Embracing Divine Oneness Through The Mool Mantra

The meaning of the word 'Nanak' is: "One whose dedication, love, and devotion belong solely to the One, not to the many - that is Nanak." The world is an expansion of the many, yet one who, while living, connects with that One is truly a Nanak.

Guru Nanak Dev undertook four great journeys, or 'udasis', walking to distant lands on foot. Those who were blessed with his darshan or who heard his words were transformed.

Nanak's words are graceful, precise, revolutionary in thought, and a reflection of supreme wisdom. While discussing the four aims of life - dharm, righteousness; arth, material pursuits; kaam, desires; and moksh, liberation, he emphasised that one does not need to renounce home and worldly life to fulfil these goals. Rather, he encouraged people to adopt wisdom through the tradition of sincere seekers.

To truly grasp the infinite and boundless nature of the Divine, Guru Nanak gave us the mool mantra , which is the essence of the four Vedas: "Ik Onkar Satnam Karta Purakh Nirbhau Nirvair Akaal Murat Ajuni Saibhang Gur Prasad - O Supreme Lord, You are One. You are all-pervasive, the Truth, the Creator; existing without fear, without enmity, beyond time, beyond birth, and self-existent by the grace of the Guru."

Karta Purakh means that God resides within this body-temple and is not only the Creator but also the creation itself, remaining within all that is created.

Just as a spider weaves its web from within itself and later pulls it back inside, similarly, the Supreme Being creates the world and, one day, it will dissolve back into the same. 'Nirbhau Nirvair' - that is without fear, without enmity. When there is none other than the Divine, what is there to fear?

Whoever is completely absorbed in Ik Onkar transcends hatred; for the one whose mind is illuminated by divine wisdom, there are no enemies, no rivals.

'Akaal Murat' - His form is beyond time. Anything that falls within past, present, or future is subject to destruction. 'Ajuni Saibhang' signifies that the Divine is self-existent and self-luminous. When we light a lamp, it requires oil and a wick; the moment oil runs out, the flame is extinguished. Only the Divine is self-sustaining, whose radiance is intrinsic.

'Gurprasad' - in this mool mantra, Guru Nanak Sahib provides the purest explanation of the Divine. 'Gur' refers to consciousness, while 'Prasad' implies bliss. This is the essential nature of the Divine. This mantra is a priceless gift from Guru Maharaj that every seeker should embrace deeply. Just as watering the roots nourishes the tree, the mool mantra opens a gateway to ' Guru Granth Sahib ', allowing one to imbibe its teachings effortlessly.

Wisdom is that light which dispels darkness within our minds, and this light is bestowed upon us by sages and gurus. Nanak teaches us how to dissolve our ego and remove the illusions of the mind.

Authored by: Anandmurti Gurumaa