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dhillon
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DOG'S TAIL
Like the dog’s tail, which will never straighten out, (this mind will not change and engage in Simran), no matter
how many things are tried (sggs 633). The fool may live with the Pandit, the religious scholar, and listen to the
(scriptures) Vedas and the Shaastras (but still remains fool, and do not give up their nature of foolishness). You
can never escape your own inner tendencies, like the tail of the dog (that always remains crooked). (sggs 990).
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When the Truth that has not been personally experienced, one can not grasp it directly. However, with the help of analogies, similes, allegories, metaphors, figurative or mystic representations and illustrations, the Truth becomes relatively easier to grasp. Such methods have extensively been used in the Gurbani (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) with a definite purpose and intention. They should neither be taken literally, nor their significance should be stretched beyond the Gurbani's intention. The scriptures help to understand the real nature of the Self and this material world when they are studied diligently keeping the purpose and intention of their examples and statements in mind.
One of the examples used in the Gurbani is that of a dog's tail. The only purpose of such illustration is to drive the Divine Message into our heads. By using "dog's tail" as an example, the Gurbani helps us understand very important points such as:
The man attached to this world also behaves crooked like the tail of a dog. Due to Spiritual ignorance (illusion, mental delusion, Maya, false ego, wrong identity, etc.), we have become stubborn and fanatic. As such, we take unreal to be real, ephemeral to be eternal, falsehood to be Truth, material consciousness to be Spiritual Consciousness, and so on. Like a dog's tail, this mental conditioning of ours keeps us crooked and does not let us change or mend our ways for the Good.
In this world there are many living species. Among all these species of living beings, human beings are most fit to be instructed about the nature of the Truth. However, even among the human beings, those who behave crooked like a dog's tail (obsessed with false ego: lust, greed, anger, bondage, pride, enviousness, stubborn mindedness, and so on) are unfit to be instructed into the nature of the Truth. As the Gurbani says, no matter how many things are tried, they will behave like a dog's tail, without mending or changing their ways.
One who behaves like a dog's tail is naturally immersed in Bikaars (Haume or ego's faults: lust anger greed, attachment, and pride; and their countless variations like slander, enviousness, stubborn mindedness, etc.), empty rituals, unmeaning rites, slander, outwardly superficial show of religion and Spirituality, and so on. Why? Because his mind is preoccupied with wrong identity or false concepts; for he has taken the Self as the physical body. As a consequent of this, he has taken the sense pleasures as the source of real happiness. Furthermore, he has taken the material wealth as the source of real security in life.
To the unwise, the knowledge of scriptures is burden. To one who is full of corrupt desires and related fear, even wisdom is burden. If we want to straighten ourselves out, then we need to mend our ways. We need to change our crooked habits and tendencies. We need to reflect on the scriptures with keen intelligence, earnestness, faith, sincerity, and willingness. We need to reflect on the Self, and engage in unadulterated meditation (Jap or Naam-Simran). We need to maintain Spiritual Company within and without. In turn, the Divine Wordwill strike our crookedness (dog's tail) and drive it out in an instant.
Like the dog’s tail, which will never straighten out, (this mind will not change and engage in Simran), no matter
how many things are tried (sggs 633). The fool may live with the Pandit, the religious scholar, and listen to the
(scriptures) Vedas and the Shaastras (but still remains fool, and do not give up their nature of foolishness). You
can never escape your own inner tendencies, like the tail of the dog (that always remains crooked). (sggs 990).
<><><><>
When the Truth that has not been personally experienced, one can not grasp it directly. However, with the help of analogies, similes, allegories, metaphors, figurative or mystic representations and illustrations, the Truth becomes relatively easier to grasp. Such methods have extensively been used in the Gurbani (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) with a definite purpose and intention. They should neither be taken literally, nor their significance should be stretched beyond the Gurbani's intention. The scriptures help to understand the real nature of the Self and this material world when they are studied diligently keeping the purpose and intention of their examples and statements in mind.
One of the examples used in the Gurbani is that of a dog's tail. The only purpose of such illustration is to drive the Divine Message into our heads. By using "dog's tail" as an example, the Gurbani helps us understand very important points such as:
- The nature of this material world (Jagat)
- The nature of man and his mind
- Need for mending our ways
The man attached to this world also behaves crooked like the tail of a dog. Due to Spiritual ignorance (illusion, mental delusion, Maya, false ego, wrong identity, etc.), we have become stubborn and fanatic. As such, we take unreal to be real, ephemeral to be eternal, falsehood to be Truth, material consciousness to be Spiritual Consciousness, and so on. Like a dog's tail, this mental conditioning of ours keeps us crooked and does not let us change or mend our ways for the Good.
- ਸੁਆਨ ਪੂਛ ਜਿਉ ਭਇਓ ਨ ਸੂਧਉ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਜਤਨੁ ਮੈ ਕੀਨਉ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਾਜ ਬਿਰਦ ਕੀ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੁਹਾਰਉ ਲੀਨਉ ॥੩॥੯॥: Suaan poosh jiyu bhayo na soodhayu bahut jatan mai keenayu. Nanak laaj burad kee raakhahu naam tuhaaryu leenayu ||3||9||: Like the dog’s tail, which will never straighten out, (this mind will not change and engage in Simran), no matter how many things are tried. Says Nanak, please, Lord, uphold the honor of Your innate nature; (i.e., help me Lord, so that I may) chant Your Name ||3||9|| (sggs 633).
- ਬਿਨੁ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਭਏ ਕੂਕਰ ਕਾਮ ॥: Bin simran bheae kookar kaam: Without meditating on God, one acts like a dog (sggs 239).
In this world there are many living species. Among all these species of living beings, human beings are most fit to be instructed about the nature of the Truth. However, even among the human beings, those who behave crooked like a dog's tail (obsessed with false ego: lust, greed, anger, bondage, pride, enviousness, stubborn mindedness, and so on) are unfit to be instructed into the nature of the Truth. As the Gurbani says, no matter how many things are tried, they will behave like a dog's tail, without mending or changing their ways.
- ਸੁਆਨ ਪੂਛ ਜਿਉ ਹੋਇ ਨ ਸੂਧੋ ਕਹਿਓ ਨ ਕਾਨ ਧਰੈ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਜੁ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਨਿਤ ਜਾ ਤੇ ਕਾਜੁ ਸਰੈ ॥੨॥੧॥: Suaan poosh jiyu hoi na soodho kahio na kaan dharai. Kahu Nanak bhaj Raam naam nit jaa te kaaj sarai ||2||1||: Like a dog’s tail, this (mind) cannot be straightened; it will not listen to what (anybody) says (any Advice, Instructions,Teaching, etc. - ਕਿਸੇ ਦੀ ਭੀ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੋਈ ਸਿੱਖਿਆ). Says Nanak, forever meditate on the Lord's Name and your affairs (the ultimate purpose life, etc.) will get resolved (i.e., ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤਿ ਨਾਲ ਤੇਰਾ ਜਨਮ-ਮਨੋਰਥ ਹੱਲ ਹੋ ਜਾਏ) ||2||1|| (sggs 536).
- ਸੁਣਿ ਮਨ ਅੰਧੇ ਕੁਤੇ ਕੂੜਿਆਰ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਬੋਲੇ ਬੂਝੀਐ ਸਚਿਆਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Sun mann andhe kutte koorriaar. Bin bole bujheeai sachiaar. ||1||Rahaaou||: Listen, O mind, you blind, false dog! Even without your speaking, the Lord knows and understands. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 662).
One who behaves like a dog's tail is naturally immersed in Bikaars (Haume or ego's faults: lust anger greed, attachment, and pride; and their countless variations like slander, enviousness, stubborn mindedness, etc.), empty rituals, unmeaning rites, slander, outwardly superficial show of religion and Spirituality, and so on. Why? Because his mind is preoccupied with wrong identity or false concepts; for he has taken the Self as the physical body. As a consequent of this, he has taken the sense pleasures as the source of real happiness. Furthermore, he has taken the material wealth as the source of real security in life.
- ਸਾਕਤ ਸੁਆਨ ਕਹੀਅਹਿ ਬਹੁ ਲੋਭੀ ਬਹੁ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਮੈਲੁ ਭਰੀਜੈ ॥ ਆਪਨ ਸੁਆਇ ਕਰਹਿ ਬਹੁ ਬਾਤਾ ਤਿਨਾ ਕਾ ਵਿਸਾਹੁ ਕਿਆ ਕੀਜੈ ॥੬॥: Saakat suaan kaheeahi bahu lobhee bahu durmati mail bhareejai. aapan suaae karehi bahu baathaa thinaa kaa visaahu kiaa keejai ||6||: The faithless cynic is said to be very greedy - he is like a dog. He is overflowing with the filth and pollution of evil-mindedness. He talks excessively about his own interests. How can he be trusted? ||6|| (sggs 1326).
- ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਵਿਗੁਤਾ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਲੋਭੁ ਭਉਕੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਕੁਤਾ ॥ ਜਮਕਾਲੁ ਤਿਸੁ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਛੋਡੈ ਅੰਤਿ ਗਇਆ ਪਛੁਤਾਈ ਹੇ ॥੮॥: Manmukh nindaa kar kar vigutaa || Antar lobh bhoukai jis kuttaa || Jamakaal tis kade n shodai ant gaiaa pashutaaee hae ||8||: The self-willed manmukh indulges in slander, and is ruined. The dog of greed barks within him. The Messenger of Death never leaves him (i.e., the fear of death), and in the end, he leaves, regretting and repenting. ||8|| (sggs 1046).
To the unwise, the knowledge of scriptures is burden. To one who is full of corrupt desires and related fear, even wisdom is burden. If we want to straighten ourselves out, then we need to mend our ways. We need to change our crooked habits and tendencies. We need to reflect on the scriptures with keen intelligence, earnestness, faith, sincerity, and willingness. We need to reflect on the Self, and engage in unadulterated meditation (Jap or Naam-Simran). We need to maintain Spiritual Company within and without. In turn, the Divine Wordwill strike our crookedness (dog's tail) and drive it out in an instant.
- ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਿਨਿ ਮਾਰੀ ॥: Bin Shabdai hayumai kin maaree: Without the Shabad, no one can ever still his ego (sggs 1046).
- ਮਾਰੂ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥ ਬਿਮਲ ਮਝਾਰਿ ਬਸਸਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਜਲ ਪਦਮਨਿ ਜਾਵਲ ਰੇ ॥ ਪਦਮਨਿ ਜਾਵਲ ਜਲ ਰਸ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਸੰਗਿ ਦੋਖ ਨਹੀ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਦਾਦਰ ਤੂ ਕਬਹਿ ਨ ਜਾਨਸਿ ਰੇ ॥ ਭਖਸਿ ਸਿਬਾਲੁ ਬਸਸਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਜਲ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਨ ਲਖਸਿ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਬਸੁ ਜਲ ਨਿਤ ਨ ਵਸਤ ਅਲੀਅਲ ਮੇਰ ਚਚਾ ਗੁਨ ਰੇ ॥ ਚੰਦ ਕੁਮੁਦਨੀ ਦੂਰਹੁ ਨਿਵਸਸਿ ਅਨਭਉ ਕਾਰਨਿ ਰੇ ॥੨॥ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਖੰਡੁ ਦੂਧਿ ਮਧੁ ਸੰਚਸਿ ਤੂ ਬਨ ਚਾਤੁਰ ਰੇ ॥ ਅਪਨਾ ਆਪੁ ਤੂ ਕਬਹੁ ਨ ਛੋਡਸਿ ਪਿਸਨ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਜਿਉ ਰੇ ॥੩॥ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਸੰਗਿ ਵਸਹਿ ਜਨ ਮੂਰਖ ਆਗਮ ਸਾਸ ਸੁਨੇ ॥ ਅਪਨਾ ਆਪੁ ਤੂ ਕਬਹੁ ਨ ਛੋਡਸਿ ਸੁਆਨ ਪੂਛਿ ਜਿਉ ਰੇ ॥੪॥ ਇਕਿ ਪਾਖੰਡੀ ਨਾਮਿ ਨ ਰਾਚਹਿ ਇਕਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਚਰਣੀ ਰੇ ॥ ਪੂਰਬਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਪਾਵਸਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਸਨਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਿ ਰੇ ॥੫॥੪॥: Maaroo mahalaa 1 || Bimal majhaar basas niramal jal padaman jaaval re. Padaman jaaval jal ras sangat sang dokh nehee re ||1|| Daadar too kabahi na jaanat re. Bhakhas sibaal basas niramal jal Amrithn lakhas rae ||1|| Rahaaou || Bas jal nit n vasat aleeal mer chachaa gun re. Chand kumudanee doorahu nivasas anabhaou kaaran re ||2|| Amrit khandd doodh madh sanchas too ban chaatur re. Apna aap too kabahu na shodas pisan preet jiou re. ||3|| Pandit sang vasahi jan moorakh aagam saas sune. Apnaa aap too kabahoo na shodas suaan poonsh jiyu re. ||4|| Ik paakhanddee naam n raachahi ik har har charanee re. poorab likhiaa paavas naanak rasanaa naam jap rae ||5||4||: Maaroo mahalaa 1. In a pond's (Sarovar, etc.) clean water, both the lotus and the slimy scum (pellicle like stuff that grows in the water) are found. (Although) the lotus flower lives with the slimy scum and the water, but, in their association, it remains untouched (i.e., ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ ਦਾਗ਼ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗਦਾ). ||1|| O frog, you can never understand. (O fog!) While you dwell in the clean water, but you do not appreciate it (ਸਾਫ-ਸੁਥਰੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਕਦਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ). (Instead) you eat (only) the slimy scum (in that clean water). ||1||Pause|| (O frog) you dwell continually in the water; (but) the bumble bee does not dwell there, (but stile) it is intoxicated with (the flower's) fragrance from afar (it sucks flower from the top and enjoysthe essence). ||2|| In the (udder's) milk, (sweetness like) sugar and honey Amrit is gathered, (but) like the love of the tick (attached to the udder) for blood, (o frog) you can never escape your own inner tendencies (you do not see how the lotus lives in the water, but you happily eat the slimy scum!). ||3|| The foolish people live with the Pandit, the religious scholar, and listen to the Vedas and the Shaastras (but still remains fool, and do not give up their nature of foolishness). [Similarly, O frog (here the hint is towards our ignorant and crooked mind)] You can never escape your own inner tendencies, like the tail of the dog (that always remains crooked). Some are hypocrites ( ਪਾਖੰਡੀ) ; they do not absorbed with the Naam (Shabad-Vichaar...). Some (fortunate) are absorbed in the Feet of the Lord (i.e. Naam). Says Nanak! chant the Naam with your tongue, you have received this predestined (Daat or gift of the Naam). ||5||4|| (sggs 990).