Good deeds be your distillery, and Truth your molasses; in this way, make the most excellent wine of Truth.

Hukmnama, Golden Temple, Amritsar (September 30, 2023)

Guiding Principles for a Virtuous Life

Tuk 1:

ਕਲਿ ਕਲਵਾਲੀ ਕਾਮੁ ਮਦੁ ਮਨੂਆ ਪੀਵਣਹਾਰੁ ॥

Kal kalvālī kām maḏ manū▫ā pīvaṇhār ॥

The Dark Age of Kali Yuga is the vessel, filled with the wine of sexual desire; the mind is the drunkard.

Detailed Meaning 1:

In this verse, the devotee metaphorically describes the era of Kali Yuga as a vessel filled with the intoxicating wine of sexual desire. The mind is portrayed as the one who indulges excessively.

Tuk 2:

ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਕਟੋਰੀ ਮੋਹਿ ਭਰੀ ਪੀਲਾਵਾ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੁ ॥

Kroḏẖ kaṯorī mohi bẖarī pīlāvā ahaʼnkār ॥

Anger is the cup, filled with emotional attachment, and egotism is the server.

Detailed Meaning 2:

In this verse, the cup of anger is compared to a container filled with emotional attachment, and egotism is portrayed as the one who serves it.

Tuk 3:

ਮਜਲਸ ਕੂੜੇ ਲਬ ਕੀ ਪੀ ਪੀ ਹੋਇ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥

Majlas kūṛe lab kī pī pī ho▫e kẖu▫ār ॥

Drinking too much in the company of falsehood and greed, one is ruined.

Detailed Meaning 3:

This verse warns against the detrimental effects of indulging excessively in falsehood and greed, likening it to drinking excessively and facing ruin.

Tuk 4:

ਕਰਣੀ ਲਾਹਣਿ ਸਤੁ ਗੁੜੁ ਸਚੁ ਸਰਾ ਕਰਿ ਸਾਰੁ ॥

Karṇī lāhaṇ saṯ guṛ sacẖ sarā kar sār ॥

So let good deeds be your distillery, and Truth your molasses; in this way, make the most excellent wine of Truth.

Detailed Meaning 4:

This verse advises that instead of indulging in negative qualities, one should distill good deeds and use Truth as the molasses to create the finest “wine” of Truth, symbolizing virtuous living.

Tuk 5:

ਗੁਣ ਮੰਡੇ ਕਰਿ ਸੀਲੁ ਘਿਉ ਸਰਮੁ ਮਾਸੁ ਆਹਾਰੁ ॥

Guṇ mande kar sīl gẖi▫o saram mās āhār ॥

Make virtue your bread, good conduct the ghee, and modesty the meat to eat.

Detailed Meaning 5:

This verse emphasizes consuming virtuous qualities like bread, good conduct like ghee, and modesty as the meat of one’s diet, signifying the importance of incorporating these qualities into daily life.

Tuk 6:

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਖਾਧੈ ਜਾਹਿ ਬਿਕਾਰ ॥੧॥

Gurmukh pā▫ī▫ai Nānkā kẖāḏẖai jāhi bikār ॥1॥

As Gurmukh, these are obtained, O Nanak; partaking of them, one’s sins depart. ||1||

Detailed Meaning 6:

In this concluding verse, it is highlighted that by following the path of a Gurmukh (one who follows the Guru’s guidance), these virtues are attained. Consuming them symbolically leads to the departure of sins, signifying purification and spiritual growth.

Full Review:

This shabad serves as a profound guide for leading a virtuous life in the

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