INTERNAL FILTH/ਮੈਲਾ ਮਨਿ

ABSTRACT

ਗਲੀਂ ਅਸੀ ਚੰਗੀਆ ਆਚਾਰੀ ਬੁਰੀਆਹ ॥
ਮਨਹੁ ਕੁਸੁਧਾ ਕਾਲੀਆ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਚਿਟਵੀਆਹ ॥

Galīʼn asī cẖangī▫ā ācẖārī burī▫āh. Manhu kusuḏẖā kālī▫ā bāhar cẖitvī▫āh.

We are good at talking, but our actions are bad. Mentally, we are impure and black, but outwardly, we appear white.-----Guru Nanak, Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 85-1 & 2

ਕਾਹੇ ਕਉ ਕੀਜੈ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਜਪੰਨਾ ॥
ਜਬ ਤੇ ਸੁਧੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਮਨੁ ਅਪਨਾ ॥

Kāhe ka▫o kījai ḏẖi▫ān japannā. Jab ṯe suḏẖ nāhī man apnā.

Why do you practice meditation and chanting, when your mind is not pure?-----Namdev, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 485

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Internal impurities according to Sikh thought consist of collections made on behalf of our over-zealous lower instincts. The lower instincts of lust, anger, attachment, ego, and greed have a powerful grip on most of our activities. They can only be cleaned through the prescription provided in AGGS.  Every one tries to do the improbable to change others/world rather than him/her self. As we subdue these lower instincts, we need to develop virtues, and discover the Only Truth (God), says Guru Nanak in Raag Dhanasari;

Q. ਮਨਿ ਮੈਲੈ ਸੂਚਾ ਕਿਉ ਹੋਇ ॥

Man mailai sūcẖā ki­o hoe.

How can a filthy mind become pure?

A. ਸਾਚਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਪਾਵੈ ਪਤਿ ਸੋਇ ॥

Sācẖ milai pāvai paṯ so­ė.

One who meets the Truth obtains honor.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Dhanasari, AGGS, Page, 686-12

Guru Nanak emphasized ethical living, which helps in the evolvement of good character and removes the internal impurities.  We can thus be impurity free in the world of impurity;

ਅੰਜਨ ਮਾਹਿ ਨਿਰੰਜਨਿ ਰਹੀਐ ਜੋਗ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਇਵ ਪਾਈਐ ॥

Anjan māhi niranjan rahī­ai jog jugaṯ iv pā­ī­ai.

Remaining unblemished in the midst of the filth of the world -- this is the way to attain Holiness (Yoga).-----Guru Nanak, Raag Suhi, AGGS, Page, 730-12

Those who clean the internal filth with virtues of good deeds as outlined in Sabd Guru may be blessed with the love of God; Guru Nanak in Raag Asa expresses his feelings on the outer and inner aspects of an individual:

ਅੰਦਰਹੁ ਝੂਠੇ ਪੈਜ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਫੈਲੁ ॥
ਅਠਸਠਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਜੇ ਨਾਵਹਿ ਉਤਰੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਮੈਲੁ ॥
ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਪਟੁ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਗੁਦੜੁ ਤੇ ਭਲੇ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ॥
ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਨੇਹੁ ਲਗਾ ਰਬ ਸੇਤੀ ਦੇਖਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੇ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥
ਰੰਗਿ ਹਸਹਿ ਰੰਗਿ ਰੋਵਹਿ ਚੁਪ ਭੀ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਹਿ ॥
ਪਰਵਾਹ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਿਸੈ ਕੇਰੀ ਬਾਝੁ ਸਚੇ ਨਾਹ ॥
ਦਰਿ ਵਾਟ ਉਪਰਿ ਖਰਚੁ ਮੰਗਾ ਜਬੈ ਦੇਇ ਤ ਖਾਹਿ ॥
ਦੀਬਾਨੁ ਏਕੋ ਕਲਮ ਏਕਾ ਹਮਾ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਮੇਲੁ ॥
ਦਰਿ ਲਏ ਲੇਖਾ ਪੀੜਿ ਛੁਟੈ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਿਉ ਤੇਲੁ ॥੨॥

Anḏrahu jẖūṯẖė paij bāhar ḏunī¬ā anḏar fail, Aṯẖsaṯẖ ṯirath jė nāveh uṯrai nāhī mail, Jinĥ pat anḏar bāhar guḏaṛ ṯė bẖalė sansār, Ŧinĥ nėhu lagā rab sėṯī ḏėkẖnĥė vīcẖār. Rang hasėh rang rovėh cẖup bẖī kar jāhi.Parvāh nāhī kisai kerī bājẖ sacẖe nāh.Ḏar vāt upar kẖaracẖ mangā jabai ḏe▫e ṯa kẖāhi.Ḏībān eko kalam ekā hamā ṯumĥā mel. Ḏar la▫e lekẖā pīṛ cẖẖutai nānkā ji▫o ṯel. 

Those who are false within but appear honorable on the outside are very common in this world. Even though they may bathe at the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage, still, their filth does not depart. Those having silk on the inside and rag on the outside, are the good ones in this world. They embrace love for God, and contemplate beholding It. In the God's Love, they laugh, and in the God's Love, they weep, and also keep silent. They do not care for anything else, except their True Husband God. Sitting, waiting at It's Door, they beg for food, and when God gives to them, they eat. There is only One Court of the God, which has only one pen; there, you and I shall meet. In the Court of the God, the accounts are examined; O Nanak, the sinners are crushed, like oil seeds in the press. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 473

Guru Nanak indicates in Japji and Raag Tilang that to progress in spirituality one has to make an active and honest effort to develop virtues:

ਸੁਣਿਆ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਕੀਤਾ ਭਾਉ॥
ਅੰਤਰਗਤਿ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਮਲਿ ਨਾਉ ॥
ਸਭਿ ਗੁਣ ਤੇਰੇ ਮੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥
ਵਿਣੁ ਗੁਣ ਕੀਤੇ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥
Suṇi▫ā mani▫ā man kīṯā bẖā▫o. Anṯargaṯ ṯirath mal nā▫o.Sabẖ guṇ ṯere mai nāhī ko▫e.viṇ guṇ kīṯė bẖagaṯ na ho¬ė.

Listening and believing with love and humility in your mind, cleanse yourself with the Name, at the sacred shrine deep within. All virtues are Yours, God, I have none at all.  Without virtue, there is no devotional worship.-----Guru Nanak, Japji, AGGS, Page, 4-16

ਕਰਣ ਪਲਾਹ ਕਰੇ ਬਹੁਤੇਰੇ ਸਾ ਧਨ ਮਹਲੁ ਨ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
ਵਿਣੁ ਕਰਮਾ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਨਾਹੀ ਜੇ ਬਹੁਤੇਰਾ ਧਾਵੈ ॥

Karaṇ palāh kare bahuṯere sā ḏẖan mahal na pāvai.viṇ karmā kicẖẖ pā¬ī¬ai nāhī jė bahuṯėrā ḏẖāvai.

Soul bride may plead and implore so many times, but still, such a bride shall not obtain the Mansion of the God's Presence. Without good deeds, nothing is obtained, although one may run around frantically.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Tilang, AGGS, Page, 722-9

ਖਾਕੂ ਖਾਕੁ ਰਲੈ ਸਭੁ ਫੈਲੁ ॥
ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਨਹੀ ਉਤਰੈ ਮੈਲੁ ॥

Kẖākū kẖāk ralai sabẖ fail.Bin sabḏai nahī uṯrai mail.

The entire expanse, like dust, shall mix with dust. Without the Word of the Sabd, the filth is not removed.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 832-4

Filthy mind makes everything filthy and cannot be cleansed by taking an external bath says Guru Amar Das in Raag Vadhans:

ਮਨਿ ਮੈਲੈ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਮੈਲਾ ਤਨਿ ਧੋਤੈ ਮਨੁ ਹਛਾ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਇਹ ਜਗਤੁ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਇਆ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਬੂਝੈ ਕੋਇ ॥

Man mailai sabẖ kicẖẖ mailā ṯan ḏẖoṯai man hacẖẖā na hoe. Ih jagaṯ bẖaram bẖulā­i­ā virlā būjẖai ko­ė.

When the mind is filthy, everything is filthy; by washing the body, the mind is not cleaned. This world is deluded by doubt; how rare are those who understand this.-----Guru Amar Das, Raag Vadhans, AGGS, Page, 558-10

Guru Amar Das states in Siri Raag that one cannot perform devotional service with filth inside;

ਮਨਿ ਮੈਲੈ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਮਨਮੁਖ ਮੈਲੇ ਮੈਲੇ ਮੁਏ ਜਾਸਨਿ ਪਤਿ ਗਵਾਇ ॥

Man mailai bẖagaṯ na hova¬ī nām na pā¬i¬ā jā¬ė. Manmukẖ maile maile mu▫e jāsan paṯ gavā▫e.

With a polluted mind, devotional service cannot be performed, and the Naam of the Immortal God, cannot be obtained. The filthy, self-willed die in filth, and they depart in disgrace.-----Guru Amar Das, Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 39-9

The inner filth cannot be washed by cleansing baths at holy places as evident from the following hymns of AGGS:

ਜਗਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਮੈਲੁ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਮਲੁ ਲਾਗੀ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ॥
ਮਲੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਧੋਤੀ ਕਿਵੈ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਜੇ ਸਉ ਤੀਰਥ ਨਾਇ ॥
ਬਹੁ ਬਿਧਿ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਵਦੇ ਦੂਣੀ ਮਲੁ ਲਾਗੀ ਆਇ ॥
ਪੜਿਐ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਪੂਛਹੁ ਗਿਆਨੀਆ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥

Jag ha▫umai mail ḏukẖ pā▫i▫ā mal lāgī ḏūjai bẖā▫e.Mal ha¬umai ḏẖoṯī kivai na uṯrai jė sa¬o ṯirath nā¬ė Baho biḏẖ karam kamāvḏe ḏūṇī mal lāgī ā▫e.Paṛi▫ai mail na uṯrai pūcẖẖahu gi▫ānī▫ā jā▫e. 

The world is polluted with the filth of egotism, suffering in pain. This filth sticks to them because of their love of duality. This filth of egotism cannot be washed away, even by taking cleansing baths at hundreds of sacred shrines. Performing all sorts of rituals, people are smeared with twice as much filth. This filth is not removed by studying. Go ahead, and ask the wise ones. -----Guru Amar Das, Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 39-6

ਸਚੇ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਮਲੁ ਲਾਗੈ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ॥
ਧੋਤੀ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਜੇ ਅਠਸਠਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਨਾਇ ॥

Sacẖe mail na lag▫ī mal lāgai ḏūjai bẖā▫e. Ḏẖoṯī mūl na uṯrai jė aṯẖsaṯẖ ṯirath nā¬ė.

Filth does not stick to those who are true, but filth attaches itself to those who love duality. This filth cannot be washed off, even by bathing at the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage.-----Guru Amar Das, Vaar Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 87-9

Guru Amar Das in Raag Suhi and Ramkali, Guru Ram Das in Raag Bilawal, and Guru Arjan in Raag Gujri answers the question as to how the internal filth is removed, in Raag Ramkali:

ਆਪਿ ਕਰੇ ਕਿਸੁ ਆਖੀਐ ਆਪੇ ਬਖਸਣਹਾਰੁ ॥
ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਮੈਲੁ ਉਤਰੈ ਤਾ ਸਚੁ ਬਣਿਆ ਸੀਗਾਰੁ ॥

Āp kare kis ākẖī▫ai āpe bakẖsaṇhār.Gur sabḏī mail uṯrai ṯā sacẖ baṇi¬ā sīgār.

God Itself does - who else should I ask? God Itself is the Forgiving God. Through the Guru's Teachings, filth is washed away, and then, one is embellished with the ornament of Truth.-----Guru Amar Das, Raag Suhi, AGGS, Page, 755-18

Q. ਏਹ ਕੂੜੈ ਕੀ ਮਲੁ ਕਿਉ ਉਤਰੈ ਕੋਈ ਕਢਹੁ ਇਹੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥

Ėh kūrhai kī mal ki¬o uṯrai ko¬ī kadẖahu ih vīcẖār.

How can this filth of falsehood be washed off? Can anyone think about this, and find the way?

A.    ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਤਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਦਿੜਾਏ ਸਭਿ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਕਟਣਹਾਰੁ ॥
ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੇ ਨਾਮੋ ਆਰਾਧੇ ਤਿਸੁ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਕਰਹੁ ਸਭਿ ਨਮਸਕਾਰੁ ॥

Saṯgur milai ṯā nām ḏiṛā¬ė sabẖ kilvikẖ kataṇhār, Nām japė nāmo ārāḏẖė ṯis jan ka¬o karahu sabẖ namaskār.

If one meets with the True Guru, He implants the Name of God, within; all his sins are destroyed. Let all bow in humility to that humble being that chants the Naam, and worships God in adoration.-----Guru Amar Das, Raag Ramkali, AGGS, Page, 950-18

ਜਿਨ ਕਉ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਹਰਿ ਮੇਲਹੁ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਤੇ ਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਏ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਗੁਰ ਸਰਾ ॥
ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਮੈਲੁ ਗਈ ਹਰਿ ਭਜਿਆ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਪਾਰਿ ਪਰਾ ॥

Jin ka▫o ṯumĥ har melhu su▫āmī ṯe nĥā▫e sanṯokẖ gur sarā.Ḏurmaṯ mail ga¬ī har bẖaji¬ā jan Nānak pār parā.

Those whom You unite with Yourself, O, God and Master, bathe in the Guru's cleansing pool of contentment. Remembering God with devotion, the filth of evil-mindedness is washed away carrying servant Nanak across.-----Guru Ram Das, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 799-17

ਕਿਰਿਆਚਾਰ ਕਰਹਿ ਖਟੁ ਕਰਮਾ ਇਤੁ ਰਾਤੇ ਸੰਸਾਰੀ ॥
ਅੰਤਰਿ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਹਉਮੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਬਾਜੀ ਹਾਰੀ ॥

Kiri▫ācẖār karahi kẖat karmā iṯ rāṯe sansārī.Anṯar mail na uṯrai ha¬umai bin gur bājī hārī.

Ritualer's perform the four rituals and six religious rites; the world is engrossed in these. The filth of the ego within is not cleansed; without the Guru, loosing the game of life.-----Guru Arjun, Raag Gujri, AGGS, Page, 495-9

Guru Arjan in Raag Parbhati describes the futility of rituals of external cleansing as follows:

ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਮਹਾ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਾ ॥

ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰਹਿ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਬਿਸਥਾਰਾ ॥

ਕਰਿ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਤਨਿ ਚਕ੍ਰ ਬਣਾਏ ॥

ਅੰਤਰ ਕੀ ਮਲੁ ਕਬ ਹੀ ਨ ਜਾਏ ॥

ਇਤੁ ਸੰਜਮਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਕਿਨ ਹੀ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ॥

ਭਗਉਤੀ ਮੁਦ੍ਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਮੋਹਿਆ ਮਾਇਆ ॥

ਪਾਪ ਕਰਹਿ ਪੰਚਾਂ ਕੇ ਬਸਿ ਰੇ ॥

ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਇ ਕਹਹਿ ਸਭਿ ਉਤਰੇ ॥

ਬਹੁਰਿ ਕਮਾਵਹਿ ਹੋਇ ਨਿਸੰਕ ॥

ਜਮ ਪੁਰਿ ਬਾਂਧਿ ਖਰੇ ਕਾਲੰਕ ॥

ਘੂਘਰ ਬਾਧਿ ਬਜਾਵਹਿ ਤਾਲਾ ॥

ਅੰਤਰਿ ਕਪਟੁ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਬੇਤਾਲਾ ॥

ਵਰਮੀ ਮਾਰੀ ਸਾਪੁ ਨ ਮੂਆ ॥

ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸਭ ਕਿਛੁ ਜਾਨੈ ਜਿਨਿ ਤੂ ਕੀਆ ॥

ਪੂੰਅਰ ਤਾਪ ਗੇਰੀ ਕੇ ਬਸਤ੍ਰਾ ॥

ਅਪਦਾ ਕਾ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਤੇ ਨਸਤਾ ॥

ਦੇਸੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਪਰਦੇਸਹਿ ਧਾਇਆ ॥

ਪੰਚ ਚੰਡਾਲ ਨਾਲੇ ਲੈ ਆਇਆ ॥

ਕਾਨ ਫਰਾਇ ਹਿਰਾਏ ਟੂਕਾ ॥

ਘਰਿ ਘਰਿ ਮਾਂਗੈ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਾਵਨ ਤੇ ਚੂਕਾ 

ਬਨਿਤਾ ਛੋਡਿ ਬਦ ਨਦਰਿ ਪਰ ਨਾਰੀ ॥

ਵੇਸਿ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ ਮਹਾ ਦੁਖਿਆਰੀ ॥

Man Meh Krodh Mhaa Ahankaraa, Pooja Kareh Bahut Bistharaa, Kar Isnan Tan Chakar BaNaaey, Antar Ki Mal Kabhi Na Jaaey, It Sanjam Prabh Kin Hi Na Paa-i-aa,Bhag-utee Mudraa Man Mohi-aa Maa-i-aa, Paap Karahi PanchaaN Kay Bas Ray, Tirath Naa-ay Kaheh Sabh Utray, Bahur Kamaaveh Ho-ay Nisank, Jam Pur BaaNDh Kharay Kaalank, ghooghar baaDh bajaaveh taalaa, antar kapat fireh baytaalaa, Varmee Maaree Saap Na Moo-aa, Parabh Sabh Kichh Jaanai Jin Too Kee-aa, PooNar Taap Gayree Kay Bastaraa, Apdaa Kaa Maari-aa Garih Tay Nastaa, Days Chhod Pardayseh Dhaa-i-aa, Panch Chandaal Naalay Lai Aa-i-aa, Kaan Faraa-ay Hiraa-ay Tookaa, Ghar Ghar MaaNgai Tariptaavan Tay Chookaa, Banitaa Chhod Bad Nadar Par Naaree, Vays Na Paa-ee-ai Mahaa Dukhi-aaree.

Within the mind dwell anger and massive ego. Worship services are performed with great pomp and ceremony. Ritual cleansing baths are taken, and sacred marks are applied to the body. But still, the filth and pollution within never depart. No one has ever found God in this way. The sacred ear rings - ritualistic hand gestures - are made, but the mind remains enticed by Maya. They commit sins, under the influence of the five thieves. They bathe at sacred shrines, and claim that everything has been washed off. Then they commit them again, without fear of the consequences. The sinners are bound and gagged, and taken to the City of Death. The ankle-bells shake and the cymbals vibrate, but those who have deception within wander like demons. By destroying its hole, the snake is not killed. God, who created you, knows everything. You worship fire and wear saffron colored robes. Stung by your misfortune, you abandon your home. Leaving your own country, you wander in foreign lands. But you bring the five rejects with you. You have split your ears, and now you steal crumbs. You beg from door to door, but you fail to be satisfied. You have abandoned your own wife, but now you sneak glances at other women. God is not found by wearing religious robes; you are utterly miserable!-----Guru Arjun, Raag Parbhati, AGGS, Page, 1348-8

ਬਾਹਰੁ ਧੋਇ ਅੰਤਰੁ ਮਨੁ ਮੈਲਾ ਦੁਇ ਠਉਰ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਖੋਏ ॥

ਈਹਾ ਕਾਮਿ ਕ੍ਰੋਧਿ ਮੋਹਿ ਵਿਆਪਿਆ ਆਗੈ ਮੁਸਿ ਮੁਸਿ ਰੋਏ ॥੧॥

Bāhar ḏẖo¬ė anṯar man mailā ḏu¬ė ṯẖa¬ur apunė kẖo¬ė. Īhā kām kroḏẖ mohi vi▫āpi▫ā āgai mus mus ro▫e. 

One washes outwardly, but within, his mind is filthy; thus he loses his place in both worlds. Here, he is engrossed in sexual desire, anger and emotional attachment; hereafter, he shall sigh and weep. -----Guru Arjun, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 381-3

ਦੇਹੀ ਧੋਇ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਮੈਲੁ ॥

ਹਉਮੈ ਬਿਆਪੈ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਫੈਲੁ ॥

Ḏėhī ḏẖo¬ė na uṯrai mail. Ha▫umai bi▫āpai ḏubiḏẖā fail.

By merely washing the body, one's filth is not removed. Afflicted by egotism, duality only increases.-----Guru Arjun, Raag Ramkali, AGGS, Page, 893-8

ਅੰਤਰਿ ਮੈਲੁ ਜੇ ਤੀਰਥ ਨਾਵੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਨ ਜਾਨਾਂ ॥

Anṯar mail jė ṯirath nāvai ṯis baikunṯẖ na jānāʼn.

With filth within the heart, even if one bathes at sacred places of pilgrimage, still, he shall not go to heaven.-----Kabir, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 484-14

Conclusion:

The danger to the Sikh philosophy comes from degeneration of morals, from beclouding one's mental horizon and from the atrophy of moral and spiritual nature. Individuals put their vested interest first, and truths and ideals go begging. Moral life cannot be lived in aloof. Morality is the pre-requisite and nurse of spirituality. All the present problems are self-inflicted in ignorance. Ignorance of reality is no excuse. The only cure is self-knowledge; by making the individual's conscious of his infinite worth to progress spiritually towards God. For the truly faithful, no miracle is necessary, but for those who doubt, no miracle is sufficient. Guru Ram Das in Raag Ramkali points towards inner pollution versus outwardly pure:

ਜੀਅਹੁ ਮੈਲੇ ਬਾਹਰਹੁ ਨਿਰਮਲ ॥

ਬਾਹਰਹੁ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਜੀਅਹੁ ਤ ਮੈਲੇ ਤਿਨੀ ਜਨਮੁ ਜੂਐ ਹਾਰਿਆ ॥

ਏਹ ਤਿਸਨਾ ਵਡਾ ਰੋਗੁ ਲਗਾ ਮਰਣੁ ਮਨਹੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿਆ ॥

ਵੇਦਾ ਮਹਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਉਤਮੁ ਸੋ ਸੁਣਹਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਜਿਉ ਬੇਤਾਲਿਆ ॥

ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਿਨ ਸਚੁ ਤਜਿਆ ਕੂੜੇ ਲਾਗੇ ਤਿਨੀ ਜਨਮੁ ਜੂਐ ਹਾਰਿਆ ॥

Jī▫ahu maile bāhrahu nirmal. Bāhrahu nirmal jī▫ahu ṯa maile ṯinī janam jū▫ai hāri▫ā. Ėh ṯisnā vadā rog lagā maraṇ manhu visāri▫ā. veḏā mėh nām uṯam so suṇėh nāhī firėh ji▫o beṯāli▫ā. Kahai Nānak jin sacẖ ṯaji▫ā kūṛe lāge ṯinī janam jū▫ai hāri▫ā.

Inwardly polluted, and outwardly pure; those who are outwardly pure and yet polluted within, lose their lives in the gamble. They contract this terrible disease of desire, and in their minds, they forget about dying. In the Vedas (Hindu Scriptures), the ultimate objective is the Name of the God; but they do not hear this, and they wander around like demons. Nanak says that those who forsake Truth and cling to falsehood lose their lives in the gamble.-----Guru Amar Das, Raag Ramkali, AGGS, Page, 919