The 52 Hukams of Guru Gobind Singh explained
The 52 Hukams are a set of instruction in Sikhism set by Guru Gobind Singh in Nanded, Maharashtra, India in 1708.[1] [2] These edicts sum up the ideal way of life of the Khalsa and serve as a code of conduct for the Khalsa Panth. Members of the Khalsa (baptized Sikhs) aim to follow all the 52 edicts.
List of the commands
A list of the 52 commands in romanized Punjabi with a faithful English translation is provided as follows:
- 1. Dharam dee kirat karnee – Make a righteous living.
- 2. Dasvand denaa – Donate a tenth share of your earnings.
- 3. Gurbani kantth karnee – Memorize Gurbani.
- 4. Amrit Velā utthnaa – Arise during Amrit vela (early morning).
- 5. Piaar naal Sikhaa di Seva karni – Devotedly serve the Sikh who serves others.
- 6. Gursikhaa paaso Gurbani dae arth samajhane – Learn the meanings of Gurbani from Gursikhs.
- 7. Panj Kakaar dee rehit drirh rukhnee – Follow the discipline of The Five Ks strictly. Adhere resolutely to the five articles of faith.
- 8. Shabad da abhiaas karnaa – Practice and rehearse the shabads.
- 9. Sat Saroop Satgur daa dhian dharnaa – Contemplate and assimilate the beautiful truth of the True Enlightener.
- 10. Guru Granth Sahib Jee noo Guru mananaa – Believe in and accept Guru Granth Sahib as the Guide to enlightenment.
- 11. Kaarjaan dae arambh vich ardaas karnee – When undertaking any task, first perform the prayer of Ardās.
- 12. Jaman, maran, ja viah mokae jup da paatth kar tihaaval (Karaah Parsaad) kar anand sahib dia punj paurian, ardaas, pratham panj pyaariaan atae hazooree granthee noo vartaa kae oprunth sangat noo vartaaouna – For birth naming, funeral, or marriage ceremonies or devotional reading paath; recite Japji Sahib while making Karah Parshad, perform five verses of Anand Sahib, and ardas; and then distribute Karah Prashad to the Panj Pyare, attending Granthi, and then to the congregation gathered for worship.
- 13. Jad tak Karaah Parshaad vartadaa rahae sadh sangat addol batthee rahae – Until Karah Parshad has been served to everyone, the congregation ought to be still and remain seated.
- 14. Anand viah binaa grahist nahee karnaa – Without the Anand Karaj marriage ceremony, carnal relations should not occur.
- 15. Par istree, ma bhain, dhee bhain, kar jaananee. Par istree da sang nahee karnaa – Other than your wedded wife, consider all women as your mothers, sisters and daughters. Do not indulge in carnal marital relationships with them.
- 16. Istree da mooh nahee phitkaarnaa – Do not subject women to cursing, or verbal abuse.
- 17. Jagat jootth tambaakoo bikhiaa da tiaag karnaa – Discard worldly ways, falsehoods, and poisonous tobacco.
- 18. Rehitvaan atae naam jupan vaalae gursikhaa dee sangat karnee – Make companions of Gursikhs who follow the Code of Conduct and recite the Divine Name.
- 19. Kum karan vich daridar nahee karnaa – Work hard and don't be lazy.
- 20. Gurbani di kathaa ate kirtan roaz sunanaa te karnaa – Listen to and perform the religious discourse/sermon and singing of the hymns of Gurbani every day.
- 21. Kisae dee ninda, chugalee, atae eirkhaa nahee karnee – Do not gossip nor slander, or be spiteful to anyone.
- 22. Dhan, javaanee, tae kul jaat da abhiman naee karnaa (Nanak daadak tahe duae goath. Saak guroo Sikhan sang hoath) – Do not be proud of riches, youthfulness, clan or lineage. (Regardless of maternal and paternal clan or heritage, all of the Guru's Sikhs are siblings of one family.)
- 23. Mat uchee tae suchee rakhnee – Maintain a high standard of purity in religious discipline.
- 24. Shubh karman tao kadae naa ttarnaa – Do not avoid performing virtuous acts.
- 25. Budh bal da daataa Vaheguroo noo jaananaa – Appreciate intellect and power as gifts of the all-knowing Wondrous Enlightener.
- 26. Sugandh (kasam/saunh) dae kar itbaar janaaoun vaalae tae yakeen nahee karnaa – Have no faith in oaths sworn by one attempting to convince another of sincerity.
- 27. Sutantar Vicharna - Rule Independently.
- 28. Raajniti vi parhnee – Read about politics.
- 29. Dushman naal saam, daam, bhed, aadik upaao vartnae ate uprant yudh karnaa dharam hai – When dealing with enemies, practice diplomacy (through conciliation, economics, or causing division of the opposing group), and exhaust all of these techniques before justifying battle with the adversary.
- 30. Shastar vidya te ghorh-savaari da abhiaas karnaa – Practice and exercise weaponry and horsemanship.
- 31. Doosrae dharmaaa dae pustakaa, vidyaa parhnee. Par bhrosaa drirh Gurbanee, Akaal Purakh ute hi rakhna – Read the books and science/knowledge of other religions. But keep your trust in Gurbani and Akal Purakh [The Timeless Being] resolute, firm, and tight.
- 32. Guroopdaesaa noo dhaaran karnaa – Follow the Guru's teachings.
- 33. Raheraas da paath kar kharae ho kae ardaas karnee – After reciting Rehras [evening prayers], stand up and perform Ardās.
- 34. Saun valae sohilaa atae ‘paun guru pani pita…’ salok parhnaa – Recite the late evening prayer Sohila [3 hymns] and the verse "Pavan guru pani pita…" before sleeping.
- 35. Kes nange nahi rakhne – Do not leave your hair uncovered.
- 36. Singhaa da adhaa naam nahee bulaunaa – Address a Singh [or [[Kaur]]] by their entire name including Singh [or Kaur], do not shorten it by half or call them nicknames.
- 37. Sharaab nahi peeni-piauni – Do not drink or serve alcoholic beverages.
- 38. Sir munae noo kanaiaa nahee daenee. Uos ghar daeve jithae Akal Purukh dee sikhee ha, jo karza-ai naa hovae, bhalae subhaa da hovae, bibaekee atae gyanvaan hovae – Do not given a daughter's hand in marriage to a shaven one. Give her to a household where the Undying divine personification Akal Purakh and tenets of Sikhism are respected, to household without debt, of a pleasing nature, which is disciplined and educated.
- 39. Subh kaaraj Gurbanee anusaar karnae – Maintain all business affairs in accordance with scripture.
- 40. Chugalee kar kisae da kam nahee vigaarnaa – Do not defame anyone by gossiping about their business.
- 41. Kaurha bachan nahee kahinaa – Do not speak bitter words.
- 42. Darshan yaatraa gurdwaaraa dee hee karnee – Make pilgrimages only for seeing Gurdwaras.
- 43. Bachan karkae paalnaa – Keep all promises made.
- 44. Pardaesee, lorvaan, dukhee, apung manukh dee yataahshkat seva karnee – Do as much as possible to serve and aid foreigners, those in sadness, need, disability or trouble.
- 45. Dhee Putaree da dhan bikh Kar jananaa – Realize that taking the earnings of a daughter is poison [don't be greedy].
- 46. Dikhaavae da Sikh nahee banana – Do not act a Sikh outwardly only for show.
- 47. Sikhi kesaa-suaasa sang nibhaaounee – With every breath, live as a Sikh who has uncut hair. Know this kes to be equal to the Guru and give it the utmost respect.
- 48. Chori, yaari, tthugi, dhokaa, dagaa nahee karnaa – Abstain from thievery, adultery, cheating, deception, fraud, and pillaging.
- 49. Sikh da itbaar karnaa – Have confidence in a Sikh.
- 50. Jhutthi gavaahee nahee daenee – Do not make false testimonies.
- 51. Dhroh nahee karnaa – Do not participate in treason.
- 52. Langar Parshaad ik ras vartaaunaa – Serve langar [free community kitchen of a [[gurdwara]]] and prashad with impartiality.
See also
External links
Notes and References
- Book: Singh, Balawindara. Fifty-Two Commandments Of Guru Gobind Singh. 2004. Singh Bros.. 9. Michigan, US.
- Book: Singh, Satbir. Aad Sikh Te Aad Sakhian. 1991. New Book Company. Jalandhar.
