Re: My understanding of the 2nd Pauri of Japji Sahib
Dear Amarpalji
The gist of Japji can be understood properly only in the background of the religions that were practiced when Guru Nanak appeared on the scene. Hindus and Muslims were then two major mutually-opposing faiths, each group claiming to be the follower of the true faith and the other as nonbeliever.
In the earlier stanza while denouncing in a logical manner some of the rituals being performed by mortals, Guru Nanak tells us that in order to achieve a feeling of oneness with God and transformed to super-humanity, one has to be truthful. He firmly says such a precious life is not supposed to be wasted in useless rituals. And then he tells us; surrendering to His Will can only do it.Guru Nanak didn’t want to leave any chance, so in this stanza he tells us what stops us to surrender to His Will. Gurbani tells us that it is the haume which is a chronic disease and, “haume naavai naal virodh hai duye na vasai iek Thav - ego cannot get along with the Name of the God; the two do not dwell in the same place.” - Guru Granth ang.560.12. Gurbani reveals that actually there is only one Invisible Reality, the Supremus, Who Himself has adopted all the physical forms visible to us. He is reflected in every human being thus we all are brothers and sisters and whosoever has understood this mystery has understood the gist of life. Inspite of clear declaration of Guru Nanak, it is pity even today not only various religions spread venom by calling other as {censored}, achut, certain laws in middle eastern countries restrict cremation and right of prayer place thus causing hardship. Gurbani tells us God being all love, how could differentiate by birth His creation, and any one differentiates is liable for octroi and consigned to cycle of rebirth, but they mislead themselves to be noble and have franchise for Heaven.
So Guru Nanak highlights in this stanza some of major working of His Orders and Wills.
Hukamee hoven aakaar hukam na kahaiya jaa-ee
By His divine command manifestation of all bodies (in this world of human being, animal, vegetation, stone etc.) takes place that is so vast and infinite; no mankind with his limited intellect can state.
Hukmee hoven jee hukam miley vad-aayee
With His Divine command souls in the mother’s womb are created; with His command are stages higher elevated.
Hukmee utam neech hukam likh dukh sukh pa-eeaeh
With His Divine command mortals are high as well as the low; With His written Divine ordinance to us our joys and sorrows flow.
Ikna hukamee bakhsheesh ik hukamee sada bhava-ee-ai
Some are blessed with Divine order; some are wandering forever, in the circle of rebirth and death and thus are separated from Him ever;
Hukmai aandar sabh ko bahar hukam na ko-eye
All are governed by His command; none has the exemption from His Divine command.
Nanak hukmai jey bhujhey ta haumai kahey na koe ]2]
Sayeth Nanak, those who recognize His Divine Order; From ‘Pride of self’ he shall never talk
Before answering the Million-Dollar question Guru Nanak clarifies that by the ‘Hukam’ of ‘the Absolute’ the forms come into existence. The different forms of the world like mountains, oceans, humans’ beings, birds, animal, vegetation; rivers, gems, stars etc. are all manifested under the command of God. And every creation of His is complete in itself. A scientist cannot deny the feeling of being startled at Nature's absolutely phenomenal and the most intelligent work of self-creation into all the complicated life forms in millions of different ranges including a human being through a greatly thoughtful and organized manner. So vast and infinite is the Hukam that Guru Nanak immediately adds that the ‘Hukam’ cannot be stated or even imagined.
The question that arises now is why it cannot be stated? When something happens in ones life, the individual knows that this was his ‘Hukam’, then why it cannot be stated? His command or Hukam, which is the cause of world drama. ‘Hukam’ when implemented creates an impact on the life of an individual, which one can feel and know; what we know is only the effect of ‘Hukam’ and not the ‘Hukam’ proper. It is exactly like ‘His Light’ which can be seen or sensed but cannot be described. So one must first know the working of this Will that has given us birth before we proceeds to discover the way to attune to it.
Like what is the cause of creation, what has sustained it in the process of evolution which Gurbani endorses but muslim denies and which most scientific people believe. To Guru Nanak it appears as only the manifestation of His Will i.e. the Will of expressing Himself in the creation. He says with His Divine command only souls are created; with His command adoration is granted. Guru Nanak through these sentences is conveying the spread over which the ‘Hukam’ impacts.
Hukam means God’s Will which was carried out by Naam for creation of nature and every action and reaction in this universe, in the living world is going on according to this Hukam. Nobody can change the Hukam. Basic instinct in everything is happening by His divine command. From the particle of sand to Sun and ant to elephant is under the order of His manifestation. So one question comes in our mind, is it that we are totally enslaved by His law or do we have some Free Will. In Islamic literature there is a beautiful tale, which illustrate that once Hazrat Ali enquired Prophet Mohammed whether he can also do anything or everything under His command. Prophet Mohammed was very far-sighted and replied to him that this question is very delicate and if I explain to you in word, you may not understand and I will tell you later on in a practical manner. Upon Hazrat Ali’s insistence, Prophet Mohammad then asked Ali to lift one of his legs. Hazrat Ali lifted his right leg. Then Prophet Mohammed asked him now to lift second leg too. He replied how is it possible. It cannot be done unless he brings down the right leg. Prophet Mohammad then told him, this is the answer of his question. He said without God’s will and presence nothing can function but which direction one goes that choice He has given to us hence you lifted any of the leg. And that is His law and His Will that He has given the choice.
Therefore though everything is under His command, it is a blessing that the human mind is given the gift of choice to select between good and bad. Life affords human a unique blend of options to choose from. He can walk both ways either, with eyes open or closed but along with that He has given the mankind egotism. It is up to the Gurmukh whether he allows himself to slip into the muck of attachment and Maya that will drag him into the cycle of life, or he chooses to live as though he had nothing at all and still remained attached to Naam and the love of God that will see him reunited with the Divine while living. But again though He has given us free will we cannot commit bad outside His domain (as a fish lives nowhere but within water. There is a lakhshman rekha).
Though Gurbani tells us,“Sabh mai jot jot hai soey - this DIVINE JOT is same in all His creations. It is my understanding since the privilege of choosing right and wrong was given to mankind, their sustenance and union with God in return, unlike birds and animals was made difficult, which required efforts, otherwise mankind would have also been sitting without charm like a snake who sits in a hole for six months without movement, and all these inventions, science, technology, discoveries, plane, mobile phone, satellite, sky-rocket buildings, wonders of wonder, creations of mankind, which are made for the further comfort of mankind, would not have been possible. It means it was a blessing in disguise and was not a curse from God, which pushed him in search of sustenance and invention. There was mystery behind. Gurbani tells us, “One who works for what he eats, and gives some of what he has- O Nanak, he only knows the Path.”- Guru Granth ang.1245.19.
Regards Sahni Mohinder
