Benefits of Naam

The Gurbani has enumerated numerous benefits of Naam. Naam is the bread of life which strengthens the soul. It is the water of life which refreshes the soul.

The body derives strength from the soul. The Name is the root of all. It gives motion and speed to the spiritual life, and therefore spiritually, man evolves more rapidly.

  1. Naam is the sovereign remedy for all diseases and leads to lasting happiness.

    Naam is the panacea for all ills; It leads to happiness and salvation.

    Gauri M5, 274-18

    The Name helps us in both the worlds and accompanies us here and hereafter. Nothing else accompanies us.

    The sacred thread is of avail only If there is divine light. A loin cloth and forehead mark are of value only if we cherish the Name. The Name alone remains with us both here and hereafter; we should seek nothing other than the Name.

    Asa M1, 355-4

    With your tongue, chant the Name of the One Lord. In this world, it shall bring you peace, comfort and great joy; hereafter, it shall go with your soul, and shall be of use to you.

    Gauri M5, 211-16

    On the way that you tread alone there the company of the Lord's Name is your peace.

    Gauri M5, 264-7

    I seek the Name which goes with me forever; for, without Naam all are in the bondage of Kal.

    Gauri M1, 152-10

  2. Guru Nanak has given the benefits of listening to and believing in the Name in the 8th to 11th Stanzas of the Jap Ji Sahib.

    He says:

    By communion with the Word one can attain the status of a Siddha,1 a Pir,2 a Sura,3 or a Nath;4 by communion with the Word, one can understand the mysteries of the earth, the supporting bull5 and the heavens; by communion with the Word, the earthly regions, the heavenly plateaus and the nether worlds stand revealed; by communion with the Word, we can escape unscathed through the portals of Death; oh Nanak, His devotees live in perpetual ecstasy, for the Word washes away all sin and sorrow.

    By communion with the Word, one can attain the powers of Shiva, Brahma and Indra; by communion with the Word, one can win esteem from all irrespective of one's past; by communion with the Word, one can have yogic insight with the mysteries of life and self all revealed; by communion with the Word, one can acquire the true import of the Shastras,6 Smritis7 and Vedas;8 oh Nanak, His devotees live in perpetual ecstasy, for the Word washes away all sin and sorrow.

    By communion with the Word, one becomes the abode of Truth, contentment and true knowledge; by communion with the Word, one gets the fruit of ablution at sixty-eight pilgrimages;9 by communion with the Word, one wins the honour of the learned; by communion with the Word, one attains the state of Sehaj;10 oh Nanak, His devotees live in perpetual ecstasy, for the Word washes away all sin and sorrow.

    By communion with the Word, one becomes the abode of all virtues; by communion with the Word, one becomes a Sheikh, a Pir and a True Spiritual King; by communion with the Word, the Spiritually Blind find their way to Realisation: By communion with the Word, one crosses beyond the Limitless Ocean of illusionary Matter; oh Nanak, His devotees live in perpetual ecstasy, or the Word washes away all sin and sorrow.

    Jap Ji – Stanza 8-11,
    edited by Kirpal Singh, 1894 – 1974

    The benefits of the ever-resounding melody of the Name becoming manifest are many. On hearing it, one can attain the status of Adepts, Masters and demigods. One comes to know the power supporting the entire creation, the earth, the skies, the islands and the underworlds and learns how to go beyond the reach of death.

    The powers of Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu are acquired by him. Even the lowliest person becomes virtuous. One achieves proficiency in yoga and understands the secrets of the body. He understands the real meaning of the religious books, the Shastras, the Smritis and Vedas. By hearing the melody one gets truth, contentment, true knowledge and the purity of sixty-eight sacred pilgrim-stations. By singing the praises of the Name he is honoured in all lands and can concentrate easily. By hearing It he receives all the divine virtues. He becomes a leader, a Master and a true king. His soul finds its way to spiritual regions. The Name serves as a support for the soul. With its aid the soul transcends the realms of mind and Maya, is freed from their influence and reaches its original Home. By hearing It one is ever in bliss. All sins and sufferings vanish.

    What is meant by hearing? Guru Sahib clearly states that by this is meant the hearing of the melody of the Name and nothing else.

    Hearing the Name, all supernatural spiritual powers are obtained, and wealth follows along. Hearing the Name, the nine treasures are received, and the mind’s desires are obtained. Hearing the Name, contentment comes, and Maya meditates at one’s feet. Hearing the Name, intuitive peace and poise wells up.

    Sarang Var, 1240, 9-11

    Hearing the Name, one is blessed with purity and self-control, and the Messenger of Death will not draw near. Hearing the Name, the heart is illumined, and darkness is dispelled. Hearing the Name, one comes to understand his own self, and the profit of the Name is obtained. Hearing the Name, sins are eradicated, and one meets the Immaculate True Lord. O Nanak, hearing the Name, one's face becomes radiant. As Gurmukh, meditate on the Name.

    Sarang Var, 1240, 17-18

    Hearing the Name, the mind is delighted. The Name brings peace and tranquility. Hearing the Name, the mind is satisfied, and all pains are taken away. Hearing the Name, one becomes famous; the Name brings glorious greatness. The Name brings all honor and status; through the Name, salvation is obtained.

    Sarang Var M1, 1240, 1-3

    On hearing the Name man becomes super-conscious. On knowing God's law, he shapes his life accordingly and merges his will in His Will. The state of such men is described in the Jap Ji Sahib from Stanzas 12 to 15:

    None can describe the condition of one who has made God’s Will his own; whoever tries to do so, must realise his folly. No supply of paper, pen or scribe can ever describe the state of such a one. Oh, great is the Power of the Word; but few there be that know it.

    By practice of the Word, one rises into universal consciousness and develops right understanding; by practice of the Word, one develops clairvoyance and transvision of the whole creation; by practice of the Word, one is freed from sorrow and suffering; by practice of the Word, one shall not go to Yama11 after his death. Oh, great is the Power of the Word, but few there be that know it.

    By practice of the Word, one speeds on to the higher Spiritual Planes unhindered; by practice of the Word, one gets into the Spiritual Plane openly and honourably; by practice of the Word, one escapes the by-paths of Yama, the king of Death; by practice of the Word, one gets in close touch with the Truth. Oh, great is the Power of the Word, but few there be that know it.

    By practice of the Word, one finally attains salvation; by practice of the Word, one leads one’s kith and kin as well to freedom; by practice of the Word, one saves not only himself but when he becomes an Adept, many others whom he guides; by practice of the Word, one freed from desires, escapes from the wheel of transmigration. Oh, great is the Power of the Word, but few there be that know it.

    Jap Ji – Stanza 12-15,
    edited by Kirpal Singh, 1894 – 1974

    The state of such persons is beyond description. Paper, pen and intellect have no power to describe them. By meditating on the Name the latent faculties of a man get awakened. He comes to know the secrets of all regions. He does not suffer from worldly attachments and Maya. He does not have to accompany Yama (the angel of death) in the end.

    In the spiritual regions, no impediments are placed in the way of one who accepts the Name. He goes there without let or hindrance and he is respected there. Since he is connected with the Name he does not have to visit the narrow lanes of Yama (the angel of death). He who accepts the Name reaches the gates of salvation and becomes a benefactor of his family also. He himself swims across the ocean of the world and in the position of a Master he becomes the means of saving his disciples. He is never ensnared by Maya.

    The Name is free from Maya. Wonderful benefits are obtained by believing in It. It is only when one is destined that one can get these benefits and it is indeed a rare one who does so.

    The Gurbani further makes it explicit that acceptance means believing in the Name.

    With faith in the Name, all one’s ancestors and family are saved. With faith in the Name, one's associates are saved; enshrine it within your heart. With faith in the Name, those who hear it are saved; let your tongue delight in it. With faith in the Name, pain and hunger are dispelled; let your consciousness be attached to the Name. Oh Nanak, they alone Praise the Name, who meet with the Guru.

    Sarang Var M1, 1241, 13-15

    With faith in the Name, evil-mindedness is eradicated, and the intellect is enlightened. With faith in the Name, egotism is eradicated, and all sickness is cured. Believing in the Name, The Name wells up, and intuitive peace and poise are obtained. Believing in the Name, tranquility and peace well up, and the Lord is enshrined in the mind. Oh Nanak, the Name is a jewel; the Gurmukh meditates on the Lord.

    Sarang Var M4, 1242, 3-5

    With faith in the Name, intuitive awareness wells up; through the Name, intelligence comes. With faith in the Name, chant the Glories of God; through the Name, peace is obtained. With faith in the Name, doubt is eradicated, and the mortal never suffers again. With faith in the Name, sing His Praises, and your sinful intellect shall be washed clean. […]

    Sarang Var M1, 1242-9

  3. Through the practice of the Name one who has been asleep for generations awakens and realizes himself.

    By the Master's Grace one is attuned to the Name, and one is awakened from the slumber of ages.

    Gauri M5, 184-16

    Hearing the Name, one comes to understand his own self, and the profit of the Name is obtained.

    Sarang Var M1, 1240-18

  4. By merging with the Name one unites with the Lord and the light merges in the Flame. One lives in the living presence of the Lord. He is blessed and generations of his relations are redeemed.

    The nine treasures of the Name and occult and spiritual powers are his slaves. He attains the sea of equipoise, and meets the eternal God.

    Swayye M4, 1397-12

    He is absorbed in the Name day and night, and light merges with the Flame. Through this inner light, the Lord is known no one can know this except through a Master.

    Sri Rag M3, 35-16

    Those who treasure the Lord's Name, their tasks are fulfilled by the Lord. They are dependant upon no one else, for the Lord is ever by their side.

    Gauri M5, 305-4

    Through the Name one is honoured in His Court, through the Name are whole generations of his redeemed.

    Gauri M5, 863-7

  5. Through the practice of the Name one is illumined. One comes to know of the three worlds and attains the fourth stage.

    Through the Name is the heart illumined, through the Name is all glory. Through the Name is all bliss, accordingly I seek refuge in the Name.

    Asa M3, 426-5

    Imbued with the Name, one knows the mystery of the three worlds. Imbued with the Name, one is ever in bliss.

    Ramkali M1, 941-16

    Whom He in His Grace attunes to His Name; oh Nanak, attains the fourth stage.

    Gauri M5, 284-14

  6. Through the Name one is freed from the snares of Yama and is rid of birth and death. One does not go to hell. One breaks off all worldly fetters and attains salvation, and generations of his relations are redeemed.

    Oh Nanak, blessed are those who dwell upon the Name; the messengers of death do not go near them.

    Bihagara M4, 540-17

    Hearing the Name, one is blessed with purity and self-control, and the Messenger of Death will not draw near.

    Sarang Var M1, 1240-17

    He who contemplates on the Name and the Lord redeems himself and generations of his relations.

    Asa M3, 362-10

    We have become fearless because of the Name; because of It we are free from coming and going.

    Gond M5, 863-18

    Hell is not for him in whose mind the Name dwells.

    Gauri M5, 257-18

    His bonds are broken, and he is liberated; he remains absorbed in the True Lord. It is so difficult to obtain the Naam in this world; It comes to dwell in the mind of the Gurmukh.

    Sorath Var M3, 644-16

Numerous other benefits of the Name are mentioned in the Gurbani. By its practice the method of union with the Lord is obtained and one's life becomes fruitful. The mind is contented. Lust, anger, cravings, attachment and so forth leave. Sins, perversions and egotism are destroyed. One is saved from the poison of Maya and one gets happiness, bliss and peace. Being absorbed in the Name is constant austerity, and one becomes free from the effects of karma. He meets no impediments. He becomes pure and merges in Truth. One who practises the Naam is loved by the Master. He in whose heart Naam dwells is master of millions and the king of all.

The Gurbani also mentions the sufferings of those who remain devoid of the Name. Keeping all these things in view, the Gurbani greatly emphasizes the need for the practice of the Name.

Repeat the Name, oh my seeker friends, and so attain peace, by enshrining the Name in the heart with Guru's Grace. Without Naam one is cursed, and blinded by attachment, and all his actions prove fruitless, and lead to involvement and pain.

Asa M4, 367-15

Meditate on the Naam as long as you have life and strength; this alone will go along with you in the end, and save you when the life is no more.

Sri Rag M4, 82-4

Repeated prayers are made for the gift of the Name.

I beseech You, oh True Guru, the True Being, my Lord. We the humble and the lowly have sought Your refuge, take pity and awaken the Naam in us.

Gauri M4, 492-9

Your seeker seeks your Name, oh Lord, You who are in every heart.

Gauri M5, 209-18

It is necessary to get initiation from a Master who is an Adept in the Practice of Naam so that this life may become fruitful and one may be blessed in the Lord's Court.

[…] Those Who have communed with the Word, Their toils shall end. And Their faces shall flame with Glory, not only shall They have salvation, oh Nanak, but many more shall find freedom with Them.

Jap Ji – Finale,
edited by Kirpal Singh, 1894 – 1974

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Footnote:

1) Siddha: A man endowed with supernatural powers.

2) Pir: A Muslim Divine or a Spiritual Teacher.

3) Sura: Gods.

4) Nath: Yogin – an adept in yoga.

5) Dhaul: It is the fabled bull, supposed to be supporting the earths and heavens, cf. footnote under VII ibid.

6) Shastras: The philosophical treatises of the Hindus.

7) Smritis: The ancient scriptures of the Hindus.

8) Vedas: The earliest books of human thought.

9) Ath-Sath: Literally these two words mean Eight and Sixty, i.e. sixty-eight. Nanak is once again making use of the Hindu belief that ablutions at sixty-eight places of pilgrimage bring purity from all sinful acts. See footnote under VII ibid.

10) Sehaj: This term refers to the state when the turmoil of the physical, astral and causal worlds with all their enchanted panorama, are transcended and the Great Principle of life is seen within.

11) Yama: it is known to the men who know of the world Beyond, that at the time of shaking off the mortal coil, souls are ushered into the other world by certain messengers who are the angels of Death (Yamduts). Sinners are badly treated by them, while the others are invariably led before Yama, the king of Death. But one who practises the Word escapes Yama altogether; for he is received at the Astral World by the Radiant Form of the Master and is escorted by Him to the Spiritual Planes.