Hukam #15

This Hukam is very much related to the previous one as the idea of considering women, other than our spouses, as our mothers, sisters, or daughters, is further emphasised. The Gurus philosophy allows the thinking of the Sikh to transcend into higher wavelengths. By considering other women as our close relatives, it ensures that our actions toward them are just and righteous. Not only does it cast away the lustful eye, but it enables the protection of the community as a whole rather than just individual families. 

It was the time of 1739 when Nadir Shah looted Hindustan and carried 2200 Hindu women back to Persia in carts. These women were to be exchanged in slave markets, and despair seemed to be their written destiny. It was at this time of despair that Singh's came to their assistance. Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, who was the commander of the Sikh army at that time, attacked Nadir Shah’s camp at midnight. Roaring glorious Jaikaare of the Almighty, the Singh’s poured out of all the forests around the invaders and rescued all the women without distinguishing upon race, colour, caste, or creed. These women were not taken advantage of and were returned to their homes with their honour intact. However, the history books testify to the fact that this was not a one-off event. Singh’s have maintained the reputation and integrity of the community for hundreds of years. 

ਹੌਖ਼ਾਲਸੇਕੋਖ਼ਾਲਸਾਮੇਰੋ॥ ਓਤਪੋਤਿਸਾਗਰਬੂੰਦੇਰੋ॥

I belong to The Khalsa & The Khalsa belongs to me. Even in the wild sea, they will shelter you.

ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾਅਕਾਲਪਰਖਕੀਫ਼ੌਜ॥ ਪਰਗਟਿਓਖ਼ਾਲਸਾਪਰਮਾਤਮਕੀਮੌਜ

The Khalsa is God's army and it was created by His Will.

(Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Khalsa Mahima)

You see, our Roop (identity) is not to be a disguise of holiness neither a mask to cover our actions behind closed doors but rather a symbol of hope, a beacon of light. When our Guru blessed us with this Roop, they explained to us the responsibilities that come along with it. Above all, to act with integrity and righteously is emphasised heavily by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. In a day and age where rape, paedophilia, adultery, pornography, alongside all the other vices are common, the Gurus message is more relevant than ever. There is no point in having the Roop if the actions are not correct. It used to be that women looked to Singhs with pride and respect, but we are slowly beginning to lose that. Unfortunately, it has more to do with the actions of the Singhs rather than the attitudes of our sisters.

ਜਬਇਹਗਹੈਬਿਪਰਨਕੀਰੀਤ॥ ਮੈਂਨਕਰੋਂਇਨਕੀਪਰਤੀਤ॥
When they follow the ways of others, I will withdraw my assistance from them.

(Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Khalsa Mahima)

The foundations of Hukam #14 must be transfixed in our thoughts, speech, and actions to at least prevent women from feeling unsafe around us and gain that trust they used to place upon us in better times blindly. To connect with the Name of the Lord, which is higher and more exalted than any other competitor, should be our way to combat the fire of desire within. The fire within can be soothed through the cooling sensations of Waheguru – The Wondrous Enlightener.

ਚੰਦਨਚੰਦੁਨਸਰਦਰੁਤਿਮੂਲਿਨਮਿਟਈਘਾਂਮ॥

The burning of the heart is not dispelled at all, by sandalwood paste, the moon, or the cold season.

ਸੀਤਲੁਥੀਵੈਨਾਨਕਾਜਪੰਦੜੋਹਰਿਨਾਮੁ॥੨॥

It only becomes cool, O Nanak, by chanting the Name of the Lord. ||2||
(Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 709)

All pleasures on this planet are temporary and will leave your side eventually. The pleasure of His Name, the Name of the Creator of the Universe, is permanent and will always be by your side. We must sit alone, forget the outside world & look within. What is the purpose of this life? Are we here to live for 100 years and then die into the dust? Chant His Name & embrace Him in love & hope. As Singhs, we need to be aware of the responsibility we have on this planet. Our actions reflect us as a whole, and not only that; they reflect Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, The King of Kings. The same Guru that sacrificed their whole family so that we can proudly walk on the streets of any country in our Dastaar (Turban). Think before you act. 

ਪਾਖੰਡਿਜਮਕਾਲੁਨਛੋਡਈਲੈਜਾਸੀਪਤਿਗਵਾਇ॥

The Messenger of Death does not leave the hypocrite alone; he is led away in dishonour.

ਨਾਨਕਨਾਮਿਰਤੇਸੇਉਬਰੇਸਚੇਸਿਉਲਿਵਲਾਇ॥੨॥

O Nanak, those who are imbued with the Naam, are saved; they are in love with the True Lord. ||2||

(Guru Amar Das Ji, Ang 587)

For those of us that wear a Kara (steel bangle), even if we don’t wear a Dastaar, Guru Gobind Singh Ji has told us the Kara was a gift from God himself for the Khalsa. The Kara was one of the five gifts given by Waheguru to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who then gave it on to the Guru Khalsa Panth. When we wear a Kara, we are representing the Creator of the Universe. We should be careful of our actions and the company we surround ourselves with. If we feel like we know better than the Guru and want to do the things that the Guru tells us not to do, simply don’t wear the Kara. Every human being has the right to live their life how they want; just don’t be hypocrites. If you want to embrace the love of the Guru, then correct your actions, speech & thoughts and walk toward the Guru by chanting His Name. 

ਨਸੰਖੰਨਚਕ੍ਰੰਨਗਦਾਨਸਿਆਮੰ॥

God has no conch-shell, no religious mark, no paraphernalia; he does not have any coloured skin.

ਅਸ੍ਚਰਜਰੂਪੰਰਹੰਤਜਨਮੰ॥

His Form is Wondrous and Amazing. He is beyond incarnation.

ਨੇਤਨੇਤਕਥੰਤਿਬੇਦਾ॥

Even the Vedas are a testimony to this daily,

ਊਚਮੂਚਅਪਾਰਗੋਬਿੰਦਹ॥

The Lord of the Universe is Lofty and High, Great and Infinite.

ਬਸੰਤਿਸਾਧਰਿਦਯੰਅਚੁਤਬੁਝੰਤਿਨਾਨਕਬਡਭਾਗੀਅਹ॥੫੭॥

The Imperishable Lord abides in the hearts of the Holy. He is understood, O Nanak, by those who are very fortunate. ||57||

(Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 1359)