Gained in translation
Komal Vijay Singh

Japuji As I Understood
by Santokh Singh Johal
Sanbun Publishers
Pages 152. Rs 150.

The Sikh Scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, opens with the Japuji Sahib, a collection of hymns composed by Guru Nanak, which encapsulate the essence of Sikh philosophy and theology. Designated the morning prayer, it is to be recited at amritvela (the pre-dawn ambrosial hour). In the sacred hymn, Guru Nanak outlined his vision of God as One Being, the Timeless Truth, the Master-Creator, the Unborn, the Fearless One. The Japuji Sahib comprises the Mul Mantra ( the prologue epitomising the basic underlying principle of Sikhism), an introductory sloka, 38 stanzas called pauris (steps) and the epilogue in the form of a concluding sloka.

Its lyrical beauty has enthralled many, tempting them to attempt a translation in English. Among the notable scholars, philosophers and litterateurs, there have been Osho Rajneesh, Vinoba Bhave, Khushwant Singh and Kartar Singh Duggal.

Now, another good attempt has been made by a retired Chief Engineer of the Punjab State Electricity Board. Humbly titled as it is, Johal has termed it the "culmination and crystallisation of his pursuit of the Ultimate Reality Ik Omkar.

With no pretensions of writing a scholarly treatise, Johal has gone a few steps ahead of merely translating the Japuji Sahib into English for the modern readers’ comprehension. With supreme confidence, borne out of "sincere devotion, granted by Guru Nanak’s grace", at his command, he explains the meaning in myriad ways. In the process, he has made the task of grasping the essence of various pauris (steps to salvation as enshrined in the hymn) eminently simple.
It goes to his credit that while factoring the dynamics of the vision of God, as spelled out by Nanak, he has managed to portray the times in which he lived and the prevalent practices, social mores and rituals that led him to questioning them and then coming up with answers for the common good of humanity.

The literal translation of the 38 pauris in bold italics type, followed by lengthy but simple explanations, is quite reader-friendly. Translating the, despite the abiding simplicity of Guru Nanak’s lyrics and the message therein, is no mean feat. Johal has done a commendable job, to say the least.

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