"The Mul Mantra, the Root Mantra, is the only cure for the mind; I have installed faith in God in my mind”
(SHRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI)
It is said that the rest of the Guru Granth Sahib is an elaboration of the MUL MANTRA and this mantra itself is an explanation of the single phase ‘IK ONKAAR’. Here is an effort to decode it to the simplest and easiest understanding:
Ik Onkar - The only one vibration that is making everything around possible is that of OM. All the work is happening in the universe because of this one frequency.
Satnaam - This alone is the truth. This alone is the true NAAM.
Karta Purakh - Onkaar is the DOER, it is the source of everything. It is said to be a positive (male), rest all of us are negative (female) ions. We have to merge with him, that is our destiny and hence it is said to be the purakh.
Nirbhau - It is free from fear. A creator would never fear his own creation. For instance, If you have made a robot, you won’t fear it as you know its working inside out.
We can be nirbhau when we realize that the one who has created us is the creator of the rest.
Nirvair - It is free from all the hatred. We do not hate our hands/legs, then why would it have any hatred towards anything/anyone? For it alone is the reason behind the existence.
We can be nirvair when we realize that we are all one. There is no other to hate, feel jealoused of but one.
Akaal Moorat - It is beyond time. It was there yesterday, is there still and will always be.
Ajooni - It is formless and doesn’t belong to any species whatsoever may.
Saibhang - “ Swayambhu”: The one who came into existence from itself. There is no one who created it.
When all these qualities are collected together, the intelligence/power that stays we name it as GOD/PARAMATMA. The formless God.
Gurprasaad - W hen a person attains a level to understand this power (formless god), he considers it as guru prasaad or grace of guru. As the ego dissolves, he takes it as an outcome of guru’s blessings.
Jap - Then it is commanded to Remember.
Aadh Sach - That which has stood true for the centuries.
(What is that truth? Ik onkaar satnaam).
Jugaadh Sach - That which has stood true for the millenniums.
Hai Bhee Sach - That which is true now.
Nanak Hosee Bhee Sach - That which is going to be true tomorrow as well.