Mann Mare Bin Bhagat Naa Hoyee - Sant Singh Ji Maskeen

[Prabhjot Singh]

Wjkk Wjkf Jeo,

One more katha by Gyani Ji. I apologise beforehand for any mistakes (im sure there will be many) and for whatever that is lost in translation. However, I hope it is a good read, the vichaars in this katha are about the ways of killing our mann and about self-respect. Read on!

--------------------------------------------------- Mann Maare Bin Bhagat Naa Hoye ------------------------------------------------

Maskeen Ji talks about some of the reflections on 'Mann' that have appeared in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:

ਮਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬੋਲੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਈ ॥

man anthar bolai sabh koee ||

Everyone speaks through the mind.

ਮਨ ਮਾਰੇ ਬਿਨੁ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥੨॥

man maarae bin bhagath n hoee ||2||

Without killing the mind, devotional worship is not performed. ||2|| (Ang 329, SGGS Ji)

We all crave for life, because life is a source of pleasure and it is very important to be optimistic in life. Life in our body stands on our chain of breaths. Our body is alive as long as this chain of breaths remains intact. Similarly, life of the mind (referred to as 'mann' in rest of this translation). is standing on (sudden, esp. impulsive) ideas and it remains alive as long as these ideas keep running. Just like a body dies when it stops breathing, 'mann' dies when it stops generating ideas. On a bodily level, we can end our lives ourselves, people end their lives by committing suicide and thus, can break their chain of breaths. One can consume drugs or some other form of intoxication and fall unconscious, while some have the ability to slow down their rate of breathing by performing 'Praanaayam' (a yoga exercise). Moreover, there are some other techniques (in Yoga) with which one can pause their breaths, and people who can perform that art make their body come into a similar state as that of a body in which the chain of breath has broken. So, looking at the above examples, it can be seen that this breakage of chain of breaths is a common occurrence. But, someone who can stop his mann from generating ideas, eventually killing it, this happens very rarely in this world.

Dead bodies in which the chain of breaths has broken can be easily seen by going to the crematorium. Sight of an individual in which the mann has completely died, however, is extremely hard to come by. Such a person is called Jivan-Mukt, someone, who is breathing from outside but is dead from inside. But someone who is alive from outside, and is mann is alive and thriving inside as well, can be called a living dead – he is living the life of a dead man. Such a person stinks from inside, just like dead bodies start to rot and smell as time passes. Therefore, the (whole) purpose of meditation (saadhna) is to kill the mind, while the purpose of all the running around that we humans do is to keep the body alive. We earn, work, etc. so that our bodies can live, and we do meditation and sangat so that eventually we can kill our mind – we should look to keep one alive and kill the other.

Different techniques and methods were developed to kill the mind. One such method is available within the house of Gurbani as well – to align the attention with Guru's words. Just like someone does Praanaayam and slows down the pace of his breathing, similarly, Waheguru naam jaap slows down the bhagat's rate of idea generation and eventually kills the mann completely. When that happens, he becomes completely free of the cycle of birth and rebirth as there is absolutely no idea and plan within:

ਧਰਮ ਰਾਇ ਦਰਿ ਕਾਗਦ ਫਾਰੇ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਲੇਖਾ ਸਮਝਾ ॥੪॥੫॥

dhharam raae dhar kaagadh faarae jan naanak laekhaa samajhaa ||4||5||

The Righteous Judge of Dharma, in the Court of the Lord, has torn up my papers; servant Nanak's account has been settled. ||4||5|| (Ang 698, SGGS Ji)

Similarly, Bhagat Ravidaas Ji says in reference to Bhagat Kabir Ji:

ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਕਬੀਰ ਉਜਾਗਰ ॥

har kae naam kabeer oujaagar ||

Through the Lord's Name, Kabeer became famous and respected.

ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕੇ ਕਾਟੇ ਕਾਗਰ ॥੧॥

janam janam kae kaattae kaagar ||1||

The accounts of his past incarnations were torn up. ||1|| (Ang 487, SGGS Ji)

Thus, the purpose of saadhna and meditation is to stop the generation of ideas, and eventually kill the mind. As soon as the mind dies, brain and rationale becomes extremely sharp. Such person will not make wrong decisions in life, these decisions will not need to be rectified. Normally we see laws created by man often need to be altered, but the words uttered by bhagats thousands of years ago are still true, and will be true forever, because such words are eternal words. They will never need any amendment as they are uttered by people who had killed their mann and possessed infinitely sharp brain.

When one's mann completely dies, that person's heart (chitt) remains in the remembrance of Waheguru Akaal Purakh, day and night. That person, who's chitt is drenched with Akaal Purakh's name is referred to as 'Chittargupt' – the heart that is secret. Because, after all, others can see what actions one's physical body is performing, but they cannot see what goes on within the heart. Others do not what name is being recited within someone's heart, like a child never knows when goes in his father's heart, husband never knows what goes in wife's heart and likewise wife never find out what goes in her husband's heart. This is the way Waheguru Ji has devised human beings – external actions of the body can be easily seen, but others remain oblivious to activities and state of the heart. So, that is the reason why Rishis and Munis of India loved the name 'Chittargupt'.

Whoever we speak about, talk to, remain in memory of, starts becoming a part of our sanskaars – the picture (Chittar) keeps developing. When one dies and physical body is burned, its this chittargupt that goes with us and becomes the basis of our physical form in the next birth. The person who has earned Naam Dhan in the previous life, has built a beautiful chittargupt, and has kept it intact within, then the next life with give birth to that chittar again. This picture in the next life will be like this:

'Subh Kull Janam' – will be born in a good family.

'Saroop Tann' – will a beautiful physical roop. This physical roop is also a gift from Akaal Purakh:

ਜਿਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਤੇਰਾ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਰੂਪੁ ॥

jih prasaadh thaeraa sundhar roop ||

By His Grace, your form is so beautiful;

ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸਿਮਰਹੁ ਸਦਾ ਅਨੂਪੁ ॥

so prabh simarahu sadhaa anoop ||

constantly remember God, the Incomparably Beautiful One. (Ang 270, SGGS Ji)

'Bhoop Bhog Aaapat' – will have gifts of materials (wealth, etc.), which is again, a gift from God.

'Pandit Dehi Arog Punn Dharam Jaan Phall Satt' – gift of knowledge, body free of any diseases and disfigurement, they are also rewards of previous good life.

There is another type of meditation with which this Chittargupt just vanishes. The minute one goes into the prime samadhi, one does not have to even remember and recall anything. This remembrance runs within us just like our breaths, without our conscious effort. The mann becomes pure, Ahankaar is lost completely. Therefore, the day Waheguru's name starts to run within us like our breaths, that day one ceases to be a Chittargupt even. When Chittargupt vanishes, that picture is eliminated, then the cycle of birth and rebirth ends as well.

There is a beautiful Vaak in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaaj regarding the Bhagats:

ਇਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਸੁਨਿ ਕੈ ਜਾਟਰੋ ਉਠਿ ਭਗਤੀ ਲਾਗਾ ॥

eih bidhh sun kai jaattaro outh bhagathee laagaa ||

Hearing this, Dhanna the Jaat applied himself to devotional worship.

ਮਿਲੇ ਪ੍ਰਤਖਿ ਗੁਸਾਈਆ ਧੰਨਾ ਵਡਭਾਗਾ ॥੪॥੨॥

milae prathakh gusaaeeaa dhhannaa vaddabhaagaa ||4||2||

The Lord of the Universe met him personally; Dhanna was so very blessed. ||4||2|| (Ang 488, SGGS Ji)

Bhagat Dhanna was a jatt, and when he heard this, he got a confidence boost in him. What had he heard? :

ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸੰਗਿ ਨਾਮਦੇਉ ਮਨੁ ਲੀਣਾ ॥

gobindh gobindh gobindh sang naamadhaeo man leenaa ||

Naam Dayv's mind was absorbed into God Gobind Gobind, Gobind.

ਆਢ ਦਾਮ ਕੋ ਛੀਪਰੋ ਹੋਇਓ ਲਾਖੀਣਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

aadt dhaam ko shheeparo hoeiou laakheenaa ||1|| rehaao ||

The calico-printer, worth half a shell, became worth millions. ||1||Pause|| (Ang 487, SGGS Ji)

That, 'this low caste (Bhagat) Namdev, if he can be a Bhramgyaani, then so can I, I am a jatt after all'. (Bhagat) Dhanna became egoistic of his caste, but this ego is very pure, this ego makes him want to be a Gyaani, to reach God.

So, when (Bhagat) Dhanna heard this, he started meditating. Further he heared:

ਬੁਨਨਾ ਤਨਨਾ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਕੈ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਚਰਨ ਕਬੀਰਾ ॥

bunanaa thananaa thiaag kai preeth charan kabeeraa ||

Abandoning weaving and stretching thread, Kabeer enshrined love for the Lord's lotus feet.

ਨੀਚ ਕੁਲਾ ਜੋਲਾਹਰਾ ਭਇਓ ਗੁਨੀਯ ਗਹੀਰਾ ॥੧॥

neech kulaa jolaaharaa bhaeiou guneey geheeraa ||1||

A weaver from a lowly family, he became an ocean of excellence. ||1|| (Ang 487, SGGS Ji)

That, a low caste (Bhagat) Kabir, by reciting Akaal Purakh's name, has become a Brahmgyaani as well. This inspired Bhagat Dhanna more, 'I am jatt after all, I can be a Bhagat too'.

ਰਵਿਦਾਸੁ ਢੁਵੰਤਾ ਢੋਰ ਨੀਤਿ ਤਿਨਿ ਤਿਆਗੀ ਮਾਇਆ ॥

ravidhaas dtuvanthaa dtor neeth thin thiaagee maaeiaa ||

Ravi Daas, who used to carry dead cows every day, renounced the world of Maya.

ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਆ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੨॥

paragatt hoaa saadhhasang har dharasan paaeiaa ||2||

He became famous in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, and obtained the Blessed Vision of the Lord's Darshan. ||2|| (Ang 487, SGGS Ji)

And when he heard that a chamaar has become Bhagat, his confidence increased even further.

ਸੈਨੁ ਨਾਈ ਬੁਤਕਾਰੀਆ ਓਹੁ ਘਰਿ ਘਰਿ ਸੁਨਿਆ ॥

sain naaee buthakaareeaa ouhu ghar ghar suniaa ||

Sain, the barber, the village drudge, became famous in each and every house.

ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਸਿਆ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਭਗਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਗਨਿਆ ॥੩॥

hiradhae vasiaa paarabreham bhagathaa mehi ganiaa ||3||

The Supreme Lord God dwelled in his heart, and he was counted among the devotees. ||3|| (Ang 487, SGGS Ji)

Bhagat Dhanna's confidence reached its peak when he heard that a barber, a person who does such dirty job for a living, even he can become Bhagat. This ego of Bhagat Dhanna was so pure that it made him do bhagati, and such was the beautiful result of that bhagati, he became completely pure and, even he entered the house of Bhagats.

ਇਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਸੁਨਿ ਕੈ ਜਾਟਰੋ ਉਠਿ ਭਗਤੀ ਲਾਗਾ ॥

eih bidhh sun kai jaattaro outh bhagathee laagaa ||

Hearing this, Dhanna the Jaat applied himself to devotional worship.

ਮਿਲੇ ਪ੍ਰਤਖਿ ਗੁਸਾਈਆ ਧੰਨਾ ਵਡਭਾਗਾ ॥੪॥੨॥

milae prathakh gusaaeeaa dhhannaa vaddabhaagaa ||4||2||

The Lord of the Universe met him personally; Dhanna was so very blessed. ||4||2|| (Ang 488, SGGS Ji)

Arrogance, as an evil, is found in worldly people, but Bhagats have got self-respect instead. Such Bhagats, who have pure and clean heart will surely stand up against tyranny. The whole country had to bow down to Babbar's aggressions, but he had to bow down in front of Guru Nanak Dev Ji as Babaji never bowed down in front of arrogance.

Similarly, Sikandar Lodhi, the tyrant made everyone bend down to their knees with his power but Bhagat Namdev never submitted to that.

(Note: The shabad that follows can be read in its entirety at Ang 1165, SGGS Ji)

One time, Sikandar Lodhi said to Bhagat Namdev, 'Millions of people follow you, call you saint, so prove me your powers and make this dead cow alive again'.

Bhagat Namdev Ji said:

ਮੇਰਾ ਕੀਆ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥

maeraa keeaa kashhoo n hoe ||

I cannot do anything by my own actions.

ਕਰਿ ਹੈ ਰਾਮੁ ਹੋਇ ਹੈ ਸੋਇ ॥੪॥

kar hai raam hoe hai soe ||4||

Whatever the Lord does, that alone happens.\"\"||4|| (Ang 1165, SGGS Ji).

– Life and death is not in my power, this is all in God's hands. This is absolutely true – If we want to built or knock down a house, we do not ask the house its wish to be built or knocked down. Similarly, Akaal Purakh does not ask us whether we want to be born or die, this is all upon Him and his wishes.

When Bhagat Namdev Ji gave that answer:

ਬਾਦਿਸਾਹੁ ਚੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਿਓ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਿ ॥

baadhisaahu charrihou ahankaar ||

The arrogant king was enraged at this reply. (Ang. 1165, SGGS Ji)

Lodhi became furious. This, again, is a fact – A King, a politician is always arrogant, if not, then it must be something else. Such people get pleasure and satisfaction out of keeping others under their orders.

Lodhi says, 'Since you don't agree to what I say, I will have your head chopped off the first thing in the morning'. Affluent people of Delhi went to the king and pleaded, 'Badshaah, he is a precious soul, it is not fair you torture him like that. We can offer you Namdev weight's worth of gold and silver, please free him in return'.

Badshaah says, that is impossible:

ਮਾਲੁ ਲੇਉ ਤਉ ਦੋਜਕਿ ਪਰਉ ॥

maal laeo tho dhojak paro ||

The king replied, \"\"If I take the gold, then I will be consigned to hell, (Ang 1166, SGGS Ji)

My religion does not allow me to take such money. People of Delhi asked Badshaah to suggest a third option then.

Badshaah says, 'I will free Namdev if he stops saying 'Ram Ram' and says 'Allah Allah' instead'.

People of Delhi went to Namdev and asked him to say 'Allah, Allah' just once and get the freedom, then you can go back to reciting 'Ram, Ram'. But Bhagat Namdev's self-respect and pride was such that he said,' No, I will not do so because helping a tyrant complete his desire is a crime in itself'. Even Bhagat Namdev's mother pleaded to him, 'Son, what difference does it make, after all, both are names of the same God'. Bhagat Namdev Ji says,'I know that, but I will not say the other name because Badshaah has ordered me to do so'. Bhagat Namdev Ji's mother said,' My dear son, I have heard myself you reciting Allah's name so many times, so why not now?'. Namdev Ji replied, 'Whenever I say Allah, Kareem, I say it in ecstasy, out of my own free will. However, if I say it now it would mean I have submitted to the Badshaah, and I wont do that'.

Guru Nanak Dev, at the age of nine, refused to wear the 'Janayoo' (Brahman white thread), while Guru Gobind Ji Maharaaj wants his father to sacrifice his life for the sake of Janayoo. Why do we come across these two opposite concepts in Sikh history? This is because the brahman wants Guru Nanak Dev Ji to wear the janayoo, while Aurangzeb wants to forcible remove it. That is why, Guru Nanak Dev Ji said, I will not wear it by force while Guru Gobind Singh Ji said, I will not let be be removed by force - aggression and force will not be tolerated. It is this self-respect of Bhagats and Gurus that makes them confront and stand up against the aggression and the aggressors.

Dr. Mohammed Iqbal says, 'Khudi Ko Kar Bulan Itna Key Har Aagaaz Se Pehle Khuda Bande Se Khudh Pooche. Bataa Teri Razaa Kya Hai'. One Urdu writer says something in similar vein: 'Khuddaar Hoon, Kyun Chall Ke Aaayun Dar Ehle Karam Takk, Kheti Kabhi Khudh Chall Kar Ghataa Takk Nahi Jaati'. He says, 'I have my pride intact, I can't come to you. Those clouds that have to rain themselves go to the fields. So, Bahagts go to such a spiritual level where they don't ask anything from Akaal Purakh at all. They come to a point where they don't ask anything from the world, and they don't ask anything from God either. Even if Akaal Purakh asks a bhagat, the bhagat will say, 'Whatever your wish'.

Maskeen Ji narrates a gaatha: There was a saint who meditated and did Naam Abhayaas so much that Devtas eventually came to him and said to him,' Ask what you want'. That saint said, 'What can I ask you now? Throughout my life, I have been asking things from you and you never appeared. Now that I have finished all my desires you have come to offer me something? But I can't ask anything from you now as I have got no desires left whatsoever'. Devtas say, 'OK, we give you the blessing that wherever you go, whoever you touch, people will become wise, lands will become fertile if you would touch them'. Saint says, 'No, I don't want this blessings, but if you insist, give me the blessing that all this happens by my shadow, not by my actual touch'. Actually, majority of the positive work in the world has been done by those people who didn't even realise they are doing something good for the humanity, it just happened, with their shadow. Those who claim to do something good for others is driven by their Ahankaar, not self-pride.

Maskeen Ji sums up the katha in a few lines from here.

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Link to original Katha - http://www.rajkaregakhalsa.net/audio/Katha...20Na%20Hoye.zip

Fateh Jeo!