How to win the battle within – S. Jarnail Singh
Abstract
Sri Guru Granth Sahib talks about an internal battle, which you have to fight with your own mind. The five evils (kaam, krodh, etc.) are very powerful. You have to rise up to fight this battle against them
ਕਾਮ ਕਰੋਧੁ ਨਗਰ ਮਹਿ ਸਬਲਾ ਨਿਤ ਉਠਿ ਉਠਿ ਜੂਝੁ ਕਰੀਜੈ ॥
There is no other way to escape than this struggle with your own mind.
ਸੋ ਹਰਿ ਸਰਣਾਈ ਛੁਟੀਐ ਜੋ ਮਨ ਸਿਉ ਜੂਝੈ ॥
Only Gurmat Naam, the Word of the Shabad, can help win this battle.
ਮਨੁ ਮਰੈ ਧਾਤੁ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਇ ॥
When the mind is conquered, its turbulent wanderings are stopped.
ਬਿਨੁ ਮਨ ਮੂਏ ਕੈਸੇ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਇ ॥
Without conquering the mind, how can the Lord be found?
ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਮਰੈ ਦਾਰੂ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੋਇ ॥
Rare is the one who knows the medicine to conquer the mind.
ਮਨੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਬੂਝੈ ਜਨੁ ਸੋਇ ॥੧॥
|The mind is conquered through the Word of the Shabad; this is known to the Lord’s humble servant. ||1||
I will try to speak on this subject in light of SGGS only, a great treasure of wisdom.
Video of Presentation
Body of Paper
[The English version of this paper is available below after the Punjabi version]
English Version of Paper
How to Win a War Within?
Jarnail Singh (Journalist)
Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji teaches us the gurmat way to win a battle within. This human life has purpose and it is the only chance to win the war within, which we cannot do in non-human births (joon).
ਲਖ ਚਉਰਾਸੀਹ ਜੋਨਿ ਸਬਾਈ ॥
Out of all the 8.4 million species of beings,
ਮਾਣਸ ਕਉ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਦੀਈ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥
God blessed mankind with glory.
ਇਸੁ ਪਉੜੀ ਤੇ ਜੋ ਨਰੁ ਚੂਕੈ ਸੋ ਆਇ ਜਾਇ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥੨॥
That human who misses this chance, shall suffer the pains of coming and going in reincarnation. ||2||
If we looses this chance, then we will be reincarnated again and again, and will always suffer in sadness. As long as we have life, we have a chance to win this war. Surprisingly, only a few fortunate people realize they have to fight this war to win. The majority of people lose the battle before they even start fighting. They are happily under control of the five evils (vikkars), and don’t want to change. Inside their minds, the five evils are yelling and screaming, so that they are not able to hear their inner voice.
Humans are living their lives under the influence of the five evils. They are not able to differentiate between right and wrong. They are so much under the influence of Maya, that they cannot recognize the inner bliss. The evils overpower one’s mind, so that they don’t recognize the light of truth within. The mind becomes obsessed with these evils. In it’s actual form, the mind is the pure light of truth (jot saroop). It becomes filthy because of the evils, just like in a mud puddle, you don’t see the pure water, you only see the mud; similarly, you only see the filth of the evils, not the pure mind. If we will not remove the filth of the mind, then it will only stink more.
It is very difficult to wind the mind, but we can win the mind. That’s why Guru Sahib reassures us and calls us when we have lost faith.
ਬਿਖਮੋ ਬਿਖਮੁ ਅਖਾੜਾ ਮੈ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਜੀਤਾ ਰਾਮ ॥
Meeting the Guru, I have won the most arduous battle in the arena of life.
ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਜੀਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਤਾ ਤੂਟੀ ਭੀਤਾ ਭਰਮ ਗੜਾ ॥
Meeting the Guru, I am victorious; praising the Lord, Har, Har, the walls of the fortress of doubt have been destroyed.
ਪਾਇਆ ਖਜਾਨਾ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਨਿਧਾਨਾ ਸਾਣਥ ਮੇਰੀ ਆਪਿ ਖੜਾ ॥
I have obtained the wealth of so many treasures; the Lord Himself has stood by my side.
Before we start talking about how to control the mind, first let’s talk about what is the meaning of controlling the mind. The mind is not the body, nerve, skeleton, bone, the mind is not made of blood, than how will we control it? According to Gurmat, control of the mind is also called making the mind pure.
ਕਬੀਰ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਭਇਆ ਜੈਸਾ ਗੰਗਾ ਨੀਰੁ ॥
Kabeer, my mind has become immaculate, like the waters of the Ganges.
ਪਾਛੈ ਲਾਗੋ ਹਰਿ ਫਿਰੈ ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਕਬੀਰ ॥੫੫॥
The Lord follows after me, calling, “Kabeer! Kabeer!” ||55||
Control of the mind, or stopping the mind from following the five evils and redirecting it to spiritual awareness (Atam bibek), or we can say, sculpting the mind, bringing the mind back to it’s original pure form (nij ghar), are all signs of killing the mind. When all the evil thoughts are controlled, the mind comes into it’s original form. Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh says, “When mayavi thoughts are abolished from the mind, then one can see the glimmer of pure inner soul.” Or we can say we feel like this;
ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਸਰੋਵਰਿ ਨਾਤੇ ॥
Bathing in the nectar tank of Ram Das,
ਸਭਿ ਉਤਰੇ ਪਾਪ ਕਮਾਤੇ ॥
all sins are erased.
ਨਿਰਮਲ ਹੋਏ ਕਰਿ ਇਸਨਾਨਾ ॥
One becomes immaculately pure, taking this cleansing bath.
ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਕੀਨੇ ਦਾਨਾ ॥੧॥
The Perfect Guru has bestowed this gift. ||1||
We have to kill our mind. The killing of the mind is also abolishing self derived intelligence (manmat). As long as we are listening to our mind, our lifestyle is influenced by our mind, in other words, we are manmukh. When we follow the concept of gurmat in our life, then all our actions will intuitively be according to gurmat. If one leaves his body as a manmukh, then Guru Sahib says;
ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਆਵੈ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਜਾਵੈ ॥
The self-willed manmukh comes, and the self-willed manmukh goes.
ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਚੋਟਾ ਖਾਵੈ ॥
The manmukh suffers beatings again and again.
ਜਿਤਨੇ ਨਰਕ ਸੇ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਭੋਗੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਲੇਪੁ ਨ ਮਾਸਾ ਹੇ ॥੧੨॥
The manmukh endures as many hells as there are; the Gurmukh is not even touched by them. ||12||
As long as you are under the influence of your mind, you’ll be unhappy and constantly reincarnating, The intelligence of the mind, under the influence of the five evils, is incomplete. We may discuss and debate on different subjects, but if our mind is attached to the five evils, nothing useful will come of these discussions and debates.
ਚੇਰੀ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਹਿ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਨਹੀ ਦੀਸੈ ॥
He serves the maid, and does not see his Lord and Master.
ਪੋਖਰੁ ਨੀਰੁ ਵਿਰੋਲੀਐ ਮਾਖਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਰੀਸੈ ॥੭॥
Churning the water in the pond, no butter is produced. ||7||
You may churn the water of the dirty pond as much as you want, but butter will never come from it. Only filth comes out of empty discussions. As long as the filth of the evils is not cleaned from the mind, you will not reach any conclusion. To win the mind is also to sculpt the mind. But before we sculpt the mind, we should understand the properties of the mind. If somebody has to make a sculpture from iron, they need to understand the properties of iron, of what it is comprised. We have to heat the iron, strike it hard, then only we can change the form of the iron from a lump of ore to a sharp sword. We know the form of wood and stone also, we also know the tools used to sculpt them
We should know the form of the mind. The mind includes a never ending combination of thoughts, concepts, and desires. Even when a person sleeps, still these continue. People even see these continuously in their dreams. But these are influenced by five evils, which we see can effect dreams as well. If your negative desires are inhibited by societal norms, they will show up in your dreams.
It seems like the mind is identical to the soul. Maybe this is the reason why Guru Sahib says that our mind comes through many births. It is attached to the soul, or it is a reflection of the soul.
ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਕੇਤੜਿਆ ਜੁਗ ਭਰਮਿਆ ਥਿਰੁ ਰਹੈ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਜਾਇ ॥
This mind has wandered through so many ages; it has not remained stable – it continues coming and going.
ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮਃ ੩ ॥
Shalok, Third Mehl:
ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕੀ ਇਸੁ ਮਨ ਕਉ ਮਲੁ ਲਾਗੀ ਕਾਲਾ ਹੋਆ ਸਿਆਹੁ ॥
The filth of countless incarnations sticks to this mind; it has become pitch black.
ਖੰਨਲੀ ਧੋਤੀ ਉਜਲੀ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਜੇ ਸਉ ਧੋਵਣਿ ਪਾਹੁ ॥
The oily rag cannot be cleaned by merely washing it, even if it is washed a hundred times.
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਜੀਵਤੁ ਮਰੈ ਉਲਟੀ ਹੋਵੈ ਮਤਿ ਬਦਲਾਹੁ ॥
By Guru’s Grace, one remains dead while yet alive; his intellect is transformed, and he becomes detached from the world.
ਨਾਨਕ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਨਾ ਫਿਰਿ ਜੋਨੀ ਪਾਹੁ ॥੧॥
O Nanak, no filth sticks to him, and he does not fall into the womb again. ||1||
With Guru’s kirpa, one dies while yet alive, and his intellect is transformed. Then no more filth sticks to him, and he is free from reincarnation. The inner soul, the mind, is pure in it’s original form. But, because the filth of the five vikkars is stuck to it, we cannot see that original form. Gurbani makes one understands the original form of the mind (jot saroop).
ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥
O my mind, you are the embodiment of the Divine Light – recognize your own origin.
The mind is dirty and we have to clean it, to kill it. There is only one soap, Naam, Shabad, Akaal Purakh, Singing the praises of Vaheguroo. Nothing will happen with empty thoughts. There may be discussion among thousands of manmukhs, and they may spend a lot of time in their discussions, but their minds will not become pure. If we have dirty clothes, and we rub them together, they will not get clean. The filth from one may simply transfer from one to the other. Without soap they will not get clean. Maharaj says;
ਭਰੀਐ ਮਤਿ ਪਾਪਾ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ॥
But when the intellect is stained and polluted by sin,
ਓਹੁ ਧੋਪੈ ਨਾਵੈ ਕੈ ਰੰਗਿ ॥
it can only be cleansed by the Love of the Name.
…..
ਸਹਸੈ ਜੀਉ ਮਲੀਣੁ ਹੈ ਕਿਤੁ ਸੰਜਮਿ ਧੋਤਾ ਜਾਏ ॥
The soul is polluted by skepticism; how can it be cleansed?
ਮੰਨੁ ਧੋਵਹੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਲਾਗਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਰਹਹੁ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥
Wash your mind by attaching it to the Shabad, and keep your consciousness focused on the Lord.
In the beginning, the mind will not agree with us. We will have to beat it. Yes, we have to beat it. Maharaj says;
ਕੂਟਨੁ ਸੋਇ ਜੁ ਮਨ ਕਉ ਕੂਟੈ ॥
He alone is a pimp, who pounds down his mind.
ਮਨ ਕੂਟੈ ਤਉ ਜਮ ਤੇ ਛੂਟੈ ॥
Pounding down his mind, he escapes from the Messenger of Death.
ਕੁਟਿ ਕੁਟਿ ਮਨੁ ਕਸਵਟੀ ਲਾਵੈ ॥
Pounding and beating his mind, he puts it to the test;
ਸੋ ਕੂਟਨੁ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਬਹੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥੧॥
such a pimp attains total liberation. ||1||
These days there is a tradition that one should not upset another. Do whatever the intellect says, don’t break anyone’s heart. It is just like someone is drinking poison in front of us, but rather than stopping them we let them. No! We should definitely hurt and beat the mind. We have to shoot arrows of truth to pierce our intellect.
ਕਬੀਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੂਰਮੇ ਬਾਹਿਆ ਬਾਨੁ ਜੁ ਏਕੁ ॥
Kabeer, the True Guru, the Spiritual Warrior, has shot me with His Arrow.
ਲਾਗਤ ਹੀ ਭੁਇ ਗਿਰਿ ਪਰਿਆ ਪਰਾ ਕਰੇਜੇ ਛੇਕੁ ॥੧੯੪॥
As soon as it struck me, I fell to the ground, with a hole in my heart. ||194||
This is the nature of the Gurbani of Satguru Ji. This was not initiated by the mind. Akaal Purakh himself sent it from his court.
ਇਹ ਬਾਣੀ ਮਹਾ ਪੁਰਖ ਕੀ ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਵਾਸਾ ਹੋਇ ॥੪੦॥
This is the Bani of the Supreme Being; through it, one dwells within the home of his inner being. ||40||
No philosophy, intelligence, or knowledge originating from the mind can make the mind pure, or can dwell within the home of the inner being, neither can it sculpt the mind. We cannot win our mind without quitting our own intellect. We have to surrender our mind, we have to surrender our intelligence and knowledge, and we have to obtain Guru Sahib’s understanding. Until we have reached that level;
ਤੂ ਸਮਰਥੁ ਵਡਾ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਤਿ ਥੋਰੀ ਰਾਮ ॥
You are great and all-powerful; my understanding is so inadequate, O Lord.
Until that time, the light of Guru Sahib’s knowledge will not dwell within us.
ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਇਸੁ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਕਰਮਿ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਏ ॥੧॥
Gurbani is the Light to illuminate this world; by His Grace, it comes to abide within the mind. ||1||
Gurbani’s recitation, meditation, and singing (keertan) are the techniques by which we win our mind.
In our mind we are fighting a battle. Someone has said that the devil is at war with the saint. And someone has said something else. Somebody asked a noble person of the battle between two wrestlers (good and evil), who will win the war? The noble person answered, that who so ever we feed properly will win the war. Whatever food you consume, that’s what you become. Similarly, whatever you feed the mind, the mind becomes. If we will feed the body fried and fast food, the body will become fat and diseased. If we feed it healthy food, then it will become healthy. Likewise, whatever food we feed the five senses (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin), is what our mind will become. If someone watches adult movies all the time, or if someone gossips all the time, what kind of function will that mind have? If the mind will have the sangat of gursikhs, listen to Gurbani and katha vichaar, what kind of function will that mind have? It is clear that whichever wrestler we feed properly will overpower the other. Bhai Gurdas ji says:
akhee vaekh n rajeeaa bahu ra(n)g thamaasae||
The eyes are not satisfied with beholding sights and exhibitions
ousathath ni(n)dhaa ka(n)n sun rovan thai haasae||
The ears are not satisfied with hearing praise or blame, mourning or rejoicing.
saadhee(n) jeebh n rajeeaa kar bhog bilaasae||
The tongue is not satisfied with eating what affords pleasure and delight.
nak n rajaa vaas lai dhuraga(n)dhh suvaasae||
The nose is not contented with good or evil odour.
raj n koee jeeviaa koorrae bharavaasae||
Nobody is satisfied with is span of life, and everyone entertains false hopes.
peer mureedhaa(n) pireharree sachee reharaasae ||9||
But the Sikhs are satisfied with the Guru and theirs is the true Love and delight.(9)
In this world, nothing can satisfy the mind. Actually, the mind doesn’t want to be satisfied. It always wants to remain unsatisfied. That’s the reason it keeps on reincarnating. If the mind will be satisfied, then it will stop reincarnating. We have to tighten the reigns of the mind, otherwise it will run with high speed. The mind can roam around the globe in seconds. We have to ride upon the mind. Kabeer sahib says;
ਗਉੜੀ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀ ॥
Gauree, Kabeer Jee:
ਦੇਇ ਮੁਹਾਰ ਲਗਾਮੁ ਪਹਿਰਾਵਉ ॥
I have grasped the reins and attached the bridle;
ਸਗਲ ਤ ਜੀਨੁ ਗਗਨ ਦਉਰਾਵਉ ॥੧॥
abandoning everything, I now ride through the skies. ||1||
ਅਪਨੈ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ਅਸਵਾਰੀ ਕੀਜੈ ॥
I made self-reflection my mount,
ਸਹਜ ਕੈ ਪਾਵੜੈ ਪਗੁ ਧਰਿ ਲੀਜੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
and in the stirrups of intuitive poise, I placed my feet. ||1||Pause||
ਚਲੁ ਰੇ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਤੁਝਹਿ ਲੇ ਤਾਰਉ ॥
Come, and let me ride you to heaven.
ਹਿਚਹਿ ਤ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕੈ ਚਾਬੁਕ ਮਾਰਉ ॥੨॥
If you hold back, then I shall strike you with the whip of spiritual love. ||2||
ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਭਲੇ ਅਸਵਾਰਾ ॥
Says Kabeer, those are the best riders,
ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਤੇ ਰਹਹਿ ਨਿਰਾਰਾ ॥੩॥੩੧॥
who remain detached from the Vedas, the Koran and the Bible. ||3||31||
Kabeer sahib is talking about that spiritual state where the mind’s reigns have been tightened, and now the he is riding through the sky, abandoning everything.
ਚਰਣ ਚਰਣ ਚਰਣ ਗੁਰ ਸੇਵੇ ਅਘੜੁ ਘੜਿਓ ਰਸੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਥਾ ॥੩॥
I serve the feet, the feet, the feet of the Guru, and manage the unmanageable. I have found the juice, the sublime essence. ||3||
ਸਹਜੇ ਆਵਾ ਸਹਜੇ ਜਾਵਾ ਸਹਜੇ ਮਨੁ ਖੇਲਾਇਆ ਥਾ ॥
Intuitively I come, and intuitively I go; my mind intuitively plays.
The mind has reached the palace of the inner being.
The five vikkars, lust, anger, greed, attachment, ego, are powerful. It’s almost impossible to win them over. The other religious people have tried to win them over, control them, stop them. But they have failed. Obviously they will fail, because they have used the efforts of the body instead of the mind to win them over. If they have used their own mind, they have only used their own intellect. The mind has always remained unconquered with its own intellect and duality. Gurmat Naam, simran, gurbani can only conquer the mind.
ਬਸੰਤੁ ਮਹਲਾ ੯ ॥
Basant, Ninth Mehl:
ਪਾਪੀ ਹੀਐ ਮੈ ਕਾਮੁ ਬਸਾਇ ॥
The heart of the sinner is filled with unfulfilled sexual desire.
ਮਨੁ ਚੰਚਲੁ ਯਾ ਤੇ ਗਹਿਓ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
He cannot control his fickle mind. ||1||Pause||
ਜੋਗੀ ਜੰਗਮ ਅਰੁ ਸੰਨਿਆਸ ॥
The Yogis, wandering ascetics and renunciates –
ਸਭ ਹੀ ਪਰਿ ਡਾਰੀ ਇਹ ਫਾਸ ॥੧॥
this net is cast over them all. ||1||
ਜਿਹਿ ਜਿਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਰਿ ॥
Those who contemplate the Name of the Lord
ਤੇ ਭਵ ਸਾਗਰ ਉਤਰੇ ਪਾਰਿ ॥੨॥
cross over the terrifying world-ocean. ||2||
ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਸਰਨਾਇ ॥
Servant Nanak seeks the Sanctuary of the Lord.
ਦੀਜੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਹੈ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਇ ॥੩॥੨॥
Please bestow the blessing of Your Name, that he may continue to sing Your Glorious Praises. ||3||2||
Anyone who contemplates the Naam, who sings the Naam, only he is successful. This play is dear to Vaheguroo.
ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਜੀਤਹੁ ਐਸੀ ਖੇਲ ਹਰਿ ਪਿਆਰੀ ॥੨॥
Conquer sexual desire, anger, greed and worldly attachment; only such a game as this is dear to the Lord. ||2||
Everyday, we need to wake up and fight a battle with the mind.
ਕਾਮ ਕਰੋਧੁ ਨਗਰ ਮਹਿ ਸਬਲਾ ਨਿਤ ਉਠਿ ਉਠਿ ਜੂਝੁ ਕਰੀਜੈ ॥
Sexual desire and anger are very powerful in the body-village; I rise up to fight the battle against them.
Some say, if we have read gurbani once, if we have understood the meanings, what is the need to do it again? What is the need of reciting the Naam like a parrot, again and again? What benefit can we get with simran and keertan? We just need to understand it once. Oh my dear people, this mind is betraying you. Don’t we breathe again and again? Don’t we eat again and again?
ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਭੋਜਨੁ ਨਿਤ ਭੁੰਚਹੁ ਸਰਬ ਵੇਲਾ ਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਵਹੁ ॥
So eat the Ambrosial Name of the Lord as your food; put it into your mouth at all times.
ਜਰਾ ਮਰਾ ਤਾਪੁ ਸਭੁ ਨਾਠਾ ਗੁਣ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਨਿਤ ਗਾਵਹੁ ॥੩॥
The pains of old age and death shall all depart, when you constantly sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe. ||3||
These five vikkars don’t want you to;
ਨਿਤ ਉਠਿ ਗਾਵਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ॥
Rise early, and sing the Glorious Word of God’s Bani.
ਆਠ ਪਹਰ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ॥੨॥
Twenty-four hours a day, meditate in remembrance on the Lord, O mortal. ||2||
The mind doesn’t want to be conquered. It’s always bickering with us. If we think, after reading gurbani, didn’t we watch TV? Haven’t our five senses experienced, heard, or spoken the filth? Whenever we go to the market, don’t we bring a filthy mind home with us? If the mind is getting filthy every day, we need to wash it every day. Yes, when the day will come, when we have attained the focus, when the mind is always connected with Vaheguroo, our concentration will not go anywhere else, we will always be attuned with Vaheguroo.
ਜੈਸੇ ਜਲ ਮਹਿ ਕਮਲੁ ਨਿਰਾਲਮੁ ਮੁਰਗਾਈ ਨੈ ਸਾਣੇ ॥
The lotus flower floats untouched upon the surface of the water, and the duck swims through the stream;
ਸੁਰਤਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਭਵ ਸਾਗਰੁ ਤਰੀਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਾਣੇ ॥
with one’s consciousness focused on the Word of the Shabad, one crosses over the terrifying world-ocean. O Nanak, chant the Naam, the Name of the Lord.
In this state of mind, there is little effect of Maya. Actually, in this state, the mind wants to be continuously (athey peher) attuned in the celestial sound of Vaheguroo. If we don’t have this state, then will always find excuses to be under the influence of Maya.
Some people always want to use their own concepts of mind, they feel that whatever concept they have is correct. They use the concepts of their own mind to understand Gurbani. In reality, they should use the concepts of Gurbani to check the direction of their mind.
ਮਨਹਠ ਬੁਧੀ ਕੇਤੀਆ ਕੇਤੇ ਬੇਦ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥
There are so many stubborn-minded intelligent people, and so many who contemplate the Vedas.
ਕੇਤੇ ਬੰਧਨ ਜੀਅ ਕੇ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰ ॥
There are so many entanglements for the soul. Only as Gurmukh do we find the Gate of Liberation.
ਸਚਹੁ ਓਰੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਉਪਰਿ ਸਚੁ ਆਚਾਰੁ ॥੫॥
Truth is higher than everything; but higher still is truthful living. ||5||
Guru Sahib states;
ਸਹਸ ਸਿਆਣਪਾ ਲਖ ਹੋਹਿ ਤ ਇਕ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਨਾਲਿ ॥
Hundreds of thousands of clever tricks, but not even one of them will go along with you in the end.
….
ਰੇ ਜਨ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਧਉ ਸਿਉ ਲਾਈਐ ॥
O humble people, link your mind to the Lord.
ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ਨ ਚਤੁਰਭੁਜੁ ਪਾਈਐ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Through cleverness, the four-armed Lord is not obtained. ||Pause||
….
ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ਸਿਆਣਪਾ ਕਿਤੈ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਈਐ ॥
Cunning and cleverness are of no use.
ਤੁਠਾ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਜੋ ਦੇਵੈ ਸੋਈ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਈਐ ॥੩॥
That which the Lord Master gives, by the Pleasure of His Will – that is pleasing to me. ||3||
ਜੇ ਲਖ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਈਅਹਿ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਵੈ ਨ ਬੰਧਾ ॥
One may perform tens of thousands of actions, but attachment to things is not satisfied.
ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀਤਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਰ ਹੋਰੁ ਛੋਡਿਆ ਧੰਧਾ ॥੪॥੧॥੧੦੩॥
Servant Nanak has made the Naam his Support. He has renounced other entanglements. ||4||1||103||
This cleverness and cunning nature is of the mind. If one becomes cunning and clever, it’s difficult for him to leave manmat and attain gurmat. It’a easy to bring an innocent person to gurmat. Guru Sahib states;
ਪਾਇਓ ਬਾਲ ਬੁਧਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਰੇ ॥
Adopting the innocent mind of a child, I have found peace.
….
ਧੰਨੈ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਬਾਲ ਬੁਧਿ ॥
Dhanna served the Lord, with the innocence of a child.
ਤ੍ਰਿਲੋਚਨ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਭਈ ਸਿਧਿ ॥
Meeting with the Guru, Trilochan attained the perfection of the Siddhas.
Childlike innocence is very important. If we want to sculpt our minds, win our minds, then we need to practice gurshabad, simran, keertan, and praises. There is no other way.
ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਨੁ ਜੀਤਿਆ ਗਤਿ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਘਰੈ ਮਹਿ ਪਾਇ ॥
Through the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, the mind is conquered, and one attains the State of Liberation in one’s own home.
It’s not easy to win over the mind, we need to surrender to Guru Sahib, and we need to beg and request again and again. We need to cut out our ego and self respect, and beg in front of Vaheguroo.
ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
Gauree, Fifth Mehl:
ਰਾਖੁ ਪਿਤਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਮੇਰੇ ॥
Save me, O My Father God.
ਮੋਹਿ ਨਿਰਗੁਨੁ ਸਭ ਗੁਨ ਤੇਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
I am worthless and without virtue; all virtues are Yours. ||1||Pause||
ਪੰਚ ਬਿਖਾਦੀ ਏਕੁ ਗਰੀਬਾ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਰਾਖਨਹਾਰੇ ॥
The five vicious thieves are assaulting my poor being; save me, O Savior Lord!
ਖੇਦੁ ਕਰਹਿ ਅਰੁ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਸੰਤਾਵਹਿ ਆਇਓ ਸਰਨਿ ਤੁਹਾਰੇ ॥੧॥
They are tormenting and torturing me. I have come, seeking Your Sanctuary. ||1||
ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਹਾਰਿਓ ਅਨਿਕ ਬਹੁ ਭਾਤੀ ਛੋਡਹਿ ਕਤਹੂੰ ਨਾਹੀ ॥
Trying all sorts of things, I have grown weary, but still, they will not leave me alone.
ਏਕ ਬਾਤ ਸੁਨਿ ਤਾਕੀ ਓਟਾ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਮਿਟਿ ਜਾਹੀ ॥੨॥
But I have heard that they can be rooted out, in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy; and so I seek their Shelter. ||2||
ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਸੰਤ ਮਿਲੇ ਮੋਹਿ ਤਿਨ ਤੇ ਧੀਰਜੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
In their Mercy, the Saints have met me, and from them, I have obtained satisfaction.
ਸੰਤੀ ਮੰਤੁ ਦੀਓ ਮੋਹਿ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਮਾਇਆ ॥੩॥
The Saints have given me the Mantra of the Fearless Lord, and now I practice the Word of the Guru’s Shabad. ||3||
ਜੀਤਿ ਲਏ ਓਇ ਮਹਾ ਬਿਖਾਦੀ ਸਹਜ ਸੁਹੇਲੀ ਬਾਣੀ ॥
I have now conquered those terrible evil-doers, and my speech is now sweet and sublime.
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨਿ ਭਇਆ ਪਰਗਾਸਾ ਪਾਇਆ ਪਦੁ ਨਿਰਬਾਣੀ ॥੪॥੪॥੧੨੫॥
Says Nanak, the Divine Light has dawned within my mind; I have obtained the state of Nirvaanaa. ||4||4||125||
Guru Sahib states in Gurbani;
ਸਲੋਕੁ ॥
Shalok:
ਫਾਹੇ ਕਾਟੇ ਮਿਟੇ ਗਵਨ ਫਤਿਹ ਭਈ ਮਨਿ ਜੀਤ ॥
The noose of Death is cut, and one’s wanderings cease; victory is obtained, when one conquers his own mind.
ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਥਿਤ ਪਾਈ ਫਿਰਨ ਮਿਟੇ ਨਿਤ ਨੀਤ ॥੧॥
O Nanak, eternal stability is obtained from the Guru, and one’s day-to-day wanderings cease. ||1||
We need to concentrate on one more thing. Where Guru Sahib talks about winning the mind, he also talks about winning the soul. In Gurbani it comes;
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਤਿਨ ਆਤਮੁ ਜੀਤਾ ॥
Those who remember God conquer their souls.
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਤਿਨ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਰੀਤਾ ॥
Those who remember God have a pure and spotless lifestyle.
….
ਸਲੋਕੁ ॥
Shalok:
ਆਤਮੁ ਜੀਤਾ ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਏ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ॥
The soul is conquered, through the Guru’s Teachings, singing the Glories of God.
ਸੰਤ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦੀ ਭੈ ਮਿਟੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਿਨਸੀ ਚਿੰਦ ॥੧੫॥
By the Grace of the Saints, fear is dispelled, O Nanak, and anxiety is ended. ||15||
It feels like winning the mind or winning the soul is the same thing. Yes, but we have to win one or the other.
ਸਾਧਸੰਗੇ ਨਾਮ ਰੰਗੇ ਰਣੁ ਜੀਤਿ ਵਡਾ ਅਖਾੜਾ ॥
In the Saadh Sangat, imbued with the Naam, the Name of the Lord, I am victorious on the great battlefield of life.
ਬਿਨਵੰਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਰਣਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਜਮਿ ਨ ਉਪਾੜਾ ॥੪॥੩॥੧੨॥
Prays Nanak, I have entered the Sanctuary of the Lord and Master; the Messenger of Death shall not destroy me again. ||4||3||12||
To win, we need the sangat of Gursikhs imbued in gurmat Naam. This is the reason we will have to work seriously towards regular sangat of Gursikhs imbued in Naam. Guru Sahib assures us;
ਸੋ ਹਰਿ ਸਰਣਾਈ ਛੁਟੀਐ ਜੋ ਮਨ ਸਿਉ ਜੂਝੈ ॥
He alone is emancipated in the Sanctuary of the Lord, who struggles with his own mind.
ਮਨਿ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪੁ ਕਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਗਹ ਸੀਝੈ ॥੧੧॥
One who contemplates and meditates on the Lord in his mind, succeeds in the Court of the Lord. ||11||
….
ਤਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਲਾਇ ਚਾਬਕੁ ਮਨੁ ਜਿਣੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜੀਤਿਆ ॥
Applying the whip of the Lord’s Love to his body, the Gurmukh conquers his mind, and wins the battle of life.
ਅਘੜੋ ਘੜਾਵੈ ਸਬਦੁ ਪਾਵੈ ਅਪਿਉ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਪੀਤਿਆ ॥
He trains his untrained mind with the Word of the Shabad, and drinks in the rejuvenating essence of the Lord’s Nectar.
Even in the light of Gurubani, Guru’s knowledge, manmukhs don’t agree. Guru Sahib states;
ਮਃ ੩ ॥
Third Mehl:
ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਲੋਕੁ ਸਮਝਾਈਐ ਕਦਹੁ ਸਮਝਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥
The self-willed manmukhs may be taught, but how can they really be taught?
ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਰਲਾਇਆ ਨਾ ਰਲੈ ਪਇਐ ਕਿਰਤਿ ਫਿਰਾਇ ॥
The manmukhs do not fit in at all. Because of their past actions, they are condemned to the cycle of reincarnation.
ਲਿਵ ਧਾਤੁ ਦੁਇ ਰਾਹ ਹੈ ਹੁਕਮੀ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਇ ॥
Loving attention to the Lord and attachment to Maya are the two separate ways; all act according to the Hukam of the Lord’s Command.
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਆਪਣਾ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਸਬਦਿ ਕਸਵਟੀ ਲਾਇ ॥
The Gurmukh has conquered his own mind, by applying the Touchstone of the Shabad.
ਮਨ ਹੀ ਨਾਲਿ ਝਗੜਾ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਨਾਲਿ ਸਥ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਮੰਝਿ ਸਮਾਇ ॥
He fights with his mind, he settles with his mind, and he is at peace with his mind.
ਮਨੁ ਜੋ ਇਛੇ ਸੋ ਲਹੈ ਸਚੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥
All obtain the desires of their minds, through the Love of the True Word of the Shabad.
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਦ ਭੁੰਚੀਐ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਇ ॥
They drink in the Ambrosial Nectar of the Naam forever; this is how the Gurmukhs act.
ਵਿਣੁ ਮਨੈ ਜਿ ਹੋਰੀ ਨਾਲਿ ਲੁਝਣਾ ਜਾਸੀ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਇ ॥
Those who struggle with something other than their own mind, shall depart having wasted their lives.
ਮਨਮੁਖੀ ਮਨਹਠਿ ਹਾਰਿਆ ਕੂੜੁ ਕੁਸਤੁ ਕਮਾਇ ॥
The self-willed manmukhs, through stubborn-mindedness and the practice of falsehood, lose the game of life.
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਮਨੁ ਜਿਣੈ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਤੀ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥
Those who conquer their own mind, by Guru’s Grace, lovingly focus their attention on the Lord.
ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਚੁ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਆਵੈ ਜਾਇ ॥੨॥
O Nanak, the Gurmukhs practice Truth, while the self-willed manmukhs continue coming and going in reincarnation. ||2||
Guru Sahib states;
ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਧਾਤੁ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਇ ॥
When someone kills and subdues his own mind, his wandering nature is also subdued.
ਬਿਨੁ ਮੂਏ ਕੈਸੇ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਇ ॥
Without such a death, how can one find the Lord?
ਮਨੁ ਮਰੈ ਦਾਰੂ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੋਇ ॥
Only a few know the medicine to kill the mind.
ਮਨੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਬੂਝੈ ਜਨੁ ਸੋਇ ॥੧॥
One whose mind dies in the Word of the Shabad, understands Him. ||1||
When we win the mind, then the gurmukh says;
ਹਉ ਗੋਸਾਈ ਦਾ ਪਹਿਲਵਾਨੜਾ ॥
I am a wrestler; I belong to the Lord of the World.
ਮੈ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਉਚ ਦੁਮਾਲੜਾ ॥
I met with the Guru, and I have tied a tall, plumed turban.
ਸਭ ਹੋਈ ਛਿੰਝ ਇਕਠੀਆ ਦਯੁ ਬੈਠਾ ਵੇਖੈ ਆਪਿ ਜੀਉ ॥੧੭॥
All have gathered to watch the wrestling match, and the Merciful Lord Himself is seated to behold it. ||17||
ਵਾਤ ਵਜਨਿ ਟੰਮਕ ਭੇਰੀਆ ॥
The bugles play and the drums beat.
ਮਲ ਲਥੇ ਲੈਦੇ ਫੇਰੀਆ ॥
The wrestlers enter the arena and circle around.
ਨਿਹਤੇ ਪੰਜਿ ਜੁਆਨ ਮੈ ਗੁਰ ਥਾਪੀ ਦਿਤੀ ਕੰਡਿ ਜੀਉ ॥੧੮॥
I have thrown the five challengers to the ground, and the Guru has patted me on the back. ||18||
ਸਭ ਇਕਠੇ ਹੋਇ ਆਇਆ ॥
All have gathered together,
ਘਰਿ ਜਾਸਨਿ ਵਾਟ ਵਟਾਇਆ ॥
but we shall return home by different routes.
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਲਾਹਾ ਲੈ ਗਏ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਚਲੇ ਮੂਲੁ ਗਵਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥੧੯॥
The Gurmukhs reap their profits and leave, while the self-willed manmukhs lose their investment and depart. ||19||
ਤੂੰ ਵਰਨਾ ਚਿਹਨਾ ਬਾਹਰਾ ॥
You are without color or mark.
ਹਰਿ ਦਿਸਹਿ ਹਾਜਰੁ ਜਾਹਰਾ ॥
The Lord is seen to be manifest and present.
ਸੁਣਿ ਸੁਣਿ ਤੁਝੈ ਧਿਆਇਦੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਗਤ ਰਤੇ ਗੁਣਤਾਸੁ ਜੀਉ ॥੨੦॥
Hearing of Your Glories again and again, Your devotees meditate on You; they are attuned to You, O Lord, Treasure of Excellence. ||20||
ਮੈ ਜੁਗਿ ਜੁਗਿ ਦਯੈ ਸੇਵੜੀ ॥
Through age after age, I am the servant of the Merciful Lord.
ਗੁਰਿ ਕਟੀ ਮਿਹਡੀ ਜੇਵੜੀ ॥
The Guru has cut away my bonds.
ਹਉ ਬਾਹੁੜਿ ਛਿੰਝ ਨ ਨਚਊ ਨਾਨਕ ਅਉਸਰੁ ਲਧਾ ਭਾਲਿ ਜੀਉ ॥੨੧॥੨॥੨੯॥
I shall not have to dance in the wrestling arena of life again. Nanak has searched, and found this opportunity. ||21||2||29||
To see Vaheguroo, to hear Vaheguroo, is not the subject of the five senses. If we ask someone to smell with the eyes, to see with the tongue, to speak with the ears, is this possible? Every sense has it’s own function. Whatever is the subject of of the sense, that is the work it will do. These all have limited abilities. The eyes cannot see the impulse of the mobile phone, the ears cannot hear the sound of the information crossing the internet. The tenth gate (dasam duar) is not the subject of the five senses. This is a subject of the inner being (soul). And for this;
ਆਤਮੇ ਨੋ ਆਤਮੇ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਤਾ ਘਰ ਹੀ ਪਰਚਾ ਪਾਇ ॥
If the individual soul has faith in the Supreme Soul, then it shall obtain realization within its own home.
This is not the subject of the intellect.
ਮਨਿ ਜੀਤੈ ਜਗੁ ਜੀਤੁ ॥
conquer your own mind, and conquer the world.
About the Author
Jarnail Singh, Journalist (Writer) was born in Delhi in 1973. After a master’s degree in Political Science from PGDAV college, he completed a diploma in journalism from the YMCA in 1994. He worked for 15 years in National Media and covered Parliament, Defense, National Human Rights commission, various ministries and political parties. He has written extensivel on the the Sikh massacre of 1984 and its aftermath as a Journalist. Wrote a book “I accuse – Anti Sikh violence of 1984″ published by penguin. Sikh Katleaam da sach (Punjabi Version), Kab Kategi chorasi (Hindi).
Jarnail Singh is trying to create awareness on massacre of 1984 and its impacts. In last 4 yrs. he has made more than 300 speeches all over the world on massacre of 1984 and Issues related to Sikhism- Identity, principles and challenges. Actively participated to find a solution for Turban issue in Europea Sikh summit at Paris in 2011. He was special invitee for 2nd and 3rd Global Sikh Conferences, organized by United Sikhs. Working to spread Sikhi in Madhya Pardesh with help of other Sikhs. Helping Victims, Witnesses of 1984. Represented Sikhs point of view in Media many times.
there is no superstition only energies in space that affect our minds as you describe the struggle inside our minds.
many thanks and god bless you