Reading Japuji is all about knowing it. As we read a text we explore it. We find the meaning and nuances of its words and sentences. We place them in a sequence or context particularly the environment of its creation for knowing its true worth. Above all we seek the authors purpose and intent. We assign normal meaning to the words used and if the text be ancient or remote, we apply the meanings as understood at that time. If we are not sure of the current or past meaning of a word or phrase, we dig it up with the help of dictionaries, record of past usage, contextual use and cross reference.
If we want to interpret the Japuji realistically judicially, we do not have to do certain things while reading or studying it. We do not recite it. We do not worship it. We do not evaluate it. We do not adore it or add value to it or criticize it. We do not have any other purpose of reading than to know what it is and what it is for. We do not expect any returns from the reading. We do not put any meaning in it from our side and we do not allude any purpose or category to it. Ours is a pure cursory, impartial, objective and quest oriented study to understand the nature, meaning, context and purpose of the text. Those who did not take note of these guidelines have messed up with the message of the great guru. With their biased and unbalanced views they have not been able to understand what was there in the mind of the Guru. They reduced it to a mere tool of worship, a talisman to get certain jobs done and to get some advantages achieved. this may be seen from the video below. (Source- https://youtu.be/gd1kvG7uj9I?si=GATvFUyieGroBbe9)
It is important to read Japuji as it is the pivot of Sikh philosophy. Written by Guru Nanak at a mature stage of his life and edited under his supervision by Bhai Lehna who became the Second Guru of the Sikhs. Being the first Bani of the Sikh scriptures, it has been considered full of spiritual value. Out of veneration, it has been translated and interpreted for hundreds of times. Therefore, its real meaning is likely to to have been muddled by the devotee interpreters eager to evaluate it by sheer veneration.
While reading the Japuji of Guru Nanak we have to take a number of circumstances into account. It was written in the medieval times by a medieval saint thinker. It was written in a poetic form. It was composed in a language which was in vogue at that time in the medieval Punjab. It does not reveal as a continuous story, as it was edited at a subsequent date with the purpose of collating his views on the topic of Kartar or creator his earlier writings. Also we have to place this text in the context of the historical evolution of philosophy at world level.
No amount of veneration and worship will do justice with Guru Nanak and his prime creation Japuji if it is not read as narrated above.