Category: Prayer

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.)

Hukmnama, Golden Temple, Amritsar (Nov 03, 2023)

🎵 **ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ॥ Sorat’h, Third Mehl:** 🎵
Penned by Third Master.

🌼 **Verse 1:**
**ਬਿਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੇਵੇ ਬਹੁਤਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਲਾਗਾ ਜੁਗ ਚਾਰੇ ਭਰਮਾਈ ॥**
Without following the True Guru, he suffers in terrible pain, and throughout the four ages, he wanders aimlessly.
💬 **Insight:** Importance of the True Guru’s guidance in one’s spiritual journey to avoid suffering and aimless wandering.

🌼 **Verse 2:**
**ਹਮ ਦੀਨ ਤੁਮ ਜੁਗੁ ਜੁਗੁ ਦਾਤੇ ਸਬਦੇ ਦੇਹਿ ਬੁਝਾਈ ॥੧॥**
I am poor and meek, and throughout the ages, You are the Great Giver – please grant me the understanding of the Word. ||1||
💬 **Insight:** Acknowledging humility and seeking enlightenment through the Guru’s Word.

🌼 **Verse 3:**
**ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਤੁਮ ਪਿਆਰੇ ॥**
O Dear Beloved Lord, please show mercy to me.
💬 **Insight:** A plea for divine grace, showcasing a loving and devoted relationship with the Divine.

🌼 **Verse 4:**
**ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਦਾਤਾ ਮੇਲਿ ਮਿਲਾਵਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੇਵਹੁ ਆਧਾਰੇ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥**
Unite me with the True Guru, O Great Giver, and give me the support of the Lord’s Name. ||Pause||
💬 **Insight:** Imploring for a union with the True Guru and the support of the divine Name as a source of sustenance.

🌼 **Verse 5:**
**ਮਨਸਾ ਮਾਰਿ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਣੀ ਪਾਇਆ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥**
Conquering my desires and duality, I have merged in celestial peace and found the Naam, the Name of the Infinite Lord.
💬 **Insight:** Overcoming desires and duality to attain inner peace and discover the Infinite Name.

🌼 **Verse 6:**
**ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਚਾਖਿ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਹੋਆ ਕਿਲਬਿਖ ਕਾਟਣਹਾਰਾ ॥੨॥**
I have tasted the sublime essence of the Lord, and my soul has become immaculately pure; the Lord is the Destroyer of sins. ||2||
💬 **Insight:** The transformative and purifying power of experiencing the divine essence.

🌺🌺 **Review:** 🌺🌺

This Shabad from Sorat’h, Third Mehl, speaks profoundly to the human condition, emphasizing the necessity of the True Guru’s guidance for spiritual liberation. It highlights a universal spiritual struggle: without guidance, we are prone to suffering and confusion. The humility of the seeker and the plea for divine grace point to a critical understanding of human dependency on a higher power for wisdom and support.

From a psychological perspective, this Shabad could be seen as addressing the human need for meaning and direction in life. It speaks to our innermost yearnings for clarity and moral purity. The idea of conquering desires aligns with the psychological concept of self-regulation, which is essential for mental peace and contentment.

For the faithful, this Shabad provides a clear message of hope and solace. It reassures that through the Guru’s wisdom and the divine Name’s support, one can overcome the dualities and desires that lead to spiritual turmoil. The transformative power of the Lord’s essence offers a path to purity and absolution, making this Shabad a profound piece of spiritual guidance.

🌸 **ਜੈਤਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥**

Jaitsree, Fifth Mehl: 🌸

🌈 **Insight:**

This hymn is in the Jaitsree Raag and is composed by the Fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev. 🌈

🌸 **ਆਏ ਅਨਿਕ ਜਨਮ ਭ੍ਰਮਿ ਸਰਣੀ ॥**

After wandering through so many incarnations, I have come to Your Sanctuary. 🌸

🌈 **Insight:**

The hymn begins by acknowledging the long spiritual journey of the soul through various incarnations, finally seeking refuge in the Divine Sanctuary. 🌈

🌸 **ਉਧਰੁ ਦੇਹ ਅੰਧ ਕੂਪ ਤੇ ਲਾਵਹੁ ਅਪੁਨੀ ਚਰਣੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥**

Save me – lift my body up out of the deep, dark pit of the world, and attach me to Your feet. ||1||Pause|| 🌸

🌈 **Insight:**

This line is a plea for Divine intervention to lift the soul out of the metaphorical dark pit of worldly attachments and bring it closer to God. 🌈

🌸 **ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਾ ਨਾਹਿਨ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਕਰਣੀ ॥**

I do not know anything about spiritual wisdom, meditation or karma, and my way of life is not clean and pure. 🌸

🌈 **Insight:**

The hymn humbly admits a lack of spiritual wisdom and pure conduct, emphasizing the need for Divine guidance. 🌈

🌸 **ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਕੈ ਅੰਚਲਿ ਲਾਵਹੁ ਬਿਖਮ ਨਦੀ ਜਾਇ ਤਰਣੀ ॥੧॥**

Please attach me to the hem of the robe of the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy; help me to cross over the terrible river. ||1|| 🌸

🌈 **Insight:**

The hymn ends by asking to be a part of the Holy Company to navigate the challenging journey of life and cross the metaphorical ‘terrible river’. 🌈

🌸 **Review:**

This hymn explores the soul’s long journey through various incarnations to seek refuge in God finally. It expresses a heartfelt plea for Divine help to escape worldly entanglements and attain spiritual enlightenment. The hymn admits a lack of spiritual wisdom but ends on a hopeful note by seeking the company of the Holy to cross life’s challenges. 🌸