Gems of Gurbani

Art of living – 8

Surrender of Ego – Haumai

Ego or haumai as it is called in Punjabi is a state of mind when it is ruled by feelings of self-love, self –concern and I am-ness. This state arises from man’s immediate environment when he is consciously taught about his caste status, standing of his family in the society, his economic status and his understanding that he gets that he is above others in other words a complex of superiority is ingrained. When man develops this kind of complexes he cannot learn the higher values and the purpose of his life as per the will of Almighty. As a result there are direct social consequences that cause inequality, intolerance and urge to oppress others and misuse of power. At personal level an ego-ridden person becomes proud and his pride restrains him from interacting with others. Such people start doing actions and deeds of wayward nature. In Gurbani such people are called manmukh because they listen only to their mind. Ego ridden person when comes to riches he likes to show off by pilgrimages, donation of free food, charities to express that he is above others. With all this excessive show of acts and deeds the pride ratio keeps growing and the vital link between Almighty and man’s part of divine lineage gets diluted. There are another set of people who acquire knowledge and inner spiritual development but because of their ego they don’t like to share and benefit the humanity. The downfall in the values of higher caliber may not come under the purview of the ego-ridden person but others know how to evaluate. Guru Amardas says: “the riches of the world give rise to excessive ego; the man drowns in the pride and receives no honour. GG.pg.666

There are people who perform heroic deeds and suffer pain to feed their pride. Mostly such people work under the force of their own will and not the Will of Almighty. Guru says: “They are not called heroes who die of pride and suffer pain.”  GG pg 1089…sure eh na akhiye…….

Guru Arjun ji has very clearly tried to explain the destiny of an ego ridden person,” The King who is proud of his kingship is a hell dweller a dog, he who is proud of his youth and believes that he is ever going to be young is a worm of ordure. He who calls himself a man of good actions and proud of that will never get salvation. He who is proud of worldly riches like land and wealth is stupid blind and ignorant. He in whose heart Lord mercifully plants a seed of humbleness, O Nanak obtains salvation here and hereafter. ( Jis ke antar raj abhiman…..).

Thus we see that ego has been awarded a negative value in Sikh ethics and its surrender alone can lead to socially accepted living. Ego ridden person are not welcome though their wealth, power, and people’s dependence for economic reasons may make them acceptable but they are not welcome.

“A humble person abides in peace. By stilling his ego he behaves meekly. All those haughty and proud people are consumed by their pride.” GG pg.278 …sukhi base maskiniya……