SABD GURU ON INTERNAL FILTH/ਮੈਲਾ ਮਨਿ
ABSTRACT
Internal impurities according to Sikh thought consist of collections made on behalf of our over-zealous lower instincts. The lower instincts of lust, anger, greed, attachment, and greed have a powerful grip on most of our activities. They can only be cleaned through the prescription provided in AGGS. Every one try to do the improbable to change others/world rather tah probable him/her self. As we subdue these lower instincts, we need to develop virtues, and discover the Only Truth (Akal Purkh), says Guru Nanak in Raag Dhanasari;
Q. ਮਨਿ ਮੈਲੈ ਸੂਚਾ ਕਿਉ ਹੋਇ ॥
Man mailai sūcẖā ki­o ho­ė.
How can a filthy mind become pure?
A. ਸਾਚਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਪਾਵੈ ਪਤਿ ਸੋਇ ॥
Sācẖ milai pāvai paṯ so­ė.
One who meets the True Akal Purkh obtains honor. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Dhanasari, AGGS, Page, 686-12
Filthy mind makes every thing filthy and cannot be cleansed by taking an external bath says Guru Amardas 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 ho­ė. 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 Amardas, Raag Vadhans, AGGS, Page, 558-10
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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 rahī¬ai jog jugaṯ iv pā¬ī¬ai.
Remaining unblemished in the midst of the filth of the world -- this is the way to attain 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 Akal Purkh; 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 ॥
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.
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 the Akal Purkh, and contemplate beholding It. -----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;
ਵਿਣੁ ਗੁਣ ਕੀਤੇ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥
viṇ guṇ kīṯė bẖagaṯ na ho¬ė.
Without virtue, there is no devotional worship. -----Guru Nanak, Japji, AGGS, Page, 4-16
ਵਿਣੁ ਕਰਮਾ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਨਾਹੀ ਜੇ ਬਹੁਤੇਰਾ ਧਾਵੈ ॥
viṇ karmā kicẖẖ pā¬ī¬ai nāhī jė bahuṯėrā ḏẖāvai.
Without the karma of good deeds, nothing is obtained, although she may run around frantically. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Tilang, AGGS, Page, 722-9
Guru Amardas states in Siri Raag that one cannot perform devotional service with filth inside;
ਮਨਿ ਮੈਲੈ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥
Man mailai bẖagaṯ na hova¬ī nām na pā¬i¬ā jā¬ė.
With a polluted mind, devotional service cannot be performed, and the Naam of the Akal Purkh, cannot be obtained. -----Guru Amardas, 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;
ਮਲੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਧੋਤੀ ਕਿਵੈ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਜੇ ਸਉ ਤੀਰਥ ਨਾਇ ॥
Mal ha¬umai ḏẖoṯī kivai na uṯrai jė sa¬o ṯirath nā¬ė.
This filth of egotism cannot be washed away, even by taking cleansing baths at hundreds of sacred shrines. -----Guru Amardas, Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 39-6
ਧੋਤੀ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਜੇ ਅਠਸਠਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਨਾਇ ॥
Ḏẖoṯī mūl na uṯrai jė aṯẖsaṯẖ ṯirath nā¬ė.
This filth cannot be washed off, even by bathing at the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage. -----Guru Amardas, Vaar Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 87-9
ਬਾਹਰੁ ਧੋਇ ਅੰਤਰੁ ਮਨੁ ਮੈਲਾ ਦੁਇ ਠਉਰ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਖੋਏ ॥
Bāhar ḏẖo¬ė anṯar man mailā ḏu¬ė ṯẖa¬ur apunė kẖo¬ė.
One washes outwardly, but within, his mind is filthy; thus he loses his place in both worlds. -----Guru Arjan, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 381-3
ਦੇਹੀ ਧੋਇ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਮੈਲੁ ॥
Ḏėhī ḏẖo¬ė na uṯrai mail.
By merely washing the body, one's filth is not removed. -----Guru Arjan, 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
Guru Nanak in Raag Bilawal, Amardas in Raag Suhi and Ramkali, Guru Ramdas in Raag Bilawal, and Guru Arjan in Raag Gujri answers the question as to how the internal filth is removed, in Raag Ramkali;
ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਨਹੀ ਉਤਰੈ ਮੈਲੁ ॥
Bin sabḏai nahī uṯrai mail.
Without the Word of the Sabd, the filth is not removed. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 832-4
ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਮੈਲੁ ਉਤਰੈ ਤਾ ਸਚੁ ਬਣਿਆ ਸੀਗਾਰੁ ॥
Gur sabḏī mail uṯrai ṯā sacẖ baṇi¬ā sīgār.
Through the Guru's Teachings, filth is washed away, and then, one is embellished with the ornament of Truth. -----Guru Amardas, 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 the Akal Purkh, within; all his sins are destroyed. Let all bow in humility to that humble being that chants the Naam, and worships the It in adoration. -----Guru Amardas, Raag Ramkali, AGGS, Page, 950-18
ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਮੈਲੁ ਗਈ ਹਰਿ ਭਜਿਆ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਪਾਰਿ ਪਰਾ ॥
Ḏurmaṯ mail ga¬ī har bẖaji¬ā jan Nānak pār parā.
Vibrating upon the Akal Purkh, the filth of their evil-mindedness is washed away; servant Nanak is carried across. -----Guru Ramdas, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 799-17
ਅੰਤਰਿ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਹਉਮੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਬਾਜੀ ਹਾਰੀ ॥
Anṯar mail na uṯrai ha¬umai bin gur bājī hārī.
They are not cleansed of the filth of their ego within; without the Guru, they lose the game of life. -----Guru Arjan, 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 Arjan, Raag Parbhati, AGGS, Page, 1348-8
Conclusion;
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, the ultimate objective is the Name of the Akal Purkh; 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 Amardas, Raag Ramkali, AGGS, Page, 919
Virinder S. Grewal
Williamston, MI
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