Raja Janak is known as a great and righteous king from ancient times. His teacher was the famous sage Ashtavakra, who was still a child when he gave spiritual guidance (Updesh) to Raja Janak. Ashtavakra was considered a genius from birth. According to a legend, while still in his mother’s womb, he corrected his father’s mistakes in translating the Vedas. His teachings are collected in the Ashtavakra Geeta, a well-known text of Advaita Vedanta. Ashtavakra’s deep knowledge and command of the subject are truly impressive.
From the perspective of Gurmat, Advaita Vedanta doesn’t hold much spiritual value, but it is still an advanced and detailed philosophy, much like Buddhism. Reading it is both a challenge and a delight for the mind. It feels like a treat for those who enjoy complex and deep ideas.
When we read this Pankiti, it may first seem like Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji was the incarnation (Avtaar) of Raja Janak. Some old Sikh writings, influenced by ignorance or Brahmanic ideas, have also suggested this. In some cases, they call Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji the Avtaar of Raja Janak, and in others, Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji. But this is completely untrue.
According to Gurbani, calling Guru Sahib an Avtaar of Raja Janak is not a way of honoring Him, but actually lowering His true greatness. Even the devoted Sant Gursikhs of Guru Sahib are far above Raja Janak and others like him.
ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਮਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਤੇ ਜਨ ਊਤਮ ਜਨਕ ਜਨਾਕ ॥
(Within the Sants (Gursikhs) of Hari, there is Har Har Gurmat Naam and for this reason, they are superior to Janak and the likes of Janak).
If even the Sikhs of Guru Sahib are greater than Raja Janak, then Guru Sahib surely cannot be his Avtaar.
So, what does the word Janak actually mean in Gurbani?
This is explained in a Gurbani Pankiti as follows:
ਜਨਕੁ ਸੋਇ ਜਿਨਿ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਉਨਮਨਿ ਰਥੁ ਧਰਿਆ ॥
(So is Janak who has known Vaheguru through Unman Samadhi involving Gurmat Naam).
So, Janak refers to a person who truly knows Vaheguru, and who can know Vaheguru more than Vaheguru Ji’s own Guru form, the Satguru?
Now, coming back to the Pankiti we are discussing:
ਤੂ ਤਾ ਜਨਿਕ ਰਾਜਾ ਅਉਤਾਰੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ਸਾਰੁ ਰਹਹਿ ਜਗਤ੍ਰ ਜਲ ਪਦਮ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥
(O Siri Guru Angad Dev jee, your Avtaar is i.e. you are such king who is Janak i.e. fully knowledgeable about Vaheguru and of supreme position of Raj Jog). The word Janak is an adjective of the noun Raja here not the other way round i.e. Raja being the adjective and Janak being the noun.
In Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Ji’s own words:
(ਹੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਅੰਗਦ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀਓ) ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਰਾਜੁ ਜੋਗੁ (ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਰਾਜੁ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਜੋਗੁ) ਦੀ ਪਰਮ ਪਰਮਾਰਥ ਪ੍ਰਮ ਆਤਮੀ (ਰੂਹਾਨੀ) ਬਿਸਮ ਪਰਬੀਨਤਾ ਵਾਲਾ ਰਾਜਾ (ਰਾਜਾਨ ਰਾਜ) ਸੱਚਾ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਹੈਂ। …ਇਸ ਪਦ ਦਾ ਅਰਥ ‘ਜਨਕੁ’ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਅਰਥਾਂ ਵਾਲਾ ‘ਜਨਕ’ ਨਾਮੀ ਰਾਜਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ। ਇਹ ਪਦ ਪਿਛਲਾ ਅਖਰ ਮੁਕਤਾ ਹੋਣ ਕਰਕੇ ਰਾਜ ਪਦ ਨਾਂਵ ਦਾ ਸਿਫਤੀਆ ਵਿਸ਼ੇਸ਼ਣ ਹੀ ਹੈ।
When doing Gurbani Vichaar and interpretation, it is important to consider Gurbani Viyakaran. However, the meaning we take from a Gurbani Pankiti should never go against Gurmat principles or reduce the glory of Guru Sahib. Calling Guru Sahib an Avtaar of Raja Janak does not honor Guru Sahib, it actually disrespects Him. Even Gursikhs are greater than Raja Janak, so Guru Sahib’s status is far beyond comparison.
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