Microcosm in Macrocosm…

Sikhi of Guru Nanak teaches that in the body, which is an epitome of the Universe, resides the Omnipresent God. By looking at the Nature (Kudrat, Creation…) created by Qadir, one becomes aware of the Creator and the Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ). Because Qadir resides in Kudrat (Nature, Creation…).

  • 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).
  • ਨਾਚੰਤੀ ਗੋਪੀ ਜੰਨਾ ॥ ਨਈਆ ਤੇ ਬੈਰੇ ਕੰਨਾ ॥ ਤਰਕੁ ਨ ਚਾ ॥ ਭ੍ਰਮੀਆ ਚਾ ॥ ਕੇਸਵਾ ਬਚਉਨੀ ਅਈਏ ਮਈਏ ਏਕ ਆਨ ਜੀਉ ॥੨॥ : (In this word) women and men are dancing (i.e. running after Maya). But among these women and men, there is none other than God (ONE God is pervading in all). Don’t dispute this. Cast away your doubt (about this). Here are the God’s words: know that the Creation and Myself are ONE (i.e. the Creator is within the Creation) ||2|| (sggs 693).

Same system operates on both macrocosm and microcosm scale

The earth and other planets are wandering in some
discipline, NOT chaotically. Within Hukam the earth supports its burden; within Hukam the clouds hoover overhead, Within Hukam the sun and the moon travel millions of miles without end, Within Hukam the sky is sustained etc. Guru Nanak explains all this as follows:

  • 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).
  • ਬਾਝੁ ਕਲਾ ਆਡਾਣੁ ਰਹਾਇਆ ॥ : The Cosmos came into being according to the Divine Bhaanaa (Hukam). (sggs 1036).
  • ਨਾਨਕ ਸੋ ਸੂਖਮੁ ਸੋਈ ਅਸਥੂਲੁ ॥੫॥: Nanak, that which is in gross form is also in miniature form. ||5|| (sggs 281).

Exactly the same system operates on microcosm scale;
protons and its electrons in an atom show similar behavior.

In a nutshell, the Universe is the macrocosm, while the body is the microcosm, that is, the body is a miniature of the Universe.

  • ਜੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡੇ ਸੋਈ ਪਿੰਡੇ ਜੋ ਖੋਜੈ ਸੋ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ : What is pervading in the Universe out there is also within my body (the elements that comprise the universe are the elements that constitute me…); but this realization is the result of my internalizing of it. (sggs 695).
  • ਸੋ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਅਨੰਤ ॥ : The Infinite God is Within and outside. (sggs 293).
  • ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬਸੇ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭੀ ਓਹੀ ॥ : (One who has Realized God) believes the same One Creator Within (Nirgun or invisible form) and Without (Sargun or visible form). (sggs 294).
  • ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਏਕੋ ਜਾਣੈ ॥ : (To become the Message of the Shabad is to) Realize the One Creator Within and Without. (sggs 943).
  • ਜੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਸੋ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥: The Master who was considered to be outside, that is seen within as well. (sggs 342).

Having said that, there exists within our Conscience (Surat-ਸੁਰਤ) the same and complete Universe — we are a microcosm of the Macrocosm. The Sikhi or Gurmat of Guru Nanak teaches us that each individual is a reflection of the entire universe — as in the macrocosm, so in the microcosm.

  • ਕਾਇਆ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਵਸੈ ਖੰਡ ਮੰਡਲ ਪਾਤਾਲਾ ॥ … ਕਾਇਆ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹੇਸਾ ਸਭ ਓਪਤਿ ਜਿਤੁ ਸੰਸਾਰਾ ॥ : All continents, galaxies, and the nether regions abides in the body/mind. … Within the body/mind resides the Creator / Hukam from whom Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, and the rest of the creatures came into existence. (sggs 754).
  • ਪੁਰਖਾਂ ਬਿਰਖਾਂ ਤੀਰਥਾਂ ਤਟਾਂ ਮੇਘਾਂ ਖੇਤਾਂਹ ॥ ਦੀਪਾਂ ਲੋਆਂ ਮੰਡਲਾਂ ਖੰਡਾਂ ਵਰਭੰਡਾਂਹ ॥ ਅੰਡਜ ਜੇਰਜ ਉਤਭੁਜਾਂ ਖਾਣੀ ਸੇਤਜਾਂਹ ॥ ਸੋ ਮਿਤਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਰਾਂ ਮੇਰਾਂ ਜੰਤਾਹ ॥ : Men, trees, shrines, shores (i.e. rivers), clouds, fields; islands, continents, realms, regions and universe; the four sources of creation born of eggs, born of the womb, born of the earth and born of sweat; oceans, mountains, and all beings — O Nanak! The estimate of the number of all these is known only to (who has created all these — Hukam: System-Rule-Law of Nature…). (sggs 467).

In short:

  • ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੈ ਜੇ ਬੁਝੈ ਤ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਹੈ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੨॥ : Everything is within Hukam, none is exempt from Hukam. Nanak, if one Realizes he/she is to obey Hukam, then one does not talk in ego — one does not boast of being outside/beyond/exempt of Hukam, or does not talk arrogantly and do things in own will or Manmukhta…). ॥2॥ (sggs 1).

Creator Within – Here and Now

That said, Guru Nanak teaches the entire humanity that the Creator who created the Creation resides in it, and can NOT be valued.

  • 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 my mind, make this the objective in life; that I see the Creator within everything and everyone. ||1|| (sggs 83).
  • ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਦਿਸੈ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਸੁਣੀਐ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਭਉ ਸੁਖ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਪਾਤਾਲੀ ਆਕਾਸੀ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਸਰਬ ਆਕਾਰੁ ॥ ….. ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਪਉਣੁ ਪਾਣੀ ਬੈਸੰਤਰੁ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਧਰਤੀ ਖਾਕੁ ॥ ਸਭ ਤੇਰੀ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਤੂੰ ਕਾਦਿਰੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪਾਕੀ ਨਾਈ ਪਾਕੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਵੇਖੈ ਵਰਤੈ ਤਾਕੋ ਤਾਕੁ ॥੨॥ : Whatever is seen or heard is in Kudrat, the revered fear and the essence of Sukh (happiness, peace…) is all in Kudrat. Skies, the nether worlds and all the forms of the Universe are also in Kudrat …..The air, water, fire and the earth are in Kudrat. Everything is in Your Kudrat, You are the all-powerful Creator, Your Name is the holiest of the Holy. Nanak, (the Creator) takes care of this entire Nature as per the Divine Hukam and pervades everywhere and in everything. ॥2॥ (sggs 464).

Since the One Creator (Universal Energy) resides within us all, we are full and complete Here and Now, because we are all part of the same Universe. Simply put, the macrocosm is the universe as a whole, with a microcosm being one small part, mankind, taken as a model of it.

  • ਕਾਇਆ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਰਤਨ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਭਗਤਿ ਭਰੇ ਭੰਡਾਰਾ ॥ ਇਸੁ ਕਾਇਆ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਨਉ ਖੰਡ ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮੀ ਹਾਟ ਪਟਣ ਬਾਜਾਰਾ ॥ ਇਸੁ ਕਾਇਆ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਵੀਚਾਰਾ ॥੪॥ : Within the human body there are precious jewels, the human body is over-flowing with the treasure of Bhagti. Within this body are all the provisions to earn the wealth of Naam (Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues), as if it has the nine continents of the earth, its markets, cities and streets. Within this body are the nine treasures of Naam; contemplating the Guru Shabad, it is obtained. ||4|| (sggs 754).
  • ਕਾਇਆ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਵਸੈ ਅਲਖੁ ਨ ਲਖਿਆ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਮੁਗਧੁ ਬੂਝੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭਾਲਣਿ ਜਾਈ ॥: God dwells within the body; but being Invisible, cannot be seen. The unenlightened Manmukh does not understand this fact and wanders outside to search for God. (sggs 754).

Having said that, spiritually speaking, there is nothing to be found outside which is not within the body! Therefore the Gurbani claims we all are full and complete within, here and Now.

  • ਜੋ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਸੁ ਏਕਾ ਵਾਰ ॥ : (Whatever needed to be put in this universe) the Creator has put that ONCE and for all. (sggs 7).
  • ਨਾ ਓਹੁ ਬਢੈ ਨ ਘਟਤਾ ਜਾਇ ॥ : (Brahm) does not increase or decrease. (sggs 343).

Everything of Snatan-Vaad is gross (ਸਥੂਲ-Sathool). Gross or Visible is corporeal and thus perishable (‘ਜੋ ਦੀਸੇ ਸੋ ਸਗਲ ਬਿਨਾਸੇ’).

However, everything of Gurbani Sidhaant is subtle (ਸੂਖਮ-Sookham) —  formless God, mind, Temple within, Darbaar within, Takhat within, Sachkhand within, GiyanWisdom embedded in the Guru Shabad — are all subtle.

  • ਇਉ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਅਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥੫॥ : This is what Nanak says: O my mind, you are the ‘Jot Saroop’ or embodiment of Light (God)! Recognize your Mool (ORIGIN, Source…) ||5|| (sggs 441).
  • ਏਕੋ ਤਖਤੁ ਏਕੋ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੁ ॥ ਸਰਬੀ ਥਾਈ ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹੁ ॥ : There is only one God in the entire universe, the sovereign King, hence there is only one eternal throne (‘Takhat‘). That sovereign King pervades everywhere (as Hukam). (sggs 1188).
  • ਅੰਦਰਿ ਰਾਜਾ ਤਖਤੁ ਹੈ ਆਪੇ ਕਰੇ ਨਿਆਉ ॥ : God, the sovereign King, is sitting on the throne (‘Takhat‘) within every person, and He Himself delivers justice (based on one’s deeds). (sggs 1092).
  • ਮਨ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਣੁ ਨ ਸੁਝਈ ਨਾ ਸੁਝੈ ਦਰਬਾਰੁ ॥ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹਿ ਪਲੇਟਿਆ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਗੁਬਾਰੁ ॥ : My mind is oblivious of its spiritual birth and death; and does not understand the presence of God within. (Because) it remains wrapped in the love for Maya (worldly attractions and their corrupting influences…) and darkness of spiritual ignorance within. (sggs 1418).

Therefore, in a nutshell:

  • At Macrocosmic level, this entire universe is the Divine Temple; however at microcosmic level a Jot Saroop mind is the Divine’s temple within.
  • At Macrocosmic level, this entire universe is the Divine ‘Sachkhand; however at microcosmic level a Jot Saroop mind is the Divine’s ‘Sachkhand‘ within.
  • At Macrocosmic level, this entire universe is the Divine ‘Takhat‘; however at microcosmic level a Jot Saroop mind is the Divine’s ‘Takhat‘ within.
  • At Macrocosmic level, this entire universe is the Divine ‘Darbaar‘; however at microcosmic level a Jot Saroop mind is the Divine’s ‘Darbaar‘ within.

The most all-encompassing Sikhi or Gurbani term for God is ‘Kartaa Purakh’, the Creator of the universe, both visible (Sargun) and invisible (Nirgun). Guru Nanak used ੴ ‘ for the ENTIRE UNIVERSE! Simply put, ‘ੴ ‘  means one within everything and everywhere —  unity of both the Creator and the Creation.

Hence, God as UNIVERSAL ENERGY is in the entire universe (i.e. sky, earth…) every drop of water, every grain of sand in every bit of atmosphere, in every leaf, in each creature and the life throb in every being of Existence (“ਸਭੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹੈ ਸਭੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹੈ”).

  • ਫਰੀਦਾ ਖਾਲਕੁ ਖਲਕ ਮਹਿ ਖਲਕ ਵਸੈ ਰਬ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਮੰਦਾ ਕਿਸ ਨੋ ਆਖੀਐ ਜਾਂ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਕੋਈ ਨਾਹਿ ॥੭੫॥ : Fareed, the Creator (Universal Energy…) is in His Creation, and the Creation is in the Creator (i..e the Creator is Realized within His Creation). What of Creation can I deem bad when there is none without Him within. ॥75॥ (sggs 1381).
  • ਮਨ ਤੁਆਨਾ ਤੂ ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਆਇਆ ॥ : (O Khuda, Rabb, God…!) You are omnipotent/powerful, I have come (into the world) through Your Kudrat (System-Rule-Law of Nature……). (sggs 1291).

In a nutshell, Gurmat or Sikhi of Guru Nanak is the Spirituality of Here and Now, NOT afterlife.

Ending

Since we are a microcosm of the Macrocosm, the Gurbani teaches that I reap what I sow according to the Universal or Cosmic Law of consequences (i.e. HUKAM).

  • ਜੇਹਾ ਬੀਜੈ ਸੋ ਲੁਣੈ ਕਰਮਾ ਸੰਦੜਾ ਖੇਤੁ ॥ : Life is the field of actions; I alone will reap all that I sow. (sggs 134).
  • ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਨ ਬੂਝਤਾ ਤਬ ਹੀ ਲਉ ਦੁਖੀਆ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਣਿਆ ਤਬ ਹੀ ਤੇ ਸੁਖੀਆ ॥੩॥ : As long as man does not understand the Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ…), he remains miserable (Dukhi-ਦੁਖੀ). Meeting the Gur (Giyan, Wisdom, Bibek) when he recognizes the Hukam since then he becomes happy. (sggs 400).

Some related posts:

6 comments

  1. The teaching of man as a microcosm is found in:

    Methodius, Gregory Nyssa, Nemesius of Emesa, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Basil the Great, Lactantius, Tertullian, Erigena, Isidore of Pelusium, John of Apamea, John of Damascus, Maximus the Confessor, Gregory Palamas, Guru Nanak, And others

    Microcosm from Greek, mikros kosmos – little world.

    Methodius taught that man is a microcosm (On the Resurrection)

    Gregory of Nyssa taught that man is a certain small world containing within himself the same elements with which the universe is filled.

    For Nemesius of Emesa, the core of his philosophy is the idea of humans as a microcosm (small world), which was extremely popular in the Middle Ages. This microcosm is an image of the (macro) cosmos (big world) of creation in its entirety.

    Erigena teaches that man is a microcosm of the universe because he has senses to perceive the world, reason to examine the intelligible natures and causes of things, and intellect to contemplate God.

  2. Thank you Jobind Ji for reply and suggestions. Welcome to the Gurbani Blog.

    Opening verse of the SGGS, shown below, is accepted as Guru Nanak’s description or definition of what other religions call ‘God’.

    ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ (sggs 1).
    This is Guru Nanak’s paradigm. Furthermore, this preamble encapsulates the Essence of the spiritual Message of the Entire SGGS.

    Hence, it’s the heart of the Sikh Thought. Regardless which page of SGGS one opens, this theme will be there; can’t escape it!

  3. Respected Singh Ji. Your articles are good, but it feels many of them are becoming monotonous with the repeated idea of God being within. Can you for the future articles try to tackle more controversial shabads? Perhaps do a article on bhattan di savayie or shabads by bhagat sahibaan which use many vaishnav imagery.

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