HOW TO TAKE THE HUKAMNAMA FROM SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI (from Se Kinehiya book p.360 2007 Edition)

Many a time it is seen that when people have a recital of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the granthi Singh opens the scriptures deliberately at a elected verse that will suit the event or please the devotees. They have usually already opened the appropriate angs and placed the rumala over the Guru Ji’s form. After Ardas, they merely read a pre-selected erse that will please the devotees but in fact is not really the order of he great Guru himself. Some devotees take a handful of scriptures rom the left and right side and then reopen the angs wherever and read he verse in front of their eyes. Some devotees read the verse from the left page if it is before noon or the right page if in the afternoon. In fact, different people have adopted different ways of reading the Guru Ji’s order. Divine Visitation By Baba Buddha Ji. The sangat once asked Baba Ji about the above-mentioned matter f how to correctly read the holy order of the day and what in fact is the ge-old tradition of doing so. He told the sangat the way he normally takes the hukamnama as per the Guru’s tradition (Guru maryada) and hen asked the sangat to congregate in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and ask for the Guru’s seal of approval too.

All stood with folded hands and performed Ardas, ”O Lord of the poor, please tell us the correct way to take the hukamnama.” After doing Ardas, all the congregation nd Baba Ji sat down. All were reciting simran in a peaceful, concentrated state of mind when Baba Buddha Ji appeared in front of Baba Ji. Baba Buddha Ji was sat behind the Manji Sahib where the priest usually sits. He spoke, The day when Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji enthroned Sri Guru Granth Sahib i at Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, I was given special guidance in taking he hukamnama. This is the correct way to take the hukamnama.” Baba Buddha Ji explained further,

”It is against the tradition to take the hukam from wherever we like or be mind full of the time day or when devotees grab hold of angs from the left and right to open up the page again. This does not attract the Guru’s happiness. After performing Ardas and before taking the hukamnama, one should recitethe Mool mantar five times or recite the four manglacharan [The mangalcharan are listed in the footnote of the book as: 1. Ik Oankaar Sat Naam Karta Purkh Nirbhau Nirvair AkaalMoorat Ajun Saibhang Gurprasaad 2. Ik Oankaar SatGur Prasaad 3. Ik Oankaar Sat Naam. This is bit confusing because this counts only 3, and there is more forms of manglacharan than the ones listed] Then, the verses related to the vision of the Guru are read as we fold and remove the rumala. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the embodiment of the great Guru so no doubt should arise regarding the time of the day etc. Reading the verses of devotion, one should turn a handful of page to the left or right without deliberation. The verse that starts at the left page is the Guru’s true hukamnama. If the verse starts from the previous page then follow it over by turning the page over to the right. If the verse is a Salok, a Pauri will often follow it and this should be read as well. In this way the true hukamnama is read and the great Guru’s affection is earned.”

Baba Ji was very pleased because he used to take the hukamnama like this already. Now the great Guru had put his seal of approval on it. The assembled congregation was told of how to take the daily hukamnama. All his life Baba Ji counselled others to take the hukamnama in the same manner and thus obtain the Guru’s pleasure. Some devotees when reading path from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji rest their elbows on the manji Sahib. This is disrespectful and should not be done. It is also disrespectful to scratch your eyes, ears or body and then soil the scriptures by touching them. A hazooria can be used for this, if required. So, we must pay utmost respect and act with great care and reverence when conducting ourselves in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The more we respect the form of the great Guru the better. If we disrespect Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, it is to our disadvantage and we will suffer the consequences. We must show respect for our ultimate benefit and not as a favour to the Guru.

Thanks to Theguptone jee for providing link.

Contributed by Bhai Jaskirat Singh