Maya, the cosmic charmer, is likened to a serpent clinging to this world. Attached to this cosmic charmer, the human minds fall into the state of deep sleep of unenlightened existence. Unable to apprehend the Truth, we remain deluded confused, fearful, perplexed, and so on.
- ਮਾਇਆ ਹੋਈ ਨਾਗਨੀ ਜਗਤਿ ਰਹੀ ਲਪਟਾਇ ॥ ਇਸ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਜੋ ਕਰੇ ਤਿਸ ਹੀ ਕਉ ਫਿਰਿ ਖਾਇ ॥ : Maya is a serpent, clinging to the world. Whoever serves her, she ultimately devours (that person). (sggs 510).
- ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਸੀਅਰੁ ਡਸੈ ਮਰਿ ਵਾਟ ॥ : Without the Guru (Giyan or Wisdom), one is stung by the poisonous snake (of Maya: worldly attachment, temptations etc.), and dies (of spiritual death – ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤੇ) in the middle of (the journey of life). (sggs 942).
The Guru Shabad is the antidote to the poison of this Maya-serpent – ‘Gaarurr Mantar’ (‘ਗਾਰੁੜ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ’). Only an Enlightened Mind (the Gurmukh Mindset) knows how to apply it.
- ਬਿਸੀਅਰ ਬਿਸੂ ਭਰੇ ਹੈ ਪੂਰਨ ਗੁਰੁ ਗਰੁੜ ਸਬਦੁ ਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਵੈਗੋ ॥ ਮਾਇਆ ਭੁਇਅੰਗ ਤਿਸੁ ਨੇੜਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਬਿਖੁ ਝਾਰਿ ਝਾਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਵੈਗੋ ॥੨॥ : The snakes are filled with poisonous venom; the Guru’s Shabad is the ‘Garurr’ Mantar (antidote that neutralize the poison) – place it in your mouth. Maya- serpent (i.e. lures or temptations of the world…), does not affect that person who is rid of the poison by fixing attention on Naam (Wisdom / Virtues). ||2|| (sggs 1310).
- ਮਾਇਆ ਭੁਇਅੰਗਮੁ ਸਰਪੁ ਹੈ ਜਗੁ ਘੇਰਿਆ ਬਿਖੁ ਮਾਇ ॥ ਬਿਖੁ ਕਾ ਮਾਰਣੁ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰ ਗਰੁੜ ਸਬਦੁ ਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਇ ॥ : Maya-snake is the big snake (i.e. lures or temptations of the world…) and has surrounded the world with its coils. Filled with the poison that brings spiritual death, this Maya-snake surrounds the world. Antidote to this poisonous venom is Awareness of the divine Naam; the Gur-Shabad is the ‘Gaarurr’ Mantar, keep it in your mouth. (sggs 1415).
What is ‘Garurr’ (‘ਗਰੁੜ’), ‘Gaararroo‘ (‘ਗਾਰੜੂ’), and ‘Gaarurree‘ (‘ਗਾਰੁੜੀ’)?
Garurr (‘ਗਰੁੜ’) and ‘Gaararroo‘ (‘ਗਾਰੜੂ’) hint Gaarurr Mantar (ਗਾਰੁੜ ਮੰਤਰ) – an incantation for removing the effects of a serpent’s venom.
And ‘Gaarurree‘ (‘ਗਾਰੁੜੀ’) is the one who removes the venomous effect by the incantation, a snake-charmer.
However, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib’s (SGGS) or Sikhi‘s definition of Garurr (‘ਗਰੁੜ’) and ‘Gaararroo‘ (‘ਗਾਰੜੂ’ is SHABAD BASED — Internalization of the Shabad (Message, Advice, Guide, Direction, Upadesh, spiritual Wisdom) while staying in the world.
In other words, all 35 contributors of the SGGS have used terms that were already within the use and within the psyche of people of the time. However, they have used these terms as examples (ਹਵਾਲਾ), but explicitly with new meanings and understanding to fit the new spiritual paradigms of Sikhi or Gurmat.
Aptly, the Gurbani (SGGS) asserts that the Gaarurr Mantar (ਗਾਰੁੜ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ) that removes the effects of the venom of Maya-serpent is the Guru’s Shabad.
- ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਬਿਖੁ ਤਿਆਸ ਨਿਵਾਰਿ ॥੭॥ : Through the Guru’s Shabad, abandon the desire for materialism which is the poison for spiritual life. ||7|| (sggs 1187).
- ਚੰਦਨ ਵਾਸੁ ਭੁਇਅੰਗਮ ਵੇੜੀ ਕਿਵ ਮਿਲੀਐ ਚੰਦਨੁ ਲੀਜੈ ॥ ਕਾਢਿ ਖੜਗੁ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਕਰਾਰਾ ਬਿਖੁ ਛੇਦਿ ਛੇਦਿ ਰਸੁ ਪੀਜੈ ॥੩॥ : The fragrant sandal tree is girdled by the snakes; how can anyone get to the sandalwood tree? Similarly, one cannot become like a philosophers touch stone (Paaras) when one’s mind is surrounded by vices/Bikaars — such mind cannot enjoy the Fragrance of the Guru Shabad’s Wisdom, Virtues, Naam etc. We can drink the elixir of Naam only Drawing out the Mighty Sword of the Guru’s Wisdom and cutting out the poisonous (snake of worldly temptations and their corrupting influences). ||3|| (sggs 1324).
- ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਬਿਖੁ ਹੈ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਬਿਖੁ ਲਹਿ ਜਾਏ ਰਾਮ ॥ : O my mind, Haumai Maya is a poison which can only be neutralized with the Amrit of the Divine Naam (Wisdom / Virtues). (sggs 538).
- ਗੁਰਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਬਿਖੁ ਭਉਜਲੁ ਤਾਰਣਹਾਰੋ ਰਾਮ ॥ : (Those who have made the Divine Naam the support of their life) The Guru, the Satguru has implanted the Naam within them; O my mind, the Divine Naam has the ability to carry them across the terrifying and poisonous world-ocean of Maya. (sggs 539).
Fallen into an unenlightened existence (Manmukh-Saakat-Mayadhaaree Mindset) on account of attachment to Maya, we become unable to apprehend the Truth, we remain deluded.
- ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਨ ਮੰਨੈ ਓਹੁ ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਮੁਠਾ ਬਿਖੁ ਮਾਇਆ ॥ ਓਸੁ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਕੂੜੁ ਕੂੜੋ ਕਰਿ ਬੁਝੈ ਅਣਹੋਦੇ ਝਗੜੇ ਦਯਿ ਓਸ ਦੈ ਗਲਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ : The human being who does not obey the Upadesh (Gur-Giaan, Wisdom etc.) of the perfect Satguru, that ignorant Manmukh is deceived by the Maya-poison. Within him is falsehood, and he sees everyone else as false; according to Hukam (System-Rule-Law of Nature…), useless conflicts around his neck get tied. (sggs 303).
- ਬਿਖਿਅਨ ਸਿਉ ਕਾਹੇ ਰਚਿਓ ਨਿਮਖ ਨ ਹੋਹਿ ਉਦਾਸੁ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਜੁ ਹਰਿ ਮਨਾ ਪਰੈ ਨ ਜਮ ਕੀ ਫਾਸ ॥੨॥ : (O my mind!) why are you engrossed in vices / Bikaar (ਵਿਸ਼ਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ) which are poisonous for spiritual life? You have not detached yourself from these even for a moment. Says Nanak: O my mind, unite with the Creator within so you are not caught in the noose of ‘Jum‘ (i.e. Bikaar). ||2|| (sggs 1426).
Bhai Gurdas Ji describes condition of a person in love with Maya (Bhav Saagar) as follows:
- ਜੈਸੇ ਮਧੁ ਮਾਖੀ ਸੀਚਿ ਸੀਚਿ ਕੈ ਇਕਤ੍ਰ ਕਰੈ ਹਰੈ ਮਧੂ ਆਇਤਾ ਕੇ ਮੁਖਿ ਛਾਰੁ ਡਾਰਿ ਕੈ । ਜੈਸੇ ਬਛ ਹੇਤ ਗਊ ਸੰਚਤ ਹੈ ਖੀਰ ਤਾਹਿ ਲੇਤ ਹੈ ਅਹੀਰੁ ਦੁਹਿ ਬਛਰੇ ਬਿਡਾਰਿ ਕੈ । ਜੈਸੇ ਧਰ ਖੋਦਿ ਖੋਦਿ ਕਰਿ ਬਿਲ ਸਾਜੈ ਮੂਸਾ ਪੈਸਤ ਸਰਪੁ ਧਾਇ ਖਾਇ ਤਾਹਿ ਮਾਰਿ ਕੈ । ਤੈਸੇ ਕੋਟਿ ਪਾਪ ਕਰਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਜੋਰਿ ਜੋਰਿ ਮੂੜ ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਛਾਡਿ ਚਲੈ ਦੋਨੋ ਕਰ ਝਾਰਿ ਕੈ ॥੫੫੫॥ : Just as honey bee hops from flower to flower and collects honey, but a honey collector smokes the bees away, and takes the honey. Just as a cow collects milk in her teats for the calf, but a milkman uses the calf to bring down her milk. He ties the calf away, milks the cow and takes it away. Just as a rodent digs up earth to make a burrow but a snake enters the burrow and eats away the rodent. Similarly an ignorant and foolish person indulges in vices, collects wealth and leaves this world empty-handed (all his earnings and material goods prove worthless in the end, and ultimately others take all away). (Bhai Gurdas, Kabit 555).
Senses are akin to the venomous serpents. Like snakes, the senses do not like to be restricted. Rather, they like to act not only loosely but also without any control. As time and again indicated in the Gurbani, an Enlightened being (Gurmukh Mindset) knows very well how to control these serpents.
The Gurmukh senses are directed by the dictation or plan of an Enlightened mind. In other words, first, such mind is not vexed in vices/Bikaar. Second, it does not let senses act independently. Like a snake charmer, the Gurmukh mindset never allows snakes of senses to act on their own, for he leaves them ‘without fangs’!
- ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਕੋਈ ਗਾਰੜੂ ਤਿਨਿ ਮਲਿ ਦਲਿ ਲਾਈ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੇਈ ਉਬਰੇ ਜਿ ਸਚਿ ਰਹੇ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥੨॥ : Some ‘rare’ who has become the Gurmukh knows the ‘Gaarurr’ Mantar (that neutralizes the poison of Maya-snake); he has trampled her (Maya) and destroy its influence or affect. Only those who remain absorbed in Truth are saved. ||2|| (sggs 510).
- ਦਸਨ ਬਿਹੂਨ ਭੁਯੰਗੰ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੰ ਗਾਰੁੜੀ ਨਿਵਾਰੰ ॥ ਬ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਧਿ ਉਪਾੜਣ ਸੰਤੰ ॥ : It is believed that the ‘Gaarurr’ Mantar removes poison of the snake and its fangs become bereft of poison. Likewise the Guru (Giaan or Wisdom) ends one’s (mental ailments. (sggs 1361).
To open our spiritually blind or Maya-ridden mind, the Gurbani (SGGS) uses a fantastic example of ‘Sandlewood‘ trees.
Sandalwood trees are said to remain encircled by the poisonous snakes! However, the sandalwood does not change its nature — it does not become poisonous like the snakes. To the contrary, sandalwood accommodates and tolerates the poisonous snakes and remains fragrant at the same time!
- ਮੈਲਾਗਰ ਬੇਰ੍ਹੇ ਹੈ ਭੁਇਅੰਗਾ ॥ ਬਿਖੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਬਸਹਿ ਇਕ ਸੰਗਾ ॥੨॥ : Snakes encircle the sandalwood trees. Poison and Amrit exist together. ||2|| (sggs 525).
The Amrit of Naam (Wisdom / Virtues) is likened to the sandalwood. As the sandalwood is cooling and soothing, so is the Naam. The Guru Shabad urges us becoming scented with the perfume of this Naam. Its fragrance spreads gloriously far and wide.
However, whosoever willingly choose to inculcate Naam get spiritually uplifted; just as the bitter Nimm tree growing near the sandalwood tree becomes permeated with the fragrance of the sandalwood.
- ਬਿਖੁ ਸੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਭਏ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਬੁਧਿ ਪਾਈ ॥ ਅਕਹੁ ਪਰਮਲ ਭਏ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਵਾਸਨਾ ਵਸਾਈ ॥੫॥ : Realizing the Gurmat, (I was so spiritually uplifted and made Virtuous) as if from poison I became Amrit. ||5|| (sggs 565).
On the other hand, those who willing to choose to inculcate the poison of vices/Bikaar in life (Mayaic lifeftyle) get their spiritual life ruined.
- ਦੂਤਨ ਸੰਗਰੀਆ ॥ ਭੁਇਅੰਗਨਿ ਬਸਰੀਆ ॥ ਅਨਿਕ ਉਪਰੀਆ ॥੧॥ : Living a life of vices or Bikaar (Doot) is like living among snakes. These vices or Bikaar have ruined spiritual lives of countless persons. ||1|| (sggs 537).
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