ਰਾਜਾ ਰਾਮ ਜਪਤ ਕੋ ਕੋ ਨ ਤਰਿਓ । Raja Ram Japat Ko Ko Na Taryo | Sant Namdev Ji | Gurbani Shabad LyricsWith Meaning
The Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism, encapsulates a diverse collection of hymns that guide its followers on a spiritual path. One of the aspects often discussed is the interpretation of the name “Ram” mentioned within its pages. Sant Namdev Ji, in his compositions, provides clarity on this topic, emphasizing that the Ram referred to is indeed the same Raja Ram, the son of Dashratha, from the Ramayana.
The Shabad: On Ang (page) 1105 of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Sant Namdev Ji presents a hymn that not only reverberates with devotion for Raja Ram but also illustrates various events associated with Vishnu avatars:
“Meditating on King Rama, Who has not swam across [the ocean of Samsara]?”
This line sets the foundation of the entire hymn, stressing on the divine significance of meditating on Raja Ram’s name and the spiritual liberation it grants.
ਰਾਜਾ ਰਾਮ ਜਪਤ ਕੋ ਕੋ ਨ ਤਰਿਓ ॥
राजा राम जपत को को न तरिओ ॥
Meditating on King Rama, Who has not swam across [the ocean of Samsara]?
ਗੁਰ ਉਪਦੇਸਿ ਸਾਧ ਕੀ ਸੰਗਤਿ
गुर उपदेसि साध की संगति
Following Guru’s sermon & keeping company of saints,
ਭਗਤੁ ਭਗਤੁ ਤਾ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਰਿਓ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
भगतु भगतु ता को नामु परिओ ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
One obtains the status & fame of a true devotee.
ਸੰਖ ਚਕ੍ਰ ਮਾਲਾ ਤਿਲਕੁ ਬਿਰਾਜਿਤ
संख चक्र माला तिलकु बिराजित
Ensconced in conch (Panchajanya), discus (Sudarshana), garland (Vaijayanti), Tilak,
ਦੇਖਿ ਪ੍ਰਤਾਪੁ ਜਮੁ ਡਰਿਓ ॥
देखि प्रतापु जमु डरिओ ॥
His splendor scares even Yama (Lord of Death).
ਨਿਰਭਉ ਭਏ ਰਾਮ ਬਲ ਗਰਜਿਤ
निरभउ भए राम बल गरजित
Devotees strengthened with Rama’s devotion, thunder fearlessly,
ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਸੰਤਾਪ ਹਿਰਿਓ ॥੨॥
जनम मरन संताप हिरिओ ॥२॥
As entanglements of life and death are taken away.
ਅੰਬਰੀਕ ਕਉ ਦੀਓ ਅਭੈ ਪਦੁ
अम्बरीक कउ दीओ अभै पदु
Ambarisha (Ikshvaku ancestor of Rama) was graced with fearlessness (even as he faced the wrath of fearsome sage Durvasa).
ਰਾਜੁ ਭਭੀਖਨ ਅਧਿਕ ਕਰਿਓ ॥
राजु भभीखन अधिक करिओ ॥
And through his grace Vibhishana was granted the kingdom [of Lanka] which he ruled for a long time.
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਠਾਕੁਰਿ ਦਈ ਸੁਦਾਮੈ
नउ निधि ठाकुरि दई सुदामै
Nine divine treasures were given by Lord to Sudama.
ਧ੍ਰੂਅ ਅਟਲੁ ਅਜਹੂ ਨ ਟਰਿਓ ॥੩॥
ध्रूअ अटलु अजहू न टरिओ ॥३॥
And through his grace devotee Dhurva became a pole-star & stands there unmoved.
ਭਗਤ ਹੇਤਿ ਮਾਰਿਓ ਹਰਨਾਖਸੁ
भगत हेति मारिओ हरनाखसु
For the sake of his devotee [Prahlad], He killed Hiranyakashipu,
ਨਰਸਿੰਘ ਰੂਪ ਹੋਇ ਦੇਹ ਧਰਿਓ ॥
नरसिंघ रूप होइ देह धरिओ ॥
Taking Avatar as the Man-Lion Narasimha.
ਨਾਮਾ ਕਹੈ ਭਗਤਿ ਬਸਿ ਕੇਸਵ
नामा कहै भगति बसि केसव
Namdev says, Lord with long tresses (Krishna) is in the sway of his devotees.
ਅਜਹੂੰ ਬਲਿ ਕੇ ਦੁਆਰ ਖਰੋ ॥੪॥੧॥
अजहूं बलि के दुआर खरो ॥४॥१॥
Even serving as gate-keeper of Bali (whom he’d sent to nether-world in Vaman/pygmy Avatar).
Unraveling the References:
- Vishnu’s Attributes: The conch, discus, garland, and tilak symbolize Lord Vishnu’s unique characteristics. By mentioning these, Namdev Ji confirms that the deity being revered is undeniably the same Vishnu who incarnated as Raja Ram.
- Ambarisha’s Story: Ambarisha, the ancestor of Rama, is famously known for his unwavering devotion, which protected him from the wrath of sage Durvasa.
- Vibhishana’s Ascendance: Rama’s grace didn’t just extend to his allies but even to his foes. Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana, was blessed with the kingdom of Lanka, demonstrating Rama’s compassion and justice.
- Sudama’s Blessing: Another avatar of Vishnu, Krishna, blessed his poor Brahmin friend Sudama with abundant wealth, showcasing God’s unbounded love for His true devotees.
- Dhruva’s Devotion: Dhruva’s unwavering meditation on Vishnu granted him an eternal place as the pole star, signifying the everlasting rewards of sincere devotion.
- Narasimha Avatar: Perhaps one of the most profound stories in Vishnu lore, where God takes a unique Man-Lion form to protect His devotee Prahlad and annihilate the evil Hiranyakashipu.
- Bali’s Tale: Lord Vamana, another avatar of Vishnu, humbled the mighty King Bali and sent him to the netherworld. However, He also blessed Bali and took the role of his gatekeeper, emphasizing God’s omnipresent grace.
Conlusion
The mention of Rama (ˈraːmɐ) in the Guru Granth Sahib is not merely an isolated instance. In fact, the name appears more than 2,500 times throughout the sacred scripture.
This frequency and the context, as illustrated by Sant Namdev Ji’s hymn on Ang 1105, leave no doubt that the references to Ram are unequivocally to Lord Rama, the son of King Dashrath.
Sant Namdev Ji’s hymn is a testament to the confluence of devotional paths. It clarifies that the Ram mentioned in the Sikh scriptures is the same King Rama from ancient Indian epics.
This beautiful intersection of beliefs underscores the universality of spiritual teachings and showcases that different paths often converge at the same divine truth.
Through this shabad, we’re reminded of the infinite grace that engulfs those who tread the path of devotion, irrespective of the name or form they choose to worship.
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