Daily Hukamnama from Harimandir Sahib (Amritsar)

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

SHALOK: He grants our hearts’ desires, and fulfills all our hopes. He destroys pain and suffering; remember God in meditation, O Nanak — He is not far away. || 1 || Love Him, with whom you enjoy all pleasures. Do not forget that Lord, even for an instant; O Nanak, He fashioned this beautiful body. || 2 || PAUREE: He gave you your soul, breath of life, body and wealth; He gave you pleasures to enjoy. He gave you households, mansions, chariots and horses; He ordained your good destiny. He gave you your children, spouse, friends and servants; God is the all-powerful Great Giver. Meditating in remembrance on the Lord, the body and mind are rejuvenated, and sorrow departs. In the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, chant the Praises of the Lord, and all your sickness shall vanish. || 3 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

RAAG SORAT’H, THE WORD OF DEVOTEE RAVI DAAS JEE: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: If I am bound by the noose of emotional attachment, then I shall bind You, Lord, with the bonds of love. Go ahead and try to escape, Lord; I have escaped by worshipping and adoring You. || 1 || O Lord, You know my love for You. Now, what will You do? || 1 || Pause || A fish is caught, cut up, and cooked it in many different ways. Bit by bit, it is eaten, but still, it does not forget the water. || 2 || The Lord, our King, is father to no one, except those who love Him. The veil of emotional attachment has been cast over the entire world, but it does not bother the Lord’s devotee. || 3 || Says Ravi Daas, my devotion to the One Lord is increasing; now, who can I tell this to? That which brought me to worship and adore You — I am still suffering that pain. || 4 || 2 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

SHALOK: He grants our hearts’ desires, and fulfills all our hopes. He destroys pain and suffering; remember God in meditation, O Nanak — He is not far away. || 1 || Love Him, with whom you enjoy all pleasures. Do not forget that Lord, even for an instant; O Nanak, He fashioned this beautiful body. || 2 || PAUREE: He gave you your soul, breath of life, body and wealth; He gave you pleasures to enjoy. He gave you households, mansions, chariots and horses; He ordained your good destiny. He gave you your children, spouse, friends and servants; God is the all-powerful Great Giver. Meditating in remembrance on the Lord, the body and mind are rejuvenated, and sorrow departs. In the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, chant the Praises of the Lord, and all your sickness shall vanish. || 3 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

DHANAASAREE, FIFTH MEHL, SIXTH HOUSE, ASHTAPADEES: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: Whoever is born into the world, is entangled in it; human birth is obtained only by good destiny. I look to Your support, O Holy Saint; give me Your hand, and protect me. By Your Grace, let me meet the Lord, my King. || 1 || I wandered through countless incarnations, but I did not find stability anywhere. I serve the Guru, and I fall at His feet, praying, “O Dear Lord of the Universe, please, show me the way.” || 1 || Pause || I have tried so many things to acquire the wealth of Maya, and to cherish it in my mind; I have passed my life constantly crying out, “Mine, mine!” Is there any such Saint, who would meet with me, take away my anxiety, and lead me to enshrine love for my Lord and Master. || 2 || I have read all the Vedas, and yet the sense of separation in my mind still has not been removed; the five thieves of my house are not quieted, even for an instant. Is there any devotee, who is unattached to Maya, who may irrigate my mind with the Ambrosial Naam, the Name of the One Lord? || 3 || In spite of the many places of pilgrimage for people to bathe in, their minds are still stained by their stubborn ego; the Lord Master is not pleased by this at all. When will I find the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy? There, I shall be always in the ecstasy of the Lord, Har, Har, and my mind shall take its cleansing bath in the healing ointment of spiritual wisdom. || 4 || I have followed the four stages of life, but my mind is not satisfied; I wash my body, but it is totally lacking in understanding. If only I could meet some devotee of the Supreme Lord God, imbued with the Lord’s Love, who could eradicate the filthy evil-mindedness from my mind. || 5 || One who is attached to religious rituals, does not love the Lord, even for an instant; he is filled with pride, and he is of no account. One who meets with the rewarding personality of the Guru, continually sings the Kirtan of the Lord’s Praises. By Guru’s Grace, such a rare one beholds the Lord with his eyes. || 6 || One who acts through stubbornness is of no account at all; like a crane, he pretends to meditate, but he is still stuck in Maya. Is there any such Giver of peace, who can recite to me the sermon of God? Meeting him, I would be emancipated. || 7 || When the Lord, my King, is totally pleased with me, He will break the bonds of Maya for me; my mind is imbued with the Word of the Guru’s Shabad. I am in ecstasy, forever and ever, meeting the Fearless Lord, the Lord of the Universe. Falling at the Lord’s Feet, Nanak has found peace. || 8 || My Yatra, my life pilgrimage, has become fruitful, fruitful, fruitful. My comings and goings have ended, since I met the Holy Saint. || 1 || 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

DHANAASAREE, FIRST MEHL, FIRST HOUSE, CHAU-PADAS: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. TRUTH IS THE NAME. CREATIVE BEING PERSONIFIED. NO FEAR. NO HATRED. IMAGE OF THE UNDYING. BEYOND BIRTH. SELF-EXISTENT. BY GURU’S GRACE: My soul is afraid; to whom should I complain? I serve Him, who makes me forget my pains; He is the Giver, forever and ever. || 1 || My Lord and Master is forever new; He is the Giver, forever and ever. || 1 || Pause || Night and day, I serve my Lord and Master; He shall save me in the end. Hearing and listening, O my dear sister, I have crossed over. || 2 || O Merciful Lord, Your Name carries me across. I am forever a sacrifice to You. || 1 || Pause || In all the world, there is only the One True Lord; there is no other at all. He alone serves the Lord, upon whom the Lord casts His Glance of Grace. || 3 || Without You, O Beloved, how could I even live? Bless me with such greatness, that I may remain attached to Your Name. There is no other, O Beloved, to whom I can go and speak. || 1 || Pause || I serve my Lord and Master; I ask for no other. Nanak is His slave; moment by moment, bit by bit, he is a sacrifice to Him. || 4 || O Lord Master, I am a sacrifice to Your Name, moment by moment, bit by bit. || 1 || Pause || 4 || 1 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

BIHAAGRAA, FIFTH MEHL: The Saints go around, searching for God, the support of their breath of life. They lose the strength of their bodies, if they do not merge with their Beloved Lord. O God, my Beloved, merge with me — bless me with Your kindness; be kind, and attach me to the hem of Your robe. Bless me with Your Name, that I may chant it, O Lord and Master; beholding the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan, I live. He is almighty, perfect, eternal and unchanging, exalted, unapproachable and infinite. Prays Nanak, grant Your Grace, O Beloved of my breath of life, that I may merge with You. || 1 || I have practiced chanting, intensive meditation and fasting to see Your Feet, Lord. But still, the burning fire is not quenched, without the Sanctuary of the Lord and Master. O God, I seek Your Sanctuary — please, cut away my bonds and carry me across the world-ocean. I am helpless, forlorn and worthless — I know nothing at all; please do not count up my merits and demerits. The Lord is Merciful to the meek, the Sustainer of the world, Beloved, Almighty Cause of causes. Nanak, the song-bird, begs for the rain-drop of the Lord’s Name; meditating on the Feet of the Lord, Har, Har, he lives. || 2 || Drink in the Ambrosial Nectar from the sacred pool, the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. In the Society of the Saints, one meets the Lord; meditating on Him, one’s affairs are resolved. God accomplishes everything; He is the Destroyer of pain. Never forget Him from your mind, even for an instant. He is blissful, night and day; He is forever True. All Glories are contained in the Lord in the Universe. Incalculable, lofty and infinite is the Lord and Master. His dwelling is unapproachable. Prays Nanak, my desires are fulfilled; I have met the Lord, the Greatest Lover. || 3 || The fruits of many millions of charitable feasts come to those who listen to and sing the Lord’s Praise. Chanting the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, all one’s generations are carried across. Chanting the Name of the Lord, the mortal being is beautified; what Praises of His can I chant? I shall never forget the Lord; He is as dear as my breath of life. My mind constantly yearns for the Blessed Vision of His Darshan. Auspicious is that day, when God, the lofty, inaccessible and infinite, hugs me close in His embrace. Prays Nanak, everything is fruitful — I have met my supremely beloved Lord God. || 4 || 3 || 6 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

DHANAASAREE, FIFTH MEHL: The desires of the greatest of the great kings and landlords cannot be satisfied. They remain engrossed in Maya, intoxicated with the pleasures of their wealth; their eyes see nothing else at all. || 1 || No one has ever found satisfaction in sin and corruption. The flame is not satisfied by more fuel; how can one be satisfied without the Lord? || Pause || Day after day, he eats his meals with many different foods, but his hunger is not eradicated. He runs around like a dog, searching in the four directions. || 2 || The lustful, lecherous man desires many women, and he never stops peeking into the homes of others. Day after day, he commits adultery again and again, and then he regrets his actions; he wastes away in misery and greed. || 3 || The Name of the Lord, Har, Har, is incomparable and priceless; it is the treasure of Ambrosial Nectar. The Saints abide in peace, poise and bliss; O Nanak, through the Guru, this is known. || 4 || 6 || 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

ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: RAAG SOOHEE, CHHANT, FIRST MEHL, FOURTH HOUSE: The One who created the world, watches over it; He enjoins the people of the world to their tasks. Your gifts, O Lord, illuminate the heart, and the moon casts its light on the body. The moon glows, by the Lord’s gift, and the darkness of suffering is taken away. The marriage party of virtue looks beautiful with the Groom; He chooses His enticing bride with care. The wedding is performed with glorious splendor; He has arrived, accompanied by the vibrations of the Panch Shabad, the Five Primal Sounds. The One who created the world, watches over it; He enjoins the people of the world to their tasks. || 1 || I am a sacrifice to my pure friends, the immaculate Saints. This body is attached to them, and we have shared our minds. We have shared our minds — how could I forget those friends? Seeing them brings joy to my heart; I keep them clasped to my soul. They have all virtues and merits, forever and ever; they have no demerits or faults at all. I am a sacrifice to my pure friends, the immaculate Saints. || 2 || One who has a basket of fragrant virtues, should enjoy its fragrance. If my friends have virtues, I will share in them. Let us form a partnership, and share our virtues; let us abandon our faults, and walk on the Path. Let us wear our virtues like silk clothes; let us decorate ourselves, and enter the arena. Let us speak of goodness, wherever we go and sit; let us skim off the Ambrosial Nectar, and drink it in. One who has a basket of fragrant virtues, should enjoy its fragrance. || 3 || He Himself acts; unto whom should we complain? No one else does anything. Go ahead and complain to Him, if He makes a mistake. If He makes a mistake, go ahead and complain to Him; but how can the Creator Himself make a mistake? He sees, He hears, and without our asking, without our begging, He gives His gifts. The Great Giver, the Architect of the Universe, gives His gifts. O Nanak, He is the True Lord. He Himself acts; unto whom should we complain? No one else does anything.|| 4 || 1 || 4 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

SORAT’H, FIFTH MEHL: I have been blessed with peace, pleasure, bliss, and the celestial sound current, gazing upon the feet of God. The Savior has saved His child, and the True Guru has cured his fever. || 1 || I have been saved, in the True Guru’s Sanctuary; service to Him does not go in vain. || 1 || Pause || There is peace within the home of one’s heart, and there is peace outside as well, when God becomes kind and compassionate. O Nanak, no obstacles block my way; my God has become gracious and merciful to me. || 2 || 12 || 40 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

JAITSREE, FOURTH MEHL, FIRST HOUSE, CHAU-PADAS: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: The Jewel of the Lord’s Name abides within my heart; the Guru has placed His hand on my forehead. The sins and pains of countless incarnations have been cast out. The Guru has blessed me with the Naam, the Name of the Lord, and my debt has been paid off. || 1 || O my mind, vibrate the Lord’s Name, and all your affairs shall be resolved. The Perfect Guru has implanted the Lord’s Name within me; without the Name, life is useless. || Pause || Without the Guru, the self-willed manmukhs are foolish and ignorant; they are forever entangled in emotional attachment to Maya. They never serve the feet of the Holy; their lives are totally useless. || 2 || Those who serve at the feet of the Holy, the feet of the Holy, their lives are made fruitful, and they belong to the Lord. Make me the slave of the slave of the slaves of the Lord; bless me with Your Mercy, O Lord of the Universe. || 3 || I am blind, ignorant and totally without wisdom; how can I walk on the Path? I am blind — O Guru, please let me grasp the hem of Your robe, so that servant Nanak may walk in harmony with You. || 4 || 1 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

DHANAASAREE, FIFTH MEHL: I am meek and poor; the Name of God is my only Support. The Name of the Lord, Har, Har, is my occupation and earnings. I gather only the Lord’s Name. It is useful in both this world and the next. || 1 || Imbued with the Love of the Lord God’s Infinite Name, the Holy Saints sing the Glorious Praises of the One Lord, the Formless Lord. || Pause || The Glory of the Holy Saints comes from their total humility. The Saints realize that their greatness rests in the Praises of the Lord. Meditating on the Lord of the Universe, the Saints are in bliss. The Saints find peace, and their anxieties are dispelled. || 2 || Wherever the Holy Saints gather, there they sing the Praises of the Lord, in music and poetry. In the Society of the Saints, there is bliss and peace. They alone obtain this Society, upon whose foreheads such destiny is written. || 3 || With my palms pressed together, I offer my prayer. I wash their feet, and chant the Praises of the Lord, the treasure of virtue. O God, merciful and compassionate, let me remain in Your Presence. Nanak lives, in the dust of the Saints. || 4 || 2 || 23 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com

SHALOK, FOURTH MEHL: Within the Gurmukh is peace and tranquility; his mind and body are absorbed in the Naam, the Name of the Lord. He contemplates the Naam, he studies the Naam, and he remains lovingly absorbed in the Naam. He obtains the treasure of the Naam, and his anxiety is dispelled. Meeting with the Guru, the Naam wells up, and his thirst and hunger are completely relieved. O Nanak, imbued with the Naam, he gathers in the Naam. || 1 || FOURTH MEHL: One who is cursed by the True Guru, abandons his home, and wanders around aimlessly. He is jeered at, and his face is blackened in the world hereafter. He babbles incoherently, and foaming at the mouth, he dies. What can anyone do? Such is his destiny, according to his past deeds. Wherever he goes, he is a liar, and by telling lies, he not liked by anyone. O Siblings of Destiny, behold this, the glorious greatness of our Lord and Master, O Saints; as one behaves, so does he receive. This shall be God’s determination in His True Court; servant Nanak predicts and proclaims this. || 2 || PAUREE: The True Guru has established the village; the Guru has appointed its guards and protectors. My hopes are fulfilled, and my mind is imbued with the love of the Guru’s Feet. The Guru is infinitely merciful; He has erased all my sins. The Guru has showered me with His Mercy, and He has made me His own. Nanak is forever a sacrifice to the Guru, who has countless virtues. || 27 || Hukamnama from SikhNet.com