New Month Begins!

Today is the first day of the month of BHAADO in the Sikh Nanakshahi Calendar. Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Jee has given us a HUKAM (Order) for the beginning of each month, which is recorded in "BARAAH-MAAHAA". As mentioned in previous posts, Sikhs don't "celebrate" the first day of the month (known as SANGRAAND) nor do Sikhs see it as a "more special day" compared to other days. Instead Guru Sahib has given us a Hukam which relates with the season and month and is intended to REMIND the soul-bride that she is SEPARATED from the Lord Waheguru and that she should make every EFFORT to unite and attach herself to the Lord Waheguru. So each month Guru Sahib reminds us of re-uniting with Waheguru.


Hukam for the month of Bhaadon (August 16th - September 15th):

ਭਾਦੁਇ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਣੀਆ ਦੂਜੈ ਲਗਾ ਹੇਤੁ ॥
ਲਖ ਸੀਗਾਰ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਕਾਰਜਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੇਤੁ ॥
ਜਿਤੁ ਦਿਨਿ ਦੇਹ ਬਿਨਸਸੀ ਤਿਤੁ ਵੇਲੈ ਕਹਸਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਤੁ ॥
ਪਕੜਿ ਚਲਾਇਨਿ ਦੂਤ ਜਮ ਕਿਸੈ ਨ ਦੇਨੀ ਭੇਤੁ ॥
ਛਡਿ ਖੜੋਤੇ ਖਿਨੈ ਮਾਹਿ ਜਿਨ ਸਿਉ ਲਗਾ ਹੇਤੁ ॥
ਹਥ ਮਰੋੜੈ ਤਨੁ ਕਪੇ ਸਿਆਹਹੁ ਹੋਆ ਸੇਤੁ ॥
ਜੇਹਾ ਬੀਜੈ ਸੋ ਲੁਣੈ ਕਰਮਾ ਸੰਦੜਾ ਖੇਤੁ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਰਣਾਗਤੀ ਚਰਣ ਬੋਹਿਥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਦੇਤੁ ॥
ਸੇ ਭਾਦੁਇ ਨਰਕਿ ਨ ਪਾਈਅਹਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਰਖਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੇਤੁ ॥੭॥

In the month of Bhaadon, the soul-bride who has love for other things without love for Waheguru is is deluded by doubt because of her attachment to duality. She may wear thousands of ornaments, but they are of no use at all (for her).

On that day when the body perishes (when a person dies) - at that time, (all the relatives and relations will say) she has become a ghost. The Messenger of Death seizes (the soul) and holds her, and does not tell anyone his secret (of where he is taking the soul). Those with whom you have loved (lots) - in an instant, they move on, leaving one's side.

(Seeing Death, the human) shakes her hands, her body writhes in pain, and (becoming shaken up) her colour turns from black to white. This body is the field of our karma - as one plants, so does one harvest (as you sow, you shall reap).

O Nanak! Those for whom the Guru is their love and their Protector and Saviour, in Bhaadon, shall not fall into hell, (because with the Guru's Grace) those people seek Waheguru's Sanctuary; and the Guru gives them the Boat of Waheguru's Feet (to climb on) ||7||
(Ang 134)