by Bhau Ji

“When the mind is polluted, worship is not possible and Naam cannot be obtained”

Instead of practicing abstinence from negative low tendencies or vices, we dwell on the vices of others that is taking delight in talking ill about others. In this way we search into the mistakes of vices of people and small and enjoy its stench thereby causing our mind, feelings, intellect to become all more polluted.

• This is not enough
• Low thoughts
• polluted thinking
• repulsive behaviour
• revenge – vengeance
• jealousy – envy
• etc

by constantly focusing on these, we are creating numerous case files in our heart. When, through some remembrance, his/her file opens, then such poisonous fumes appear, that our mind burns in anger and hatred. Within the deep recesses of our heart we have carefully nurtured many such poisonous and polluted files.

What a painful thing it is -that the heart, which was suppose to be filled with the Infinite Lord’s pure naam, shabad, love, relish and joy, is instead carefully habouring the rubbish of repulsive thoughts. How can the pure naam and shabad reside in a heart that is filled with such polluted desires?

1. Farid, the farmer plants the kikar tree and expects the grapes of bijour. 1379 (When ones actions are negative how can one expect positive results) 
2. When the mind is polluted , worship is not possible and the Naam cannot be acquired. 39
3. The mind is polluted. The Naam is so pure. How can there be union? 755
4. He wears the religious garb but practices not TRUTH. Though he claims, he cannot get close to God’s mansion. 738

Such a mind – led (controlled) life is similar to that of snakes because snakes, day and night burn in their own internal poison and whosoever appears near them, they too are burnt and stinged with this poison.

1. To live without Lord’s simran is like burning in fire even though ones life may be as long as that of a snake. 712

Thus, regarding ourselves as pure, good and faultless, and regarding others low or bad and keeping our nose high while shifting through their vices, is the result of our stubborn ego.

As opposed to this, Gurbani advises as a follows:

2. I am not good, no one is bad Prays Nanak , He the Lord alone is man’s saviour. 728
3. Kabir, I am worst of all, other that me, all are good. Whoever realises this, he alone is my friend. 1364

This mental abstinence is one easy and practical way – and that is, whenever a negative or bad thought about someone, appears within us, at once say

• let it be
• never mind
• so what
• leave it
• forget it

and immediately let the thought go.

Such a sublime (pure) behaviour can only arise out of ‘forgiveness’ a divine virtue. But we are totally ignorant of this virtue as if this message of ‘forgiveness’ is for someone else! We regard it our right to reply the ‘brick with stone’ and slowly this becomes our habit causing enmity, hatred, tension, fights and quarrels to increase.

Since the beginning, the Gurus, Prophets, holy people and saints have provided guidance to man to disregard the faults/defects of others – in other words ‘be forgiving’. Some have advised to forgive 3 times, some 7 times and some 70 times.

But the glorious Guru Nanak felt that man is forever trespassing (making mistakes)

1. Man can never be released from his writ (account of his deeds) since he keeps erring all the time.  O Merciful One take mercy says Nanak and ferry us across safely. 261

Children are forever making mistakes, but the mother’s motherly love disregards all the child’s short-comings continues to love him.

In the same way, we are children of God, and being our spiritual Father and Mother, HE too because of his in built behaviour, does not take into account our dereliction and faults and continuous to forgive us. If the Eternal Lord were to focus on our faults and sins, that is take stock of our deeds, then we can never ever hope for salvation from the “ hell of worldliness”.

But where the Lord is ‘ever forgiving and merciful then it is essential for us too, to acquire the following divine virtues which are going to help us when we do simran.

* Never keep the company of anger

* Reflect within your own self

* Do not keep ill will for others in your heart

* Return good for evil

* Avoid hearing ill about others

* Share divine virtues

* Let us free ourselves from vices and move on

* Be merciful and forgiving and love man

* No one is an enemy and no one a stranger

* Act like a guest in this life

* Be proactive not reactive

* Eat to survive

* Reduce sleep / lethargy

* Speak little

* Remain detached etc.

But when we look around at the environment in the world, the following things will emerge and stand out in the daily life of the world:

1. All are happy to receive but few find joy in giving.
2. The learned who theorise are many but those who practice are few. Rare in the world is the man of knowledge who has character (practices righteous action) 413 
3. All are prepared to feed themselves but rare is the one who feeds (others).
4. All are able to detect the defects in others but rare is the one who is aware of his own short-comings.
5. All are prepared to criticise the short-comings of others rare is the one who bears the unbearable ( ignores what he sees and unhears what he has heard)
6. All can speak harshly and superficially but rare is the one who speaks sweetly.
   

   ---

   

   ---

   

   ---

   

   ---

   

   ---

   To be continued 

   Please click to download

   PDF Lekh 119

   Try reading each line or paragraph of the Punjabi version and then read its translation. You will be able to improve your Punjabi understanding significantly.

   ---