Sikhi and Origin of Universe, Life…

It was the use of reason and observation that led Guru Nanak to express his own views on the vastness of the Cosmos, the time of its creation, evolution of life on earth and living in harmony with the Hukam (Cosmic/Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ). This post will attempt to reflect on the followings in this context:

• Hukam – the core of Sikhi
• Origin of Universe and Sikhi
• Evolution of life and Sikhi

Hukam – the core of Sikhi

Before the origin of life on earth, lets briefly reflect on the Hukam (Cosmic/Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ…), the core of the Sikhi of Guru Nanak.

Guru Nanak observed that everything is subject to the HUKAM; nothing is beyond the Hukam (Cosmic/Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ) with which the Kudrat functions (ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ).

• 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).
• ਪੂਰੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਬੂਝਿ ਬੁਝਾਇਆ ॥ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਹੀ ਸਭੁ ਜਗਤੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ : The Creator-connecting Satguru has imparted this understanding — the whole world has been created by the Creator’s Hukam. (sggs 1055).
• ਪਾਤਾਲ ਪੁਰੀਆ ਲੋਅ ਆਕਾਰਾ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਵਰਤੈ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਕਰਾਰਾ ॥ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਸਾਜੇ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਢਾਹੇ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਮੇਲਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਦਾ ॥੫॥ : The entire universe and everything in it is pervaded by the Creator’s Hukam (Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ). By the same Hukam everything is created and by the same Hukam everything is destroyed. Those who live in harmony with the Hukam realize the Creator. ||5|| (sggs 1060-1061).

Therefore, after listing all rejected methods that people of all man-made religions (ਮਜ਼ਹਬ) are using to realize the Creator, the following GURU SHABAD teaches us that the Creator’s secret can only be understood by recognizing and living in harmony/conformance with the ‘HUKAM‘!

• 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).

Instead of Hukam, Guru Nanak also used the word ‘Bhai-ਭੈ’ which literally means fear. But here it is fear of the Hukam, meaning compliance with the Hukam. In other words every thing in the Cosmos is fearful of the Hukam (i.e. subject to the Hukam). Similarly, the Gurbani also uses the word ‘Bhaanaa‘ instead of 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‘ — Cosmic 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).
• 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).

Having said that, behind every small and big thing that is seen in this universe, stands the infallible Hukam (Cosmic/Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ).

• ਜੇਤਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਤੇਤਾ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਵਿਣੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋ ਥਾਉ ॥ : (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).

Origin of Universe and Sikhi

Unlike religion and science, the SGGS seems to be more interested in the wonder of the Creator’s creation than its possible origins. so, there are no stories related to creation in Gurmat of Guru Nanak.

There are numerous Shabads in Gurbani (SGGS) through which the Guru Sahib has repeatedly explained to us that there is no power other than the Creator that can be His partner in the work of creation oft the Universe.

Many scholars say that the game of the world (ਸੰਸਾਰ ਦੀ ਖੇਡ) has always been going on like this and will continue to go on like this. in other words, they do not believe in the beginning or the end of the universe. According to Gurmat, the beginning of the universe is the Creator and the end is also the Creator. But, the Gurmat of Guru Nanak does not agree with that thought – this universe has been destroyed many times and then re-created.

• ਆਪੇ ਕੀਤੋ ਰਚਨੁ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਰਤਿਆ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਹੋਇਓ ਇਕੁ ਆਪੇ ਬਹੁ ਭਤਿਆ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਸਭਨਾ ਮੰਝਿ ਆਪੇ ਬਾਹਰਾ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਦੂਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਜਾਹਰਾ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਆਪੇ ਪਰਗਟੀਐ ॥ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਕਿਸੈ ਨ ਪਾਇ ਤੇਰੀ ਥਟੀਐ ॥ ਗਹਿਰ ਗੰਭੀਰੁ ਅਥਾਹੁ ਅਪਾਰੁ ਅਗਣਤੁ ਤੂੰ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਵਰਤੈ ਇਕੁ ਇਕੋ ਇਕੁ ਤੂੰ ॥੨੨॥੧॥੨॥ ਸੁਧੁ ॥ : The Creator Himself (or ITself) has created this creation and He (or IT) Himself is permeating in it. At times (by folding up the creation) He becomes just one by Himself, and other times He manifests in many forms. He Himself is within all, and He Himself is detached from them. O Creator, You Yourself are known to be far away, and You Yourself are present everywhere extremely close. You Yourself become invisible, and You Yourself are apparent. O Creator, no one has estimated the worth of Your creation. You are deeply profound, unfathomable, limitless, and beyond any account. Nanak, the Creator is pervading everywhere – You alone are everything. ||22||1||2|| Sudh|| (sggs 966).

State Before Creation:

• ਅਰਬਦ ਨਰਬਦ ਧੁੰਧੂਕਾਰਾ ॥ ਧਰਣਿ ਨ ਗਗਨਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥ ਨਾ ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਨਿ ਨ ਚੰਦੁ ਨ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਲਗਾਇਦਾ ॥੧॥ ਖਾਣੀ ਨ ਬਾਣੀ ਪਉਣ ਨ ਪਾਣੀ ॥ ਓਪਤਿ ਖਪਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਣੀ ॥ ਖੰਡ ਪਤਾਲ ਸਪਤ ਨਹੀ ਸਾਗਰ ਨਦੀ ਨ ਨੀਰੁ ਵਹਾਇਦਾ ॥੨॥ ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਸੁਰਗੁ ਮਛੁ ਪਇਆਲਾ ॥ ਦੋਜਕੁ ਭਿਸਤੁ ਨਹੀ ਖੈ ਕਾਲਾ ॥ ਰਕੁ ਸੁਰਗੁ ਨਹੀ ਜੰਮਣੁ ਮਰਣਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਆਇ ਨ ਜਾਇਦਾ ॥੩॥ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹੇਸੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੀਸੈ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਈ ॥ ਨਾਰਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਨ ਜਨਮਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਦੁਖੁ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥੪॥ : (Initially – before the creation) for unlimited time there was pitch darkness all around. Then neither was there earth, nor sky, nor the infinite Creator’s Hukam in operation. There was neither day, nor night, nor moon, nor sun; the Creator was absorbed within Himself as if He was in deep trance. ||1|| There were neither sources of creation, nor any words, nor air, nor water. There was neither creation, nor destruction, nor births nor deaths. There were no continents, no regions, no seven seas, no rivers of flowing water. ||2|| There were no heaven, earth or nether regions. There was no heaven or hell, no death or time. There was no hell or heaven, nor any birth and death, and no one was born or died. ||3|| There was no Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Except the Creator, no one else was there. There was no female or male, no social class or caste of birth; no one was there to experience pain or pleasure. ||4|| (sggs 1035).
• ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੁ ਉਪਾਇਓਨੁ ਤਦਹੁ ਹੋਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਮਤਾ ਮਸੂਰਤਿ ਆਪਿ ਕਰੇ ਜੋ ਕਰੇ ਸੁ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਤਦਹੁ ਆਕਾਸੁ ਨ ਪਾਤਾਲੁ ਹੈ ਨਾ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਲੋਈ ॥ ਤਦਹੁ ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ਹੈ ਨਾ ਓਪਤਿ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਤਦਹੁ ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ਹੈ ਨਾ ਓਪਤਿ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਿਵੈ ਕਰੇ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥੧॥ : Initially, the Creator created Himself, at that time none else existed. The Creator consulted none other than Itself, and whatever It did only that happened. At that time, there was no sky, no nether regions, nor the physical worlds. At that time, only the Formless Creator existed – there was no creation. As it pleased the Creator, so did It act; without the Creator, there was no other. ||1|| (sggs 509).
• ਕੇਤੇ ਜੁਗ ਵਰਤੇ ਗੁਬਾਰੈ ॥ ਤਾੜੀ ਲਾਈ ਅਪਰ ਅਪਾਰੈ ॥ ਧੁੰਧੂਕਾਰਿ ਨਿਰਾਲਮੁ ਬੈਠਾ ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਧੰਧੁ ਪਸਾਰਾ ਹੇ ॥੧॥ : Myriads of ages passed in complete darkness (i.e. before creation the state was such about which nothing can be understood). During which the infinite Creator was absorbed in Himself in deep ‘Smadhi’. In that darkness, the Creator was all by Himself unattached, and there was neither worldly expanse nor any rat race of Maya. ||1|| (sggs 1026).
• ਸੁੰਨ ਕਲਾ ਅਪਰੰਪਰਿ ਧਾਰੀ ॥ ਆਪਿ ਨਿਰਾਲਮੁ ਅਪਰ ਅਪਾਰੀ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਖੈ ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਸੁੰਨੁ ਉਪਾਇਦਾ ॥੧॥ : There is nothing beyond the infinite Creator who has acquired His power from nothing except Himself. That limitless Creator is self-sufficient all by Himself. The Creator creates a state in which there is nothing except Him and then He (as Hukam) creates the creation and looks after it. ||1|| (sggs 1037).

When The Creation Was Created:

As far as the time of creation of Cosmos is concerned, Guru Nanak says neither Pandit, nor Qazis, nor Yogis know the date, day,
month or season when the Cosmos was created. Guru Nanak has rejected all such imaginary conjectures/speculations in the outset of the SGGS:

• 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 ॥ ਜਾ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਿਰਠੀ ਕਉ ਸਾਜੇ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਸੋਈ ॥ : 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. It is only the Creator, Who created the Cosmos, knows. (sggs 4).
• ਆਪੀਨੑੈ ਆਪੁ ਸਾਜਿਓ ਆਪੀਨੑੈ ਰਚਿਓ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਦੁਯੀ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਸਾਜੀਐ ਕਰਿ ਆਸਣੁ ਡਿਠੋ ਚਾਉ ॥ : (O Creator!) You are self-created, then You setup Your Existence – You exist within Your Creation; Creation is manifestation of You. (O Creator! After self-creating) secondly You Created Kudrat (System-Rule-Law of Nature) and You reside within it and delight. (sggs 463).
• ਹੁਕਮੀ ਹੋਵਨਿ ਆਕਾਰ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਨ ਕਹਿਆ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਹੁਕਮੀ ਹੋਵਨਿ ਜੀਅ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥ : Creation is by the ONE who is the embodiment of Hukam (ਹੁਕਮੀ-Hukami), even if the Hukam cannot be stated (in its entirety). Life is created by the embodiment of the Hukam (ਹੁਕਮੀ-Hukami), as is its glory. (sggs 1).
• ਤੁਧੁ ਆਪੇ ਆਪੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ : O Creator, You Created Yourself. (sggs 79).
• ਏਕਮ ਏਕੈ ਆਪੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ : The Creator first created Himself alone. (sggs 113).
• ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਕੈ ਵਸਿਆ ਸੋਇ ॥ The Creator resides within the Creation that He Created. (sggs 83).

As captured in the following Shabad, Guru Nanak observed that the Cosmos sprang from ONE Source of Energy (Singularity – Command/Hukam):

• ਕੀਤਾ ਪਸਾਉ ਏਕੋ ਕਵਾਉ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਤੇ ਹੋਏ ਲਖ ਦਰੀਆਉ ॥ : The Universe exploded from ONE Source of Energy (Singularity – Command/Hukam. Thereafter innumerable things appeared. (sggs 3).
• ਖੰਡ ਦੀਪ ਸਭਿ ਲੋਆ ॥ ਏਕ ਕਵਾਵੈ ਤੇ ਸਭਿ ਹੋਆ ॥੧॥ : The continents, islands and all the worlds. All this have come into existence from the one Hukam. ||1|| (sggs 1003).
• ਉਤਪਤਿ ਪਰਲਉ ਸਬਦੇ ਹੋਵੈ ॥ ਸਬਦੇ ਹੀ ਫਿਰਿ ਓਪਤਿ ਹੋਵੈ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵਰਤੈ ਸਭੁ ਆਪੇ ਸਚਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਸਮਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੧॥ : Creation and destruction happen through the Sabad (command of Kartar, Universal Order…). Through the Sabad, creation happens again. The Gurmukh (Enlightened/Guru Shabad oriented) knows that Eternal Creator is pervading and permeating everywhere, and He is permeating in His created creation. ||1|| (sggs 117).

The Immense Creation Of The Limitless Creator:

Also, according to Guru Nanak, there are countless earths beyond this earth. In addition, before the present-day research of scientists, Guru Nanak first described to the world many solar systems, many galaxies, many earths, many suns, many moons etc. and declared all of 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:

• ਧਰਤੀ ਹੋਰੁ ਪਰੈ ਹੋਰੁ ਹੋਰੁ ॥ : There are innumerable earths beyond this planet-earth. (sggs 3).
• ਤਿਥੈ ਖੰਡ ਮੰਡਲ ਵਰਭੰਡ ॥ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਕਥੈ ਤ ਅੰਤ ਨ ਅੰਤ ॥ : (In the Enlightened state of ‘Sach Khand‘ – God realization within) One is Enlightened with the knowledge about the endless planets, solar systems and galaxies. If one tries to describe these, he/she will find out that there is no end it. (sggs 8).
• 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).
• ਕਰਤੇ ਕੈ ਕਰਣੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਸੁਮਾਰੁ ॥ (sggs 3).

Thus, Guru Nanak expressed his own observations and amazement on the vastness of the Cosmos, 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).
• 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).

Creation and Destruction Happen repeatedly by Creator’s Hukam:

Guru Nanak also observed that Kudrat is capable of creating and breaking. In other words, nothing here stays forever — everything we see is changeful, fleeting, perishable or disappearing. Nothing our physical eyes can see in it is ageless. Even scientists tell us that in about 5 billion years, the Sun will run out of hydrogen at its core. This will make it swell up into a red giant, as it begins to fuse helium instead. In the process, we can say goodbye to some planets in our solar system, and probably even Earth. Guru Nanak observed that the Cosmos has coalesced and reformed several times according to the Hukam:

• ਭਨਿ ਭਨਿ ਘੜੀਐ ਘੜਿ ਘੜਿ ਭਜੈ ਢਾਹਿ ਉਸਾਰੈ ਉਸਰੇ ਢਾਹੈ ॥ : The Creator breaks and fashions this world repeatedly; He builds up what He has demolished and demolishes what He has built. (sggs 935).
• ਭੰਨਣ ਘੜਣ ਸਮਰਥੁ ਹੈ ਓਪਤਿ ਸਭ ਪਰਲੈ ॥: (Creator is) capable of breaking, making, creating and annihilating (cataclysm etc.) all. (sggs 1102).
• ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਸੋਈ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਸਿਰਜੀ ਤਿਨਿ ਆਪੇ ਗੋਈ ॥ : The immaculate Creator is all by Himself. He who has created (this universe) shall Himself destroy it. (sggs 119).
• ਆਪੇ ਥਾਪਿ ਉਥਾਪੇ ਆਪੇ ॥ : The Creator Himself creates and destroys the universe. (sggs 125).
• ਜੋ ਉਪਜਿਓ ਸੋ ਬਿਨਸਿ ਹੈ ਪਰੋ ਆਜੁ ਕੈ ਕਾਲਿ ॥ : Whatever is created, will perish sooner or later. (sggs 1429).
• ਕਈ ਬਾਰ ਪਸਰਿਓ ਪਾਸਾਰ ॥ : (The Creator) has expanded many ways; and has expanded many times. (sggs 276).
• ਜਿਸ ਤੇ ਹੋਆ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਸਮਾਣਾ ਚੂਕਿ ਗਇਆ ਪਾਸਾਰਾ ॥੪॥੧॥ : The Creator from whom this world comes into existence, it merges back into Him; and so the entire expanse of the world comes to an end. ||4||1|| (sggs 1258).
• ਓਪਤਿ ਪਰਲਉ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੇ ਹੋਵੈ ਇਹ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ ਹਰਿ ਜਨੀ ॥੨॥ : Seekers contemplate and understand that all the creation and destruction happens (only by the Hukam) of the Creator. ||2|| (sggs 1186).
• ਘਟੰਤ ਰੂਪੰ ਘਟੰਤ ਦੀਪੰ ਘਟੰਤ ਰਵਿ ਸਸੀਅਰ ਨਖ੍ਯ੍ਯਤ੍ਰ ਗਗਨੰ ॥ ਘਟੰਤ ਬਸੁਧਾ ਗਿਰਿ ਤਰ ਸਿਖੰਡੰ ॥ : Beauty, islands, sun, moon, stars in the sky come to pass (i.e. diminishing, perishing etc.). Earth, high mountains and trees come to pass. (sggs 1354).
• ਬਰਨੁ ਚਿਹਨੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਿਛੁ ਰਚਨਾ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਸਗਲ ਪਸਾਰਾ ॥ ਭਣਤਿ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਬ ਖੇਲੁ ਉਝਾਰੈ ਤਬ ਏਕੈ ਏਕੰਕਾਰਾ ॥੪॥੪॥ : All this expanse of the world is perishable, none of its form or feature is everlasting. Says Nanak, when the Creator/Hukam dismantle this expanse of the Universe, then nothing but the Creator/Hukam remains. ||4||4||(sggs 999).

The Guru Sahib has also used similar words for the creator’s Hukam, who changes the circumstances of a person’s life. Put simply, the Divine Hukam is the Divine Law of consequences – we humans are free to choose, but we are not free from the consequences of our choices. In that sense:

• ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਥਾਪਿ ਉਥਾਪਨਹਾਰਾ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਜਾਇ ਨ ਕਰੀ ॥ ਰਾਜਾ ਰੰਕੁ ਕਰੈ ਖਿਨ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਨੀਚਹ ਜੋਤਿ ਧਰੀ ॥੧॥ : In an instant, the Creator is capable of creating (worldly objects) and destroying; the worth of His power cannot be described. In an instant, a king is reduced to a pauper and a lowly person is infused with splendor. ||1|| (sggs 499).
• ਤੂੰ ਜਾਣੋਈ ਸਭਸੈ ਦੇ ਲੈਸਹਿ ਜਿੰਦੁ ਕਵਾਉ ॥ : (O Creator!) You are the Knower of all (“ਤੂ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਵਸਹਿ…”); You give life, and take it away by Hukam. (sggs 463).
• ਜੰਮਣੁ ਮਰਣਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਆਵੈ ਜਾਇ ॥ : It is Hukam (Cosmic/Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ), which causes birth and death — birth and death occur according to Hukam (i.e. according to the biology of birth and death). (sggs 472).

The Gurbani (SGGS) wants to make sure we do not fall into the illusion (Bharam) that there is someone else (Brahma) who creates this world, someone else (Vishnu) who maintains it, and someone else (Shiva) who causes death. The Creator Himself is everywhere. He does everything, both creation (ਉਤਪਤੀ) and the destruction (ਪਰਲੌ). That said, all these so called demigods and goddesses (ਦੇਵੀ ਦੇਵਤੇ) do not have a separate existence.

• ਆਪਿ ਕਥੈ ਆਪਿ ਸੁਨਨੈਹਾਰੁ ॥ ਆਪਹਿ ਏਕੁ ਆਪਿ ਬਿਸਥਾਰੁ ॥ ਜਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਾ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਉਪਾਏ ॥ ਆਪਨੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਲਏ ਸਮਾਏ ॥ ਤੁਮ ਤੇ ਭਿੰਨ ਨਹੀ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਆਪਨ ਸੂਤਿ ਸਭੁ ਜਗਤੁ ਪਰੋਇ ॥ : The Creator Himself is the speaker, and He Himself is the listener (“ਤੂ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਵਸਹਿ…”). He Himself is the One, and He Himself is the many (omnipresent in his creation). When it so pleases the Creator, He creates the creation. When it so pleases, He absorbs it back into Him. O Creator! there is nothing outside of You. You have kept the entire world subject to Your Hukam. (sggs 292).

Evolution of life and Sikhi

The Cosmos is continuously evolving, be it the Earth and the life on it. Guru Nanak postulates that life evolved in water and water is essential for the survival of life. The Gurbani confirms that from Hukam become the subtle element of air, air produced water and it is water wherein evolved the world of life with Cosmic-consciousness.

• 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).
• ਪਵਨੁ ਵਿਚੋਲਾ ਕਰਤ ਇਕੇਲਾ ਜਲ ਤੇ ਓਪਤਿ ਹੋਆ ॥ : Every breath is the mediator, which brings about the union between the human body formed from water and air. (sggs 884).
• ਪਹਿਲਾ ਪਾਣੀ ਜੀਉ ਹੈ ਜਿਤੁ ਹਰਿਆ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਇ ॥ : First, the water is Jeev itself (there is life in it), by which everything else is made green (i.e. alive). (sggs 472).
• ਪੰਚ ਤਤੁ ਕਰਿ ਤੁਧੁ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਸਭ ਸਾਜੀ ਕੋਈ ਛੇਵਾ ਕਰਿਉ ਜੇ ਕਿਛੁ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੋਵੈ ॥ : O Creator! by creating five basic elements (earth, fire, water, air, and ether), You created the universe; if someone has any power to create, then let him show that power by creating the sixth element. (sggs 736).
• ਹੁਕਮੇ ਦੀਸੈ ਜਗਤੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ : (A person who has become Gurmukh) sees that the whole world is born in Hukam. (sggs 1037).

Billions years ago, the very first biological species appeared. Since then, human evolution is the lengthy process of change — a long journey indeed. In this context, consider the following Shabad. However, it is the most misquoted and mistranslated Shabad by the self-serving Pujaaree saying that it is referred to the previous lives (Joon-ਜੂਨ) of every human being. The illusion of eighty-four lakh Joon is created by interpreting it in this way only by adding a Baparvadi (Bahmani ideology) effect. In this connection, it has to be clarified here that the previous Joon of man have NOT been described through this Shabad. Rather, it is mentioning the theory of human development, which is called ‘Evolution Theory’ (ਮਨੁੱਖੀ ਵਿਕਾਸ ਸਿਧਾਂਤ):

• ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਭਏ ਕੀਟ ਪਤੰਗਾ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਗਜ ਮੀਨ ਕੁਰੰਗਾ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਪੰਖੀ ਸਰਪ ਹੋਇਓ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਹੈਵਰ ਬ੍ਰਿਖ ਜੋਇਓ ॥੧॥ ਮਿਲੁ ਜਗਦੀਸ ਮਿਲਨ ਕੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥ ਚਿਰੰਕਾਲ ਇਹ ਦੇਹ ਸੰਜਰੀਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਸੈਲ ਗਿਰਿ ਕਰਿਆ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਗਰਭ ਹਿਰਿ ਖਰਿਆ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਸਾਖ ਕਰਿ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਲਖ ਚਉਰਾਸੀਹ ਜੋਨਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਾਇਆ ॥੨॥ : Many births (multitude or different evolutionary stages of life) are created to exist as worm and Insects. Many birth are created to exist as elephants; fish and deer. Many births are created to exist as birds and snakes. Many births are Created to exist as domesticated horses. ||1|| (O mind), Realize the Creator Within, this is your opportunity to Realize. It took a very long time for the human body to evolve through many evolutionary stages of life (i.e. don’t live life any longer sans this Realization). ||1||Pause|| Multitudes are created to exist within rocks and mountains. Many births resulted in abortion (defective mutations resulting in death of the species). Many births are created to exist as plant life or vegetation. Life goes about within the entirety of life forms (that exist). ||2||  (sggs 176).

Clearly, it took billions of years for modern humans to evolve! Homo sapiens (meaning ‘wise man’ in Latin) evolved through countless forms of life like other species – ants, worms, moths, fish,
elephants, deer, snakes and domestic animals like horses and bullocks – starting from inanimate matter, the basic elements. Moreover, Guru Nanak also postulated that there are other places with life in the cosmos:

• ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਜੀਆ ਪੁਰੀਆ ਲੋਆ ਆਕਾਰਾ ਆਕਾਰ ॥ : There are living beings in water, on land and in the Cosmos. (sggs 466).

When it comes to the evolution of life, the SGGS couldn’t have spoken more clearly these words recorded before Charles Darwin.

Also, as mentioned in the SGGS, there are four sources of creation or life: (1) Andaj (ਅੰਡਜ: the egg-born), (2) Jeraj (ਜੇਰਜ: fetes-born or born from the womb), (3) Setaj (ਸੇਤਜ: the sweat-born), and (4) Outabhuj (ਉਤਭੁਜ: the earth-born).

• 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).

Guru Nanak in the above Shabad teaches people that Kudrat can NOT be limited to any finite number such as ‘8.4-Lakh’ concocted by the self-serving Pujaare (clergy clique)!

In short, whatever we are told by the self-serving Pujaaree about reincarnation (or hell and heaven etc.) is nothing but concocted nonsense, which is rejected in the Gurbani of the SGGS in no uncertain terms.

More on human body and its secrets

We have read above the Sidhant of Gurmat regarding the birth of a living being. Let us learn about the structure of the human body and other secrets of the human body from the perspective of Gurmat.

• ਜਗਤੁ ਉਪਾਇ ਖੇਲੁ ਰਚਾਇਆ ॥ ਪਵਣੈ ਪਾਣੀ ਅਗਨੀ ਜੀਉ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਦੇਹੀ ਨਗਰੀ ਨਉ ਦਰਵਾਜੇ ਸੋ ਦਸਵਾ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਰਹਾਤਾ ਹੇ ॥੪॥ ਚਾਰਿ ਨਦੀ ਅਗਨੀ ਅਸਰਾਲਾ ॥ ਕੋਈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਨਿਰਾਲਾ ॥ ਸਾਕਤ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਡੂਬਹਿ ਦਾਝਹਿ ਗੁਰਿ ਰਾਖੇ ਹਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਰਾਤਾ ਹੇ ॥੫॥ ਅਪੁ ਤੇਜੁ ਵਾਇ ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮੀ ਆਕਾਸਾ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਪੰਚ ਤਤੁ ਘਰਿ ਵਾਸਾ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਰਹਹਿ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤਾ ਤਜਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਹਉਮੈ ਭ੍ਰਾਤਾ ਹੇ ॥੬॥ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਭੀਜੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਪਤੀਜੈ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਕਿਆ ਟੇਕ ਟਿਕੀਜੈ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਚੋਰੁ ਮੁਹੈ ਘਰੁ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਇਨਿ ਸਾਕਤਿ ਦੂਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਤਾ ਹੇ ॥੭॥ ਦੁੰਦਰ ਦੂਤ ਭੂਤ ਭੀਹਾਲੇ ॥ ਖਿੰਚੋਤਾਣਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਬੇਤਾਲੇ ॥ ਸਬਦ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਆਵੈ ਜਾਵੈ ਪਤਿ ਖੋਈ ਆਵਤ ਜਾਤਾ ਹੇ ॥੮॥ : (sggs 1031).
• ਏ ਸਰੀਰਾ ਮੇਰਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਤੁਮ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਰਖੀ ਤਾ ਤੂ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਆਇਆ ॥ : O my body, when God infused His divine ‘Jot‘ into you, then you came into the world. (sggs 921).

In the foregoing verses, the SGGS teaches:

• Creating the world, Creator has set a play into motion.
• By fashioning a body from five basic elements (earth, fire, water, air, and ether). God infused the Jot (conscience, spirit…) in it. All though the body is made of five basic elements, but not the Jot!
• God installed nine visible doors in the town-like body (two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, one mouth, one genital, and one anus), But (to Realize God within) has kept the tenth door (conscience/mind/intellect) hidden/secret.
• In this world there are four terrible impulses (cruelty, attachment, greed and anger) which flow like four dreadful rivers of fire.
• Only a rare Gurmukh (enlightened/Guru-Shabad-Oriented mindset) understands this fact and by getting attuned to the Guru’s Shabad (Upadesh, Giyan-Wisdom, counsel, teaching), remains unaffected by these impulses.
• Through their evil intellect, a Sakat (un-enlightened, Maya-ridden) mindsets get drowned and burnt by these evil impulses, but those whom the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom saved from these rivers of fire remain imbued with God’s love.
• Within the mind of a Sakat is false ego-sense (Haumai), which like a thief is robbing his/her spiritual wealth, but he/she does not recognized this thief. Within them are the evil impulses (vices) which are like argumentative demons and terrifying goblins, which pull the mind in different directions.
• Those who remain focused on the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom, renounce their love for Maya, false ego-sense (Haumai), and doubt and remain imbued with the love of God. That is, without the Divine Naam (abidance in Divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam), there is no other support.

Since – according to the Gurbani – everything is within the Divine Hukam, we humans are free to choose but we are not free from the consequences of our choices and the resulting actions:

• ਪੰਚ ਤਤੁ ਮਿਲਿ ਦੇਹੀ ਕਾ ਆਕਾਰਾ ॥ ਘਟਿ ਵਧਿ ਕੋ ਕਰੈ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ॥੪॥ ਕਹਤੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਇਹੁ ਜੀਉ ਕਰਮ ਬੰਧੁ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਭੇਟੇ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥੫॥੧॥ : The five elements join together, to make up the form of the human body. Who can say which is less (i.e. inferior or bad), and which is more (i.e. superior or good)? Says Nanak, the living being is bound by its actions (under the Law of consequences – Hukam). Without internalizing and following  the (true Giyan-Wisdom of the Satgur), one does NOT get liberated (from the false pride of casteism and related vices/Bikaar). ॥5॥1॥ (sggs 1128).

Another amazing thing is every person in is a unique/different in the whole universe. Even one person’s fingerprint does not match with another’s. ‘Vismaad’ …

• ਮੇਰੈ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਸਾਚੈ ਇਕੁ ਖੇਲੁ ਰਚਾਇਆ ॥ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਕਿਸ ਹੀ ਜੇਹਾ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ : The creation of my Lord is such. None is like the other. (sggs 1056).

Some Related Posts:

• Pujaaree’s Sikhi vs. Guru Nanak’s Unique Sikhi
• Guru Nanak’s concept of ‘God’
• Sargun Nirgun – Visible and Invisible
• Omnipresent God
• Microcosm in Macrocosm…
• Nature – Kudrat – is Capable of Self Correcting
• Man Invented Separate God, Fear, Blind Faith, Fantasy
• Gurbani Defines Form of God
• Realize God’s Presence Within
• Sikhi of Guru Nanak and Caring of the Environment
• Hukam
• Core of Gurmat Spirituality – Becoming Sachiaar – ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ
• Gurbani Requires Mind to Focus on the Message
• There can be no Dhian without Giyan
• Realize Enlightening Message Embedded within Shabad
• Sanjog and Vijog Regulate the World-Play