Death of Haumai Brings Sukha

The Gurbani enshrined within the the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) teaches us that killing of the Haumai-mind (ego-mind, ਆਪਾ-ਭਾਵ…) brings Sukha (Peace, Joy, Happiness, Anand, Bliss, Sahaj, Beauty…). Baabaa Kabeer says:

• ਕਬੀਰ ਜਾ ਦਿਨ ਹਉ ਮੂਆ ਪਾਛੈ ਭਇਆ ਅਨੰਦੁ ॥ ਮੋਹਿ ਮਿਲਿਓ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਪਨਾ ਸੰਗੀ ਭਜਹਿ ਗੋੁਬਿੰਦੁ ॥੬॥: Kabeer, when my false ego-sense (Haumai) completely vanished, since the Bliss prevails within my mind. Then I realized my God and now my companions (all senses-ਇੰਦ੍ਰਿਆਂ) are united with Gobind (i.e. Omnipresent God). ||6|| (sggs 1364).
• ਕਬੀਰ ਸਭ ਤੇ ਹਮ ਬੁਰੇ ਹਮ ਤਜਿ ਭਲੋ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਐਸਾ ਕਰਿ ਬੂਝਿਆ ਮੀਤੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ਸੋਇ ॥੭॥: O Kabeer! I-ness (Haumai, false ego-sense, Durmat or wicked intellect, bad thinking or ideology…) is the worst of all (thoughts). All thoughts except I-ness (or false ego sense) are good. Whosoever understands this is a friend of mine ||7|| (sggs 1364).
• ਕਬੀਰ ਆਈ ਮੁਝਹਿ ਪਹਿ ਅਨਿਕ ਕਰੇ ਕਰਿ ਭੇਸ ॥ ਹਮ ਰਾਖੇ ਗੁਰ ਆਪਨੇ ਉਨਿ ਕੀਨੋ ਆਦੇਸੁ ॥੮॥: O Kabeer! False ego-sense (Haumai or false ego-sense, Durmat or wicked intellect, bad thinking or ideology…) came to me in various forms (to delude me – ਕੁਰਾਹੇ ਪਾਣ…). But my Gur (-Giaan, Wisdom, Bibek) saved me, and now it bows to me (became humble). ||8|| (sggs 1364).
• ਕਬੀਰ ਸੋਈ ਮਾਰੀਐ ਜਿਹ ਮੂਐ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਭਲੋ ਭਲੋ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਕਹੈ ਬੁਰੋ ਨ ਮਾਨੈ ਕੋਇ ॥੯॥: O Kabeer! Kill that (i.e., ego-mind, Haumai-mind, duality, Durmat or wicked intellect…), which, when killed, brings Sukha (Peace, Joy, Happiness…). (If you do that) Everyone will call you good (noble, virtuous…), and no one will deem you bad (wicked…). ||9|| (sggs 1364).

Kill the mind? A scary thought and a doubt is likely to arise in the mind as we read this. Naturally, upon reading this, one may ask: “If the mind is killed, then, would I be a living or a dead person? Even if alive, with dead mind or “no-mind”, how will I experience the external world of things and beings? How will I gain knowledge of worldly objects? How will I remember my experiences? How will I transact and live in this world of names and shapes?” One may become overwhelmed with such and many other fearful notions, thoughts, questions, and doubts. The Gurbani assures us that there is no need to become fearful!

In reality, nobody can totally remove his/her egotism (Haumai) or the mind. It defines our relationship with ourselves and our world, essentially providing meaning to the self to insure survival, success, protection, procreation, new discoveries etc. In fact the Gurbani (SGGS) does not and cannot ask us to totally remove Haumai. Why? Because the decree of the Gurbani is that the Creator has created this world from five basic elements (ਪੰਜ-ਤੱਤੀ). including Haumai (egotism).

• ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਤੂੰ ਏਕੁ ਹੈ ਤੁਧੁ ਦੂਜਾ ਖੇਲੁ ਰਚਾਇਆ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਗਰਬੁ ਉਪਾਇ ਕੈ ਲੋਭੁ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਜੰਤਾ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ : (O Creator) forever and ever, You are the only One; You set the play of duality in motion. You created egotism (Haumai) and pride, and You placed greed within Your beings. (sggs 139).
• ਇਹੁ ਜਗੁ ਆਪਿ ਉਪਾਇਓਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਚੋਜ ਵਿਡਾਨੁ ॥ ਪੰਚ ਧਾਤੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਪਾਈਅਨੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਝੂਠੁ ਗੁਮਾਨੁ ॥ : The Creator created this world by staging astonishing wonders. He infused it with five elements, which are the basis for worldly attachment, falsehood, and pride. (sggs 786).
• ਹਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਪੰਚ ਤਤੁ ਬਿਸਥਾਰਾ ਵਿਚਿ ਧਾਤੂ ਪੰਚ ਆਪਿ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ : The Creator created the expanse from the basic five elements (air, fire, water, earth, and ether) and infuses the five senses into it. (sggs 720).

Whatever the Creator has created is for the benefit of the entire humanity. However, how we use or abuse all this is up to each one of us.

• ਬਹੁ ਸਾਦਹੁ ਦੂਖੁ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਵੈ ॥ ਭੋਗਹੁ ਰੋਗ ਸੁ ਅੰਤਿ ਵਿਗੋਵੈ ॥ : Indulgence in too many worldly pleasures bring sorrow. The worldly pleasures lead to disease, and one ultimately gets ruined. (sggs 1034).
• ਹਉਮੈ ਦੀਰਘ ਰੋਗੁ ਹੈ ਦਾਰੂ ਭੀ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰੇ ਜੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਤਾ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਕਹੈ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਜਨਹੁ ਇਤੁ ਸੰਜਮਿ ਦੁਖ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੨॥ : Haumai (false ego-sense) is a chronic disease, but its remedy is also within it. (This disease of egotism will get cured only) if one favors oneself – if one acts according to the enlightening Wisdom of the Guru’s Shabad. Nanak says, Listen O people: in this way, suffering due to the disease of Haumai departs.” ||2|| (sggs 466).

Having said tat, then, what does Gurbani mean when it repeatedly counsels us ‘ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰਿ’ (kill, eradicate, subdue … Haumai?

In a nutshell, what we are asked by the Gurbani is to annihilate the negative aspect or negative impact of the BLOATED egotism (Haumai– ਹਉਮੈ), which kills our True Nature. It feels real because we attach our false ego-sense to some perceived parameters in some form, such as power, status, beauty, youth, strength, wealth, education, knowledge, possessions, Jaat Paat (casteism) etc. Prior to the movement of the false ego-sense (Haumai), the Gurbani tells us our mind’s ORIGINAL NATURE is Jot Saroop.

This is the truth that we will not hear from the illiterate, self-serving Pujaaree groups: Nobody can kill the mind, Haumai (egotism) or Bikaar from within!

The Gurbani also tells us that the five Bikaar (lust, anger, greed, etc.), as well as Divine Virtues reside within the body of everyone. Neither Bikaar nor the Divine Virtues can be yanked out of the body.

Instead, what’s in our power is to free the mind from the bad influence of Bikaar (ਬੁਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵ).

• ਇਸੁ ਦੇਹੀ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਪੰਚ ਚੋਰ ਵਸਹਿ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਾ ॥ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਲੂਟਹਿ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਨਹੀ ਬੂਝਹਿ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਸੁਣੈ ਪੂਕਾਰਾ ॥: Within this body dwell the five thieves (i.e lust, anger, greed, attachment and egotistical pride. They plunder the Amrit (of Naam from within the body), but the Manmukhs (UN-enlightened, oblivious of Naam…) persons do not realize it; (but once they suffer the consequences and are plundered) there is no one to listen to their calls for help. (sggs 600).
• ਅਵਗੁਣੀ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਹੈ ਗੁਣ ਭੀ ਵਸਹਿ ਨਾਲਿ ॥: (The mortal) is overflowing with demerits, but the Divine Virtue dwells within him as well. (sggs 936).

At the same breath, the Gurbani asks us to Awaken the Divine Virtues that are lying dormant within all of us – Truth (ਸਤ), contentment (ਸੰਤੋਖ), mercy (ਦਯਾ), patience (ਧੀਰਜ), Sahaj (ਸਹਜ-Natural State of Being), Wisdom (ਗਿਆਨ)….

In nutshell, killing the mind or Haumai (false ego-sense) simply indicates killing or eradicating negative impression or impact of Bikaar.

Eradication of defects or bad influence of Haumai or false ego-sense is called “annihilation”, “killing” or “destruction” of the mind, without which it’s unlikely to reach the mind’s substratum (Adhar; pronounced Adhaar) – linking with one’s Mool within (ਮੂਲ-Source, Origin, Jot Saroop...).

As the Gurbani indicates, a filthy mind or falsehood and Truth (ਸਚ) cannot unite – become One.

• ਮਨੁ ਮੈਲਾ ਸਚੁ ਨਿਰਮਲਾ ਕਿਉ ਕਰਿ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਜਾਇ ॥: The Truth is Pure; (so long the man’s) mind is impure (with Haumai, Bikaar, etc.); he cannot realize (the Truth) (sggs 755).
• ਮਨ ਰੇ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ਛੋਡਿ ਚਉਥੈ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥: O mind! Renounce the three quality-Maya (bad impact or effect of Maya), and focus your consciousness on the Fourth State (Transcending Maya’s influence). (sggs 603).
• ਬਿਨੁ ਮਨ ਮੂਏ ਕੈਸੇ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਇ ॥: Without annihilating (conquering) the mind, how can “Hari” (Mool, Source…) be realized? (sggs 665).
• ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੀ ॥: The mind becomes pure when ego is killed (sggs 1049).

False ego-sense (Haumai) kills our True Nature. The Gurbani urges us to eradicate the Durmat (ਦੁਰਮਤ-wicked intellect, Kubudh-corrupt nature…) through the Gurmat (ਗੁਰਮਤ-Wisdom of the Gurbani…). Therefore, the Gurbani’s emphasis is NOT on mere reading of the Gurbani, but on the Vichaar. For it’s the Shabad-Vichaar (Reflections on the Gurbani) that will eradicate the Kubudh (corrupt or crooked nature of the mind), Durmat (wicked intellect), Haumai (egotism), Maya or duality, doubt (Bharam), fear…

• ਕੁਬੁਧਿ ਮਿਟੈ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ॥: Corrupt intellect or destructive mindset is eliminated by Reflecting on the Gur-Shabad (Shabad-Vichaar). (sggs 944).
• ਸਬਦੇ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੀਐ ਮਾਇਆ ਕਾ ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਜਾਇ ॥: Through the Shabad, egotism is killed and the illusion of Maya dispelled. (sggs 67).

Thus, according to the Gurbani, Sukha is in replacing the self-will (Manmukh, ਅਪਣੀ ਮਰਜੀ, ਮਨਮਤ…) with the Divine Will (ਹੁਕਮ-Hukam, Law of Nature…).

• ਮਨ ਰੇ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਮੰਨਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥: O mind! Sukh is realized by living the Hukam. (sggs 1258).

In nutshell, the mind has to become free of the Maya’s taint, rituals (Karamkaand), doubts…

• ਕਬੀਰ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਭਇਆ ਜੈਸਾ ਗੰਗਾ ਨੀਰੁ ॥ ਪਾਛੈ ਲਾਗੋ ਹਰਿ ਫਿਰੈ ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਕਬੀਰ ॥੫੫॥ O Kabeer! (Through Bhagti) upon mind becoming Pure as the “Gangaa Neer” ( i.e., the mind Free of Maya); the Divine follows after me, calling, “Kabeer! Kabeer!” ||55|| (sggs 1367).

In other words, the flow of our Mayaic intellect must be reversed to make it merge with the flow of the Gurmat (The Gurbani’s Aatam Giaan, Spiritual Wisdom, Bibek-Budhi…) within. To put it otherwise, the Gurbani urges us to merge the self-will into the Divine Will (Hukam, Law of Nature…). Because, the self-will is opposite of the Gurmat (Wisdom, Giaan, Upadesh or Way of the SGGS…).

• ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਚਲੁ ॥: Man mere stigur kai bhaanai chalu (sggs 37).

Why merge the self-will into the Divine Will? Because, the self-will, which is opposite of the Gurmat, becomes the source of repeated Dukha (sorrows, sufferings…).

• ਸੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਸਖਾ ਬੰਧਪੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਵੈ ॥: O Mind! He alone is a Sikh, a friend, and a relative, who walks in the Way of the Guru’s Bhaanaa (Gurmat, Shabad, Upadesh, Giaan-Wisdom…). (sggs 601).

Therefore, the greatest Sidhi (ਸਿਧਿ-realization, fulfillment, accomplishment…) in this world is indicated to be annihilation of the mind ridden by Haumai, doubt, Maya…

Accordingly, the Gurbani repeatedly asks us to become Ik Mann Ik Chitt – the Gurmukh.

• ਮਮਾ ਮਨ ਸਿਉ ਕਾਜੁ ਹੈ ਮਨ ਸਾਧੇ ਸਿਧਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਮਨ ਸਿਉ ਕਹੈ ਕਬੀਰਾ ਮਨ ਸਾ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੩੨॥: MAMMA: (The mortal’s real purpose or business of life) is with his own mind; (and that purpose or business) is to discipline or control his mind; by doing so, Spiritual Understanding (Soojh or Samajh of the Formless or Niraakaar…) is obtained (and thus life’s real purpose is realized). Kabeer says (that the real work of a person) is with the mind alone. (For he) has not met anything like the mind! ||32|| (sggs 342).

Some related Posts:

• Pujaaree’s Sikhi vs. Guru Nanak’s Unique Sikhi
• Rituals Bind Us in Egotism
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• Man Minus False Ego Becomes Godlike
• False Ego-Sense Kills Mind’s Original Nature
• Weighing the Egotism
• Haumai Maya
• Allow Gurbani to go through Conscience-ਸੁਰਤ
• Understanding Guru Nanak
• Gurbani is not Meant to Regurgitate Pre-1469 Beliefs
• Ailments of the mind and Gurmat
• Eyes Perceiving God’s Direct Darshan are Different
• True Guru in Sikhi!
• Sikhi: a Way of Life
• Gurmat and Social Change
• Realize Enlightening Message Embedded within Shabad
• Crowds follow the path of Falsehood, Pakhand…
• Sheepish Mentality – People See, People do
• Gurmat and Shabad Vichaar
• Core of Gurmat Spirituality – Becoming Sachiaar – ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ
• Gurbani Defines Naam