Sunnu hymn from the content and after comparing it with the language and content of Guru Nanak`s other writings it becomes clear that this is addressed to a person with a Buddhist background. Guru Nanak had come into contact with Sant and Nathas who were a religious group who shared Buddhist religious thoughts.
Guru Nanak had used this language while having a dialogue with a Lama. However this hymn does not present any views about the pre-creation state except in verse one. Guru Nanak here speaks about the absolute nature of the Creator who is infinite and unique. It is said that He is not the same as His creation nor is he alike it. This is the inkling one gets from his hymn. In the tenth verse Guru Nanak makes it clear that the Absolute Lord caused it. Guru Nanak`s thoughts make it clear how his concept of creation is opposed to the theistic view.
The created beings` list given in the Sunnu hymn is similar to the Dhundukara hymn. Again the phrase Sunnu itself is very striking. Various translations give various meanings. However Talib`s translation considers it as `void`. The concept of sunyavadu or voidness of appearance has a Buddhist background. Mahayana sect of Buddhism believed in it. This concept does not accept theories of causality. Cause and effect are considered as identical. According to the Buddhist theory causal changes is a transformation of a single underlying substance. Practical phenomena are frail and relative yet the inner nature of it constitutes Voidness.
Sunnu here means the eternal Lord Himself who always subsisted. The world is seen from the view of digressive reason and perception is not real. Instead one must substitute an apprehension of the negated. Void refers to the absolute. Guru Nanak has made it very clear in first, tenth and fifteenth verses how unique and separate the Creator is as he Himself is the cause of all that we see in this world.
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