NitNem is a compound word. ‘Nit’ means daily, regularly or always. ‘Nem’ is the Punjabi form of ‘Neeam’ meaning law, rule or practice. It comprises of seven Baanis (compositions) from Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), and of the Tenth. The Baanis have been so chosen as to act as a guide of how a Sikh is to conduct himself in life.
A question is sometimes asked why one has to recite the same Baanis everyday; it is boring. Those who follow this practice certify that Gurbani (Guru’s word) is ਅਗਾਧ ਬੋਧ (Agaadh Bodh), a bottomless treasure of knowledge, and one keeps on improving its understanding for ever. Every time we recite Gurbani something new is discovered. For example talking of the virtues of the Creator which is the fundamental theme in Gurbani, Guru Nanak says:
ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਨੀਤ ਨਵਾ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਦਾਤਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (੧੬੬੦)
My Master is for ever new, for ever giving benedictions. Pause (SGGS 660).
Code of Conduct (Rehat)
First of all, we must recognise that HUKAM (order) is HUKAM (order). The relationship between the Guru and the Sikh is like that of a MENTOR and PRODIGY. Let’s look at the life of Guru Angad Dev jee (known as Bhai Lehna jee) before he became Guru.
Guru Angad Dev jee’s life can be summarised as “Hukam Mannaa” (ACCEPTING the WILL). Guru Angad Dev jee served Guru Nanak jee with such devotion that he NEVER questioned Guru Nanak jee’s order. If Guru Nanak jee said, “Go wash my clothes” during when there’s a stormy rain, Guru Angad Dev jee would fold his hands and happily do it. He would not say “Sorry Guru jee, I will do it once the rain has stopped.” Guru Angad Dev jee’s Sewa & Simran made him worthy of becoming Guru and carrying on the Jyot (light) of Guru Nanak jee.
To EXPERIENCE Amrit and feel the sublime essence, we have been given REHAT, a way of life. Just as a farmer will not produce good crop unless he PLOUGHS his field, despite how much rain falls on the fields. The more you plough a field; better quality the crop will be produced.
For this reason, Bhagat Dhanna Ji, a farmer by occupation, in praying to Waheguru for the basic necessities of life, says:
ਦਾਲਿ ਸੀਧਾ ਮਾਗਉ ਘੀਉ ॥ ਹਮਰਾ ਖੁਸੀ ਕਰੈ ਨਿਤ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਪਨ੍ੀਆ ਛਾਦਨੁ ਨੀਕਾ ॥ ਅਨਾਜੁ ਮਗਉ ਸਤ ਸੀ ਕਾ ॥1॥
daal seeDhaa maa(n)gau gheeo. hamraa kushee karai nit jeeo. panHeeaa chhadan neekaa. anaaj magau sat see kaa.
Lentils, flour and ghee – these things, I beg of You. My mind shall ever be pleased. Shoes, fine clothes, and grain from a field, which has been ploughed seven times – I beg of You, Waheguru. 1.
(Ang 695)
Similarly, when we take Khande-di-pahul, the Amrit of the double-edged sword, from the Panj Piyaare we obtain Amrit to drink, then we are given the SEEDS of NAAM to sow, and a REHAT, way of life, to use to PLOUGH our MIND and BODY ready. If we take Amrit, but don’t sow the seeds of Naam, then we don’t obtain the crop of Guru Sahib’s blessings. If we take Amrit, but don’t observe Rehat, then the quality of our Naam’s fruits will be affected. With Amrit, Naam and Rehat a Sikh lives in CHARDIKALA, high spirits, and blessed with a PEACEFUL and HARMONIOUS life in Waheguru’s Will through the Guru’s blessings.
ਰਹਿਤ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਮੁਝ ਕੋ ਸਿਖ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਨਾਹਿ ॥
rehit piaaree mujh ko, sikh piaaraa naahi.
“I love a Sikh’s disciplined way of life, not the Sikh.”
(Rehatnama Bhai Desa Singh)
Connection between SIKH & GURU
Basic Nitnem (daily-prayers) keeps the CONNECTION between the Sikh and Guru alive, and reminds a Sikh of the Guru’s message. The same Banian (prayers) which are recited during the PREPARATION OF AMRIT during an Amrit-Sanchaar, are the same Banian recited by a Sikh daily. The EXPERIENCE of receiving Amrit from the Guru in the Amrit Sanchaar is RE-LIVED everyday and the INNER-AMRIT is FELT and ENJOYED, just as one drank the sweet Amrit given by the Panj Piyaare and felt it trickling down inside.
Baba Nand Singh Jee used to say that when we do Nitnem, we offer our arm out to Guru Jee to carry us across. By doing Nitnem, Guru Nanak Dev Jee will never let go of our arm. But when we fail in our Nitnem, we take away our offering arm. How can Guru Jee carry us across then?
Spiritual Growth
Practicing Nitnem should not be a BURDEN, however a spiritual RELIEF. Reading Nitnem in the morning, evening and at bedtime is drawing on the Guru’s DIVINE WORD to give STRENGTH and INSPIRATION for the day.
But spiritual growth is like physical growth – it does not happen overnight. Nitnem weaves the sacred into the fabric of daily life and serves as a reminder that we live on dual planes simultaneously – the sacred and the profane, the secular and the spiritual.
These moments make the extraordinary possible. Nitnem offers the doorway to enable us to enter the sacred space of the timeless One – Akal – where the soul dwells and its cultivation takes place.
Disinfect from Maya
Gurbani is a disinfectant. The longer we go without Gurbani , the more we become infected with maya.
ਭਰੀਐ ਮਤਿ ਪਾਪਾ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ॥ But when the intellect is stained and polluted by sin,
ਓਹੁ ਧੋਪੈ ਨਾਵੈ ਕੈ ਰੰਗਿ ॥ it can only be cleansed by the Love of the Name.
Amritvela nitnem destroys all sins the person may have committed.
