Jaap Sahib (ਜਾਪੁ ਸਾਹਿਬ) is one of the most important compositions in Sikh spiritual tradition. It was revealed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs, and appears at the very beginning of the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji, the collection of the Guru’s writings.
A Central Morning Prayer
Jaap Sahib is one of the five Banis that Sikhs recite every morning. It is also recited by the Panj Pyare during the preparation of Amrit at the Amrit Sanchar ceremony, the sacred initiation into the Khalsa. Because of its deep spiritual power, it is considered a guiding composition for those walking on the path of the Khalsa.
Where and When It Was Composed
While the exact date is uncertain, many scholars believe that Guru Gobind Singh Ji composed Jaap Sahib at Paonta Sahib around 1685, when he was about 19 years old. This period of the Guru’s life was full of creativity, reflection, and poetic expression.
This blend of positive and negative descriptions creates a powerful spiritual rhythm. Scholars often compare it to a beautiful necklace where each bead is a unique attribute of the One Universal Creator.
A Message of Devotion
In the opening verse, the Mangal Charan, Guru Gobind Singh Ji humbly acknowledges that no one can fully recite or understand all of God’s names. But through grace, human beings can experience the Divine by remembering and praising the Creator’s deeds.