06/03/2018 Beware Of Praise | Gurbani Blog | ਗਰਬਾਣੀ ਬਲਗ

ਪਿੜਐ ਨਾਹੀ ਭਦ ਬਿਝਐ ਪਾਵਣਾ : Not by reading (religious books), but through Understanding, is the Mystery Realized. - sggs, 148

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Beware Of Praise
by T. Singh

A spiritually elevated person is sensitive to being unduly praised. He feels uncomfortable. Although people who
praise him may be well-meaning, but he nevertheless feels uncomfortable.

He feels uncomfortable because, for one thing, such praise only reminds him of his limitations, his shortcomings,
his weaknesses, his decadence, his faults, etc.

He knows that the Way to Perfection (Jeevan Padavee) is through self-criticism and not through self-adulation. He
also knows that the success (abidance in Mool) is not the same thing as worldly recognition.

The Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) teaches us that the worldly praise (honor, recognition, glory, grandeur,
“ਵਿਡਆਈਆ”, ਦਨੀਆਵੀ ਇਜਤ ਦਾ ਮਾਣ…) is false and temporary, which inflates one’s ego and separates him from his
Mool (Source, Jot, Truth…). Hence, it puts one on a wrong path.

ਦਨੀਆ ਕੀਆ ਵਿਡਆਈਆ ਕਵਨ ਆਵਿਹ ਕਾਿਮ : Worldly praises are of no use (sggs 45).
ਦਨੀਆ ਕੀਆ ਵਿਡਆਈਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਿਭ ਕਿਮਤ ॥੨॥: O Nanak! (If the Divine is forgotten) All worldly praises are like bad
friends. ||2|| (sggs 319).

To the contrary, however, a fraud or an unwise person (i.e., Manmukh, Sakaakat, Mayadhaaree…) deems false to
be real and enjoys self-glorification, or being praised, glorified or recognized by others, because he is not able to
understand the ridiculousness of such praise. He fails to recognize the fact that such glorification is an implied
insult. One’s intellect gets plundered when it follows Maya.

ਮਨਮਖ ਅਹਕਾਰ ਸਲਾਹਦ ਹਉਮ ਮਮਤਾ ਵਾਦ ਿਜਨ ਸਾਲਾਹਿਨ ਸ ਮਰਿਹ ਖਿਪ ਜਾਵ ਸਭ ਅਪਵਾਦ : Manmukhs (perverse) praise
arrogance (pride, self-conceit…), egotism and attachment (because of this they cause) quarrel (ill speech,
slander…). Those whom they praise, they die; all (Manmukhs) waste away in speaking ill (sggs 301).

Not only that, those who utter false praises are false themeselves. Sonner or later, their falsehood gets exposed.

ਕੜ ਠਗੀ ਗਝੀ ਨਾ ਰਹ ਕੜ ਮਲਮਾ ਪਲਿਟ ਧਰਹ ਕੜੀ ਕਰਿਨ ਵਡਾਈਆ ਕੜ ਿਸਉ ਲਗਾ ਨਹ : Falsehood and deception
wrapped up in false gilding remain NOT undetected. (False ones) utter false praises, (for they) love falsehood
(sggs 311).

On the other hand, a truly Wise person (the Gurmukh, Daas, Jan, Bhagt) is always suspicious of praise. In other
words, he never accepts it at its face value. Since he is after “Parmaarath” (Supreme Truth, Excellent Thing,
Spiritual Realization, Supreme Objective, Supreme Wealth, Spiritual Knowledge …), he is careful for he knows he is
walking on a razor’s edge to reach his life’s ultimate Goal of Mool-Abidance.

ਗਰ ਕ ਸਬਿਦ ਸਮਾਈਐ ਪਰਮਾਰਥ ਜਾਣ ॥੨॥: By being absorbed in the Gur- Shabad, know the “Parmaarath”
(Supreme Truth …). (sggs 419).

A truly spiritual person is not so much interested in self-glorification, recognition, or praise as in improving himself.
He knows praise can be a temptation to relax, to become bloated with pride, to become egotistic (Haumai), to lose
longing to know or seeking, and so on. Instead, he constantly wants to bring out the best in him. He always try to
be better than his own self.

He is also aware that praise gives false sense of euphoria and weakens the zeal needed to meet all challenges on
the Way of Truth. Thus may serve to undermine motivation.

Other pitfalls of praise are it fosters dependency; becoming accustomed to praise one overlooks opportunities for
growth; it gives rise to arrogance, ignorance, egotism, self-conceit, complacency, unrealistic expectations of
always being praised, misplaced priorities due to addiction to praise, and so on.

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In its essence, praise is a comparison. For example, when we say “You’re wonderful!” (somebody else is not). “You
are an extraordinary!” (superior to someone else). “You are very intelligent!” (someone else is less), and so on.

The fact is if one is susceptible to praise one is also susceptible to criticism, or slander. The Gurbani urges the
Wise person to shun both — be above both praise and criticism.

ਉਸਤਿਤ ਿਨਦਾ ਦਊ ਿਤਆਗ ਖਜ ਪਦ ਿਨਰਬਾਨਾ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਇਹ ਖਲ ਕਠਨ ਹ ਿਕਨਹ ਗਰਮਿਖ ਜਾਨਾ ॥੨॥੧॥: Renounce both
praise and blame; seek instead the state of Nirvaanaa (Aatmic Avasthaa devoid of Vaasnaa). O Nanak
(however)! This is a difficult game; only a rare who has become the Gurmukh understands it! ||2||1|| (sggs 219).

A Wise person (Brahm-Giaanee) is his own best judge, because his standards are that of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib
— Wisdom or Upadesh of the Gur-Shabad! He examines himself, more critically than the worst critic.

ਨਾਨਕ ਪਰਖ ਆਪ ਕਉ ਤਾ ਪਾਰਖ ਜਾਣ : O Nanak, if someone judges himself, only then is he known as a real judge
(sggs 148).

He wants to learn more and more from the Gurbani (Gurmati Bhagti). He wants to leave ego (Haumai) behind. He
knows his best is yet to come! If people criticize him he is not dismayed. If someone points to him his defects he
had never suspected they existed in him, he does not get angry. Instead, he starts working on those defects to
remove theme. On the other hand, however, if worldly people praise him, he hardy takes notice of it.

ਗਰਮਿਤ ਪਾਈ ਵਡੀ ਵਿਡਆਈ ਸਚ ਸਬਿਦ ਰਸ ਪੀਜ : Realization of Gurmati (Wisdom of the Gurbani) is the great glory;
drink in the essence of the True Shabad (sggs 568).

Not only praise, but SGGS also teaches us to shun slander. Because, if you are not following the ways of the
world, you will be slandered as well!

However, those established in their Mool, care less if and when they are praised, slandered or criticized by the
worldly people. Nothing can deviate them from the Way of the Truth. Baabaa Kabeer says:

ਿਨਦਉ ਿਨਦਉ ਮ ਕਉ ਲਗ ਿਨਦਉ …: Slander me, slander me — go ahead, people, slander me… (sggs 339).

Also, Baabaa Nanak’s life teaches us very important lesson in this regard as well. For example, contemptuously,
many would call him “Bhootanaa”, “Betaalaa”, “Vaechaara”, etc. But this did not deter him from his Goal.

ਕਈ ਆਖ ਭਤਨਾ ਕ ਕਹ ਬਤਾਲਾ ਕਈ ਆਖ ਆਦਮੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਵਚਾਰਾ ॥੧॥: (For not following the worldly ways…) Some call
(Nanak) “Bhootanaa” (a ghost…); some call “Betaalaa” (demon…); Some call “Vaechaara” (wretched, helpless,
poor…). ||1|| (sggs 991).

Hence, the SGGS counsels us not to be susceptible to praise or slander:

ਉਸਤਿਤ ਿਨਦਾ ਸਬਦ ਵੀਚਾਰ : (Abandon both) praise and slander; (instead) engage in Shabad-Vichaar (sggs 1331).
ਨਾਨਕ ਦਨੀਆ ਕੀਆਂ ਵਿਡਆਈਆਂ ਅਗੀ ਸਤੀ ਜਾਿਲ ਏਨੀ ਜਲੀਈਂ ਨਾਮ ਿਵਸਾਿਰਆ ਇਕ ਨ ਚਲੀਆ ਨਾਿਲ ॥੨॥: O Nanak! Burn
worldly praises in fire. These (accursed or burnt praises) have made (mortals) forget the Divine Naam. Not even
one of (these praises) goes with him (sggs 1290).

The Wisdom of the Gurbani urges its Sikhs (learners, students) NOT to live life for applause but for a cause (Mool-
Abidance), which cannot be made to an order — ਿਕਤ ਿਬਿਧ ਪਰਖਾ ਜਨਮ ਵਟਾਇਆ (sggs 939).

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Filed Under: Body Consciousness, Gurbani, Praise-Honor, pride, Slander

Tagged With: criticism, glory, honor, praise, slander, worldly greatness

COMMENTS LEAVE A COMMENT

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06/03/2018 Beware Of Praise | Gurbani Blog | ਗਰਬਾਣੀ ਬਲਗ

G S Kaur

This is perfectly worded/ explained. Listening + accepting this many would benefit… although bitter at first to
admit, it tastes sweet later

Reply

G T. Singh Post author

Thank you sister S. Kaur Ji for taking the time to respond to this post!
Welcome to the Gurbani Blog!

Reply

G Chanchal Singh

Its a thought provoking post and has deep meaning, even beyond our normal ways of thinking.
Thank you so much for a nice explaination.

Reply

G T. Singh Post author

Thank you brother Chanchal Singh Ji for taking the time to respond to this post. Welcome to the Gurbani
Blog!

Reply

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