19/02/2018 Try To Be Better Than Yourself!

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ਪਿੜਐ ਨਾਹੀ ਭਦ ਬਿਝਐ ਪਾਵਣਾ : Not by reading (religious books), but through Understanding, is the Mystery Realized. - sggs, 148

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Gurbani Blog » Try To Be Better Than Yourself!

Try To Be Better Than Yourself!

by T. Singh

Enlightenment, Freedom, Liberation is to know one’s true self (Jot Saroop, True Nature, Mool, Reality)!

So, instead of expecting others to change, the Gurbani’s wisdom teaches focusing on being better than yourself —
change yourself, mend your own mind, transform your own thinking, improve your own self, become a Gurmukh...

ਗਰਮਿਖ ਹਇ ਸ ਭਉ ਕਰ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪ ਪਛਾਣ : One who becomes the Gurmukh remains affrighted (of acting contrary
to the Wisdom of the Gurbani), and tries to realize his own self (sggs 647).
ਇਉ ਕਹ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨ ਤ ਜਿਤ ਸਰਪ ਹ ਅਪਣਾ ਮਲ ਪਛਾਣ ॥੫॥: Thus says Nanak – O mind! Your “Saroopu” (nature,
identity…) is “Joti” (Divine Light). (O mind!) Recognize your Mool (Source, Jot, Origin…) ||5|| (sggs 441).

Hence, the Gurbani’s edict is each one of us should recognize, know, or realize his own true self. Because, without
knowing one’s true self, the moss of doubt cannot be eradicated from the mind; the Divine Virtues (mind’s purity)
cannot be known; one cannot become fearless and realize his Mool (Source, Jot Saroop, etc.)….

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਿਬਨ ਆਪਾ ਚੀਨ ਿਮਟ ਨ ਭਮ ਕੀ ਕਾਈ : O Daas Nanak! Without Realizing one’s own self (Mool, Original, or
True Nature, etc. – ਆਪਣਾ ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਪਰਖਣ ਤ ਿਬਨਾ, etc.), the moss of doubt (ignorance of one’s True Nature,
etc.) is not eradicated (from the mind) ||2||1|| (sggs 684).
ਆਪ ਪਛਾਣ ਸ ਸਿਭ ਗਣ ਜਾਣ : One who realizes his own self, knows all Virtues (sggs 1056).
ਆਪ ਪਛਾਣ ਮਨ ਿਨਰਮਲ ਹਇ : Who recognizes own self, (his) mind becomes pure (sggs 161).
ਆਪਾ ਪਦ ਿਨਰਬਾਣ ਨ ਚੀਿਨ੍ਹਆ ਇਨ ਿਬਿਧ ਅਿਭਉ ਨ ਚਕ ॥੨॥: (This mind, self…) does not realize its Mool which is
liberated from Mayaic existence, in this way its doubt does not depart. ||2|| (sggs 475).

Called by many terms in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGS) such as “Manu Khoji – ਮਨ ਖਿਜ”, “Khoju Dil – ਖਜ ਿਦਲ”,
“Aapaa Cheenai – ਆਪਾ ਚੀਨ”, “Aapu Vichaari – ਆਪ ਬੀਚਾਿਰ”, etc., it’s essentially constant “debugging” of oneself.

The Gurbani teaches practical spirituality. Therefore, the Gurbani’s Counsel is dictated by the sound common
sense.

For example, let’s consider this age old question as to why does man suffer? One does not need to turn to this
philosophy or that for an answer. Man suffers for he cannot and does not control his own mind. Baabaa Kabeer
Sahib reminds us that “Whatever is done, is done by the mind” (“ਜ ਿਕਛ ਕੀਆ ਸ ਮਨ ਕੀਆ”). A person who does not
and cannot control his mind is known as Manmukh, Saakat, Mayadhaaree, etc, in the Gurbani.

ਸਾਕਤ ਿਨਰਗਿਣਆਿਰਆ ਆਪਣਾ ਮਲ ਪਛਾਣ : O Saakat (i.e., devoid of Virtues…)! Recognize your own Mool (Source,
Jot…)! (sggs 63).

In the darkness of ignorance (“ਅਿਗਆਨ – Agiaanu“) we function with an arrogant sense of false ego-sense (Haume)
– the Manmukh lifestyle. Which runs away with our good judgement and sinks us in the ocean of suffering (Dukha).

ਉਗਵ ਸਰ ਨ ਜਾਪ ਚਦ ਜਹ ਿਗਆਨ ਗਾਸ ਅਿਗਆਨ ਿਮਟਤ॥: When the sun rises, the moon is not visible. Where the
Light of Divine Wisdom illuminates, ignorance is dispelled. (sggs 791).

For the betterment of one’s own self, the Gurbani urges us to wage the battle of life moment to moment. Because,
the human body with its physical, mental, and soul faculties is the battlefield. The Gurbani calls this human body
the “field of action” — the field (“ਖਤ”, “ਧਰਤੀ”) on which all activities of one’s life take place.

ਇਹ ਸਰੀਰ ਕਰਮ ਕੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਗਰਮਿਖ ਮਿਥ ਮਿਥ ਤਤ ਕਢਈਆ : This body is the field of action; by becoming the
Gurmukhs, constantly churn (the Gur-Shabad) and obtain the Essence (of the Divine Wisdom or Tatt-Giaan).
(sggs 834).

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As indicated in the very first verse of this post above, the process of recognizing one’s own self involves becoming
a Gurmukh (Enlightened or Awakened one, who thoroughly understands and lives the Wisdom of the Gurbani…). A
person who has truly realized his own self is called a Gurmukh in the Gurbani. Upon realizing the Gurmukh-hood,
the mind becomes fearless and leave the “Trikutee-ਿ ਕਟੀ” and come to rest into the Heart (“Hirdaa-ਿਹਰਦਾ” or
“Ghat-ਘਟ” or “Dasavaa Duaaru-ਦਸਵਾ ਦਆਰ”).

ਗਰਮਿਖ ਜਾਗ ਸਈ ਸਾਰ : To be awake as Gurmukh is the Essence (of Wakefulness). (sggs 1194).

Hence, the Gurbani asks us to become the Gurmukh and look Within to know the true self to where there is no
form-shape-color.

It’s clear what the Gurbani asks is difficult for ordinary mortals. But what’s the way out? None can get away for
doing deeds he should not be doing.

ਜਹਾ ਬੀਜ ਸ ਲਣ ਕਰਮਾ ਸਦੜਾ ਖਤ : (Body is the) field (of man’s Karma); whatever (he) sows so does (he) reap (sggs
134).

In other words, it’s the same mind that can take one to his Mool (Source, Jot…), and the same mind that can take
one away from his Mool too! Understandably, the Gurbani time and again addresses the mind.

Hence, according to the Gurbani, linking the mind back to one’s Mool (Jot Saroop, Source, Reality) is the goal of
human birth or purpose of life. The Gurbani repeatly indicates this is realized through self-transcendence.

ਿਜਿਨ ਆਤਮ ਤਤ ਨ ਚੀਨਆਿ ਸਭ ਫਕਟ ਧਰਮ ਅਬੀਿਨਆ : Whoever does not Realize the Essence or Reality of the
Soul (ਆਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਅਸਲੀਅਤ…), all his religious acts are of no value – worthless (sggs 1351).

According to the Gurbani, one can recognize own self through the Shabad-Vichaar. It cannot be made to an order
or given to someone as a ready-made package or as a mundane gift! According to the Gurbani, each one of us
must realize his Mool (Source, Jot …) himself:

ਆਿਪ ਪਛਾਣ ਸਬਦ ਵੀਚਾਰਾ : Realize own self through the Shabad-Vichaar (sggs 1040).

In nutshell, the Gurbani wants it’s learners (i.e., Sikhs) to examine their own self and improve it — toe to top!

ਬਧਿਚ ਬਧਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਮਕਤ ਗਿਰ ਅਨਲ ਬਝਾਇਆ ਜਬ ਨਖ ਿਸਖ ਇਹ ਮਨ ਚੀਨ੍ਹਾ ਤਬ ਅਤਿਰ ਮਜਨ ਕੀਨ੍ਹਾ ॥੧॥: (Maya)
captivates. (However the Guru) got (that Maya) in captivity! The Guru, who is liberated himself, has quenched
the fire (of Maya, i.e., has liberated me from Maya). When I came to understand this mind from the nails of toes
to the top of head (i.e., when I understood my mind completely…), then I bathe within my self (i.e., I bathe in my
Mool within…). ||1|| (sggs 972).

To call oneself better without improving the own self is nothing but “Kutiltaa” (crookedness, perversity,
etc.). Hence, the Gurbani edict is: ਸ ਮਰਖ ਜ ਆਪ ਨ ਪਛਾਣਈ ਸਿਚ ਨ ਧਰ ਿਪਆਰ ॥੪॥: A person is a fool, who
does not understand his own self. (Such fool) cannot hold on the Truth. ||4|| (sggs 492).

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Filed Under: Gurbani, Joti-Svaroopa, Awarenrss, liberation, Mukti, bondage, Mool, Source, Origin, Purpose-Aim-Goal-of-life,
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Tagged With: know, own self, realize, recognize, self-improvement, undertsnad

COMMENTS LEAVE A COMMENT

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G Kirpal Singh

I have to appreciate you have very deep understanding of gurbani.

Could I ask u question via email.

Waheguru ji ke khalsa Waheguru ji ke fatah

Reply

G J

If it’s not private, maybe ask here so we call learn ?

Reply

G T. Singh Post author

Agree “J” ji!

Reply

G T. Singh Post author

Thank you Veer Kirpal Singh ji for taking the time to respond to this post.
• ਸਿਣ ਸਖੀਏ ਿਮਿਲ ਉਦਮ ਕਰਹਾ ਮਨਾਇ ਲਿਹ ਹਿਰ ਕਤ : O mate! Listen (to my request), let’s together make effort
(i.e., Shabad Vichaar) to reconcile “Hari Kant” (i.e., our Mool). (sggs 249).

Reply

G G Singh

You are blessed, all this knowledge of jot must be result of actual experience of har charm, I am sure you enjoy the
company of saints everytime you inward, anter liv . :)

Reply

G T. Singh Post author

Thank you Veer G Singh ji for taking the time to respond to this post. Welcome to the Gurbani Blog!

Reply

G G Singh

:)

Reply

G KULBIR SINGH

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19/02/2018 Try To Be Better Than Yourself! | Gurbani Blog | ਗਰਬਾਣੀ ਬਲਗ

Your deep understanding of every

topic in Gurbani revealed here makes a common man like me
Mesmerized. I am grateful to you for your contribution.

Reply

G T. Singh Post author

Thank you Veer Kulbir Singh ji for taking the time to respond to this post. Welcome to the Gurbani Blog!

Reply

G J

Very nice T Singh Ji, thank you and keep it up !

Reply

G T. Singh Post author

Thank You J ji for taking the time respond!

Reply

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