Hukamnama Reflection: Contentment and Avoiding Envy
Golden Temple, Amritsar – Oct 7, 2023
Introduction: Reflecting upon today’s Hukamnama from Sri Harmandir Sahib, let’s immerse in the essence of contentment, humility, and the fleeting nature of worldly possessions.
Penned by: Bhagat Kabir
ਕਾਹੂ ਦੀਨੑੇ ਪਾਟ ਪਟੰਬਰ ਕਾਹੂ ਪਲਘ ਨਿਵਾਰਾ ॥
Kāhū ḏīnṯe pāṯ paṯambar kāhū palagẖ nivārā ॥
To some, the Lord has given silks and satins, and to some, beds decorated with cotton ribbons.
Detailed Meaning 1: The verse shines light on the diversity of worldly possessions bestowed upon individuals by the Divine, where some are graced with opulence and others with modest means.
Tuk 2:
ਕਾਹੂ ਗਰੀ ਗੋਦਰੀ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਾਹੂ ਖਾਨ ਪਰਾਰਾ ॥੧॥
Kāhū garī goḏrī nāhī kāhū kẖān parārā ॥1॥
Some do not even have a poor patched coat, and some live in thatched huts. ||1||
Detailed Meaning 2: This verse accentuates the disparities in living conditions, with some people lacking even basic clothing or shelter, while others enjoy luxuries. It calls for reflection on the diversity of human experiences.
Tuk 3:
ਅਹਿਰਖ ਵਾਦੁ ਨ ਕੀਜੈ ਰੇ ਮਨ ॥
Ahiraḵẖ vāḏ na kījai re man ॥
Do not indulge in envy and bickering, O my mind.
Detailed Meaning 3: The verse advises against harboring jealousy and disputes due to disparities in material wealth, emphasizing the importance of contentment.
Tuk 4:
ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਲੀਜੈ ਰੇ ਮਨ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Sukriṯ kar kar lījai re man ॥1॥ rahā
o ॥
By continually doing good deeds, these are obtained, O my mind. ||1||Pause||
Detailed Meaning 4: The pause verse emphasizes that true wealth is acquired through the continuous practice of virtuous deeds and selfless actions.
Tuk 5:
ਕੁਮੑਾਰੈ ਏਕ ਜੁ ਮਾਟੀ ਗੂੰਧੀ ਬਹੁ ਬਿਧਿ ਬਾਨੀ ਲਾਈ ॥
Kumarai eka jo mātī gūʼnḏẖī baho biḏẖ bānī lāī ॥
The potter works the same clay and colors the pots in different ways.
Detailed Meaning 5: This verse employs the metaphor of a potter molding clay to illustrate that the Divine works with the same fundamental material, but individuals may exhibit diversity in their qualities and characteristics.
Tuk 6:
ਕਾਹੂ ਮਹਿ ਮੋਤੀ ਮੁਕਤਾਹਲ ਕਾਹੂ ਬਿਆਧਿ ਲਗਾਈ ॥੨॥
Kāhū mėh moṯī mukṯāhal kāhū biāḏẖ lagāī ॥2॥
Into some, pearls are set, while others are afflicted with disease. ||2||
Detailed Meaning 6: This verse continues the metaphor of the potter, indicating that some individuals may shine like pearls, while others may experience afflictions and difficulties.
Tuk 7:
ਸੂਮਹਿ ਧਨੁ ਰਾਖਨ ਕਉ ਦੀਆ ਮੁਗਧੁ ਕਹੈ ਧਨੁ ਮੇਰਾ ॥
Sūmah ḏẖan rākẖan kao ḏīā mugaḏẖ kahai ḏẖan merā ॥
God gave wealth to the miser for him to preserve, but the fool calls it his own.
Detailed Meaning 7:
This verse criticizes those who hoard wealth selfishly, mistaking it as their own possession, when it was meant to be used for the greater good.
Tuk 8:
ਜਮ ਕਾ ਡੰਡੁ ਮੂੰਡ ਮਹਿ ਲਾਗੈ ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਕਰੈ ਨਿਬੇਰਾ ॥੩॥
Jam kā ḏand mūnḏ mėh lāgai kẖin mėh karai nibėrā ॥3॥
When the Messenger of Death strikes him with his club, in an instant, everything is settled. ||3||
Detailed Meaning 8:
This verse depicts the inevitability of death and the suddenness with which one’s life and possessions can be taken away, emphasizing the transience of worldly attachments.
Tuk 9:
ਹਰਿ ਜਨੁ ਊਤਮੁ ਭਗਤੁ ਸਦਾਵੈ ਆਗਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਈ ॥
Har jan ūṯam bẖagaṯ saḏāvai āgiā man sukẖ pāī ॥
The Lord’s humble servant is called the most exalted Saint; he obeys the Command of the Lord’s Order and finds peace within.
Detailed Meaning 9:
This verse exalts those who humbly serve the Lord, emphasizing that they are the highest-ranking saints who find inner peace by aligning with the divine command.
Tuk 10:
ਜੋ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਸਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਮਾਨੈ ਭਾਣਾ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ ॥੪॥
Jo ṯis bẖāvai saṯ kar mānai bẖāṇā man vasāī ॥4॥
One who pleases the Lord’s Will and accepts it as True, enshrines it within their mind. ||4||
Detailed Meaning 10:
This verse highlights the importance of aligning with the divine will and accepting it as the ultimate truth, which leads to spiritual realization.
Tuk 11:
ਕਹੈ ਕਬੀਰੁ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਰੇ ਸੰਤਹੁ ਮੇਰੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਝੂਠੀ ॥
Kahai Kabīr sunhu re sanṯahu merī merī jẖūṯhī ॥
Says Kabeer, listen, O Saints – it is false to call out, “Mine, mine.”
Detailed Meaning 11:
Kabeer asserts that claiming possessions as “mine” is illusory and false.
Tuk 12:
ਚਿਰਗਟ ਫਾਰਿ ਚਟਾਰਾ ਲੈ ਗਇਓ ਤਰੀ ਤਾਗਰੀ ਛੂਟੀ ॥੫॥੩॥੧੬॥
Cẖirgaṯ fār cẖatārā lai gaio ṯarī ṯāggarī cẖẖūṯī ॥5॥3॥16॥
Breaking the birdcage, death takes the bird away, and only the torn threads remain. ||5||3||16||
Detailed Meaning 12:
This final verse poetically illustrates the inevitability of death by comparing it to a bird escaping from a broken cage, leaving behind only tattered threads.
Reflections: This shabad in Aasaa raag, navigates through the essence of contentment, humility, and the transient nature of worldly possessions. It eloquently advises against harboring jealousy and disputes due to material disparities, beckoning a life of gratitude and righteous deeds.
Engagement: How do you cultivate contentment in your daily life? Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments below.
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