All God oriented religions talk about inheriting of Divine Virtues (Gobind Milan) as the peak of spiritual path. Gurbani proposes a one-step process to gain Divine Wisdom i. e. by removing one’s ego. The Gurbani throughout the Guru Granth Sahib proclaims that it is the ‘Houmai/Ego’, which creates duality and keeps us separated from Waheguru.

How to get rid of Ego (Duality/Dubida/Houmai)?

Guru Nanak Sahib points out ways for the removal of duality and to transform oneself into a perfect devotee, God-loving/God-like (Devta) – a ‘Veechardhari’ (a righ thinking contemplative person) before immersing in to Waheguru (gobind Milan).

ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਿਉਹਾੜੀ ਸਦ ਵਾਰ ॥ (Raag Asa M. 1, GSS. 462-19).
Balihaaree Gur Aapanae Dhiohari sad vaar
A hundred times a day, I am a sacrifice to my Guru

ਜਿਨਿ ਮਾਣਸ ਤੇ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਕੀਏ ਕਰਤ ਨ ਲਾਗੀ ਵਾਰ ॥੧॥
Jin Maanas Thae Dhaevathae Keeeae Karath N Laagee Vaar ||1||
He made angels out of men, without delay. ||1||

Guru Nanak Sahib promises that the thoughtful person (Veechari) gradually looses his/her ego before undergoing transformation.

ਰਖਿ ਰਖਿ ਚਰਨ ਧਰੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ॥ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਛੋਡਿ ਭਏ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੀ ॥ (Raag Danaasree Guru Nanak Dev Ji, GGS. 685-14).
Rakh Rakh Charan Dhharae Veechaaree ||Dhubidhhaa Shhodd Bheae Nirankaaree ||
After careful deliberation, the thoughtful person takes a step. Forsaking duality, he becomes a devotee of the Formless Lord.

Guru Amar Das Ji further elaborates on the role of Divine Grace ( ਜਾ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇਇ) , which sets the process of individual’s contemplation on Gur-sabd (ਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਈਐ) and by mediating (ਧਿਆਇਆ ਨਾਮੁ ਹਰੇ) on the name of Har (Waheguru) in order to kill one’s Houmai:-

ਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇਇ ॥ (Sri Raag M. 3, GGS. 90-17).
Gur Saevaa Thae Har Paaeeai Jaa Ko Nadhar Karaee ||
Serving the Guru, the Lord is obtained, when He bestows His Glance of Grace.

ਮਾਣਸ ਤੇ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਭਏ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਨਾਮੁ ਹਰੇ ॥
Maanas Thae Dhaevathae Bheae Dhhiaaeiaa Naam Harae ||
They are transformed from humans into angels, meditating on the Naam, the Name of the Lord.

ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਅਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਤਰੇ ॥
Houmai Maar Milaaeian Gur Kai Sabadh Tharae ||
They conquer their egotism and merge with the Lord; they are saved through the Word of the Guru’s Shabad.

ਨਾਨਕ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਇਅਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਆਪਣੀ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰੇ ॥੨॥
Naanak Sehaj Samaaeian Har Aapanee Kirapaa Karae ||2||
O Nanak, they merge imperceptibly into the Lord, who has bestowed His Favor upon them. ||2||

ਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇਇ ॥(Raag Bilaaval M. 3, GGS. 850-14).
Gur Saevaa Thae Har Paaeeai Jaa Ko Nadhar Karaee ||
Serving the Guru, one finds the Lord, when the Lord blesses him with His Glance of Grace.

ਮਾਨਸ ਤੇ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਭਏ ਸਚੀ ਭਗਤਿ ਜਿਸੁ ਦੇਇ ॥
Maanas Thae Dhaevathae Bheae Sachee Bhagath Jis Dhaee ||
Human beings become angels, when the Lord blesses them with true devotional worship.

ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਅਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁਚੇਇ ॥
Houmai Maar Milaaeian Gur Kai Sabadh Suchaee ||
Conquering egotism, they are blended with the Lord; through the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, they are purified.

ਨਾਨਕ ਸਹਜੇ ਮਿਲਿ ਰਹੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਦੇਇ ॥੨॥
Naanak Sehajae Mil Rehae Naam Vaddiaaee Dhaee ||2||
O Nanak, they remain merged with the Lord; they are blessed with the glorious greatness of the Naam. ||2||

Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in the following Shabd, traces the abundance of divine attributes/virtues that await a Gursikh who with the grace of Waheguru is able to remove one’s duality:-

ਗੁਰਿ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਹੈ ਮਾਰੀ ॥ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ) (Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 237-17).

Let us delve deep into Gurbani in order to remove dubida, which separates us from Divine Wisdom.

ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਸੋਈ ਸੂਰਾ ॥ ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਸੋਈ ਪੂਰਾ ॥ Jo Eis Maarae Soee Sooraa || Jo Eis Maarae Soee Pooraa ||
One who kills this is a spiritual hero.One who kills this is perfect.

ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਜਾਈ ॥੧॥
Jo Eis Maarae Thisehi Vaddiaaee ||Jo Eis Maarae This Kaa Dhukh Jaaee ||1||
One who kills this obtains glorious greatness.One who kills this is freed of suffering. ||1||

ਐਸਾ ਕੋਇ ਜਿ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਮਾਰਿ ਗਵਾਵੈ ॥ਇਸਹਿ ਮਾਰਿ ਰਾਜ ਜੋਗੁ ਕਮਾਵੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Aisaa Koe J Dhubidhhaa Maar Gavaavai ||Eisehi Maar Raaj Jog Kamaavai ||1|| Rehaao ||
How rare is such a person, who kills and casts off duality.
Killing it, he attains Raja Yoga, the Yoga of meditation and success. ||1||Pause||

ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਤਿਸ ਕਉ ਭਉ ਨਾਹਿ ॥ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਸੁ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਹਿ ॥
Jo Eis Maarae This Ko Bho Naahi ||Jo Eis Maarae S Naam Samaahi ||
One who kills this has no fear.One who kills this is absorbed in the Naam.

ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਤਿਸ ਕੀ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਬੁਝੈ ॥ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਸੁ ਦਰਗਹ ਸਿਝੈ ॥੨॥
Jo Eis Maarae This Kee Thrisanaa Bujhai ||Jo Eis Maarae S Dharageh Sijhai ||2||
One who kills this has his desires quenched.One who kills this is approved in the Court of the Lord. ||2||

ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਸੋ ਧਨਵੰਤਾ ॥ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਸੋ ਪਤਿਵੰਤਾ ॥
Jo Eis Maarae So Dhhanavanthaa ||Jo Eis Maarae So Pathivanthaa ||
One who kills this is wealthy and prosperous.One who kills this is honorable

ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਸੋਈ ਜਤੀ ॥ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਤਿਸੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਗਤੀ ॥੩॥
Jo Eis Maarae Soee Jathee ||Jo Eis Maarae This Hovai Gathee ||3||
One who kills this is truly a celibate.One who kills this attains salvation. ||3||

ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਆਇਆ ਗਨੀ ॥ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਸੁ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਧਨੀ ॥
Jo Eis Maarae This Kaa Aaeiaa Ganee ||Jo Eis Maarae S Nihachal Dhhanee ||
One who kills this – his coming is auspicious.One who kills this is steady and wealthy.

ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਸੋ ਵਡਭਾਗਾ ॥ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਸੁ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਜਾਗਾ ॥੪॥
Jo Eis Maarae So Vaddabhaagaa ||Jo Eis Maarae S Anadhin Jaagaa ||4||
One who kills this is very fortunate.
One who kills this remains awake and aware, night and day. ||4||

ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਸੁ ਜੀਵਨ ਮੁਕਤਾ ॥ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਤਿਸ ਕੀ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਜੁਗਤਾ ॥
Jo Eis Maarae S Jeevan Mukathaa ||Jo Eis Maarae This Kee Niramal Jugathaa ||
One who kills this is Jivan Mukta, liberated while yet alive.One who kills this lives a pure lifestyle.

ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਸੋਈ ਸੁਗਿਆਨੀ ॥ਜੋ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਸੁ ਸਹਜ ਧਿਆਨੀ ॥੫॥
Jo Eis Maarae Soee Sugiaanee ||Jo Eis Maarae S Sehaj Dhhiaanee ||5||
One who kills this is spiritually wise.One who kills this meditates intuitively. ||5||

ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਥਾਇ ਨ ਪਰੈ ॥ਕੋਟਿ ਕਰਮ ਜਾਪ ਤਪ ਕਰੈ ॥
Eis Maaree Bin Thhaae N Parai ||Kott Karam Jaap Thap Karai ||
Without killing this, one is not acceptable, Even though one may perform millions of rituals, chants and austerities.

ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਜਨਮੁ ਨ ਮਿਟੈ ॥ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਜਮ ਤੇ ਨਹੀ ਛੁਟੈ ॥੬॥
Eis Maaree Bin Janam N Mittai ||Eis Maaree Bin Jam Thae Nehee Shhuttai ||6||
Without killing this, one does not escape the cycle of reincarnation.Without killing this, one does not escape death. ||6||

ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਜੂਠਿ ਨ ਧੋਈ ॥
Eis Maaree Bin Giaan N Hoee ||Eis Maaree Bin Jooth N Dhhoee ||
Without killing this, one does not obtain spiritual wisdom.Without killing this, one’s impurity is not washed off

ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਮੈਲਾ ॥ਇਸੁ ਮਾਰੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਜਉਲਾ ॥੭॥
Eis Maaree Bin Sabh Kishh Mailaa ||Eis Maaree Bin Sabh Kishh Joulaa ||7||
Without killing this, everything is filthy.Without killing this, everything is a losing game. ||7||

ਜਾ ਕਉ ਭਏ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਨਿਧਿ ॥ਤਿਸੁ ਭਈ ਖਲਾਸੀ ਹੋਈ ਸਗਲ ਸਿਧਿ ॥
Jaa Ko Bheae Kirapaal Kirapaa Nidhh ||This Bhee Khalaasee Hoee Sagal Sidhh ||
When the Lord, the Treasure of Mercy, bestows His Mercy,One obtains release, and attains total perfection.

ਗੁਰਿ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਹੈ ਮਾਰੀ ॥ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ ॥੮॥੫॥
Gur Dhubidhhaa Jaa Kee Hai Maaree ||Kahu Naanak So Breham Beechaaree ||8||5||
One whose duality has been killed by the Guru,Says Nanak, contemplates God. ||8||5||

In essence ‘Gurbani Veechaar’ does not stop at reading, reciting and contemplation of Gurbani, rather it goes further to obey the truths in the Gurbani and put them in practice in daily life. Every spark of blissful experience itself helps in removal of Homai with the gradual awareness of ‘Divine Hukam’ operating in our daily life (Divine Command) as Guru Nanak Sahib puts in Jap Ji Sahib:-

ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੈ ਜੇ ਬੁਝੈ ਤ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਹੈ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੨॥ (Guru Nanak Sahib, Jap Ji, GGS. 1-10).
Naanak Hukamai Jae Bujhai Th Houmai Kehai N Koe ||2||
O Nanak, one who understands His Command, does not speak in ego. ||2||

Kirpal Singh

Wellington, New Zealand

kirpal2singh@yahoo.com