Nature – Kudrat – is Capable of Self Correcting

Discoursing on the claims of pre-1469 traditions, Baabaa Nanak expressed his own views on the vastness of the Cosmos, the time of its creation, and how it came into being.

• ਕਹਣਾ ਹੈ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਹਣੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਤਉ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : (O God!) Much needs to be said about Kudrat (creation), but it cannot be fully described. (Because the expanse or limits of) Kudrat cannot be estimated. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 151).

Cosmos and evolution

Before the present-day research of scientists, Baabaa Nanak first described to the world many solar systems, many galaxies, many earths, many suns, many moons etc. and declared all this to be beyond computation or counting (‘ਕਰਤੇ ਕੈ ਕਰਣੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਸੁਮਾਰੁ ॥’), which today’s scientists are seeing now with the help of modern tools and instruments.

• ਪਾਤਾਲਾ ਪਾਤਾਲ ਲਖ ਆਗਾਸਾ ਆਗਾਸ ॥ ਓੜਕ ਓੜਕ ਭਾਲਿ ਥਕੇ ਵੇਦ ਕਹਨਿ ਇਕ ਵਾਤ ॥ ਸਹਸ ਅਠਾਰਹ ਕਹਨਿ ਕਤੇਬਾ ਅਸੁਲੂ ਇਕੁ ਧਾਤੁ ॥ ਲੇਖਾ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਲਿਖੀਐ ਲੇਖੈ ਹੋਇ ਵਿਣਾਸੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਵਡਾ ਆਖੀਐ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਆਪੁ ॥੨੨॥: There are hundreds of thousands of netherworlds under netherworlds and skies above skies. Those searching for limits of Creation ultimately get tired (i.e. give up), the Vedas say that efforts to find limits of Creation do not succeed. The Semitic texts say that there are eighteen thousand worlds, but their Creator is One. However, the Cosmos is so vast that it is beyond the scope of counting or measurement, one would run out of numbers if one were to undertake such a task. Nanak, call the Creator Great, the Creator alone knows Its Greatness. ||22|| (sggs 5).
• ਧਰਤੀ ਹੋਰੁ ਪਰੈ ਹੋਰੁ ਹੋਰੁ ॥ : There are innumerable earths beyond this planet-earth. (sggs 3).
• ਕੇਤੇ ਇੰਦ ਚੰਦ ਸੂਰ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਮੰਡਲ ਦੇਸ ॥ : There are many Indras, moons, suns and many planetary systems. (sggs 7).
• ਅਨਿਕ ਅਕਾਸ ਅਨਿਕ ਪਾਤਾਲ ॥ : There are many skies and nether regions in God’s creation. (sggs 1236).
• ਅਨਿਕ ਪੁਰੀਆ ਅਨਿਕ ਤਹ ਖੰਡ ॥ ਅਨਿਕ ਰੂਪ ਰੰਗ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ॥ : There are numerous continents and numerous are their parts. The universes have numerous forms and colors/types. (sggs 1236).

Baabaa Nanak also showed for the first time that the moon, sun, and stars are all in motion, but not in a spontaneous motion, but in a specific and strict ORDER what Baabaa Nanak calls Hukam — Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ.

• ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ : Everything is within Hukam, none is exempt from Hukam. ॥2॥ (sggs 1).

Now the scientists also agree that all the matter came into existence at the time of creation (ਸ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਦੇ ਬਣਨ ਵੇਲੇ ਹੀ), and it never increases or decreases, only time to time the form, color, shape, size change but there can be no increase or loss in the basic element — the Basic Element is not destroyed.

• 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).

In Fifteenth century, Babaa Nanak taught humanity that the Universal Energy work consciously. Gurmat also reveals that there can be no loss or increase in this Universal Energy and that it is eternal.

• ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਹੈ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕੈ ਚਾਨਣਿ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ : 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). (sggs 663).

In a nutshell, Baabaa Nanak postulates that from the very beginning, Hukam was inherent in the Creator (Kartaa Purukh). In short Cosmos is the manifest/visible form (Sargun) of the Creator whereas Hukam is Its un-manifest/invisible form (Nirgun) that pervades throughout the Cosmos. Hence Hukam is Infinite and Omnipresent. Here is Baabaa Nanak on Cosmos and evolution:

• ਕਵਣੁ ਸੁ ਵੇਲਾ ਵਖਤੁ ਕਵਣੁ ਕਵਣ ਥਿਤਿ ਕਵਣੁ ਵਾਰੁ ॥ ਕਵਣਿ ਸਿ ਰੁਤੀ ਮਾਹੁ ਕਵਣੁ ਜਿਤੁ ਹੋਆ ਆਕਾਰੁ ॥ ਵੇਲ ਨ ਪਾਈਆ ਪੰਡਤੀ ਜਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਲੇਖੁ ਪੁਰਾਣੁ ॥ ਵਖਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਕਾਦੀਆ ਜਿ ਲਿਖਨਿ ਲੇਖੁ ਕੁਰਾਣੁ ॥ ਥਿਤਿ ਵਾਰੁ ਨਾ ਜੋਗੀ ਜਾਣੈ ਰੁਤਿ ਮਾਹੁ ਨਾ ਕੋਈ ॥ : What was the moment or time or lunar day or day of the week or season or month when the Cosmos was created? The learned pundits did not know the time for otherwise they would have recorded it in the Puranas (specific groups of Hindu scriptures). Nor did the learned Qazis know the time for creation, otherwise they would have written it in the Quran. Neither do the Yogis know the date or day or month or season when the Cosmos was created. (sggs 4).
• ਅਰਬਦ ਨਰਬਦ ਧੁੰਧੂਕਾਰਾ ॥ ਧਰਣਿ ਨ ਗਗਨਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥ ਨਾ ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਨਿ ਨ ਚੰਦੁ ਨ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਲਗਾਇਦਾ ॥੧॥ : For endless eons there was darkness when (the Creator) was in inactive state (Sunn) . Neither was there Earth or sky nor day or night nor moon or sun, nor the infinite Hukam in operation. (sggs 1035).
• ਜਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਣਾ ਤਾ ਜਗਤੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਬਾਝੁ ਕਲਾ ਆਡਾਣੁ ਰਹਾਇਆ ॥ : Then at some moment the Cosmos came into being according to Bhaanaa (Hukam) without any visible support upholding the vast expanse. (sggs 1036).
• ਕੀਤਾ ਪਸਾਉ ਏਕੋ ਕਵਾਉ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਤੇ ਹੋਏ ਲਖ ਦਰੀਆਉ ॥ : The Universe exploded from ONE Source of Energy (Singularity), with a Bang (the swift release of a store of energy) and started to expand. Thereafter innumerable things appeared. (sggs 3).
• ਸਾਚੇ ਤੇ ਪਵਨਾ ਭਇਆ ਪਵਨੈ ਤੇ ਜਲੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਜਲ ਤੇ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣੁ ਸਾਜਿਆ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮੋਇ ॥: From Hukam (System-Rule-Law of Nature…) came (the subtle element of) air, and from air came water. The whole world was created from water, and the Universal Energy or ‘Jot‘ is contained in all beings (of this world). (sggs 19).

Baabaa Nanak also says no matter how hard man tries, it is impossible for him to put find limits of this universe. Till date no Pandit, Qazis, Yogi etc. have been able to find secret of the origin of this universe and will not be able to find it:

• ਜਾ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਿਰਠੀ ਕਉ ਸਾਜੇ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਸੋਈ ॥ ਕਿਵ ਕਰਿ ਆਖਾ ਕਿਵ ਸਾਲਾਹੀ ਕਿਉ ਵਰਨੀ ਕਿਵ ਜਾਣਾ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਖਣਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਆਖੈ ਇਕ ਦੂ ਇਕੁ ਸਿਆਣਾ ॥ : It is only the Creator, Who created the Cosmos, knows. How can I describe God’s Greatness, how can I praise Him, ow can I describe His Virtues, and how can I Realize Him? Nanak, everyone tries to describe the Greatness of the Creator, while each thinking oneself wiser than the other. (sggs 4-5).

Clearly, this universe we see is dynamic – ever changing. Also, Cosmos is the manifest/visible form (Sargun) of the Creator whereas Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ) is Its un-manifest/invisible form (Nirgun) that pervades throughout the Cosmos.

• 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).
• ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਵਸਿਆ ॥ : (O Creator), I Am in veneration of You existing within Your Creation (Kudrat). (sggs 469).

Ageless and Infinite Hukam

The Gurmat Giaan or Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) teaches us about the ageless Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law Nature, Cosmic Order) that pervades everywhere and in everything in the Universe (‘ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥’).

The following verses make it clear that the whole process of creation is going on in an infallible System-Rule-Law of Nature (Universal Energy), which is also called Hukam, and this is also called Naam (or Shabad…):

• ਜੇਤਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਤੇਤਾ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਵਿਣੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋ ਥਾਉ ॥ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਵਣ ਕਹਾ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਵਾਰਿਆ ਨ ਜਾਵਾ ਏਕ ਵਾਰ ॥ : (My mind now Realizes that) all that is created is within the confines of the Hukam (ਨਾਉ-Niyam) of the Creator. (My mind also Realizes that) the Creator’s Hukam (System-Rule-Law-Order-Jurisdiction) is Omnipresent. (sggs 9).
• ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਸਗਲੇ ਜੰਤ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਖੰਡ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ॥: All living beings exist in accordance with Divine Hukam (i.e. System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਨਿਯਮ). The Universe exists in accordance with Divine Hukam (i.e. System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਨਿਯਮ). (sggs 284).

Aptly, there is nothing in the Universe – Sargun (visible or seen) or Nirgun (invisible or unseen) – which Baabaa Nanak does not call Rabb (ONE Universal Energy, Hukam: System-Rule-Law of Nature or Kudrat, Naam, Truth, Creator, ਨਿਯਮ, ਵਿਧਾਨ etc.)!

Fittingly, the SGGS asserts that the Creator is the subject of understanding (ਸਮਝਣ), NOT the subject of blind-worship or Poojaa, or blind faith (ਅੰਧ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ਼, ਅੰਨੀ ਸ਼ਰਧਾ — foolishness)!

According to the Gurbani, two names — Sargun and Nirgun — are given to the same One Universal Energy.

• ਸਰਗੁਣ ਨਿਰਗੁਣ ਥਾਪੈ ਨਾਉ ॥: Sargun and Nirgun are two given names. (sggs 387).

Both — Sargun (visible) and Nirgun (invisible System-Rule-Law of Nature) — functions together. One cannot work without the other.

Guru Nanak’s proclamation of ‘Omnipresence‘ of ONE Creator and
‘Oneness’ of humanity and creation inspires/invokes amazement, admiration and reverence for Nature (‘Vismaad‘). He touched all aspects of the Nature. Also, he taught us to respect the environment (creation, Kudrat, Nature…).

• ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਪੂਰਿਆ ਰਵਿਆ ਵਿਚਿ ਵਣਾ ॥ : God pervades everywhere in water, land, space and forests. (sggs 133).
• 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).
• ਇਹੁ ਜਗੁ ਸਚੈ ਕੀ ਹੈ ਕੋਠੜੀ ਸਚੇ ਕਾ ਵਿਚਿ ਵਾਸੁ ॥: This world is the abode of God, who resides in it. (sggs 463).

We all are part of this ‘ONE’ — the whole aspect: ਸਮੁੱਚਾ ਪਾਸਾਰਾ (‘ਸਭੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹੈ-Sabh(u) Gobind(u) Hai’, sggs 485).

In other words, God pointed out in the SGGS is NOT separate from man and Nature (Kudrat).

• ਅਨਿਕ ਬਿਸਥਾਰ ਏਕ ਤੇ ਭਏ ॥: Many scatters (of the world – ਜਗਤ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਖਿਲਾਰੇ) have come from the One Rabb. (sggs 289).
• ਅਨਿਕ ਭਾਂਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਪਸਰਿਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਏਕੰਕਾਰੁ ॥: Nanak, the One ‘Ekankaar’ (God) has manifested in the creation in the so many ways. (sggs 296).

In a nutshell, ‘Kudrat‘ here is synonymous with the Universal Energy, Divine Life Force, the Almighty and Omnipresent Creator.

• ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਾਦਰ ਕਰਣ ਕਰੀਮਾ ॥ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਮੁਹਬਤਿ ਅਥਾਹ ਰਹੀਮਾ ॥ ਹਕੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਸਚੁ ਖੁਦਾਇਆ ਬੁਝਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਬੰਦਿ ਖਲਾਸ ਤਰਾ ॥੧੫॥੩॥੧੨॥: (Understand) the ‘Kudrat’ of ‘Kaadar’ (Creator…) and the Merciful Rabb’s created world. Love and praise of the infinitely deep merciful Rabb. O Nanak! Understanding the eternal Rabb and the eternal Hukam enables one to be free from bondage (of Maya) and get across the world-ocean. (sggs 1084).

Kudrat is capable of creating, breaking…

This principle of Gurmat is made very clear in the SGGS as follows, which also happens to be in line with findings of the modern science:

• ਜਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਾ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਉਪਾਏ ॥ ਆਪਨੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਲਏ ਸਮਾਏ ॥ : When it so pleases the Creator, He creates the creation; and when it so pleases, He absorbs it back into Him. (sggs 292).

Nothing here stays forever — everything we see is changeful, fleeting, perishable or disappearing. Nothing our physical eyes can see in it is ageless.

Presenting the essence of the reality of the entire universe, Baabaa Nanak showed that everything is being created and destroyed in this entire universe only by the principle of ‘Sanjog-Vijog‘ meaning ‘joining/creating-breaking’ – ‘ਸੰਜੋਗੁ ਵਿਜੋਗੁ’, ‘ਉਪਜੈ ਬਿਨਸੈ’,  ‘ਭੰਨਣ ਘੜਣ’, ਜੋੜ-ਤੋੜ…

• ਜੋ ਦੀਸੈ ਸੋ ਉਪਜੈ ਬਿਨਸੈ ॥: Whatever is seen, originates and gets destroyed (sggs 352).
• ਸੰਜੋਗੁ ਵਿਜੋਗੁ ਦੁਇ ਕਾਰ ਚਲਾਵਹਿ ਲੇਖੇ ਆਵਹਿ ਭਾਗ ॥ : (sggs 6).

That said, the Cosmos has coalesced and reformed several times according to the Hukam:

• ਕਈ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਕੀਨੋ ਬਿਸਥਾਰ ॥ ਕਈ ਬਾਰ ਪਸਰਿਓ ਪਾਸਾਰ ॥ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਇਕੁ ਏਕੰਕਾਰ ॥ : (The Creator) has expanded many ways; and has expanded many times. The Eternal Creator exists within His Creation. (sggs 276).

Furthermore, the Gurbani reveals Nature (Kudrat) is all-powerful and that Nature always self-corrects — capable of breaking or destroying (‘ਭੰਨਣ’), and making or Creating (‘ਘੜਣ’)!

• ਭੰਨਣ ਘੜਣ ਸਮਰਥੁ ਹੈ ਓਪਤਿ ਸਭ ਪਰਲੈ ॥: (Creator is) capable of breaking, making, creating and annihilating (cataclysm etc.) all. (sggs 1102).
• ਹਰਨ ਭਰਨ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ਫੋਰੁ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੁ ਨ ਜਾਨੈ ਹੋਰੁ ॥: (Creator) can create or destroy the universe in the blink of an eye, nobody knows His resolve (plot, secret etc.). (sggs 284).

If humans conflict with the System-Rule-Law of Nature, Kudrat will always win! However, in any cooperation between humans and Kudrat (Nature), humans always win!!

• ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਭੰਨਣ ਘੜਣ ਸਮਰਥੁ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸਦਾ ਸਮਾਲਹਿ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਤੂ ਦੁਖੁ ਸਬਾਇਆ ਲਥੁ ॥੧॥ : O Nanak! The Satguru has implanted in me firm commitment to Naam (Hukam: System-Rule-Law of nature, Commands, Brahm-Giaan, ਨਿਯਮ…) of the Creator who is capable of destruction and creation. O my friend! If you also ever keep in mind commands of Rabb, all your trouble will come to end. (sggs 317).

Advances in science and technology have given to humanity great material prosperity etc.

Unfortunately, prosperity tends to make us humans arrogant, wasteful, selfish, disrespectful, destructive, careless etc.

In such regression, we humans have been disrespectful not only to fellow human beings, but also to Creation (Kudrat, Nature, environment..).

In short, we humans live unnaturally, disrespecting, destroying, consuming, damaging or misappropriating everything we can in Nature.

That said, we are time and again reminded by the Gurbani that each one of us is responsible for our own thinking (Soch) and resulting actions and their fruits!

In short, we reap what we sow, or as the English expression goes, ‘Whatever goes around comes around’.

• ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਣਾ ਲਿਖਿ ਲੈ ਜਾਹੁ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਬੀਜਿ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਖਾਹੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੀ ਆਵਹੁ ਜਾਹੁ ॥੨੦॥ : (The Internal cleansing is by a spirituality of) Internalizing (the Naam: Shabad, Hukam, Virtues, Giaan-Wisdom) through sustained deeds. I would eat what I sow. Nanak, (to reap as one saw) is the Hukam of the Creator pertaining to my cycle (of spirituality at the mind’s level). ॥20॥ (sggs 4).

In nutshell, the Gurmat Wisdom reminds us that every action will produce consequences related to that action. For example, if we disrespect we will be disrespected, if we destroy we will be destroyed, and so on.

Consider the crisis of COVID-19 Coronavirus and its aftereffect.

This crisis reminds us to always respect the Nature (Kudrat). If we do not remember this, instead, if we dare to conflict with the System-Rule-Law of Nature, Kudrat will always win, and we humans will always lose and pay dearly for the fallout.

Neither any organized religions (ਮਜ਼ਹਬ), nor their separate gods, nor any of their shrines, nor any so called holy waters etc. can save us from the devastating fallout!

• ਹਰਿ ਇਕੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਸਲਤੀ ਭੰਨਣ ਘੜਨ ਸਮਰਥੁ ॥: ‘Hari’ (i.e. Mool, Naam, Universal Energy, Hukam: System-Rule-Law of Nature…) is my only counselor, who is all-powerful of breaking and constructing (i.e., creating and destroying…). (sggs 958).
• ਨਾਉ ਲਈਐ ਪਰਮੇਸਰੈ ਭੰਨਣ ਘੜਣ ਸਮਰਥੁ ॥੬੨॥: Take (remember, understand…) the Naam of Rabb who is all-powerful of breaking and constructing (i.e., creating and destroying…). (sggs 1420).