MORNING
Jaap
JAAP (with a long a) is a poetic offering to the Ultimate Reality. It is the obeisance to the Transcendent One by the Tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, and is from the Dasam Granth (Book of the Tenth Guru). In 199 verses, it is a marvellous profusion of divine attributes that flashed on the Guru’s artistic consciousness. He ends at verse 199 rather than at a round figure to signify that there is no culminating point. The outpouring of words saluting the Infinite Reality is dynamic, the rhythm most speedy, and so this morning prayer of the Sikhs becomes an important aesthetic medium for contemplating the Ultimate Reality.
1 You have no trait, no trace whatsoever,
no colour, caste or family.How to describe Your features or complexion,
the lines on Your palms or Your garb?You are called eternal, self-illumined, of infinite power,
Supreme among countless deities, Ruler among rulers,
Guardian of the three worlds—gods, humans and
demons, tiny blades of grass and towering forests
all proclaim Your infinity.Who can recount all Your names?
The wise name You from Your actions.
2 Salutations to You, the Timeless
Salutations to You, the Merciful
Salutations to You, the Formless
Salutations to You, the Incomparable
3 Salutations to You, the Unattired
Salutations to You, the Inexpressible
Salutations to You, the Bodiless
Salutations to You, the Unborn
4 Salutations to You, the Invincible
Salutations to You, the Indestructible
Salutations to You, the Nameless
Salutations to You, the Placeless
5 Salutations to You who are beyond all deeds
Salutations to You who are beyond all duties
Salutations to You who are beyond all names
Salutations to You who are beyond all places
6 Salutations to You, the Unbeatable
Salutations to You, the Fearless
Salutations to You, the Unyielding
Salutations to You, the Indomitable
7 Salutations to You, the Formless
Salutations to You, the Timeless
Salutations to You, the Impenetrable
Salutations to You, the Unfathomable
8 Salutations to You, the Invincible
Salutations to You, the Invulnerable
Salutations to You, the Generous
Salutations to You, the Boundless
9 Salutations to You, the Absolutely Single
Salutations to You, the Infinitely Countless
Salutations to You who are beyond the five elements
Salutations to You who are free of all entanglements
10 Salutations to You who are free of action
Salutations to You who are free of delusion
Salutations to You who are free of place
Salutations to You who are free of garb
11 Salutations to You, the Nameless
Salutations to You, the Desireless
Salutations to You, the Immaterial
Salutations to You, the Inviolable
12 Salutations to You, the Immovable
Salutations to You, the Insubstantial
Salutations to You, the Invisible
Salutations to You, the Unworried
13 Salutations to You who are beyond all suffering
Salutations to You who are beyond all depiction
Salutations to You who are honoured in the three worlds
Salutations to You who are our true Treasure
14 Salutations to You, the Unfathomable
Salutations to You, the Unshakeable
Salutations to You, the All-encompassing
Salutations to You, the Unborn
15 Salutations to You, the Enjoyer of everything
Salutations to You, the Pervader of everyone
Salutations to You, the Colourless
Salutations to You, the Absolute
16 Salutations to You, the Incomprehensible
Salutations to You, the Beautiful
Salutations to You, the Supporter of oceans
Salutations to You, the Unsupported
17 Salutations to You, the Casteless
Salutations to You, the Kinless
Salutations to You, the Sectless
Salutations to You, the Wonderful
18 Homage to You who have no country
Salutations to You who have no vesture
Salutations to You who have no dwelling
Salutations to You, the Unborn
19 Salutations to You who bring death to all
Salutations to You who grant mercy to all
Salutations to You who permeate all
Salutations to You who rule us all
20 Salutations to You, our Annihilator
Salutations to You, our Creator
Salutations to You, our Destroyer
Salutations to You, our Sustainer
21 Salutations to You, the Luminous
Salutations to You, the Mysterious
Salutations to You, the Eternal
Salutations to You, the Most Beautiful
22 Salutations to You who have access to all
Salutations to You who exist everywhere
Salutations to You who contain all colours
Salutations to You who shatter all forms
23 Salutations to You, the Death of death
Salutations to You, the Compassionate
Salutations to You, the Colourless
Salutations to You, the Immortal
24 Salutations to You, the Ageless
Salutations to You, the Maker of all
Salutations to You, the Activator
Salutations to You, the Free
25 Salutations to You who have no kin
Salutations to You who fear no one
Salutations to You, the Merciful
Salutations to You, the Compassionate
26 Salutations to You, the Infinite
Salutations to You, the Greatest of all
Salutations to You, the Embodiment of Love
Salutations to You, the Most Fortunate
27 Salutations to the Annihilator
Salutations to the Nurturer
Salutations to the Creator
Salutations to the Destroyer
28 Salutations to the supreme Ascetic
Salutations to the supreme Reveller
Salutations to the Benevolent
Salutations to the Sustainer of all
29 Formless
Incomparable
Immovable
Transcendent
30 Without description
Without attire
Without name
Without desire
31 Inconceivable
Mysterious
Unassailable
Fearless
32 You are exalted in all three worlds
You are the precious Treasure
You encompass all three goals of life
You were never born
33 Infinite
No beginning
Invincible
No origin
34 Beyond birth
Beyond caste
Beyond matter
Beyond fetters
35 Unconquered
Unbreakable
Unchallenged
Unshakeable
36 Deep You are
Friend You are
Unencumbered
Utterly free
37 Enigmatic
Unknowable
Immortal
Unbound
38 Traceless
Placeless
Infinite
The Greatest
39 Without limits
Without kin
Totally independent
Utterly unknowable
40 Unreachable
Unborn
Insubstantial
Intangible
41 Beyond our vision
Above all worries
Beyond all actions
Above all superstitions
42 Unconquerable
Fearless
Firm as the mountains
Deep as the ocean
43 Immeasurable
Supreme Treasure
Of countless forms
Yet One
44 Salutations to the One revered by all
Salutations to the Treasure of all
Salutations to the God of gods
Salutations to the formless Mystery
45 Salutations to the Destroyer of death
Salutations to the Preserver of all life
Salutations to the One with access to all
Salutations to the One present everywhere
46 Sovereign, You have no body
Vanquisher, You need no ally
Salutations to the Sun of suns
Salutations to the Glory of glories
47 Salutations to the Moon of moons
Salutations to the Sun of suns
Salutations to the Song of songs
Salutations to the Tune of tunes
48 Salutations to the Dance of dances
Salutations to the Sound of sounds
Salutations to the Hand of hands
Salutations to the Reason of reason
49 Formless, nameless
The beautiful universal Form
Destroyer of all tyrants
Bestower of all wealth and joy
50 Stainless
Immaculate
Salutations to the Ruler of rulers
To the supreme Form
51 Salutations to the Yogi of yogis
To the greatest Siddha
Salutations to the King of kings
To the Greatest of the great
52 Salutations to the Wielder of weapons
Salutations to the Hurler of missiles
Salutations to the Knower of all
Salutations to the Mother of the cosmos
53 Without form, without doubts
Not seduced by senses, not weakened by temptation
Salutations to You, the Yogi of yogis
Salutations to the highest Way
54 Salutations to You, our constant Protector
To the undaunted Vanquisher of evil-doers
Salutations to You, the Sustainer of gods and demons
To the most Righteous
55 Salutations to the Dispeller of disease
Salutations to the Incarnation of love
Salutations to the Merchant of merchants
Salutations to the Emperor of emperors
56 Salutations to the most Beneficent
Salutations to the most Revered
Salutations to the Dispeller of disease
Salutations to You, the Bestower of purity
57 Salutations to You, the Sound of sounds
Salutations to You, the Image of images
Salutations to You, the Ground of our faith
Salutations to You, the System of systems
58 Ultimate Truth, Consciousness and Bliss
Extinguisher of all
Incomparable, formless
Immanent in all
59 Giver of spiritual energy, Giver of mental power
Cause of all success
Pervader of the underworld, the earth and skies above
Destroyer of hosts of sins
60 Highest of the high
Unseen Giver of all we own
Power behind us all
Compassionate Giver
61 Impervious, impenetrable
Nameless, desireless
Conquerer of all
Present everywhere
62 In water
On land
Fearless
So mysterious
63 Almighty
Immutable
Without country
Without garb
64 Unfathomable, unboundable
Embodiment of bliss
Salutations to You who are honoured by all
Salutations to You who are the treasure of all
65 Salutations to You, the absolute Commander
Salutations to You, the supreme Conqueror
Salutations to You, the Invincible
Salutations to You, the Indestructible
66 Salutations to You, the Timeless
Salutations to You, the Autonomous
Salutations to the One present in every land
Salutations to the One present in every garb
67 Salutations to the King of kings
Salutations to the Designer of designers
Salutations to the Ruler of rulers
Salutations to the Moon of moons
68 Salutations to the Song of songs
Salutations to the Love of love
Salutations to the Fury of furies
Salutations to the Fire of fires
69 Salutations to the Inflicter of disease
Salutations to the Enjoyer of everything
Salutations to the Conqueror of all
Salutations to the Terrifier of all
70 Salutations to the Omniscient
Salutations to the Omnipotent
Salutations to the supreme Sound
Salutations to the supreme Image
71 Salutations to the One who watches us all
Salutations to the One who attracts us all
Salutations to the One who contains all colours
Formless, Annihilator of the three worlds
72 Salutations to the Life of all lives
Salutations to the Primal Seed
Serene and undaunting
Showering us all with gifts
73 Embodiment of compassion
Annuller of vice
Always and ever You remain
The source of spiritual energy
74 Whose work is immortal
Whose laws are immutable
The whole cosmos is yoked to You
Our eternal bliss
75 Whose rule is timeless
Whose creation is eternal
Whose laws are perfect
Whose deeds are unknown
76 Gracious Giver
Intimate Knower
Universal Enlightener
Revered by all
77 Life of all
Shelter to all
Relisher of all
Yoked with all
78 Deity of all
Knower of all
Death of all
Nurturer of all
79 Primal Form, timeless Profile, unborn, infinite Being,
Divinity of the three worlds, extolled by all,
unknown, primal, bountiful,Nourisher of all, Vanquisher of all, Destroyer of all,
Omnipresent, most fervent Ascetic, most ardent Reveller.
80 Nameless, placeless, casteless,
without form, colour or contour,Expansive timeless Being,
unborn, primal, and absolute,Confined to no country or garb,
to no form, shape or attachment,The Embodiment of Love
extends to all lands, to every nook and cranny.
81 Nameless, desireless, our One alone has no place,
Everyone, everywhere exalts You always,
Your single form is seen in countless ways,
Having played the sports of creation,
You are for ever the One.
82 Gods cannot know You,
nor scriptures of East or West,Your form, colour, caste are unknown,
Your splendour for ever shinesNo father, no mother, no birth, no death,
Your weapon whirls in all four directions,
You are worshipped by all creatures.
83 In every layer of the world,
all creatures contemplate the Name,Primal Being, timeless form,
Foundation of this whole creation,Highest One, Immaculate One, absolute and infinite Being,
Creator of the universe, self-existent, Sculptor and Shatterer.
84 Deathless and almighty, timeless and placeless,
Full of virtue, devoid of doubt,
insubstantial, invisible, formless,No body, attachment, or colour,
no caste, lineage, or name,Vanquisher of pride and vice,
Granter of freedom and Fulfiller of desires.
85 Self-manifesting, profound, beyond praise,
Absolute Reality, utterly free,Dispeller of pride and evil, primal, unborn,
Bodiless, eternal, not two, One, infinite,
Omnipotent, Destroyer and Sustainer of us all.
86 Reaching and ending all, yet apart from each and all,
No scripture knows Your form, colour or contour.
The Vedas and Puranas all declare,
You are the highest, You are unique,Yet countless scriptures fail to grasp You.
87 Mine of virtues, unending munificence
Praise infinite
Throne eternal
Glory unequalled
88 Self-enlightened
Ever present
Long-reaching
Emperor of emperors
89 Ruler of rulers
Sun of suns
God of gods
Your glory is the greatest
90 Indra of Indras
Highest of the high
Poorest of the poor
Death of death
91 Immaterial Form
Immortal Light
Immeasurable, infinite
Mine of virtues and munificence
92 Hosts of ascetics worship You
Fearless and desireless One
Your brilliance is overpowering
Your glory unceasing
93 Your works are effortless
Your laws paradigmatic
You are our sole Sustainer
Who could reprimand You?
94 Protector
Saviour
Liberator
Infinite
95 Destroyer
Creator
Nameless
Desireless
96 In all four directions, the Creator
In all four directions, the Destroyer
In all four directions, the Giver
In all four directions, the Knower
97 Pervading in all four directions
Supplying in all four directions
Nurturing in all four directions
Destroying in all four directions
98 In all four directions You are near
In all four directions You abide
In all four directions You are exalted
In all four directions You shower gifts
99 With no enemy
With no friend
With no doubt
With no fear
100 Free of action
Free of body
Free of birth
Free of place
101 Without profile
Without friend
Distant from all
Purest of all
102 Sovereign of the earth
Its timeless Ruler
Invisible
Invincible
103 With place impenetrable
With garb impermeable
Nor won by rituals
Not moved by illusions
104 Of realm impermeable
Scorcher of the sun
Of colour immaculate
Deliverer of wealth and joy
105 Glory of kings
Flag of righteousness
Free from anxiety
Ornament most prized
106 Creator of the cosmos
Mightiest of the mighty
Supreme Being
Awareness most unique
107 Primal One, supreme Divinity
Unknown to all
Formless
Utterly autonomous
108 Universal Provider
Compassionate Liberator
Pure and immaculate
Totally unknowable
109 Forgiver of sins
Ruler of rulers
Cause of actions
Provider of food
110 Kind Provider
Gracious Giver
Full of power
Destroyer of all
111 Venerated everywhere
Showering gifts everywhere
Extending everywhere
Present everywhere
112 Dwelling in every country
Manifest in every form
Ruling every place
Creating all
113 Giving to everyone
Taking from everyone
Glory extending everywhere
Light illumining everything
114 Dwelling in every land
Manifest in every form
Destroying all
Nurturing all
115 Extinguishing all
Extending to all
Manifesting in all
Watching us all
116 All works
All majesty
All undoing
All protecting
117 Ever the power
Ever the breath
Dwelling in every country
Permeating every form
118 Exalted throughout
Supreme throughout
Contemplated throughout
Established throughout
119 Ever the sun
Ever exalted
Ever supreme
Ever the moon
120 Melodious speech
Highest understanding
Spiritual wisdom
Source of language
121 Acme of beauty
Attentive to all
Ever existing
Eternal Your creation
122 Destroyer of the enemy
Protector of the poor
Mansion on high
Ever present on earth
123 Totally aware
Richest Resource
Greatest Friend
Assured Provider
124 Infinite as the waves
Unknown, eternal
Cherisher of the devout
Chastiser of foes
125 Form ineffable
Free from elements
Brightest Radiance
Choicest Elixir
126 Immutable form
Inscrutable, incomparable
Ever victorious
Creator eternal
127 Ever perfect
Ever desireless
Insurmountable
Unfathomable, incomparable
128 Our Primal Being
Timeless Reality
Without body, without name
Sought by all three worlds
129 All-encompassing, all-controlling
Invincible, unfathomable
All Your forms are beautiful
All of us are loved by You
130 Rapture of the three worlds
Imperishable, intangible
Annuller of hell
Present everywhere
131 Of glory ineffable
Everlasting, eternal
Of varied forms
Yet incomparably One
132 Forever ineffable
Light in each and all
Of inexpressible Form
Yet incomparably One
133 Indestructible One
Without body
Without attire
Utterly inexpressible
134 Beyond doubts
Beyond deeds
Without beginning
Ever existing
135 Invincible
Indestructible
Insubstantial
Unflinching
136 Free of destruction
Free of attachment
Free of conflict
Free of all bonds
137 Absolute One
Untrammelled
Eternal
Light
138 Carefree
Eternal
Ineffable
Invisible
139 Indescribable
Immaterial
Immovable
Immeasurable
140 Birthless
Boundless
Colourless
Timeless
141 Unique
Eternal
Birthless
Primal
142 Killing all
Reaching all
Known to all
Knowing all
143 Destroying all
Creating all
The breath of all
The power of all
144 All action
All virtue
Yoked to all
Free from all
145 Exalt the Annuller of hell
Exalt the perennial Light
Exalt the formless Form
Exalt Joy eternal
146 Vanquisher of villains
Our constant companion
Incomprehensible Form
Your joy can never be disrupted
147 Formless, nameless
Destroyer and Beloved of the three worlds
Eternal Form
Absolute, incomparable
148 Without children or grandchildren
Without friend or enemy
Without father or mother
Without caste or lineage
149 Without kin and competitors
With depth immeasurable
Of light eternal
Invincible, birthless
150 Ever visible Brilliance
Ever present
Ever preserved
Spoken of by all
151 Sovereign intellect
Lamp of beauty
Most compassionate
Merciful Nurturer of all
152 Giver of food
Deliverer of freedom
Most compassionate
Most beautiful
153 Crusher of the enemy
Supporter of the poor
Destroyer of foes
Dispeller of fears
154 Washing away our stains
Present in all
Unvanquished by enemies
Merciful nurturer of all
155 The speech of all
The Sovereign of all
Destroying all hells
Dwelling in paradise
156 Reaching us all
Always in bliss
Recognizing us all
Loved by all
157 Supreme Ruler
Never visible
Without country, without description
Ever without form
158 On earth and in the skies
Faith profound
Beauty magnificent
Power tremendous
159 Radiance eternal
Fragrance inexhaustible
Mystery magnificent
Wealth uncountable
160 Endless Expanse
Spiritual Light
Immutable, immaterial
Immeasurable, imperishable
161 Sages bow in their minds
To the eternal Treasury of virtue
Enemies cannot defeat
The Ruler and Destroyer of all
162 Millions pay homage
Sages bow their minds
Absolute Ruler
Glory supreme
163 Self-illumined, immortal
Enlightenment of the sages
Exalt the Treasury of virtues
Exalt the One ever present in water and on land
164 Eternal Form
Immutable Throne
Matchless Beauty
Endless Expanse
165 Glorious in water and on land
Unimpeachable anywhere
Greatest in water and on land
Infinite everywhere
166 Self-illumined, immortal
Your throne is the highest
Mighty One with outstretched arms
That One alone for ever
167 Primal Being
Whose origin cannot be told
You shatter evil in an instant
Mighty and timeless are You
168 Your glory resounds in every home
Your Name beats in every heart
Ageless Body
You are utterly independent
169 Ever stable
Never angry
Of endless bounty
Self-created, infinite
170 Invisible Your laws
Fearless Your works
Infinite, invulnerable
Greatest Giver
171 Abode of mercy
Conquerer of the enemy
Destroyer of evil
Designer of the earth
172 Sovereign of the world
Supreme Ruler
Shatterer of the evil
Protector of all
173 Sustainer of the earth
Creator of the world
Our hearts worship You
The world wishes to know You
174 You are our Preserver
You are our Creator
You are with us all
You are our Destroyer
175 Abode of compassion
Nurse of the world
Ruler of all
Sovereign supreme
176 Life of the universe
Destroyer of enemies
Farther than the farthest
Abode of mercy
177 Cannot be contained in a chant
Cannot be reduced to an idol
Cannot be captured in an image
Immortal, the Elixir of elixirs
178 Elixir of elixirs
Embodiment of mercy
Unforgeable Form
Supporter of the earth
179 Our supreme Elixir
Our supreme Ruler
Unforgeable Form
Elixir of elixirs
180 Wonderful One
Elixir of elixirs
Sovereign of humanity
Annuller of enemies
181 Preserver of the world
Abode of mercy
Ruler of rulers
Sustainer of all
182 You sunder the cycle of life and death
Conquerer of foes
Chastiser of enemies
Reminding us of Your Name
183 Immaculate One
Absolute One
Creator of the creator
Destroyer of the destroyer
184 The Transcendent Self
The Self within us all
Governing Your own Self
The Glory of glories
185 Salutations to the Sun of suns,
salutations to the Moon of moons,Salutations to the Ruler of rulers,
salutations to the Deity of deities,Salutations to the deep Darkness,
salutations to the brilliant Light,Salutations to the largest Multitude,
salutations to the tiniest Seed.
186 Salutations to the Maker of passion,
inertia and truth,Salutations to the subtlest Essence,
beyond the five elements,Salutations to the Ascetic of ascetics,
Knowledge most excellent,Salutations to the Word of words,
Contemplation most excellent.
187 Salutations to the Warrior of warriors,
Knowledge most excellent,Salutations to the Food of foods,
the Drink of drinks,Salutations to the Initiator of conflict,
the Harbinger of peace,Salutations to the Deity of deities,
salutations to the timeless Treasure.
188 Immaculate One, Jewel amongst jewels,
Salutations to the Hope of hopes,
salutations to the Beauty of beauties.Indestructible, formless, nameless,
Destroyer of the three worlds,Existing in time past, present and future,
without form, without desire.
189 Invincible
Indomitable
Fearless
Immutable
190 Birthless
Eternal
Indestructible
All-pervasive
191 Invincible
Unyielding
Invisible
Unconsumed
192 Timeless
Compassionate
Ineffable
Formless
193 Nameless
Desireless
Unattainable
Ineradicable
194 Autonomous
Destroyer
Birth less
Not silent
195 Without attachment
Without colour
Without form
Without features
196 Beyond action
Beyond doubt
Beyond conquest
Beyond depiction
197 Salutations to the Revered One
who destroys us all,Salutations to the invincible Nameless One
who exists everywhere,Salutations to the desireless Treasure
who is manifest everywhere,Salutations to the Destroyer of evil
who fosters goodness.
198 Forever truth, consciousness and bliss,
vanquishing enemies,Abounding in gifts, You create us all,
You dwell in us all,Of wondrous glory, furious against tyrants,
Our Destroyer, our Creator, full of benevolence,
full of compassion.
199 Present in all four directions,
rejoicing in all four directions,Self-illumined, most beautiful, forever tied to each of us,
Freeing us from the pain of birth and death,
Compassion itself,For ever by our side, Radiance eternal.