How Is the Mind Won Over?

ਮਃ ੩ ॥

mehlaa 3.

Third Mehl:

ਕਿਉ ਕਰਿ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰੀਐ ਕਿਉ ਕਰਿ ਮਿਰਤਕੁ ਹੋਇ ॥

ki-o kar ih man maaree-ai ki-o kar mirtak ho-ay.

How can this mind be conquered? How can it be killed?

ਕਹਿਆ ਸਬਦੁ ਨ ਮਾਨਈ ਹਉਮੈ ਛਡੈ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥

kahi-aa sabad na maan-ee ha-umai chhadai na ko-ay.

If one does not accept the Word of the Shabad, egotism does not depart.

ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਹਉਮੈ ਛੁਟੈ ਜੀਵਨ ਮੁਕਤੁ ਸੋ ਹੋਇ ॥

gur parsaadee ha-umai chhutai jeevan mukat so ho-ay.

By Guru's Grace, egotism is eradicated, and then, one is Jivan Mukta - liberated while yet alive.

ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਬਖਸੇ ਤਿਸੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਿਘਨੁ ਨ ਲਾਗੈ ਕੋਇ ॥੨॥

naanak jis no bakhsay tis milai tis bighan na laagai ko-ay. ||2||

O Nanak, one whom the Lord forgives is united with Him, and then no obstacles block his way. ||2||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

How can this mind be won over? How can it become still, as if it had died?

If you do not accept the Word you are given, ego does not leave.

By the Guru's grace, ego lets go, and you are free while still alive.

Nanak says: whoever the One forgives is joined with the One, and then nothing blocks the way.

A restless mind is not beaten into stillness, grace loosens its grip.

The deeper layer

How is the mind conquered? Not by force. Haumai, ego, departs only when the Shabad is accepted, and then comes jivan-mukti, freedom while living. The final turn is mercy: whoever the One forgives is united, and the road clears. Grace does what willpower cannot.

Kabir's touchstone raised the question; Guru Amar Das's shalok follows it.

A Question to Sit With

What settles your mind better than force ever could?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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