Hukmnama, Golden Temple, Amritsar (Nov 20, 2023)
ਸਲੋਕੁ ॥
Shalok:
(The introductory verse sets the spiritual tone.)
ਊਚਾ ਅਗਮ ਅਪਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਕਥਨੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ਅਕਥੁ ॥
God is lofty, unapproachable, and infinite. He is indescribable – He cannot be described.
(Profoundly acknowledging the incomprehensible vastness of the Divine, beyond the reach of words.)
ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਰਣਾਗਤੀ ਰਾਖਨ ਕਉ ਸਮਰਥੁ ॥੧॥
Nanak seeks the Sanctuary of God, who is all-powerful to save us. ||1||
(Humility and surrender are the refuge of Nanak, placing trust in the omnipotent Creator.)
ਛੰਤੁ ॥
Chhant:
(The poetic composition continues, offering a heartfelt plea.)
ਜਿਉ ਜਾਨਹੁ ਤਿਉ ਰਾਖੁ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੇਰਿਆ ॥
Save me, any way You please; O Lord God, I am Yours.
(A plea for divine rescue, acknowledging complete surrender to the will of the Almighty.)
ਕੇਤੇ ਗਨਉ ਅਸੰਖ ਅਵਗਣ ਮੇਰਿਆ ॥
My demerits are uncountable; how many of them should I count?
(Recognizing the countless flaws and sins, feeling overwhelmed by their multitude.)
ਅਸੰਖ ਅਵਗਣ ਖਤੇ ਫੇਰੇ ਨਿਤਪ੍ਰਤਿ ਸਦ ਭੂਲੀਐ ॥
The sins and crimes I committed are countless; day by day, I continually make mistakes.
(Expressing the perpetual cycle of committing sins and seeking forgiveness.)
ਮੋਹ ਮਗਨ ਬਿਕਰਾਲ ਮਾਇਆ ਤਉ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦੀ ਘੂਲੀਐ ॥
I am intoxicated by emotional attachment to Maya, the treacherous one; by Your Grace alone can I be saved.
(Admitting entanglement in the illusion of worldly desires and seeking redemption through divine grace.)
ਲੂਕ ਕਰਤ ਬਿਕਾਰ ਬਿਖੜੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਨੇਰ ਹੂ ਤੇ ਨੇਰਿਆ ॥
Secretly, I commit hideous sins of corruption, even though God is the nearest of the near.
(Revealing the inner struggle with hidden vices while recognizing the omnipresence of the Divine.)
ਬਿਨਵੰਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਇਆ ਧਾਰਹੁ ਕਾਢਿ ਭਵਜਲ ਫੇਰਿਆ ॥੧॥
Prays Nanak, shower me with Your Mercy, Lord, and lift me up, out of the whirlpool of the terrifying world-ocean. ||1||
(Nanak beseeches divine compassion to rescue and elevate from the daunting ocean of existence.)