Columnists
The Morning Hukam:
A Meditation
Monday, October 1, 2013
INNI KAUR
Today’s Hukam, Darbar Sahib, Amritsar – Monday, October 1, 2013
My innocent soul trembles and shakes. I do not know how my Husband Divine will deal with me. || 1 ||
The night of my youth has passed away; will the day of old age also pass away? My dark hairs, like bumble bees, have gone away, and grey hairs, like cranes, have settled upon my head. || 1 || Pause ||
Water does not remain in the unbaked clay pot; when the soul-swan departs, the body withers away. || 2 ||
I decorate myself like a young virgin; but how can I enjoy pleasures, without my Husband Divine? || 3 ||
My arm is tired, driving away the crows. Says Kabir, this is the way the story of my life ends. || 4 || 2 ||
[Bhagat Kabir, Raag Suhi, GGS:792]
Today’s Hukam churns me. I feel the agony, the anguish of Bhagat Kabir ji.
I’ve spent my life in childish games: the games of collecting worldly wealth. Now my consciousness (soul) is trembling, like a pearl on an empty plate.
What does it mean?
My understanding: Body the plate, consciousness the pearl. Movements of mind: desires, anger, hatred, etc. shake consciousness. Realization that death is approaching shakes the inner core.
For, I have not established a relationship with my Eternal Creator.
A beautiful reminder …
Yes, the night has gone, but do not let the day fall away as well.
What does that mean?
My understanding: Up until this point the darkness of ignorance has ruled my life. But now that darkness has lifted, the realization: that I am not going to be on this earth forever has emerged and that has brought about the trembling of my heart.
Do not let the dawning of old age pass away without meditation. Hairs that were black are now grey. My body is like an unbaked clay pot. The water, my breath will not remain in it forever. One day this pot will dissolve. Like a virgin, I adorned myself. Without Union with You, these embellishments have brought me no joy. These adornments were useless.
My understanding: Without Guru in my life, none of my adornments are of any value.
Last two lines – two understandings: First, engaged in ego, desires, attachment, I’ve spent my life driving the crows of desires and greed.
Another thought: (‘Make the crows fly away,’ is deeply rooted in Punjabi folklore. The wife tells the crows sitting on her rooftop to go fly away and bring back news of her traveling husband.) Using this allegory: Kabir ji says: I've realized that my life is passing away, and now I'm sending crows with messages to You, my Creator. But my arms are getting tired, my body is falling, I am going to perish.
My Creator, I’ve have put before You the story of my life. My prayer, please take me into your embrace.
My ardaas: May this realization dawn into my life and may I have the strength to change.
October 1, 2013
Conversation about this article
1: Ajit Singh Batra (Pennsville, New Jersey, USA..), October 02, 2013, 4:26 PM.
"Dhandhaa karti-aa nihfal janam gavaa-i-aa sukh-daataa man naa vasaa-i-aa / Nanak naam tinaa ko milli-aa jin ko dhur likh paa-i-yaa" [GGS:644] - "We tend to follow the slavish pursuits to accommodate wealth in our life, forgetting bliss-giving Waheguru. Naam simran is blessed on those on whose destiny it is written". Most difficult question human beings face when born on this earth is, as to purpose and mission of their lives. Generally, only in old age, if we are educated, do we think in terms of "purpose and mission" of our lives. In young age we are concerned about wealth and the pursuit of it.