GOD’S WILL/ਭਾਣਾ

ABSTRACT

Acceptance of God’s Will or Command (ਭਾਣਾ) is the key to progress in spirituality. Glossary of the word (ਹੁਕਮ) comes about 431 times in AGGS and you reflect on these.

ਹੁਕਮ-ਫੁਰਮਾਨ। ਉਦਾਹਰਣ: ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ॥ {ਜਪੁ ੧, ੨:੫ (1)}। ਰਾਜ ਨ ਭਾਗ ਨ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਸਾਦਨ॥ {ਆਸਾ ੫, ੧੪੩, ੨:੧ (406)}- Order, command, decree, mandate, permission, word, sanction, one of the suits in playing cards (spade). ਸੰਗ੍ਯਾ}. ਆਗ੍ਯਾ.

The answer to this enigma of acceptance is keeping it simple and accepting whatever comes our way as God’s Will. When a situation of any kind cannot be handled with or without any help, it is only proper to humbly accept it, while singing praises of the Immortal God for being True forever, says Nanak. 

ਸਚੁ ਪੁਰਾਣਾ ਹੋਵੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਸੀਤਾ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਪਾਟੈ ॥ 

ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਸਚੋ ਸਚਾ ਤਿਚਰੁ ਜਾਪੀ ਜਾਪੈ ॥ 

Sach Puraanaa Hovai Naahee Seetaa Kaday Na Paatai, Nanak Sahib Sucho Sucha Ticher Jaapi Jaapay.

The Truth never grows old, and when it is stitched, it is never torn again. O, Nanak, The True Master is forever True. By being Truth personified, and by doing meditation, the Truth is embedded in mind.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Ram kali, AGGS, Page 956-1 

ਸਹਸ ਸਿਆਣਪਾ ਲਖ ਹੋਹਿ ਤ ਇਕ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਨਾਲਿ ॥

ਕਿਵ  ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ ਕਿਵ ਕੂੜੈ ਤੁਟੈ ਪਾਲਿ ॥

ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੧॥

Sahas si▫āṇpā lakẖ hohi ṯa ik na cẖalai nāl. Kiv sacẖi▫ārā ho▫ī▫ai kiv kūrhai ṯutai pāl. Hukam rajā▫ī cẖalṇā Nānak likẖi▫ā nāl. 

If one has hundreds of thousands of clever tricks, not even one of them will go along with you in the end. So how can you become truthful? And how can the veil of illusion be torn away?  O Nanak, it is written that you shall obey God’s Command, and walk in the Way of Its Will. -----Guru Nanak, Japji, AGGS, Page, 1-7

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As you go deeper into it, it becomes more confusing, complicated and mind-boggling. It should be kept simple. According to Guru Nanak’s philosophy, everything revolves around Truth and God’s Grace. Its Grace is necessary for Naam, as well as to control the mind. This control is necessary for progress in spirituality. Guru oriented accepts Guru’s will while self-willed suffers pain as said by Guru Amar Das in Raag Sorath:

A self-willed person may egotistically offer obeisance and yet maintain a questionable stance. Guru Angad refers to this situation in Raag Asa:

ਸਲਾਮੁ ਜਬਾਬੁ ਦੋਵੈ ਕਰੇ ਮੁੰਢਹੁ ਘੁਥਾ ਜਾਇ ॥ 

ਨਾਨਕ ਦੋਵੈ ਕੂੜੀਆ ਥਾਇ ਨ ਕਾਈ ਪਾਇ ॥

Salaam Jabab Dovai Karay Mundhoh Khutha Jaey, Nanak Dovai Koorhia Thaa-ey Na Kaayee Paa-ey.

One who offers both respectful greetings and rude refusal to his master, has gone wrong from the very beginning, Nanak, both of his actions are false; he obtains no place in the Court of the Immortal God.-----Guru Angad, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 474-5

ਸੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਸਖਾ ਬੰਧਪੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਵੈ ॥

ਆਪਣੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਜੋ ਚਲੈ ਭਾਈ ਵਿਛੁੜਿ ਚੋਟਾ ਖਾਵੈ ॥

ਬਿਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੁਖੁ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਪਾਵੈ ਭਾਈ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਪਛੋਤਾਵੈ ॥
So Sikh Sakhaa BanDhap Hai Bhaa-ee Je Gur Kay Bhaanay Vich Aavai. Āpṇai bẖāṇai jo cẖalai bẖā▫ī vicẖẖuṛ cẖotā kẖāvai. Bin saṯgur sukẖ kaḏe na pāvai bẖā▫ī fir fir pacẖẖoṯāvai.

That true disciple is a friend, relative or a sibling, who follows the Preceptor’s Will. One who walks according to his own will, O Siblings of Destiny, suffers separation from God and shall be punished. Without the holy Preceptor’s guidance, one never finds happiness, brother! And remains caught in regrets. -----Guru Amar Das, Raag Sorath, AGGS, Page, 601-18

Willingness, acceptance, truth, and rigorous honesty are the key features of Sikh Faith. Acceptance of what happens according to God’s will does simplify life.  So does removing false attachments during this brief existence. In the Immortal God’s system of spiritual progress the goal is the final union with It, as expressed by Guru Amar Das in Raag Ramkali:

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਸੁ ਪੂਜਾ ਜਾਣੈ ਭਾਣਾ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ ॥

ਭਾਣੇ ਤੇ ਸਭਿ ਸੁਖ ਪਾਵੈ ਸੰਤਹੁ ਅੰਤੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਖਾਈ ॥

Gurmukh Hovai So Poojaa Jaanai Bhaanaa Man Vasaa-ee, Bhannay Tay Sabh Sukh Pavai Santoh Antay Naam Sakhai.

Guru oriented, knows what worship is and thus abides in God’s Will within his mind. One who accepts God's Will obtains total peace, O Saints; in the end, the Naam will be his help and support. -----Guru Amar Das, Raag Ram kali, AGGS, Page, 910-12

 As humans, we do not have any control over anything. All that happens is according to the Will of that Absolute Principle.  Guru Amar Das vouches for it in Raag Ramkali:                                         

ਜੋ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਰਣਾ ਸੋ ਕਰਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕਰਣਾ ਜਾਈ ॥

ਆਪੇ ਸਾਜੇ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਉਪਾਏ ਸਿਰਿ ਸਿਰਿ ਧੰਧੈ ਲਾਈ ॥

ਆਪੇ ਦੁਖੁ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਏ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਈ ॥

Jo Kich Karna So Kar Rahia Avar Na Karna Jaayee, Aapay Saajay Sarisat Upaa-ay Sir Sir DhanDhai Laa-ee, Aapay Dukh Sukh Paaey Antar Aapay Bharam Bhulayee.

Whatever God wants to do, It does.  No one else can do anything. God Itself fashions and creates the creation and assigns to everyone his tasks. God Itself infuses pain and pleasure and makes the humans wander around in doubt. -----Guru Amar Das, Raag Ramkali, AGGS, Page, 912-2

ਸੋ ਝੂਠਾ ਜੋ ਝੂਠੇ ਲਾਗੈ ਝੂਠੇ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਈ ॥

ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਭਾਣਾ ਹੋਆ ਕਹਣਾ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥

So Jhoothaa Jo Jhoothay Laagai Jhoothay Karam Kamaa-ee, Kahai Nanak Har Kaa Bhaanaa Ho-aa Kahnaa Kachhoo Na Jaa-ee.

One who is attached to falsehood is false; false are the deeds he does. Says Nanak, everything happens according to the Will of the Immortal god; no one has any say in this at all.-----Guru Amar Das, Raag Gujri, AGGS, Page, 490-14      

ਆਸਾ ਵਿਚਿ ਅਤਿ ਦੁਖੁ ਘਣਾ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇਆ ॥

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਭਏ ਨਿਰਾਸ ਪਰਮ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ 

ਵਿਚੇ ਗਿਰਹ ਉਦਾਸ ਅਲਿਪਤ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇਆ ॥ 

ਓਨਾ ਸੋਗੁ ਵਿਜੋਗੁ ਨ ਵਿਆਪਈ ਹਰਿ ਭਾਣਾ ਭਾਇਆ ॥

aasaa vich at dukh ghanaa manmukh chit laa-i-aa, gurmukh bha-ay niraas

param sukh paa-i-aa, Vichay Gireh Oudaas Alpat Liv Laa-eaa, Onaa Soag Vioag Na

Viapa-ee Har Bhana Bha-eaa.

In hope, there is very great pain, and the self-willed focuses his consciousness on it. The Guru oriented become desire-less, and attain supreme peace. In their households, they remain detached.  They are lovingly attuned to the Detached Immortal God. Sorrow and separation do not cling to them at all. They are pleased with God's Will. ----Guru Amar Das, Raag Sarang, AGGS, Page, 1249-7

Acceptance of life, as it is, makes it easier to cope with it, while we sing praises of  God.

ਕੀਤਾ ਕਰਣਾ ਸਰਬ ਰਜਾਈ ਕਿਛੁ ਕੀਚੈ ਜੇ ਕਰਿ ਸਕੀਐ ॥

ਆਪਣਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਕਿਛੂ ਨ ਹੋਵੈ ਜਿਉ ਹਰਿ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਿਉ ਰਖੀਐ ॥

Keethaa Karanaa Sarab Rajaaee Kishh Keechai Jae Kar Sakee-ai, Aapna Kita Kichu Na Hovai Jeo Har Bhavai Teo Rakhee-ai.

All that happens, and all that will happen is by God’s Will. If we could do something by ourselves, we would. By ourselves, we cannot do anything at all. As it pleases God, It preserves us.-----Guru Ram Das, Raag Suhi, AGGS, Page, 736-3

To a worldly and pragmatic mind, life can appear hard or even impossible.  It just needs a little boost from our willingness to carry on. This may sound mysterious and remote. But this very thing bolsters our lower instincts with egotism and frustrating our spiritual progress. The moment our mental and emotional independence is in question, how differently we behave.  This should be evident upon some reflection. We think that no one can meddle with our personal independence. We are certain that our intelligence backed by will power can properly control our inner lives and guarantee ourselves success in the world we live in. But how well does it work? Everywhere people seem to suffer from anger, resentment, ego, and fear. Unnecessary arguments that I am right and that you are wrong, fill our days.  Everyone goes after who is right rather than what is right. We debate not in terms of a system of eternal virtues but in terms of our temporary egotistical circumstances.  When we are disturbed about something or someone, it is because we do not have a higher perspective.  Our view is governed by our personalities which are linked to our need to control things and the same to be seen in a positive light.  One cannot find serenity or make progress in spirituality when one is at war with someone or with oneself.  During an emotional turmoil, it is difficult to think straight or pertinently.  There should be no need to beat up the others with blame words. We need to concentrate on our part of the situation.  We need to consider what needs to be changed in our own way of thinking.  When we accept the will of God, all our doubts are removed.   

ਮਨ ਸਗਲ ਸਿਆਨਪ ਰਹੀ ॥ 

ਕਰਨ ਕਰਾਵਨਹਾਰ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਓਟ ਗਹੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਆਪੁ ਮੇਟਿ ਪਏ ਸਰਣਾਈ ਇਹ ਮਤਿ ਸਾਧੂ ਕਹੀ ॥

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਮਾਨਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਭਰਮੁ ਅਧੇਰਾ ਲਹੀ ॥

Man sagal si▫ānap rahī.Karan karāvanhār su▫āmī Nānak ot gahī. rahā▫o.Āp met pa▫e sarṇā▫ī ih maṯ sāḏẖū kahī. Parabh Kee Aagiaa Maan Sukh Paa-eaa Bharam Adayhraa Lahee.

All the cleverness of my mind is gone. The God and Master are the Doer, the Cause of causes; Nanak holds tight to Its Support. Pause. Erasing my self-conceit, I have entered Its Sanctuary; these are the Teachings spoken by the Holy Guru. Accepting the Will of God, I attain peace, and the darkness of doubt is dispelled. ------Guru Arjun, Raag Devgandhari, AGGS, Page, 529-16

ਜੋ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਸੋ ਥੀਆ ॥ 

ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਸਰਣਾਈ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਆਨ ਬੀਆ ॥
Jo Tis Bhavai So Thia, Sadaa Sadaa Har Kee Sarnaa-ee Parabh Bin Naahee Aan Bee-aa.

Whatever pleases God happens. Forever and ever, I seek Its Sanctuary. There is none other than God. -----Guru Arjun, Raag Ram kali, AGGS, Page, 900-7

Doubt and duality put one in bondage and in the material attachment as explained by Guru Arjun in Raag Sorath;

                    ਸਿੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਸਾਸਤ ਸੋਧਿਆ ਭਾਈ ਵਿਣੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਭਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥
                                  ਅਨਿਕ ਕਰਮ ਕਰਿ ਥਾਕਿਆ ਭਾਈ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਬੰਧਨ ਪਾਇ ॥          
Simnrit Saasat Sodhia Bhai Vin Satgur Bharam Na Jaaey, Anik Karam Kar Thaaki-aa Bhaa-ee Fir Fir BanDhan Paa-ay.

I have searched through the Simritees and the Shastras (Hindu Scriptures), O Siblings of Destiny - without the True Guru, doubt does not depart. They are so tired of performing their many rituals, O Siblings of Destiny, but they still fall into bondage again and again.-----Guru Arjun Raag Sorath, AGGS, Page, 608-17                                                       

ਤਜਿ ਭਰਮ ਕਰਮ ਬਿਧਿ ਨਿਖੇਧ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਲੇਹੀ ॥ 

ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਜਨ ਕਬੀਰ ਰਾਮੁ ਕਰਿ ਸਨੇਹੀ ॥
Taj Bharam Karam Bidh Nikhed Ram Naam Lehi, Gur Parsaad Jan Kabir Raam Kar Sanayhee.

Abandon your doubts about do’s and don’ts, and take to God's Name. By Guru's Grace, O servant Kabir, love the Immortal God.-----Kabir, Raag Dhanasari, AGGS, Page, 692-15

                                                                                                                                                  Conclusion:

It is always better to accept God’s Will as things happen. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is the mystery and the present is a gift and one should learn to live in it with willing acceptance. This is not a fatalistic or passive approach to life. We may very well be given seemingly insurmountable obstacles in life in order to learn what we can, in overcoming them. But if we face these obstacles with a basic acceptance, we are much more likely to possess the calmness of mind necessary to see with some clarity the most effective means of overcoming them. What keeps us constantly struggling with life is the attitude of non-acceptance, of not trusting the basic process of life unfolding. We suffer under the false assumption that the goal of life is to always avoid what we find unpleasant and to try to dwell in constant comfort. We don't really understand that life is nothing personal. It is much bigger than that. We need to learn to trust in and surrender to this impersonal process. One thinks erroneously when referring to it as "my life.”