Flow of Desires

Guru Nanak’s Sikhi is established on the acceptance of reality he called Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ). Since divine Hukam permeates our very existence, Hukam is the lifelong mentor of a Sikh — living entire life within and conforming to Hukam. Put simply, it is the Divine Law of consequences – we humans are free to choose, but we are not free from the consequences of our choices.

• ਆਪੇ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਆਪੇ ਸਭੁ ਸਚਾ ॥ ਜੋ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਨ ਬੂਝੈ ਖਸਮ ਕਾ ਸੋਈ ਨਰੁ ਕਚਾ ॥ : I see that the Creator is present everywhere. If I do not recognize the Divine Hukam, then I am still spiritually unripe — not capable of becoming a Sikh/Sachiaaraa. (sggs 1094).

It is natural for human beings to have desires. However, to have desires for basic needs (ਮੁੱਢਲੀਆਂ ਲੋੜਾਂ) is one thing but to have uncontrolled desires is something else.

As the uncontrol fire can cause tremendous devastation, similarly, the uncontrolled desires pulsating from the uncontrolled appetite of senses can cause havoc in an individual’s mind as well as life.

• ਅੰਤਰਿ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਭੁਖ ਹੈ ਮੂਰਖ ਭੁਖਿਆ ਮੁਏ ਗਵਾਰ ॥ : In mind is hunger to fulfill desires; the ignorant fools die hungry because material desires are never fulfilled or satiated. (sggs 647).
• ਆਪੀਨੑੈ ਭੋਗ ਭੋਗਿ ਕੈ ਹੋਇ ਭਸਮੜਿ ਭਉਰੁ ਸਿਧਾਇਆ ॥ ਵਡਾ ਹੋਆ ਦੁਨੀਦਾਰੁ ਗਲਿ ਸੰਗਲੁ ਘਤਿ ਚਲਾਇਆ ॥ ਅਗੈ ਕਰਣੀ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਵਾਚੀਐ ਬਹਿ ਲੇਖਾ ਕਰਿ ਸਮਝਾਇਆ ॥ ਥਾਉ ਨ ਹੋਵੀ ਪਉਦੀਈ ਹੁਣਿ ਸੁਣੀਐ ਕਿਆ ਰੂਆਇਆ ॥ ਮਨਿ ਅੰਧੈ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥੩॥ : Living a life anchored in worldly pursuits dictated by an anguished mind that wanders from one pursuit to another, my spiritual journey is reduced to nothing (Here and Now). I have lived my worldly life in the illusion that I am in control; but (in reality) my life is being run as bound in shackles to vices/Bikaar (Here and Now). O Mind, do understand that progress on the journey of spirituality is assessed / weighed on the accumulation of praiseworthy deeds. My spiritual life descending into disrespect and indignity, O mind, listen without delay, so you don’t regret later. O blind / unenlightened mind! My life is being squandered as a result (of your unenlightened state). ||3|| (sggs 464).

Aptly, the Gurbani enshrined within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) teaches us to restrain the flow of desires (Kaam-lust, hunger for Maya…) that flow out from the uncontrolled appetite of our defiled senses.

• ਪੰਚ ਦੂਤ ਤੁਧੁ ਵਸਿ ਕੀਤੇ ਕਾਲੁ ਕੰਟਕੁ ਮਾਰਿਆ ॥ : (O my mind, with the counsel of the Guru Shabad) overpower – subdue, control – the ‘FIVE’ (Kaam, Krodh, Lobh , Moh, Ahankaar) Doot (of Jum) then you will avoid spiritual death. (sggs 917).
• ਬਹਤੀ ਮਨਸਾ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਬਾਂਧਿ ॥ : Keep your flowing desires (pulsating from the senses) restrained. (sggs 342).
• ਆਸਾ ਮਨਸਾ ਕੂੜੁ ਕਮਾਵਹਿ ਰੋਗੁ ਬੁਰਾ ਬੁਰਿਆਰਾ ਹੇ ॥੭॥ : Trapped by hope and desire, (Manmukh) practice falsehood, and remain afflicted by the terrible disease of corruption. ||7|| (sggs 1029).

Why is it essential to stop the uncontrolled flow of desires?

Because, as we are instructed by the Gurbani, the sensory world can never give us any real contentment, satisfaction or happiness. As the pyre burns a dead body, hidden fire of desires and ignorance burn us alive, within!

• ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਇਸੁ ਤਨਹਿ ਜਲਾਏ ॥ : Spiritual ignorance and desire burn this human body (sggs 1067).
• ਮਾਇਆ ਅਗਨਿ ਜਲੈ ਸੰਸਾਰੇ ॥ : The world is burning in the fire of Maya (hunger or love of Maya…). (sggs 1049).
• ਤਿਸਨਾ ਅਗਨਿ ਜਲੈ ਸੰਸਾਰਾ ॥ : The world is burning in the fire of desire (sggs 120).
• ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਅਗਨਿ ਜਗਤ ਪਰਜਾਰੈ ॥ : The fire of corrupt thinking (wickedness, foolishness, ignorance…) is burning up the world (sggs 225).

The Gurbani indicates desires are wounds (‘ਚੋਟ’) of the soul/mind. It is only by controlling desires one can link with the Creator within (ਮਨਸਾ ਮਾਰਿ ਸਚਿ ਸਮਾਣੀ ॥ sggs 120).

But how can we put stop to the flow of desires?

To control the flow of a river, we would build a dam or embankment across it. Similarly, the SGGS counsels that we can build an embankment (ਬਾਂਧਿ,ਬੰਨ੍ਹ, ਰੋਕ, ਡੱਕਾ, ਰੁਕਾਵਟ, dam, support…) of the Gurbani’s Giyan-Wisdom/Bibek around our outgoing senses and mind in order to stop the uncontrolled flow of desires from them.

The attitude of detachment or Bairaag (also spelt Vairaag) is the quality of shunning worldly attractions or desires. Put simply, detachment is being in this world, but not of it. In other words, it is having a mind open to everything, but attached to nothing. Thus, detachment is an attitude or perspective — letting go of the past and the future, and living in the ‘Here and Now‘.

Therefore, to be detached does not mean running away from life, family, society, one’s duties/responsibilities, being less sensitive or less loving etc.

However, a truly detached person does not neglect any of this; but rather selflessly loves and serves the Divine in them and expands that love and service to all other beings without any sense of bondage or emotional attachment. After cultivating such detached attitude through the Divine Knowledge of the Gurbani, then even if one lives amidst the worldly activity (or Maya), he/she will be unattached from it and thus untainted by it, just as the lotus flower remains untainted by the slimy scum it grows in.

• ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਭੇਟਿਐ ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋਵੈ ਜੁਗਤਿ ॥ ਹਸੰਦਿਆ ਖੇਲੰਦਿਆ ਪੈਨੰਦਿਆ ਖਾਵੰਦਿਆ ਵਿਚੇ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ॥ : O Nanak! Meeting the Satigur (ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ) then one learns the perfect Way to live life. (Thus following that) he is liberated while laughing, playing, dressing and eating (i.e. one remains free from worldly temptations and their corrupting influence while living in the world). (sggs 522).
• ਸਭ ਕੈ ਮਧਿ ਸਗਲ ਤੇ ਉਦਾਸ ॥ : Remain in the midst of all, and yet detached from all (sggs 296).
• ਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਕਲਤ੍ਰ ਵਿਚੇ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈ ॥ : Emancipation (ਉੱਚੀ ਆਤਮਕ ਅਵਸਥਾ) is obtained in the midst of children and spouses (i.e., in the midst of family). (sggs 661).
• ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਜਿਨਾ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੀ ਤਿਨੀ ਵਿਚੇ ਮਾਇਆ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ : Says Nanak: By the Gur-Grace (Grace of the Gur-Giyan or Wisdom…) who remain connected (to their Mool, True Nature or Jot Saroop, Aatam Giyan or Wisdom…) realize (Bliss, Mukti or liberation etc.) while using Maya (sggs 921).
• ਜਿਉ ਜਲ ਮਹਿ ਕਮਲੁ ਅਲਿਪਤੋ ਵਰਤੈ ਤਿਉ ਵਿਚੇ ਗਿਰਹ ਉਦਾਸੁ ॥ : As the lotus flower floats unaffected in the water, so does one must remain detached in his own household (sggs 949).

In fact, the SGGS teaches us that the One Creator has given us the Wisdom as a ‘Bannaa-ਬੰਨਾ’ (dam, embankment…) to stop the flow of desire emanating from all our senses.

• ਪਰਮੇਸਰਿ ਦਿਤਾ ਬੰਨਾ ॥… ਧੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਆਈ ॥ ਤਿਨਿ ਸਗਲੀ ਚਿੰਤ ਮਿਟਾਈ ॥ : The Universal Energy has given the Support (of Giyan-Wisdom to stop the flow of desires, vices/Bikaars, etc.)… The Baani has come to me from within (i.e. from the deepest recessions of Consciousness, same principle Guru Nanak promulgated his Baani). That Baani has eradicated all my anxiety (by applying its Wisdom / Virtues to daily life). (sggs 627).

Therefore, the Brahm-Giyan (Divine Wisdom) contained in the Gurbani of the SGGS is applicable to our daily life. As such, he entire Gurbani is ‘Rahat‘ for a Sikh (learner or student of the SGGS).

• ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਮਹਿ ਇਕ ਨਾਮਿ ਉਧਾਰੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਬੋਲੈ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥੨॥੧੧॥ : The Divine Naam (Giyan-Wisdom, Virtues…) of the One Creator are the Basis for Spirituality for a Worldly Mindset; Nanak thus Utters the Discourse of the Creator (Brahm Beechaar). (sggs 1138).
• ਲੋਗੁ ਜਾਨੈ ਇਹੁ ਗੀਤੁ ਹੈ ਇਹੁ ਤਉ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥ : People think that the (Gur-Shabad) is (an ordinary) song, but it is a ‘Brahm Beechaar’. (sggs 335).

Having said that, mere nomenclature does not denote a Sikh or ‘Rahat’. As a doll made of salt dissolves itself in the water, only he who dissolves himself in the Gurmat (Wisdom-Giyan, Upadesh or Way of the SGGS…).

The Gurbani teaches us a practical spirituality and a practical Way of life. It’s the mirror for the mind – it addresses the human mind and Awakens it to its Jot Saroop. As medicine is for the alive people not for dead, similarly the Wisdom of the Gurbani is for the minds of the living people, not for animals, stones, or physically dead people.

To understand and actuate this ‘Bannaa‘-Support (ਬੰਨਾ ਰੂਪ ਬਾਣੀ), we are asked by the Gurbani to thoroughly Realize the Giyan-Wisdom of the SGGS by earnestly engaging in churning the Gurbani and Shabad-Vichaar, and then constantly living it in daily life (the Enlightened/Gurmukh Lifestyle)!

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਮਾਈਐ ਹਰਿ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥ : By becoming the Gurmukh (enlightened/Guru Shabad-Oriented) and practicing the Shabad (live in conformance with the Divine Naam, Gurmat, Giyan-Wisdom of the Guru Shabad, ਸਬਦ ਕਮਾਣਾ), the Creator (Naam / Virtues / Hukam) comes to dwell within the mind (i.e. the mind abides in its Jot Saroop within) (sggs 67).
• ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮਿ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਮੇਘੁ ਪਠਾਇਆ ॥ ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਦਹ ਦਿਸਿ ਵਰਸਾਇਆ ॥ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਭਈ ਬੁਝੀ ਸਭ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਅਨਦੁ ਭਇਆ ਸਭ ਠਾਈ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ : The Creator of the Universe sent down a cloud (of Divine Wisdom/Virtues…) in my mind, and poured the rain of spiritual enlightenment in every corner of my mind where the fire of desire was burning. Due to which the fire of my desires has been quenched, and my mind is now filled with peace and joy from all sides. ||1|| (sggs 106).

But, the problem is we humans do not recognize or live in harmony with the divine Hukam. Because of not understanding the divine Hukam, we live wrong ways. Guru Nanak taught us this centuries ago:

• ਹੁਕਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਬਪੁੜੇ ਭੂਲੇ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਗਵਾਰ ॥ ਮਨਹਠਿ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਵਦੇ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਹੋਹਿ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਨਾ ਸਚਿ ਲਗੈ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥੬॥ : The wretched do not understand the Creator’s Hukam (Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ). They wander around in delusion, and perform deeds stubborn mindedly, (but stuck in vices/Bikaar), each and everyday they are spiritually ruined. They neither attain Peace of mind, nor embrace love for the Creator. ||6|| (sggs 66).

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• Mind Clinging to Maya can’t be Trusted
• Battle of Life is Waged Moment to Moment
• Be in the World, but not of the World!
• Belly Stuffed but Empty Mind
• World is Consumed by Hidden Fire
• Hukam is the Core of Sikhi
• Gurbani Asks Burn Mind’s Bikaar
• Gurmat Recommends Shabad Based Householder’s Life
• Gurmat Spirituality is Practical and Universal
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• Char Padarath