Day 12: Sweetness and humility

By Surinder Kaur Sohan Singh | SIKHI STUDY | OPINION

ਮਿਠਤੁ ਨੀਵੀ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਗੁਣ ਚੰਗਿਆਈਆ ਤਤੁ ॥

Mithath Neevi Nanaka Gun Changiaaeeaa Thatt 

Sweetness and Humility O Nanak are the essence of virtues and goodness. (Pg 470, SGGS)

Gurbani tells us that amongst all the divinely virtues the greatest virtue is HUMILITY and amongst the many vices, the greatest vice is ARROGANCE (ahengkaar/ ego).

To remain humble no matter how high on the ladder of success one  may be is the challenge for all of us. If because of our knowledge, power, money or status we start treating others as lesser human beings then we have to get ready for a hard fall.

Each one of us is a world unto ourselves. Every person extends a specific vibration of energy. These vibrations are created through our thoughts, words and actions.

What come out of our mouths is even more important than what goes in. It is not how much we pray that matters but rather how we behave with others because each and every action is like a prayer.

What we say and do creates the energy we pass on to those around us and also to the rest of the world.

Guruji reminds us in the line above that sweetness and humility in our words is the essence of virtues. Harsh words and anger hurled at others hurt us more than the person at whom it is directed. There is no doubt that we hurt others but it is good to remember that in that process we end up causing more damage to ourselves also.

To avoid these outburst of anger we are advised by the Guru to do the following:

ਬੰਦੇ ਖੋਜੁ ਦਿਲ ਹਰ ਰੋਜ ਨਾ ਫਿਰੁ ਪਰੇਸਾਨੀ ਮਾਹਿ ॥

Bandae khoj dil har roj na fir paraesaanee maahi

O human being, search your heart everyday and get rid of your anxieties and tensions so that you can function from a place of Love and Compassion rather Anger. (Pg 727, SGGS)

The role of religion is to train us to listen to our inner voice and do introspection and reflection on our actions every day. Try to identify the intention behind our every action.

If our intentions are pure, it should be reflected in the language used to convey this message. If the language used is harsh and hurtful then the intentions cannot be pure.

Being God’S children we have to learn how to speak like Him. Guruji tells us how God speaks in the lines below:

ਮਿਠ ਬੋਲੜਾ ਜੀ ਹਰਿ ਸਜਣੁ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਮੋਰਾ ॥

Mith bolarra jee Har Sajan Suaamee morra

My Lord and Master, my friend always speak so sweetly to me.

ਹਉ ਸੰਮਲਿ ਥਕੀ ਜੀ ਓਹੁ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਬੋਲੈ ਕਉਰਾ ॥

Ho sanmal thhakee jee ouhu kadhae n bolai koura.

I have tested HIM many times but HE has never spoken harshly to me.

ਕਉੜਾ ਬੋਲਿ ਨ ਜਾਨੈ ਪੂਰਨ ਭਗਵਾਨੈ ਅਉਗਣੁ ਕੋ ਨ ਚਿਤਾਰੇ ॥

Koura bol na jaanae pooran Bhagvannai aougun ko na chithaarae.

HE doesn’t even know any bitter words. Although I am full of vices and faults but HE still never uses harsh words and remind me of my faults. (Pg 784, SGGS)

If we do not keep this in mind then all the knowledge that we have accumulated is just a burden we are carrying on our heads and walking around. At the end it will be a cause of our suffering instead of liberating us.

Surinder Kaur Sohan Singh is a Malaysia-based Gurbani enthusiast. This is an edited version of her regular articles shared within a circle of fellow Sikhi seekers. The articles appear on Mondays and Thursdays.

* This is the opinion of the writer, organisation or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Asia Samachar.

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Day 11: What does meditation/simran really mean in Sikhi? (Asia Samachar, 30 Aug 2018)

Day 10: Power of pure unconditional love (Asia Samachar, 27 Aug 2018)

Day 09 – Creation of Karma: Aapae beej aapae hee khaahu (Asia Samachar, 23 Aug 2018)