Hukam #16

Seeing Hukams such as these, told by our Guru in the 17^th century, it’s clear to see how the perception that Sikhi is not relevant in today’s day and age is completely misplaced. Its message was ahead of its time then & its message is still ahead of its time now. 

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਨਾ ਆਵੈ ਨਾ ਜਾਇ ॥

My True Guru, forever and ever, does not come and go.

ਓਹੁ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇ ॥੧੩॥

He is the Imperishable Creator Lord; He is permeating and pervading among all. ||13||
(Guru Raam Daas Ji, Ang 759)

Before the suffragettes, feminists or female political representatives began on their mission to try and abolish the discrimination and dehumanisation that plagued their gender, our all-knowing Guru was already fighting this injustice for centuries beforehand. At a time when women would be burnt alongside their husband’s deathbeds, forcibly covered with veils and considered as low as the sole of a shoe, the unrivalled Guru Nanak ushered in an era that gave women the respect, importance and freedom they deserve and enjoy today. 

ਭੰਡਿ ਜੰਮੀਐ ਭੰਡਿ ਨਿੰਮੀਐ ਭੰਡਿ ਮੰਗਣੁ ਵੀਆਹੁ ॥

From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to a woman, he is engaged and married.

ਭੰਡਹੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਦੋਸਤੀ ਭੰਡਹੁ ਚਲੈ ਰਾਹੁ ॥

Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come.

ਭੰਡੁ ਮੁਆ ਭੰਡੁ ਭਾਲੀਐ ਭੰਡਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਬੰਧਾਨੁ ॥

When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to a woman, he is bound.

ਸੋ ਕਿਉ ਮੰਦਾ ਆਖੀਐ ਜਿਤੁ ਜੰਮਹਿ ਰਾਜਾਨ ॥

So why call her bad? From her, kings are born.
(Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Ang 473)

They taught, to whoever would listen, that the biggest merit in life was to refrain from injustice. God doesn’t place any parameters for a preferred gender, and all are considered as one in the teachings of the Guru. The Guru taught the ignorant that to hurt the heart of anyone, especially the mothers of our generations, is the act of a fool. Unfortunately, it's plausible that those that are meant to follow the Gurus teachings have been unsuccessful in practising this. 

ਕਬੀਰ ਸਾਚਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੈ ਜਉ ਸਿਖਾ ਮਹਿ ਚੂਕ ॥

Kabeer, what can the True Guru do when His Sikhs are at fault?

ਅੰਧੇ ਏਕ ਨ ਲਾਗਈ ਜਿਉ ਬਾਂਸੁ ਬਜਾਈਐ ਫੂਕ ॥੧੫੮॥

The blind does not take in any of His Teachings; it is as useless as blowing into bamboo. ||158|
(Bhagat Kabir Ji, Ang 1372)

It’s evident not only in the east but even within most secular societies, cases of domestic abuse are on the rise. In the UK, 1.3 million women reported domestic abuse in the last recorded year; an increase of 100,000 on the previous year. This is something that should be openly spoken about in any community without hesitation. Again, unfortunately, our community seems to be part of the problem. So often, domestic abuse goes unreported & brushed under the carpet. These are tail-tale signs that we are getting further and further away from the Gurus teachings. 

Sometimes, it might not be as obvious as physical beating. This Hukam is also instructing Singhs to never patronise/demonise an individual based on their gender. In the times of the Guru, women were openly belittled and thrown to the back. They were not allowed to partake in most religious practices, and they were considered the lesser gender in the eyes of most. Therefore, in the eyes of the Guru, a real Singh looks upon all with one eye; without distinction. 

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਨਿ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਤਾ ॥

Says Nanak, one who realises the Command of God's Will,

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕਾ ਤਿਨਿ ਭੇਦੁ ਜਾਤਾ ॥੫॥੯॥

Knows the secrets of his Lord and Master. ||5||9||

(Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 885)

The only way to overcome these issues is to overcome your anger and pride/ego. If your anger leads you to beat on anyone, then you really ought to get help. As well as professional help, millions around the world testify to the fact that meditation provides them with a calming peace. Regular meditation, as part of our daily routine, can do wonders for our mental health. The Guru takes this meditation one step further; to meditate on the Lords Name which eradicates all falsehoods. Through this, we can experience the soothing breeze of His Name, which is the antidote to the 5 vices. This can often change an ill-tempered frustrated being into a care-free peaceful existence. 

ਅਨਿਕ ਬਾਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਲਿਹਾਰਾ ॥

So many times, Nanak is a sacrifice to Him;

ਸਫਲ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥੪॥੭੯॥੧੪੮॥

Fruitful is the Blessed Vision, the Darshan, of my Lord of the Universe. ||4||79||148||

(Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 195)

But, just like everything else in life, this requires persistence, dedication & perseverance. We need to make this a part of our daily routine & then judge for ourselves on its benefits. Who knows, we might just find Him at the end of the rabbit hole. 

ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥

ਕਰ ਕਰਿ ਟਹਲ ਰਸਨਾ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵਉ ॥

With my hands, I do His work; with my tongue, I sing His Glorious Praises.

ਚਰਨ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕੈ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਧਾਵਉ ॥੧॥

With my feet, I walk on the Path of my Lord and Master. ||1||

ਭਲੋ ਸਮੋ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥

It is a blessed time when I remember Him in meditation.

ਸਿਮਰਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਭੈ ਪਾਰਿ ਉਤਰੀਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Meditating on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, I cross over the terrifying world-ocean. ||1||Pause||

ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ਸੰਤਨ ਕਾ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਪੇਖੁ ॥

With your eyes, behold the Blessed Vision of the Saints.

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਅਵਿਨਾਸੀ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਲੇਖੁ ॥੨॥

Record the Immortal Lord God within your mind. ||2||

ਸੁਣਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਸਾਧ ਪਹਿ ਜਾਇ ॥

Listen to the Kirtan of His Praises, at the Feet of the Holy.

ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਕੀ ਤ੍ਰਾਸ ਮਿਟਾਇ ॥੩॥

Your fears of birth and death shall depart. ||3||

ਚਰਣ ਕਮਲ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰਿ ॥

Enshrine the Lotus Feet of your Lord and Master within your heart.

ਦੁਲਭ ਦੇਹ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਸਤਾਰਿ ॥੪॥੫੧॥੧੨੦॥

Thus this human life, so difficult to obtain, shall be redeemed. ||4||51||120||

(Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 960)