BEAUTY IN SIKHISM
ABSTRACT
What is Beauty?
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder as the saying goes. It is of two types:
1. Physical beauty is temporary and false based on external appearance because it is subjective and depends on senses. Self-willed who care only for themselves have a skin-deep superficial beauty.
2. Spiritual/inner beauty is permanent and depends on the devotional love of the individual.
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Question arises:
How do you attain this inner beauty?
It is attained by elevating one’s self above the physical and mental states into an ecstatic state of wholeness (4rth State) as Guru oriented (ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ) individual. Their inner beauty radiates an inner glow than merely someone who is just about physical beauty. It is obtained through the devotional love of God and living under Its Will leading to inner mental peace, confidence, and happiness. Physical attractiveness is no longer a concern due to inner balance. They no longer are subjected to five vices as they are the ocean of virtues. They will eventually attract quality people into their life who love them with mind body and soul.
Questions arise:
1. Is it possible for someone to have both natural and spiritual beauty?
2. Is it also possible to be ugly, both inside and out?
3. Is it possible to be ugly and be spiritually beautiful?
The answer to all the questions is yes.
A woman can both be physically beautiful and be Guru oriented (ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ) with spiritual beauty.
Self-willed can both be ugly inside and out.
An ugly person can be spiritually beautiful.
ਰਾਜੁ ਰੂਪੁ ਝੂਠਾ ਦਿਨ ਚਾਰਿ ॥
ਨਾਮੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਅੰਧਿਆਰਿ ॥੨॥
Rāj rūp jẖūṯẖā ḏin cẖār. Nām milai cẖānaṇ anḏẖi▫ār.
Power and beauty are false and last for only a few days. But when one is blessed with the Naam, the darkness within is illuminated. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 796-2
ਕਾਮਨਿ ਚਾਹੈ ਸੁੰਦਰਿ ਭੋਗੁ ॥
ਪਾਨ ਫੂਲ ਮੀਠੇ ਰਸ ਰੋਗ ॥
ਖੀਲੈ ਬਿਗਸੈ ਤੇਤੋ ਸੋਗ ॥
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਰਣਾਗਤਿ ਕੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਸਿ ਹੋਗ ॥੫॥
Kāman cẖāhai sunḏar bẖog. Pān fūl mīṯẖe ras rog.Kẖīlai bigsai ṯeṯo sog.Parabẖ sarṇāgaṯ kīnĥas hog.
The woman desires beauty and pleasure, which leads to a spiritual malady. But betel leaves, garlands of flowers, and sweet tastes lead only to disease. The more she plays and enjoys, the more she suffers in sorrow. But when she enters into the Sanctuary of God, whatever she wishes comes to pass. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Basant, AGGS, Page, 1187-12
ਰਾਜੰ ਰੰਗੰ ਰੂਪੰ ਮਾਲੰ ਜੋਬਨੁ ਤੇ ਜੂਆਰੀ ॥
ਹੁਕਮੀ ਬਾਧੇ ਪਾਸੈ ਖੇਲਹਿ ਚਉਪੜਿ ਏਕਾ ਸਾਰੀ ॥੪॥
Rājaʼn rangaʼn rūpaʼn mālaʼn joban ṯe jū▫ārī. Hukmī bāḏẖe pāsai kẖelėh cẖa▫upaṛ ekā sārī.
In power, pleasures, beauty, wealth and youth, one gambles his life away. Bound by the Will of God's Command, the dice are thrown; he is just a piece in the game of chess. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1015-18
ਦੁਖੀ ਦੁਨੀ ਸਹੇੜੀਐ ਜਾਇ ਤ ਲਗਹਿ ਦੁਖ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਚੇ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਕਿਸੈ ਨ ਲਥੀ ਭੁਖ ॥
ਰੂਪੀ ਭੁਖ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਜਾਂ ਦੇਖਾਂ ਤਾਂ ਭੁਖ ॥
ਜੇਤੇ ਰਸ ਸਰੀਰ ਕੇ ਤੇਤੇ ਲਗਹਿ ਦੁਖ ॥
Ḏukẖī ḏunī saheṛī▫ai jā▫e ṯa lagėh ḏukẖ. Nānak sacẖe nām bin kisai na lathī bẖukẖ. Roopi Bhukh Na Utrai Jaan Dekhan Tan Bukh, Jetay Rus Sreer Kay Tetay Lageh Dukh.
Worldly possessions are obtained by pain and suffering; when they are gone, they leave pain and suffering. O Nanak, without the True Name, hunger is never satisfied. Beauty does not satisfy hunger; when the man sees beauty, he hungers even more. Pleasures of the body are as numerous as the pains that afflict it.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Malar, AGGS, Page, 1287-14
ਰੂਪੈ ਕਾਮੈ ਦੋਸਤੀ ਭੁਖੈ ਸਾਦੈ ਗੰਢੁ ॥
ਲਬੈ ਮਾਲੈ ਘੁਲਿ ਮਿਲਿ ਮਿਚਲਿ ਊਂਘੈ ਸਉੜਿ ਪਲੰਘੁ ॥
ਭੰਉਕੈ ਕੋਪੁ ਖੁਆਰੁ ਹੋਇ ਫਕੜੁ ਪਿਟੇ ਅੰਧੁ ॥
ਚੁਪੈ ਚੰਗਾ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਵਿਣੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਮੁਹਿ ਗੰਧੁ ॥੧॥
Roopai Kaamai Dosti Bhukhai Saadai Gandh. Labai mālai gẖul mil micẖal ūʼngẖai sa▫uṛ palangẖ.Bẖaʼnukai kop kẖu▫ār ho▫e fakaṛ pite anḏẖ.Cẖupai cẖanga nānkā viṇ nāvai muhi ganḏẖ.
Beauty and sexual desire are friends much as hunger and tasty food are tied together. Greed is bound up in its search for wealth, and sleep will use even a tiny space as a bed. Anger barks and brings ruin on itself, blindly pursuing useless conflicts. It is good to be silent, O Nanak; without the Name, one's mouth spews forth only filth.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Malar, AGGS, Page, 1288-13
Spiritual beauty is what matters most, and that depends on what you love! Guru Nanak in Raag Asa and Guru Arjun in Ragas Mali Gaurha and Tilang describe the profound beauty of God in three worlds;
ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਦੇਵਾ ਸਗਲ ਸਰੂਪੁ ॥
ਮੈ ਸੋ ਧਨੁ ਪਲੈ ਸਾਚੁ ਅਖੂਟੁ ॥੪॥
Ŧaribẖavaṇ ḏevā sagal sarūp. Mai so ḏẖan palai sācẖ akẖūt.
God beholds the divine beauty in all the three worlds. That inexhaustible wealth of Truth is now in my lap. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 414-1
ਰਾਜੁ ਮਾਲੁ ਰੂਪੁ ਜਾਤਿ ਜੋਬਨੁ ਪੰਜੇ ਠਗ ॥
ਏਨੀ ਠਗੀਂ ਜਗੁ ਠਗਿਆ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਰਖੀ ਲਜ ॥
ਏਨਾ ਠਗਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਠਗ ਸੇ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਪੈਰੀ ਪਾਹਿ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਕਰਮਾ ਬਾਹਰੇ ਹੋਰਿ ਕੇਤੇ ਮੁਠੇ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੨॥
Rāj māl rūp jāṯ joban panje ṯẖag. Ėnī ṯẖagīʼn jag ṯẖagi▫ā kinai na rakẖī laj.Ėnā ṯẖagniĥ ṯẖag se jė gur kī pairī pāhi.Nānak karmā bāhre hor keṯe muṯẖe jāhi.
Royal power, wealth, beauty, social status, and youth are the five thieves. These thieves have plundered the world; no one's honor has been spared. But these thieves themselves are robbed, by those who fall at the Guru's Feet. O Nanak, the multitudes who do not have good karma are plundered. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Malar, AGGS, Page, 1288-14
ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਰਾਗੀ ਨਾਦੀ ਬੇਦਿ ॥
ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਸੁਰਤੀ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਜੋਗਿ ॥
ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਸੋਗੀ ਕੀਤੈ ਰੋਜਿ ॥
ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਰੂਪੀਂ ਮਾਲੀਂ ਰੰਗਿ ॥
ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਭਵਿਐ ਨੰਗਿ ॥
ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਦਾਤੀਂ ਕੀਤੈ ਪੁੰਨਿ ॥
ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਬੈਠਿਆ ਸੁੰਨਿ ॥
ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਭੇੜਿ ਮਰਹਿ ਭਿੜਿ ਸੂਰ ॥
ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਕੇਤੇ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਧੂੜ ॥
ਲੇਖਾ ਲਿਖੀਐ ਮਨ ਕੈ ਭਾਇ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਭੀਜੈ ਸਾਚੈ ਨਾਇ ॥੨॥
Na bẖījai rāgī nāḏī beḏ.Na bẖījai surṯī gi▫ānī jog.Na bẖījai sogī kīṯai roj.Na bẖījai rūpīʼn mālīʼn rang.Na bẖījai ṯirath bẖavi▫ai nang.Na bẖījai ḏāṯīʼn kīṯai punn.Na bẖījai bāhar baiṯẖi▫ā sunn. Na bẖījai bẖeṛ marėh bẖiṛ sūr.Na bẖījai keṯe hovėh ḏẖūṛ.Lekẖā likī▫ai man kai bẖā▫e.Nānak bẖījai sācẖai nā▫e.
God is not won over by music, songs, or the Vedas. God is not won over by intuitive wisdom, meditation, or Yoga. God is not won over by feeling sad and depressed forever. God is not won over by beauty, wealth, and pleasures. God is not won over by wandering naked at sacred shrines. God is not won over by giving donations to charity. God is not won over by living alone in the wilderness. God is not won over by fighting and dying as a warrior in battle. God is not won over by becoming the dust of the masses. The account is written of the loves of the mind. O Nanak, God is won over only by Its Name. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Sarang, AGGS, Page, 1237
ਸਭਿ ਅਵਗਣ ਮੈ ਗੁਣੁ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਈ ॥
ਕਿਉ ਕਰਿ ਕੰਤ ਮਿਲਾਵਾ ਹੋਈ ॥
ਨਾ ਮੈ ਰੂਪੁ ਨ ਬੰਕੇ ਨੈਣਾ ॥
ਨਾ ਕੁਲ ਢੰਗੁ ਨ ਮੀਠੇ ਬੈਣਾ ॥
ਸਹਜਿ ਸੀਗਾਰ ਕਾਮਣਿ ਕਰਿ ਆਵੈ ॥
ਤਾ ਸੋਹਾਗਣਿ ਜਾ ਕੰਤੈ ਭਾਵੈ ॥
Sabẖ avgaṇ mai guṇ nahī ko▫ī. Ki▫o kar kanṯ milāvā ho▫ī. Nā mai rūp na banke naiṇā. Nā kul dẖang na mīṯẖe baiṇā. Sahj sīgār kāmaṇ kar āvai. Ŧā sohagaṇ jā kanṯai bẖāvai.
I am total without virtue; I have no virtue at all. How can I meet my Husband God? I have no beauty, no enticing eyes. I do not have a noble family, good manners, or a sweet voice. The soul-bride adorns herself with peace and poise (4rth state). But she is a happy soul-bride, only if her Husband God is pleased with her. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Suhi, AGGS, Page, 750
ਜਾ ਕੈ ਰੂਪੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਨਾਹੀ ਮੁਖੁ ਮਾਸਾ ॥
ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਮਿਲੇ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਹੈ ਨਿਵਾਸਾ ॥
Jā kai rūp nāhī jāṯ nāhī nāhī mukẖ māsā. Saṯgur mile niranjan pā▫i▫ā ṯerai nām hai nivāsā.
One who has no beauty, no social status, no mouth, no flesh - meeting with the True Guru, he finds the Immaculate God and dwells in Your Name. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Parbhati, AGGS, Page, 1328-9
ਜਿਨਿ ਸਿਸਟਿ ਸਾਜੀ ਸੋਈ ਹਰਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਰੂਪੁ ਅਪਾਰੋ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਆਪੇ ਵੇਖਿ ਹਰਿ ਬਿਗਸੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਬੀਚਾਰੋ ॥੪॥੩॥੧੪॥
Jin sisat sājī so▫ī har jāṇai ṯā kā rūp apāro. Nānak āpe vekẖ har bigsai gurmukẖ barahm bīcẖāro.
The Creator of the Universe, which created the creation alone knows Its incomparable beauty. O Nanak, the God Itself gazes upon it and is pleased. The Guru oriented contemplates God. ------Guru Ram Das, Raag Suhi, AGGS, Page, 736-2
ਅਗਮ ਰੂਪੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਕਾ ਅਨਿਕ ਨਾਮ ਅਪਾਰ ॥
ਧਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਤੇ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਿਨ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰ ॥੪॥੧॥
Agam rūp gobinḏ kā anik nām apār. Ḏẖan ḏẖan ṯe jan nānkā jin har nāmā ur ḏẖār.
The beauty of the Creator of the Universe is profound and unfathomable; the Names of the Infinite God are innumerable. Blessed, blessed are those humble beings, O Nanak, who enshrine God's Name in their hearts. -----Guru Arjun, Raag Mali Gaurha, AGGS, Page, 986-12
ਜੋ ਦੀਸੈ ਸੋ ਤੇਰਾ ਰੂਪੁ ॥
ਗੁਣ ਨਿਧਾਨ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਅਨੂਪ ॥
Jo ḏīsai so ṯerā rūp. Guṇ niḏẖān govinḏ anūp.
Whatever is seen is your form (ਸਰਗੁਣ), O, a treasure of virtue, Creator of the Universe, and of incomparable beauty. -----Guru Arjun, Raag Tilang, AGGS, Page, 724-2
While the physical beauty is false, temporary, cannot help the individual to obtain God, and has consequences:
ਰਾਜ ਰੰਗ ਰੂਪ ਸਭਿ ਕੂਰ ॥
ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਹੋਇ ਜਾਸੀ ਧੂਰ ॥੨॥
Rāj rang rūp sabẖ kūr. Nām binā ho▫e jāsī ḏẖūr.
Power, pleasures, and beauty are all false. Without the Name of the God, everything is reduced to dust-----Guru Arjun, Raag, AGGS, Page, 888-13
ਰੂਪ ਰੰਗ ਖੁਸੀਆ ਮਨ ਭੋਗਣ ਤੇ ਤੇ ਛਿਦ੍ਰ ਵਿਕਾਰਾ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਕਲਿਆਣਾ ਸੂਖ ਸਹਜੁ ਇਹੁ ਸਾਰਾ ॥੨॥
Rūp rang kẖusī▫ā man bẖogaṇ ṯe ṯe cẖẖiḏar vikārā. Har kā nām niḏẖān kali▫āṇā sūkẖ sahj ih sārā. ||2||
The mind's pleasures of love and beauty bring just as many blame and sins. The Name of the God is the treasure of Emancipation; it is absolute peace and poise.-----Guru Arjun, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1003-11
ਗੁਨੁ ਅਵਗਨੁ ਮੇਰੋ ਕਛੁ ਨ ਬੀਚਾਰੋ ॥
ਨਹ ਦੇਖਿਓ ਰੂਪ ਰੰਗ ਸੀਗਾਰੋ ॥
ਚਜ ਅਚਾਰ ਕਿਛੁ ਬਿਧਿ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਨੀ ॥
ਬਾਹ ਪਕਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਸੇਜੈ ਆਨੀ ॥੧॥
Gun avgan mero kacẖẖ na bīcẖāro.Nah ḏekẖi▫o rūp rang sīʼngāro. Cẖaj acẖār kicẖẖ biḏẖ nahī jānī. Bāh pakar pari▫a sejai ānī.
God does not consider my merits or demerits. God does not look at my beauty, color, or decorations. I do not know the ways of wisdom and good conduct. But taking me by the arm, my Husband God has led me to Its Bed. -----Guru Arjun, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 372-7
Conclusion:
When beauty is sought for pleasure and not from devotional love, it degrades the seeker. Spirituality exists wherever we struggle with the issue of how our lives fit into the greater cosmic scheme of things of Mother Nature (ਸਰਗੁਣ). These questions never give way to specific answers or give rise to specific practices to control the 5 vices and develop virtues. We debate spiritual issues every time we wonder where the universe comes from, why we are here, or what happens when we die/reincarnation, etc. We also become spiritual when we become moved by values such as beauty, love, or creativity that seem to reveal a Higher Power beyond our visible world. The practice of faith reveals our personal desire to establish a felt-relationship with the deepest meanings or powers governing life.
ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੈ ਮਨਿ ਅਨਦੁ ਹੋਤ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਨਿਮਖ ਦਿਖਾਈ ॥
ਨਿਜ ਭਗਤੀ ਸੀਲਵੰਤੀ ਨਾਰਿ ॥
ਰੂਪਿ ਅਨੂਪ ਪੂਰੀ ਆਚਾਰਿ ॥
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਈ ਕਿਨੈ ਵਿਰਲੈ ਜੰਤਾ ॥
Jan Nānak kai man anaḏ hoṯ hai har ḏarsan nimakẖ ḏikẖā▫ī. Nij bẖagṯī sīlvanṯī nār. Rūp anūp pūrī ācẖār. Jiṯ garihi vasai so garihu sobẖāvanṯā. Gurmukẖ pā▫ī kinai virlai janṯā.
Servant Nanak's mind is filled with bliss, when he beholds the Blessed Vision of God, even for an instant. The bride shows such special devotion and has such an agreeable disposition. Her beauty is incomparable, and her character is perfect. The house in which she dwells is such a praiseworthy house. But rare are those who, as Guru oriented, who attain that state. -----Guru Arjun, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 370
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