Iss mann ko koyee khojo bhai – Raag Bhairo – Ang 1128

SGGS Angg 1128.

Raag Bhairo M.3

Guru Ji tells us about the nature of the highly mystical mann. To delve into its inner secrets, you need to go deep within yourself with the Guru’s Shabad, and the Guru gives gyan anjjan in His Gur Parsad.

Many keep vows of silence. They do not speak for years to anyone. They believe they do not do any karmas by their silence.

In contrast, Gurbani says one should speak little (“bahut nahi bolna”- pauri 14 Anand Sahib), and engage with the world (“jab lagg duniya rehiye Nanak kich suniye kich kahiye.” – Ang 660). Gurbani further tells us this external silence is of no use on the spiritual ladder, since the mind is always in flux, speaking, thinking, scheming, crying and laughing.

Thus, Guru Ji says the true monee, a silent sage, is one who has subdued his duality i.e. chase for maya, and has sole focus on the Lord.

“So munn jo mann ki dubida marey; dubida maar Brahm bicharey.”

Each person should explore within his mind; as he does so, he gets blessed with the nine treasures of Naam (all possible riches of Naam).

“Iss mann ko koyee khojo bhai; mann khojat Naam nau nidh paayi.” (rahao).

The Creator created the world on the foundation of worldly desires and attachment; attaching the world to possessiveness, He leads it into confusion and misconceptions.

“Mool moh kar Karte jagat apaaya; mamta laaye bharam bhulaaya.”

It is from the mind that all bodies arise, and the vital breath blossoms (it is the Seat of life, as the Lord Himself – Jote dwells there. “Aggam roop ka mann me thaana.” – Ang 185; Moreover, whatever is etched in the mind as karmas becomes the base for all bodies and lives you take, until all lekhas are wiped out with Naam and Gur Parsad); as you reflect within your mind, you begin to realize His Hukam, and you merge into Him.

“Eis mann te sabh pind praana; mann ke vichaar Hukam bujh samaana.”

When one is blessed with good fortune, and the Guru (Shabad) gives His Grace, the mind gets awakened, and the duality (maya mamta) of his mind is subdued.

“Karam hovay Gur Kirpa karey; eh mann jaage eis mann ki dubida marey.”

It is the innate nature of the mind to be always emotional (i.e. it does not act with reason unless guided by the Guru (Shabad); (in contrast), the Lord who dwells in all, is Dispassionate and Detached.

“Mann ka subhao sada bairaagee; sabh me vassay ateet anuraagee.”

With respect, my translation here differs greatly from that found on the net. I have translated bairagee in regards to the mind as “emotional,” as opposed to rational. It is full of mamta and possessiveness.

1. Dr Manmohan Singh translates the line as “the mind’s innate nature is to remain detached”

2. Professor Sahib Singh avoids a direct translation of the subhao of the maan, and says,
“Jeev de mann da aslaa oh Prabhu hai jo maya to sada nirlep rehinda hai.” The learned Professor tells us the base – root of the mind is the Immaculate Lord. We all know that the mann is “Jote Saroop,” but the tragedy is that it fails to pechan its mool.

3. It would appear the learned Professor has adopted the views of the learned authors of Shabad Arth, who also make reference to Jote Saroop origin of the mann.

4. Dr Gopal Singh says “the mind’s innate nature is to keep detached.”

5. In my respectful view, Bhai Harbans Singh is closest to my translation. He translates “bairagee” as vairaagvan.” His commentary on the line is,

“eis mann de sanskaaran to hi sareer te pran kalaa hondh vich aayee bhaav aavagaun da chakar chalda aa riha hai…” i.e. it is the conduct of the mann which leads to bodies and breath, and has led to the cycle of reincarnation all this while.

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Bhagat Ravidas Ji uses the same phrase “mann ka subhao” at Angg 1167, where Bhagat Ji says,
“Man ka subhao sabh koyee kare.” The translation on the net says, “everyone acts according to the inclinations of the mind.”

With respect, that is a correct translation, and the same sense should be used in interpreting “mann ka subhao sada bairaagee” as used in this Shabad.

Nanak says, one who understands this mystery (of the mind), knows the Immaculate, Primal Lord, who dwells in all.

“Kahat Nanak jo jaane bheyo; Aad Purakh Niranjan Deo.”

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shahad Kirtan available on YouTube