FIVE VICES/ਅਵਗੁਣ AND FIVE VIRTUES/ਗੁਣ
ABSTRACT
In Sikh faith Lust, Anger, Greed, Attachment, and Ego are five vices. And five virtues are Truth, Contentment, Compassion, and Faith in the existence of God, and Fortitude. The aim of life should not be to become saints but to make an effort to grow along spiritual lines in the search of Truth. Truth is the other name of God in Sikh thought. Guru Nanak warns about these five thieves living in the mortal body in Raag Gujri:
ਏਕ ਨਗਰੀ ਪੰਚ ਚੋਰ ਬਸੀਅਲੇ ਬਰਜਤ ਚੋਰੀ ਧਾਵੈ ॥
ਤ੍ਰਿਹਦਸ ਮਾਲ ਰਖੈ ਜੋ ਨਾਨਕ ਮੋਖ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਸੋ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
Ėk nagrī pancẖ cẖor basīalė barjaṯ cẖorī ḏẖāvai. Ŧarihḏas māl rakẖai jo Nānak mokẖ mukaṯ so pāvai.
In the one village of the body, live the five thieves; they have been warned, but they still go out stealing. One who keeps his assets safe from the three modes and the ten passions, O Nanak, attains liberation and emancipation.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Gujri, AGGS, Page, 503-6
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God can only be enticed by reining in the 5 lower instincts and evolving 5 virtues in the quest to become a better human being (Guru Oriented), through one’s active participation, as suggested in Sabd Guru:
ਤੀਜੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਧਨ ਜੋਬਨ ਸਿਉ ਚਿਤੁ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਚੇਤਹੀ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਬਧਾ ਛੁਟਹਿ ਜਿਤੁ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਚੇਤੈ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਬਿਕਲੁ ਭਇਆ ਸੰਗਿ ਮਾਇਆ ॥
ਧਨ ਸਿਉ ਰਤਾ ਜੋਬਨਿ ਮਤਾ ਅਹਿਲਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥
ਧਰਮ ਸੇਤੀ ਵਾਪਾਰੁ ਨ ਕੀਤੋ ਕਰਮੁ ਨ ਕੀਤੋ ਮਿਤੁ ॥
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਤੀਜੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਧਨ ਜੋਬਨ ਸਿਉ ਚਿਤੁ ॥੩॥
Ŧījai pahrai raiṇ kai vaṇjāri▫ā miṯrā ḏẖan joban si▫o cẖiṯ.Har kā nām na cẖeṯhī vaṇjāri▫ā miṯrā baḏẖā cẖẖutėh jiṯ.Har kā nām na cẖeṯai parāṇī bikal bẖa▫i▫ā sang mā▫i▫ā. Ḏẖaram sėṯī vāpār na kīṯo karam na kīṯo miṯ. Kaho Nānak ṯījai pahrai parāṇī ḏẖan joban si▫o cẖiṯ.
In the third watch of the night, O my merchant friend, your consciousness is focused on wealth and youth. You have not remembered the Name of the God, O my merchant friend, although it would release you from bondage. You do not remember the Name of God, and you become confused by Maya. Reveling in your riches and intoxicated with youth, you waste your life uselessly. You have not traded in righteousness and Faith; you have not made good deeds your friends. Says Nanak, in the third watch of the night, your mind is attached to wealth and youth. -----Guru Nanak, Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 75-7
ਖਿਮਾ ਗਹੀ ਬ੍ਰਤੁ ਸੀਲ ਸੰਤੋਖੰ ॥
ਰੋਗੁ ਨ ਬਿਆਪੈ ਨਾ ਜਮ ਦੋਖੰ ॥
ਮੁਕਤ ਭਏ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਰੂਪ ਨ ਰੇਖੰ ॥੧॥
Khimaa Gahee Barat Seel SantokhaN, Rog Na Bi-aapai Naa Jam DokhaN. Mukaṯ bẖa▫e parabẖ rūp na rekẖaʼn.
To practice forgiveness is the true fast, good conduct and contentment. Disease or the pain of death does not afflict me, nor does the pain of death. I am liberated and absorbed into God, who has no form or feature. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 223-15
ਸੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਣੁ ਜੋ ਬਿੰਦੈ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ॥
ਜਪੁ ਤਪੁ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਕਰਮੁ ॥
ਸੀਲ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਕਾ ਰਖੈ ਧਰਮੁ ॥
ਬੰਧਨ ਤੋੜੈ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੁਕਤੁ ॥
ਸੋਈ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਣੁ ਪੂਜਣ ਜੁਗਤੁ ॥੧੬॥
So barahmaṇ jo binḏai barahm.Jap ṯap sanjam kamāvai karam.Sīl sanṯokẖ kā rakẖai ḏẖaram. Banḏẖan ṯoṛai hovai mukaṯ.So▫ī barahmaṇ pūjaṇ jugaṯ.
He alone is a Brahmin, who knows God. He chants and meditates, and practices austerity and good deeds. He keeps to the Righteousness, with faith, humility, and contentment. Breaking his bonds, he is liberated. Such a Brahmin is worthy of being worshipped. -----Guru Nanak, Sloke Varan To Vadheek, AGGS, Page, 1411-16
ਪਰਹਰਿ ਕਾਮ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਝੂਠੁ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਤਜਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੁ ਚੁਕਾਵੈ ॥
ਤਜਿ ਕਾਮੁ ਕਾਮਿਨੀ ਮੋਹੁ ਤਜੈ ਤਾ ਅੰਜਨ ਮਾਹਿ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
ਤਜਿ ਮਾਨੁ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਸੁਤ ਦਾਰਾ ਤਜਿ ਪਿਆਸ ਆਸ ਰਾਮ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਵੈ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਚਾ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਸਾਚ ਸਬਦਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਵੈ ॥੨॥
Parhar kām kroḏẖ jẖūṯẖ ninḏā ṯaj mā¬i¬ā ahaʼnkār cẖukẖāvai. Ŧaj kām kāminī moh ṯajai ṯā anjan māhi niranjan pāvai.Ŧaj mān abẖimān parīṯ suṯ ḏārā ṯaj pi▫ās ās rām liv lāvai.Nānak sācẖā man vasai sācẖ sabaḏ har nām samāvai.
Renounce sexual desire, anger, falsehood, and slander; forsake Maya and eliminate egotistical pride. Renounce sexual desire and promiscuity, and give up emotional attachment. Only then shall you obtain the Immaculate God amidst the darkness of the world. Renounce selfishness, conceit and arrogant pride, and your love for your children and spouse. Abandon your thirsty hopes and desires, and embrace the love for God. O Nanak, the True One shall come to dwell in your mind. Through the True Word of the Sabd, you shall be absorbed in the Name of the God.-----Guru Ram Das, Raag Majh, AGGS, Page, 141-13
ਜਪਿ ਮਨ ਨਰਹਰੇ ਨਰਹਰ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਹਰਿ ਸਗਲ ਦੇਵ ਦੇਵਾ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮਾ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮੁ ਮੋਰਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਗ੍ਰਿਹਿ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵਤੇ ਰਾਮ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵਤੇ ਤਿਤੁ ਗ੍ਰਿਹਿ ਵਾਜੇ ਪੰਚ ਸਬਦ ਵਡ ਭਾਗ ਮਥੋਰਾ ॥
ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਜਨ ਕੇ ਸਭਿ ਪਾਪ ਗਏ ਸਭਿ ਦੋਖ ਗਏ ਸਭਿ ਰੋਗ ਗਏ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ਗਏ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਜਨ ਕੇ ਹਰਿ ਮਾਰਿ ਕਢੇ ਪੰਚ ਚੋਰਾ ॥
Jap man narhare narhar su▫āmī har sagal ḏev ḏevā sarī rām rām nāmā har parīṯam morā. rahā▫o.Jiṯ garihi gun gāvṯe har ke gun gāvṯe rām gun gāvṯe ṯiṯ garihi vāje pancẖ sabaḏ vad bẖāg mathorā. Ŧinĥ jan kė sabẖ pāp ga¬ė sabẖ ḏokẖ ga¬ė sabẖ rog ga¬ė kām kroḏẖ lobẖ moh abẖimān ga¬ė ṯinĥ jan kė har mār kadẖė pancẖ cẖorā.
O my mind, meditate on the God, your God, and Master. God is the Most Divine of all the divine beings. Chant the Name of the God, Ram, Ram, the God, and my most Dear Beloved. Pause. that household, in which the Glorious Praises of the God are sung, where the five Sabd, the Five Primal Sounds, resound - great is the destiny written on the forehead of one who lives in such a household. All the sins of a humble being are taken away, all the pains are taken away, all diseases are taken away; sexual desire, anger, greed, attachment, and egotistical pride are taken away. The Immortal God drives the five thieves out of such a person.-----Guru Ram Das, Raag Sarang, AGGS, Page, 1201-4
God cannot be enticed or lured by merely bribing or by the usual rituals performed by people of the world irrespective of their religions. Seeker of the Truth needs to be an active participant as expressed by Guru Arjan in Raag Asa that deals with five virtues and five vices:
ਪੰਚ ਮਨਾਏ ਪੰਚ ਰੁਸਾਏ ॥
ਪੰਚ ਵਸਾਏ ਪੰਚ ਗਵਾਏ ॥
ਇਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਨਗਰੁ ਵੁਠਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥
ਦੁਰਤੁ ਗਇਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਈ ॥
ਸਾਚ ਧਰਮ ਕੀ ਕਰਿ ਦੀਨੀ ਵਾਰਿ ॥
ਫਰਹੇ ਮੁਹਕਮ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ॥
ਨਾਮੁ ਖੇਤੀ ਬੀਜਹੁ ਭਾਈ ਮੀਤ ॥
ਸਉਦਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਹੁ ਨੀਤ ॥
ਸਾਂਤਿ ਸਹਜ ਸੁਖ ਕੇ ਸਭਿ ਹਾਟ ॥
ਸਾਹ ਵਾਪਾਰੀ ਏਕੈ ਥਾਟ ॥
ਜੇਜੀਆ ਡੰਨੁ ਕੋ ਲਏ ਨ ਜਗਾਤਿ ॥
ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਦੀਨੀ ਧੁਰ ਕੀ ਛਾਪ ॥
ਵਖਰੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਲਦਿ ਖੇਪ ਚਲਾਵਹੁ ॥
ਲੈ ਲਾਹਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਘਰਿ ਆਵਹੁ ॥
ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸਾਹੁ ਸਿਖ ਵਣਜਾਰੇ॥
ਪੂੰਜੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਲੇਖਾ ਸਾਚੁ ਸਮ੍ਹਾਰੇ ॥
ਸੋ ਵਸੈ ਇਤੁ ਘਰਿ ਜਿਸੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਸੇਵ ॥
ਅਬਿਚਲ ਨਗਰੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ॥
Pancẖ manā¬ė pancẖ rusā¬ė. Pancẖ vasā¬ė pancẖ gavā¬ė. Inĥ biḏẖ nagar vuṯẖā mėrė bẖā¬ī. Ḏuraṯ ga¬i¬ā gur gi¬ān ḏariṛā¬ī. Sācẖ ḏẖaram kī kar ḏīnī vār. Farhė muhkam gur gi¬ān bīcẖār. Nām kẖėṯī bījahu bẖā¬ī mīṯ. Sa¬uḏā karahu gur sėvhu nīṯ. Sāʼnṯ sahj sukẖ kė sabẖ hāt. Sāh vāpārī ėkai thāt. Jėjī¬ā dann ko la¬ė na jagāṯ. Saṯgur kar ḏīnī ḏẖur kī cẖẖāp. vakẖar nām laḏ kẖėp cẖalāvahu. Lai lāhā gurmukẖ gẖar āvhu. Saṯgur sāhu sikẖ vaṇjārė. Pūnjī nām lėkẖā sācẖ samĥārė. So vasai iṯ gẖar jis gur pūrā sėv. Abicẖal nagrī Nānak ḏėv.
Five virtue need to be reconciled within the self, and the five evils have to be cast out. In this way, the village of the body becomes inhabited, O, Siblings of Destiny, vice has departed, and the Guru's spiritual wisdom is implanted within me, and a fence of true Righteous religion has been built around it. The spiritual wisdom and reflective meditation of the Guru have become its strong gate. O friends and Siblings of Destiny, plant the seed of the Naam, the Name of the God. Deal only in the constant service of the Guru. With intuitive peace and happiness, all the shops are filled. The Banker and the dealers dwell in the same place. There is no tax on non-believers or any fines or taxes at death. The True Guru has set the Seal of the Primal Immortal God upon these goods. So load the merchandise of the Naam, and set sail with your cargo. Earn your profit, as Guru oriented, and you shall return to your own home. The True Guru is the Banker, and Its Sikhs are the traders. Their merchandise is the Naam, and meditation on the True Immortal God is their account. One who serves the True Guru dwells in this house. O, Nanak, the Divine City is eternal.-----Guru Arjun, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 430
God is incomprehensible, infinite, non-anthropomorphic, detached, and unfathomable. Immortal God can be regarded as a Force or as an Absolute Universal Principle. Some regard God as a Higher Power that is beyond one’s understanding or Good Orderly Direction (GOD). Such an understanding cannot be forced by others on a seeker.
ਕਾਮ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਅਰੁ ਲੋਭ ਮੋਹ ਬਿਨਸਿ ਜਾਇ ਅਹੰਮੇਵ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਰਣਾਗਤੀ ਕਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦੁ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ॥੧॥
Kām kroḏẖ ar lobẖ moh binas jā¬ė ahaʼnmėv. Nānak parabẖ sarṇāgaṯī kar parsāḏ gurḏev.
Sexual desire, anger, greed, and emotional attachment - may these be gone, and egotism as well. Nanak seeks the Sanctuary of God; please bless me with Your Grace, O Divine Guru. -----Guru Arjun, AGGS, Page, 269-13
ਦੁਤੀਆ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਦੂਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਿ ਨੀਤ ॥
ਰਾਮ ਰਤਨੁ ਮਨਿ ਤਨਿ ਬਸੈ ਤਜਿ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਮੀਤ ॥
Ḏuṯī▫ā ḏurmaṯ ḏūr kar gur sevā kar nīṯ. Rām raṯan man ṯan basai ṯaj kām kroḏẖ lobẖ mīṯ.
The second day of the lunar cycle: Get rid of your evil-mindedness, and serve the Guru continually. The jewel of God’s Name shall come to dwell in your mind and body, when you renounce sexual desire, anger, and greed, O my friend.-----Guru Arjun, AGGS, Page, 296-18
The ground of one’s mind, thus, becomes fertile enough for the seeds of virtues to be sown in, watered by devotional love and Naam; see to it that the crop grows in the endowment of virtues by God. Thus the individual becomes a prospective recipient of God’s Grace:
ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਦਇਆ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਏਹ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਾਰ ॥
ਆਪੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਸਭ ਹੋਇ ਰੇਣਾ ਜਿਸੁ ਦੇਇ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ॥੩॥
Saṯ sanṯokẖ ḏa¬i¬ā kamāvai ėh karṇī sār. Āp cẖẖod sabẖ ho▫e reṇā jis ḏe▫e parabẖ nirankār.
Practice truth, contentment, and kindness; this is an excellent way of life. One who is so blessed by the Formless God renounces selfishness and becomes the dust of all. -----Guru Arjun, Sri Raag, AGGS, Page, 51-10
ਕਾਮ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਦ ਮਤਸਰ ਏ ਖੇਲਤ ਸਭਿ ਜੂਐ ਹਾਰੇ ॥
ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਦਇਆ ਧਰਮੁ ਸਚੁ ਇਹ ਅਪੁਨੈ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਵਾਰੇ ॥
Kām kroḏẖ mā▫i▫ā maḏ maṯsar e kẖelaṯ sabẖ jū▫ai hāre. Saṯ sanṯokẖ ḏa¬i¬ā ḏẖaram sacẖ ih apunai garih bẖīṯar vārė.
Sexual desire, anger, intoxication with Maya and jealousy - I have lost all of these in the game of chance. Purity, contentment, compassion, faith, and truthfulness -- I have ushered these into the home of my self.-----Guru Arjun, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 379-3
After subjugating the lower instincts, development of virtues and being blessed with the Grace of God. One becomes a potential recipient of the Naam leading meditation and doing service to God.
Conclusion:
Be kind and compassionate to me, O, Creator God. Bless me with devotion and meditation. Guru Nanak has rid me of the doubt, that the Muslim God Allah and the Hindu God Paarbrahm are one and the same. God is infinite and so are Its attributes and names, but beyond description. He who has no spiritual peace, consolation, devotional love, and truth cannot develop these five virtues and get rid of five thieves.
ਰਸਨਾ ਉਚਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਸ੍ਰਵਣੀ ਸੁਣੈ ਸੋ ਉਧਰੈ ਮਿਤਾ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਜਸੁ ਲਿਖਹਿ ਲਾਇ ਭਾਵਨੀ ਸੇ ਹਸਤ ਪਵਿਤਾ ॥
ਅਠਸਠਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਮਜਨਾ ਸਭਿ ਪੁੰਨ ਤਿਨਿ ਕਿਤਾ ॥
ਸੰਸਾਰ ਸਾਗਰ ਤੇ ਉਧਰੇ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਗੜੁ ਜਿਤਾ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਲੜਿ ਲਾਇ ਉਧਾਰਿਅਨੁ ਦਯੁ ਸੇਵਿ ਅਮਿਤਾ ॥
Rasnaa Uchrai Har Sarvanee Sunai So UDhrai Mitaa, Har Jas Likheh Laa-ay Bhaavnee Say Hasat Pavitaa. Athsath Tirath Majnaa Sabh Punn Tin Kitaa, Sansaar Saagar Tay UDhray Bikhi-aa Garh Jitaa, Nanak Larh Laa-ay UDhaari-an Da-yu Sayv Amitaa.
Those who chant God’s Name with their tongues and hear it with their ears are saved, O my friend. Those hands which lovingly write the Praises of the Immortal God are pure. It is like performing all sorts of virtuous deeds and bathing at the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage. They cross over the world-ocean and conquer the fortress of corruption. O Nanak, serve the Infinite God; grasp the hem of Its robe, and It will save you.-----Guru Arjun, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 322
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