Gurbani on Mental Traps

Superstition or doubt (ਵਹਿਮ-ਭਰਮ) is a major obstacle to the development of an individual or society. Unless one’s daily life is guided by Bibek_budhi (discerning intellect), the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) teaches us that we humans are easy prey — easy to get mentally trapped in so many ways. As a result, we end up harming ourselves and the society at large!

• ਵਰਤ ਨੇਮੁ ਸੁਚ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਪੂਜਾ ਪਾਖੰਡਿ ਭਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥: (Mind’s) doubt does not depart with pomp or ostentation (Pakhand) such as ritualistic fasts, vows, (outer) purity, restraint and Poojaa ceremonies. (sggs 1423).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਅਉਗੁਣ ਜੇਤੜੇ ਤੇਤੇ ਗਲੀ ਜੰਜੀਰ ॥ ਜੇ ਗੁਣ ਹੋਨਿ ਤ ਕਟੀਅਨਿ ਸੇ ਭਾਈ ਸੇ ਵੀਰ ॥: O Nanak! As many as are the demerits (vices, Bikaar…), so many are the chains (bonds, Bandhan…) around (one’s) neck. If (one) possesses the Divine Virtues, then the chains are cut away; (hence Virtues) are (one’s) true brothers and mates. (sggs 595).
• ਜਲਿ ਜਾਉ ਏਹੁ ਬਡਪਨਾ ਮਾਇਆ ਲਪਟਾਏ ॥੧॥ : This worldly glory might as well burn if it traps one in Maya. ||1|| (sggs 745).

The spiritual Wisdom of the Gurbani in the SGGS cautions us that this enchanting world is full of mental traps, hence a Sikh should always be Awake and Alert:

• ਸਰਵਰ ਪੰਖੀ ਹੇਕੜੋ ਫਾਹੀਵਾਲ ਪਚਾਸ ॥ ਇਹੁ ਤਨੁ ਲਹਰੀ ਗਡੁ ਥਿਆ ਸਚੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਆਸ ॥੧੨੫॥ : This (world) is like a pond, the bird (Jeeva / living being) in this pond is all alone; (however) the trappers (i.e. vices/Bikaar) in this pond are fifty (i.e. numerous). This body (of mine) is caught in the waves (of vices/Bikaar in this world-pond). O Creator! (To avoid these vices/Bikaar) my only hope is You (i.e. Naam: divine Wisdom / Virtues). ||125|| (sggs 1384).
• ਕਬੀਰ ਜਗੁ ਕਾਜਲ ਕੀ ਕੋਠਰੀ ਅੰਧ ਪਰੇ ਤਿਸ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਹਉ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਤਿਨ ਕਉ ਪੈਸਿ ਜੁ ਨੀਕਸਿ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੨੬॥ : Kabeer, this world is like a room full of black soot of worldly attachment, and spiritually ignorant human beings fall into it. I am dedicated to those, who even after falling in it, come out of it. ||26|| (sggs 1365).

The Gurmat Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) — eternal prescription for mental ailments — is capable of taking a seeker or a learner (i.e. Sikhs-ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀ) to Realize One Omnipresent Creator within. Lack or absence of the Wisdom / Virtues, however, gives rise to doubt (‘Bharam’-ਭਰਮ), attachment to Maya, duality, Bikaar (i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride etc.), Haumai or false ego-sense, fears, selfishness, foolishness, religious paraphernalia (Bhekh), stubborn mindedness, religious robes, Parpanch or Pakhand, worthless rituals etc.

There are traps to catch animals, birds, etc. — for example, to make humans Aware and Alert, the SGGS talks about traps for catching elephants, monkeys, deer, fish, parrots and so on.

• ਕੁਦਮ ਕਰੇ ਪਸੁ ਪੰਖੀਆ ਦਿਸੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਾਲੁ ॥ ਓਤੈ ਸਾਥਿ ਮਨੁਖੁ ਹੈ ਫਾਥਾ ਮਾਇਆ ਜਾਲਿ ॥: The animal and the bird frolic; they do not see death. (But) the mankind too is entangled in the same trap (like an animal or a bird, the man also does not remember death and) is trapped in the trap of Maya. (sggs 43).
• ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਾਹੀ ਫਾਸੈ ਕਊਆ ॥ ਫਿਰਿ ਪਛੁਤਾਨਾ ਅਬ ਕਿਆ ਹੂਆ ॥: Again and again, the crow (of the Mayaic mind or Jeeva…) falls into the net (ਫੰਧਾ, ਬੰਧਨ, ਫਾਸੀ, ਫਾਹਾ, noose…). Then (after having been so trapped) he grieves, but what can he do then? (sggs 935).

Similarly, the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS warns humans that there are numerous traps for trapping human minds as well — ‘Phaasan Kee Bidhi-ਫਾਸਨ ਕੀ ਬਿਧਿ’!

In the same breath, the Gurbani tells us that hardly anyone knows how to escape from these traps of the enchanting world — how to stay Free or Liberated (‘Chhootan Kee-ਛੂਟਨ ਕੀ‘: ਛੁੱਟ ਜਾਂਣ ਜਾ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦਾ ਰਸਤਾ):

• ਫਾਸਨ ਕੀ ਬਿਧਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਊ ਜਾਨੈ ਛੂਟਨ ਕੀ ਇਕੁ ਕੋਈ ॥: (Wherever you see) everyone knows the way to be trapped, but hardly anyone knows how to be Freed. (sggs 331).

For example, the Gurbani reveals to us how the so called pilgrim locations or holy places (Teerath-ਤੀਰਥ) are being used by the self serving Pujaaree (clergy: Granthis, Parcharaks, Ragis, Dhadees etc.) and the freeloading Deraa-Vaad Baabaas (ਵੇਹਲੜ) etc. as booby traps for filling their Golak (i.e. financial gains).

Other mental traps to catch ignorant or foolish human minds include, but not limited to, religious Karamkaand (formalities, rituals), path of Pakhand, religious paraphernalia (Bhekh), Bikaar, Haumai or false ego-sense, Maya-Jaal or Bharam-Jaal (traps of illusion, delusion, deceptions …), religious robes etc.

• ਨਾਵਨ ਕਉ ਤੀਰਥ ਘਨੇ ਮਨ ਬਉਰਾ ਰੇ ਪੂਜਨ ਕਉ ਬਹੁ ਦੇਵ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਛੂਟਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਮਨ ਬਉਰਾ ਰੇ ਛੂਟਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਸੇਵ ॥੪॥੧॥੬॥੫੭॥: O crazy mind! There are so many places of pilgrimage in which to bathe, and so many gods to worship. Says Kabeer! O crazy mind, there is no liberation like this; only by serving Hari (Mool, Truth, Wisdom…) will you find liberation (from doubt, Maya…). ||4||1||6||57|| (sggs 335).
• ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਇ ਕਹਾ ਸੁਚਿ ਸੈਲੁ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਕਰਮ ਬੰਧਨ ਕਾ ਮੂਲੁ ॥ ਮਨ ਕਉ ਵਿਆਪੈ ਹਉਮੈ ਮੈਲੁ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਭਜਨ ਬਿਨੁ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਪੂਲੁ ॥੨॥: The stone (stone-minded or foolish man) cannot attain (spiritual) purity by bathing at the Teerath (so called Pilgrimage centers). Millions of such religious Karamkaand (Pilgrimages etc.) is the cause of of traps of false ego-sense (Haumai). Without Uniting with Hari within (Mool, Source, Jot Saroop), these (prescribed religious Karamkaand on the human head) are useless (sggs 1149).
• ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ਮਾਇਆ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਇਆ ਹਉਮੈ ਬੰਧਨ ਕਮਾਏ ॥: The human being remains lost in the delusion of the three qualities of Maya, and thus only accumulates the shackles of Haumai or false ego-sense. (sggs 604).

Religious Karamkaand is blinding by nature. These mental traps are further promoted by the illiterate and self serving Pujaaree (clergy: Granthis, Parcharaks, Ragis, Dhadees etc.) and the freeloading Deraa-Vaad Baabaas (ਵੇਹਲੜ) etc.

With the Wisdom of the Gurbani (SGGS) available to the, no Sikh should fall in their trap. If we don’t wish to remember the Advice of the SGGS then we are sure to get ‘exploited’, ‘plundered‘ or ‘robbed‘ by them.

• ਪੰਡਿਤੁ ਪੜੈ ਬੰਧਨ ਮੋਹ ਬਾਧਾ ਨਹ ਬੂਝੈ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਪਿਆਰਿ ॥: Trapped in bondage of attachment, the paid clergy (i.e. religious scholar, etc.) reads religious texts, but being stuck in the love of Maya he cannot understand (the right Way of life). (sggs 33).

The Gurbani Awakens our minds from the perpetual slumber of Maya and Alerts all of us — physically, intellectually and spiritually:

• ਦੁਨੀਆ ਹੁਸੀਆਰ ਬੇਦਾਰ ਜਾਗਤ ਮੁਸੀਅਤ ਹਉ ਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਨਿਗਮ ਹੁਸੀਆਰ ਪਹਰੂਆ ਦੇਖਤ ਜਮੁ ਲੇ ਜਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਨੀਬੁ ਭਇਓ ਆਂਬੁ ਆਂਬੁ ਭਇਓ ਨੀਬਾ ਕੇਲਾ ਪਾਕਾ ਝਾਰਿ ॥ ਨਾਲੀਏਰ ਫਲੁ ਸੇਬਰਿ ਪਾਕਾ ਮੂਰਖ ਮੁਗਧ ਗਵਾਰ ॥੧॥: O people of the world! Be vigilant and Alert;  O brother! you are being robbed even while you are awake. (Trapped in vices/Bikaars and rituals/Karamkaand) even in the guarding of the Vedas, you are being robbed by ‘Jum‘ — lust, anger, greed etc. ||1|| Pause || (People entangled in vices/Bikaars and Karamkaand do not distinguish between right and wrong) they perceive bitter fruit of Nimm as mango and mango as bitter fruit; and Ripe bananas appear to them as thorny bushes. Similarly, the tasteless fruit of Simmal tree seems ripe coconut fruit to these ignorant fools. (sggs 972).
• ਜਾਗੁ ਸਲੋਨੜੀਏ ਬੋਲੈ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਰਾਮ ॥: O my beautiful consciousness (mind, Surat-ਸੁਰਤ…) the Gurbani (i.e., Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS) tells you to Wake up (to Truth – ਅਸਲੀਅਤ, ਤੱਤ, ਸੱਚ). (sggs 844).

Just look around with an open mind: The places of organized and institutionalized religions are equipped with all sorts of mental traps — ‘Phaasan Kee Bidhi‘!

• ਮਾਇਆ ਜਾਲੁ ਪਸਾਰਿਆ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਚੋਗ ਬਣਾਇ ॥ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਪੰਖੀ ਫਾਸਿਆ ਨਿਕਸੁ ਨ ਪਾਏ ਮਾਇ ॥: Maya has spread out her net and in it has placed the bait (sense-gratifications, Bikaars, desires, etc.). The bird of desire (instinctive mind, ਜੀਵ-ਪੰਖੀ, etc.) is caught, and cannot find any escape, O (my) mother (sggs 50).
• ਸਿਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਣ ਪੁਕਾਰਨਿ ਪੋਥੀਆ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਸਭਿ ਕੂੜੁ ਗਾਲ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਹੋਛੀਆ ॥੧॥: (Leaving aside Naam or Wisdom) those human beings who read the religious texts (e.g. Vedas, Puranas, Simritis etc.), are the ones who talk nonsense. Without the Naam, everything is false and worthless. ||1|| (sggs 761).

Bhagat Kabeer Jee further highlights it in the SGGS. He says they to whom I go to release myself, I find them bound by all sorts of mental traps themselves (false ego-sense or Haumai, Bikaar, craftiness etc.)!

• ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਨੇ ਅੰਧਾ ॥ ਜਾ ਪਹਿ ਜਾਉ ਆਪੁ ਛੁਟਕਾਵਨਿ ਤੇ ਬਾਧੇ ਬਹੁ ਫੰਧਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Without Hari (Mool, Source), the spiritually blind ones are gone astray in doubt. And those, to whom I go to find release – they themselves are bound by all sorts of chains. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 334).

The Gurbani rejects all types of Karamkaand (rituals, formalities…). Because Karamkaand binds people in more and more false ego-sense (Haumai)!

• ਬੰਧਨ ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਹਉ ਕਰਤਾ ॥: Religious Karamkaand (rituals) are traps (because of these the mortal) becomes egoistic (that I have performed pilgrimage etc.). (sggs 1147).
• ਗਲਿ ਜੇਵੜੀ ਹਉਮੈ ਕੇ ਫਾਸਾ ॥੨॥: (A person attachment to Maya, possessions, falsehood, greed etc. finds) the rope of ego tightened around his neck. ||2|| (sggs 176).

As repeatedly pointed out in the Gurbani, there are only two different groups of people living together on earth: the ‘rare’ Gurmukh Mindsets (Enlightened) and the majority Manmukhs-Saakay-Mayadhaaree mindsets (Unenlightened).

• ਗਈ ਬਹੋੜੁ ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜੁ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ਦੁਖਦਾਰੀ ॥ ਕਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਾ ਧਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਾ ਲੋਭੀ ਮਾਇਆਧਾਰੀ ॥ : O Formless God, You (i.e. Divine Virtues) are the restorer of lost spiritual life, You are the liberator from captivity (Bandee-ਬੰਦੀ) or traps (of vices / Bikaar), and You are the supporter in our sorrows. I neither know about good deeds nor about living by Dharma (i.e. Divine Virtues); I’m greedy and I’m Mayadhaaree (chasing after Maya – worldly temptations and their corrupting influences). (sggs 624).
• ਜਗੁ ਬੰਦੀ ਮੁਕਤੇ ਹਉ ਮਾਰੀ ॥ ਜਗਿ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਆਚਾਰੀ ॥ ਜਗਿ ਪੰਡਿਤੁ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਭੇਟੇ ਸਭ ਫਿਰੈ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੀ ॥੬॥ : (By forgetting the Creator – Divine Virtues) the world is imprisoned (Bandee-ਬੰਦੀ) in Haumai / false ego-sense, freed from this prison are those (who have killed this) false ego-sense (by taking refuge in the Giaan-Wisdom of the Guru). Rare is a Wise person in the world whose daily conduct is pure (in accordance with that Wisdom). Rare is a scholar in this world who reflects (on the Guru’s teaching). Without Internalizing the Guru’s (Giaan-Wisdom), all wander in false ego-sense. ॥6॥ (sggs 413).

The Gurbani asks us to become Enlightened (Gurmukhs Mindset). Because only an Enlightened being (Gurmukh Satate of the Mind) knows how to be freed or Liberated while alive, Here and Now.

• ਫਾਥੇ ਸੇਈ ਨਿਕਲੇ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਪੈਰੀ ਪਾਹਿ ॥੩॥: (All beings are entangled in the attachment of Maya) only those escape from this trap who take or apply the Gur-Giaan or Wisdom (in daily life). ||3|| (sggs 43).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਬੰਧੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕਰਾਏ ॥੪॥੩॥: O Nanak! Manmukhs remain in bondage; (but those who) become Gurmukhs become liberated. ||4||3|| (sggs 559).

That being said, only the Enlightened (Gurmukhs mindsets) depart from this world reaping the Real Gain (ਲਾਹਾ-Spiritual Benefit or Profit-ਲਾਭ, ਨਫਾ…) in this human birth, while the Unenlightened (Manmukhs-Saakat-Mayadhaaree mindsets) depart loosing all!

• ਬਾਬਾ ਐਸਾ ਬਿਖਮ ਜਾਲਿ ਮਨੁ ਵਾਸਿਆ ॥ ਬਿਬਲੁ ਝਾਗਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਪਰਗਾਸਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : O brother, the mind is trapped in the treacherous web of stormy waves of Maya in the worldly ocean; but (by Internalizing the Message of the Shabad), when it crosses these stormy waves, a state of poise manifests in the mind and it gets spiritually Enlightened. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 1331).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਲਾਹਾ ਲੈ ਗਏ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਚਲੇ ਮੂਲੁ ਗਵਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥੧੯॥: Those who have become Gurmukhs, reap their (Spiritual) Profits (of Naam, Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…) and leave, while Manmukhs lose their investment (ਰਾਸ-ਪੂੰਜੀ or life) and depart. ||19|| (sggs 74).
• ਫਾਹੇ ਕਾਟੇ ਮਿਟੇ ਗਵਨ ਫਤਿਹ ਭਈ ਮਨਿ ਜੀਤ ॥ : By conquering or controlling the mind, triumph over vices/Bikaar is obtained, traps/bonds of Maya are cut, and its (Mayaic) wanderings cease to be. (sggs 258).

The reason Manmukh-Saakat-Mayadhaaree depart loosing all is that they only know how to get trapped in vices or Bikaar, fraud, ignorance etc.!

• ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਭੂਲੀ ਬਹੁਤੀ ਰਾਹੀ ਫਾਥੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਫੰਦੇ ॥: A Mammukh wanders around in many other ways (from the real life) and remains trapped in the noose of Maya. (sggs 779).
• ਸਾਕਤ ਕਉ ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਨਿ ਅੰਧਾਰੀ ਮੋਹਿ ਫਾਥੇ ਮਾਇਆ ਜਾਲ ॥: For Saakat (all) day (all) night is pitch dark, (because) they are stuck in the traps of (attachment of) Maya. (sggs 1335).