No Work of the Creator is Without Merit

From sea to land, from earth to sky, from the vastness of the cosmos to the intricacies of a single flower, from plants to animals and humans, whatever the Universal Creator (Akal) has created is perfect in every detail, orderly, purposeful and for the benefit of the entire humanity and the environment

That said, the Gurbani enshrined within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) teaches us that NO work of the Universal Creator is worthy of scorn/reproach/condemnation or slandering, because NO creation of the Creator is without value or merit!

ਨਿੰਦਉ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਾਹੂ ਬਾਤੈ ਏਹੁ ਖਸਮ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ॥ : I do not slander/condemn for any reason, because this is created by God. (sggs 611).

But how we humans use it, steward it, and receive it rather than exploit it is up to each one of us. The truth is however – burden by our love for Maya – we even abuse the environment, Divine Virtues (Gun-ਗੁਣ), Giyan-Wisdom and Hukam (Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature with which the Kudrat functions – ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ)!

Nonetheless, we are counseled by the Gurbani to gain insights into the Universal Creator and our place within the Creation. For example, consider the following verses of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS):

ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਕੈ ਵਸਿਆ ਸੋਇ ॥ : The Creator resides within the Creation that He Created. (sggs 83).
ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੈ ਜੇ ਬੁਝੈ ਤ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਹੈ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੨॥ : Everything is within Hukam, none is exempt from Hukam. Nanak, if one Realizes he/she is to obey Hukam, then one does not talk in ego – one does not boast of being outside/beyond/exempt of Hukam, or does not talk arrogantly and do things in own will or Manmukhta). ॥2॥ (sggs 1).
ਤੁਧੁ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਖੇਲੁ ਰਚਾਇਆ ਵਿਚਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਪਾਈਆ ॥ ਏਕੁ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਪੰਚ ਚੋਰ ਹਹਿ ਨਿਤ ਕਰਹਿ ਬੁਰਿਆਈਆ ॥ : This world is a game created by Hukam (i.e. System-Rule-Law of Nature) in which human beings are afflicted with ego (Haumai). In this one body-temple there are five thieves (i.e. vices/Bikaar: lust-desires, anger, greed, attachment, pride) who are always doing evil (these five thieves have taken over the mind-elephant). (sggs 1096).
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).
ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਪੰਚ ਕੋ ਝਗਰਾ ਝਗਰਤ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥ ਝੂਠੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਬਾਧਿਆ ਮੈ ਰਾਮ ਰਮਤ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੩॥੩॥੨੫॥ : Kabeer, the denial of the creator is on account of my vices/Bikaar (i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride); my human birth (i.e. spirituality) is being lost in such defiance. ‘Mithiya‘ (ਮਿਥਿਆ) Maya has bound the whole world, but I have obtained Peace (ਆਤਮਕ ਆਨੰਦ by contemplating the divine Naam. ||3||3||25|| (sggs 482).
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).

The above verses of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) affirm that:

The Eternal Creator created the entire creation from the five basic elements (ਪੰਜ-ਤੱਤੀ),
The Creator has infused egotism (Haumai) within beings, including its faults (i.e. vices/Bikaar – lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride) and their numerous variations.
Also, the Universal Creator who created the Creation resides in it. As such, everything is within the Divine Hukam, none is exempt from Hukam.

That said, since faults of egotism (Haumai) including all vices/Bikaar, any deed done under the influence of uncontrolled Haumai (egotism) only further inflates them!

ਹਉ ਹਉ ਕਰਤ ਬਧੇ ਬਿਕਾਰ ॥ : Acting in egotism increases vice/Bikaar (i.e more ego, the more vice/Bikaar). (sggs 1192).
ਹੋਮ ਜਗ ਤੀਰਥ ਕੀਏ ਬਿਚਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਬਧੇ ਬਿਕਾਰ ॥ : rituals such as fire worship, sacrificial feasts, and pilgrimage performed in false ego-sense increases vice/Bikaar (i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride). (sggs 214).
ਹਉਮੈ ਜਗਤੁ ਭੁਲਾਇਆ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਬਿਕਾਰ ॥ : Haumai (egotism) causes humans to forget (i.e. Divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam), they are led by evil intellect and indulge in poisonous vice/Bikaar. (sggs 312).

Dominance or slavery of Haumai/Maya/vices/Bikaar is the fire that burns and consumes the spiritual life of a man. But if they are controlled by man, and if the same thirst and longing for the Divine Naam (abidance in Divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam) or God Realization is aroused, then the spiritual state of a person becomes elevated and the mind becomes ‘Sahaj‘ (stable, equanimity, Natural State of Being, State of Giyan-Wisdom).

Therefore, work of the Creator is the great Virtue (‘Gun-ਗੁਣ’). As such, the Gurbani teaches to walk on the Divine Path. What’s needed is to become a Gurmukh (i.e. enlightened/Guru/Shabad/Oriented) and follow the Giyan-Wisdom of the Guru Shabad.

ਅਵਗੁਣੀ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਹੈ ਗੁਣ ਭੀ ਵਸਹਿ ਨਾਲਿ ॥ : (The mortal) is overflowing with demerits, but Virtues dwell within him as well. (sggs 936).
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).
ਮਾਇਆ ਅਗਨਿ ਜਲੈ ਸੰਸਾਰੇ ॥ : The world is burning in the fire of Maya (hunger or love of Maya…). (sggs 1049).
ਕਬੀਰ ਮਨੁ ਸੀਤਲੁ ਭਇਆ ਪਾਇਆ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਜੁਆਲਾ ਜਗੁ ਜਾਰਿਆ ਸੁ ਜਨ ਕੇ ਉਦਕ ਸਮਾਨਿ ॥੧੭੫॥ : Kabir, when a person obtains Divine Giyan-Wisdom, his mind remains cool and calm (stable, balanced – free of the fire or domination of egotism/vices/Bikaar/Maya). The fire which has spiritually burnt down the entire world, is cold like water for that person. ||175||. (sggs 1373).

Haumai (ego) defines our relationship with ourselves and our world, essentially providing meaning to the self to insure survival, success, protection, procreation, new scientific discoveries, medical discoveries, and so on. Therefore, the Gurbani (SGGS) does not talk about ending or erasing what God has done or created. For, in reality, nobody can totally remove his/her egotism (Haumai) and its faults.

ਨਿਮਖ ਨਿਮਖ ਕਰਿ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਕਟਾਵੈ ॥ ਤਉ ਭੀ ਹਉਮੈ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਜਾਵੈ ॥ : (If any) gets his/her body cut piece by piece, even then,the filth of ego will not depart. (sggs 265).

With that in mind, 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 Himself from five basic elements (ਪੰਜ-ਤੱਤੀ). including Haumai (egotism).

Then, what does Gurbani mean when it repeatedly counsels us to kill or eradicate Haumai (‘ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰਿ) and vices/Bikaar?

What does Gurbani means to kill Haumai or egotism?

Haumai (egotism), vices/Bikaar or our senses in themselves are not bad. We all have them!

What’s BAD or NEGATIVE about them is when they become DOMINANT (ਹਾਵੀ) — when they captivate and enslave one’s mind and become its hobbies or nature. In other words, they become bad when they control one’s life and one becomes slave of them. Then they cause serious damage to one’s spiritual life, health, relationships, society, and so on! That said, what we are asked by the Gurbani is to eradicate the their dominance/slavery/control over our mind.

Inflated Haumai 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 teaches us that our mind’s ORIGINAL NATURE is Jot Saroop.

ਕਬੀਰ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਸੰਕੁੜਾ ਰਾਈ ਦਸਵੈ ਭਾਇ ॥ ਮਨੁ ਤਉ ਮੈਗਲੁ ਹੋਇ ਰਹਾ ਨਿਕਸਿਆ ਕਿਉ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਇ ॥ : O Kabeer! The gate of liberation is narrow, less than one-tenth of a mustard seed. (But bloated with egotism) the mind has become as big as an elephant; how can it pass through this gate? (sggs 509).

Annihilation of the dominance/control/enslavement of Haumai and its faults can only be accomplished by the Giyan-Wisdom of our Original Nature (Jot Saroop). However, due to disconnect or ignorance of this Jot Saroop from its Source, we identify ourselves with the body-mind-intellect apparatus.

ਕਰਹਿ ਬਿਕਾਰ ਵਿਥਾਰ ਘਨੇਰੇ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਸਬਦ ਬਿਨੁ ਭਰਮਿ ਪਇਆ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਰੋਗੁ ਮਹਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਲਾਗਾ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਲੇਵਹੁ ਰੋਗੁ ਗਇਆ ॥੬॥ : (O crazy man) you act in corruption (Bikaar: i.e. lust, anger, greed, etc.), and put on ostentatious shows, but without awareness of the Shabad, you have fallen into doubt or confusion. You are afflicted with greatest pain from the disease of egotism. Following the Gurmat, you can be rid of this disease. ||6|| (sggs 906).

Hence, we Sikhs (lifelong learners, seekers-ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀ) are counseled by the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) to control/overpower them.

ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਸਦ ਮੀਠੀ ਲਾਗੀ ਪਾਪ ਵਿਕਾਰ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਰੋਗੁ ਗਇਆ ਭਉ ਭਾਗਾ ਸਹਜੇ ਸਹਜਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ॥ : The Guru’s teachings are forever delightful and they annihilate all Paap and Bikaar. My False ego-sense (Haumai) and fear has fled, and now I forever remain in Sahaj (Natural state of being, state of Divine Wisdom…). (sggs 773).
ਸਾਧੋ ਮਨ ਕਾ ਮਾਨੁ ਤਿਆਗਉ ॥ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਦੁਰਜਨ ਕੀ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਭਾਗਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: O ‘Saadho‘ (i.e. those who call themselves Saadh / seekers but in reality are fraud)! Shed the egotistical pride of your mind. Abstain from lust and anger (i.e. all Bikaar) which is like being in the company of evil persons. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 219).
ਕਾਮ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਲੋਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਤਜੋ ॥ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਦੁਹੁ ਤੇ ਰਹਿਓ ॥ : Abandon from your mind lust, anger, greed and emotional attachment, and thus escape the repeated suffering from both birth and death of the mind. (sggs 241).

Guru Nanak, the progenitor Sikh Guru, explaining the characteristics of a recluse to Yogi Machhinder, says:

ਸੁਣਿ ਮਾਛਿੰਦ੍ਰਾ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਬੋਲੈ ॥ ਵਸਗਤਿ ਪੰਚ ਕਰੇ ਨਹ ਡੋਲੈ ॥ ਐਸੀ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਜੋਗ ਕਉ ਪਾਲੇ ॥ : Nanak says, Listen O Yogi Machhinder. (A true yogi is) the one who CONTROLS his five basic Bikaar (i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride), and never wavers. This is the way to practice Yoga. (sggs 877).

Gurbani does NOT teach erasing, condemning or slandering what God has created

Aptly, the Gurbani (SGGS) does not talk about ending/erasing/condemning/slandering what the Creator has done/created (‘ਨਿੰਦਉ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਾਹੂ ਬਾਤੈ ਏਹੁ ਖਸਮ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ’).

ਹਉਮੈ ਕਿਥਹੁ ਊਪਜੈ ਕਿਤੁ ਸੰਜਮਿ ਇਹ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਏਹੋ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਪਇਐ ਕਿਰਤਿ ਫਿਰਾਹਿ ॥ : Where does Haumai come from and how can it be controlled? Haumai is that Hukam (Cosmic Law, System-Rule-Law of Nature) that controls evolution of life. (sggs 466).
ਹਉਮੈ ਸਭੁ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਹੈ ਹਉਮੈ ਓਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥: Haumai helps the evolution of life as Haumai is innate to all beings. (sggs 560).

It becomes clear from the Divine Counsel of the Gurbani (SGGS) that Haumai/vices/Bikaar can be brought under CONTROL by the power of Naam (i.e. abidance in Divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam).

ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਲਾਗਾ ਹੈ ਰਾਮ ਪਿਆਰੇ ॥ ਦੀਨ ਦਇਆਲਿ ਕਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਵਸਿ ਕੀਨੇ ਪੰਚ ਦੂਤਾਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : My mind is attuned to my beloved God (obey Hukam). (Because my mind is attuned to the God/Hukam), the merciful God has placed the five demons (i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride) under my CONTROL. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 670).
ਪੰਚ ਜਨਾ ਗੁਰਿ ਵਸਗਤਿ ਆਣੇ ਤਉ ਉਨਮਨਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਲਗਾਨੀ ॥ : When the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom enabled me to control the five demons (i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride), then my spiritually exalted mind remain imbued in Naam (abidance in Divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam). (sggs 1200).
ਹਉਮੈ ਜਾਈ ਤਾ ਕੰਤ ਸਮਾਈ ॥ : When false ego-sense goes away, then one realizes the Creator. (sggs 750).
ਅੰਤਰਿ ਅਲਖੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਲਖਿਆ ਵਿਚਿ ਪੜਦਾ ਹਉਮੈ ਪਾਈ ॥ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹਿ ਸਭੋ ਜਗੁ ਸੋਇਆ ਇਹੁ ਭਰਮੁ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਿਉ ਜਾਈ ॥੧॥: Within (the Jeeva – an individual being) dwells the Invisible God, but (the Jeeva) cannot comprehend this because (within the Jeeva) lies the veil of false ego-sense (Haumai). In attachment to Maya, all the world is asleep. Tell me, how can this doubt (of the Jeeva) be dispelled? ||1|| (sggs 205).

In a nutshell, the Gurbani (SGGS) NEVER talks about their total death, because that’s just not possible or practical. Instead, the Gurbani being a universal guide of practical spirituality, teaches removing their dominance or control over our mind and thus not become a slave of them.

ਪੰਚ ਦੂਤ ਤੁਧੁ ਵਸਿ ਕੀਤੇ ਕਾਲੁ ਕੰਟਕੁ ਮਾਰਿਆ ॥ : (O my mind, with the counsel of the Guru Shabad) overpower – CONTROL – the ‘FIVE’ (Kaam, Krodh, Lobh , Moh, Ahankaar) Doot (of Jum) then you will avoid spiritual death. (sggs 917).
ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੁ ਨਿਵਾਰੈ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁ ਸਮਝ ਪਰੀ ॥ : Understanding of the Shabad Enlightens one to control/overcome lust, anger and vanity. (sggs 939).
ਜਾਗਤੁ ਰਹੈ ਨ ਅਲੀਆ ਭਾਖੈ ॥ ਪਾਚਉ ਇੰਦ੍ਰੀ ਬਸਿ ਕਰਿ ਰਾਖੈ ॥ : (The Gurmukh: enlightened/Guru-Shabad-Oriented) always remains spiritually Awake and never utter lies or useless utterances. He keeps the five sensory organs under his control. (sggs 974).

Removing dominance of Haumai, vices/Bikaar…

Although uncontrolled Haumai (egotism) along with all its faults is a chronic mental disease, it is curable. The Gurbani asserts its medicine (‘ਦਾਰੂ’, cure) is also within — if one practices ‘Gur Kaa Shabad‘ in daily life and lives daily life in accordance with the Giyan-Wisdom of the Guru’s Shabad!

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).

However, removing the dominance/control/slavery of Haumai and vices/Bikaar, our senses will require sincere efforts — the Guru’s enlightening Giyan-Wisdom (Soap-ਸਾਬਨ) will have to be rubbed on the mind then its ‘filth- Mail-ਮੈਲ’) will come off. As the thread follows the needle, similarly our Conscious (Surat-ਸੁਰਤ) needs to follow the Message embedded within the Guru’s Shabd.

ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਦੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਤਿਨਾ ਪੰਚੇ ਵਸਗਤਿ ਆਏ ਰਾਮ ॥ : O my mind, those who meditate on God’s Naam (abidance in Divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam) are able to CONTROL their five vices/Bikaar (i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride). (sggs 539).
ਭਰੀਐ ਹਥੁ ਪੈਰੁ ਤਨੁ ਦੇਹ ॥ ਪਾਣੀ ਧੋਤੈ ਉਤਰਸੁ ਖੇਹ ॥ ਮੂਤ ਪਲੀਤੀ ਕਪੜੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਦੇ ਸਾਬੂਣੁ ਲਈਐ ਓਹੁ ਧੋਇ ॥ ਭਰੀਐ ਮਤਿ ਪਾਪਾ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਧੋਪੈ ਨਾਵੈ ਕੈ ਰੰਗਿ ॥: Water cleanses my stained physical self (external body). Soap cleanses my stained garments. (Beyond the stained physical self or the garments) my intellect is stained by vices. The cleansing of which (i.e. intellect) is by imbuing in Naam (Wisdom / Virtues). (sggs 4).
ਪੋਹਤ ਨਾਹੀ ਪੰਚ ਬਟਵਾਰੇ ॥੫॥ : The five plunderers – i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment and egotistical pride – cannot touch that person who has realized the Creator. ||5|(sggs 560).
ਸਬਦੇ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੀਐ ਮਾਇਆ ਕਾ ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਜਾਇ ॥: Through the Shabad, egotism (੍Haumai) is killed and the illusion of Maya dispelled. (sggs 67).
ਦਸ ਨਾਰੀ ਮੈ ਕਰੀ ਦੁਹਾਗਨਿ ॥ ਗੁਰਿ ਕਹਿਆ ਏਹ ਰਸਹਿ ਬਿਖਾਗਨਿ ॥ ਇਨ ਸਨਬੰਧੀ ਰਸਾਤਲਿ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਹਮ ਗੁਰਿ ਰਾਖੇ ਹਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥੫॥: I have made widows of the ten sensory organs (I don’t engage in sense-gratification anymore). The Guru has told (i.e., the Gurbani’s Giyan has revealed to me) that pleasures (sense-gratifications) are the poison-fire (that brings death to the spiritual life: ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ). Those who associate with them fall into lower region (of consciousness, degradation or downfall of Spiritual Life – spiritual death, ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ, ਅਧੋਗਤਿ…). By attuning me to the Lord, the Guru (i.e, the Gur-Giyan) has saved me (from the sense pleasures) ||5|| (sggs 1347).

The bottom line is this: The ‘filth-Mail-ਮੈਲ’ will not leave anybody’s Conscience by itself. Also it can not be removed by:

Religious Pakhand (hypocrisy) – hypocritical displays.
Chanting ‘Waheguru Waguru’, ‘Raam Raam‘, and so on.
Counting beads (ਮਾਲਾ ਫੇਰਨੀ).
Mere seeing and bowing down in front of the SGGS.
Following the debased Pujaaree (clergy: Granthis, Parcharaks, Ragis, Dhadees etc.) and the freeloading Deraa-Vaad Baabaas (ਵੇਹਲੜ, ਪਖੰਡੀ–Pakhnadee) etc.
performing empty and imaginary religious rituals (Karamkaand).
Wearing religious garbs (Bhekh-ਭੇਖ) and displaying religious paraphernalia.
Ritualistic bathing in the so called holy Srovers, ponds, rivers etc.
Following mythology, and so on.

Ending

Gurmat spirituality/Sikhi is of the SELF, for the SELF, and by the SELF.

Therefore, the counsel of the Gurbani (SGGS) is that no other human (i.e. so called sadh, babas, Pujaaree etc.) has the power/capacity/potency to burn your Haumai and vices/Bikaar. One must help oneself. Nonetheless, the Gurbani’s teaching is that sincere self-efforts are essential to accomplish Life’s Task!

ਆਪਣ ਹਥੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਕਾਜੁ ਸਵਾਰੀਐ ॥੨੦॥ : (So long there is breath — Praan) accomplish the task (of God Realization) yourself ( i.e. with self-efforts, hard work: Shabad-Vichaar …). ||20|| (sggs 474).
ਆਪਣਾ ਕਾਰਜੁ ਆਪਿ ਸਵਾਰੇ ਹੋਰਨਿ ਕਾਰਜੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥ : (One) resolves his own affair himself (i.e. the ultimate Purpose of life of God Realization); anyone else cannot do this work (for him). (sggs 351).
ਮਾਨੁਖ ਕੀ ਟੇਕ ਬ੍ਰਿਥੀ ਸਭ ਜਾਨੁ ॥ ਦੇਵਨ ਕਉ ਏਕੈ ਭਗਵਾਨੁ ॥ : (O human) realize that dependence on other people (to give you Wisdom/Virtues as a readymade package, or to get rid of your own vices/Bikaar etc.) is in vain. Because the ONE Creator (Within) alone is potent to give. (sggs 281).
ਇਸੁ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਮਹਿ ਕੋਈ ਜਾਗਤੁ ਰਹੈ ॥ ਸਾਬਤੁ ਵਸਤੁ ਓਹੁ ਅਪਨੀ ਲਹੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : A rare person remains Awake (Aware, Alert, Conscious) in his/her own house (i.e. mind –Nij Ghar) of the onslaught of Maya (vices/Bikaar, worldly attractions and their corrupting influences – Bhav Saagar). That person keeps his/her spiritual life Intact, (Whole, Undivided, Complete – Saabat…). ||1||Pause|| (sggs 182).

To escape the dominance or slavery of egotism, vices/Bikaar or Maya, the Gurbani’s Message is to become the Gurmukh (i.e. enlightened/Guru-Shabad-Oriented).

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਲਇਆ ਸਵਾਰਿ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਤਜੈ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥੩॥: As a Gurmukh (i.e. enlightened/Guru-Shabad-Oriented), one embellishes his mind; and removes Haumai (false ego-sense) from within, including vices/Bikaar. (sggs 665).
ਹਉਮੈ ਰੋਗ ਮਿਟੇ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਜਮ ਤੇ ਭਏ ਬਿਬਾਕਾ ॥੩॥ : (Imbued in God’s Naam) I am cured of the ailment of egotism (Haumai), including the fear of “Jum” (i.e. vices/Bikaar).. ||3||(sggs 671).
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਚੂਕੈ ਪੀਰ ॥ : The pain of Haumai is dodged/missed by becoming the Gurmukh (i.e. enlightened/Guru-Shabad-Oriented). (sggs 125).

Some related posts:

What does Gurbani means to kill Haumai or egotism?

Gurbani does NOT teach erasing, condemning or slandering what God has created

Removing dominance of Haumai, vices/Bikaar…

Ending

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