GEMS OF GURBANI

National Character – 24

Awareness of an evil character

Under this title head of National Character the negative and evil propensities of human psyche been discussed and we recognize that all these motives originate at individual level but the end effect is on society because the human being is essentially a part of the society so the repercussions will be at social level. The social repercussions can lead to a class of people overpowering the others that leads to social disharmony, discontent, and excesses of all kinds and discriminations that force a large part of society to live in sub human conditions. For creation of a civilized society that has a nature of universal society the Sikh Gurus have suggested many virtues that man needs to develop so that the negative and evil character cannot raise its head. Though Gurus have suggested to be continuously reciting the Name of Almighty but that alone may not help to purify the mind unless the guidance is obtained to seek the right path. To get rid of all the socially and morally evil and negative characters from our person the path is not renunciation or becoming ascetic, jogi or causing torture to your body or suffering penance. Guru Arjun Devji ( raag kanara GG pg 1305) has a long list of actions that people undertake by inflicting pain, hunger, fasting, standing on one’s head, standing on one leg on land or in water in hot or cold. They read the shastras but cannot associate with the Almighty. They paint sacrificial and religious symbols on their head and body but cannot efface the demerits by doing so because while afflicting their bodies to attain the union with God and by reading Shastras the evil and negative propensities overpower them. That is why the method of penance is strictly avoided by Gurus. To regulate the intensive development of these negative characters and enjoy the bliss of spiritual attainment Gurus have suggested a life of householder whereby you can fulfill all family and social obligations by doing virtuous motives and build a character that can be recognized as national or universal character and one can contribute to the welfare of humanity and fulfill the Will of the Almighty. Spiritual bliss is attained when man becomes truthful or Sachiar (A highly virtuous person for Guru Nanak) who comes closest to God and ‘His’ inherent part in human is awakened.

In post vedic period in India asceticism became prominent may be due to deteriorating social conditions that had developed classes and castes and apart from three upper class varnas the others were not allowed to read shastras and entry into many temples was prohibited for all. Asceticism was perhaps one of the ways to attain spiritual bliss as ascetics were away from the human habitations and class and castes were not asked. A cult of tormenting self to control or regulate the emotions was practiced. Guru Nanak says, “He who tortures his body and wither away is not approved.” GG.Pg 226 raag gauri …..(hath kar mare na lekhe pave II ves kare bahu bhasam lagave). Sheikh Farid says: heat not thy body like an oven, burn not thy bones like firewood. What harm thy head and feet done to thee. GG.Pg.226

 By doing these kind practices the body becomes the central theme and the self destruction not only of body but that of mind and a proper equilibrium to balance all types of feelings gets destroyed. Each of these negative and evil motives has been discussed in Gurbani separately so that the subjects can help themselves to cultivate the virtues prescribed in Gurbani. The main theme to cultivate virtues remains the growth of religious sentiments so that one gets attracted to recite the Name of Almighty because that path subdues the motives of negative character and humility is invoked in a person. Guru Arjun Devji says: “enshrine the God’s Name in the mind, contemplate your Guru in your home,…. And all your sins are effaced, joining the society of the saints. Lord’s Name is the treasure of virtues.” GG.Pg.621 sorath M5.  So the effective regulations to quell these negative values by religious consciousness a collective virtuous character for a universal Society and unity for self can be attained.