A beginner's guide to Japji Sahib: Pauri 2 & 3

huk-mee  ho-van  aa-kaar,
hukam  na  keh-yaa  jaa-ee.
The Universal Divine Commander (Hukmee) creates the creation; Their Hukam (Universal Divine Law) is beyond explanation!
Being created is beyond our control. The System behind this is unexplainable.

huk-mee  ho-van  jee^a,
hu-kam  mil-ai  vadd-yaa-ee.
The Universal Divine-Commander creates living beings; within the Hukam (Universal Divine-Law) one receives the glory of the gift of living life.
Our birth is beyond our control and living the fullness of life is a gift.

huk-mee  u-tam  neech,
hukam  likh  dukh  sukh  paa-ee-eh.
In accordance with the Universal Divine-Commander one experiences high and low; according to the Hukam (Universal Divine-Law), one experiences sadness and pleasure written by our karma (actions).
Vaheguru has made life a roller coaster with highs and lows, and sadness and pleasure are written in our life by our actions or reactions.

ik-naa  huk-mee  bakh-sheesh,
ik  huk-mee  sa-daa  bha-vaa-ee-eh.
The Universal Divine Commander blesses some with this understanding; whilst Universal Divine Commander allows others to wander aimlessly without this understanding.â
Understanding or appreciation of the Hukam is a gift, which not everyone on the planet is fortunate to have.

huk-mai  andar  sabh  ko,
baa-har  hukam  na  ko-e.
Everyone is subject to the Hukam (Universal Divine Law); no one is outside of the Hukam (Universal Divine Law).
No one can escape from Vaheguru’s Universal Law (system) that governs creation.

naa-nak  huk-mai  je  bu-jhai,
ta  hau-mai  k-hai  na  ko-e.  ||2||
(Guru) Nanak (Ji) says- if one understands the Hukam (Universal Divine Law) then they do not speak in ego. ||2||
Realising that there is more in life that is beyond our control and power, the wise person lets go of their ego.

gaa-vai  ko  taaN,  ho-vai  kis-ai  taaN.
(Appreciating the Hukam,) some, in accordance with their capability, sing of the Universal Divine Commander’s Power.

gaa-vai  ko  daat,  jaa-Nai  nee-shaaN.
Some sing of the gifts given by Universal Divine Commander and consider these as signs of Their kindness.
Only those who recognise that everything we have in life is a gift from Vaheguru, sing Their Praises.

gaa-vai  ko,  guN  vadd-yaa-ee-yaa  chaar.
Some sing of the qualities, greatness, and beauty of the Universal Divine-Commander.

gaa-vai  ko,  vid-yaa  vikh-am  vee-chaar.
Some sing of knowledge of the Universal Divine Law and its Commander after difficult philosophical study.
The ability to understand difficult philosophical studies about Vaheguru’s Hukam is also a gift from Vaheguru.

gaa-vai  ko,  saaj  k-rey  tan  khey’h.
Some sing that the Universal Divine Commander first fashions the body, and then reduces it to dust.

gaa-vai  ko,  jee^a  lai  fey’r  dey’h.
Some sing that Universal Divine Commander takes the soul away from one body, and then restores it in another body.

gaa-vai  ko,  jaa-pai  dis-ai  door.
Some sing that the Universal Divine Commander seems so very far away.

gaa-vai  ko,  vey-khai  haa-daraa  hadoor.
Some sing that the Universal Divine Commander watches over us and is ever-present.

kath-naa  kath-ee,  na  aa-vai  thoh’tt.
There is no shortage of those who describe and speak of Vaheguru;

kath  kath  kath-ee,  koh’tee  koh’tt  koh’tt.
despite millions upon millions have tried to describe Vaheguru.

dey'n-daa  dey,  lai⁽ⁿ⁾-dey  thakk  paa-eh.
The Great Universal Provider keeps on providing, while the bodies of those who receive become tired over time.

ju-gaa  ju-gann-tar,  khaa-hee  khaa-eh.
Since the very beginning of time, all living beings have eaten that which the Great Universal Provider has provided.

huk-mee  hukam,  cha-laa-ey raah.
The Hukam (Universal Divine Law) of the Divine-Commander controls the on-going path of creation.

naa-nak,  vig-sai  vey-par-vaah.  ||3||
(Guru) Nanak (Ji) says- Universal Divine Commander is always happy and worry-free. ||3||

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â Wander aimlessly in the cycle of reincarnation.