Daily Hukamnama from Harimandir Sahib (Amritsar)

SOOHEE, THIRD MEHL: The body-bride is very beautiful; she dwells with her Husband Lord. She becomes the happy soul-bride of her True Husband Lord, contemplating the Word of the Guru’s Shabad. The Lord’s devotee is forever attuned to the Lord’s Love; her ego is burnt away from within. || 1 || Waaho! Waaho! Blessed, blessed is the Word of the Perfect Guru’s Bani. It wells up and springs forth from the Perfect Guru, and merges into Truth. || 1 || Pause || Everything is within the Lord — the continents, worlds and nether regions. The Life of the World, the Great Giver, dwells within the body; He is the Cherisher of all. The body-bride is eternally beautiful; the Gurmukh contemplates the Naam. || 2 || The Lord Himself dwells within the body; He is invisible and cannot be seen. The foolish self-willed manmukh does not understand; he goes out searching for the Lord externally. One who serves the True Guru is always at peace; the True Guru has shown me the Invisible Lord. || 3 || Within the body there are jewels and precious treasures, the over-flowing treasure of devotion. Within this body are the nine continents of the earth, its markets, cities and streets. Within this body are the nine treasures of the Naam; contemplating the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, it is obtained. || 4 || Within the body, the Lord estimates the weight; He Himself is the weigher. This mind is the jewel, the gem, the diamond; it is absolutely priceless. The Naam, the Name of the Lord, cannot be purchased at any price; the Naam is obtained by contemplating the Guru. || 5 || One who becomes Gurmukh searches this body; all others just wander around in confusion. That humble being alone obtains it, unto whom the Lord bestows it. What other clever tricks can anyone try? Within the body, the Fear of God and Love for Him abides; by Guru’s Grace, they are obtained. || 6 || Within the body, are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, from whom the whole world emanated. The True Lord has staged and contrived His own play; the expanse of the Universe comes and goes. The Perfect True Guru Himself has made it clear, that emancipation comes through the True Name. || 7 || That body, which serves the True Guru, is embellished by the True Lord Himself. Without the Name, the mortal finds no place of rest in the Court of the Lord; he shall be tortured by the Messenger of Death. O Nanak, true glory is bestowed, when the Lord showers His Mercy. || 8 || 2 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

RAAG DHANAASAREE, THE WORD OF DEVOTEE KABEER JEE: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: That humble being, who knows even a little about loving devotional worship — what surprises are there for him? Like water, dripping into water, which cannot be separated out again, so is the weaver Kabeer, with softened heart, merged into the Lord. || 1 || O people of the Lord, I am just a simple-minded fool. If Kabeer were to leave his body at Benares, and so liberate himself, what obligation would he have to the Lord? || 1 || Pause || Says Kabeer, listen, O people — do not be deluded by doubt. What is the difference between Benares and the barren land of Maghar, if the Lord is within one’s heart? || 2 || 3 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

SOOHEE, THIRD MEHL: Through the True Word of the Shabad, true happiness prevails, there where the True Lord is contemplated. Egotism and all sinful residues are eradicated, when one keeps the True Lord enshrined in the heart. One who keeps the True Lord enshrined in the heart, crosses over the terrible and dreadful world-ocean; he shall not have to cross over it again. True is the True Guru, and True is the Word of His Bani; through it, the True Lord is seen. One who sings the Glorious Praises of the True Lord merges in Truth; he beholds the True Lord everywhere. O Nanak, True is the Lord and Master, and True is His Name; through Truth, comes emancipation. || 1 || The True Guru reveals the True Lord; the True Lord preserves our honor. The true food is love for the True Lord; through the True Name, peace is obtained. Through the True Name, the mortal finds peace; he shall never die, and never again enter the womb of reincarnation. His light blends with the Light, and he merges into the True Lord; he is illuminated and enlightened with the True Name. Those who know the Truth are True; night and day, they meditate on Truth. O Nanak, those whose hearts are filled with the True Name, never suffer the pains of separation. || 2 || In that home, and in that heart, where the True Bani of the Lord’s True Praises are sung, the songs of joy resound. Through the immaculate virtues of the True Lord, the body and mind are rendered True, and God, the True Primal Being, dwells within. Such a person practices only Truth, and speaks only Truth; whatever the True Lord does, that alone comes to pass. Wherever I look, there I see the True Lord pervading; there is no other at all. From the True Lord, we emanate, and into the True Lord, we shall merge; death and birth come from duality. O Nanak, He Himself does everything; He Himself is the Cause. || 3 || The true devotees look beautiful in the Darbaar of the Lord’s Court. They speak Truth, and only Truth. Deep within the nucleus of their heart, is the True Word of the Lord’s Bani. Through the Truth, they understand themselves. They understand themselves, and so know the True Lord, through their true intuition. True is the Shabad, and True is its Glory; peace comes only from Truth. Imbued with Truth, the devotees love the One Lord; they do not love any other. O Nanak, he alone obtains the True Lord, who has such pre-ordained destiny written upon his forehead. || 4 || 2 || 3 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

SOOHEE, FIFTH MEHL: Within my heart, I meditate on the Word of the Guru’s Teachings. With my tongue, I chant the Chant of the Lord. || 1 || The image of His vision is fruitful; I am a sacrifice to it. His Lotus Feet are the Support of the mind, the Support of the very breath of life. || 1 || Pause || In the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, the cycle of birth and death is ended. To hear the Ambrosial Sermon is the support of my ears. || 2 || I have renounced sexual desire, anger, greed and emotional attachment. I have enshrined the Naam within myself, with charity, true cleansing and righteous conduct. || 3 || Says Nanak, I have contemplated this essence of reality; chanting the Name of the Lord, I am carried across. || 4 || 12 || 18 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

SHALOK: Power is fraudulent, beauty is fraudulent, and wealth is fraudulent, as is pride of ancestry. One may gather poison through deception and fraud, O Nanak, but without the Lord, nothing shall go along with him in the end. || 1 || Beholding the bitter melon, he is deceived, since it appears so pretty. But it is not worth even a shell, O Nanak; the riches of Maya will not go along with anyone. || 2 || PAUREE: It shall not go along with you when you depart — why do you bother to collect it? Tell me, why do you try so hard to acquire that which you must leave behind in the end? Forgetting the Lord, how can you be satisfied? Your mind cannot be pleased. One who forsakes God, and attaches himself to another, shall be immersed in hell. Be kind and compassionate to Nanak, O Lord, and dispel his fear. || 10 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

BILAAVAL, FIFTH MEHL: I seek the Sanctuary of the Saints, and I serve the Saints. I am rid of all worldly concerns, bonds, entanglements and other affairs. || 1 || Pause || I have obtained peace, poise and great bliss from the Guru, through the Lord’s Name. Such is the sublime essence of the Lord, that I cannot describe it. The Perfect Guru has turned me away from the world. || 1 || I behold the Fascinating Lord with everyone. No one is without Him — He is pervading everywhere. The Perfect Lord, the treasure of mercy, is permeating everywhere. Says Nanak, I am fully fulfilled. || 2 || 7 || 93 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

SHALOK: Creating the soul, the Lord places this creation in the womb of the mother. With each and every breath, it meditates in remembrance on the Lord, O Nanak; it is not consumed by the great fire. || 1 || With its head down, and feet up, it dwells in that slimy place. O Nanak, how could we forget the Master? Through His Name, we are saved. || 2 || PAUREE: From egg and sperm, you were conceived, and placed in the fire of the womb. Head downwards, you abided restlessly in that dark, dismal, terrible hell. Remembering the Lord in meditation, you were not burnt; enshrine Him in your heart, mind and body. In that treacherous place, He protected and preserved you; do not forget Him, even for an instant. Forgetting God, you shall never find peace; you shall forfeit your life, and depart. || 2 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

SORAT’H, FIFTH MEHL, SECOND HOUSE, ASHTAPADEES: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: They read scriptures, and contemplate the Vedas; they practice the inner cleansing techniques of Yoga, and control of the breath. But they cannot escape from the company of the five passions; they are increasingly bound to egotism. || 1 || O Beloved, this is not the way to meet the Lord; I have performed these rituals so many times. I have collapsed, exhausted, at the Door of my Lord Master; I pray that He may grant me a discerning intellect. || Pause || One may remain silent and use his hands as begging bowls, and wander naked in the forest. He may make pilgrimages to river banks and sacred shrines all over the world, but his sense of duality will not leave him. || 2 || His mind’s desires may lead him to go and dwell at sacred places of pilgrimage, and offer his head to be sawn off; but this will not cause the filth of his mind to depart, even though he may make thousands of efforts. || 3 || He may give gifts of all sorts — gold, women, horses and elephants. He may make offerings of corn, clothes and land in abundance, but this will not lead him to the Lord’s Door. || 4 || He may remain devoted to worship and adoration, bowing his forehead to the floor, practicing the six religious rituals. He indulges in egotism and pride, and falls into entanglements, but he does not meet the Lord by these devices. || 5 || He practices the eighty-four postures of Yoga, and acquires the supernatural powers of the Siddhas, but he gets tired of practicing these. He lives a long life, but is reincarnated again and again; he has not met with the Lord. || 6 || He may enjoy princely pleasures, and regal pomp and ceremony, and issue unchallenged commands. He may lie on beautiful beds, perfumed with sandalwood oil, but this will led him only to the gates of the most horrible hell. || 7 || Singing the Kirtan of the Lord’s Praises in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, is the highest of all actions. Says Nanak, he alone obtains it, who is pre-destined to receive it. || 8 || Your slave is intoxicated with this Love of Yours. The Destroyer of the pains of the poor has become merciful to me, and this mind is imbued with the Praises of the Lord, Har, Har. || Second Pause || 1 || 3 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

SORAT’H, NINTH MEHL: In this world, I have not found any true friend. The whole world is attached to its own pleasures, and when trouble comes, no one is with you. || 1 || Pause || Wives, friends, children and relatives — all are attached to wealth. When they see a poor man, they all forsake his company and run away. || 1 || So what should I say to this crazy mind, which is affectionately attached to them? The Lord is the Master of the meek, the Destroyer of all fears, and I have forgotten to praise Him. || 2 || Like a dog’s tail, which will never straighten out, the mind will not change, no matter how many things are tried. Says Nanak, please, Lord, uphold the honor of Your innate nature; I chant Your Name. || 3 || 9 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

SORAT’H, NINTH MEHL: In this world, I have not found any true friend. The whole world is attached to its own pleasures, and when trouble comes, no one is with you. || 1 || Pause || Wives, friends, children and relatives — all are attached to wealth. When they see a poor man, they all forsake his company and run away. || 1 || So what should I say to this crazy mind, which is affectionately attached to them? The Lord is the Master of the meek, the Destroyer of all fears, and I have forgotten to praise Him. || 2 || Like a dog’s tail, which will never straighten out, the mind will not change, no matter how many things are tried. Says Nanak, please, Lord, uphold the honor of Your innate nature; I chant Your Name. || 3 || 9 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

DHANAASAREE, FOURTH MEHL: Tell me, O Siblings of Destiny, the religion for this Dark Age of Kali Yuga. I seek emancipation — how can I be emancipated? Meditation on the Lord, Har, Har, is the boat, the raft; meditating on the Lord, the swimmer swims across. || 1 || O Dear Lord, protect and preserve the honor of Your humble servant. O Lord, Har, Har, please make me chant the chant of Your Name; I beg only for Your devotional worship. || Pause || The Lord’s servants are very dear to the Lord; they chant the Word of the Lord’s Bani. The account of the recording angels, Chitr and Gupt, and the account with the Messenger of Death is totally erased. || 2 || The Saints of the Lord meditate on the Lord in their minds; they join the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. The piercing sun of desires has set, and the cool moon has risen. || 3 || You are the Greatest Being, absolutely unapproachable and unfathomable; You created the Universe from Your Own Being. O God, take pity on servant Nanak, and make him the slave of the slave of Your slaves. || 4 || 6 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

WADAHANS, THIRD MEHL: My tongue is intuitively attracted to the taste of the Lord. My mind is satisfied, meditating on the Name of the Lord. || 1 || Lasting peace is obtained, contemplating the True Word of the Shabad. I am forever a sacrifice to my True Guru. || 1 || Pause || My eyes are content, lovingly focused on the One Lord. My mind is content, having forsaken the love of duality. || 2 || The frame of my body is at peace, through the Shabad, and the Name of the Lord. The fragrance of the Naam permeates my heart. || 3 || O Nanak, one who has such great destiny written upon his forehead, through the Word of the Guru’s Bani, easily and intuitively becomes free of desire. || 4 || 7 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

SORAT’H, FIFTH MEHL: Those whose minds are attached to the lotus feet of the Lord — those humble beings are satisfied and fulfilled. But those, within whose hearts the priceless virtue does not abide — those men remain thirsty and unsatisfied. || 1 || Worshipping the Lord in adoration, one becomes happy, and free of disease. But one who forgets my Dear Lord — know him to be afflicted with tens of thousands of illnesses. || Pause || Those who hold tightly to Your Support, God, are happy in Your Sanctuary. But those humble beings who forget the Primal Lord, the Architect of Destiny, are counted among the most miserable beings. || 2 || One who has faith in the Guru, and who is lovingly attached to God, enjoys the delights of supreme ecstasy. One who forgets God and forsakes the Guru, falls into the most horrible hell. || 3 || As the Lord engages someone, so he is engaged, and so does he perform. Nanak has taken to the Shelter of the Saints; his heart is absorbed in the Lord’s feet. || 4 || 4 || 15 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

SOOHEE, FIRST MEHL: My mind is imbued with His Glorious Praises; I chant them, and He is pleasing to my mind. Truth is the ladder to the Guru; climbing up to the True Lord, peace is obtained. Celestial peace comes; the Truth pleases me. How could these True Teachings ever be erased? He Himself is Undeceivable; how could He ever be deceived by cleansing baths, charity, spiritual wisdom or ritual bathings? Fraud, attachment and corruption are taken away, as are falsehood, hypocrisy and duality. My mind is imbued with His Glorious Praises; I chant them, and He is pleasing to my mind. || 1 || So praise your Lord and Master, who created the creation. Filth sticks to the polluted mind; how rare are those who drink in the Ambrosial Nectar. Churn this Ambrosial Nectar, and drink it in; dedicate this mind to the Guru, and He will value it highly. I intuitively realized my God, when I linked my mind to the True Lord. I will sing the Lord’s Glorious Praises with Him, if it pleases Him; how could I meet Him by being a stranger to Him? So praise your Lord and Master, who created the creation. || 2 || When He comes, what else remains behind? How can there be any coming or going then? When the mind is reconciled with its Beloved Lord, it is blended with Him. True is the speech of one who is imbued with the Love of his Lord and Master, who fashioned the body fortress from a mere bubble. He is the Master of the five elements; He Himself is the Creator Lord. He embellished the body with Truth. I am worthless; please hear me, O my Beloved! Whatever pleases You is True. One who is blessed with true understanding, does not come and go. || 3 || Apply such an ointment to your eyes, which is pleasing to your Beloved. I realize, understand and know Him, only if He Himself causes me to know Him. He Himself shows me the Way, and He Himself leads me to it, attracting my mind. He Himself causes us to do good and bad deeds; who can know the value of the Mysterious Lord? I know nothing of Tantric spells, magical mantras and hypocritical rituals; enshrining the Lord within my heart, my mind is satisfied. The ointment of the Naam, the Name of the Lord, is only understood by one who realizes the Lord, through the Word of the Guru’s Shabad. || 4 || I have my own friends; why should I go to the home of a stranger? My friends are imbued with the True Lord; He is with them, in their minds. In their minds, these friends celebrate in happiness; all good karma, righteousness and Dharma, the sixty-eight holy places of pilgrimage, charity and worship, are found in the love of the True Name. He Himself creates, establishes and beholds all, by the Pleasure of His Will. My friends are happy in the Love of the Lord; they nurture love for their Beloved. || 5 || If a blind man is made the leader, how will he know the way? He is impaired, and his understanding is inadequate; how will he know the way? How can he follow the path and reach the Mansion of the Lord’s Presence? Blind is the understanding of the blind. Without the Lord’s Name, they cannot see anything; the blind are drowned in worldly entanglements. Day and night, the Divine Light shines forth and joy wells up, when the Word of the Guru’s Shabad abides in the mind. With your palms pressed together, pray to the Guru to show you the way. || 6 || If the man becomes a stranger to God, then all the world becomes a stranger to him. Unto whom should I tie up and give the bundle of my pains? The whole world is overflowing with pain and suffering; who can know the state of my inner self? Comings and goings are terrible and dreadful; there is no end to the rounds of reincarnation. Without the Naam, he is vacant and sad; he does not listen to the Word of the Guru’s Shabad. If the mind becomes a stranger to God, then all the world becomes a stranger to him. || 7 || One who finds the Guru’s Mansion within the home of his own being, merges in the All-pervading Lord. The sevadar performs selfless service when he is pleased, and co

JAITSREE, FIFTH MEHL, THIRD HOUSE, DU-PADAS: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: Give me a message from my Beloved — tell me, tell me! I am wonder-struck, hearing the many reports of Him; tell them to me, O my happy sister soul-brides. || 1 || Pause || Some say that He is beyond the world — totally beyond it, while others say that He is totally within it. His color cannot be seen, and His pattern cannot be discerned. O happy soul-brides, tell me the truth! || 1 || He is pervading everywhere, and He dwells in each and every heart; He is not stained — He is unstained. Says Nanak, listen, O people: He dwells upon the tongues of the Saints. || 2 || 1 || 2 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com