We are living in a technology savvy and immensely luxurious world in which we enjoy all pleasures and comforts of life. We are living in an era in which our life is very convenient but in this fantasy world, human connection is decreasing. We are less connected with each other emotionally and more connected to our electric gadgets. Our phones and our computers are our better companions than our family members. In this situation when we are losing connection with each other we are getting afflicted with anxieties, stress, and mental diseases. More and more people are suffering from depression as nobody is there to listen to their problems. Social life is decreasing. There is nobody to provide a human touch as everybody is busy and following a mad race. When real-life problems happen, we are unable to handle our emotions and we start to lose our sanity.
In today’s chaotic and turmoiled society Guru Nanak Sahib ji’s bani acts as a panacea and can ameliorate human problems
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਿਆ ਮਿਟੀ ਧੁੰਧੁ ਜਗਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਆ।
ਜਿਉ ਕਰਿ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਨਿਕਲਿਆ ਤਾਰੇ ਛਪਿ ਅੰਧੇਰੁ ਪਲੋਆ*।
With the emergence of the true Guru Nanak, the mist cleared and the light scattered all around.
As if the sun rose and the stars disappeared. The darkness was dispelled.
When I face difficulties and challenges in my life, I take refuge in Guru Nanak Sahib’s Bani. When my mind is haunted by unanswered questions Guru Sahib’s bani soothes my mind and gives me the strength to move forward. It helps me to take the right steps and correct decisions. It gives me clarity of thoughts and motivates me to fight the battles of my life and come out as a victor. Guru Nanak Sahib’s bani can bring peace to our minds and to this chaotic world.
Guru Nanak Sahib’s philosophy is centered on Divine Hukam and controlling our mind. When the mind is disturbed and is in turmoil. When the mind is haunted with so many questions and the inner world is devastated. When we feel our life is totally in dark then Guru Sahib’s Bani brings light to our lives, deviates the path of our life, and shows us new directions and new dimensions. Guru Sahib’s main philosophy entails the acceptance of Hukam. Guru Sahib’s concept of Hukam is the cosmic order under which this whole universe is being operated. There is the existence of a divine force in all entities in this universe. There is nothing good or bad happening. Every event happening in our lives is connected with other events in the universe. We are a small part of the big play. Every entity is evolving, and everything is a part of the process of evolution. The whole universe is being driven by a common force. Acceptance of Hukam gives peace to the mind and solace to the heart. It decreases anxiety and prevents from getting into depression. Guru Sahib’s bani tells us everything happening in our lives and our world is happening according to the Divine Hukam and we do not have control over it. We do have control over few things, but few things are not in our control. If we can change something, we should do efforts to change it otherwise we should accept the Hukam. The main attribute of Guru Sahib’s philosophy is in the acceptance and complete surrender to the Divine Hukam. Guru Sahib’s bani answers the unanswered questions and gives strength to move forward with more confidence.
ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੈ ਜੇ ਬੁਝੈ ਤ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਹੈ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੨॥
Everyone is subject to His Command; no one is beyond His Command.
O Nanak, one who understands His Command, does not speak in ego. ||2||
Guru Sahib’s bani reiterates that life is a learning experience and we should accept the Hukam graciously. Hukam is directing and redirecting our life. Hukam is our sustainer and savior as well. Guru Sahib’s Bani tells us not to worry and have complete faith in Almighty and His Hukam. When we start believing in Guru Sahib’s bani the truth starts unfolding in front of our eyes and our faith becomes stronger. When we start living in faith then peace fills our mind and we start living in high spirits. Guru Sahib’s bani helps us to see the blessings in disguise in adverse situations and positivity fills our life. We get the strength to view our life forward and move with the flow of life.
Our main primal fight is with our own mind only. The state of our mind governs our life. There is a fear in our minds. The biggest fear is of losing what we possess. We need to get rid of the fears. We need to train and discipline our minds to become victorious. Most of the problems in our inner world and outer world are caused by the indiscipline of the mind. We need to make our mind strong and tell our mind that we are a part of the Divine and we do possess the divine qualities in us. We need to enshrine those qualities in us which include kindness, creativity, truthfulness, and above all fearlessness. We need to tell our minds that we do have the potential to face any unfavorable situation. We have to follow the path of truthfulness and righteousness. We need to remind our mind and have a firm belief that anything unfavorable may happen in life, we will get the strength to face it as this universe will be with us as we have followed the correct path. We need to conquer all the negative forces and weaknesses of our minds and make ourselves strong. When we discipline our mind, then we can bring peace to our inner world and become triumphant in the game of life.
ਮਨ ਜੀਤੇ ਜਗ ਜੀਤ
Conquer the mind, conquer the world
We need to spend our time and our energy in constructive activities otherwise our life can go haywire and become directionless and aimless. If we are seeking to be successful in our material and non-material world, we need to make a room for positivity in our lives and start living in our present without worrying about our future and pondering over what happened in the past. We need to train our minds to let the past go. We need to have blind faith in Waheguru and his Hukam. We need to meditate on the acceptance of the Hukam of Almighty. We need to assure ourselves time and again that Waheguru is with us always and will guide us always. Waheguru is just and will always do the justice. We are under the aegis and the warmth of Almighty’s love and shadow. No force in the world can harm us as Waheguru is our savior. These kinds of thoughts can make us fearless. A fearless mind is a peaceful and productive mind. We need to meditate on the thought that whatever life may bring I will accept it as Waheguru’s Hukam and there is always something great in the Hukam. This meditation makes us strong from the inside and we are prepared to face the tough times with full confidence. If we follow this approach, then we will be amazed by the inner strength that we possess, and it is Waheguru’s strength that is inside us as Waheguru resides inside us only.
Guru Nanak Dev ji teaches us to accrue the pearls of virtues and eradicate vices from within. When we become virtuous person then we really feel peaceful. When we do good deeds a sense of happiness fills us inside. Helping others without any self-motive gives us inner happiness and bliss. Guru Nanak Sahib ji very well explains in his bani that real veneration is accruing good virtues and performing good deeds. Doing good deeds give inner confidence and inner strength. Your inner self tells you that you are on the right path and you feel confident about yourself.
Without virtue, there is no devotional worship.
Guru Sahib’s Bani suggests us to recognize Oneness and eradicate Duality. Guru Sahib’s bani tells us that we are a part of Supreme light and we have all capabilities and abilities just like our creator. We have to recognize that power in us and enhance that capability as we have a lot of potential. We need to recognize our potential. We can withstand the blows of the harshness of life and come out of the darkness of life gracefully and victoriously. We have to follow the correct and pious path and then the supreme power will be with us always. While treading the path of righteousness we can face obstacles in our ways, but we need to have full faith in the justice of Almighty. The circumstances can be adverse but finally, the victory will be of the truth. Truth always prevails. The path of righteousness and truth may seem difficult at times but in the end, this path will lead to the coveted destination.
ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ
O my mind, you are the embodiment of the Divine Light - recognize your own origin. (Bani of Guru Amar Das ji)
Guru Sahib’s Bani gives peace to the mind. By believing and practicing Naam which is the main essence of Guru Sahib’s Bani one reaches a very elated state of mind and feels bliss. This individual does not go through emotional fluctuations and is not afflicted by the adversities of life. This person is not affected by what is happening in their outer world as they have acquired equipoise in their inner world. They are always in a stable state of mind and attains the state of Jeevan Mukat, salvation while being alive. They have recognized and realized the divine in themselves and others. Living and practicing divinity brings the state of Sehaj and Anand in life.
ਜੇ ਕੋ ਮੰਨਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਮਨਿ ਕੋਇ ॥੧੨॥
The state of the faithful cannot be described.One who tries to describe this shall regret the attempt.
No paper, no pen, no scribe
can record the state of the faithful.
Such is the Name of the Immaculate Lord.
Only one who has faith comes to know such a state of mind. ||12||
Guru Sahib’s Bani also teaches us to take the aegis of Waheguru which is a permanent power and permanent force. This force is eternal and will be there with us always. All other entities are temporary in this world. By comprehending and practicing the doctrines of Guru Sahib’s bani the mind becomes calm and life becomes blissful. This is the precious treasure that Guru Sahib has gifted to humanity and helps in coping with the stress of life.
