Looking Pious and Mahatma Outside but Fraud Inside

Too many who disguise themselves pure and Mahatma are fake and fraud on the inside. Such false and adulterated behavior signifies Manmukh-Saakat-Mayadhaare state of the mind. Bitter truth is:

• ਫਰੀਦਾ ਕੰਨਿ ਮੁਸਲਾ ਸੂਫੁ ਗਲਿ ਦਿਲਿ ਕਾਤੀ ਗੁੜੁ ਵਾਤਿ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਦਿਸੈ ਚਾਨਣਾ ਦਿਲਿ ਅੰਧਿਆਰੀ ਰਾਤਿ ॥੫੦॥ : O Farid! on your shoulder is the prayer mat, around your neck is the black scarf (Sufi robe), candy in your mouth (i.e. deceptively sweet words), but a dagger in your heart (you have disguised yourself as a pious person, you speak sweet words but your heart is deceitful). outwardly you appear as spiritually wise but in your heart is pitch darkness of spiritual ignorance. ||50|| (sggs 1380).
• ਮਨਮੁਖ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਵਣੇ ਜਿਉ ਦੋਹਾਗਣਿ ਤਨਿ ਸੀਗਾਰੁ ॥ : The Manmukh’s (Unenlightened being) religious rituals (or deeds) are like the ‘Duhaagan‘ (i.e. unwanted or deserted) bride adoring her body. (sggs 31).
• ਜਤਨ ਕਰੈ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਡਹਕਾਵੈ ਓਹੁ ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ਜਾਨੈ ॥ ਪਾਪ ਕਰੇ ਕਰਿ ਮੂਕਰਿ ਪਾਵੈ ਭੇਖ ਕਰੈ ਨਿਰਬਾਨੈ ॥੧॥ : One makes several efforts to deceive others, but God, the knower within, knows everything. He wears religious garb of a renouncer, commits sins and then deny them. ||1|| (sggs 680).

Aptly, the Gurmat (Giaan, Wisdom, Upadesh or Way of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) calls them out as ‘false‘ (bogus, fraud, fictitious, dishonest, untrue, Karamkaandee…).

• ਅੰਦਰਹੁ ਝੂਠੇ ਪੈਜ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਫੈਲੁ ॥ ਅਠਸਠਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਜੇ ਨਾਵਹਿ ਉਤਰੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਮੈਲੁ : Those who are false within, and (display themselves as) honorable on the outside, are ample in this world (common, wide-spread…). Even if they bathe at sixty-eight Teeraths, the ‘filth‘ in their minds never comes off. (sggs 473).
• ਮਨਮੁਖ ਖੋਟੀ ਰਾਸਿ ਖੋਟਾ ਪਾਸਾਰਾ ॥: The wealth of the self-willed Manmukhs (that they collect throughout their lives) is false, and false is their ostentatious display (sggs 116).
• ਦਿਲਹੁ ਮੁਹਬਤਿ ਜਿੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਸੇਈ ਸਚਿਆ ॥ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਮਨਿ ਹੋਰੁ ਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਰੁ ਸਿ ਕਾਂਢੇ ਕਚਿਆ : They alone are the true lovers of God, who love Him from the core of their Heart. But those, within whose mind is something other than what they utter are called the fake or unfaithful lovers. ||1|| (sggs 488).
• ਰਹਤ ਅਵਰ ਕਛੁ ਅਵਰ ਕਮਾਵਤ ॥ ਮਨਿ ਨਹੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਮੁਖਹੁ ਗੰਢ ਲਾਵਤ ॥ ਜਾਨਨਹਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਪਰਬੀਨ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭੇਖ ਨ ਕਾਹੂ ਭੀਨ ॥: The outward signs of religion are different and practical life is different; (i.e., Gurbani’s Rahat is quite different than what’s being practiced; the outward display of Dharma is quite different than living actual spiritual life; the man professes one thing and practices quite another, etc.). There is no divine love in (his) mind, but with his mouth he talks big. The Inner Knower (Rabb) is Wise. (Rabb is never) impressed (pleased) with anyone’s outward appearance. (sggs 269).

In fact, according to the Mahala 3, those whose hearts are filled with craftiness call themselves ‘Sant‘!

• ਹਿਰਦੈ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕੈ ਕਪਟੁ ਵਸੈ ਬਾਹਰਹੁ ਸੰਤ ਕਹਾਹਿ ॥ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਚੁਕਈ ਅੰਤਿ ਗਏ ਪਛੁਤਾਹਿ ॥੨॥: The desire to be labelled as ‘sant‘ based on an external identity signifies a corrupt mind.
•  Their desires (cravings for Maya) are never satisfied, in the end they have nothing to show for except grief (Dukh). ||2|| (sggs 491).
• ਜਿਨ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਨਹੀ ਹਰਿ ਕੇਰੀ ਸੇ ਕਿਚਰਕੁ ਵੇਰਾਈਅਨਿ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਬੇਤਾਲੇ ॥: Those who do not have the love of Rabb within, how long can they be consoled? Those Manmukhs (Followers of the mind) wander like demons. (sggs 305).
• ਕਰੈ ਦੁਹਕਰਮ ਦਿਖਾਵੈ ਹੋਰੁ ॥: (The one who does not consider Ram to be omnipresent, hides inside and) commits evil deeds, but shows the outside world something else (i.e. pretend otherwise). (sggs 194).

The Gurbani rejects such treacherously false conduct — wickedness, malice, trickery, forgery, deception, craftiness, Karamkaand, Khotaapann-ਖੋਟਾਪਨ, ਦਿਖਾਵਾ …), etc.

• ਖੋਟਾ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਵੇਖੁ ॥੧॥: (Behold, as the counterfeit currency is worthless, similarly the acts) done in falsehood are of no avail. ||1|| (sggs 662).
• 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).

It only brings ruin in the end. Sooner or later, the fraud gets exposed! It’s just matter of time! This is the Gurbani’s edict.

• ਮਾਇਆ ਕੀ ਕਿਰਤਿ ਛੋਡਿ ਗਵਾਈ ਭਗਤੀ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਨੈ ॥ ਬੇਦ ਸਾਸਤ੍ਰ ਕਉ ਤਰਕਨਿ ਲਾਗਾ ਤਤੁ ਜੋਗੁ ਨ ਪਛਾਨੈ ॥੨॥ ਉਘਰਿ ਗਇਆ ਜੈਸਾ ਖੋਟਾ ਢਬੂਆ ਨਦਰਿ ਸਰਾਫਾ ਆਇਆ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਜਾਨੈ ਉਸ ਤੇ ਕਹਾ ਛਪਾਇਆ ॥੩॥: (A freeloader – ਵੇਲੜ, ਮੰਗ ਖਾਣਾਂ – who) renounces to work or earn his livelihood while living in the midst of Maya, he cannot know what Bhagti is! He uses Veda and Shastra (i.e. religious books) only in debates (to despise others) does not understand the reality (of Spiritual Life) and Union with God (from the Shabad). ॥2॥ Just as a counterfeit coin stands exposed when inspected by the Assayer; (similarly a person who is immoral inside, but religious outside) cannot hide (his inner corruption) from the Creator — the Inner-knower who from Within knows everything. ||3||(sggs 381).
• ਖਰੇ ਖਜਾਨੈ ਪਾਈਅਹਿ ਖੋਟੇ ਸਟੀਅਹਿ ਬਾਹਰ ਵਾਰਿ ॥: The genuine are placed in (Divine) Treasury (i.e., their life becomes meaningful), while the counterfeit are thrown away (i.e., false cannot be kept with the real). (sggs 143).

How common is this fraud?

It’s widespread!

The fake Baabaas are pullulating all over the world! We are time and again alerted by the Gurbani about them!

For example, in the following verses, Bhatt Bhikhaa Ji (whose Bani is included in Guru Granth Sahib) highlights this corruption further. Based on his own experience, Bhatt Bhikhaa Ji recounts his wanderings in search of a true Mahatma. He recounts spending one year (‘ਬਰਸੁ ਏਕੁ ਹਉ ਫਿਰਿਓ’), but could not find one. Instead, he found all of them just high flying on the ego fleet, soft-spoken, polished, sweet, but full of Mayaic corruption on the inside. Wasting his time in vain, finally, Bhatt Bhikhaa Ji came to the Guru Sahib.

• ਰਹਿਓ ਸੰਤ ਹਉ ਟੋਲਿ ਸਾਧ ਬਹੁਤੇਰੇ ਡਿਠੇ ॥ ਸੰਨਿਆਸੀ ਤਪਸੀਅਹ ਮੁਖਹੁ ਏ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮਿਠੇ ॥ ਬਰਸੁ ਏਕੁ ਹਉ ਫਿਰਿਓ ਕਿਨੈ ਨਹੁ ਪਰਚਉ ਲਾਯਉ ॥ ਕਹਤਿਅਹ ਕਹਤੀ ਸੁਣੀ ਰਹਤ ਕੋ ਖੁਸੀ ਨ ਆਯਉ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਦੂਜੈ ਲਗੇ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਗੁਣ ਹਉ ਕਿਆ ਕਹਉ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਦਯਿ ਮਿਲਾਯਉ ਭਿਖਿਆ ਜਿਵ ਤੂ ਰਖਹਿ ਤਿਵ ਰਹਉ ॥੨॥੨੦॥: I have been searching for Sants; I have seen so many ‘Sadh’. (Also seen) Sannyaasees, penitents and sweet-tongued Pandits. Although I wandered around for a year, but no one could satisfy me (solace, ਤਸੱਲੀ…). I have heard people say and preach, but seeing their way of life (Rahat), I am not at all pleased. What can I say about the qualities of those people who are engaged in other than Naam, (i.e., love of Maya)? (sggs 1395).

Perhaps, the present day Deras or the Pujaaree-Vaad in Sikhi  are the descendant of the same fraud referred to by Bhatt Bhikhaa Ji in the foregoing verse.

Undoubtedly, some are new ones as well — planted during the  Muslim rule as well as during the British rule in India, corrupt politicians, leaders, and so on!

Nonetheless, they are religious con men, who have reduced the Gurmat (Wisdom, Giaan, Upadesh or Way of the SGGS…), Sikhi, or Dharma to a mere mundane business (‘ਮਾਇਆ ਕੇ ਵਾਪਾਰਾ’, ‘ਰੋਟੀਆ ਕਾਰਣਿ’…).

The Gurbani repudiates their conduct or their life-style (‘ਕਰਤੂਤ’) !

Bhagat Kabeer Jee further highlights it. He says they, to whom I go to release myself, I found they themselves are bound by many chains (traps, noose, snares, perplexities, Bikaar: lust, anger, greed, 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).

In other words, they all want you to give them everything (your money, your land, your woman, etc.), but they themselves have nothing to give to you!

Baabaa Nanak says the Guru who himself is mentally blind, the disciples of that Guru are also ought to be mentally blind!

• ਗੁਰੂ ਜਿਨਾ ਕਾ ਅੰਧੁਲਾ ਸਿਖ ਭੀ ਅੰਧੇ ਕਰਮ ਕਰੇਨਿ ॥: Sikhs whose Guru is blind (mentally blind, ignorant…), act blindly as well (i.e., do wicked deeds). (sggs 951).
• ਗੁਰੂ ਜਿਨਾ ਕਾ ਅੰਧੁਲਾ ਚੇਲੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਠਾਉ ॥: Those disciples whose Guru (himself in the attachment of Maya) has become blind (mentally blind, ignorant…), cannot find place (i.e., spiritual bliss – ਆਤਮਕ ਸੁਖ). (sggs 58).

Crowds and crowds are attracted and follow the path of fraud

Bhagat Kabeer Jee gives us a very important clue, which can be of a great help ONLY if are are willing to accept it. Bhagat Kabeer Jee tells us crowds and crowds of people are attracted and thus follow the Path of falsehood (fraud, Karamkaand, Pakhandvaad…). It’s a sheep behavior — sheep follow sheep.

• ਦੇਖਾ ਦੇਖੀ ਸ੍ਵਾਂਗੁ ਧਰਿ ਭੂਲੇ ਭਟਕਾ ਖਾਹਿ ॥੧੩੫॥: (ਦੇਖਾ ਦੇਖੀ, ਨਕਲ ਕਰ ਕੇ, ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਦੇਖ ਕੇ, ਦਿਖਾਵੇ ਦੀ ਖਾਤਰ…, people ) look at one another and disguise (in religious robe, impersonation, ਸਾਂਗ ਬਣਾ ਲੈਣਾਂ…), but they are deluded and lost (from the true Way of life-ਸਹੀ ਰਾਹ ਤੋਂ ਖੁੰਝੇ ਹੋਏ ਇਹ ਲੋਕ ਭਟਕਦੇ ਹਨ). ||135|| (sggs 1371).

However, since the Way of Truth is like walking on the razor’s edge or chewing the steel balls — it does not attract crowds of people. As a result, Bhagat Kabeer Jee reminds us that the true ones are always alone (i.e., without crowds following them)!!

• ਕਬੀਰ ਜਿਹ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਗਏ ਪਾਛੈ ਪਰੀ ਬਹੀਰ ॥ ਇਕ ਅਵਘਟ ਘਾਟੀ ਰਾਮ ਕੀ ਤਿਹ ਚੜਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਕਬੀਰ ॥੧੬੫॥: O Kabeer! To follow ways of the enlightened beings, one must abandon the crowd (i.e. the stale and distorted path of falsehood, Pakhand, Karamkaand, superstitions…). There is a treacherous and rugged cliff on the way to becoming ‘Raam‘ (i.e. becoming Kartaa, Hari, divine, enlightened, spiritual being…); Kabeer is climbing that cliff (alone!). ||165|| (sggs 1373).

The Gurbani compares them…

The Gurbani compares them with ‘Thugs’ (ਠੱਗ, robbers, cheats); for they are just fraud, disguised in peculiar religious paraphernalia (‘Bhekhee‘, garbs…).

• ਗਲੀ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਜਪਮਾਲੀਆ ਲੋਟੇ ਹਥਿ ਨਿਬਗ ॥ ਓਇ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਤ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਹਿ ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ ॥੧॥: Who have rosaries around their necks, and glittering jugs in their hands, (just because of such religious paraphernalia) they should not be called the Divine’s Sant — they are thugs of Banaras (i.e., religious conmen, robbers, cheats…). (sggs 476).
• ਅਖੀ ਤ ਮੀਟਹਿ ਨਾਕ ਪਕੜਹਿ ਠਗਣ ਕਉ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: (Cheats, ਪਖੰਡੀ) Close their eyes and hold their nostrils (they do such trickery only) to dupe the world. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 662).

Next, the Gurbani compares them with ‘gambling’ — for they are gambling their life away in fraud and deception.

• ਬਾਹਰਹੁ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਜੀਅਹੁ ਤ ਮੈਲੇ ਤਿਨੀ ਜਨਮੁ ਜੂਐ ਹਾਰਿਆ ॥: Those who are outwardly pure and yet polluted within, lose their lives (just as a gambler loses his money) in the gamble (sggs 919).

Next, the Gurbani compares them with ‘beast’ and ‘animals’ (i.e., fools).

• ਚਿਟੇ ਜਿਨ ਕੇ ਕਪੜੇ ਮੈਲੇ ਚਿਤ ਕਠੋਰ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਊਪਜੈ ਦੂਜੈ ਵਿਆਪੇ ਚੋਰ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਮੂਲੁ ਨ ਬੂਝਹਿ ਆਪਣਾ ਸੇ ਪਸੂਆ ਸੇ ਢੋਰ ਜੀਉ ॥੩॥: Their clothes are white (beautiful religious robes) but their conscience is cruel and filthy (full of vices — they look holy or Mahaatamaa on the outside only). Their minds don’t acquire  Naam (Giaan-Wisdom, Virtues…); engrossed in duality they cheat people (i.e. their external appearance is only pretense-Pakhand to cheat people). They do not Understand their own Mool (Source, Jot Saroop…); that’s why they are fools with animal intelligence ||3|| (sggs 751).

Next, the Gurbani compares them with those beautiful ‘mansions and tall buildings’ which remain empty within (i.e., useless)!

• ਕੋਠੇ ਮੰਡਪ ਮਾੜੀਆ ਪਾਸਹੁ ਚਿਤਵੀਆਹਾ ॥ ਢਠੀਆ ਕੰਮਿ ਨ ਆਵਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਸਖਣੀਆਹਾ ॥੨॥ : There are houses, mansions and tall buildings, painted on all sides; But they are empty within, and they crumble like useless ruins. ||2|| (sggs 729).

Next, the Gurbani compares them with ‘herons’. For example, herons — even those who live at the so called holly ponds — stand in the water in a meditation pose. But in fact, it’s just doing that pretending in order to catch unsuspecting fish!

• ਬਗਾ ਬਗੇ ਕਪੜੇ ਤੀਰਥ ਮੰਝਿ ਵਸੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ॥ ਘੁਟਿ ਘੁਟਿ ਜੀਆ ਖਾਵਣੇ ਬਗੇ ਨਾ ਕਹੀਅਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ॥੩॥: Herons have white wings, they live only on Teerath (locations of pilgrimage). But those who swallow the living creatures are not said to be clean (i.e. they are crafty and scheming inside). ||3|| (sggs 729).

Next, they are compared with a ‘Simmle‘ tree in the Gurbani. A ‘Simmle‘ tree is known to be straight, tall and think. However, its fruits, flowers, and leaves are useless. Similarly, a person who pretends to be pure and Mahatma on the onside but a fraud on the inside is just like this ‘Simmle‘ tree.

• ਸਿੰਮਲ ਰੁਖੁ ਸਰਾਇਰਾ ਅਤਿ ਦੀਰਘ ਅਤਿ ਮੁਚੁ ॥ ਓਇ ਜਿ ਆਵਹਿ ਆਸ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਹਿ ਨਿਰਾਸੇ ਕਿਤੁ ॥ ਫਲ ਫਿਕੇ ਫੁਲ ਬਕਬਕੇ ਕੰਮਿ ਨ ਆਵਹਿ ਪਤ ॥: The simmal tree is straight; very tall, and very thick. But those birds which visit it hopefully (in hope to eat its fruits), depart disappointed. Its fruits are tasteless, its flowers are nauseating, and its leaves are useless (sggs 470).

Next, the Gurbani compares them with ‘bronze’. Bronze is bright and shiny on the outside, but when it is rubbed, its blackness appears. And that ‘blackness’ can not be removed even if it is washed again and again!

• ਉਜਲੁ ਕੈਹਾ ਚਿਲਕਣਾ ਘੋਟਿਮ ਕਾਲੜੀ ਮਸੁ ॥ ਧੋਤਿਆ ਜੂਠਿ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਜੇ ਸਉ ਧੋਵਾ ਤਿਸੁ ॥੧॥: Bronze is bright and shiny, but when it is rubbed, its blackness appears. Washing it, its impurity (inner ‘blackness’) is not removed, even if it is washed a hundred times. ||1|| (sggs 729).

Perhaps we all heard a story of Baabaa Nanak and Sajjan Thug (whose real name was Sheikh). He used to dress like a saint! But, in reality, he was a robber. Apart from that Sakhi, in our daily life, we all witness or read about many self-claimed, who either love to be called or deem themselves ‘Bhagat’, ‘Giaanee’, ‘Sant’, ‘Gurmukh‘, etc. The Gurbani says:

• ਜਉ ਜਾਨੈ ਹਉ ਭਗਤੁ ਗਿਆਨੀ ॥ ਆਗੈ ਠਾਕੁਰਿ ਤਿਲੁ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਨੀ ॥ ਜਉ ਜਾਨੈ ਮੈ ਕਥਨੀ ਕਰਤਾ ॥ ਬਿਆਪਾਰੀ ਬਸੁਧਾ ਜਿਉ ਫਿਰਤਾ ॥: When (one) deems that (he) has become a Bhagat (the Gurmukh…), a Giaanee (One who possesses Giaan, ਵਿੱਦਵਾਨ…), then, in the world hereafter, the Master will have no regard for him at all. When he believes himself to be a sermonizer (ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਕਥਾ-ਵਖਿਆਨ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ), he is merely a peddler wandering over the earth (sggs 255).

As far as the Gurbani is concerned, such people are just ‘peddler’! As a peddler sells his stuff to others, similarly, such self-claimed ‘Baabaa’, ‘Mahatma’, ‘Sant‘, etc., defraud others. But, spiritually speaking, they have nothing to show for themselves (‘ਆਗੈ ਠਾਕੁਰਿ ਤਿਲੁ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਨੀ’)!

• ਗੁਰ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਹੀਣਸ੍ਯ੍ਯ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਧ੍ਰਿਗੰਤ ਜਨਮ ਭ੍ਰਸਟਣਹ ॥ ਕੂਕਰਹ ਸੂਕਰਹ ਗਰਧਭਹ ਕਾਕਹ ਸਰਪਨਹ ਤੁਲਿ ਖਲਹ ॥੩੩॥: That mortal who lacks the Gur-mantra (Guru’s counsel, advice, Wisdom, Upadesh, ਸਲਾਹ), cursed and fallen (depraved, polluted…) is his life. That wicked person is a dog, a pig, a jackass, a crow, a snake (in this very life, here and now, not after death). ||33|| (1356).

Risky to judge someone based on outer appearance

Thus, it is very risky to judge a person by how he appears outwardly. The Gurbani does not advise to do it. For example, a person may speak sweet and wise words, look spiritual and Mahatma on the outside, but in his heart he may be harboring a vengeance, resentment, grudge, hatred, fraud, deception, etc. The Gurbani cautions not to take anything at face value:

• ਸਿਆਮਲੰ ਮਧੁਰ ਮਾਨੁਖ੍ਯ੍ਯੰ ਰਿਦਯੰ ਭੂਮਿ ਵੈਰਣਹ ॥ ਨਿਵੰਤਿ ਹੋਵੰਤਿ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਚੇਤਨੰ ਸੰਤ ਸ੍ਵਜਨਹ ॥੬੦॥: A person (may look) beautiful and speak sweet words, (but if he) harbors vengeance (i.e., Bikaar)  in the farm of (his) heart; (then his) bowing is false. True Satsangee Jan (the Gurmukh, Daas, Bhagat…) remain conscious or cognizant (of this fault…). ||60||(sggs 1359).

In other words, a person may try to look spiritual from an ulterior motive, which others cannot detect. Or it may be he is trying to look spiritual or good because he expects by looking so he will get some rewards that he cannot otherwise get. Or, he may be trying to look spiritual or good because of some fear. Or, he may be blatantly selfish; whatever good he does may only be a cloak to hide his real motive of swindling money (Golak), gaining power, political or otherwise.

Understandably, the Gurbani has attached paramount importance to the necessity of internal purity. Obviously, instead of looking pure or Mahatma, ‘Being’ and ‘Becoming’ is very important to the Gurbani. In other words, acting without being is useless in the discerning eyes of the Gurbani (Bibek Budhi of the Gurbani)!

• ਭੇਖ ਦਿਖਾਵੈ ਸਚੁ ਨ ਕਮਾਵੈ ॥: (To show off, the stubborn fool) ostensibly wears religious robes, but does not practice Truth (sggs 738).

Only by Internalizing the Message of the Gur-Shabad…

The Gurbani’s edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ) is that ONLY Internalization of the Message of the Shabad (GURMUKH-Hood State of Mind) can discern (recognize, determine, distinguish etc.) fake from true or real from the unreal etc.

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਖੋਟੇ ਖਰੇ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥: The spirituality of the Shabad (i.e. Internalization of the Message of the Shabad) distinguishes between fake true (in conscience within. (sggs 942).

Hence, we are urged by the Gurbani to become the Gurmukh, recognize the false as false, and then break away from the false (‘ਨਾਨਕ ਕਚੜਿਆ ਸਿਉ ਤੋੜਿ’).

In other words — until we become Gurmukh ourselves — we cannot recognize the true from the false or real from the unreal. If we are Manmukh-Mayadhaaree-Saakat, then nobody can help us from being cheated by the fake Baabaa.

One recognizes the false only when the Truth is in his Heart. To be pure both from within and without is not only to know the Truth, but also live that Truth in daily life — the Gurmukh-Lifestyle. Only a Gurmukh’s mind is fearless enough to leave the ‘Trikutee-ਤ੍ਰਿਕੁਟੀ’ and come to rest into the Heart (‘Hirdaa-ਹਿਰਦਾ’ or ‘Ghat-ਘਟ’ or ‘Dasavaa Duaaru-ਦਸਵਾ ਦੁਆਰੁ’).

• ਨਾਨਕ ਕਹਤ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਪੰਥ ਇਹੁ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਇ ਤੁਮ ਪਾਵਉ ॥੨॥੫॥: Says Nanak — this is the Way to Liberation (Freedom from Mayaic consciousness, perversions, etc., but) you will have to become a Gurmukh to obtain it. ||2||5|| (sggs 219).
• ਹੈਨਿ ਵਿਰਲੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਘਣੇ ਫੈਲ ਫਕੜੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥੧੨॥: (Gurmukh, Daas, Bhagat, Jan…) are few and far between; everything else is but a pompous show and wrangling in this world ||12|| (sggs 1411).

In nutshell, a greedy person (i.e., anybody attached to Maya, duality, spiritual ignorance – Manmukh, Mayadhaaree, Saakat, Bikaaree…) CANNOT distinguish the true from the fake.

In fact, fake Baabaa flourish where there are greedy people!

• ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹਿ ਬਿਆਪਿਆ ਧੋਹਿ ॥: (O mind!) Attached to Maya, you remain entangled in fraud (sggs 899).

Spiritual Wisdom of the Gurbani makes one Gurmukh and immune from deception and fraud.