Introduction

(Image 2: Front cover of Mataji's Pavitar Jeevan)

All information in this article is extracted from the book, ‘Pavitar Jeevan-Khalsey dee Mata, Mata Sahib Devan Ji’ by Sant Giani Surjit Singh Ji Mehron.

(Image 3: Author - Sant Giani Surjit Singh Ji Mehron. Baba Ji is currently doing Seva of printing Sri Dasam Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Dasam Sanchiaan, Das Granthi, and more pothiaan. They have also written a steek on Savaiye Mahaley Pehley Key.)

Before we dive into the content of the Hukamnamay, we must note that,

1. The Hukamnama Sahibs written by Mata Ji are continuous and have no full stops; hence I have used commas to indicate a pause in the translation.

2. The word Mevra has been used in every Hukamnama Sahib. Mevra, also known as Ardaasia, is a person who does Ardaas or makes a humble request to Satguru Ji for the whole congregation. In this case, the Mevra appointed in each Hukamnama Sahib collects the bheta (donation) given by Sangat and then comes in the presence of Mata Ji. The Mevra then announces the amount given and by whom. If the Sangat has any request or plea, such as building a new well, it is put forward to Mata Ji.

HUKAMNAMA SAHIB 1- Addressed to Bhai Aalam Singh

(Image 4: Hukamnama Sahib, dated 1726AD)

(Vertical)

Ik Oangkaar Satguru Ji

Bhai Aalam Singh, Jathedar (Sikh leader) of Sangat (Sikh congregation) and whole family, may the Guru protect you

(Horizontal)

Ik Oangkaar Satguru Jio,

The Khalsa belongs to Akaal Purakh (the Timeless Being), it is the command of Respected Mata Sahib Devi Ji, Bhai Aalam Singh, Jathedar (Sikh leader) of Sangat and whole family, Guru will protect you, always recite Guru Guru and make your life worthwhile, it is my utmost happiness, you are my beloved children, the complete Guru will bless you with Degh (cauldron - symbolizing Langar, charity, free kitchen), Tegh (sword - representing power, strength and independent reign) and Fateh (victory), it is my request that I write to you regarding the need for Langar (free kitchen), through your hard work, place a part of your earning as authorized payment in the hands of Gurbaksh Singh Bhagat Mevra, whichever Singh desires to contribute into the Langar, the complete Guru will bless his hard-earned money and provide him with abundance, Guru will protect you as His own

Year 1783 Bikrami, Asu Vadhi 10 = 10th September 1726 AD

HUKAMNAMA SAHIB 2 - Addressed to Bhai Anand Roop Singh, Bhai Tara Singh, Bhai Raja Singh, Bhai Budhu Singh, Bhai Uday Singh, Devi Singh of Patna

(Image 5: Hukamnama Sahib dated 1729AD)

(Vertical)

Ik Oangkaar Satguru Ji

To all the Khalsa of Patna, may the Guru protect you

(Horizontal)

Ik Oangkaar Sri Vahguru Ji Ki Fateh

The Khalsa belongs to Akaal Purakh (the Timeless Being),  it is the command of Respected Mata Sahib Devi Ji, Bhai Anand Roop Singh, Bhai Tara Singh, Bhai Raja Singh, Bhai Budhu Singh, Bhai Uday Singh, Devi Singh, to all Khalsa of Patna, Guru will protect you, always recite Guru Guru and make your life worthwhile, it is my utmost happiness, you are my beloved children, the complete Guru will care for you in every part of your life, rupees 73 and 13 annas (1 anna = 6.25 paisa = 81.25 cents) have reached me through Sidhu Singh Hazoor, entire donation have been used for Langar, I am happy, the desires of the Sangat have been fulfilled, whichever Sikh desires to contribute into the Langar, the complete Guru will bless their hard-earned money and provide them with an abundance

Year 1785 Bikrami, Chet Sudhi 9 = 27th March 1729AD

Command of Mata Sahib Devi Ji through Sidhu Singh Mevra

HUKAMNAMA SAHIB 3- Addressed to Bhai Thakur Daas, Bhai Sobhai Mal Chopra, Bhai Simbhu Nath, Bhai Sahib Rai of Banaras

(Image 6: Hukamnama Sahib dated 1730AD)

(Vertical)

Ik Oangkaar Satguru Ji

To all the Khalsa of Banaras, may the Guru protect you

(Horizontal)

Ik Oangkaar Sri Vahguru Ji Ki Fateh

The Khalsa belongs to Akaal Purakh (the Timeless Being),  it is the command of Respected Mata Sahib Devi Ji, Bhai Thakur Daas, Bhai Sobhai Mal Chopra, Bhai Simbhu Nath, Bhai Sahib Rai, to all Khalsa of Banaras, Guru will protect you, always recite Guru Guru and make your life worthwhile, it is my utmost happiness, you are my beloved children, may the Complete Guru fulfill all your desires, I have written my request for you, for Langar, 50 rupees, stated amount made into the authorized payment to be given to Bhai Sidhu Singh Mevra, Banaras is the palace of Vaheguru, do the selfless-service full-heartedly, whichever Sikh desired to contribute into the Langar, the complete Guru will bless their hard-earned money and provide them with an abundance

Year 1786 Bikrami Chet Sudhi 11 = 19th March 1730AD

HUKAMNAMA SAHIB 4 - Addressed to all the Khalsa of Patan Shaikh Fareed

(Image 7: Hukamnama Sahib dated 1730AD)

(Vertical)

Ik Oangkaar Satguru Ji

To all the Khalsa of Patan Shaikh Fareed, may the Guru protect you

(Horizontal)

Ik Oangkaar Satguru Ji

It is the command of Respected Mata Ji, the Khalsa belongs to Akaal Purakh (the Timeless Being), to all Khalsa of Patan Shaikh Fareed, Guru will protect you, always recite Guru Guru and make your life worthwhile, at your comfort, please send one-tenth (10%) of your earning for Langar and other Seva, one-fortieth (2.5%) for the golak (cashbox of the Guru) and whatever additional donation you wish to give in the name of the Guru, do send the authorized payment for the expenses of Langar through Bhai Maan Singh Mevra, you will be exalted, Guru will bless your hard-earned money and provide you with abundance, you are my beloved children, I am pleased with all of you, may Guru fulfill all your heart's desires, it is time to do selfless-service of the Sikhs, do the service full-heartedly, your service will be accepted in the court of Vaheguru, the Guru will look after all your affairs and set them right

Year 1787 Bikrami Poh 7 = 7th December 1730

HUKAMNAMA SAHIB 5 - Addressed to  all the Khalsa of Patan Fareed

(Image 8: Hukamnama Sahib dated 1731AD)

(Vertical)

Ik Oangkaar Satguru Ji

Sangat belongs to the Akaal Purakh (Timeless Being), to all the Khalsa of Patan Fareed, may the Guru protect you, I have received 5 rupees through Bhai Maan Singh, I am pleased

(Horizontal)

Ik Oangkaar Satguru Ji

It is the command of Respected Mata Ji, the Khalsa belongs to Akaal Purakh (the Timeless Being), to all Khalsa of Patan Shaikh Fareed, Guru will protect you, always recite Guru Guru and make your life worthwhile, your 5 rupees have been received through Bhai Maan Singh  Mevra, I am pleased, please send one-tenth (10%) of your earning for Langar and other Seva, one-fortieth (2.5%) for the golak (cashbox of the Guru) and whatever additional donation you wish to give in the name of the Guru, do send the authorized payment through Bhai Maan Singh Mevra, you will be exalted, you are my beloved children, I am pleased with all of you, it is time to do selfless-service of the Sikhs, do the service full-heartedly, your service will be accepted in the court of Vaheguru

Year 1788 Poh 23 = 23rd December 1731AD

HUKAMNAMA SAHIB 6 - Addressed to all Khalsa Nausahra Pannua

(Image 9: Hukamnama Sahib dated 1732AD)

(Vertical)

Ik Oangkaar Satguru Ji

To all Khalsa Nausahra Pannua, may Guru protect you, please send 11 rupees for Langar, you will be exalted

(Horizontal)

Ik Oangkaar Satguru Ji

It is the command of Respected Mata Ji, the Khalsa belongs to Akaal Purakh (the Timeless Being), to all Khalsa Nausahra Pannua, Guru will protect you, always recite Guru Guru and make your life worthwhile, 11 rupees for the expenses for Langar has been requested from you, please send one-tenth (10%) of your earning for Langar and other Seva, one-fortieth (2.5%) for the golak (cashbox of the Guru) and whatever additional donation you wish to give in the name of the Guru, do send the authorized payment through Bhai Ram Singh Mevra, you will be exalted, Guru will bless your hard-earned money and provide you with abundance, you are my beloved children, I am pleased with all of you, it is time to do selfless-service of the Sikhs, do the service full-heartedly, your service will be accepted in the court of Vaheguru

Year 1789 Bikrami, Har 1 = 30th May 1732AD

HUKAMNAMA SAHIB 7 - Addressed to all Khalsa of Patan Shaikh Fareed

(Image 10: Hukamnama Sahib dated 1732AD)

(Vertical- some parts are missing)

Ik Oangkaar Satguru, ....to all Khalsa of ....Fareed.... 14....have reached....

(Horizontal)

Ik Oangkaar Satguru Ji

It is the command of Respected Mata Ji, the Khalsa belongs to Akaal Purakh (the Timeless Being), to all Khalsa of Patan Shaikh Fareed and surrounding residents, Guru will protect you, always recite Guru Guru and make your life worthwhile, your 14 rupees have been received through Bhai Maan Singh, I am very happy, please send one-tenth (10%) of your earning for Langar and other Seva, one-fortieth (2.5%) for the golak (cashbox of the Guru) and whatever additional donation you wish to give in the name of the Guru, do send the authorised payment through Bhai Maan Singh Mevra, you will be exalted, Guru will bless your hard-earned money and provide you with abundance, you are my beloved children, I am very happy with all of you, Guru will fulfill all your heart's desires, it is time to do selfless-service of the Sikhs, do the service full-heartedly, your service will be accepted in the court of Vaheguru, whichever Sikh comes forward and does selfless-service, Guru will take care of all his affairs, all good will come to him

Year 1789 Bikrami, Maghar 17 = 17th November 1732AD

HUKAMNAMA SAHIB 8 - Addressed to all Khalsa Patan Shaikh Fareed

(Image 11: Hukamnama Sahib dated 1734AD)

(Vertical - unidentified)

(Horizontal)

Ik Oangkaar Satguru

It is the command of Respected Mata Ji, Bhai Maan Singh, and Guru will protect you, always recite Guru Guru and make your life worthwhile, it is requested to you to build a new well in Shaikh Patan Fareed, whatever the cost will be, put it into the government's account, the Sikh who drinks water from this well, will be blessed, this command has been written for you, do build a proper well

Year 1791 Magh 1 = 30th December 1734AD

Observations

Mata Ji's Hukamnamay all start in a similar manner of saying Fateh and also giving blessings to the Sangat,

1. Guru Guru Japna, Janam Savaarna = To keep on doing Simran and make your life worthwhile
2. Guru Rakhega/Guru Pura Rakhi Karega = Guru will always protect you
3. To give Daswandh for Langar Seva = Mataji would also write hukamnama stating that she has received the bheta (donation) and how much was given. Interestingly, Mataji was very particular with Guru's house accounts, especially for Langar- this ensures money doesn't go missing or in the wrong hands.
4. It is still the practice that whenever we go for pilgrimage to the Five Takhats and other historical Gurdwaras, we should place 1.25 rupees minimum into the golak (cashbox), which is for the Guru/Gurdwara, and a different amount of 1.25 rupees minimum for the Langar/Karah prasadh.
5. Sikha putta di Seva di vela hai, loch key Seva karni = It is time to do Seva of the Panth, do Seva full-heartedly. Mata Ji is reminding us that as a Panth, we should be serving others, stressing the point of Seva, Simran, and Sangat in all her Hukamnama Sahibs.
6. It's impressive to learn that after Guru Gobind Singh Ji left this world, Mataji, alongside Mata Sundri Ji, took care of all the Panthic matters, economy, and political aspects. They ensured Sikhs were united, Langar was established in every town, state, or village, and ensured Sikhs followed Guru Granth Sahib Ji as their Guru. Think about it, Sangat Ji; it was a significant transition from a physical Guru to Shabad Guru, and how a woman led the whole Panth and made the transition smooth. I am feeling so grateful to be her daughter.

DHAN DHAN KHALSEY DI MATA, MATA SAHIB DEVAN JI

(Image 12: Baba Surjit Singh Ji Mehron and myself during parchaar in South East Asia. Babaji is a fantastic teacher, and they still teach in their Vidyala in Mehron village in Punjab, India.)