Sikhi of Guru Nanak and Caring of the Environment

“Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible God and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that nature he’s destroying is this God he’s worshipping.” — Huber Reeves, an astrophysicist 

Guru Nanak was an environmentalist several centuries ago, well ahead of his time!

One humanity-One Creator-One Creation

Guru Nanak touched all aspects of Nature. He reminds us the presence of God everywhere and in each throbbing cell. Since human beings are seen as the most intelligent life form on earth, Sikhi of Guru Nanak believes that an awareness of the sacred relationship between humans and the environment (creation, Kudrat, Nature…) is crucial for the good health of earth and our survival. Simply put, it teaches to respect the environment and right use of natural resources of earth, look after the interests of the planet and all life on it, and to show responsible stewardship towards it – viability of plant species, animals, clean air and water, possibly that of humankind etc.

• ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਪੂਰਿਆ ਰਵਿਆ ਵਿਚਿ ਵਣਾ ॥ : God pervades everywhere in water, land, space and forests. (sggs 133).
• ਸਸੀਅਰ ਸੂਰ ਨਖ੍ਯ੍ਯਤ੍ਰ ਮਹਿ ਏਕੁ ॥ : In the moon, the sun and the stars, God is the One. (sggs 294).
• ਪਉਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਆਕਾਸੁ ਘਰ ਮੰਦਰ ਹਰਿ ਬਨੀ ॥ : Air, water, earth and sky – the Creator has made these His Abode and Temple. (sggs 723).

Guru Nanak thus teaches the entire humanity that we are an intrinsic part of the universe. This simply means each one of us have to recognize own responsibility and duty, and must accept oneself as responsible for one’s mistakes, excesses, failures, and so on. The Gurmat or the Wisdom of the Guru teaches that we humans are free to choose, but we are not free from the consequences of our choices:

• ਆਪੇ ਬੀਜਿ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਖਾਹੁ ॥ : I would eat what I sow. (sggs 4).

In Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), humans and the material world are not external to each other. Furthermore, the SGGS provides us the metaphysical Giyan-Knowledge required to discern the quintessence of existence. The SGGS contains numerous references to the importance of preserving the environment and living in harmony with the earth and all of God’s Creation. Guru Nanak proclaims this kind of inter-dependent relationship in the SGGS:

• ਪਵਣੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਪਾਣੀ ਪਿਤਾ ਮਾਤਾ ਧਰਤਿ ਮਹਤੁ ॥ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਰਾਤਿ ਦੁਇ ਦਾਈ ਦਾਇਆ ਖੇਲੈ ਸਗਲ ਜਗਤੁ ॥: Air is as essential for the body as is the Guru (Shabad for my mind and spiritual life), water is like the father and earth is like the great mother of the entire world (which provides all types of resources and food) — show consideration to it. Days and nights are like male and female nurses in whose lap the entire world is playing the role assigned to each one in the worldly play. (sggs 8).
• ਪਉਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਬੈਸੰਤਰ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ : (The supreme God) permeates the winds and the waters. (sggs 294).
• ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਵਸਿਆ ॥ ਤੇਰਾ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਲਖਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : (O Creator), I Am in veneration of You existing within Your Creation (Kudrat). Your limits are beyond fathom. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 469).

Aptly, the Gurmat of Guru Nanak emphasizes the oneness of humanity and the oneness of creation. Therefore, instead of focusing on when creation started, the Gurmat teaches the importance of living in harmony with the Creation and helping to ensure that creation is sustained.

• ਇਹੁ ਜਗੁ ਸਚੈ ਕੀ ਹੈ ਕੋਠੜੀ ਸਚੇ ਕਾ ਵਿਚਿ ਵਾਸੁ ॥ : This world is the abode of God, who resides in it. (sggs 463).
• ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਕੈ ਵਸਿਆ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਵਖਤੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੇ ਸੁ ਬੰਦਾ ਹੋਇ ॥ … ਸਿਦਕੁ ਕਰਿ ਸਿਜਦਾ ਮਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਮਖਸੂਦੁ ॥ ਜਿਹ ਧਿਰਿ ਦੇਖਾ ਤਿਹ ਧਿਰਿ ਮਉਜੂਦੁ ॥੧॥ : The Creator resides within the Creation that He Created. To recognize such in a timely manner is to recognize Humanity. ,,, O mu mind, make this the objective in life; that I see the Creator within everything and everyone. ||1|| (sggs 83).
• ਇਕਸੁ ਤੇ ਹੋਇਓ ਅਨੰਤਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਏਕਸੁ ਮਾਹਿ ਸਮਾਏ ਜੀਉ ॥੯॥੨॥੩੬॥ : ONE manifested into multitudes (of Creation), Nanak the ONE is imbued within the multitudes. ||9||2||36|| (sggs 131).
• ਧਰਤਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਧਰੀ ਧਰਮ ਸਾਲਾ ॥ : The Earth was created to practice Dharma. (sggs 1033).

Guru Nanak’s proclamation of ‘Omnipresence‘ of ONE Creator and
‘Oneness’ of humanity and creation inspires/invokes amazement, admiration, wonder, awe and reverence (‘Vismaad‘) for Nature.

• ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਨਾਦ ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਵੇਦ ॥ ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਜੀਅ ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਭੇਦ ॥ ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਰੂਪ ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਰੰਗ ॥ ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਨਾਗੇ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਜੰਤ ॥ ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਪਉਣੁ ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਪਾਣੀ ॥ ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਅਗਨੀ ਖੇਡਹਿ ਵਿਡਾਣੀ ॥ ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਧਰਤੀ ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਖਾਣੀ ॥ : ‘Vismaad’ (i.e. amazement intertwined with admiration and reverence) is Cosmic sound/music (Hukam), ‘Vismaad’ is Cosmic knowledge. ‘Vismaad’ are the creatures and flora, ‘Vismaad’ are their differences. ‘Vismaad’ are their forms and shapes, ‘Vismaad’ are are the creatures without fur or feathers. ‘Vismaad‘ is air, ‘Vismaad‘ is water. ‘Vismaad‘ is fire (energy) that is performing wonderful tasks. ‘Vismaad‘ is the Earth, ‘Vismaad‘ are the myriads of species living on it. (sggs 463-464).
• ਬਿਸਮੁ ਭਏ ਬਿਸਮਾਦ ਦੇਖਿ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਤੇਰੀਆ ॥ : (O Creator) I am wonderstruck seeing the wonder (‘Bismaad‘) of Your Kudrat. (sggs 521).

Universal Nature of Guru Nanak’s Gurmat

‘Vismaad-ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ’ is not a language of expression, it is a state of silent acceptance. Further, to express his amazement (‘Vismaad‘) and reverence for Nature, Guru Nanak describes the harmonious reverence of the Creator/Hukam inherent in Nature:

• ਗਗਨ ਮੈ ਥਾਲੁ ਰਵਿ ਚੰਦੁ ਦੀਪਕ ਬਨੇ ਤਾਰਿਕਾ ਮੰਡਲ ਜਨਕ ਮੋਤੀ ॥ ਧੂਪੁ ਮਲਆਨਲੋ ਪਵਣੁ ਚਵਰੋ ਕਰੇ ਸਗਲ ਬਨਰਾਇ ਫੂਲੰਤ ਜੋਤੀ ॥੧॥ ਕੈਸੀ ਆਰਤੀ ਹੋਇ ਭਵ ਖੰਡਨਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਆਰਤੀ ॥ ਅਨਹਤਾ ਸਬਦ ਵਾਜੰਤ ਭੇਰੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਨੈਨ ਨਨ ਨੈਨ ਹੈ ਤੋਹਿ ਕਉ ਸਹਸ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਨਨਾ ਏਕ ਤੋਹੀ ॥ ਸਹਸ ਪਦ ਬਿਮਲ ਨਨ ਏਕ ਪਦ ਗੰਧ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਗੰਧ ਇਵ ਚਲਤ ਮੋਹੀ ॥੨॥ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਹੈ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕੈ ਚਾਨਣਿ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਸਾਖੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਜੋ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਸੁ ਆਰਤੀ ਹੋਇ ॥੩॥: In this platter of the sky (i.e. in this Cosmic sky), the sun and the moon are lamps and the clusters of stars are pearls. (I see) Your ‘Jot‘ in scented air fragranced by sandalwood, blowing wind, all the vegetation, and flowers (i.e. I see You everywhere and in all beings). ||1|| O Creator! What an amazing Aartee (of You) is already occurring (by the entire creation or Kudrat Itself! Your Divine Naad (Universal Energy everywhere and all beings) is the sound of drums being played (in Your Aartee). ||1||Pause|| (Being pervasive everywhere and in all beings) thousands of eyes of all of us are Rabb’s eyes — Rabb has no separate eyes. Thousands of forms of all of us are Rabb’s forms — (being Formless) Rabb has no separate form. Thousands of feet of all of us are Rabb’s feet — Rabb has no separate feet. Thousands of noses of all of us are Rabb’s noses — Rabb has no separate nose. I am amazed by this wonder. ||2|| The light flowing in everyone is from the same Supreme Light (i.e. the One Creator). The Light that aluminates all is from the same (One Creator). But the Understanding of this ‘Joti’ is revealed only the Teachings of the Guru (through the Guru’s Wisdom it is understood that Rabb is present within everything and all beings as ‘Joti’ and that we are Jot Saroop.). (Therefore) the true Aartee of the Omnipresent God is that whatever is happening in His Hukam (System-Rule-Law of Nature)  pleases the living being – to accept the Lord’s Hukam is to Perform the Lord’s Aartee (ਜੋ ਰੱਬ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਵਿਚ ਹੋ ਰਿਹਾ ਉਹ ਸਿੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਭਾ ਜਾਵੈ ਉਹ ਹੀ ਸਿੱਖ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਰੱਬ ਦੀ ਆਰਤੀ ਹੈ). ||3|| (sggs 663).

Above is another good example of Universal Nature of Guru Nanak’s Sikhi which is beyond boundaries of any religion or any country. He is recognizing God’s entire creation. Some one asked the Nobel laureate Rabindera Nath Tagore: ‘you have written national anthem for India. Can you write international anthem for the whole world?’ Refereeing to the above Arti authored by Guru Nanak, Tagore replied ‘It’s already written not only for international but for the entire universe in 15th century by Nanak’. He referred to aartee (ceremony of lights) authored by Guru Nanak, which is beyond boundaries of any religion or any country. He is recognizing God’s entire creation

These Messages embedded in the SGGS remind Sikhs (lifelong learners or students of the SGGS) that the natural world is not just a resource for human to mistreat, abuse, corrupt and misappropriate but a divine creation that should be protected and respected.

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਧਰਤੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਣੀ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਵਣੁ ਬੈਸੰਤਰੁ ਖੇਲੈ ਵਿਡਾਣੀ ॥ : The Gurmukh (God-centered/Enlightened/Guru Shabad-Oriented being) sees the divine in land, water, air and fire. (sggs 117).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਧਰਤੀ ਸਾਚੈ ਸਾਜੀ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਮਹਿ ਓਪਤਿ ਖਪਤਿ ਸੁ ਬਾਜੀ ॥ : The Creator has fashioned this Earth us to become Gurmukh (God-centered/Enlightened/Guru Shabad-Oriented being). On this Earth, the Creator sets in motion the game of creation and destruction. (sggs 941).

In a nutshell, Sikhi of Guru Nanak believes we humans can not live in peace if we exploit the natural world, mistreat each others and let the rabid dog of greed destroy nature in pursuit of material wealth, and so on. The earth cannot satisfy the greed of people or nations because its resources are limited.

• ਸਾਂਤਿ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਮਨ ਸੀਤਲ ਅਗਨਿ ਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਧੁਖੀ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਉ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਿਖਾਇਆ ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣਿ ਰੁਖੀ ॥੨॥੨॥੩੦॥ : (By constantly remembering the Divine) one obtains peace, the mind becomes cool and the fire (of Maya) does not smolder within. Nanak, the Guru (Divine Giyan-Wisdom) has given awareness of the Creator being present in water, on/in land, in plants, in fact in the whole universe. ||2||2||30|| (sggs 618).

Having said that, the SGGS places a great deal of spiritual significance on the lessons we can learn from Nature. For example, one can learn from the nature true selflessness, real renunciation, sacrifice, patience, tolerance, equanimity, living in harmony with the Divine Hukam, and so on.

• ਚੰਦਨ ਅਗਰ ਕਪੂਰ ਲੇਪਨ ਤਿਸੁ ਸੰਗੇ ਨਹੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ॥ ਬਿਸਟਾ ਮੂਤ੍ਰ ਖੋਦਿ ਤਿਲੁ ਤਿਲੁ ਮਨਿ ਨ ਮਨੀ ਬਿਪਰੀਤਿ ॥੩॥ ਊਚ ਨੀਚ ਬਿਕਾਰ ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਸੰਲਗਨ ਸਭ ਸੁਖ ਛਤ੍ਰ ॥ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਸਤ੍ਰੁ ਨ ਕਛੂ ਜਾਨੈ ਸਰਬ ਜੀਅ ਸਮਤ ॥੪॥ ਕਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ਪ੍ਰਚੰਡ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਿਓ ਅੰਧਕਾਰ ਬਿਨਾਸ॥ ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰ ਅਪਵਿਤ੍ਰਹ ਕਿਰਣ ਲਾਗੇ ਮਨਿ ਨ ਭਇਓ ਬਿਖਾਦੁ ॥੫॥ ਸੀਤ ਮੰਦ ਸੁਗੰਧ ਚਲਿਓ ਸਰਬ ਥਾਨ ਸਮਾਨ ॥ ਜਹਾ ਸਾ ਕਿਛੁ ਤਹਾ ਲਾਗਿਓ ਤਿਲੁ ਨ ਸੰਕਾ ਮਾਨ ॥੬॥ ਸੁਭਾਇ ਅਭਾਇ ਜੁ ਨਿਕਟਿ ਆਵੈ ਸੀਤੁ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਆਪ ਪਰ ਕਾ ਕਛੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਸਦਾ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥੭॥ : The Earth does not show special love for that person who plasters it with sandalwood, aloe, or camphor-paste. Nor does it hate that person who dumps human waste on it and digs it up bit by bit. ||3|| The comforting canopy of the sky stretches evenly overall, without any consideration of high or low and good or bad. It does not distinguish between friends and enemies and considers all beings are alike. ||4|| Blazing with its dazzling light, the sun rises and dispels the darkness. Touching both the pure and the impure, it harbors no hatred to any. ||5|| The calm and fragrant wind gently blows upon all places alike. It touches all the things wherever these are, without even a bit of hesitation. ||6|| Whoever comes close to the fire, his cold is taken away without considering his being good or bad. It maintains its disposition and treats everyone the same way. ||7|| (sggs 1018).

However, we can live in harmony with the Creation only if we live in harmony with the Divine Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ). The Sikhi of Guru Nanak also teaches us that the Creator’s secret can only be understood by recognizing and living in harmony with the ‘HUKAM‘, the Divine law of consequences within which the Creation operates, functions, and remains sustainable.

• ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ : Everything is within Hukam, none is exempt from Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ). (sggs 1).
• ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਨਿ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਤਾ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕਾ ਤਿਨਿ ਭੇਦੁ ਜਾਤਾ ॥੫॥੯॥ : Says Nanak – one who has recognized the Hukam, that person has understood the mystery of ‘Prabh Saahib‘ (i.e. Universal Energy…). ॥5॥9॥ (sggs 885).

Simply put, the Creator/God in Sikhi of Guru Nanak is symbolized as Hukam. Since the creator is within Creation and Creation (Kudrat) is a manifestation of the Creator in the complete sense, Guru Nanak taught the entire humanity to live in harmony with the Creation/the Cosmic Hukam.

• ਲੋਗਾ ਭਰਮਿ ਨ ਭੂਲਹੁ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਖਲਕ ਖਲਕ ਮਹਿ ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਸ੍ਰਬ ਠਾਂਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : O people, have no doubt. The Creation (Khalak) is within the Creator (Khaalik), and the Creator is within the Creation, completely pervading all places. ||1||Pause||(sggs 1350).
• ਖਾਕ ਨੂਰ ਕਰਦੰ ਆਲਮ ਦੁਨੀਆਇ ॥ ਅਸਮਾਨ ਜਿਮੀ ਦਰਖਤ ਆਬ ਪੈਦਾਇਸਿ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥੧॥ : God infused His Light into the dust and created the world, the Universe. The Sky, the Earth, the trees, and the water – all are the Creation of God. ||1|| (sggs 723).
• ਬਨਿ ਤਿਨਿ ਪਰਬਤਿ ਹੈ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ॥ : The Supreme God is in the forests, fields and mountains. (sggs 294).

Ending

Simply put, the Gurmat of Guru Nanak teaches us every thing in the Cosmos is fearful of the Hukam, meaning every thing in the Cosmos is subject to the Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law of NATURE, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ).

Having said that, the aim of human life is to live in agreement with the Hukam.

• ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਪਵਣੁ ਵਹੈ ਸਦਵਾਉ ॥ ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਚਲਹਿ ਲਖ ਦਰੀਆਉ ॥ ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਅਗਨਿ ਕਢੈ ਵੇਗਾਰਿ ॥ ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਧਰਤੀ ਦਬੀ ਭਾਰਿ ॥ ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਇੰਦੁ ਫਿਰੈ ਸਿਰ ਭਾਰਿ ॥ ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਰਾਜਾ ਧਰਮ ਦੁਆਰੁ ॥ ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਚੰਦੁ ॥ ਕੋਹ ਕਰੋੜੀ ਚਲਤ ਨ ਅੰਤੁ ॥ ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਸਿਧ ਬੁਧ ਸੁਰ ਨਾਥ ॥ ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਡਾਣੇ ਆਕਾਸ ॥ ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਜੋਧ ਮਹਾਬਲ ਸੂਰ ॥ ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਵਹਿ ਜਾਵਹਿ ਪੂਰ ॥ ਸਗਲਿਆ ਭਉ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਸਿਰਿ ਲੇਖੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ਸਚੁ ਏਕੁ ॥੧॥ : Under the the ‘Hukam‘ — System-Rule-Law-Order of Nature or universe, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ — air always blows. Under the the ‘Hukam‘ thousands of rivers flow. Under the ‘Hukam‘ fire (energy) performs. Under the ‘Hukam‘ the earth stays at its place (in the Solar System) according to its weight (its Gravity). Under the ‘Hukam‘ clouds move across the sky. Under the ‘Hukam‘ is the so-called Dharm Raj (mythical king of death and judgement). Under the ‘Hukam‘ the Sun and the Moon (planets) move millions of miles, endlessly. Under the ‘Hukam‘ are all Siddhas, Buddhas, Deities and the Naths. Under the ‘Hukam‘ the sky is stretched or spread above (in fact, the sky is not an entity but the blue color we see is because of the Sunlight passing through a thick layer of air around the Earth). Under the ‘Hukam‘ are all warriors and the powerful heroes (i.e. all beings are subject to the ‘Hukam’). Under the ‘Hukam‘ multitudes take birth and die. Everybody and everything in this universe is under the ‘Hukam‘ as if the ‘Hukam‘ is written in their head (i.e. inherited). Nanak, Only the ONE FORMLESS CREATOR is not under any ‘Hukam‘. (sggs 464).

Some Related Posts:

• Hukam is the Core of Sikhi
• Sikhi and Origin of Universe, Evolution of Life…
• Opening Verse – Guru Nanak’s concept of ‘God’
• Sargun Nirgun – Visible and Invisible
• Omnipresent God
• Nature – Kudrat – is Capable of Self Correcting
• Core of Gurmat Spirituality – Kiv Sachiaaraa Hoeeai?
• Gurbani Defines Form of God
• Realize God’s Presence Within