Haumai Maya

The word ‘Maya’ and ‘Haumai‘ occurs frequently in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS). In order to impart the Truth (ਸਚ), 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.

Maya in Gurmat does not mean illusion

That said, CONTRARY to the Indian tradition, Maya in SGGS does not mean illusion or the unreality of the physical world. In fact according to the Unique Sikhi or Gurmat of Baabaa Nanak, the world is real as it is the Creation of the Creator. If this world was unreal or nonexistent then it would not have been experienced by us. Then is it real? Yes, it is real since we experience it. However it is called ‘Mithiya-ਮਿਥਿਆ’ etc. in a sense that it is subject to change every moment. We think it to be permanent, it is not; we think it to be nonperishable, it is not; we think it to be changeless, it is not; and so on.

• ਸਚੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਖੰਡ ਸਚੇ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ॥ ਸਚੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਲੋਅ ਸਚੇ ਆਕਾਰ ॥ ਸਚੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਕਰਣੇ ਸਰਬ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥ ਸਚਾ ਤੇਰਾ ਅਮਰੁ ਸਚਾ ਦੀਬਾਣੁ ॥ : True are Your universes and true their parts. True are Your habitats and true are creatures of different forms and shapes. True are Your actions/works and true are all of your deliberations and decisions. True is Your authority and true Your is justice. (sggs 463).
• ਇਹੁ ਜਗੁ ਸਚੈ ਕੀ ਹੈ ਕੋਠੜੀ ਸਚੇ ਕਾ ਵਿਚਿ ਵਾਸੁ ॥ : This world is the abode of God, who resides in it. (sggs 463).
• ਧਰਤਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਧਰੀ ਧਰਮ ਸਾਲਾ ॥ : The Earth was created to practice Dharma. (sggs 1033).

The Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS asserts that we all are in the spell (grip, grasp, hook, net (Jaal), claws, hands, trap or talons) of Maya.

• ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਜਿਸੁ ਉਦਰੁ ਤਿਸੁ ਮਾਇਆ ॥ : Says Kabeer, whoever has a belly to fill, is under the spell of Maya. (sggs 1160).

Now, what is Maya according to the SGGS?

As indicated in the following verses of the Gurbani, anything becomes Maya which makes one (1) forget Mool (‘Hari Visrai’); (2) gives rise to emotional attachment (‘Moh Upjai’); and (3) creates duality (‘Bhaau Doojaa‘).

In a nutshell, Maya is anything and everything which makes a person forget the Creator (Hukam) by creating attachment to the corrupting influences of the worldly temptations.

• ਏਹ ਮਾਇਆ ਜਿਤੁ ਹਰਿ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਮੋਹੁ ਉਪਜੈ ਭਾਉ ਦੂਜਾ ਲਾਇਆ ॥ : This is Maya, by which (1) ‘Hari’ (Mool) is forgotten; (2) (worldly) attachment is born, and (3) the love of duality is set (sggs 921).
• ਮਾਇਆ ਕਿਸ ਨੋ ਆਖੀਐ ਕਿਆ ਮਾਇਆ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਇ ॥ ਦੁਖਿ ਸੁਖਿ ਏਹੁ ਜੀਉ ਬਧੁ ਹੈ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਇ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਭਰਮੁ ਨ ਚੂਕਈ ਨਾ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਜਾਇ ॥੬॥ : What is called Maya? What does Maya do (through beings under its spell)? (The answer is that, under its spell) these beings are bound by pleasure and pain (i.e., the dualistic principle of Sukh and Dukh, etc); and they do their deeds in ‘Haumai’ (false ego-sense). Without the (Realization of the) Shabad, neither the doubt is dispelled nor Haumai is eliminated from within. ||6|| (sggs 67).

In a nutshell, Maya is Bhav Saagar of worldly temptations and their corrupting influences. In short, it gives the impression of being something it is not. Literally, this is exactly what the word ‘Maya’ means — ‘that which is not’. In Sanskrit ‘Ma’ means ‘not’, ‘ya’ means ‘that’.

In addition, the world is also called ‘Supan-ਸੁਪਨ’ (lit. dream), ‘Jhooth-ਝੂਠ’ (lit. false etc.), ‘Koorh-ਕੂੜੁ’ (lit. falsehood etc.), ‘Bharam-ਭਰਮੁ’ (lit. doubt, confusion etc.), ‘Chalanhaar-ਚਲਣਹਾਰੁ’ (lit. fleeting etc.), ‘Mithiya-ਮਿਥਿਆ’ (lit. delusory etc.).

By calling this world ‘Mithiya-ਮਿਥਿਆ’, ‘Supan-ਸੁਪਨ’, ‘Jhooth-ਝੂਠ’. ‘Koorh-ਕੂੜੁ’, ‘Bharam-ਭਰਮੁ’ etc., the Gurbani does NOT mean this world is nonexistent or unreal!

It is the imagination of the deluded mind which never ends and never exists! Thus, it continually baffles humanity, and poses the greatest roadblock in the path to Spiritual Enlightenment by making the mirage-like attractions of the enchanting world appear as permanent, everlasting etc.

• ਮਾਈ ਮਾਇਆ ਛਲੁ ॥ : O mother! Maya is deceitful. (sggs 717).
• ਬਾਬਾ ਮਾਇਆ ਰਚਨਾ ਧੋਹੁ ॥ : O brother! Deceitful (fleeting etc.) is the worldly splendor. (sggs 15).

Haumai Maya

Further, according to Baabaa Nanak, Maya is Haumai (false ego-sense) and its progeny of ‘five’ drives/instincts: Bikaar — Kaam (lust, desires), Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed), Moh (attachment) and Ahankaar (pride with arrogance), and their numerous variations.

The ‘five’ drives/instincts are responsible for the corruption of morals and the development of criminal behavior. Behind all human problems from individual suffering to international conflicts is the invisible fire of Haumai fueled by these five elements. That is why the Gurbani in the SGGS warns us not to yield to the negative pull/impact of these ‘five’, and to live a life of restraint and modesty:

• ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਨ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਹਾ ਬਿਖੁ ਖਾਇ ॥ : Bhagti cannot be performed in duality (in love with worldly temptations etc.). Haumai Maya is a toxic poison, it ruins one’s spiritual life. (sggs 161).
• ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਸਭ ਬਿਖੁ ਹੈ ਨਿਤ ਜਗਿ ਤੋਟਾ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ॥ : Haumai Maya is all poison and by chasing it one always suffers loss of spiritual life. (sggs 300).
• ਮਨਮੁਖ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਸੂਤੇ ॥ ਅਪਣਾ ਘਰੁ ਨ ਸਮਾਲਹਿ ਅੰਤਿ ਵਿਗੂਤੇ ॥ : Because of Haumai Maya, Manmukhs (unenlightened beings) remain unaware of the virtuous living. They do not protect themselves from the onslaught of Haumai Maya and are (spiritually) ruined in the end. (sggs 1049).
• ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੈਲੁ ਕਮਾਇਆ ॥ ਮਰਿ ਮਰਿ ਜੰਮਹਿ ਦੂਜਾ ਭਾਇਆ ॥ : Those who accumulate the filth of Haumai Maya, they fall into the love of duality (things other than the One God/Hukam) they remain in a cycle of spiritual birth and death. (sggs 1036).
• ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹਿ ਖੁਆਇਆ ਦੁਖੁ ਖਟੇ ਦੁਖ ਖਾਇ ॥ : (Manmukh – unenlightened being) due to Haumai Maya, remains strayed from Virtuous Path of life; he keeps doing things which cause him pain and suffering in life. (sggs 1132).
• ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਸਬਦਿ ਜਲਾਏ ॥ : Internalization of the Guru’s Shabad burns away Haumai Maya. (sggs 232).

Haumai and its ‘five’ drives/instincts (Bikaar) are responsible for the killing of one’s Original Nature (Jot Saroop), corruption of morals, the development of criminal behavior (‘Apraadh‘), individual suffering, bloody international conflicts etc. Thus it is also called the invisible fire which is constantly fueled by these five elements. The entire world is consumed by this hidden fire.

• ਪੰਚ ਦੂਤ ਮੁਹਹਿ ਸੰਸਾਰਾ ॥ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਅੰਧੇ ਸੁਧਿ ਨ ਸਾਰਾ ॥ : The ‘FIVE’ Doot (Kaam, Krodh, Lobh , Moh, Ahankaar) are robbing the world (of spiritual life). But a mentally blinded Manmukh (who has no Realization of the Shabad) has no intelligence nor is he aware (of this robbery). (sggs 113).
• ਇਹੁ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਮਾਇਆ ਕਾ ਪੁਤਲਾ ਵਿਚਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਦੁਸਟੀ ਪਾਈ ॥ : This body is the puppet of Maya. The evil of egoism is within it (sggs 31).
• ਲਲਾ ਲਪਟਿ ਬਿਖੈ ਰਸ ਰਾਤੇ ॥ ਅਹੰਬੁਧਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਦ ਮਾਤੇ ॥ ਇਆ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਹਿ ਜਨਮਹਿ ਮਰਨਾ ॥ : LALLA (a letter of Gurmukhi alphabet): Those who are entangled in the love of corrupt pleasures, they remain intoxicated with (love of) Maya and their intellect or wisdom remain covered by the veil of false ego-sense (Haumai). In this Maya, they are born and die (i.e., by clinging to corrupt pleasures, they suffer repeatedly throughout their life). (sggs 252).

Haumai has been translated as pride, ego, egotism, I-ness,
self-centeredness etc. but these words are inadequate to describe it fully.

Baabaa Nanak pointed out that human activity from birth to death is under the control of Haumai unless one submits to God – Hukam (Cosmic System-Rule-Law).  Baabaa Nanak also pointed out it is Haumai that is responsible for human progress as well as suffering.

Haumai (false ego-sense) is innate to human life. It is Haumai and its faults (five drives/instincts : Kaam, Kroadh, Loabh, Moh, and Ahankar) that influence the psychology of human mind – mental functions and
human behavior or instinctual aspects of our mental lives. These drives/instincts give rise to the erotic and destructive components of mental activities.

• ਹਉਮੈ ਸਭੁ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਹੈ ਹਉਮੈ ਓਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥: Haumai helps the evolution of life as Haumai is innate to all beings. (sggs 560).
• ਮਾਣਸੁ ਭਰਿਆ ਆਣਿਆ ਮਾਣਸੁ ਭਰਿਆ ਆਇ ॥ : Human is born with Haumai and remains self-centered. (sggs 554).
• ਚਿਰੰਕਾਲ ਇਹ ਦੇਹ ਸੰਜਰੀਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : It took a very long time for the human body to evolve through many evolutionary stages of life. Now is your time to meet the Creator of the universe. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 176).
• ਹਉਮੈ ਏਹਾ ਜਾਤਿ ਹੈ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਏਈ ਬੰਧਨਾ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਜੋਨੀ ਪਾਹਿ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਿਥਹੁ ਊਪਜੈ ਕਿਤੁ ਸੰਜਮਿ ਇਹ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਏਹੋ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਪਇਐ ਕਿਰਤਿ ਫਿਰਾਹਿ ॥ : It is the nature of Haumai that it governs the actions of beings. It is the influence of Haumai that one’s mind is born and dies every moment. 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).

In reality, nobody can totally remove his/her false ego-sense (Haumai) and related faults. It defines our relationship with ourselves and our world, essentially providing meaning to the self to insure survival, success, protection, procreation etc. In fact it is responsible for all the progress/development of human society.

What has been the surest means of life’s survival and progress has now, according to the SGGS, become ‘the great disease-ਵਡਾ ਰੋਗੁ’ of man.

It is the negative aspect and the negative impact of Haumai (false ego-sense) and its faults responsible for all the problems. Accordingly, Baabaa Nanak pointed out that human activity from birth to death is under the control of Haumai unless one submits to God – Hukam (Cosmic Law, System-Rule-Law of Nature) – it is Haumai that is responsible for human progress as well as suffering:

• ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੈ ਜੇ ਬੁਝੈ ਤ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਹੈ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੨॥ : Nanak, If one Realizes His Hukam Within, then one does not behave egotistically — upon Realizing the Hukam within, false perception that I exist outside of His Hukam ceases to be. ॥2॥ (sggs 1).
• ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਇਆ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਗਇਆ ॥ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਕੇ ਦੀ ਜੰਮਿਆ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਮੁਆ ॥ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਦਿਤਾ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਲਇਆ ॥ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਖਟਿਆ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਗਇਆ ॥ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਸਚਿਆਰੁ ਕੂੜਿਆਰੁ ॥ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਪਾਪ ਪੁੰਨ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਨਰਕਿ ਸੁਰਗਿ ਅਵਤਾਰੁ ॥ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਹਸੈ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਰੋਵੈ ॥ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਭਰੀਐ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਧੋਵੈ ॥ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਜਾਤੀ ਜਿਨਸੀ ਖੋਵੈ ॥ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਮੂਰਖੁ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਸਿਆਣਾ ॥ ਮੋਖ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕੀ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਣਾ ॥ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਹਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਛਾਇਆ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਜੰਤ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਬੂਝੈ ਤਾ ਦਰੁ ਸੁਝੈ ॥ ਗਿਆਨ ਵਿਹੂਣਾ ਕਥਿ ਕਥਿ ਲੂਝੈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੀ ਲਿਖੀਐ ਲੇਖੁ ॥ ਜੇਹਾ ਵੇਖਹਿ ਤੇਹਾ ਵੇਖੁ ॥੧॥ : In Haumai (egotism: state of mind in which one considers separate from God/Mool/Jot Saroop) one comes into this world and in Haumai one departs from this world. In Haumai one is born and in Haumai one dies. In Haumai one gives and in Haumai one takes. In Haumai one earns and in Haumai one looses. In Haumai one becomes truthful or false. In Haumai one reflects on good or bad deeds (Paap Punn). In Haumai one experiences hell and heaven (comforts and pain etc.). In Haumai one feels happy and in Haumai one wails. In Haumai one’s mind is filled with the dirt of vices and in Haumai one tries to get rid of this dirt. In Haumai one looses social status and family reputation. In Haumai sometimes one acts as a fool and in Haumai sometime one acts as a wise person. In Haumai one does not understand the meaning of liberation or salvation. Haumai is Maya – corrupting influence of worldly temptations. The whole world of life is created with innate Haumai. When one understands Haumai then one comes to know the way of realizing God. Without spiritual Wisdom one keeps babbling and arguing in Haumai. Nanak, it is Hukam that controls the working of the Cosmos. However, one acts or behaves like what one sees (environmental influence). ||1|| (sggs 466).

Therefore, what we are asked by the Gurbani is to annihilate the negative aspect or negative impact of the BLOATED egotism or self-centeredness (Haumai), which kills our Original Nature (Jot Saroop). 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.

• ਕਿਤੁ ਕਿਤੁ ਬਿਧਿ ਜਗੁ ਉਪਜੈ ਪੁਰਖਾ ਕਿਤੁ ਕਿਤੁ ਦੁਖਿ ਬਿਨਸਿ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਜਗੁ ਉਪਜੈ ਪੁਰਖਾ ਨਾਮਿ ਵਿਸਰਿਐ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਈ ॥ : (Yogi asked) O respected one, how is world/life created and how could its suffering be eliminated? (Baabaa Nanak answers) O respected one, it is Haumai (false ego-sense) which is innate to world/life that causes alienation from Divine Naam – the cause of suffering. (sggs 946).

Bhagat Ravidas Ji has devoted a Shabad to explain this phenomena. In this Shabad, Bhagat Ravidas Ji has used some practical examples so that our minds can snap out of Haumai (false ego-sense), ignorance, delusion, fears etc.:

• ਜਬ ਹਮ ਹੋਤੇ ਤਬ ਤੂ ਨਾਹੀ ਅਬ ਤੂਹੀ ਮੈ ਨਾਹੀ ॥ ਅਨਲ ਅਗਮ ਜੈਸੇ ਲਹਰਿ ਮਇ ਓਦਧਿ ਜਲ ਕੇਵਲ ਜਲ ਮਾਂਹੀ ॥੧॥ ਮਾਧਵੇ ਕਿਆ ਕਹੀਐ ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਐਸਾ ॥ ਜੈਸਾ ਮਾਨੀਐ ਹੋਇ ਨ ਤੈਸਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਨਰਪਤਿ ਏਕੁ ਸਿੰਘਾਸਨਿ ਸੋਇਆ ਸੁਪਨੇ ਭਇਆ ਭਿਖਾਰੀ ॥ ਅਛਤ ਰਾਜ ਬਿਛੁਰਤ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਸੋ ਗਤਿ ਭਈ ਹਮਾਰੀ ॥੨॥ ਰਾਜ ਭੁਇਅੰਗ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਗ ਜੈਸੇ ਹਹਿ ਅਬ ਕਛੁ ਮਰਮੁ ਜਨਾਇਆ ॥ ਅਨਿਕ ਕਟਕ ਜੈਸੇ ਭੂਲਿ ਪਰੇ ਅਬ ਕਹਤੇ ਕਹਨੁ ਨ ਆਇਆ ॥੩॥ ਸਰਬੇ ਏਕੁ ਅਨੇਕੈ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਸਭ ਘਟ ਭੋੁਗਵੈ ਸੋਈ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਹਾਥ ਪੈ ਨੇਰੈ ਸਹਜੇ ਹੋਇ ਸੁ ਹੋਈ ॥੪॥੧॥ : As long as false ego-sense remains inside us beings, then You (within us) do not appear, but when you appear then our ‘I’ (Haumai or egotism) disappears. (With the disappearance of this ‘I’- Haumai, egotism – it is understood that) as the storm fills the ocean with waves, but in reality those (waves of the ocean) are only water in the water (so You pervades in all these living beings. ||1|| O God, what can we say, we are so deluded by doubt, that what we believe, the reality is not  like that. ||1||Pause|| It is like a king, who falls asleep upon his throne, and dreams (that he has become a) beggar. (Although) his kingdom is intact, but separated from it (in his dream), he suffers pain. Such is our condition. ||2| As is the story of the rope and the snake (i.e., rope mistaken for a snake in darkness), some mystery has now been explained (to me). Like the many bracelets (made of gold), which were mistakenly thought (of separate or different from the gold); now, (I) do not say that. ||3|| Amidst all, the one God has assumed many forms, and He is enjoying pervading all the Hearts. Ravi Das says: God is nearer to us than even our hands, and whatever is happening, is happening in His Hukam (System-Rule-Law-Order of Nature). ||4||1|| (sggs 657-658).

However, unlike other forms of life, human beings are endowed with innate Free Will, and superior intellect and power of reasoning, which if not used wisely become barrier in life living in harmony with Hukam (Cosmic System-Rule-Law).

However, other forms of life live in harmony with Hukam according to predetermined instincts (Haumai). However, human beings due to Free Will, and superior intellect and power of reasoning, get alienated from God – their Mool, Source, Jot Saroop – thus becoming self-centered (Manmukh-Saakat-Mayadhaaree) under the negative impact of Haumai. It is Haumai that produces the five drives/instincts/Bikaar: lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride.

• ਤੈਡੀ ਬੰਦਸਿ ਮੈ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਡਿਠਾ ਤੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਣਾ ॥ ਘੋਲਿ ਘੁਮਾਈ ਤਿਸੁ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਵਿਚੋਲੇ ਜੈ ਮਿਲਿ ਕੰਤੁ ਪਛਾਣਾ ॥੧॥ : (O God) Nanak adores You as You do not restrict anyone’s freedom. I am dedicated to my dear friend, the mediator (the Guru: Giaan-Wisdom) who introduced me to my Husband (God). ॥1॥ (sggs 964).
• ਕਰਿ ਕਰਤੈ ਕਰਣੀ ਕਰਿ ਪਾਈ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਤੀ ਤਿਨਿ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਪਾਈ ॥ : The Creator (Hukam) has endowed human beings with free will to act. One earns what one does (one is responsible for the consequences of one’s actions). (sggs 932).
• ਮਾਟੀ ਕਾ ਲੇ ਦੇਹੁਰਾ ਕਰਿਆ ॥ ਉਕਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਲੈ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਪਰੀਖਿਆ ॥ : The Creator (Hukam) fashions human body from the earthly elements and endows it with life, wisdom and discerning intellect. (sggs 913).
• ਅਵਰ ਜੋਨਿ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਨਿਹਾਰੀ ॥ ਇਸੁ ਧਰਤੀ ਮਹਿ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਿਕਦਾਰੀ ॥ ਸੁਇਨਾ ਰੂਪਾ ਤੁਝ ਪਹਿ ਦਾਮ ॥ ਸੀਲੁ ਬਿਗਾਰਿਓ ਤੇਰਾ ਕਾਮ ॥੪॥ : (O human beings) other living species are at your service. You have dominion over this earth. You have gold, silver, wealth (other species do not have these things). BUT, lust (i.e. Bikaar) has corrupted your nature. ||4|| (sggs 374).

Good news about Haumai is that it also provides the initiative or impetus to control it:

• 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॥ : Ego is a chronic disease, but it contains its own cure as well. (This disease of one’s egotism will get cured within only) if (one) favors (himself) — if one practices ‘Gur Kaa Shabad in daily life or if one lives daily life in accordance with the Wisdom of the Gur-Shabad. Nanak says, ‘Listen O people, suffering ends this way.’ ||2|| (sggs 466).
• ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹਣੀ ਦੂਜੈ ਲਗੈ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਨਾ ਇਹ ਮਾਰੀ ਨ ਮਰੈ ਨਾ ਇਹ ਹਟਿ ਵਿਕਾਇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਪਰਜਾਲੀਐ ਤਾ ਇਹ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਜਾਇ ॥ : Haumai Maya entraps people in the love of duality. It cannot be killed, nor does it die by itself, nor can it be sold away in a store. When it is burnt down thoroughly through internalizing the Enlightening Message of the Guru’s Shabad, only then does it end from within a person. (sggs 853).
• 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).

Related Posts:

• What is Maya?
• Bhav Saagar
• World is Consumed by Hidden Fire
• Dance Of The Mind Attached To Maya
• Mind Clinging to Maya can’t be Trusted
• Gur-Shabad is the antidote to poison of Maya-serpent
• How Do Beings Become Maya’s Slave
• Mind That Gives Up Hunger For Maya Realizes Its Mool
• Rope Mistaken for a Snake!
• Gurbani Says We are in a State of Sleep Paralysis
• Nature of Mayaic Delusion: Part 1
• The Nature of Mayaic Delusion: Part 2
• The Nature of Mayaic Delusion: Part 3