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A Hukumnama is a Sikh term for a "command" or "order".
In a spiritual context, it refers to a hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib that is revealed as a divine message or guidance, often taken daily in Gurdwaras.
Gurmukh and Manmukh are two opposing spiritual mindsets in Sikhism. A Gurmukh follows the Guru's teachings, is God-centered, and lives in divine consciousness, while a Manmukh is self-centered, driven by the ego and material desires, living in darkness and ignorance. The transition from Manmukh to Gurmukh involves overcoming the ego and aligning one's life with the Guru's wisdom.
Once a close friend passed away before his time was due. During this difficult period I turned to the daily hukumnama and prayed that the departed soul be reunited with You, God and that his rebirths/ reincarnations come to a stop and he be reunited with You, God.
That night I read the Hukumnama and was shocked what I read. It clearly stated that his reincarnations have come to an end and he is reunited with God.
I repeated this prayer a few years later for another close person and again my prayers were answered when the Hukumanam also stated an end of the departed person's reincarnations.
I was overwhelmed each time that God had in fact answered my prayers.
Today's Hukumnama
Sorat'h, Third Mehl, First House, Ti-Tukas:
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:
You always preserve the honor of Your devotees, O Dear Lord; You have protected them from the very beginning of time.
You protected Your servant Prahlaad, O Dear Lord, and annihilated Harnaakhash.
The Gurmukhs place their faith in the Dear Lord, but the self-willed manmukhs are deluded by doubt. ||1||
O Dear Lord, this is Your Glory.
You preserve the honor of Your devotees, O Lord Master; Your devotees seek Your Sanctuary. ||Pause||
The Messenger of Death cannot touch Your devotees; death cannot even approach them.
The Name of the Lord alone abides in their minds; through the Naam, the Name of the Lord, they find liberation.
Wealth and all the spiritual powers of the Siddhis fall at the feet of the Lord's devotees; they obtain peace and poise from the Guru. ||2||
The self-willed manmukhs have no faith; they are filled with greed and self-interest.
They are not Gurmukh - they do not understand the Word of the Shabad in their hearts; they do not love the Naam, the Name of the Lord.
Their masks of falsehood and hypocrisy shall fall off; the self-willed manmukhs speak with insipid words. ||3||
You are pervading through Your devotees, O Dear God; through Your devotees, You are known.
All the people are enticed by Maya; they are Yours, Lord - You alone are the Architect of Destiny.
Overcoming my egotism and quieting the desires within my mind, I have come to realize the Word of the Guru's Shabad. ||4||
God automatically does the work of those who love the Name of the Lord.
By Guru's Grace, he ever dwells in their minds, and He resolves all their affairs.
Whoever challenges them is destroyed; they have the Lord God as their Savior. ||5||
Without serving the True Guru, no one finds the Lord; the self-willed manmukhs die crying out in pain.
They come and go, and find no place of rest; in pain and suffering, they perish.
But one who becomes Gurmukh drinks in the Ambrosial Nectar, and is easily absorbed in the True Name. ||6||
Without serving the True Guru, one cannot escape reincarnation, even by performing numerous rituals.
Those who read the Vedas, and argue and debate without the Lord, lose their honor.
True is the True Guru, and True is the Word of His Bani; in the Guru's Sanctuary, one is saved. ||7||
Those whose minds are filled with the Lord are judged as true in the Court of the Lord; they are hailed as true in the True Court.
Their praises echo throughout the ages, and no one can erase them.
Nanak is forever a sacrifice to those who enshrine the Lord within their hearts. ||8||1||
A Muslim singing the mesmerising divine virtues of Guru Nanak
Read the translations, then pause and read the explanations and then listen to it again.
Introduction to the Poem"Peer Nanak" is a revered piece of devotional Punjabi poetry written by the esteemed poet Babu Firoz Deen Sharaf (1898-1955).
Sharaf, a Muslim poet, was known for his deep love and respect for the figures and philosophy of Sikhism, often writing with profound reverence for the Gurus.
This poem is a testament to that devotion, where he extols the virtues, spiritual power, and transformative influence of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Through eloquent couplets, Sharaf explores the idea that true sovereignty lies not in worldly power but in spiritual humility at the Guru's door, and that Guru Nanak's message of 'Ik Onkar' (One Universal Creator) brought clarity, truth, and reform to a divided world.
Many of us think that God --- in Sikhism referred to as Waheghuru (Wonderful Lord) -- is far far away.
Sikhism explains - why leave your family to look for God in the forests, the mountains, etc. when God is within you.
Sikhism teaches that a "divine spark" or soul (atma) is present within every living being, which is a part of the one God (Waheguru).
God is considered to be both transcendent (beyond creation, without form - Nirgun) and immanent (present within creation, with attributes - Sargun).
Key Concepts
Immanence (Sargun): This concept explains that God is present everywhere, in all things, including within humans. The universe itself is considered an emanation and manifestation of God.
Transcendence (Nirgun): At the same time, God is also beyond the physical universe, without form, timeless, and not limited by human conceptions.
The Divine Spark (Atma): The soul is described in Sikh scripture as a part of the Supreme Soul (Paramatma). The goal of life is to realize this inner presence and ultimately merge with the Divine, like a drop of water merging back into the ocean.
Overcoming Ego (Haumai): The primary barrier to recognizing God within oneself is one's own ego and attachment to worldly illusions (Maya). Through spiritual meditation (Naam Simran), selfless actions, and the Guru's grace, a person can overcome this ego and achieve unity with the Divine.
What does Ang Sang Waheguru mean?
"The Infinite Being, God, is with me, and vibrates in every molecule and cell of my being".
Effect:Chanting this mantra is said to fill every cell with light and love, and connect individual consciousness with the Universal Consciousness.
Spiritual benefit: It is used to overcome loneliness and increase courage by realizing that one is never truly alone.
Listen to this saintly woman
Ang Sang Waheguru | Gurbani Kirtan | Anandmurti Gurumaa (with English subtitles)
Sometimes we may have nowhere else to turn to, often we may just want to join in to do some public service, it is always a good idea to go to a religious place of worship to help around.
There is always something that needs to be done.
The Sikh Gurdwara will always welcome you.
When I was in Singapore for a few weeks and while helping out making chapatis at the Gurdwara, a Chinese man in his thirties came around and I asked him if he wanted to join in to help.
He was not very proficient in the English language.
He acknowledged with a nod or two.
Very soon he joined us and I saw that he was an expert much better than me in helping out.
We all had a good laugh and the atmosphere around was filled with happiness.
One man of a different background brought joy to many others.
Hear why this Muslim man volunteers at the Regina Sikh Temple
Historically, there are very strong ties between Sufi Islam and Sikhism --- to the extent that the holy words of Sufi saints like Bhagat Kabir and Baba Fareed are included in the Sikh Holy Book.
As stated below the honor to lay the foundation stone of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab was given to a Sufi Saint Miyan Mir, which is unparalled.
"Sufism and Sikhism share common themes of divine love, equality, and meditation, with strong historical links, such as the inclusion of Sufi poet Baba Farid's writings in the Guru Granth Sahib and the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone for the Golden Temple by the Sufi Saint Miyan Mir."
Watch and you would imagine you are in the presence of God
Sufi Violin Beats – Allah Ho Allah Ho Akbar | Heart Touching Spiritual Instrumental
One of my most revered mystics is Bhagat Kabir Ji.
Most of you have not even heard of him.
It is amazing that he was abaondoned as a baby by his mother and was brought up by a poor Muslim weaver and his family and was chosen by God to be a Saint a few hundred years ago and now admired and greatly respected by a person like me ---- and being one of the gateways to God.
Bhagat Kabir Ji was a 15th-century Indian mystic poet and saint (Sant), whose writings heavily influenced the Bhakti movement and whose verses are prominently featured in the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. He is a revered figure among Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs alike.
"Everyone remembers the Lord in times of suffering, but no one does so in times of joy."
---- The spiritual teachings of Kabir Das were based on the conviction that God is present in all creatures and that Humanity's true nature is divine. He held that all religions were various routes to the same ultimate truth and that the way to God was through love and service to others.
Life and Background
Birth and Upbringing: Kabir was born in 1398 AD near Varanasi (Kashi), India. According to legend, he was brought up by a poor Muslim weaver family (Niru and Nima) after being abandoned by his birth mother. He often referred to himself as a "julaha" or weaver.
Guru: He became a disciple of the renowned Hindu saint Ramananda, which was unusual at the time due to the prevailing caste and religious divisions.
Death: He is believed to have died in 1518 in Maghar, India. He moved there before his death to challenge the superstition that dying in Kashi granted entry to heaven, while dying in Maghar resulted in hell.
Teachings and Philosophy
Bhagat Kabir Ji was a social reformer and a strict monotheist who emphasized the equality of all mankind. He was critical of what he saw as meaningless rituals and unethical practices in all organized religions, including the caste system and idol worship. His core philosophy centered on the direct and personal devotion to God (Bhakti) and the belief that the divine resides within the mind and heart, not in external pilgrimages or shrines.
Legacy
Guru Granth Sahib: His most significant legacy in Sikhism is the inclusion of over 500 of his verses (227 Padas and 237 Shlokas) in the Guru Granth Sahib, making it the largest non-Sikh contribution to the holy scripture.
Inspirational Poetry: His compositions are known for their raw, revolutionary spirit and continue to inspire millions. His dohe (couplets) often use everyday language and metaphors to convey deep spiritual truths.
Kabirpanthi Sect: The Kabirpanthi sect, a spiritual community in India, follows his teachings and reveres him as their primary Guru.
His life and work bridge religious divides, promoting a universal path of spirituality and humanity. His writings can be accessed and contemplated on platforms like SikhiToTheMax and Search Gurbani.
Meaning – It is of no use being very big or rich if you don’t do any good to others. For example, a palm tree is so tall; however, it is of no use to a traveler because it provides no shade, and the fruit is also at the top. Thus, none can eat it easily.
2. कबीरा खड़ा बाज़ार में, मांगे सबकी खैर |
ना काहू से दोस्ती, न काहू से बैर ||
Meaning –One should always think well of everyone. There is no need to be over-friendly with anyone, nor should you be hostile to anyone.
3. कहे कबीर कैसे निबाहे, केर बेर को संग |
वह झूमत रस आपनी, उसके फाटत अगं ||
Meaning – People who are different cannot live together. If bananas and ber (jujube) trees are planted near each other, the ber tree will swing in the air, whereas banana tree leaves will get torn by its thorns.
4. तिनका कबहूँ न निंदिये, जो पाँव तले होय |
कबहूँ उड़ी आँखिन पड़े, पीर घनेरी होय ||
Meaning – You should not oppress the weak, as you should not trample a speck. When that weak person counterattacks, it will be very painful. Just like a speck of dust in the eye can cause a lot of discomfort.
5. साईं इतना दीजिए जामे कुटुंब समाय |
मैं भी भूखा ना रहूं साधु न भूखा जाए ||
Meaning – Kabir requests the almighty to give him only as much as required to feed his family and if any guest comes, then he should be able to feed him too. It means you should only have what you need as there is no use in having too much.
6. माटी कहे कुम्हार से, तू क्या रौंदे मोहे |
एक दिन ऐसा आएगा, मैं रौंदूंगी तोहे ||
Meaning –The soil tells the pot maker that you think you are kicking and kneading me with your feet but there will be a day when you will be below me (buried after death) and I will knead you.
7. माला फेरत जुग भया, फिरा न मन का फेर |
कर का मनका डार दे, मन का मनका फेर ||
Meaning – This is sarcasm on people who are blind followers of a religion. Kabir says you spent your life turning the beads of the rosary but could not turn your own heart. Leave the rosary and try to change the evil in your heart.
8. गुरु गोविंद दोनों खड़े काके लागू पाँय ।
बलिहारी गुरु आपने, गोविंद दियो मिलाय ॥
Meaning – A teacher is even greater than God. Kabir quips that if the teacher and God are both in front of him, who will he greet first? The teacher’s teaching has made it possible for him to see God.
9. पाहन पूजे हरि मिले, तो मैं पूजू पहाड़।
घर की चाकी कोई ना पूजे, जाको पीस खाए संसार ||
Meaning –Kabir says people worship idols made from stone. If it was possible to reach God this way, then he would worship the mountain. But, no one worships the home flour mill (chakki), which gives us the flour to eat.
10.अति का भला न बोलना, अति की भली न चूप |
अति का भला न बरसना, अति की भली न धूप ||
Meaning – Kabir Das says that too much of anything is not good. One must exercise control and be moderate in everything. Too much talking is not good, and neither is too much quietness. Just like how too much rain is not good, nor is too much sunshine.
Now, let’s look at Kabir Das’s famous Dohe in English
1. कस्तूरी कुंडली बसै, मृग ढूंढे बन माहि |
ऐसे घटी घटी राम हैं दुनिया देखै नाँहि ||
English translation – “The musk is in the deer’s umbilicus, the deer searches the forest. The same way God is omnipresent, the world does not see him.”
2. बुरा जो देखन मैं चला, बुरा न मिलिया कोय ।
जो दिल खोजा आपना, मुझसे बुरा न कोय।।
English translation – “When I started to look for evil, I couldn’t find any. When I started to look inside my heart, I found out that I am the evilest.”
3. चिंता ऐसी डाकिनी, काट कलेजा खाए |
वैद बेचारा क्या करे, कहा तक दवा लगाए ||
English translation – “Worry is such a thief that it eats one’s heart. What can a doctor do? How far will his medicine reach??”
4. दुख: में सुमिरन सब करे, सुख में करे न कोई ।
जो सुख में सुमिरन करे, तो दुःख काहे को होय ॥
English translation – “Everyone remembers God, prays to him and chants hymns to him in bad times but no one remembers him in good times. But, if you will remember him and pray to him in good times as well, you will never ever face bad times in your life.”
5. कबीर गर्व न कीजिय, ऊंचा देखि आवास
काल परों भूईं लेटना, ऊपर जमसी घास ||
English translation – “Don’t be so proud and be in vain of your achievements and fame. Don’t look at the heights that you have achieved, and be arrogant. Ultimately, tomorrow, everyone has to die, and you will be lying under the ground where grass will grow on top.”
6. ज्यों नैनों में पुतली, त्यों मालिक घट माहिं |
मूरख लोग न जानहिं, बाहिर ढूढ़न जाहिं ||
English translation – “God lies within you just as the pupil lies within your eyes. But, these ignorant people don’t know this and keep on searching for God everywhere outside.”
7. जब तू आया जगत में, लोग हँसे तू रोय |
ऐसी करनी ना करी, पाछे हँसे सब कोय ||
English translation – “When we are born, everyone laughs but we cry. Do good deeds in your lifetime; don’t do such work that they laugh behind you when you are gone.”
8. चलती चक्की देख कर, दिया कबीरा रोये |
दो पाटन के बीच में, साबुत बचा ना कोए ||
English translation – “Kabir cried watching the two grinding stones crushing the material inside. He says everything is ground, and nothing remains complete in its original form.”
9.ऐसी वाणी बोलिए, मन का आपा खोय |
औरन को शीतल करे, आपहु शीतल होय ||
English translation – “Speak such words that you lose your mind, you just show peace and no other thing.”
10. काल करे सो आज कर, आज करै सो अब |
पल में परलय होयगी, बहुरी करेगा कब ||
English translation – “Whatever you need to do tomorrow, do it now. The time is lost in moments, and you will not recognise it. If the moment is gone, the work will remain undone forever.”
