Hukam #14

Hukam #14 highlights a problem which is becoming more and more relevant as the years are going by. The draw of lustful thoughts, actions & speech is familiar to all of us living within the 21^stcentury. So often, the mind makes the excuse to allow this powerful vice to take control but the Guru, the True Guru, offers us a way out of this slippery slope. 

॥ਸਗਲਮਤਾਂਤਕੇਵਲਹਰਿਨਾਮ॥
The essence of all religion is the Lord's Name alone,

॥ਗੋਬਿੰਦਭਗਤਕੈਮਨਿਬਿਸ੍ਰਾਮ॥

It abides in the minds of the devotees of God.

॥ਕੋਟਿਅਪ੍ਰਾਧਸਾਧਸੰਗਿਮਿਟੈ॥

Millions of sins are erased, in the Company of the Holy.

(Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 276)

Lust is something that is plaguing the youth in today’s day and age regardless of religion, caste, creed or gender. The world we live in today glorifies sexuality and this seems to desensitise us against performing such acts by making it appear to be okay to do so. I’d argue every single religion on this planet has the same stance; until you are of a suitable age to be married, you don’t need to concentrate on union/matrimony. After all, it is not the be all and end all. There is so much more to life than becoming sexually active & you will often find, generally speaking, those individuals that refrained from such acts get further in life.

॥ਪਰ ਤ੍ਰਿਅ ਰੂਪੁ ਨ ਪੇਖੈ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ॥
Never gaze upon the beauty of somebody else's spouse.

(Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 274)

To even gaze upon a woman/man who belongs to somebody else is considered to be of the highest of sins within Sikhi; let alone performing sexual acts with that person. The Guru’s philosophy is to recognise all women/men that are not wedded to you as your brothers/sisters. Until we are married to someone, it is wise to refrain from gazing/fornicating with anyone because a million things can change in the space of one day. Don’t let your mind dictate what Sikhi is, it is the Guru that teaches the Sikh what the true message of Sikhi is. 

In this case, the Guru could not have made it clearer: don’t think about union/relationships until you are in a situation in life where you are looking to get married to that person. A lot of energy can be wasted in deadbeat relationships & often it will prevent your personal growth especially throughout your younger years. When the time is right, there are sensible ways with which to approach finding someone. This could be meeting someone through a family member or a friend which is the probably the safest way to go about things. Not only do your family/friends have your best interests at heart, you will ultimately get the last say.

॥ਸਭਹੋਈਛਿੰਝਇਕਠੀਆਦਯੁਬੈਠਾਵੇਖੈਆਪਿਜੀਉ॥੧੭॥

All have gathered to watch the wrestling match, and the Merciful Lord Himself is seated to behold it. ||17||

॥ਵਾਤਵਜਨਿਟੰਮਕਭੇਰੀਆ॥

The bugles play and the drums beat.

॥ਮਲਲਥੇਲੈਦੇਫੇਰੀਆ॥
The wrestlers enter the arena and circle around.

॥ਨਿਹਤੇਪੰਜਿਜੁਆਨਮੈਗੁਰਥਾਪੀਦਿਤੀਕੰਡਿਜੀਉ॥੧੮॥

I have thrown the five challengers to the ground, and the Guru has patted me on the back. ||18||

(Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 745)

The Guru likens the fight against the 5 evils like that of a daily battle where we have to use weapons of our own with which to win the battle. These weapons, as told to us by the Guru, are the 5 Gun (Qualities): Daya (Compassion), Dheeraj (Patience), Sat (Truthful Living), Santokh (Contentment) & Vichaar (Reflection). The Guru says that with these 5 qualities, a human being can veer away from the vices and come toward the path of Waheguru. 

Daya - To have compassion on all beings and creatures (including yourself) and to look upon all of mankind as one race without distinction.

Dheeraj – To recognise that Sukh (Pleasure) & Dukh (Pain) are the two waves of lives that affect every single individual; to be constant throughout both of these waves realising that both will pass just as soon as they came.

Sat – To recognise Waheguru to be pervading and permeating throughout His creation thus representing our inability to hide anything from Him. To live a pious life based upon good actions such as community work or raising a family. Always refraining from falsehood which we instinctively seem to know within; the difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’. 

Santokh – To be content with whatever He has given to you; always reaching for your goals & ambitions but ultimately recognising that, realising Him is the ultimate purpose of life. 

Vichaar – To always reflect upon your Man (thoughts), Bach (speech) & Karam (actions) reminding yourself to steer clear of vices. To refrain from ritualistic worship and to join in union with The Lord through love, devotion & humility. 

However, these 5 qualities alone, in the Gurus eyes, hold no weight. The Guru glorifies and exalts one thing consistently throughout the whole of the Aad, Dasam & Sarbloh Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (11^thGuru) and that is the Name of The Lord. The Guru continually reminds the Sikh that we have come here for a purpose; to meditate on Waheguru. While the world believes we get older as the years go by, the Guru argues that we are only getting younger; edging closer toward the grips of death. Without seeking the sanctuary of the Lord, the Guru teaches that we will never be able to mediate on His Name and thus, will never be free from the 5 evils: Kaam (Lust), Krodh (Anger), Lobh (Greed), Moh (Attachment) & Ahaankaar (Ego). 

॥ਪ੍ਰਾਨੀਨਾਰਾਇਨਸੁਧਿਲੇਹਿ॥

O mortal, focus your thoughts on the Lord.

॥ਛਿਨੁਛਿਨੁਅਉਧਘਟੈਨਿਸਿਬਾਸੁਰਬ੍ਰਿਥਾਜਾਤੁਹੈਦੇਹ॥੧॥ਰਹਾਉ॥

Moment by moment, your life is running out; night and day, your body is passing away in vain. ||1||Pause||

(Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, Ang 902)


To meditate daily on Waheguru’s name has been the practice of every Gursikh since Guru Nanak Dev Ji blessed this planet. They say it takes 66 days to transform a practice into a routine and this is exactly what we need to do; we need to make meditating upon Waheguru a daily routine. This routine can start off with a mere 5 minutes but with spiritual and mental growth, this can very easily increase to 5 hours. The biggest problem we have is we limit ourselves before we even try, we often say ‘we don’t have the time’ or ‘life is too busy’ but you’ll be surprised at the amount of free time we have if we really wanted to find it.  

The Gurus message is clear: God is sitting within each and every individual and if we mediate upon His Name with love & devotion, we CAN find Him. Once we have found Him, all other pleasures will appear tasteless and bland. The Guru teaches, once we have found Him, then..

॥ਖੇਮਸਾਂਤਿਰਿਧਿਨਵਨਿਧਿ॥

Comfort, peace and tranquility, wealth and the nine treasures;

॥ਬੁਧਿਗਿਆਨੁਸਰਬਤਹਸਿਧਿ॥

Wisdom, knowledge, and all spiritual powers;

॥ਬਿਦਿਆਤਪੁਜੋਗੁਪ੍ਰਭਧਿਆਨੁ॥

Learning, penance, Yoga and meditation on God;

॥ਗਿਆਨੁਸ੍ਰੇਸਟਊਤਮਇਸਨਾਨੁ॥

The most sublime wisdom and purifying baths;

॥ਚਾਰਿਪਦਾਰਥਕਮਲਪ੍ਰਗਾਸ॥

The four cardinal blessings, the opening of the heart-lotus;

॥ਸਭਕੈਮਧਿਸਗਲਤੇਉਦਾਸ॥

In the midst of all, and yet detached from all;

॥ਸੁੰਦਰੁਚਤੁਰੁਤਤਕਾਬੇਤਾ॥

Beauty, intelligence, and the realization of reality;

॥ਸਮਦਰਸੀਏਕਦ੍ਰਿਸਟੇਤਾ॥

Recognises upon all with one eye without distinction;

॥ਇਹਫਲਤਿਸੁਜਨਕੈਮੁਖਿਭਨੇ॥

These blessings radiate through the faces of those servants; 

॥ਗੁਰਨਾਨਕਨਾਮਬਚਨਮਨਿਸੁਨੇ॥੬॥

That hear & contemplate the Name, through Guru Nanak. |6||

(Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 296)