islam was founded by Zoroaster.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a religion started by Guru Nanak in land of Punjab in 15th century A.D.
Iyer Brahmin
Iyer Brahmins are originally from Tamil Nadu of South India. The Iyers have always taken an interest in preserving the arts and sciences.
Barai Caste
Barai Caste is the professional cultivator caste of betel leaf. Tamboli and Pansari are the terms used indifferently for Barai Caste. The diversity of names of the sub-divisions of Barai Caste discloses the mixed elements that formed the caste.
Dangi Caste
Dangi Caste is largely distributed in the high land regions, and the word Dangi is said to have originated from the geographical features of their territory. Main occupation of the members of Dangi Caste is cultivation.
Nadar Caste
One of the most renowned castes of Tamil Nadu is the Nadar caste. The Nadar community is a mixture of sub-castes and classes of different origins, which came under one banner of Nadar caste gradually.
Kumbhakar Caste
Kumbhakar is the potter caste who manufactures all kinds of earthen vessels.
Gujjars in Maharashtra
Gujjars in Maharashtra have several sub-castes. Here, in this state the Gurjars are listed as a separate caste. They are included in the Maharashtra OBC list.
Awasthi Brahmin
Awasthi is a surname or a family name of a particular sub-caste of Brahmins in the Indian continent.
Bhoyar Caste
Bhoyar Caste is largely found in the Central Provinces of the country. Traditional occupation of Bhoyars is agriculture. They are good cultivators and mostly grow sugarcane.
Gujjars in Mughal Era
Gujjars in the Mughal era enjoyed great power. Further their power increased with the decline of Aurangzeb, Mughal emperor.
Origin of Vaishnavism
Origin of Vaishnavism shares its attributes to many sources and religious evolution, dating back to pre-Vedic epoch.