The Doctrine: Manmukh And Gurmukh

[Original]

Dear All

Humankind's irrational nature is very difficult to explain if you maintain that human intelligence [manmukh] evolved to solve complex problems, where clear, logical thinking should offer the advantage. The doctrine manmukh v gurmukh is to that end, an explanation offering existential solace, where it attempts to bridge the gap between "reason n experience".

Enjoy the read below !

Thank you

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Reflections On Gurbani
GURMUKH AND MANMUKH
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੋਲਹਿ ਸੋ ਥਾਇ ਪਾਏ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਕਿਛੁ ਥਾਇ ਨ ਪਾਈ ॥੨੬॥: Gurmukh bolahi so thaai paae.
Manmukh kishu thaai n paaee ||26|: One who has become the Gurmukh,
what he speaks is approved (by the Guru/God). What the Manmukh says
is not approved (ਪਰਵਾਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ). ||26|| (sgss 758).
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The Gurbani (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) divides all human beings into two categories — ਗੁਰਮੁਖ (the Gurmukhs) and ਮਨਮੁਖ (the Manmukhs). To say it otherwise, as repeatedly indicated in the SGGS, there are only two different groups of people living together on earth: the Gurmukhs (the Spiritual Beings, the followers of the Truth and the truthful living, ...) and the Manmukhs (the materialists, self-willed, the deniers of the Truth and the truthful living ... ).

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਲਾਹਾ ਲੈ ਗਏ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਚਲੇ ਮੂਲੁ ਗਵਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥੧੯॥: Gurmukhi laahaa lai gaye manmukh chale moolu gavaai jeeou ||19||: Those who have become the Gurmukhs (Spiritual Beings...), reap their (Spiritual) Profits (of Naam, Gurmat: Aatam Giaan...) and leave, while the Mmanmukhs (self-willed...) lose their Mool and depart. ||19|| (sggs 74).

Accordingly, these two terms appear again and again in the Gurbani. Like many other terms that appear in the Gurbani, these two names also have been widely misunderstood. Many define them based on their own foolishness or fool-o-sophy, rather than the Gurmat (Divine Knowledge of the SGGS). Consequently, both of these names appear to have a general meaning as understood by the deluded minds, and also a very special and specific meaning as indicated by the Gurmat.

With the help of the Divine Guide of the Gurbani, this Reflection will attempt to briefly reflect on as to how the Gurmukh and the Manmukh is defined in the SGGS. Any other definition of these terms from sources other than the SGGS holds no validity or significance to a true Sikh (seeker of the Truth). The reason being is that, out of curiosity, although a Sikh may compare other scriptures or Granths or writings with the SGGS, however, he will consider it absolutely unnecessary to compare the infallible Divine Knowledge of the SGGS with them.

The Gurmukh

A Gurmukhs is a virtuous type of person whom the Gurbani calls Divine. He is Spiritually positioned, naturally (Sahaj). Throughout the SGGS, the Gurbani defines Gurmukhs as Spiritual Beings who live by Gurmat (the Wisdom of the Shabad-Guru).

In nutshell, the Gurmukh is linked to his Mool within (ਮੂਲ, Source, Origin Truth...), and ever remains so; he is contented in all situations (Sach Santokhee); he is the follower of the Truth; his mind is linked to Antar-Aatmaa; his Akal (ਅਕਲ , wisdom, intellect, reason, etc., follows the Gurbani; he restrains his mind instead of following his mind; his state is that of "ਇਕ ਮਨਿ ਇਕ ਚਿਤਿ " - Ik Mani Ik Chiti; he is detached in the midst of Maya - ਮਾਇਆ ਵਿਚ ਉਦਾਸੀ; he is established in Viveka-budhi - ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰਮਤ ਦੀ ਪੂਰੀ ਸੋਝੀ ਹੈ; he knows all the "Way of the soul" ("ਜਾਨੈ ਆਤਮ ਕੀ ਰਹਤ", ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ, ਅਮਲੀ ਜੀਵਨ, ਹੁਕਮੀ ਜੀਵਨ); he is Jeevan Mukat (living Liberated or Enlightened); he is Aatam or Brahm Giaanee; he is established in Chauthaa Pada or Turiyaa Avasthaa (Tenth Gate, Sahaj Avasthaa - Natural State of Being; Sunn Samaadhi, ਆਤਮਕ ਅਡੋਲਤਾ, Shabad-Surti, etc.), saintly nature even though he may deal with countless unsaintly people...

A Gurmukh is a Self-Realized person, completely free of the false ego-sense (Haume) and its menacing faults (Bikaars: lust, anger, greed,attachment, pride and their countless variations). Since the Gurmukh has killed his false ego-sense (Haume), His mind is Pure (unconditioned; devoid of any "filth" of Bikaars, Maya, ignorance, etc.).

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਲਾਗੈ ਆਇ ॥: Gurmukh vichahu houmai jaai || Gurmukh mail n laagai aai ||: By becoming the Gurmukh, egotism (Haume) departs from within. By becoming the Gurmukh, filth (of Haume or egotism) does not come and stick (sggs 230).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਤਿਮਰ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਅਧੇਰੁ ਚੁਕਾਇਆ ॥: Nanak Gurmukh giaan praapat hovai timar agiaan andher chukaaiaa: O Nanak, the spiritual wisdom (ਉੱਚੀ ਸਮਝ, etc.) is attained by becoming the Gurmukh, and the pitch-black darkness of ignorance is dispelled (sggs 512).

In nutshell, a Gurmukh is a person situated at the platform of Transcendental Consciousness. Hence, he is the Divine Soul, established in his Pure Being (Joti-Svaroopa) within. Internally he has surrendered his false ego-sense to his Mool (Source, Origin...) with one hundred percent involvement of his body, mind and intellect. He has all the Divine Virtues which are found in a godly or a Holy person.

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਆਪਣਾ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਸਬਦਿ ਕਸਵਟੀ ਲਾਇ ॥ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਨਾਲਿ ਝਗੜਾ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਨਾਲਿ ਸਥ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਮੰਝਿ ਸਮਾਇ ॥: Guramukh aapanaa manu maariaa sabad kasavatee laai. Mann hee naal jhagarraa mann hee naal sath mann hee manjh samaai: Applying the Touchstone of the Shabad, by becoming the Gurmukh, the Gurmukh conqueres his mind (prevents it from falling in love with Maya, etc.). He fights with his mind (its evil inclinations: ਬਿਕਾਰ-ਬਿਰਤੀ), he settles with his mind (make his mind understand), and he becomes immersed (in the auspicious nature of: ਸ਼ੁਭ-ਬਿਰਤੀ) his mind (sggs 87).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਹਜੁ ਹੈ ਮਨੁ ਚੜਿਆ ਦਸਵੈ ਆਕਾਸਿ ॥ ਤਿਥੈ ਊਂਘ ਨ ਭੁਖ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੁਖ ਵਾਸੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੁਖੁ ਸੁਖੁ ਵਿਆਪਤ ਨਹੀ ਜਿਥੈ ਆਤਮ ਰਾਮ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ॥੧੬॥: Gurmukhi antar sahaj hai manu charriaa dasavai aakaas ...: Upon becoming the Gurmukh, Intuitive Poise (Sahaj, ਆਤਮਕ ਅਡੋਲਤਾ) awakens within; then his mind ascends to the Tenth Plane - Dasam Duaar (where nine holes of body have no effect). (In this State) there is no sleep or hunger (of the love of Maya); they dwell in the Peace (ਆਤਮਕ ਅਨੰਦ) of the Amrit Name of God. O Nanak, pain and pleasure do not afflict anyone, (in those hearts) where the Light of the Lord, the Supreme Soul, illuminates ||16|| (sggs 1414).

Call him a Self-realized person, God-realized, Shabad-realized or Naam-realized, Spiritual Being, Wise Man, a householder, a Holy person, or any other name you like. He may externally appear to be irreligious, not well cultured, or not learned. However, he is one hundred percent established in Truth. As indicated in the Gurbani, such Pure Beings are very rare — one out of millions.

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਰੰਗਾਵਲੇ ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਭੋਗੁ ॥੩॥: Gurmukh Sabad rangaavale ahinis Hari ras bhog ||3||: Who become the Gurmukhs are imbued with God's Name; day and night, they enjoy elixir (of the Naam; for them the Naam becomes the spiritual food) ||3|| (sggs 63).
• ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਆਰਸੀ ਕੋਈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵੇਖੈ ॥ ਮੋਰਚਾ ਨ ਲਾਗੈ ਜਾ ਹਉਮੈ ਸੋਖੈ ॥ ਅਨਹਤ ਬਾਣੀ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਸਬਦੁ ਵਜਾਏ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਸਚਿ ਸਮਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੪॥: Ihu manu a{censored}e koee Gurmukhi vekhai ...: This mind is like a mirror (or looking-glass, through which one can see his Mool, Source, Originality, Authentic Nature, Jot-Svaroop, ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ, etc., but); hardly any by becoming the Gurmukh (Spiritual Being...) sees himself in it. The rust (of ego or Haume, Maya...) does not stick to (the mind of him who becomes the Gurmukh and) burns his ego (and, with ego burnt, he can see himself through this mind-mirror). The Unstruck Melody of the Bani, the Pure Shabad resounds (within the Gurmukh); through the Gur-Shabad, (the Gurmukh) remains absorbed in the Truth ||4|| (sggs 115).
• ਕੋਟਨ ਮੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੋਊ ਨਾਰਾਇਨੁ ਜਿਹ ਚੀਤਿ ॥੨੪॥: Kotan mai Nanak kou narain jih cheet ||24||: Rare is the one amongst millions, who enshrines Divine in his mind, O Nanak ||24|| (sggs 1427).

The Gurmukhs lead Spiritual Life (also called Divine or Eternal Life) of non-attachment, purity and true contentment (Sat Santokh). They understand that only by knowing one's True Nature ("Joti-svaroopa") one can overcome material afflictions, and become eternally blissful. Hence, the Gurmukhs with Spiritual outlook spend their time and energy on the Spiritual path (Aatam-Giaan) eradicating "I-am-ness", Shabad-Vichaar (Aatam-Giaan...), associating with Sat (Truth) within and without; without sacrificing the household duties and responsibilities.

• ਬੰਧਨਿ ਬਾਧਿਆ ਇਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਛੂਟੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੇਵੈ ਨਰਹਰੇ ॥੧॥: Bandhan baadhiaa in bidh shootai gurmukhi sevai narahare ||1||: Bound in bondage, the man is released only by this method: by becoming a Gurmukh, serve God ||1|| (sggs 1112).
• ਸੰਤਹੁ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈ ॥: Santahu gurmukhi mukti gati paaee: O saints! (One) who become the Gurmukh, attains the state of Liberation (ਉੱਚੀ/ਗਿਆਨ ਵਾਲੀ ਆਤਮਕ ਅਵਸਥਾ...). (sggs 911).
• ਕਉਣੁ ਸੁ ਮੁਕਤਾ ਕਉਣੁ ਸੁ ਜੁਗਤਾ ॥ ਕਉਣੁ ਸੁ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕਉਣੁ ਸੁ ਬਕਤਾ ॥ ਕਉਣੁ ਸੁ ਗਿਰਹੀ ਕਉਣੁ ਉਦਾਸੀ ਕਉਣੁ ਸੁ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਪਾਏ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ ਕਿਨਿ ਬਿਧਿ ਬਾਧਾ ਕਿਨਿ ਬਿਧਿ ਛੂਟਾ ॥ ਕਿਨਿ ਬਿਧਿ ਆਵਣੁ ਜਾਵਣੁ ਤੂਟਾ ॥ ਕਉਣ ਕਰਮ ਕਉਣ ਨਿਹਕਰਮਾ ਕਉਣੁ ਸੁ ਕਹੈ ਕਹਾਏ ਜੀਉ ॥੨॥ ... ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੁਕਤਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜੁਗਤਾ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬਕਤਾ ॥ ਧੰਨੁ ਗਿਰਹੀ ਉਦਾਸੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਪਾਏ ਜੀਉ ॥੫॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਬਾਧਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਛੂਟਾ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਆਵਣੁ ਜਾਵਣੁ ਤੂਟਾ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਕਰਮ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਿਹਕਰਮਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਕਰੇ ਸੁ ਸੁਭਾਏ ਜੀਉ ॥੬॥: Kaounu su muktaa kaounu su jugataa...: Who is liberated, and who is united? Who is a spiritual teacher, and who is a preacher? Who is a house-holder, and who is a renunciate? Who can estimate the Lord's Value? ||1|| How is one bound, and how is one freed of his bonds? How can one escape from the cycle of coming and going? Who is subject to Karma, and who is beyond Karma? Who chants the Name, and inspires others to chant it? ||2|| Who is happy, and who is sad? Who, as Sanmukh (turns toward the Guru), and who, as Vaymukh (turns away from the Guru)? How can one meet the Lord? How is one separated from Him? Who can reveal this? ||3|| What is that Word, by which the wandering mind can be restrained? What are those teachings, by which we may endure pain and pleasure alike? What is that lifestyle, by which we may come to meditate on the Supreme Lord? How may we sing the Kirtan of His Praises? ||4|| The Gurmukh is liberated, and the Gurmukh is linked (to Mool within). The Gurmukh is the spiritual teacher, and the Gurmukh is the preacher. Blessed is the Gurmukh, the householder and the renunciate. The Gurmukh knows the Lord's Value. ||5|| Egotism is bondage; as Gurmukh, one is emancipated. The Gurmukh escapes the cycle of coming and going in reincarnation. The Gurmukh performs Karma (ਮਾਇਆ-ਰਹਿਤ), and the Gurmukh is beyond Karma (i.e., he does not get involve in Mayaic efforts...). Whatever the Gurmukh does, is done in good faith (ਆਤਮ-ਗਿਆਨ ਵਿਚ ਟਿਕ ਕੇ). ||6|| (sggs 131).

A person with such divine qualities is free from doubts, superstitions, material bondage, falsehood, corruption, evil-mindedness, demoniac actions, jealousy and enviousness, false ego, passions, demerits, sinful reactions, lamentation and hankering for material objects, desire and fear, hatred, conflicts, fanaticism, differences, and so on. In essence, he is a living-liberated (Jeevan Mukta). Such pure devotee helps recover other conditioned Jeeva (individual beings) from their delusion as well. Accordingly, the Gurbani declares that there is no difference in God and a Gurmukh.

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬਾਣੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਹੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਿਲਾਵਾ ਹੋਇ ॥: Gurmukh bani Brahm hai Sabad milaavaa hoi: The Word of the Gurmukh is God Himself (ਬ੍ਰਹਮ). Through (his) Shabad, we meet (God) (sggs 39).
• ਅਪੁਨੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਉ ਸਦਾ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਈ ॥: Apune satgur kaou bali jaaee. Gumukh jotee joti milaaee: I am forever a sacrifice to my Satgur. Who becomes the Gurmukh, (the Satguru) blends his light (consciousness, ਸੁਰਤਿ, etc.) with the Divine Light (sggs 362).
• ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਚਉਥਾ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਇ ॥: Trai gun maya moh hai Gurmukh chauthaa pad paai: The three qualitied Maya's Moh (worldly attachment) is (prevalent). Who becomes the Gurmukh attains the Fourth State (the state that transcends Maya) (sggs 30).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਦੁਆਰੁ ॥੨੮॥: Nanak gurmukhi mukati duaar ||28||: O Nanak! By becoming the Gurmukh, find the door of liberation (from the false ego-sense - ਹਉਮੈ - bondage, Maya, etc.). ||28|| (sggs 941).

Hence, according to the Gurbani, a Gurmukh is not a question of heredity, family of birth, ancestry, race, region, social status, caste, creed, education, titles, religion, or any peculiar external appearance of a person; it is a question of Self-realization (linking with the Mool within...)! Undoubtedly, to be Gurmukh is like standing in a fire without getting burnt!

• ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਵਸੀਅਲੇ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣਿ ਰਹੈ ॥: Ihu manu nihachalu hiradai vaseeale gurmukhi moolu pachhaani rahai (sggs 945).

The Manmukh

A Manmukh is the opposite of the Gurmukh.

Hence, a Manmukh is a material being (egoistic or unenlightened person) as opposed to a Spiritual Being, who does not have natural inclination for Gurmat and Spirituality - he is the mind-willed. People with such materialistic outlook — referred to as Manmukhs in the Gurbani — assert that everlasting happiness is attainable only in acquisition of sense-objects, persuing passions, etc. In other words, a Manmukh is ruled by his conditioned and corrupt sense-blind mind instead of Soul Consciousness. Simply stated, a Manmukh is an ego-being with the following faults: lust, anger, greed, material attachment, pride, envy, stubborn mindedness; along with numerous variations of these. Having conditioned (polluted or filthy) consciousness, he has no understanding of the Naam, Shabad, Hukam (Will), Self, God, Spirit or the Sat Guru. Consequently, he has no understanding of the ultimate purpose of life, his relationship with God, and the Way of God (Gurmat). In this madness and illusion and "I-am-ness", he cultivates the life of a faithless cynic called Saakat — an unwise and an untrue being.

In short, a Manmukh is a denier of the Truth (ਸਚ); he is disconnected from his Mool (Source, Origin Truth...); his mind escapes through senses and run after sense-objects or whose Akakal follows his mind's dictates; he is ever uncontented, ਮਾਇਆ ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ...), he has no understanding of the Gur-Shabad (Aatm-Giaan, Divine Knowledge of the Gurbani); he is full of the "filth" (of evil passions, Maya, etc.)...

• ਸੇ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਜੋ ਸਬਦ ਨ ਪਛਾਨਹਿ ॥: Se manmukh jo Sabad na pachhaanahi: They alone are Manmukhs who do not realize the Shabad (sggs 1054).
• ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਮੈਲਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਨ ਪਛਾਣੈ ॥: Manmukhi mailaa sabadu n pashhaanai: The Manmukh's (mind) remains filthy (with Bikaar); (he) does not understand the Shabad (sggs 415).
• ਮਨਮੁਖੀ ਦੁਹਾਗਣਿ ਨਾਹਿ ਭੇਉ ॥: Manmukhee duhaagan naahi bhaeo: The Manmukh, suffering in separation (from God), do not understand (God's) mystery (sggs 1170).
• ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਰੋਗੀ ਹੈ ਸੰਸਾਰਾ ॥: Manmukhu rogee hai sansaaraa: The Manmukh is sick and diseased (with evil passions...) in the world (sggs 118).

In nutshell, anyone who has not realized the Mool within (Joti-Svaroopa, Source, Origin...) alone is a Manmukh. Here Gurbani provides us with a very clear definition as to what constitutes a Manmukh and a Gurmukh. Those in the Shabad, Naam or God Consciousness are true Gurmukh, whilst the rest of us (over 99.9 percent) are just hypocrite, Saakat or Manmukhs engrossed in unenlightened existence of (Maya) - worldly attachments, evil passions, hatred, selfishness, falsehood, meaningless rituals, corruption, frauds, deception, greed, lip worship and varieties of other superficial religious or reactionary spirituality...

• ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਚੇਤਹਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਨ ਵੀਚਾਰਹਿ ਇਹੁ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਕਾ ਆਚਾਰੁ ॥: Naam n cheetahi sabadu n vichaarahi ihu manmukh kaa aachaaru: The conduct of the Manmukh (self-willed...) is that (he) does not think of the Divine Naam (Hukam, Gur-Giaan...), and does not ponder on the Shabad (Gur-Shabad Vichaar..). (sggs 508).
• ਮਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਰੋਗੁ ਹੈ ਭ੍ਰਮਿ ਭੂਲੇ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਦੁਰਜਨਾ ॥: Man antar haumai rog hai bharam bhoole manmukh durjanaa: Those within whose mind is the disease of ego (Haumai - ਹਉਮੈ), those self-willed (Manmukhs), the evil beings (ਬਿਕਾਰੀ ਬੰਦੇ - corrupt people), are deluded by doubt (sggs 301).
• ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਅੰਧਾ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਲਾਗੈ ॥: Manmukh andhaa doojai bhaae laagai: The blind Manmukh are attached to the love of duality (sggs 113).
• ਮਨਮੁਖ ਅੰਧੇ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਬੇਤਾਲੇ ॥: Manmukh andhe firahi betaale: The blind Manmukh wander around like demons (sggs 117).
• ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਅੰਧੇ ਸੁਧਿ ਨ ਕਾਈ ॥: Manmukh andhe sudh na kaaee: The blind Manmukh have no understanding at all (sggs 118).

In this world, everyone is either a servant of Maya (illusion, delusion, etc.) or a servant of the Truth. Those who serve Maya are called Manmukhs or demons (Truth deniers, etc.), and those who serve the Truth (ਸਚ) within are called Gurmukhs or Divine. Thus, a Manmukh regardless of how advanced he may be in material qualifications by education and culture, lacks in Divine qualities; consequently, does not know the essence of the Reality that is contained within himself. Such individuals fail to attain Spiritual Perfection or Intuitive Understanding of the Gur-Shabad (Naam-Giaan..) ; for their intellect is dimmed by material contamination (Maya). as indicated in the SGGS, instead of seeking holiness, they chase after Maya and, as a result, wander in this dense forest of material existence like a beast in human garb.

• ਭਗਤੀ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਣਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੀ ॥: Bhagtee saar na jaananee Manmukh ahankaaree: The egotistical Manmukhs do not appreciate the value of Bhagti (sggs 429).
• ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਝੂਠੋ ਝੂਠੁ ਕਮਾਵੈ ॥: Manmukh jhootho jhooth kamaavai: The Manmukh practices falsehood, only falsehood (sggs 363).
• ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਅਗਿਆਨੀ ਅੰਧੁ ਅੰਧਾਰਾ ॥: Manmukh agiaanee andh andhaaraa: The Manmukhs (because of emotional attachment: Moh) remain immersed in utter darkness of ignorance (of their spiritual life: ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ) (sggs 1067).
• ਮਨਮੁਖ ਤਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਨੀ ਪਸੂ ਮਾਹਿ ਸਮਾਨਾ ॥੩॥: Manmukh tatu na jaananee pasoo maahi samaanaa ||3|| (sggs 1009).

As the Manmukh or demons take shelter in material corruption, they are called the lowest of mankind despite their advancement in material education, science and politics. Association with such material beings is called Kusang (false or bad association). By its very nature, such association separates an individual from the Truth, and makes him forgetful of his True Nature, which is Pure Consciousness (or "Joti-svaroopa").

• ਮਨਮੁਖ ਸੇਵਾ ਜੋ ਕਰੇ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥ ਪੁਤੁ ਕਲਤੁ ਕੁਟੰਬੁ ਹੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਵਧਾਇ ॥: Manmukh sevaa jo karae doojai bhaai chit laai. Putt kalat kattamb hai Maya mohu vadhaai: The Manmukh may perform service (ਸੇਵਾ), (but while doing so, he) keeps his consciousness attached to the love of duality (not One God). Through Maya, his attachment to children, spouse and relatives increases (sggs 1422).

A Manmukh lifestyle is void of humility, true contentment, compassion, and spiritual wisdom. Such lifestyle exhibits nothing but undesirable qualities in a person. To make us aware of Manmukhs and their conduct, the Gurbani has provided us with numerous symptoms of such material beings caught in the vertex of unenlightened existence. Some of these symptoms include: egoism, ignorance, selfishness, duality, bondage, evil-mindedness, falsehood, violence, untruthfulness, doubts, superstitions, uncontrolled senses, identification with the feeling of "I, me, mine, your", lust, anger, greed, attachment, self pride, self-conceit; jealousy and enviousness, stubborn mindedness, hatred, fanaticism, conflicts, lack of contentment, material hankering and lamentation, lack of mental control and inner peace, self-centered, full of quarrel and contentions, lack of faith, extroverted ness, ritualistic, unhappy, always interested in taking instead of giving, affinity for bad association, lack of self-discipline, mental agitation, unceasing wandering (rat-race), begging material things from God, complaining, finding faults in others, unable to bear pains and sorrows of life, love for material world instead of the Mool within, corruption, fraud, larceny and swindling, bribery, cheating, lying, plundering, stealing, fond of mental speculations and material logic, attachment to material world, deceitful nature, fearful, unceasing desire for sense objects, cynicism, hypocrisy, always wanting to control the world, always wanting to be appreciated, unceasing hunger for name and fame, love for titles and honor, divisiveness, prejudices, cruelty, bigotry, indulgence in worldly pleasures, illusion, delusion, wrong identity, stupor, obstinate error, love of Maya or worldliness, crookedness, animosity, and so on.

Hence, according to the Gurbani, a Manmukh is not a question of heredity, family of birth, ancestry, race, region, social status, caste, creed, education, titles, religion or any peculiar external appearance of a person; it is a question of unenlightened existence, cynicism, egoism, ignorance, hypocrisy, bondage, mental delusion, body-consciousness, mistaken identity, and so on!

In nutshell, a Manmukh is totally oblivious of his Mool within (Source, Origin, Jot, Reality...).

• ਮਨਮੁਖ ਮੂਲਹੁ ਭੁਲਿਆ ਵਿਚਿ ਲਬੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੁ ॥: Manmukh moolahu bhuliaa vichi labu lobhu ahankaar (sggs 316).

The Gurbani Further sums up the Manmukh and the Gurmukh as follows:

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬਖਸਿ ਜਮਾਈਅਨੁ ਮਨਮੁਖੀ ਮੂਲੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥: Gurmukhi bakhasi jamaaeeanu manmukhee moolu gavaaiaa (sggs 304).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਜਾਣੀਐ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਮੁਗਧੁ ਗੁਬਾਰੁ ॥: Gurmukh chaanan jaaneeai Manmukh mughad gubaar: The Gurmukh knows the Divine Light, while the foolish Manmukh gropes around in the darkness of ignorance (sggs 20).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਬੰਧੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕਰਾਏ ॥੪॥੩॥: Nanak manmukh bandh hai gurmukh mukati karaae ||4||3||: O Nanak, the Manmukhs remain in bondage (with hopes, desires, etc. They become hurdles on his Way); the Gurmukhs are liberated (From these) ||4||3|| (sggs 559).
• ਮਨਮੁਖ ਸਉ ਕਰਿ ਦੋਸਤੀ ਸੁਖ ਕਿ ਪੁਛਹਿ ਮਿਤ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖ ਸਉ ਕਰਿ ਦੋਸਤੀ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਉ ਲਾਇ ਚਿਤੁ ॥ ਜੰਮਣ ਮਰਣ ਕਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਕਟੀਐ ਤਾਂ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਵੀ ਮਿਤ ॥੬੬॥: Manmukh saou kar dosatee sukh ki pushahi mit. Gurmukh saou kar dosatee Satgur saou laai chit. Jamman maran kaa mool katteeai taan sukh hovee mit ||66||: O friend, If you make friends with the Manmukhs, how can you ask for Peace ( ਆਤਮਕ ਆਨੰਦ)? Make friends with the Gurmukhs, and focus your consciousness on the Satgur. (This Way when) the root of birth and death is cut away, then, you will find Peace ( ਆਤਮਕ ਆਨੰਦ) ||66|| (sggs 1421).

— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org

 

[Harry Haller]

just out of curiosity, can anyone name even one single Gurmukh person alive now?

is the bar set so high as to be impossible to achieve?

 

[Tejwant Singh]

Humankind's irrational nature is very difficult to explain if you maintain that human intelligence [manmukh] evolved to solve complex problems, where clear, logical thinking should offer the advantage. The doctrine manmukh v gurmukh is to that end, an explanation offering existential solace, where it attempts to bridge the gap between "reason n experience".

Sorry to burst your bubble mate, your assumption above in bold in not only false but also misleading. As per your claim, you are typing on your device made by a Manmukh to interact here with the definition you concocted on your own. I am sure you drive a flashy car made by Manmukhs too.

You are a well-known barrister as per your own claim and I believe in you although I am acting as a Manmukh by saying that, as per your concocted definition of a Manmukh. If you had uttered the above words in any court, the judge would ask you that if Human intelligence is Manmukh than you have prejudged those Manmukhs having no spiritual inclination,

How did you come to that conclusion, he would ask?
Show me the proofs of your claims in my court.
Which abacus did you choose to segregate the two and on and on?
What would your responses be?

Let's try to be a Gurmukh for a change in the responses.

More after sifting through the article.

 

[Original]

just out of curiosity, can anyone name even one single Gurmukh person alive now?

Sir
That by implication [now] would suggest that there was a point in time when an entity such as a Gurmukh existed. If that'd be correct then why not now ?

On the whole, so as to develop the discussion further, a broader and wider definition of a Gurmukh is, he/she who believes in the wisdom of SGGSJ.

Much obliged

Goodnight

 

[Harry Haller]

That by implication [now] would suggest that there was a point in time when an entity such as a Gurmukh existed. If that'd be correct then why not now ?

I don't want any more rhetoric, can't you just answer the question with a straight answer?

On the whole, so as to develop the discussion further, a broader and wider definition of a Gurmukh is, he/she who believes in the wisdom of SGGSJ.

Uhm ok we have gone from the definition you posted above, to this new definition of belief only, is belief enough then? If I believe in the above but refuse to act on it, that is enough? I would not worry too much about the coconuts diluting Sikhism, you are doing a fantastic job all on your own.

 

[Tejwant Singh]

Humankind's irrational nature is very difficult to explain if you maintain that human intelligence [manmukh] evolved to solve complex problems, where clear, logical thinking should offer the advantage. The doctrine manmukh v gurmukh is to that end, an explanation offering existential solace, where it attempts to bridge the gap between "reason n experience".

@Original ji,

I have some sad news for myself but happy news for you.

As per your definition of Manmukh (human intelligence evolved to solve complex problems, where clear, logical thinking should offer the advantage), sadly, the greatest Manmukh of today just passed away.

The great Stephen Hawkings, the one who roamed the Cosmos in his wheelchair died a few minutes ago at the age of 76.

 

[Harkiran Kaur]

Stephen Hawking ~

“You cannot understand the glories of the universe without believing there is some Supreme Power behind it.”

“To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.”

“Do we really have reason to believe that an objective reality exists?”

@Original ji,

I have some sad news for myself but happy news for you.

As per your definition of Manmukh (human intelligence evolved to solve complex problems, where clear, logical thinking should offer the advantage).

Sadly, the greatest Manmukh of today just passed away.

The great Stephen Hawkings, the one who roamed the Cosmos in his wheelchair died a few minutes ago at the age of 76.

This removes one more Manmukh from your realm. One less step to climb for a Gurmukh like you.

 

[Harry Haller]

@Original ji,

I have some sad news for myself but happy news for you.

As per your definition of Manmukh (human intelligence evolved to solve complex problems, where clear, logical thinking should offer the advantage).

Sadly, the greatest Manmukh of today just passed away.

The great Stephen Hawkings, the one who roamed the Cosmos in his wheelchair died a few minutes ago at the age of 76.

The great Hawk had a wonderful sense of humour, I am sure he would have appreciated the below, even in death.

I always thought a lot of Stephen Hawkings, truly a great soul, although slightly pretentious, always speaking in that fake american accent, but a huge loss nonetheless.

 

[Original]

Respected Tejwant Singh Ji - Thank you for sharing the news of his death - beautiful soul - RIP !

 

[Original]

I don't want any more rhetoric,

..sorry, what part is rhetoric ?

can't you just answer the question with a straight answer?

I did ! You said 'name one alive now' and I said, 'given that you want one now, you're implying the existence of one. It's not your unicorn is it ?' Meaning, Gurmukh exists !

Uhm ok we have gone from the definition you posted above, to this new definition of belief only, is belief enough then? If I believe in the above but refuse to act on it, that is enough? I would not worry too much about the coconuts diluting Sikhism, you are doing a fantastic job all on your own.

lol...love it ! yes, belief is fundamental for its belief that constitutes faith and its faith that brings about the Gurmukh in the Manmukh.

 

[Harry Haller]

.sorry, what part is rhetoric ?

most of what you write is rhetoric that is never backed up in any way

I did ! You said 'name one alive now' and I said, 'given that you want one now, you're implying the existence of one. It's not your unicorn is it ?' Meaning, Gurmukh exists !

can you just name one, and if you can't say so, this is getting tiresome

lol...love it ! yes, belief is fundamental for its belief that constitutes faith and its faith that brings about the Gurmukh in the Manmukh.

these words, like most you write are deeply, deeply ambiguous, I actually find this a tad more insulting than when you called me a {censored}, so I will ask the question again, but only one more time, you may have time to {censored} about and go back and forth, but I don't.

On the whole, so as to develop the discussion further, a broader and wider definition of a Gurmukh is, he/she who believes in the wisdom of SGGSJ.

Go to any Gurdwara on Sunday and you will see a plethora of brand new mercedes benzes, lots of people dressed in all their finery, the women dripping with jewelry, they all believe in the wisdom of the SGGS, they don't follow it though, but they do believe, your opening post implies that one who acts under Bani is a true Gurmukh, now we have this new cop out statement that by simply believing, one is Gurmukh, so which is it, its a simple question, do try your best to answer it in a simple fashion, otherwise your just wasting time,

thanks

 

[Harkiran Kaur]

If one is not following something then they really don’t believe in it do they? Lip service isn’t belief in my opinion...

most of what you write is rhetoric that is never backed up in any way



can you just name one, and if you can't say so, this is getting tiresome



these words, like most you write are deeply, deeply ambiguous, I actually find this a tad more insulting than when you called me a {censored}, so I will ask the question again, but only one more time, you may have time to {censored} about and go back and forth, but I don't.



Go to any Gurdwara on Sunday and you will see a plethora of brand new mercedes benzes, lots of people dressed in all their finery, the women dripping with jewelry, they all believe in the wisdom of the SGGS, they don't follow it though, but they do believe, your opening post implies that one who acts under Bani is a true Gurmukh, now we have this new cop out statement that by simply believing, one is Gurmukh, so which is it, its a simple question, do try your best to answer it in a simple fashion, otherwise your just wasting time,

thanks

 

[Inderjeet Kaur]

Briefly, after reading the article, I conclude that there have been twelve Gurmukhs that I know of in the history of the world and they have all been men.

Dr. Hawking has been a tremendous inspiration to me. I have had severe disabilities for almost 12 years. Now I must use a wheelchair when I leave my building. There are times when this gets old and I wish it were all over for me. Then I picture his lop-sized head and feel invigorated.

He declared himself an atheist a while back. His thinking is too clear and logical for me to take that seriously. Being as intelligent as he is, he knows the difference between knowledge and belief. He might believe there is no Deity, but he knows he cannot know. The only logical religious stand, the only one not based on belief, is agnosticism.

 

[Original]

I conclude that there have been twelve Gurmukhs that I know of in the history of the world and they have all been men.

Inderjeet, this'd be the narrow interpretation of "Gurmukh", consistent with the one found in T Singh's article above. But the one up for discussion, in the first instance is, the "broader n wider" literal meaning, Gurmukh. That is to say, he/she who faces towards god [gurmukh] and believes in SGGSJ [or in any Guru]. This will help pave way to determine whether the definitive, narrower version of Gurmukh [Sikh] can be found to exist in its entirety.

 

[Tejwant Singh]

Respected Tejwant Singh Ji - Thank you for sharing the news of his death - beautiful soul - RIP !

@Original ji,

You are welcome!

For you he was a Manmukh anyway, very unlike a Gurmukh like yourself.
His death must give you some relief.
One less Manmukh to worry about.

 

[Harry Haller]

@Original ji,

You are welcome!

For you he was a Manmukh anyway, very unlike a Gurmukh like yourself.
His death must give you some relief.
One less Manmukh to worry about.

but surely we are all Gurmukhs, you just have to believe!

 

[Tejwant Singh]

but surely we are all Gurmukhs, you just have to believe!

Hallelujah!

 

[Harkiran Kaur]

but surely we are all Gurmukhs, you just have to believe!

I don’t think anyone said all it takes is belief to be a Gurmukh.

It takes belief in the path of Sikhi before one can truly follow it.

You can have people doing things they don’t believe in but they’d be doing it for the wrong reasons. You can also have those who say they believe in something but they really don’t because for whatever reason they think it doesn’t apply to them.

I think Original Ji is saying that one has to believe in the ideology taught by the Gurus, before one can truly put it into practice in ones life and that’s how one can become Gurmukh.

For example, someone might be doing community service as punishment for a minor crime. They would not be doing it for the right reasons and they certainly wouldn’t believe in the ideology of selfless service. So I don’t think they would become Gurmukh... even if that service was the exact same service that a believing Sikh was doing voluntarily and selflessly right beside them... let’s say both were serving food to homeless in a soup kitchen.

 

[Harry Haller]

Oh well you both have something in common, you find it hard to answer questions, maybe instead of answering questions posed to other members, you could answer your own, that would be a novelty!

 

[Tejwant Singh]

For example, someone might be doing community service as punishment for a minor crime. he would not be doing it for the right reasons and they certainly wouldn’t believe in the ideology of selfless service.

Harkiran ji,

Community service is part of his punishment.
Do you mean that any kind of good it may bring is not enough?
Is that what you are saying? He may be thinking of turning into Seva when he leaves the place of his confinement.
Do you find anything anti-Sikhi in his attitude?
The fact is neither you, nor @Orginal ji, nor anyone else knows the reason.

So I don’t think they would become Gurmukh...

Why not?

even if that service was the exact same service that a believing Sikh was doing voluntarily and selflessly right beside them.

How do you know that?
It does all come to yours and Orginal's beliefs as Harry rightfully pointed out.
This seems like a dogmatic judgement a la Abramanic religions, nothing more.

. let’s say both were serving food to homeless in a soup kitchen.

And?

These are mere speculations, aren't they?

Lastly, do you also claim Stephen Hawkings was a Manmukh as Original does?