Hukam #2
The second hukam of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji is linked to the first Hukam directly as a portion of the money that we have obtained through righteous means should be donated to a righteous cause. To read our thoughts on the first hukam: Hukam #1. In the first hukam, we spoke about earning a living through righteous means in order to provide for yourself (and ultimately, your family). However, Maharaj Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji had a greater outlook than just providing for your own. Since the inception of Sikhi, the message has always been one of ‘Sarbat da Bhalla’ (well-being for all).ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤੁਰਕ ਕੋਊ ਰਾਫਿਜੀ ਇਮਾਮ ਸਾਫੀ ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਸਬੈ ਏਕੈ ਪਹਚਾਨਬੋ ॥
Someone is Hindu and someone a Muslim, then someone is Shia, and someone a Sunni, but all the human beings, as a species, should always be recognized as one and the same.
(Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Ang 52)
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| Bhai Jaita Ji bringing Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Jis sees (head) to Sri Guru Gobind Rai Ji. |
The mythical bull is Righteousness, the son of compassion
(Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Ang 3)
ਅਭਿਆਗਤ ਏਹ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਹਿ ਜਿਨ ਕੈ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਭਰਮੁ ॥
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is one of the greatest philosophers the world has ever seen and all of Maharaj Ji’s philosophies are still relevant, if not even more relevant, today. If we give one tenth of our salary to somebody in need, this is an act of compassion. This feeling of compassion will positively reinforce our desire to act righteously and keep us within the remits of Guru Ji’s first two hukams.
The question is: what/who should we give 10% of our salary to? It’s not, or it shouldn’t be, as easy as to say, just give the money to charity. We should donate our money to something we feel passionate about or something we are involved with. This way, we can be sure that the money we are giving is going towards something that will make a positive difference in the world. If we are just giving money to something without verifying that it is a just cause, this won’t reap positive benefits. Maharaj Ji states that if you give money to unrighteous causes, you will also receive similar sorts of merits.
Do not call the wandering beggars holy men, if their minds are filled with doubt.
ਤਿਨ ਕੇ ਦਿਤੇ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਤੇਹੋ ਜੇਹਾ ਧਰਮੁ ॥੧॥
Whoever gives to them, O Nanak, earns the same sort of merit. ||1||
(Guru Amar Das Ji, Ang 1413)
An example of a debilitating and damaging problem that most cities in the UK face is homelessness. At some point, most of us have most likely walked past somebody homeless on the streets asking for money. Again, most of us have probably engaged with the thought of; should I give money to them or not? After all, it’s distressing to see another human being in such an unfortunate state. However, a lot of people get put off with the idea that the money they give to the homeless will potentially be used for booze/drugs.
This doesn’t mean that we should holster blame to the homeless community for the way they go about things, England can be a freezing and unwelcome place for somebody on the streets. So how can we help? Well, The Guru always encouraged Sikhs to be forward thinkers. We can support suitable charities that actually deal with homelessness by volunteering/donating. Charities such as Midlands Langar Seva Society tackle homelessness in 26 cities across the UK and welcome volunteers to come and help tackle the issue. To find out more about MLSS, click here: MLSS.
Of course, it is completely up to the individual as to where they decide to give their hard-earnt money. But, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji says in Gurbani:
I only wish to serve them (The Khalsa) as my mind is not appeased when I serve others
ਦਾਨ ਦਯੋ ਇਨਹੀ ਕੋ ਭਲੋ ਅਰੁ ਆਨ ਕੋ ਦਾਨ ਨ ਲਾਗਤ ਨੀਕੋ ॥
The charities bestowed on them are the most fruitious and the charities given to others do not reap full benefits
ਆਗੈ ਫਲੈ ਇਨਹੀ ਕੋ ਦਯੋ ਜਗ ਮੈ ਜਸੁ ਅਉਰ ਦਯੋ ਸਭ ਫੀਕੋ ॥
The charities bestowed on them will bear fruit in future and the praise given to others in the world are unsavoury in front of the donation given to them
ਮੋ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਮੈ ਤਨ ਤੇ ਮਨ ਤੇ ਸਿਰ ਲਉ ਧਨ ਹੈ ਸਬ ਹੀ ਇਨਹੀ ਕੋ ॥੩॥
My house, my mind, my body, my wealth and even my head belongs to them.
(Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Ang 1326)
According to the 10th Master, the best form of charity is giving to the Khalsa. The Khalsa that still roams the realms of Punjab free and without care. The Khalsa that is always ready to protect its brothers and sisters. We like to think of The Khalsa as a philosophy rather than any individual. Thus, charities such as Khalsa Aid that use The Khalsa’s philosophy to do amazing work all around the world is a prime example of who we can donate to. Providing help and relief to disaster-struck areas all around the world regardless of religion, race, caste, age or gender is something that should be recognised. To find out more about Khalsa Aid: Khalsa Aid.
According to the 10th Master, the best form of charity is giving to the Khalsa. The Khalsa that still roams the realms of Punjab free and without care. The Khalsa that is always ready to protect its brothers and sisters. We like to think of The Khalsa as a philosophy rather than any individual. Thus, charities such as Khalsa Aid that use The Khalsa’s philosophy to do amazing work all around the world is a prime example of who we can donate to. Providing help and relief to disaster-struck areas all around the world regardless of religion, race, caste, age or gender is something that should be recognised. To find out more about Khalsa Aid: Khalsa Aid.
It is with the blessings of the 10thGuru that wherever there is a problem, there seems to be a solution to deal with it. Whether it be floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, homelessness, poverty, abuse, bullying (amongst so many others) Sikhs are always on hand to help. There are always those who will say ‘charity starts at home’. This however can only be relevant for those who struggle to survive on a daily basis. Those of us that Maharaj Ji have blessed to drive luxury cars, live in big houses and have disposable income should know better than to try to act clever with The Guru. After all, they are the knower of your inner heart.
With great effort and exertion, the miser works to gather in the riches of Maya.
ਦਾਨੁ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਸੰਤਨ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਿਤ ਹੀ ਕਾਜਿ ਨ ਆਇਆ ॥੧॥
He does not give anything in charity or generosity, and he does not serve the Saints; his wealth does not do him any good at all. ||1||
(Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 712)
Giving to charity however isn’t enough, The Guru says that there has to be more than just this. As we discussed at the end of the last hukam, earning a living can be interpreted as earning as much Naam Simran and Gurbani as possible. Therefore, with this outlook, giving 10% of your ‘salary’ i.e. your daily 24 hours means to give 2.4 hours a day to your Guru. These 2.4 hours every day should be spent doing seva, Simran and reading Gurbani. This will be explained in a greater detail later into this 52 Hukams series. As Maharaj Ji says in Gurbani:
ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
O my mind, you shall find peace through the Word of the Guru's Shabad.
ਗੁਰ ਪੂਰੇ ਕੀ ਚਾਕਰੀ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਜਾਇ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Working for the Perfect Guru, no one goes away empty-handed. ||1||Pause||
ਮਨ ਕੀਆ ਇਛਾਂ ਪੂਰੀਆ ਪਾਇਆ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ॥
The desires of the mind are fulfilled, when the Treasure of the Naam, the Name of the Lord, is obtained.
ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ਸਦਾ ਸੰਗਿ ਕਰਣੈਹਾਰੁ ਪਛਾਨੁ ॥
The Inner-knower, the Searcher of hearts, is always with you; recognize Him as the Creator.
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਮੁਖੁ ਊਜਲਾ ਜਪਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦਾਨੁ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ॥
By Guru's Grace your face shall be radiant. Chanting the Naam you shall receive the benefits of giving charity and taking cleansing baths.
ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਬਿਨਸਿਆ ਤਜਿਆ ਸਭੁ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ॥੨॥
Sexual desire, anger and greed are eliminated, and all egotistical pride is abandoned. ||2||
(Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 46)
The key message of our Guru is to mediate upon the Lords Name. If giving money makes an individual righteous, somebody like Bill Gates would be the most righteous person on the planet. But the Guru never stated this to solely be the case. In fact, Guru Ji stated that the highest, above all else, is the Name of The One.
ਪੁੰਨ ਦਾਨ ਜਪ ਤਪ ਜੇਤੇ ਸਭ ਊਪਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ॥
ਪੁੰਨ ਦਾਨ ਜਪ ਤਪ ਜੇਤੇ ਸਭ ਊਪਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ॥
Donations to charity, meditation and penance - above all of them is the Naam.
ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਰਸਨਾ ਜੋ ਜਪੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਪੂਰਨ ਕਾਮੁ ॥੩॥
One who chants with his tongue the Name of the Lord, Har, Har - his works are brought to perfect completion. ||3||
(Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 401)
Maharaj Ji likens your soul to somebody in need and donating to that soul the Name of the Lord is a form of charity. Our souls are crying out to merge back into the light of The Divine. This empty void we feel inside of ourselves, the hole that exists no matter how good life gets will never go away until we submit to Waheguru’s will. It will simply remain clung to our insides just like tar sticks to the lungs of a cigarette smoker. How to wash this filth away? It’s simple, meditate on Waheguru. Mediate and remember The One who not only created you and your belief system but that of everybody else. The One who makes the world spin ever so beautifully and enables nature to work in perfect harmony.
ਘਲੇ ਆਣੇ ਆਪਿ ਜਿਸੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਦੂਜਾ ਮਤੈ ਕੋਇ
ਘਲੇ ਆਣੇ ਆਪਿ ਜਿਸੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਦੂਜਾ ਮਤੈ ਕੋਇ
The Lord Himself sends out, and recalls the mortal beings; no one else gives Him advice.
ਢਾਹਿ ਉਸਾਰੇ ਸਾਜਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਸਭ ਸੋਇ ॥
He Himself demolishes, constructs and creates; He knows everything.
ਨਾਉ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਖਸੀਸ ਨਦਰੀ ਕਰਮੁ ਹੋਇ
O Nanak, the Naam, the Name of the Lord is the blessing, given to those who receive His Mercy, and His Grace.
(Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Ang 729)
To spend your days meditating upon Waheguru, immersing yourself in selfless service and reading Gurbani is the essence of Sikhi. An individual who partakes in this cleansing bath would never restrain to help somebody in need. They would never hesitate to donate to something worthwhile. They would recognise The Lord, Waheguru, God, Allah, Raam, or whatever other name He is known by to be the truth and the light.
Pilgrimages, austere discipline, compassion and charity
ਜੇ ਕੋ ਪਾਵੈ ਤਿਲ ਕਾ ਮਾਨੁ ॥
These, by themselves, bring only an iota of merit.
ਸੁਣਿਆ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਕੀਤਾ ਭਾਉ ॥
Listening and believing with love and humility in your mind,
ਅੰਤਰਗਤਿ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਮਲਿ ਨਾਉ ॥
Cleanse yourself with the Name, at the sacred shrine deep within.
ਸਭਿ ਗੁਣ ਤੇਰੇ ਮੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥
All virtues are Yours, Lord, I have none at all.
ਵਿਣੁ ਗੁਣ ਕੀਤੇ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥
Without virtue, there is no devotional worship.
ਸੁਅਸਤਿ ਆਥਿ ਬਾਣੀ ਬਰਮਾਉ ॥
I bow to the Lord of the World, to His Word, to Brahma the Creator.
ਸਤਿ ਸੁਹਾਣੁ ਸਦਾ ਮਨਿ ਚਾਉ ॥
He is Beautiful, True and Eternally Joyful.
(Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Ang 4)
ਸੁਣਿਆ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਕੀਤਾ ਭਾਉ ॥
Listening and believing with love and humility in your mind,
ਅੰਤਰਗਤਿ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਮਲਿ ਨਾਉ ॥
Cleanse yourself with the Name, at the sacred shrine deep within.
ਸਭਿ ਗੁਣ ਤੇਰੇ ਮੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥
All virtues are Yours, Lord, I have none at all.
ਵਿਣੁ ਗੁਣ ਕੀਤੇ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥
Without virtue, there is no devotional worship.
ਸੁਅਸਤਿ ਆਥਿ ਬਾਣੀ ਬਰਮਾਉ ॥
I bow to the Lord of the World, to His Word, to Brahma the Creator.
ਸਤਿ ਸੁਹਾਣੁ ਸਦਾ ਮਨਿ ਚਾਉ ॥
He is Beautiful, True and Eternally Joyful.
(Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Ang 4)
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