Opening Verse

— Teachings of Truth

After the Mool Mantar, the next major composition in the Guru Granth Sahib is Japji Sahib by Guru Nanak.

It begins with the famous opening verse (Pauri 1):

Sochai soch na hovaee je sochee lakh vaar.
Chupai chup na hovaee je laae rahaa liv taar.
Bhukhia bhukh na utree je bannaa pureeaa bhaar.
Sehas sianpaa lakh hohi ta ik na chalai naal.
Kiv sachiaaraa hoeeai? Kiv koorai tuttai paal?
Hukam rajaaee chalnaa, Nanak likhiaa naal.

Sochai Soch Naa Hov-a-ee

By thinking, God cannot be known.

Je Sochee Lakh Vaar

Even if you think a hundred thousand times (lakh).

Chupai Chup Naa Hov-a-ee

Even by remaining quiet (silent), inner stillness won't happen.

Jay Laa-i Rahaa Liv Taar

Even if poised deep in meditation forever.

Bhukhi-aa Bhukh Naa Utree

The hungry will not be satiated.

Jay Bannaa Puree-aa Bhaar

Even if loaded with worldly goods.

Sehas Si-aanpaa Lakh Hoh Taa

One may possess a million wits.

Ik Naa Chalai Naal

But not one will accompany you (to the end).

Kiv Sachi-aaraa Ho-ee-ai

So how can we realize truth?

Kiv Koorhai Tutai Paal

How can one shatter falsehood?

Hukam Rajaa-ee Chalnaa Naanak Likhi-aa Naal

Says Nanak, it is by abiding the Divine Order and walking the path as willed by God.

Simple Meaning

Guru Nanak begins by asking a profound question:

• Can truth be realized merely by thinking? No.

• Can it be realized merely by remaining silent? No.

• Can desires be satisfied through accumulation? No.

• Can cleverness alone reveal reality? No.

Then he asks:

"How can one become truthful? How can the wall of illusion be broken?"

His answer:

"By living in accordance with Hukam (the Divine Order)."

What is Hukam?

Hukam refers to the Divine Order through which existence operates.

• The stars move according to Hukam.

• Birth and death occur within Hukam.

• Nature functions according to Hukam.

• Human beings are also part of Hukam.

It is not merely a command issued by God; it is the very order and reality of existence itself.

Why does Guru Nanak mention Hukam?

In the first Pauri of Japji Sahib, Guru Nanak asks:

"How can one become truthful? How can the wall of falsehood be broken?"

His answer:

"Hukam rajaaee chalnaa" — "Live in accordance with Hukam."

The idea is that suffering often arises when the ego insists:

• Life must go my way.

• Reality should match my desires.

• I know best.

Wisdom begins when one understands reality as it is rather than constantly fighting it.

Does Hukam Mean Fatalism?

Not exactly.

Guru Nanak does not teach passive resignation. Sikhs are encouraged to work, serve, learn, and act courageously.

Living in Hukam means:

• Acting responsibly

• Accepting the results with humility

• Recognizing that you are part of a larger reality

A Simple Example

Imagine a sailor at sea.

The sailor cannot control the wind, waves, or weather. Those are part of the larger order.

What the sailor can do is:

• Understand the conditions

• Adjust the sails

• Navigate wisely

Hukam is like the ocean and wind. Wisdom lies in understanding and aligning oneself with reality rather than demanding that reality obey one's wishes.

In One Sentence

Hukam is the Divine Order—the underlying reality by which all existence functions—and spiritual wisdom lies in understanding, accepting, and living in harmony with it.