Mann kya kehta hao kya kehta – Raag Bilaaval – Ang 823

SGGS Angg 823

Raag Bilaaval (Bilawal) M.5

Guru Ji tells us about our inner voice of conscience (from God), and our voice of ego.

God is in all of us. Gurbani says He is in the mann.

“Aggam roop ka mann me Thana; Gur Parsad kinne virle jaana”
(the Unfathomable Lord has His Abode in the mind; it is a rare person who realises Him through Gur Parsad).

At Angg 1376, Bhagat Kabir Ji says.

“Kabir mann jaanat sabh baat; jaanat hi auggan kare…”
(Kabir says the mind knows everything, yet the mortal does sinful acts).

Bhagat Kabir Ji is referring to the God Aspect of our mann. The mann has infinite shades. At the very lowest, its behavior is beastly and horribly boorish. At the Upper end of the mann, known as Daswa Dwar, or Unmann, the mann knows everything. To access there, you need Gur Parsad and the “Agency” used to attract Gur Parsad is Naam, (Shabad, which in essence is the Satguru). At the Unmann level, Bhagat Kabir Ji says, at Angg 340,

“Eh mann leh jo Unmann rahe; tao teen lok ki baate kahe.”

(When this mind is guided towards Enlightenment, then it reveals the secrets of the (Universe) three worlds).

Although you need Gur Parsad to access there, from His very Merciful nature, the Lord keeps on pouring out enlightenment about His Hukam. If one takes to Naam, then he becomes sensitised and starts getting chalaks, flashes of insight. Unfortunately, a rare one does that. The loud voice of his ego drowns out Divine Counsel, and after some time, all he hears are expressions of his own ego.

In this Shabad, Guru Ji is referring to that God Aspect of mann, in contrast with the outpourings of ego.
With respect, my translation is different from the net.

What does the (Enlightened Aspect of) the mind say, and (in contrast) what does my ego say?

“Mann kya kehta hao kya kehta.”

My Lord and Master is All Knowing, what can I (my ego) say, as I appear before Him?

“Jaan Parbeen Thakur Prabh mere Tis aage kya kehta.” (rahao).

Lord, You know even what is unsaid, and concealed in the soul.

“Anbole ko Tuhi pechaney jo jiaan me hota.”

Next, the baser aspect of the mann is addressed, as the word “re” is used.

O (egoistic) mind why do you deceive others and how long can you do this? The Lord is with you and He Sees and Hears everything.

“Re mann kaye kaha lao dakhey jao pekhat hi sang suntaa.”

With this enlightenment, my mind has become blissful and now knows there is no other Creator.

“Aiso jaan bhaye mann anand aan na biyo Karta.”

Nanak says, the Guru has been Merciful to me and my love for God will never fade.

“Kaho Nanak Gur bhaye Dyaraa Har rang na kabhu lehtaa.”

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad kirtan available on YouTube