GEMS OF GURBANI

National Character 17

Awareness of evil character

Universally there are five evils that are recognized as evil in character and they are Kaam (lust or desire), Krodh (anger), ahankar ( ego), Lobh (greed), Moh ( delusion). In other religions these five evils are supposed to be suppressed or discarded to achieve Moksha in Hinduism, Nirvana in Bhudhism and jannat in Islam. But in Sikhism these five values have been recognized as propensities that can be used as catalyst for self elevation and to achieve spiritual bliss along with worldly pleasures. After all the birth in human form and the cycle of life have certain duties to perform for the procreation and sustenance of the Creation of Almighty. Kaam or lust when practiced as emotional expression of love as prescribed within the social norms and practices of the society that are sanctioned as marriage is not harmful. Desire or lust used as animal instincts become evil and the downfall of man’s character becomes evident. Man, not only loses respect of society but falls in self esteem and his mind and body both become diseased. Kaam or lust when practiced has to achieve on the path to becoming Gurmukh or Sachiar.  

Guru Arjun ji speaks of Kaam in the following verse: he kaam narak bisrambahu joni brahmanve II chit haran trey lok gam jap tap seel bidarnehe II alap such awat chanchal uchah nichah samavane II  GG. Pg. 1358  meaning :

‘ O kaam thou lands men in hell and makes them wander through myriad species. You cheatest many minds, sways all the three worlds and destroy the austerities, meditation and virtue. Thou, whose pleasure is momentary, thou, who make men unsteady and punishes the high and low alike.’

 In another verse from Guru Granth Sahib in Raag ramkali mahal 1 Pg 932 Guru ji says Kaam Krodh kaya ko gaalle II jiyu kanchan sohaga ko dhaalle II Kaam and Krodh both melt the body same way as does the borax that melts the gold.

Guru Arjun ji describe the lustfull men in another verse;Kaamwant kami bahu naari pargriha joh na chuke II din prat kare kare pachhtape sog lobh mahi suke II Raag Dhanasri mahala 5 GG.Pg 672. Lustful and sensuous man desires many women and his spying of others homes ceases not. Day by day he commits adultery and then regrets his attachment to this woe and greed. In another verse Guru ji compares the lustful man to inebriated elephant who falls prey to his lust and gets trapped.” Kaam hatuh kunchar lai phankeyo uh par vas bhayo bichara II” GG.pg 671  Guru Arjun  elaborates further that this lust  increases the deviant behavior in men but also increases the feelings of guilt in them. On page 315 in Guru Granth Sahib he talks of lustfull men and warns them that the Almighty notices all. He says; Lai phahe raati ture Prabh jane prani II takeh naar parayiyan luk andhar thani II sanuh deni vikham thain mitha mad mani II karmi appo aapni aape pachhtani II

This evil propensity in men has been there in all ages and without the proper guidance it becomes wayward nature and law and court of justice can do nothing about it. In Sikhism it is very clearly explained to grow inner strength of man so that this evil character can be shunned as an evil character and Kaam to be practiced as a tool for self elevation.

To continue…..