Guru Granth Sahib against lust
It is every Sikh's duty to defeat the Five vices: Kam (Lust), Krodh (Rage), Lobh (Greed), Moh (Attachment) and Ahankar (Ego). The Guru Granth Sahib gives clear warning about these plunderers, thus:
Within this body dwell the five thieves: sexual desire, anger, greed, emotional attachment and egotism. They plunder the Nectar, but the self-willed manmukh does not realize it;... |
sggs page 600 |
The Gurmukhs, (Guru oriented) people realise the existence of these five while the Manmukhs (own-mind centred) folks do not and are under the constant exploits of the five - their actions, thoughts and behaviour are totally governed by these negative emotions. They have not learnt to recognise the influence of these negative internal forces and are under their total control.
The Guru asks us all to watch over the traits of our minds and the influence of these five emotions and regulate our thoughts in a positive way. Sikhs are encouraged to 'tackle' these five vices with Naam Simran (prayer, meditation) and with positive virtues of Seva (selfless service), Sat (Truth), Santokh (Contentment), Daya (Compassion), Nimrata (Humility) and Pyare (Love), etc. A Sikh needs to constantly guard and to overcome these five internal evils; to always be vigilant and on guard to tackle the negative effects of these five thieves at all times! Gurbani offers clear guidance to the devotee and many warnings of how to be spiritually aware of the damage that these vices can cause. The Sikh needs to keep the mind engaged in positive work and under the influence of creative and useful forces.
A Sikh is encouraged to spend time in regularly reading and critical analyzation in order to better understand the meaning of Gurbani (hymns) found in the Guru Granth Sahib; also to keep company of the Sadh Sangat (like-minded Gurmukh- Guru oriented) folks who share similar positive goals in life. The daily recitation of hymns reminds and teaches him/her how to avoid the pitfalls of life in this world; to become a better person; to value life; to attain maximum benefit from their time on this planet; to improve ones spiritual understanding and to understand the message of God and to attain a higher consciousness.
The Shabads below help explain the position the Gurus take on this issue:
Gurbani
1). Wastes the body
In the following Shabad, the Guru explains in very clear terms that lust and wrath will eat away the body away just as borax dissolves and eats away pure gold. So the pure God-given body will be wasted away if one allows the mind to be overcome by rage, anger or lust. One is given a very clear warning to guard oneself from these negative emotions.
ਕਾਮ ਕਰੋਧ ਕਾਇਆ ਕਉ ਗਾਲੈ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਕੰਚਨ ਸੋਹਾਗਾ ਢਾਲੈ ॥ Kĝm kroḝẖ kĝiĝ kao gĝlai. Jio kancẖan sohĝgĝ dẖĝlai. |
sggs page 932 |
2). Sexually promiscuous
a). Abandoning own partner
In the following Shabads, the Guru clarifies the need to restrain ones sexual relations to just ones partner and not to allow your thoughts to wonder outside that one and only sexual relationship that is allowed in Sikhism. The Guru allows states that promiscuous behaviour will bring painful diseases to the person.
ਹਾਥ ਕਮੰਡਲ ਕਾਪੜੀਆ ਮਨਿ ਤਰਿਸਨਾ ਉਪਜੀ ਭਾਰੀ ॥ Hĝth kamandal kĝpṛīĝ man ṯarisnĝ upjī bẖĝrī. ਇਸਤਰੀ ਤਜਿ ਕਰਿ ਕਾਮਿ ਵਿਆਪਿਆ ਚਿਤ ਲਾਇਆ ਪਰ ਨਾਰੀ ॥ |
sggs page 1013 |
b). Painful diseases
ਭੋਗੀ ਕਉ ਦਖ ਰੋਗ ਵਿਆਪੈ ॥ Bẖogī kao ḝukẖ rog viĝpai. |
sggs page 1189 |
3). Wounds of the soul
ਕਾਮ ਕਰੋਧ ਜੀਅ ਮਹਿ ਚੋਟ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਵਿਸਾਰਿ ਚਲੇ ਮਨਿ ਖੋਟ ॥੨॥ Kĝm kroḝẖ jīa meh cẖot. Nĝm visĝr cẖalė man kẖot.॥2॥ |
sggs page 152 |
4). Lead to ruin
ਕਾਮਿ ਕਰੋਧਿ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਿ ਵਿਗੂਤੇ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਛੂਟੇ ॥੧॥ Kĝm kroḝẖ ahaʼnkĝr vigūṯė. Har simran kar har jan cẖẖūtė. ॥1॥ |
sggs page 388 |
5). Suffer in pain
ਨਿਮਖ ਕਾਮ ਸਆਦ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਕੋਟਿ ਦਿਨਸ ਦਖ ਪਾਵਹਿ ॥ Nimakẖ kĝm suĝḝ kĝraṇ kot ḝinas ḝukẖ pĝvahi. ਘਰੀ ਮਹਤ ਰੰਗ ਮਾਣਹਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਬਹਰਿ ਬਹਰਿ ਪਛਤਾਵਹਿ ॥੧॥ |
sggs page 403 |
6). About Purity of Virginity
ਖਿੰਥਾ ਕਾਲ ਕਆਰੀ ਕਾਇਆ ਜਗਤਿ ਡੰਡਾ ਪਰਤੀਤਿ ॥ खिंथा कालढ़ कढ़आरी काइआ जढ़गति डंडा परतीति ॥ |
sggs page 6 |
See Also
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