2017 Book of Nature (Final Try) v04.010 Ps

Nature in
Gurbani
Nature in Gurbani i
A Book of Nature in Gurbani
First Edition: Jan, 2017
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Ludhiana
B oo k s I n T h i s S e ri e s
B y D r P u s h pi n d e r S i n g h
LS-01 Beautiful Garden

LS-02 Growing Up
LS-03 Pearls of Life
LS-04 Building a Good Life & Career
LS-05 Life Skills
LS-06 Living Successfully
Nature in Gurbani
8 + 165 = 173 pages ii
dedication
to my parents
for showing me
the path of
righteous
living.
Nature in Gurbani iii

Preface
Nature in Gurbani iv
The environment is the sum total of all external conditions that affect
the life, development and survival of an organism including air, water,
soil, and trees. Guru warns that natural balance cannot be sustained
by walking on the path of vices, he says, ―Fire, air and water are
polluted. The food which is eaten is polluted. The actions of those
who do not worship the Lord are polluted (SGGS, p-229). The crisis
is global. It transcends all national, religious, cultural, social, political
and economic boundaries. The human beings, in their greed for
material gains, have become careless towards their duties as citizens
of this universe and are making the environment hellish.
The Guru says, ―Eating, drinking, laughing and sleeping, life passes
uselessly. In the end, he is destroyed by death (SGGS, p-1229). Since
we are the inhabitants of this pious land and benefit from its innu-
merable benedictions, it becomes our duty to protect and sustain it.
Walking on the path of virtues we should take care of the treasures
bestowed on us by the Lord as He takes care of the whole humanity.
According to Sri Guru Granth Sahib, ―There are beings and creatures
in the water and on the land, in the worlds and universes, form upon
form. Whatever they say, you know; you care for them all (SGGS,
p-466). The Guru calls for the peaceful co-existence of all creatures
and says, ―All beings and creatures dwell in peace. Suffering has
been dispelled, and true happiness has dawned, as we meditate on
the Name of the Lord. The One, to whom we belong, cherishes
and nurtures us (SGGS, p-105). Gurbani cautions that the natural
resources namely water, earth, air and space are precious and a free
gift to humanity thus these should be used judiciously and wisely
without depleting or polluting the natural resources.
God has bestowed us with natural resources and we need to maintain
Nature in Gurbani v
them as desired by Him. The Guru avers, ―He gave you the invaluable
air; He gave you the priceless water; He gave you burning fire; let
your mind remain in the Sanctuary of that Lord and Master (SGGS,
p- 913).
The Guru is the tree of contentment, with flowers of faith, and fruits
of spiritual wisdom. Watered with the Lord’s Love, it remains forever
green; through the performance of good deeds and meditation, it
ripens (SGGS, p-147).
The patience of the devotees has been compared with the trees in Sri
Guru Granth Sahib. The derveshes, (the humble devotees) have the
patience and endurance of trees (SGGS, p-1381).
Gurbani describes the importance of the air, water and land in the
following verses by calling it His home and temple, by calling it the
originator of human life and by calling it the abode of the one Lord,
―Air, water, earth and sky - the Lord has made these His home and
temple (SGGS, p-723). Thus it becomes the moral and social respon-
sibility of each individual and each corporate house to contribute
positively for the protection.
Environmental damage has become one of the most crucial problems

that we are facing today. The planet Earth is in peril as never before.
With arrogance and presumption, humankind has disobeyed the laws
of the Creator, which are manifest in the divine natural order. Modern
technology and man’s greed and unconcern have made the potential
for destruction of species, of the fertility of the land, of the viability
of our waters, indeed of the world itself, a very real possibility. The
Guru Says: “Air the vital force, water like the father, and earth like
the great mother. Day and night are like nurses caring for the whole
world in their lap (SGGS, p-8). If air is our vital force, it is a sin, as
Nature in Gurbani vi
well as self-destructive, to pollute it. If we consider water to be our
progenitor, dumping industrial wastes in it is unforgivable disrespect.
As we destroy the ozone layer, the cycle that manufactures chloro-
phyll in green plants is damaged or interrupted; since plants are part
of the air-producing cycle, we strangle ourselves.
The Guru‘s innumerable references to dense forests, gushing streams,

abundant bird life and the variety of aquatic animals link us inextri-
cably to the earth‘s ecology. Thought, word and deed are the engines
of human endeavour. Man‘s very existence depends on the ecological
balance. The Great Guru avers: ―Nights, days, weeks and seasons;
wind, water, fire and the nether regions -in the midst of these, He
established the earth as a home for Dharma (SGGS, p-7).
Yesterday, profit earning was considered to be the sole objective of

business and it was felt that business was not to preach the morality
but to earn the profit and that too at any cost. However, this notion
has gone irrelevant in the present business scenario. Sri Guru Granth
Sahib completely discards the unethical method of earning the profit.
The Guru says, ―The merchants and the traders have come; their
profits are pre-ordained.
Those who practice truth reap the profits, abiding in the will of God.
With the merchandise of truth, they meet the Guru who does not
have a trace of greed (SGGS, p-59). According to Sri Guru Granth
Sahib, “Joy and sorrow, profit and loss, birth and death, pain and
pleasure - they are all the same to my consciousness, since I met the
Guru (SGGS, p-214). Thus, the people and the planet have an equal
relevance in order to have sustainable growth and development. It is
the time when we have to ensure commitment to people, planet and
profit at the same time.
Nature in Gurbani vii

8+134 = 142pages
Contents
Pa g e
Chapter No.
1 Introduction 1
Mother Nature (2)
2 Life Lessons 7
Trees (2); Bamboo (2); Animals (2);
Farmer and donkey (2); Snakes (2);
3 Insightful Things 37
Most Insightful Things;
Birds
4 Things that Matter 53
Things that Matter Most; Habits;
Black Cat; Need or Greed; Coffee Beans
5 It's All Within 71
Love; Moh; Ant and the Elephant
6 Success 90
Butterfly; Bee; Ant
7 Management & Leadership 113
Management; Leadership;
Key Leadership Lessons; Geese; Penguins;
Monkey Story on Company Policy;
Which Type of Bird are You?
8 Spiritualism 141
Spiritual Lessons from Turtles;
Camels; Elephants; Lotus;
Swans; Crow; Parrots
Nature in Gurbani 8+134 = 142pages viii

1
Introduction
1.1 Mother Nature 2
Nature in Gurbani 1
1.1
Mother Nature
Mother Nature is a great teacher because it enables the spiritual seeker

to be in touch with Ultimate Reality. God is revealed through His
All-powerful Creative nature.
isRsit aupwie kwieAw gV rwjy ]
Agin pwxI jIau joiq qumwrI suMny klw rhwiedw ]
SGGS 1037
All Gurus, saints and sages have been fascinated by the beauty and
diversity of nature and have written plethora of lessons that can be
assimilated if we pay heed to the creatures around us. The “Ten Com-
mandments” talk of the earth being crammed with the heaven and
every bush afire with God. Moses then says only he who sees this
mesmerizin g charisma of nature, puts off his shoes (in reverence).
The Sikh Gurus look at nature not only as the pristine glory of God’s
Creation, they even consider the diverse flora and fauna as our guides
and mentors. To them trees are the poems that the earth writes upon the
sky, the birds sing the celestial songs and the animals serve a divine
purpose. Gurbani repeatedly invokes swans (hans), peacocks, hawks
Nature in Gurbani 2
(baaz), black-bees, honey-bees, cuckoos (koels), papiha, partridges,
larks (chatriks) ducks, frogs, cranes (bagula), pigeons, parrots, moths,
butterflies, crows and sparrows, among others. In Guru Granth Sahib
(SGGS), the Gurus, the Bhagats, the bards and others either directly
address these birds or bring out their characteristic qualities and relate
these to human life. Trees like mango, simbal, neem, sandalwood, flame
of the forest (dhak, plash, tesu) and flowering plants like grapevines,
kesar, creepers and lotus find abundant mention. Likewise, Gurbani
is replete with references to animals such as cows, horses, elephants,
camels, lions, deer and dogs. Fish are frequently talked about in the
context of their intense love of water.
Kabir reminds us that human life is transient like the (short) stay of
birds on the trees.
ibrK bsyro pMiK ko qYso iehu sMswru ]1]
(337-16, gauVI, Bgq kbIr jI)
Sheikh Farid warns us not to plant wild trees with thorns if we desire
sweet grapes in life.
PrIdw loVY dwK ibjaurIAW ikkir bIjY jtu ]
(1379-2, slok, syK PrId jI)
Fareed, the farmer plants acacia trees, and wishes for grapes.
The Guru says sweet nature and humility are the essence of all good
qualities. The proud and tall simbal tree has neither good flowers nor
sweet fruits. Also, its leaves do not provide shade and disappoint the
weary who come to it with hope.
isMml ruKu srwierw Aiq dIrG Aiq mucu ]
Eie ij Awvih Aws kir jwih inrwsy ikqu ]
Pl iPky Pul bkbky kMim n Awvih pqu ]
Nature in Gurbani 3
imTqu nIvI nwnkw gux cMigAweIAw qqu ]
(470-13, Awsw, mÚ 1)
The ablutions in rivers (on so-called auspicious days) cannot bring

any benefit to the human beings any more than the repeated daily
baths taken by frogs do.
AMqir mYlu jy qIrQ nwvY iqsu bYkuMT n jwnW ]
lok pqIxy kCU n hovY nwhI rwmu AXwnw ]
pUjhu rwmu eyku hI dyvw ]
swcw nwvxu gur kI syvw ]1] rhwau ]
jl kY mjin jy giq hovY inq inq myNfuk nwvih ]
jYsy myNfuk qYsy Eie nr iPir iPir jonI Awvih ]
Awsw (484-14)
With filth within the heart, even if one bathes at sacred places of
pilgrimage, still, he shall not go to heaven. Nothing is gained by trying
to please others - the Lord cannot be fooled. Worship the One Divine
Lord. The true cleansing bath is service to the Guru. If salvation can
be obtained by bathing in water, then what about the frog, which is
always bathing in water? As is the frog, so is that mortal; he is rein-
carnated, over and over again.
Guru Nanak says that those human beings who have no good qualities
but are proud and full of ego, are the real animals ( like donkeys ).
ieknw nwd n byd n gIA rsu rs ks n jwxMiq ]
ieknw suiD n buiD n Akil sr AKr kw Byau n lhMiq ]
nwnk sy nr Asil Kr ij ibnu gux grbu krMiq ]2]
(1246-3, swrMg, mÚ 1)
Some do not understand about the naam or the Vedas, music, virtue
or vice. Some are not blessed with understanding, intelligence, or
sublime intellect; they do not grasp the mystery of God’s Word. O
Nature in Gurbani 4
Nanak, they are donkeys; they are very proud of themselves, but they
have no virtues at all. To teach the value of honest earning, Guru
Sahib warns that money obtained by usurping the right of somebody
else is like the (flesh of a) pig to a Muslim and cow to a Hindu.
hku prwieAw nwnkw ausu sUAr ausu gwie ]
Just as an elephant is trapped when he falls a prey to his weakness for

lust, Gurbani says, a man gets the same fate by his attachment to his
family.
ijau mYglu ieMdRI ris pRyirE qU lwig pirE kutMbwiely ]
( SGGS – 862 )
The Gurus compare an ordinary person to a wild tree and God to the
sandalwood tree and assure that this good company transforms the
lowly human to a high pedestal in life.
qum cMdn hm ierMf bwpury sMig qumwry bwsw ]
nIc rUK qy aUc Bey hY gMD sugMD invwsw ]
( SGGS – 486 )
The faithfulness of a dog to his master is well-known. The dog never

leaves the house of the master ( under any circumstances ). Guru
Sahib uses this to illustrate the way a human being should remember
God with single-minded devotion.
jYsy sUkr suAwn nwnk mwno qwih qnu ]
suAwmI ko igRhu ijau sdw suAwn qjq nhI inq ]
nwnk ieh ibiD hir Bjau iek min huie iek iciq ]
( SGGS -1428 )
Gurbani says animals are better than humans as the former eat grass
and give nectar (in the form of milk) while the latter are ungrateful.
The lives of those human beings who do not remember God (who
gives them so much) are accursed.
Nature in Gurbani 5
psU imlih cMigAweIAw KVu Kwvih AMimRqu dyih ]
nwm ivhUxy AwdmI iDRgu jIvx krm kryih ]
( SGGS-489 )
One who eats and drinks countless delicacies is no more than

a donkey, a beast of burden. Twenty-four hours a day, he endures
terrible suffering, like the bull, chained to the oil-press. Forsaking the
Life of the World, and attached to another, they weep and wail in so
many ways.
Kwq pIq Anyk ibMjn jYsy Bwr bwhk Koq ]
AwT phr mhw sRmu pwieAw jYsy ibrK jMqI joq ]1]
qij guopwl ij Awn lwgy sy bhu pRkwrI roq ]
kr joir nwnk dwnu mwgY hir rKau kMiT proq ]
kydwrw
The nature of a fool is whatever he speaks is useless and wasted. You

may place gold before a herd of cattle, but they will pick out the grass
to eat.You may add flux to iron and melt it, but it will not become soft
like cotton.
cauxy suienw pweIAY cuix cuix KwvY Gwsu ]
lohw mwrix pweIAY FhY n hoie kpws ]
nwnk mUrK eyih gux boly sdw ivxwsu ]1]
(143-9, mwJ, mÚ 1)
Sheikh Farid, in his inimitable vocabulary, says he is sacrifice to the

birds who live in jungles, on rough ground , and eat coarse grain but
do not forget or leave the company of God.
PrIdw hau bilhwrI iqn@ pMKIAw jMgil ijMn@w vwsu ]
kkru cugin Qil vsin rb n Cofin pwsu ]
Nature in Gurbani 6
2
Life Lessons
From Nature
2.1 Life Lessons 8
2.2 Animals 16
2.3 Bamboo 26
2.4 The Farmer and the Donkey 31
2.5 The Two Wolves 33
2.6 Snakes 34
Nature in Gurbani 7
2.1
Life Lessons
There is a great deal of spiritual significance on the lessons we can

learn directly from the Nature. One can learn true selflessness; real
renunciation and sacrifice from it. Earth teaches us patience and love.
Air teaches us mobility, Fire teaches us warmth and courage; Sky
teaches us equality and broadmindedness, Water teaches us purity and
cleanliness’
cMdn Agr kpUr lypn iqsu sMgy nhI pRIiq ]
ibstw mUqR Koid iqlu iqlu min n mnI ibprIiq ]
aUc nIc ibkwr suik®q sMlgn sB suK CqR ]
kir pRgwsu pRcMf pRgitE AMDkwr ibnws ]
pivqR ApivqRh ikrx lwgy min n BieE ibKwdu ]
sIq mMd sugMD cilE srb Qwn smwn ]
jhw sw ikCu qhw lwigE iqlu n sMkw mwn ]
suBwie ABwie ju inkit AwvY sIqu qw kw jwie ]
Awp pr kw kCu n jwxY sdw shij suBwie ]7]
(1018-6, mwrU, mÚ 5)
Sandalwood, aloe, and camphor-paste - the earth does not love them.
Nature in Gurbani 8
But it doesn’t mind, if someone digs it up bit by bit, and applies
manure and urine to it. High and low, bad and good - the comforting
canopy of the sky stretches evenly over all. It knows nothing of friend
and enemy; all beings are alike to it. Blazing with its dazzling light,
the sun rises, and dispels the darkness. Touching both the pure and the
impure, it harbors no hatred to any. The cool and fragrant wind gently
blows upon all places alike. Wherever anything is, it touches it there,
and does not hesitate a bit. Good or bad, whoever comes close to the
fire - his cold is taken away. It knows nothing of its own or others’; it
is constant in the same quality.
Be Flexible
The trees that bend a little to the harmless breeze will later grow to
withstand the wild wind. Similarly, if we maintain a degree of flex-
ibility in our attitudes and viewpoints we will not be broken in any
storm of criticism or opposition.
Value the Little Things
Leaves, though they can be small, are vital to the life of a tree.
Similarly, expressions of encouragement and appreciation, whether it
be by spoken word or in the form of a simple “Thank You” card can
go a long way to build the spirits of the receiver. If they are wholly
restrained, the motivation of others to work with us and support
common goals may die at the roots.
Do not be intimidated by small beginnings
Mighty oaks do indeed grow from little acorns. Efforts, when enriched
with strong motivation and determination, will grow to fruition.
Remember that the mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held its
ground.
Nature in Gurbani 9
Do not be afraid of change
As David Zindell observed in “The Broken God”, an acorn is unafraid

to destroy itself in growing into a tree. Invigorate your life by letting
go of the past and pressing forward to something new.
Practice teamwork
In forests, individual trees support one another. Whereas even a giant

Sequoia growing by itself could be blown over, by interlocking its
roots with other trees around it, Sequoias are able to stand as a grove
against any wind. How much support do you share with those around
you? Teamwork can accomplish much more than the sum of individual
efforts, often making the difference between success and failure.
Grow leadership
As noted above, trees provide an environment that supports the growth

of many other life forms, including saplings, small replicas of itself.
An important leadership characteristic is to provide an environment
that empowers and enables others to take on greater responsibility so
that they, too, can develop into full-grown leaders.
Develop a value-system
Trees have extensive root systems. Some trees, such as mesquites,

grow taproots that are often larger than the trunk and that can extend
down into the ground hundreds of feet to reach vital sources of
water. How extensive is your root system? Is it solidly embedded in
principles and values that provide valuable guidance when life-deci-
sions need to be made?
The Creator is all-pervasive

sgl bnspiq mih bYsMqru sgl dUD mih GIAw ]
Nature in Gurbani 10
aUc nIc mih joiq smwxI Git Git mwDau jIAw ]
sMqhu Git Git rihAw smwihE ]
pUrn pUir rihE srb mih jil Qil rmeIAw AwihE ]
All vegetation has fire and all milk has butter inherent in it; Similarly
every person, high or low, has the Divine light, the Master pervades
the body of every living creature. M: 5, p 617.
One should first acquire virtues and only then copy the virtuous,
otherwise there is embarrassment.
hMsw vyiK qrMidAw bgW iB AwXw cwau ]
fuib muey bg bpuVy isru qil aupir pwau ]
Seeing the swans swim in water, the cranes also wanted to swim;but
the poor cranes drowned and died with head down and feet up. M: 3,
p 585.
Evil company has evil influence

kbIr mwrI mrau kusMg kI kyly inkit ju byir ]
auh JUlY auh cIrIAY swkq sMgu n hyir ]
A plant of bananas suffers when next to a ptree of berries with thorny

branches;When the latter sways due to wind, it cuts into the bananas;
so do not go for the company of one who has turned away from the
Creator –he will harm you in self-interest. 88. Kabir, p 1369.
kbIr cwvl kwrxy quK kau muhlI lwie ]
sMig kusMgI bYsqy qb pUCy Drm rwie ]2]
(965-17, rwmklI, mÚ 5)
Kabeer, for the sake of the rice, the husks are beaten and threshed.
When one sits in the company of evil people, then he will be called to
account by the Righteous Judge of Dharma
ibnu kx Klhwnu jYsy gwhn pwieAw ]
iqau swkq qy ko n brwswieAw ]4]
(1137-2, BYrau, mÚ 5)
It is like threshing a crop without any corn - nothing is gained.In the

same way, no benefit comes from the faithless cynic.
Vanity does not allow learning from good company

kbIr bWsu bfweI bUifAw ieau mq fUbhu koie ]
cMdn kY inkty bsY bWsu sugMDu n hoie ]
The bamboo loses out due its pride of being tall; let not any one perish
due to pride in his/her greatness ;the bamboo plant growing next to
the sandalwood tree does not get its fragrance as other plants do. 12.
Kabir, p 1365.
PrIdw grbu ijn@w vifAweIAw Din jobin Awgwh ]
KwlI cly DxI isau itby ijau mIhwhu ]
O Farid, those who are very proud of their greatness, wealth and
youth; they do not receive Divine grace like the mounds remain un-ir-
rigated by rain. M: 5, p 1383.
Humility should be real and not for display

isMml ruKu srwierw Aiq dIrG Aiq mucu ]
Eie ij Awvih Aws kir jwih inrwsy ikqu ]
Pl iPky Pul bkbky kMim n Awvih pq ]
imTqu nIvI nwnkw gux cMigAweIAw qqu ]
sBu ko invY Awp kau pr kau invY n koie ]
Dir qwrwjU qolIAY invY su gaurw hoie ]
AprwDI dUxw invY jo hMqw imrgwih ]
sIis invwieAY ikAw QIAY jw irdY kusuDy jwih ]
The simmal tree is straight as an arrow; it is very tall, and very

thick.But those birds which visit it hopefully, depart disappointed.
Its fruits are tasteless, its flowers are nauseating, and its leaves are
useless. Sweetness and humility, O Nanak, are the essence of virtue
and goodness. Every one bows to oneself i.e. to show one’s own
greatness; no one bows to others to acknowledge theirs; the heavier
side in a weighing balance goes lower; hence one with virtues should
be humble;a person with ill-will bows doubly like the hunter lies
down to shoot a deer;but what use it is to bow the head if the mind is
thinking evil. M:1, p 470.
Those who take sanctuary of the Master are saved

jw pkw qw kitAw rhI su plir vwiV ]
sxu kIswrw iciQAw kxu lieAw qnu JwiV ]
duie puV ckI joiV kY pIsx Awie bihTu ]
jo dir rhy su aubry nwnk Ajbu ifTu ]
When the crop is ripe, then it is cut down; only the stalks are left
standing.The corn on the cob is put into the thresher, and the kernels
are separated from the cobs..two mill-stones with a central axis grind
corn into flour; when they are put one below the other and one rotated
to grind,a strange phenomenon is noticed; the corns next to the
axle escape grinding; similarly those who seek the sanctuary of the
Almighty are spared from vices and their consequences, says Nanak.
1. M: 1.p 142.
kbIr sMqu n CwfY sMqeI jau koitk imlih AsMq ]
milAwgru BuXMgm byiFE q sIqlqw n qjMq ]
(1373-17, slok, Bgq kbIr jI)
Kabeer, the Saint does not forsake his Saintly nature, even though
he meets with millions of evil-doers. Even when sandalwood is
surrounded by snakes, it does not give up its cooling fragrance
Wealth and youth are transitory
Dnu jobnu Aru PulVw nwTIAVy idn cwir ]
pbix kyry pq ijau Fil Fuil juMmxhwr ]
pRxvY nwnku bynqI qU srvru qU hMsu ]
kaulu qU hY kvIAw qU hY Awpy vyiK ivgsu ]4]25]
(23-14, isrIrwgu, mÚ 1)
Wealth, the beauty of youth and flowers are guests for only a few
days.Like the leaves of the water-lily, they wither and fade and finally
die. Prays Nanak, please hear my prayer: You are the pool, and You
are the soul-swan. You are the lotus flower of the day and You are the
water-lily of the night. You Yourself behold them, and blossom forth
in bliss.
Human birth is not obtained again and again

kbIr mwns jnmu dulµBu hY hoie n bwrY bwr ]
ijau bn Pl pwky Buie igrih bhuir n lwgih fwr ]
Human birth is hard to get; one does not get it again and again;just
as fruits that ripen on the tree and fall on the ground cannot again be
attached to the tree-branch. Kabir, p 1366.
jYsy purYn pwq rhY jl smIp Bin rivdws jnmy jig Eie ]
(858-11, iblwvlu, rivdws)
As the leaves of the water lily float free in the water, says Ravi Daas,
so is their life in the world.
Those who experience the Creator need to perform no

rituals
Pl kwrn PUlI bnrwie ]
Plu lwgw qb PUlu iblwie ]
igAwnY kwrn krm AiBAwsu ]
igAwnu BieAw qh krmh nwsu ]
The fruit tree first forms the flower and then the fruit;once the fruit
forms, the flower vanishes;Similarly people engage in rituals to know
the Creator;but once true knowledge is obtained – the Creator experi-
enced within rituals are no longer necessary. Ravidas, p 1167.
Emotional attachments
guVu imTw mwieAw psirAw mnmuKu lig mwKI pcY pcwie ]
BweI ry mY mIqu sKw pRBu soie ]
puqu klqu mohu ibKu hY AMiqbylI koie n hoie ]1] rhwau ]
Maya spreads out like sweet molasses; the self-willed manmukh

is stuck like a fly, rotting away. God is my Friend and Companion.
Emotional attachment to children and spouse is of no use; in the end,
no one will go along with you as your helper.
2.2
Animals
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
Some people call it listening to your gut, others refer to it as that

little voice in your head. Either way, there is definitely something
that alerts us about the best course of action to take in almost any
situation. The real question is - how often do we pay attention to
important signals about events, circumstances and the people around
us? Animals rely solely on their instincts, trusting their senses and
reacting to their environment accordingly.Give your brain a break!
Instead of analyzing a situation from 20 different angles, listen to
what your instincts are telling you, and harness those deep seated
survival skills that all humans are born with.
RESPECT YOUR ELDERS
Wisdom and knowledge is oftentimes passed down from older people

to the younger generation. Those with more years on the planet have
amassed a wealth of information, experience and acumen that is worth
making the time to listen to and learn from. Elephants know this to
be true and their matriarchs remain the leaders of African elephant
tribes till they pass away.Spend some time with an elderly relative or
neighbor. Be sure to pay close attention to the conversation, and snag
some incredible nuggets of wisdom from the interaction.
REACH YOUR GOALS AND PERSEVERE
Whether you have a big exam coming up or you’re looking to make

the leap and switch careers, goals can seem lofty and hard to attain.
Chin up! Salmon swim thousands of miles upstream just to make it
back to their birthplace so that they can properly spawn their next
generation – enduring extreme physical odds.
Turn your intentions into action with a little bit of help and support
from your friends. If you are looking for inspiration on how to keep
on track, consult this proactive list of 5 tips on how to achieve your
goals.
LIVE SUSTAINABLY
The planet is full of natural resources and it is up to us to make sure

that we are conscious of our carbon footprint - keeping track of how
much we purchase and throw away. We can take a cue from octopi
who are some of the thriftiest invertebrates out there building shelters
out of discarded debris – modern day repurposing if you will.
There are ways to recycle and reduce waste here or there, try living a
zero-waste lifestyle with these seven easy tips.
Don’t yield to helplessness
it’s common to tie untrained elephants’ ankles to a bamboo tree using

heavy-duty rope. After three or four days of trying to free themselves,
elephants give up. From that time on, they can be restrained by tying
a leg to a small peg in the ground – something they could escape from
with minimal effort. But with little resistance, the elephants don’t try
to get loose. Despite their size, they have learned helplessness. Do
you let your past experiences limit your choices?
Conquer your fear of failure
The African impala can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a
distance of greater than 30 feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be
kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a 3-foot wall. The animals will
not jump if they cannot see where their feet will land.As with so many
humans, extreme caution gets in the way of success.
Don’t say no for the other person
According to the laws of aerodynamics, it should be impossible for

a bumble bee to fly. That is because its size, weight and the shape of
its body are all wrong in relation to its total wingspan.Fortunately, no
bumblebees have ever studied aerodynamics – so they just naively
keep on doing what they’re incapable of doing.
Listen Carefully
Animal’s hearing abilities far surpass that of humans. While we might

have evolved away from using our hearing to survive on the day to
day, we tend to overlook the importance of this ability. Animals sit
and listen before they react to situations, something we could surely
all stand to do.
We Must Stick Together
Animals have enemies too, but at the end of the day, having each
other’s back is the key to survival. Scientists have found that birds
flock, bees swarm and lions have social cliques because it maintains
the stability of the ecosystem. Bottom line, groups of animals are less
likely to become the victim of predators. While people might not need
to worry too much about becoming the meal of a predator, it is an
important lesson to learn. Being able to set aside differences and work
together for the mutual benefit of our species is an incredible skill.
Don’t Ever Give Up
If you ever need inspiration to keep going, then look to the salmon.
Our fishy friends swim thousands of miles upstream in efforts to make
it back to their birthplace just so they can spawn the next generation.
That impossible task on to-do list doesn’t seem so unachievable now,
does it?
Lust
kwlbUq kI hsqnI mn baurw ry clqu ricE jgdIs ]
kwm suAwie gj bis pry mn baurw ry AMksu sihE sIs ]1]
mrkt mustI Anwj kI mn baurw ry lInI hwQu pswir ]
CUtn ko shsw pirAw mn baurw ry nwicE Gr Gr bwir ]2]
ijau nlnI sUAtw gihE mn baurw ry mwXw iehu ibauhwru ]
This is the play of the Creator my crazy mind, that a mold of a female
elephant is placed,and because of its lust the elephant goes for it, gets
caught and has to bear the iron rod used by its driver.1. The monkey
stretches out its hand, O crazy mind, and takes a handful of corn;now
unable to escape, O crazy mind, it is made to dance door to door. Like
the parrot caught in the trap, O crazy mind, you trapped by the affairs
of Maya.Kabir, p 335.
For some virtues have no value

ibml mJwir bsis inrml jl pdmin jwvl ry ]
pdmin jwvl jl rs sMgiq sMig doK nhI ry ]
dwdr qU kbih n jwnis ry ]
BKis isbwlu bsis inrml jl AMimRqu n lKis ry ]1] rhwau ]
bsu jl inq n vsq AlIAl myr ccw gun ry ]
cMd kumudnI dUrhu invsis AnBau kwrin ry ]
AMimRq KMfu dUiD mDu sMcis qU bn cwqur ry ]
Apnw Awpu qU kbhu n Cofis ipsn pRIiq ijau ry ]3]
mwrU mhlw 1 ] (990)
In the pure, immaculate waters, both the lotus and the slimy scum are
found.The lotus flower is with the scum and the water, but it remains
untouched by any pollution. You frog, you will never understand. You
eat the dirt, while you dwell in the immaculate waters. You know
nothing of the ambrosial nectar there. You dwell continually in the
water; the bumble bee does not dwell there, but it is intoxicated with
its fragrance from afar. Intuitively sensing the moon in the distance,
the lotus bows its head. The realms of nectar are irrigated with milk
and honey; you think you are clever to live in the water. You can never
escape your own inner tendencies, like the love of the flea for blood.
Pride in virtuous acts negates them

qIrQ brq Aru dwn kir mn mY DrY gumwnu ]
nwnk inhPl jwq iqh ijau kuMcr iesnwnu ]
Those who make pilgrimages to sacred shrines, observe ritualistic

fasts and make donations to charity while still taking pride in their
minds., one feels proud; then consider that like bath to an elephant
because it throws dust over itself. M: 9, p 1428.
Vices and creatures

imRg mIn iBRMg pqMg kuMcr eyk doK ibnws ]
pMc doK AswD jw mih qw kI kyqk Aws ]
The deer loves music, the fish goes for the bait, the moth for the lamp,
the bumblebee for the flower and the elephant to satisfy lust; they
all have one vice each for which they suffer;what hope then for the
humans who have five uncontrollable vices? 1. Ravidas, p 486.
lbu kuqw kUVu cUhVw Tig KwDw murdwru ]
pr inMdw pr mlu muK suDI Agin k®oDu cMfwlu ]
Greed is a dog; falsehood is a filthy street-sweeper. Cheating is eating

a rotting carcass.Slandering others is putting the filth of others into
your own mouth. The fire of anger is the outcaste who burns dead
bodies at the crematorium.
Greed
Sugar is a deadly trap for the flies.

swkr mwKI AiDk sMqwpy ]
iglI iglI rofVI BaudI Biv Biv Awie ]
imTY mKu muAw ikau ley EfwrI ] mKˆØI imTY mrxw ]
(1286-15, mlwr, mhlw 1)
The fly flies around, and comes to the wet lump of molasses.The fly
is caught in the sweet candy - how can it fly away?The fly dies for the
sake of sweets.
lbu ivxwhy mwxsw ijau pwxI bUru ]
(967-17, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
Greed ruins mankind, like the green algae in the water.
Deals of falsehood
KotY vxij vxMijAY mnu qnu Kotw hoie ]
PwhI PwQy imrg ijau dUKu Gxo inq roie ]2]
By dealing their deals of falsehood, their minds and bodies become
false. Like the deer caught in the trap, they suffer in terrible agony;
they continually cry out in pain.
PrIdw vyKu kpwhY ij QIAw ij isir QIAw iqlwh ]
kmwdY Aru kwgdY kuMny koieilAwh ]
mMdy Aml kryidAw eyh sjwie iqnwh ]49]
Fareed, look at what has happened to the cotton and the sesame seed,
the sugar cane and paper, the clay pots and the charcoal.This is the
punishment for those who do evil deeds.
Life without good deeds

Kwq pIq Anyk ibMjn jYsy Bwr bwhk Koq ]
(1121-13, kydwrw, mÚ 5)
One who eats and drinks countless delicacies is no more than a

donkey, a beast of burden.
Dynu duDY qy bwhrI ikqY n AwvY kwm ]
jl ibnu swK kumlwvqI aupjih nwhI dwm ]
hir nwh n imlIAY swjnY kq pweIAY ibsrwm ]
(133-10, mwJ, mÚ 5)
Without milk, a cow serves no purpose.Without water, the crop

withers, and it will not bring a good price.If we do not meet the Lord,
our Friend, how can we find our place of rest?
kwcI srsauN pyil kY nw Kil BeI n qylu ]
FUMFq folih AMD giq Aru cInq nwhI sMq ]
kih nwmw ikau pweIAY ibnu Bgqhu BgvMqu ]241]
Pressing the unripe mustard seeds produces neither oil nor flour.
Searching, the mortal stumbles like a blind person, and does not
recognize the Saint. Says Naam Dev, how can one obtain the Lord
God, without His devotee?
kbIr swkq qy sUkr Blw rwKY AwCw gwau ]
auhu swkqu bpurw mir gieAw koie n lYhY nwau ]
Kabeer, even a pig is better than the faithless cynic; at least the pig
keeps the village clean. When the wretched, faithless cynic dies, no
one even mentions his name.
Intellect
mCulI jwlu n jwixAw sru Kwrw Asgwhu ]
Aiq isAwxI sohxI ikau kIqo vyswhu ]
kIqy kwrix pwkVI kwlu n tlY isrwhu ]1]
BweI ry ieau isir jwxhu kwlu ]
ijau mCI iqau mwxsw pvY AicMqw jwlu ]1] rhwauu ]
sBu jgu bwDo kwl ko ibnu gur kwlu APwru ]
isrIrwgu mhlw 1 ] (55-7)
The fish did not notice the net in the deep and salty sea. It was so
clever and beautiful, but why was it so confident? By its actions it
was caught, and now death cannot be turned away from its head.
O Siblings of Destiny, just like this, see death hovering over your
own heads! People are just like this fish; unaware, the noose of death
descends upon them.
cauxy suienw pweIAY cuix cuix KwvY Gwsu lohw mwrix pweIAY FhY n hoie
kpws nwnk mUrK eyih gux boly sdw ivxwsu]
(143-9, mwJ, mÚ 1)
You may place gold before a herd of cattle, but they will pick out the
grass to eat.You may add flux to iron and melt it, but it will not become
soft like cotton.O Nanak, this is the nature of a fool-everything he
speaks is useless and wasted.
Fear of death
pyKMdVo kI Bulu quMmw idsmu sohxw ]
AFu n lhMdVo mulu nwnk swiQ n juleI mwieAw ]2]
(708-4, jYqsrI, mÚ 5)
The animals and the birds frolic and play-they do not see death.
Mankind is also with them, trapped in the net of Maya.Those who
always remember the Naam, the Name of the Lord, are considered to
be liberated.
idnsu cVY iPir AwQvY rYix sbweI jwie ]
Awv GtY nru nw buJY iniq mUsw lwju tukwie ]
isrIrwgu mhlw 4 ] (41-17)
The day dawns, and then it ends, and the night passes away. Man’s
life is diminishing, but he does not understand. Each day, the mouse
of death is gnawing away at the rope of life.
Maya
guVu imTw mwieAw psirAw mnmuKu lig mwKI pcY pcwie ]
imTY mKu muAw ikau ley EfwrI ]
hsqI griq pieAw ikau qrIAY qwrI ]
qrxu duhylw BieAw iKn mih Ksmu iciq n AwieE ]
dUKw sjweI gxq nwhI kIAw Apxw pwieE ]
guJw kmwxw pRgtu hoAw eIq auqih KuAwrI ]
nwnk siqgur bwJu mUTw mnmuKo AhMkwrI ]
(460-7, Awsw, mÚ 5)
Maya spreads out like sweet molasses; the self-willed manmukh is

stuck like a fly, rotting away.The fly is caught in the sweet candy -
how can it fly away?The elephant has fallen into the pit - how can it
escape?It shall be so difficult to swim across, for one who does not
remember the Lord and Master,even for an instant.His sufferings and
punishments are beyond reckoning; he receives the consequences of
his own actions.His secret deeds are exposed, and he is ruined here
and hereafter. O Nanak, without the True Guru, the self-willed egotis-
tical manmukh is defrauded.
2.3
2.3
Bamboo
kbIr bWsu bfweI bUifAw ieau mq fUbhu koie ]

cMdn kY inkty bsY bWsu sugMDu n hoie ]
kbIr dInu gvwieAw dunI isau dunI n cwlI swiQ ]
Kabeer, the bamboo is drowned in its egotistical pride. No one should

drown like this. Bamboo also dwells near the sandalwood tree, but it
does not take up its fragrance. the mortal loses his faith, for the sakeof
the world, but the world shall not go along with him in the end.
Bend but don’t break. Be flexible yet firmly rooted
The bamboo sway with even the slightest breeze. This gentle swaying
movement with the wind is a symbol of humility. Their bodies are
hard and firm and yet sway gently in the breeze while their trunks
stay rooted firmly in the ground below. Their foundation is solid
even though they move and sway harmoniously with the wind, never
fighting against it. In time, even the strongest wind tires itself out, but
the bamboo remains standing tall and still. A bend-but-don’t-break
or go-with-the-natural-flow attitude is one of the secrets for success
whether we’re talking about bamboo trees, answering tough questions
in a Q&A session, or just dealing with the everyday vagaries of life.
What looks weak is strong
The body of a single bamboo tree is not large by any means, but
the plants endure cold winters and extremely hot summers and are
sometimes the only trees left standing in the aftermath of a typhoon.
They may not reach the heights of the other trees, but they are strong
and stand tall in extreme weather. Bamboo is not as fragile as it may
appear, not by a long shot. Remember that we must be careful not to
underestimate others or ourselves based only on old notions of what
is weak and what is strong. You may not be from the biggest company
or the product of the most famous school, but like the bamboo, stand
tall, believe in your own strengths, and know that you are as strong as
you need to be.
Be always ready
Unlike other types of wood which take a good deal of processing and
finishing, bamboo needs little of that. “The warrior, like bamboo, is
ever ready for action.” In presentation or other professional activities
too, through training and practice, we can develop in our own way a
state of being ever ready.
Unleash your power to spring back
The important image of snow-covered bamboo represents the ability

to spring back after experiencing adversity. The bamboo endured the
heavy burden of the snow, but in the end it had to power to spring
back as if to say “I will not be defeated.” In winter the heavy snow
bends the bamboo back and back until one day the snow becomes
too heavy, begins to fall, and the bamboo snaps back up tall again,
brushing aside all the snow.
Find wisdom in emptiness
The hollow insides of the bamboo reminds us that we are often too full
of ourselves and our own conclusions; we have no space for anything
else. In order to receive knowledge and wisdom from both nature
and people, we have to be open to that which is new and different.
When you empty your mind of your prejudices and pride and fear,
you become open to the possibilities. It is said that in order to learn,
the first step is to empty ourselves of our preconceived notions. One
can not fill a cup which is already full.
Commit to (continuous) growth
Bamboo trees are among the fastest-growing plants in the world. Yet
even with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement, our
growth — like the growth of the bamboo — can be quite remarkable
when we look back at what or where we used to be. We may not
notice our own improvement. How fast or how slow is not our main
concern, only that we’re moving forward. The bamboo grows fastest
around the rainy season. You too may have “seasons” where growth
accelerates, but is slower at other times. Yet with sustained effort, you
are always growing. Do not be discouraged by what you perceive as
your lack of growth or improvement. If you have not given up, then
you are growing
Fast regeneration
Bamboo has the fastest reforestation potential than any plant. Any
deforested area can be replaced in a matter of months when planted
with bamboos. This shows that when you fail, when there is a setback
or a challenge in your life you should bounce back quickly and go on
with your work.
Giving out
A bamboo requires very little care, yet produces edible food and
building materials that benefit the world’s ecosystem. Every part of
the bamboo tree from shoots and sap to the leaves and stalks are used
in one way or the other. How many of us give back to the world? We
consume a lot, we earn a lot but only few give back to the society.
There is no point in just amassing and consuming. You must also give
back a fair amount, enough to make a difference. As humans we need
to be helpful towards our fellow beings. This shows that whenever
possible we should help others even if it’s only a small favor. What
matters in the end is were you able to make a difference. Did your life
prove useful?
Express usefulness through simplicity
We often complicate the simple to impress and we fail to simplify

the complex out of fear that others may know what we know. If
we could lose our fear, perhaps we could be more creative and find
simpler solutions to even complex problems that ultimately provide
the greatest usefulness for us. “The bamboo in its simplicity expresses
its usefulness. Man should do the same.”
Strengthening your foundation
When you plant a bamboo seed, nothing happens for the first few
years. During the time when no growth takes place the plant strength-
ens its root system allowing it to grow very high very fast. This is
true in life too, if you want to grow, reach great heights you have to
strengthen your foundation first. The foundation includes your rela-
tionships, long term goals and desires and your purpose in life.
Resilient
A Bamboo is highly resilient. It challenges the strength of other known

hardwood trees. It is a highly resilient material and has incredible
strength. It shows that to grow tall, to achieve big in life you need to
walk the difficult path. You need to be strong and resilient.
Improving the surroundings
A Bamboo uses Carbon dioxide much faster than other trees and also
improves soil conditions by preventing soil erosion. This shows that
wherever you are you should try to add value to the lives of people
around you. You should try to leave things a little better than the state
you found them in.
Highly influential
Bamboo is one of the most influential and popular plants with trade
in bamboo going up to billions of dollars. This shows that when you
are good, highly useful and are a good person from within money
and fame will automatically come to you. There is no need to go after
money, when you are good enough money will come to you. Bamboo
is a plant that has an incredible value and is indispensable. It teaches
that no matter where you are or what you do you should always try to
become a person of value.
2.4
The Farmer and

the Donkey
gdhu cMdin KaulIAY BI swhU isau pwxu ]

(790-2, sUhI, mÚ 1)
Donkey loves dust, even if it is

coated with sandalwood paste, it throws away.
One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried
piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally,
he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up
anyway-it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all of his neighbors to come over and help him. They all
grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the
donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to
everyone’s amazement, he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He
was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his
back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it
off and take a step up.
As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the
animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone
was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and
happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to
getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of
our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells
just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off, and take a step up.
2.5
The Two Wolves

An old man was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said, “A
battle is raging inside me…it is a terrible fight between two wolves.
One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance,
self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority
and ego. The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity,
humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity,
truth, compassion and faith.”
The old man looked at the children with a firm stare. “This same fight
is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.” They
thought about it for a minute, and then one child asked his grand-
father, “Which wolf will win?” The old man replied: “The one you
feed.”
2.6
Snakes
ibsIAr kau bhu dUDu pIAweIAY ibKu inksY Poil PulITw ]3]
(171-16, gauVI pUrbI, mÚ 4)
Even if the poisonous snake is fed large amounts of milk, it will still
yield only poison.
You build your reputation. There’s a reason people fear snakes.

Let’s say you didn’t know anything about them - they’d look pretty
harmless, right? Just like a snake, you have the ultimate say in the
person you become and the way people interact with you.
Size doesn’t matter.Snakes are known for taking on prey many times
their size (in some horrifying cases, even cows)! Just starting out at
a company or just moved to a new city? Don’t get disheartened and
keep working to achieve those big dreams.
Don’t be afraid to change. Snakes “moult” or shed their skin on

average two to four times a year, although young snakes shed more
often. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by big changes in your life. Don’t
expect yourself to adapt right away. Take the period of transition, but
know that you’ll come out stronger and much wiser. The snake sheds
its skin, but does not lose its venom.
swpu kuMc CofY ibKu nhI CwfY ]
(485-16, Awsw, Bgq nwmdyv jI)
Differences can be your strength. Do you think that snakes let their
physical differences from the rest of the animal kingdom, namely
their lack of arms and legs, stop them from going great distances?
No! They’ve adapted and some snakes can even “run” really fast, so
don’t underestimate them.
Don’t be defined by limitations. Snakes don’t have legs Despite their

obvious limitations, they are still able to negotiate a wide variety of
habitats from desert dunes to trees to the ocean. They don’t just eat
vegetation they are predators, outwitting and outmaneuvering their
prey and becoming one of the most iconic creatures of the animal
kingdom. Whether they are venomous or use constriction, they take
advantage of their strengths to become successful.
Focus on skills Focus on what makes you unique and have confidence
in the gifts and skills that God has given you. Just because you can
attack, doesn’t mean that you should. Snakes are feared by most
people and rightly so as many of them are venomous enough to kill
a grown man. However, despite their reputation, most snakes aren’t
aggressive towards human and will only bite as a last resort. They
understand that just because they have the capacity to cause damage
it doesn’t mean that they have to. During moments of conflict, instead
of lashing out, hurting yourself and others in the process, try to find
more effective resolution strategies. Such maturity and self-control
will assist greatly in building stronger relationships.
Make a decision and act on it. One of the unique aspects of snakes is
their forked tongues. They use their tongue to smell and detect what’s
going on around them. They have very poor eye-sight, so they rely
on this sense to find their prey. Each time they stick their tongue out
one of the forks on the tongue will detect a stronger smell than the
other. They then move towards the stronger side. After moving a
short distance, they test the air again to ensure that they are moving
in the right direction. This process is repeated until they find their
next meal. With our goals, we need to constantly check to make sure
that we are on track. Before you make a decision ask yourself, is
this going to take me closer or further away from my aims? Once
you’ve made that decision, take action, ensuring that you are building
momentum and moving towards your target.
3
Insightful Things
3.1 Most Insightful Things 38
3.2 Birds 44
3.2 The Black Koel 47
3.1
Most Insightful Things
How can one describe Thy beauty and the might of Thy works?
In moments when one confronts the “vastness and wonder” of His
creation, one is struck dumb and utterly speechless. It is then that the
words break and fail to comprehend the utter majesty and infinity of
the Word.
pMKI hoie kY jy Bvw sY AsmwnI jwauu ]
ndrI iksY n AwvaU nw ikCu pIAw n Kwau ]
BI qyrI kImiq nw pvY hau kyvfu AwKw nwau ]
nwnk kwgd lK mxw piV piV kIcY Bwauu ]
msU qoit n AwveI lyKix pauxu clwau ]
BI qyrI kImiq nw pvY hau kyvfu AwKw nwau ]4]2]
Birds, like people, come in all sizes, shapes and strengths. Every
bird, like every person, has their own unique beauty, strengths and
weaknesses. Thank goodness not everyone is the same, it would be a
really boring world if we were. So embrace your differences.
Where I hover like a bird soaring, Through skies innumerable, And
vanish beyond the range of mortal vision, Self-sustained, not needing
food or drink Even so, my God, I could not know Thy price,Nor say
how great is Thy Name. (Sri Rag)
Sometimes change is necessary so embrace it
Birds are smart enough to migrate and find better conditions when
food becomes scarce in the winter and conditions get harsh. People
need to learn from birds how to be flexible and make changes when
things aren’t working the way they should be.
aUfy aUif AwvY sY kosw iqsu pwCY bcry CirAw ]
iqn kvxu KlwvY kvxu cugwvY mn mih ismrnu kirAw ]
The migrating cranes fly hundreds of miles,They leave their young
behind them.Think, O Man: who feedeth the young birds?
kbIr dwqw qrvru dXw Plu aupkwrI jIvMq ]
pMKI cly idswvrI ibrKw suPl Plµq ]230]
Kabeer, the Great Giver is the tree, which blesses all with the fruit of
compassion.When the birds migrate to other lands, O Tree, you bear
the fruits.
There are strengths and advantages in numbers
There is a reason birds fly in flocks. It helps them elude predators.

It conserves energy. When people work together in a group and in
harmony, they are like a flock of birds, getting the work done in the
most efficient way. When people travel in groups they are less likely
to be attacked.
It’s okay and even wise to spend time on your own; While birds
generally travel in flocks, we also see them on their own. Even the
best team player needs time on their own every once in a while.
Get a bird’s eye view
Things look different when viewed from up high. Birds soar and look
for prey because it is easier to spot from up above. Sometimes we need
to step back to gain the right perspective and see the whole picture.
Learn to keep your balance
Birds are able to keep their balance in strong winds and oftentimes
even standing on one foot. Life is full of moments that have the
potential to knock us down. The stronger we are both mentally and
physically, the easier it is for us to keep our balance.
Who cares if someone is watching;; Birds don’t care if people are

watching them, they just go about their business. People can also
learn to be less worried about what everyone is thinking or saying
about them and instead just do what it is they feel is right and what
they are meant to do.
Keep pecking until you get what you want
I haven’t seen many birds give up quickly. Even when they are chased
away, they will often return over and over again to the same spot to
try and get what they want. When we really want something or if
something is important to us, we need to keep at it and keep pecking
away until we achieve what we set out to.
Make yourself a home
Everyone needs a home base, someplace to come back to and unwind.

Make sure that making yourself a home is a priority. It does not matter
whether you will be moving in a few months, a few years or never.
You owe it to yourself to build yourself a home.
Don’t be afraid to take from others
Most of us don’t like taking things, especially help from other people.
Taking is okay. There is no shame in it. Just remember to also give
back to others what you can, even if it’s just a song or a smile.
Spread your wings and fly
Many of us have gotten into a rut of limiting ourselves, our lives and
our potential. We feel burdened and weighted down by day to day life
and forgot that we are one small flap away from a change. Don’t be
afraid. The world and your destiny is yours for the taking.
The crap that’s in your life is not always about you
Our lives are not just roses. Sometimes we are crapped on, even
repeatedly. Or at least that’s how we feel. I don’t think there was ever
a bird who aimed for a specific person’s head or someone’s recently
washed car. It was about them and their needs.
Too often we get into a cycle of believing that everyone and everything
is conspiring against us. Next time you find your previously spotless
car gifted with bird poop, or someone is mean or nasty, take a deep
breath and remember it’s not always about or aimed at you.
Mortality of human life
Birds as a species of life and as a part of the landscape of the physical

world provide recurring images of the changing, the perishing forms
of life that must return to dust, dust as they are:
Kyil gey sy pMKxUM jo cugdy sr qil GVI ik muhiq ik clxw Kylxu Aju
ik kil ]
Those birds which peck at the shore of the pool have played and have
departed.In a moment, in an instant, we too must depart. Our play is
only for short duration.
qrvru kwieAw pMiK mnu qrvir pMKI pMc ]
qqu cugih imil eyksy iqn kau Pws n rMc ]
(934-6, rwmklI dKxI, mÚ 1)
The body is the tree, and the mind is the bird; the birds in the tree are
the five senses. They peck at the essence of reality, and merge with the
One Lord. They are never trapped at all.
Creator as the provider
Yet another theme that recurs relate to the Creator as the great
provider. He looks after men, beasts and birds. In one of the most
exquisite expressions of the theme of the Divine care pervading the
entire universe there is a description of birds fluttering about on the
vast amphitheatre of time. They are not untended or uncared for:
prMdey n igrwh jr ]
drKq Awb Aws kr ]
idhMd sueI ]
(144-5, mwJ, mÚ 1)
Behold the birds of the air, They build themselves no granaries; They
construct no tanks of water.
They depend on the forest trees, And on the natural pools. The Lord
provide them all,(Ragh majh ki var)
He greens the dry trees. He provides for the myriad insects that fly
and creep and crawl in rocks and stones.
kwhy ry mn icqvih audmu jw Awhir hir jIau pirAw ]
sYl pQr mih jMq aupwey qw kw irjku AwgY kir DirAw ]
Why, O mind, do you plot and plan, when the Dear Lord Himself
provides for your care?
If that had been all for bird imagery, birds would have had probably
an unjust deal. It is in the use of bird imagery as an expression of the
human soul for the Divine that birds provide to my mind the sublime
images created from these winged creatures. In one of the enuncia-
tions of Rag Asa, the lost human soul or those in whom “the eyes of
the spirit have not been opened,”
miq pMKyrU ikrqu swiQ kb auqm kb nIc ]
kb cMdin kb Aik fwil kb aucI prIiq ]
nwnk hukim clweIAY swihb lgI rIiq ]2]
(148-1, mwJ, mÚ 1)
The intellect is a bird; on account of its actions, it is sometimes high,

and sometimes low.Sometimes it is perched on the sandalwood tree,
and sometimes it is on the branch of thepoisonous swallow-wort.
Sometimes, it soars through the heavens. O Nanak, our Lord and
Master leads us on, according to the Hukam of His Command; such
is His Way.
hwf mws nwVˆØI ko ipMjru pMKI bsY ibcwrw ]
pRwnI ikAw myrw ikAw qyrw ]
jYsy qrvr pMiK bsyrw ]1] rhwau ]
(659-4, soriT, Bgq rivdws jI)
The framework is made up of bones, flesh and veins; the poor soul-bird
dwells within it. O mortal, what is mine, and what is yours? The soul
is like a bird perched upon a tree.
3.2
Birds
ien pMcn myro mnu ju ibgwirE ]
plu plu hir jI qy AMqru pwirE ]
jq dyKau qq duK kI rwsI ]
(710-17, jYqsrI, Bgq rivdws jI)
The five vices have corrupted my mind. Moment by moment, they

lead me further away from the Lord. Wherever I look, I see loads of
pain and suffering.
It started innocently enough, they are so cute, adorable really : nesting

swallows. Each year they migrate here to nest and raise their young.
What could be more charming than having a bird nest right outside
your window, hearing the twitter and tweets, finding the speckled
eggshells, seeing the fledglings peep out and learn to fly, or so it
seemed.
The first year we were appalled to hear the neighbors were washing
out the nests, how cruel it seemed.
we had only one or two nests that year, we treasured them. The
following year there were a few more, and we felt very established..
Then two years ago, there were perhaps a dozen, a long grey streak
ran down the picture window, a minor inconvenience.
Last year, there seemed to be a hundred. They all returned with their
young (and their mates). We could barely see through the windows,
they were covered with droppings.
Friends would drop by and laugh and joke, at their behaviour. They
all come at once, like little dive bombers, flocking together, circling
around and diving at the nests.
This year made the decision to be firm. Don’t let the nests reach
completion. Then the eggs can’t be laid.
They come back. In a cooperative effort, a dozen or so will work

feverishly, building together, in attempt to get a nest finished. before
its reaches completion, knock it down.
As hundred bodies hurled by window, twittering frantically, as perhaps

for the tenth time, an attempt is made communally to get a nest built.
They are like the five enemies’ voices. At first they seem harmless
enough, subtle little suggestions, that have no foothold, but as time
goes by they grow stronger, and become ingrained, so much so that it
is a constant battle to overcome. And still we listen.
bolY syK PrIdu ipAwry Alh lgy ]
iehu qnu hosI Kwk inmwxI gor Gry ]
Awju imlwvw syK PrId twikm kUMjVIAw mnhu micMdVIAw ]1] rhwau ]
(488-12, Awsw, syK PrId jI)
Says Shaykh Fareed, O my dear friend, attach yourself to the Lord.This

body shall turn to dust, and its home shall be a neglected graveyard.
You can meet the Lord today, O Shaykh Fareed, if you restrain your
bird-like desires which keep your mind in turmoil.
Birds have been recurring motifs, themes and images in folklore,
mythology religion and in the greatest of the works of art. From the
Phoenix that emerges young from its ashes, to the charioting Garunda;
from “the immortal” nightingale to the eternal skylark, birds have
provided powerful symbolism in human creation.
3.2
The Black Koel
(Eudynamys Scolopacea) that darts through leafy covers, stabbing the

silence of midsummer afternoons, is very vocal and makes different
types of calls. In the Guru Granth Sahib, the Koel is referred to as a
singer of divine hymns.
koikl hovw AMib bsw shij sbd bIcwru ]
shij suBwie myrw shu imlY drsin rUip Apwru ]
If I were to become a cuckoo, living in a mango tree, I would still

contemplate the Word of the Shabad I would still meet my Lord and
Master, with intuitive ease; the Darshan, the Blessed Vision of His
Form, is incomparably beautiful.
It has an auditory, even visual image, as the as a bird image of

(separation); a picture of a burnt out blackened human soul, lost and
forlorn.
kwlI koiel qU ikq gun kwlI ]
Apny pRIqm ky hau ibrhY jwlI ]
(794-12, sUhI, syK PrId jI)
O black bird, what qualities have made you black?”I have been burnt
by separation from my Beloved.”
But in Guru Nanak’s hymns not only birds as a form of life but
individual species are woven into beautiful images. Anyone who on a
moonlit night has gone to a river can have an experience of an utterly
inexpressible kind when Surkhabs (Tadorna Ferruginea) also called
Sheldrakes, fly past silhouetted against the sky in an eternal quest.
Their honking the stillness of the night is one of the most haunting
auditory images.Chakvi or Sheldrake, belongs to duck family. It is
a fairly large bird, about 60 cms (2 feet) long. It is this Sheldrake that
finds an articulation in Sri Rag: Chakvi loves sun and thinks that it
was very near and she could hug it, she remains awake in the fear
not to lose it. The Chakvi bird does not care for the sleep in her tired
eyes; without a glimpse of her beloved, she does not want to sleep.
When the sun rises, she sees her beloved with her eyes; she bows and
touches his rays on earth.
ry mn AYsI hir isau pRIiq kir jYsI ckvI sUr ]
iKnu plu nId n soveI jwxY dUir hjUir ]
In the same composition yet another bird comes in as a symbol of the

inexhorable love. Like the fish who loves water and dies separated
from it, the Chatrik bird reaches for the raindrops:
ry mn AYsI hir isau pRIiq kir jYsI cwiqRk myh ]
sr Bir Ql hrIAwvly iek bUMd n pveI kyh ]
The Jacobin cuckoo, pied cuckoo, or pied crested cuckoo

(Clamator jacobinus) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds that
is found in Africa and Asia. It is partially migratory and in India, it has
been considered a harbinger of the monsoon rains due to the timing of
its arrival. It has been associated with a bird in Indian mythology and
poetry, known as the chatak represented as a bird with a beak on its
head that waits for rains to quench its thirst. this medium-sized, slim
black and white cuckoo with a crest is distinctiveThey are very vocal
during the breeding season. The call is a ringing series of whistling
notes “piu-piu” with the calls of the nominate form more rapid and
slightly mellower. He drinks water only from dew and spray picked
up from plant leaves suggesting that it may have been the basis for
the idea that the “chatak” only drank raindrops. According to Gurbani
it loves a special drop of rain water called ‘Swanti Boond. it looks
towards clouds and repeatedly cries for the drop of ‘Swanti Boond.
cwiqRku jwcY bUMd ijau hir pRwn ADwrw rwm rwjy ]
mwlu KjInw suq BRwq mIq sBhUM qy ipAwrw rwm rwjy ]
(454-6, Awsw, mÚ 5)
As the song-bird yearns for the rain-drop, the Lord, the Lord my King,
is the Support of my breath of life.My Lord King is more beloved
than all wealth, treasure, children, siblings and friends.
bwbIhw AMimRq vylY boilAw qW dir suxI pukwr ]
myGY no Purmwnu hoAw vrshu ikrpw Dwir ]
hau iqn kY bilhwrxY ijnI scu riKAw auir Dwir ]
nwnk nwmy sB hrIAwvlI gur kY sbid vIcwir ]1]
(1285-4, mlwr, mÚ 3)
The rainbird chirps in the ambrosial hours of the morning before the
dawn; its prayers are heard in the Court of the Lord. The order is
issued to the clouds, to let the rains of mercy shower down. I am a
sacrifice to those who enshrine the True Lord within their hearts. O
Nanak, through the Name, all are
GnGor pRIiq mor ]
icqu cwiqRk bUMd Er ]
AYso hir sMgy mn moh ]
iqAwig mwieAw Doh ]
imil sMq nwnk jwigAw ]
(1272-13, mlwr, mÚ 5)
The peacock loves the thunder of the rain clouds. The rainbird’s mind
is drawn to the rain-drop- so is my mind enticed by the Lord .I have
renounced Maya, the deceiver.
Yet the world is not as innocent as the reach of a bird for the raindrops.
Or as the ceaseless quest of the Koel in the birha . There is a fierce
struggle as the bird and the predator, the man and the tyrant are cast
away friendlessly:
sIcwny ijau pMKIAw jwlI biDk hwiQ ]
guir rwKy sy aubry hoir PwQy cogY swiQ ]
ibnu nwvY cuix sutIAih koie n sMgI swiQ ]
As the small birds of the air are helpless.Against the hawk swooping
down from the skies, and against the nets of the hunter below. (Sri
Rag)
kyl krydy hMJ no AicMqy bwj pey ]
bwj pey iqsu rb dy kylW ivsrIAW ]
While it is playing, a hawk suddenly pounces on it.When the Hawk of

God attacks, playful sport is forgotten.
Like Baba Sheikh Farid’s description of the tragedy of an egret

(Egretta garzetta) prancing about merrily when it is swooped upon by
the fierce nature’s “tooth and claw” embodiment, a hawk (Spizaetus
cirrhatus).
cil cil geIAW pMKIAW ijn@I vswey ql ]
PrIdw sru BirAw BI clsI Qky kvl iekl ]66]
The birds which lived in the pools have flown away and left. Fareed,
the overflowing pool shall also pass away, and only the lotus flowers
shall remain.
Owl represents stupidity in common language

sMpq dol Jol sMig JUlq mwieAw mgn BRmq GuGnw ]
You swing in the swing of wealth, intoxicated with Maya, and you
wander around like an owl.
In yet another beautiful sense the birds of the air are airborne symbols
of human soul’s reach for the
The very fact that you fly high in the windy spaces does not mean that
your are spiritually nearer the One who dwells everywhere. A mere
wandering like a bird would not take you to His portals:
kauxu khY ikix bUJIAY rmeIAw Awkulu rI bweI ]1] rhwau ]
ijau AwkwsY pMKIAlo Koju inriKE n jweI ]
ijau jl mwJY mwClo mwrgu pyKxo n jweI ]
ijau AwkwsY GVUAlo imRg iqRsnw BirAw ]
nwmy cy suAwmI bITlo ijin qInY jirAw ]3]2]
(525-9, gUjrI, Bgq nwmdyv jI)
Who can describe Him? Who can understand Him?The all-pervading

Lord has no ancestors,O Siblings of Destiny. As the path of a bird’s
flight across the sky cannot be seen, and the path of a fish through the
water cannot be seen.As the mirage leads one to mistake the sky for
a pitcher filled with water - so is God, the Lord and Master of Naam
Dayv, who fits these three comparisons.
Life has many stages or for that matter seven ages. One way of looking
at it is the pattern of craving; craving that ranges from the mother’s
breast to games and sports, to food and drink, to lust and passion.
qrvr pMKI bhu inis bwsu ]
suK duKIAw min moh ivxwsu ]
swJ ibhwg qkih Awgwsu ]
dh idis Dwvih krim iliKAwsu ]3]
(152-19, gauVI, mÚ 1)
At night, lots of birds settle on the tree. Some are happy, and some
are sad. Caught in the desires of the mind, they perish.And when the
life-night comes to its end, then they look to the sky.They fly away in
all ten directions, according to their pre-ordained destiny.
4
Things That Matter
4.1 Things That Matter Most 54

4.2 Habits 59
4.3 Scorpion and the Frog 61
4.4 Black Cat - Rituals 63
4.5 Need or Greed 65
4.6 Coffee Beans 69
4.1
Things That
Matter Most
Live In The Present Moment
Humans often bounce around from one thought or place to the next
without fully immersing themselves in what’s happening around
them. Other species, on the other hand, don’t have much else to think
about other than searching for food, water, shelter from the elements,
and their next mate.Take a deer, for example – they peacefully flow
from one activity to another, searching for berries, fresh water, or
just enjoying their surroundings. Although dogs remember things
like where the treats are kept, what street takes them home and who
they’ve met before, they only access that information when they need
it -- in the moment. Whether they’re eating a bowl of kibble or chasing
a ball, dogs live for the present moment. The past is gone; you can’t
do anything about it. The future is unknown. The only thing you can
really enjoy and affect is the present moment.
Overcome fear with love
Dogs can overcome their fear and insecurities through love, and so
can humans. Love truly does conquer all, and the first step for us
is to love ourselves. If you can replace fear and self-criticism with
self-love, no matter what situation you’re in, life gets easier.
Smile No Matter What
In Australia, you can find a tiny, cute animal called a Quokka scurrying
through the trees…and stopping to take selfies with humans if they’re
not too busy. They seem to live out their days without a worry in the
world, and keep a positive attitude through it all.So, even if you’ve
had a bad day, think of how the Quokka would handle it, and you will
instantly break out in smiles.
Work Together
Ants, in particular, are a shining example of this in action. They carry

tiny specks of dirt underground to form complex tunnels and living
systems, tackle prey as a team, and help each other carry leaves back
to their colony to use as mulch for raising fungus, which they eat
to survive. They work harder than many species just to get through
each day, and they do it as a team. No one gets left behind, and no
one carries all the weight while others just sit on the sidelines. To
value one another, collaborate, and work together to coexist instead
of competing with each other for resources.
Make Time To Rest
Let’s face it – humans tend to work way too much, and rest way too
little. Other species don’t overwork themselves; they enjoy every
moment of down time they get to re-energize and relish in life’s
beauty. Look at pigs – they roll around in the mud all day, eat, and lay
around until they get hungry again.While they might seem lazy, we
could actually learn a thing or two from them about learning to relax
once in a blue moon.
Be Brave
More than any other animal, lions represent courage, strength, and
resilience. They don’t back down from a challenge, and must hunt
aggressive prey for their tribe. They don’t just lurk in the shadows –
they make their presence known and pick themselves back up every
time they fall. If someone says you have the heart of a lion, consider
that a compliment; it means you show incredible strength and bravery
in the face of extreme adversity.Humans tend to let fear stand in our
way, so channel your inner lion next time… your fear will quickly
step to the side.
Follow Your Own Path In Life
Horses tend to live pretty independently, and often stray from the
pack when they get an itch to explore on their own. While they have
a majestic, fanciful appearance, they also have a fierce, stubborn
side that takes them into uncharted territory and allows them to pave
their own path.Be like the horse and run freely into the wind without
thinking of what the consequences might be – just let your heart take
the wheel and drive you where you need to go.
Listen More, Talk Less
Dolphins actually communicate with one another via high-pitched

whistling noises, and each one makes a distinctive sound that other
dolphins can immediately recognize. They have very advanced com-
munication techniques that rival our own, in some ways, and must
listen in order to understand each other’s location in the vast ocean.
If they all whistled at once, none of them would be able to find one
another – they have honed their listening skills in order to function
best as a group.Humans can especially learn from dolphins that
listening to another person, rather than always needing to talk, can
actually benefit relationships much more in the long run.
Be Loyal And Dependable
Dogs and wolves are pack animals. They stick with their pack. They
play with their pack. They defend their pack. This is a great reminder
for all of us to be conscientious members of our human pack. The
Golden Rule of treating others how you would like to be treated
applies here. Being a loyal and dependable friend, lover, sibling,
partner or parent will enrich your life in many ways.
Don’t Hold Grudges
A grudge is a feeling of resentment toward someone. It originates in

our mind. Humans are probably the only species that holds a grudge.
A dog will never be angry with you because you didn’t give him a
treat after dinner last night. Holding a grudge weighs you down emo-
tionally and keeps you from moving forward in life. Let grudges go
and you will create your own personal freedom
Practice Forgiveness
Unfortunately, elephants often fall victim to poaching or other

violence inflicted by humans, and they usually lose family members
in the process. Elephants possess great intelligence, and feel complex
emotions just like we do. Many organizations take in orphaned
elephants who have watched family members die or get injured at the
hands of humans, yet these elephants allow their new caretakers to
rear them anyway. Elephants can teach us to forgive in any situation,
even if we can’t always understand the other person’s actions.
Love Unconditionally
No matter what, dogs love you unconditionally. They wag their tails
when they see you, no matter what mood you’re in. They still want
to give you big wet kisses, even if you’ve just yelled at them. And
they instantly forgive you no matter how you behave. Loving others
unconditionally is a difficult task, but it’s the one that would surely
make the world a better place if we all just tried.
mqu jwx sih glI pwieAw ]
kY mwxY rUp kI soBw iequ ibDI jnmu gvwieAw ]1] rhwau ]
AYb qin ickVo iehu mnu mIfko kml kI swr nhI mUil pweI ]
Do not think that your Husband Lord can be obtained by mere words.
You are wasting this life in the pride of wealth and the splendor of
beauty. The defect of the body which leads to sin is like mud puddle,
and this mind is the frog, which does not appreciate the lotus flower
at all.
4.2
Habits
mwKI rwm kI qU mwKI ]

jh durgMD qhw qU bYsih mhw ibiKAw md cwKI ]1] rhwau ]
ikqih AsQwin qU itknu n pwvih ieh ibiD dyKI AwKI ]
Fly, you have been given your nature by the Creator; you sit where
there is filth; you have tasted and become intoxicated by poison; i.e.
those caught in vices always run after them. M: 5, p 1227
Believe it or not, they used to build bridges by first flying a kite from
one side of the river or gorge to the other. Someone on the opposite
side caught the kite and tied a little thicker, stronger string to the end
of the kite string, and the men who had sent the kite over pulled the
new, thicker string back across. The teams on each side kept repeating
the process, next with an even stronger string, then a cord, then a
thin rope, then a thicker rope, and so on. Eventually they could pull
a small steel cable across, then a heavier one, until finally they had a
cable across the expanse that was strong enough to support them and
their tools and materials.-And it all started with one tiny kite string!
That’s how habits are formed, both good and bad. Add a thread every
day, and before long you can’t break it. Start developing a good habit
by taking the first step, however small, in the right direction. Then
keep at it until you’ve built up a routine that can’t easily be broken.
Psychologists tell us that it usually takes us three weeks to get familiar
with some new task or habit; it takes another three weeks before it
becomes a habit. Now the reason why many people are not successful
in forming a new habit is because they’ve never made it past that
six-week barrier. For your new behavior to become a habit, you must
do it daily for at least six weeks. So don’t give up too easily or too
soon. Keep at it!
suAwn pUC ijau BieE n sUDau bhuqu jqnu mY kInau ]
(633-9, soriT, mÚ 9)
Like a dog’s tail, which will never straighten out, the mind will not
change, no matter how many things are tried.
4.3
Scorpion and the Frog
swkq isau mn mylu n krIAhu ijin hir hir nwmu ibswry ]

swkq bcn ibCUAw ijau fsIAY qij swkq prY prwry ]
(981-19, nt, mÚ 4)
O mind, do not join with the faithless cynic,who has forgotten the
Name of the Lord, The word of the faithless cynic stings like a
scorpion; leave the faithless cynic far, far behind.
Once upon a time a scorpion wanted to cross a brook. On the bank

he saw a frog and asked if the frog would give him a ride to the other
side.”Oh no,” says the frog, “If I carry you on my back you will sting
me.””But why would I sting you when we would both surely perish,”
replied the scorpion. The frog eventually conceded that the scorpion
had a point, and agreed to the request. Half way across, the scorpion
stung the frog and they both began to drown.”But why did you break
your word and sting me, knowing it would be certain death for us
both?” cried the frog.”Because it is in my nature.” said the scorpion.
AMimRqu kaurw ibiKAw mITI ] swkq kI ibiD nYnhu fITI ]
kUiV kpit AhMkwir rIJwnw ] nwmu sunq jnu ibCUA fswnw ]2]
(893-1, rwmklI, mÚ 5)
Nectar seems bitter to you, and poison is sweet. Such is your condition
of faithless cynic who is fond of falsehood, fraud and egotism. If
they hear the the Name of the Lord, feels like have been stung by a
scorpion.
4.4
Black Cat - Rituals
Once upon a time there was a wise, old master, he gathered the students
together every morning at dawn and they meditated in silence as the
sun rose. One morning, a cat started ‘Mee-owing’ at the glorious sun.
It broke the student’s concentration. Every morning the students did
their meditation and the cat did its. One week later, the mee-owing
stopped just as suddenly as it had started. The students looked across
and saw the master taping up the cat’s mouth. After the meditation the
cat was released.
Peace, glorious peace...how good it sounded. The taping continued

every morning, for weeks, months, years. The Master passed away
and his successor lead the meditations. Soon afterwards the black cat
passed away too. (so far so good ...) The next morning the successor
went to the local market and bought a black cat and some tape. As
the students gathered for meditation he taped up the cat, just like his
master used to. Days passed, months passed, successors and cats
passed and now the students feel like they’ll be cursed by the master
unless a black cat taped up nearby.
Rituals... they start off as something practical, but somewhere down
the line the meaning gets lost but the mechanical actions continue,
and new ‘magical, supernatural, curses for breaking them’ attitudes
get attached to them.
Man practices rituals in order to control his body, Yet his mind wanders
in all directions. (Guru III, Vadhans Rag)
jIvq ipqr n mwnY koaU mUeyN isrwD krwhI ]
ipqr BI bpury khu ikau pwvih kaUAw kUkr KwhI ]1]
(332-11, gauVI bYrwgix, Bgq kbIr jI)
He does not honor his ancestors while they are alive, but he holds
feasts in their honor after they have died. Tell me, how can his poor
ancestors receive what the crows and the dogs have eaten up?
sMiDAw pRwq ies˜wnu krwhI ]
ijau Bey dwdur pwnI mwhI ]1]
(324-9, gauVI, kbIr jI) XXXX Awsw ] (484-14)
Those who take their ritual baths in the evening and the morning are
like the frogs in the water.
dUDu q bCrY Qnhu ibtwirE ] PUlu Bvir jlu mIin ibgwirE ]
mweI goibMd pUjw khw lY crwvau ]
Avru n PUlu AnUpu n pwvau ]1] rhwau ]
mYlwgr byrHy hY BuieAMgw ] ibKu AMimRqu bsih iek sMgw ]
The calf has contaminated the milk in the teats.The bumble bee has
contaminated the flower, and the fish the water. O mother, where shall
I find any offering for the Lord’s worship?I cannot find any other
flowers worthy of the incomparable Lord. The snakes encircle the
sandalwood trees.Poison and nectar dwell there together.
4.5
Need or Greed
During his travels, Guru Nanak Dev had spent quite some time in
Garhwal area. During these days, the Guru was passing through a
jungle. His constant companion Mardana felt desperately hungry.
When he was unable to bear the pangs of hunger, the Guru asked him
to pluck the fruit from a nearby soapnut (Reetha) tree. Guru asked
him to pluck the fruit from a nearby soapnut (Reetha) tree. “How can
I take that fruit which is bitter and poisonous?” questioned Mardana.
The Guru said, “ I’ll also join you. I am sure they will be sweet.” They
were really so. Mardana enjoyed the fruit. But he became greedy. He
took some more fruit from the tree for future needs. And he ate that
fruit after some time when he again felt hungry. To his surprise the
fruit was so bitter that he could not eat it. Guru Nanak Dev, advised
him: “Never be greedy. Greed makes sweet things bitter”. The spot
has become the famous Gurdwara Reetha Sahib.
eyhu mno mUrKu loBIAw loBy lgw luoBwnu Din jobin jgu TigAw lib loiB
AhMkwir AMqir loBu mhw gubwrw iPir iPir Awvx jwvixAw . nwnku
AwKY rwih pY clxw mwlu Dnu ikq kU sMijAwhI
This foolish mind is greedy; through greed, it becomes even more
attached to greed.The world is deceived and plundered by riches,
youth, greed and egotism. Within is the terrible darkness of greed,
and so they come and go in reincarnation, over and over again Says
Nanak, you will have to walk on the Path of Death, so why do you
bother to collect wealth and property?
Lobh or greed is the intense desire to possess material items like

money, goods, gadgets, properties, cars, jewellery, etc to an extent that
is far beyond ones real needs and requirements. It makes an individual
selfish and self-centred. It takes a person away from peace; from his
or her religious, moral and social duties. A person can become blind
with greed if an effort to control the desire for unlimited worldly pos-
sessions is not extinguished.
Sugar is a deadly trap for the flies

swkr mwKI AiDk sMqwpy ]
iglI iglI rofVI BaudI Biv Biv Awie ]
imTY mKu muAw ikau ley EfwrI ]
mKˆØI imTY mrxw ]
(1286-15, mlwr, mhlw 1)
The fly flies around, and comes to the wet lump of molasses.The fly
is caught in the sweet candy - how can it fly away?The fly dies for the
sake of sweets.
loB lhir sBu suAwnu hlku hY hlikE sBih ibgwry ]
(983-17, nt, mÚ 4)
The waves of greed are like mad dogs with rabies. Their madness
ruins everything.
Awquru nwm ibnu sMswr ]
iqRpiq n hovq kUkrI Awsw iequ lwgo ibiKAw Cwr ]1] rhwau ]
(1223-17, swrMg, mÚ 5)
Without the Naam, the Name of the Lord, the world is miserable.
Like a dog, its desires are never satisfied; it clings to the ashes of
corruption.
Sikhs do not believe that it is wrong to enjoy the good things in life, to
be wealthy or to be admired by others. The Gurus taught that human
beings should make the most of everything that God has given..
Swami Ramdas asked the Guru “You are on the spiritual throne of
Guru Nanak, a great Saint. You are wearing arms and maintain troops
and horses. You allow yourself to be addressed as Sachcha Padsah,
the True King. What sort of saint are you?“ Guru Hargobind replied,
“I display royalty only from the outside; inwardly, I’m detached like
a hermit. Guru Nanak had not renounced the world. He had only
renounced maya (illusion and ego).“ The Swami answered that this
idea appealed to him and thus he thereafter changed his teachings of
Hindu renunciation. However, if a person’s actions and thoughts are
predominantly focused on possessing material things in life he or she
can no longer focus on God then they are moving further and further
from liberation and Mukti
The seeker has first to be liberated from the yoke of the pentad (group
of five). No headway can be made towards God-realization without
discarding the cardinal evils. Kabir says, “He alone cherishes the
Lord’s feet who is rid of desire, wrath, greed and attachment — kamu
krodhu lobhu mohu bibarjit haripadu chinai soi” (SGGS p1123).
iqRpiq n hovq kUkrI Awsw iequ lwgo ibiKAw Cwr ]1] rhwau ]
(1223-17, swrMg, mÚ 5)
Like a dog, its desires are never satisfied; it clings to the ashes of
corruption.
kwim kroiD n mohIAY ibnsY loBu suAwnu ]
scY mwrig clidAw ausqiq kry jhwnu ]
ATsiT qIrQ sgl puMn jIA dieAw prvwnu ]
ijs no dyvY dieAw kir soeI purKu sujwnu ]
(136-2, mwJ, mÚ 5)
Sexual desire and anger shall not seduce you, and the dog of greed
shall depart. Those who walk on the Path of Truth shall be praised
throughout the world. Be kind to all beings-this is more meritorious
than bathing at the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage and the
giving of charity.
4.6
Coffee Beans
You may never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and
how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was
going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and
struggling. It seemed that as one problem was solved a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water.
In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the
last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without
saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the
carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and
placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it
in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me what do you
see?” Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied.
She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and
noted that they got soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it.
After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally,
she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its
rich aroma. The daughter then asked. “What’s the point, mother?”
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same
adversity--boiling water--but each reacted differently. The carrot went
in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the
boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile.
Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting
through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground
coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling
water they had changed the water.
“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks
on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a
coffee bean?”
5
It’s All Within
5.1 It’s All Within 72

5.2 Seeking True Love 77
5.3 Love 81
5.4 Moh - Attachment 84
5.5 Ant and Elephant 88
5.1
It’s All Within
Once upon a time there was a beautiful deer that spent every day
prancing around in the woods. And every day she noticed a wonderful
smell. It smelt better than rain; it smelt better than flowers; in fact,
the deer had never smelled anything so enchantingly wonderful. The
deer wondered where the smell came from. She began to sniff around,
“Sniff, sniff. Maybe this perfume is coming from inside the tree!” She
ran over to a tree, but it just smelt like a normal tree.
jYsy kurMk nhI pwieE Bydu ]
qin sugMD FUFY pRdysu ]
(1196-11, bsMqu, Bgq rivdws jI)
The deer does not know the secret; the musk is within its own body,
but it searches for it outside.
The deer pranced around, sniffing everywhere. She chased and

smelled and wondered, “Is it coming from the butterflies? Sniff,
sniff…hmmmm. No, it’s not from them. I wonder if it’s coming
from the robin! Sniff, sniff… hmmm. No, it’s not from there either.”
Although she doubted it, she even wondered if it could be coming
from the swamp. “Sniff, sniff”, she tried, “oh no, it’s not coming from
there! Hmmmm…Maybe it’s coming from the ravine or maybe the
bushes! Sniff, sniff. Sniff, sniff.” But the scent wasn’t coming from
any of these things. Where do you think it was coming from?
jo nr Brim Brim auidAwny qy swkq mUV muhy ]
ijau imRg nwiB bsY bwsu bsnw BRim BRimE Jwr ghy ]3]
(1336-11, pRBwqI, mÚ 4)
Those beings who wander in the wilderness of doubt - those faithless

cynics are foolish, and are plundered. They are like the deer: the scent
of musk comes from its own navel, but it wanders and roams around,
searching for it in the bushes. ||3||
The deer ran and pranced, she danced and ran some more, and in every
place she tried to find the source of the smell. But then she started to
get TIRED. She kept searching.”I’ll find it, it’s got to be coming from
somewhere!” she said. Even though she became really exhausted, she
ran and ran and ran, smelling here, there and everywhere. “My body
can’t keep up,” she thought, “but I must find where that wonderful
scent is coming from.” Her body slowed down but she kept trying
and trying. Then finally she couldn’t try anymore. Her body couldn’t
move and she collapsed on the ground.
AMqir vwsu bhuqu muskweI BRim BUlw imrgu isM|Hwry ]
(982-9, nt, mÚ 4)
Within the deer is the heavy fragrance of musk, but he is confused and
deluded, and he shakes his horns looking for it.
When she fell on the ground, her mind wanted to continue searching,
but her body had to rest. But then all of the sudden she smelt something,
“That’s it! That’s the scent! That’s what I’ve been trying to find! It’s
right here! That’s it for sure!” But where was it coming from? She
instantly realized something very beautiful, “Oh my goodness! It’s
coming from within me. It’s been right here all along.” She smiled
and napped peacefully.
Gr hI mih AMimRqu BrpUru hY mnmuKw swdu n pwieAw ]
ijau ksqUrI imrgu n jwxY BRmdw Brim BulwieAw ]
(644-3, soriT, mÚ 3)
The home within is filled with Ambrosial Nectar, but the self-willed
manmukh does not get to taste it. He is like the deer, who does not
recognize its own musk-scent; it wanders around, deluded by doubt.
Yes, the smell was really coming from herself. That is how God
is. People think that God is somewhere outside. But God is always
within us; never away from us: inside us and all around us. After
searching and searching, the deer finally understood that the Lord of
the Universe had been with her all along. As Guru Ram Das says:
“Ho antar naam mangaa din raatee, naamay hee saant paaee; I beg for
your Name, deep within myself, and day and night through the Name
I find peace.”
ivxu kwieAw ij hor QY Dnu Kojdy sy mUV byqwly ]
sy auJiV Brim BvweIAih ijau JwV imrgu Bwly ]15]
(309-9, gauVI, mÚ 4)
Those who search for this treasure outside of the body, in other places,
are foolish demons. They wander around in the wilderness of doubt,
like the deer who searches for the musk in the bushes.
Love
There was once a simple shepherd who lived a really simple life and
he had really simple needs. He would look after his sheep everyday,
they were his only family and he would really enjoy looking after
them...
One night as he sat down to eat under the roof of the starlit sky, an
overwhelming feeling of love came over him. He looked up and
he saw the night sky lit up with thousands of brilliant stars and he
thought, “Wow, you are wonderful!! You created the heavenly stars
and you also created a fool like me!”
He felt so proud to part of the same creation as the beautiful stars.

With love filled eyes he said “Tonight, I do not want to eat alone. I
want you to eat with me! If you are hungry like me then I would rather
feed you. If your clothes are tattered like mine then I would rather
mend them than mine. If you smell the way I do then I would rather
bathe you - I have no need to keep these things for myself - if I give
them to you then it means I also have them!!” The simple man then
said “give me a sign that you are here with me and only then shall I
begin to eat.”
A Faqir was walking past at the same time as this simple man was
saying his plea to God. Upon hearing what the simple man was saying
the Faqir become infuriated. He went over to the simple man and
said “How dare you say these things about God!! God doesn’t have
tattered clothes, He is never hungry and He does not smell!!” Upon
saying these things to the simple man he slapped him as hard as he
could and walked off saying “You should be ashamed of yourself!!”
The simple man was still in a state of bliss and said “If you choose to
slap me then that is also a divine blessing!! I Love You.” The shepherd
accepted this as his sign that God was with him and began to eat.
When the Faqir got home he sat down to do his prayers, a voice came
and said “Faqir, what have I done to upset you?” The Faqir realised
that it was God’s voice said “Father, nothing you do could ever upset
me!”
“Then why did you slap me?” said the voice. “Slap you? Father I
could never slap you!!” said the Faqir.
“I was enjoying the love that the shepherd was giving me, so I sat in
his soul, then you came along and slapped him and therefore slapped
me,” said the voice. “But father, he was saying disrespectful things to
you, I had to stop him” said the Faqir. “The insult is in the intention
my son, those words that he was saying were like a love song to me
because I could feel his heart, while you listened to his words and not
his heart!” said the voice.
The Faqir realised what a mistake he had made and asked God for
forgiveness...
Who are we to say where God is not... only He knows where He is.
We must think before we act...
5.2
Seeking True Love
There is a very famous and often quoted line from the writing of Guru
Gobind Singh Ji titled “Tav Parsad Savvaiyae” in which he says:
swcu khoN sun lyhu sBY ijn pRym kIE iqn hI pRB pwieE ]
Listen all! I declare the truth, that those of who become loving alone
will realize God.
But, we usually associate the term love with loving another person;
usually of the opposite sex. That is the kind of love that we nurture
with another person of flesh and blood. However, here Guru Ji is
talking about another dimension of love. This love is neither for a
person; nor of a romantic type, as is immortalized in the legions of
books like Romeo and Juliet, or Heer and Ranja etc. Instead, it is love
for God and that, too, is steeped in a deep sense of reverence. The love
that Guru Ji is referring to is not for a person, but a personal nature
and a trait
mohI pRym ipry pRiB AibnwsI rwm ]
(SGGS, Pg. No. 843)
I am enticed by the love of my Husband Lord, the Eternal, Imperish-
able Lord God.However, the pangs of separation, besides springing
forth feelings of emptiness, anxiousness, and anxiety, are like those
experienced in the worldly love. However, there is an added new
dimension here - a keen desire for reunion. Such is the heart and
feelings of the truly intoxicated in the divine love.
mU lwln isau pRIiq bnI ]
rhwau ]
qorI n qUtY CorI n CUtY AYsI mwDo iKMc qnI ]
(SGGS, Pg. No. 827)
I have fallen in love with my Beloved Lord. Pause. Cutting it, it does
not break, and releasing it, it does not let go. Such is the string the
Lord has tied me with.
The quotations above express love as a state of mind as experienced

by Guru Ji, and how he stays in that state of mind. That day and
night Guru Ji is thankful from his heart, because that bonding has
grown in him. Further, he prays to God please bless him, so that this
feeling may be continuously nurtured. He says that every attempt to
disengage from it or snap from it fails. This is not falling in love but
is rising in love and ascending higher. Now, let us explore; if we can
taste the same steep love for God from the Banis of Bhagats in Guru
Granth Sahib. Bhagat Ravidas has expressed his true love with God
in these words:
swcI pRIiq hm qum isau jorI ]
qum isau joir Avr sMig qorI ]
(SGGS, Pg. No. 659)
I am joined in true love with You, Lord. I am joined with You, and I
have broken with all others.
In this line we can see the true expressions of love for God, while
having disconnected from others. In fact all the above quotes share
with us the emotions of special bond of love with the divine. In
elsewhere Ravi Das says on page 487 that because of this love I will
not come back in incarnations. We all have this same yearning that
we try to fulfill in our worldly relationships with our beloved, spouse,
parents, and children. But our experiences have not been so fulfilling
nor have they been nurturing. So, where should we turn for help?
Guru Ji advises how to seek help:
ik®pw iniD bshu irdY hir nIq ]
qYsI buiD krhu prgwsw lwgY pRB sMig pRIiq ]
(SGGS, Pg. No. 712)
O Lord, ocean of mercy, please abide forever in my heart. Please

awaken such understanding within me, that I may be in love with
You, God.
ivxu sqgur gux n jwpnI ijcru sbid n kry bIcwru ]”
(SGGS, Pg. No. 936)
Without the True Guru, one does not see God’s Virtues; one does not
chant the Glorious Virtues of God.
So, Guru Ji is asking us to seek guidance of Guru to develop virtues.

How do we develop the virtues within and how can we meet them to
learn from them? Before developing virtues the first step is to have
understanding of virtues, seeing the virtues, and then appreciating
them. Thus the Guru Ji will become the conduit and the coach for
the entire process. A Sikh, who is a seeker, will experience the loving
nature emanating within. A Sikh can only pray to Guru Ji and seek
help, to nurture in him/her this tender sapling that it grows into a
giant flowering tree. Let us pray that Guru Ji may provide us with
such a blessing that a giant tree of loving with flowers of beauty and
fragrance grows within us. Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s these words may
become our reality of life:
AYsI pRIiq goivMd isau lwgI ]
myil ley pUrn vfBwgI ]
(SGGS, Pg. No. 198)
Such is my love for the Lord of the Universe; through perfect good
destiny, I have been united with Him.
Gurus have extorted us repeatedly to love God wholeheartedly;

without expectations of any returns. Guru Ji has given us many similes
of the type of love that he is talking about. These include references
to water lily (lotus), and fish regarding their love for water. Guru has
given more examples to emphasize the point by referring to a song
bird’s yearning for rain drop and so on. In conclusion; Guru Ji says
that without the Guru this love does not emanate within.
5.3
Love
ibnu jl pRwn qjy hY mInw ijin jl isau hyqu bFwieE ]

kml hyiq ibnisE hY Bvrw auin mwrgu inkis n pwieE ]
Ab mn eyks isau mohu kInw ]
DnwsrI mhlw 5 ]
(670-17)
The fish out of water loses its life; itis deeply in love with the water.
The bumble bee, totally in love with the lotus flower, is lost in it; it
cannot find the way to escape from it Now, my mind has nurtured love
for the One Lord.
mwrvwiV jYsy nIru bwlhw byil bwlhw krhlw ]
ijau kurMk inis nwdu bwlhw iqau myrY min rwmeIAw ]
qyrw nwmu rUVo rUpu rUVo Aiq rMg rUVo myro rwmeIAw ]1]
rhwau ]
ijau DrxI kau ieMdRü bwlhw kusm bwsu jYsy Bvrlw ]
ijau koikl kau AMbu bwlhw iqau myrY min rwmeIAw ]
ckvI kau jYsy sUru bwlhw mwn srovr hMsulw ]
ijau qruxI kau kMqu bwlhw iqau myrY min rwmeIAw ]
bwirk kau jYsy KIru bwlhw cwiqRk muK jYsy jlDrw ]
mCulI kau jYsy nIru bwlhw iqau myrY min rwmeIAw ]
DnwsrI, Bgq nwmdyv jI (693-13)
As water is very precious in the desert, and the creeper weeds are dear
to the camel, and the tune of the hunter’s bell at night is enticing to the
deer, so is the Lord to my mind.Your Name is so beautiful! Your form
is so beautiful! Your Love is so very beautiful, O my Lord. As rain
is dear to the earth, and the flower’s fragrance is dear to the bumble
bee,and the mango is dear to the cuckoo, so is the Lord to my mind.
As the sun is dear to the chakvi duck, and the lake of Man Sarovar is
dear to the swan,and the husband is dear to his wife, so is the Lord to
my mind As milk is dear to the baby, and the raindrop is dear to the
mouth of the rainbird,and as water is dear to the fish, so is the Lord
to my mind.
There were two loving elephants living in a forest. Both were walking
in the forest looking for water. They found small amount of water.
The male elephant asked the female elephant to have the water. The
female elephant said, you are tired and thirsty. You have the water. I
can manage for a while. Both requested the other one to drink. In the
end, they decided that both will put the trunks and drink. Both the
trunks were inside, but the level of water had not come down. The
male elephant was holding his breath and waited for the female to
drink. The female was not drinking waiting for the male to drink
In our life, are we willing to look into the needs of other people?
Our selfishness has to go away. It is important we learn to look after
others’ needs.
ry mn AYsI hir isau pRIiq kir jYsI jl duD hoie ]
Awvtxu Awpy KvY duD kau Kpix n dyie ]
Awpy myil ivCuMinAw sic vifAweI dyie ]4]
As the water loves the milk, added to the milk, itself bears the heat,
and prevents the milk from burning. God unites the separated ones
and blesses them with true greatness.
ry mn AYsI hir isau pRIiq kir jYsI jl kmlyih ]
lhrI nwil pCwVIAY BI ivgsY Asnyih ]
(59-19, isrIrwgu, mhlw 1)
O mind, love the Lord, as the lotus loves the water. Tossed about by
the waves, it still blossoms with love.
5.4
Moh - Attachment
Moh is used in the sense of attachment with mundane things and in

this meaning it seeks to convey attitude of the self. In Sikhism this
term conveys both of these senses, namely, a sense of being cheated
of consciousness (delusion) as well as an attitude of attachment for
the mundane. Guru Nanak says, “The whole world is engulfed by
mundane values and attachment to it.”’ At an-other place he says,
“MoH creates the family ; through moh are all works. Rid yourself
then of moh, for it leads to nothing but sin. 0, thou brave one, shed
your moh and doubt.”
kwlbUq kI hsqnI mn baurw ry clqu ricE jgdIs ]
kwm suAwie gj bis pry mn baurw ry AMksu sihE sIs ]1]
mrkt mustI Anwj kI mn baurw ry lInI hwQu pswir ]
CUtn ko shsw pirAw mn baurw ry nwicE Gr Gr bwir ]2]
This is the play of the Creator my crazy mind, that a mold of a female
elephant is placed,and because of its lust the elephant goes for it, gets
caught and has to bear the iron rod used by its driver. The monkey
stretches out its hand, O crazy mind, and takes a handful of corn; now
unable to escape, O crazy mind, it is made to dance door to door. Like
the parrot caught in the trap, O crazy mind, you trapped by the affairs
of Maya. Kabir, p 335.
The fifth Guru addresses to this propensity thus : “0, unconquer-able,

0 powerful hero of the battle-field, that moves down everything before
it. It has enticed away the hearts of even the gods and their attendants,
heavenly musicians, the men, animal life and the birds.”
imRg mIn iBRMg pqMg kuMcr eyk doK ibnws ]
pMc doK AswD jw mih qw kI kyqk Aws ]
The deer loves music, the fish goes for the bait, the moth for the lamp,
the bumblebee for the flower and the elephant to satisfy lust; they
all have one vice each for which they suffer; what hope then for the
humans who have five uncontrollable vices. Ravidas, p 486.
jYsw rMgu ksuMB kw mn baurw ry iqau psirE pwswru ]3]
Like the parrot caught in the trap, O crazy mind, you trapped by the
affairs of Maya.Like the weak dye of the safflower, O crazy mind, so
is the expanse of this world of form and substance.
We may recognise that it is a tendency whereby men cling to the

things with which they identify themselves, that is, the family, wealth,
etc. This ultimately reduces the individual’s chance of viewing things
in the right perspective. It narrows down the individual’s outlook and
may, therefore, help cause and feed his narrow prejudices. It is all
pervasive.
ijau imil bCry gaU pRIiq lgwvY ]
kwmin pRIiq jw ipru Gir AwvY ]
hir jn pRIiq jw hir jsu gwvY ]
As the cow shows her love to her strayed calf when she finds it,and
as the bride shows her love for her husband when he returns home,so
does the Lord’s humble servant love to sing the Praises of the Lord.
Moh may be the outcome of one’s ignorance of the real and the
changing nature of the things of this world .In Sikhism the ideal life
is that of the householder and, therefore, the attitude of non-attach-
ment is to be viewed in the same perspective. The non-attachment,
therefore, is to be a matter of the attitude and is not to be realized by
leaving the home and running away from social responsibilities. it is
impressed upon the seeker that the cultivation of non-attachment has
to be carried on within the context of social participation. Non-attach-
ment is not equated with renunciation of social duties, or asceticism.
The ideal stressed by the Gurus in this regard is that one ought to live
in the world just as the lotus flower lives in water. The flower is in the
water and is yet unaffected by it in the sense that it does not sink in
the water. Similarly, man should not renounce the social context but
at the same time he ought not to be attached to it.
myry Twkur ky jn Ailpq hY mukqy ijau murgweI pMku n BIjY ]
cMdn vwsu BuieAMgm vyVI ikv imlIAY cMdnu lIjY ]
kwiF KVgu gur igAwnu krwrw ibKu Cyid Cyid rsu pIjY ]3]
(kilAwn, mÚ 4)
The humble servants of my Lord and Master are unattached and

liberated. They are like ducks, whose feathers do not get wet. The
fragrant sandalwood tree is encircled by snakes; how can anyone get
to the sandalwood? Drawing out the Mighty Sword of the Guru’s
Spiritual Wisdom, I slaughter and kill the poisonous snakes, and drink
in the Sweet Nectar.
jYsy jl mih kmlu inrwlmu murgweI nY swxy ]
suriq sbid Bv swgru qrIAY nwnk nwmu vKwxy rhih iekWiq eyko min
visAw Awsw mwih inrwso ]
(938-16, rwmklI, mÚ 1)
The lotus flower floats untouched upon the surface of the water,
and the duck swims through the stream; with one’s consciousness
focused on the Word of the Shabad, one crosses over the terrifying
world-ocean. O Nanak, chant the Naam, the Name of the Lord. One
who lives alone, as a hermit, enshrining the One Lord in his mind,
remaining unaffected by hope in the midst of hope.
5.5
Ant and Elephant
There lived an elephant in a forest. It was big and powerful. The

elephant was so strong that it could fell the trees. It could also kill
lions, tigers and other wild animals. In course of time, due to its big
size and great strength, its pride grew bigger and bigger.
One day, the elephant met an ant. Looking at the ant, the elephant
laughed, “What a puny creature you are! You look so weak and tiny!
I pity you. Look at me. I am the mightiest animal in the forest. I can
do anything in this world.”
The ant listened to the elephant and smiled, without saying a word.
Very soon, dark clouds gathered in the sky. It began to drizzle. The
elephant and the ant moved into a nearby cave to take shelter there.
The elephant, looking at the tiny ant, laughed again and said, “Look
at my size. I can crush you under my foot. You won’t even know how
to save yourself.”
Feeling proud of its size and strength, the elephant started dancing in
the cave. Due to the thumping of its heavy feet, a big stone lying atop
the cave fell in front of the cave, covering its mouth fully.
The elephant walked proudly towards the stone and tried to move it
but could not. It tried with all its might, but all in vain. The elephant
could not come out of the cave.
However, the ant, due to its tiny size, easily came out of the cave
through a small opening. Now it was the ant’s turn to speak?”Look,
you elephant! What I could do, you can’t! On account of your mighty
size, you will have to remain in this cave for the rest of your life. What
you considered to be your strength has proved to be your greatest
problem.
The elephant remained locked up inside the cave and died a painful
death.
AYsI Bgiq goivMd kI kIit hsqI jIqw ]
jo jo kIno Awpno iqsu ABY dwnu dIqw ]2]
(809-19, iblwvlu, mÚ 5)
Such is devotional worship of the Lord of the Universe, that the ant
can overpower the elephant.Whoever the Lord makes His own, is
blessed with the gift of fearlessness.
hir BieE KWfu ryqu mih ibKirE hsqMØI cuinE n jweI ]
kih kmIr kul jwiq pWiq qij cItI hoie cuin KweI ]2]3]12]
(972-11, rwmklI, Bgq kbIr jI)
The Lord is like sugar, spilled onto the sand; the elephant cannot pick
it up.Says Kabeer, give up your ancestry, social status and honor; be
like the tiny ant - pick up and eat the sugar.
6
Success
6.1 Success 91
6.2 frogs 97
6.3 Butterfly 99
6.3 Bee 101
6.4 Ant 108
6.1
Success
mnu qnu hoie culµBu jy siqgur BwieAw ]

clY jnmu svwir vKru scu lY ]
The mind and body are dyed in the deep red color of devotional love,
if it pleases the True Guru. He departs with his life embellished and
successful, taking the merchandise of the True Name.
To some people, success might mean wealth. To others, it is recogni-

tion, good health, good family, happiness, satisfaction, and peace of
mind. What this really tells us is that success is subjective. It can mean
different things to different people. Success is the progressive realiza-
tion of a worthy goal.”Progressive” means that success is a journey,
not a destination. After we reach one goal, we go on to the next and
the next and the next.”Realization” means it is an experience. Outside
forces cannot make me feel successful. I have to feel it within myself.
It is internal not external.
mukiq Bugiq jugiq hir nwau ]
nwnk jo pRB BwixAw pUrI iqnw prI ]
Liberation, pleasures and worldly success are all in the Lord’s Name.O
Nanak, those who are pleasing to God become perfectly successful.
“Worthy” refers to our value system. Which way are we heading?

Positive or negative? Worthiness determines the quality of the journey.
That is what gives meaning and fulfillment. Success without fulfill-
ment is empty. Success does not mean being accepted by everyone.
There are some groups you would not want to be accepted by, out of
choice. You would rather be criticized by fools than appreciated by
unsavory characters.
scw Drmu puMnu Blw krwey ]
dIn kY qosY dunI n jwey ]
One who practices truth, righteous living, charity and good deeds,fol-
lows God’s Path. Worldly success shall not fail him.
min qin hir gwvih prm suKu pwvih
hir ihrdY hir gux igAwnu jIau ]
gux igAwnu pdwrQu hir hir ikrqwrQu soBw gurmuiK hoeI ]
With mind and body, they sang of the Lord, and attained supreme
peace. In their hearts was the spiritual wisdom of the Lord’s Glorious
Virtues. Their wealth was the spiritual wisdom of the Lord’s Glorious
Virtues; the Lord was their success, and to live as Gurmukh was their
glory.
Success can be defined as manifestation of good luck that results from

inspiration, aspiration, desperation and perspiration; generally in that
sequence. Success and happiness go hand in hand. Success is getting
what you want and happiness is what you get! Existence alone is not
success! It is a lot more! Success doesn’t mean the absence of failures;
it means the attainment of ultimate objectives. It means winning the
war, not every battle. One may have met people who literally wander
through life. They simply accept whatever fate brings them. A few
may succeed by accident, but most suffer through a lifetime of frus-
tration and unhappiness. Human nature generally resists change.
Regardless of its positive or negative effect, change can be stressful.
Sometimes we get so comfortable with our negativity that even when
the change is for the positive, we don’t want to accept it. We stay
with the negative. A man once owned an eagle, and for many years
kept him chained to a stake. Every day the eagle walked around and
around that stake, and over time wore a rut in the ground. When the
eagle was getting old, his master felt sorry for him and decided to set
him free. So he took the metal ring off the eagle’s foot, lifted the eagle
from the ground, and tossed him into the air. He was free--but he had
forgotten how to fly! He flip-flopped to the ground, walked back over
to his old rut, and started walking in circles like he had for years. No
chain and shackle held him, just the habit! There is a saying: “The
chains of bad habits are too weak to be felt until they are too strong
to be broken” --and that would be true if it weren’t for the Lord and
His power. You may think it’s not possible for you to change, but if
you really want to and are sincerely willing to, God can change you
by the miracle-working power of His Spirit. He’ll do things you can’t
do! You may have to put a great deal of your own will to the trans-
formation process as well, but with God’s strength and His interven-
tion, you’ll find you have more resolve, determination, and Building
Habits ability to change than you ever thought possible.
Have you ever wondered why some individuals, organizations, or

countries are more successful than others? None of them works unless
they have the right foundation, and the right foundation is TQP. What
is TQP?
TQP is Total Quality People - people with character, integrity, good
values, and a positive attitude.
mukiq jugiq rvwl swDU nwnk hir iniD lhI ]
Liberation and worldly success come from the dustof the feet of the
Holy Saints; Nanak has obtained the Lord’s treasure
Success is not an accident. It is the result of our attitude and our

attitude is a choice. Hence success is a matter of choice and not
chance. A priest was driving by and saw an exceptionally beautiful
farm. He stopped his car to appreciate the bountiful crop. The farmer
was riding on his tractor and saw the priest at the corner. He drove
towards the Priest and when he got there the priest said, “God has
blessed you with a beautiful farm. You should be grateful for it. The
farmer replied,” Yes, God has blessed me with a beautiful farm and I
am grateful for it, but you should have seen this farm when God had
the whole farm to himself!”
The lesson of focus
Woodpecker is much smarter than we are. Yes, he beats his head

against a tree, but he does it so very successfully. His goal is always
realistic – he never tries to split the tree in half and in a single motion,
as many of us do. Woodpecker stays focused. He never knocks at all
sides of a tree at the same time. He focuses his effort on a single point,
slowly getting to his worm. What we always want is not a worm but
at least a snake. We want to find the snake under lose leaves sprinkled
on the ground leaving hard to reach places unchecked.
Stream Lesson
The fish always swims against the current and rarely downstream.
This is crazy! Right? Why would they complicate their lives when
they could use the force of the current to move down the stream? In
fact, moving upstream allows more water to pass through their gills. It
brings more oxygen and food. So life of the fish swimming upstream
is several times richer. In contrast to the fish, we always try to go with
the flow or ‘swim in the stagnant water’. As a result, instead of 40
years of experience, we repeat a one-year experience 40 times. We do
not want to leave our comfort zone, and then wonder why our life was
so dull and unsuccessful. We want to win the lottery of life, not even
buying a lottery ticket.
Soil you face with blood
Lion cubs know how to learn. And they do not learn from textbooks
but rather from the older, more experienced lions. They know exactly
– in order to learn how to hunt, they should soil their muzzles with
blood. We are even afraid to soil our hands. We learn hunting as we
sit in a classroom and look at the board dressed teacher-hare. Or even
worse, - we lock ourselves in a room and study ourselves, but when
it comes to real hunting, we do not know how, we are afraid of the
smell of blood.
Wiggle your social tail first
In the 21st century, is not important what you do yourself. What is

important is how efficiently you motivate others. A perfect example
of this is a dog. The dog does not think: “First, you bring me home,
feed and wash me and then I’ll wiggle my tail and play with you.” No!
Dog first shows his good feelings, and only then gets what it wants in
return. Dogs do not force you to do anything; they make you want to
do everything for them.
Do not whine
Snake does not think: “I have no arms or legs, I have poor eyesight,
I was not born in this country, and my parents did not care about me
since I had hatched.” Snake efficiently uses what it has. We even are
scared of the “disabled animal”. If snake does not like something, it
just changes the skin and creeps forward without regrets.
6.2
Frogs
kUpu BirE jYsy dwidrw kCu dysu ibdysu n bUJ ]

AYsy myrw mnu ibiKAw ibmoihAw kCu Awrw pwru n sUJ ]
The frog in the deep well knows nothing of its own country or other
lands; just so, my mind, infatuated with corruption, understands
nothing about this world or the next.
Once upon a time there was a bunch of baby frogs.... participating in a

competition. The target was to get to the top of a high tower. A crowd
of people had gathered to observe the race and encourage the partici-
pants..... Quite honestly: None of the onlookers believed that the baby
frogs could actually accomplish getting to the top of the tower. Words
like: “Åh , it’s too difficult!!! They’ll never reach the top.” or: “Not
a chance... the tower is too high!”were coming from the onlookers.
One by one some of the baby frogs fell off… ...Except those who
fastly climbed higher and higher.. The crowd kept on yelling:”It’s
too difficult. Nobody is going to make it!” More baby frogs became
tired and gave up... ...But one kept going higher and higher.....He was
not about giving up! At the end everybody had given up, except the
one determined to reach the top! All the other participants naturally
wanted to know how he had managed to do what none of the others
had been able to do! One competitor asked the winner, what was his
secret? The winner said, I am deaf!!!!
Don’t ever listen to people who are negative and pessimistic...…they

will deprive you of your loveliest dreams
Always be aware of the power of words, as everything you hear and

read will interfere with your actions!
Therefore: Always stay… POSITIVE! And most of all: Turn a deaf ear
when people tell you, that you cannot achieve your dreams! Always
believe: You can make it!
ivxu mnu mwry koie n isJeI vyKhu ko ilv lwie ]
(650-14, soriT, mÚ 3)
Without conquering his mind, no one can be successful.

myry mn jip hir gun AkQ sunQeI Drmu ArQu sBu kwmu moKu hY jn pICY
lig iPrQeI ]1]
O my mind, chant the Glorious Praises of the Lord, which are said
to be inexpressible. Rightousness and Dharmic faith, success and
prosperity, pleasure, the fulfillment of desires and liberation - all
follow the humble servant of the Lord like a shadow.
6.3
Butterfly
hau hau BIiq BieE hY bIco sunq dyis inktwieE ]

BWBIrI ky pwq prdo ibnu pyKy dUrwieE ]
BieE ikrpwlu srb ko Twkuru sgro dUKu imtwieE ]
khu nwnk haumY BIiq guir KoeI qau dieAwru bITlo pwieE ]
(624-12, soriT, mÚ 5)
The wall of egotism and pride separates us, but I can hear Him nearby.
There is a veil between us, like the wings of a butterfly; without being
able to see Him, He seems so far away. The Lord and Master of all
has become merciful; He has dispelled all my sufferings. Says Nanak,
when the Guru tore down the wall of egotism, then, I found my
Merciful Lord and Master.
”One day, a small opening appeared in a cocoon; a man sat and

watched for the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force
its body through that little hole. Then, it seems to stop making any
progress.It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could
not go any further. So the man decided to help the butterfly: he took
a pair of scissors and opened the cocoon.The butterfly then emerged
easily.But it had a withered body, it was tiny and shriveled wings. The
man continued to watch because he expected that, at any moment,
the wings would open, enlarge and expand, to be able to support
the butterfly’s body, and become firm. Neither happened!In fact, the
butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a withered
body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly. What the man, in
his kindness and his goodwill did not understand was that the restrict-
ing cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through
the tiny opening, were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of
the butterfly into its wings, so that it would be ready for flight once
it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Sometimes, struggles are
exactly what we need in our life.If God allowed us to go through our
life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as
strong as we could have been. Never been able to fly.

6.3
Bee
ijau mDu mwKI sMcY Apwr ]

mDu lIno muiK dInI Cwru ]
gaU bwC kau sMcY KIru ]
glw bWiD duih lyie AhIru ]2]
mwieAw kwrin sRmu Aiq krY ]
so mwieAw lY gwfY DrY ]
Aiq sMcY smJY nhI mUV@ ]
Dnu DrqI qnu hoie gieE DUiV ]3]
(1252-11, swrMg, Bgq nwmdyv jI)
The bee stores up loads of honey; then someone comes and takes the
honey, and throws dust in its mouth. The cow stores up loads of milk;
then the milkman comes and ties it by its neck and milks it. For the
sake of Maya, the mortal works very hard. He takes the wealth of
Maya, and buries it in the ground. This wealth remains buried in the
ground, while his body turns to dust
In size the man is about a hundred million times larger than the bee,

but in intelligence the bee is about a hundred million times larger than
the man.
The man gazes proudly at his handiwork the great skyscrapers which
blend into distance, and says to himself – “See what a wonderful being
I am; see what great buildings I have constructed; see what evolution
has done for the human race; see the wealth I have created.”
The intelligent little bee, standing guard at the entrance to its hive,
hears the man boasting and replies – “Yes, it is true you have made
wonderful changes on the earth’s surface; you have turned dirt into
sky-scrapers; you have built powerful locomotives; you have mastered
the air and you have measured the distance to the stars; but one thing
you have not done, in spite of all your achievement, is to discover
the possibilities within that head of yours. Another thing you have
not discovered is the community spirit! You have yet to find out that
there is something in the world to work for which is greater than your
individual welfare.
“You work for the selfish end of taking away from your fellow-work-
ers that which they have acquired. You have not yet discovered the
‘hive spirit’ which we little bees observe. We store honey for the good
of the hive, while you store up money with which to strangle your
fellow-worker and control him for your individual gain.”
What a wonderful little insect!
What a wonderful lesson he can teach us if we will only watch him,

analyze his habits, and think!
The bee is the only living thing on earth that can control and determine
sex before birth!

Man, in all of his wisdom, with all of his advancement, with all of his
knowledge of biology and physiology can neither predetermine nor
control sex!
The little honey-bee can control sex!
Go out and buy a book on bees and study up on them. Go out to the
hive, lie down in front of it and watch the bee at his work. He is an
interesting little insect, from which you can learn much that will be
of value to you.
There are three kinds of bees in every hive. One is the Queen, which
is the mother or female bee. She lays the eggs and keeps the race
alive. That is her sole duty. Then, there is the drone, or the male bee.
His sole function is to fertilize the eggs which the female lays. Then,
there are the workers – those little, intelligent fellows who gather the
honey from the flowers and store it up for the use of the whole hive.
They are neither male nor female.
There is only one female or Queen bee in each hive. If a boy throws
a rock into the hive and kills the Queen, or if she dies from any other
cause, the other bees, through a process known only to the bee, imme-
diately fertilize an egg that will hatch out another Queen bee in as
very short time.
After the male bee has performed the function for which Nature
created him, the workers jump on him and sting him to death. There
is a decree in “bee-kingdom” that all who do not work must get out!
Not a bad idea.
You will notice that most of the bees in every hive are workers! This
is no mere accident upon the part of Nature. She has provided the bees
with a method of producing drones, females and workers in whatever

proportion they may determine.
But the greatest lesson that man can learn from the bee is that of
unselfishness!
Bees work with the community spirit. They recognize something

higher than the individual himself. They work for their fellow-bees
and not against them.
They store up honey in a common storehouse, from which the whole

hive may eat.
Imagine selfish, stingy, conceited man doing likewise! Imagine man

sharing the product of his labors with his fellowmen unless by so
doing he gets more than he givers!
Man has advanced far beyond the bee, in some respects, but may it
not be possible that he kicked out of the harness and strayed away
from Nature’s plans when he discarded the “community spirit” and
started in to defeat and defraud his fellow-workers out of that which
they have accumulated?
We do not profess to know what are Nature’s plans, but we strongly

suspect that before man can enjoy the blessings which are here and
available for him he must overcome the spirit of greed, the tendency
to get without giving and come back to the bee habit of working for
the “hive!”
only real happiness which one enjoys is that which comes from
serving his fellowmen
After you have looked everywhere else for the cause of your unhap-
piness, turn the spotlight on your own heart, examine the thoughts in

which you have been indulging, and you may find it. Go out and get
whatever you wish by first giving.
And whether a man is conscious of this fact or not, his acts toward
his fellowmen are coming back to him greatly multiplied. You are
constantly attracting to you men and forces which exactly harmonize
with your own thoughts, and deeds! There is no escape from this. It is
in accordance with a law of the universe.
In all this strife, in all this chaotic turmoil which is going on between
so-called “capital” and “labor,” we see a perfect antithesis of the “hive
spirit.”
What a profitable lesson both sides could learn from the humble little
honey-bee!
We believe the only real success comes from useful service – service
which helps others attain monetary success and happiness. Anything
short of this sort of service is not success, but failure!
We believe the human race must develop the “hive spirit” before it
can advance higher. On every-hand we see the futility of trying to get
without giving. Before we have anything to give we must prepare,
through practice and labor; we must develop the community spirit.
“All great things are accomplished easily – it is the years, the hours,
the moments of preparation that count. Thomas Edison was not twenty
minutes, proving the value of the incandescent light – he spent a life
time seeking the best filament. Abraham Lincoln wrote the greatest
speech ever made in the English language – the Gettysburg address
– on the back of an envelope, an hour before he delivered it – yet,
the deep understanding the rugged spirit, the infinite compassion, the
whole life of Lincoln thrills in its every word.

“Work – constantly, patiently, every day – striving toward the highest
and the best. The moments of supreme action will come to you as they
have come to all men we call great. The way of success is the way of
struggle. Strive for perfection in the little things you do, and when the
great moment comes you will be ready. You get your strength in the
sweat of your body – in the tumult of your mind – in the aspiration of
your soul.
And, before you start to run the race which is going to mean success
or failure to you, there is a great lesson which you can learn from the
little honey-bee – that of persistency!
It matters not how many times man robs the store-house of the bee,.
it will begin all over and replenish its supply of. honey. No bee was
ever known to wail or complain that someone had stolen the fruits of
its labor. How unlike man the bee is in this respect. No bee ever quit
trying as long as it was able to gather honey.
All down the road of life you will meet obstacles, many of them.
Time after time failure will stare you in the face, but just remember
this – that there is a great lesson in every obstacle you master and
in every failure which you overcome. It is a part of Nature’s plan
to place obstacles in your way. Every time you master one of these,
you become stronger and better prepared for the next one. Obstacles
are nothing more or less than necessary. hurdles which train you and
make you fit for the great race of life!
If you begin the New Year with a firm resolution to perform MORE
work and BETTER work than you are paid to perform, you are apt to
make this your most prosperous year.
Do not waste any time pitying the man who has met with many

reverses and overcome numberless obstacles; he will be able to take
care of himself; but, if you have sympathy that you wish to squander,
give it to the man who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and
who has never known what it is to go hungry, and who has never
found it necessary to permit any desire to go unsatisfied.‘ He is the
fellow who really needs your sympathy; the others will know how to
take care of themselves.
Any fool can QUIT the job when things go wrong, but the man who
has the right sort of stuff in him MASTERS the obstacles that made
him want to quit and when he has done this he no longer wants to quit.

6.4
Ant
khq kbIr sunhu ry sMqhu kItI prbqu KwieAw ]
Says Kabeer, listen, O Saints - the ant has eaten the mountain.
One morning I wasted nearly an hour watching a tiny ant carry a

huge feather across my back terrace. Several times it was confronted
by obstacles in its path and after a momentary pause it would make
the necessary detour. At one point the ant had to negotiate a crack in
the concrete about 10mm wide. After brief contemplation the ant laid
the feather over the crack, walked across it and picked up the feather
on the other side then continued on its way. I was fascinated by the
ingenuity of this ant, one of God’s smallest creatures. It served to
reinforce the miracle of creation. Here was a minute insect, lacking
in size yet equipped with a brain to reason, explore, discover and
overcome. But this ant, like the two-legged co-residents of this planet,
also shares human failings. After some time the ant finally reached its
destination– a flower bed at the end of the terrace and a small hole
that was the entrance to its underground home. And it was here that
the ant finally met its match. How could that large feather possibly

fit down that small hole? Of course it couldn’t. So the ant, after all
this trouble and exercising great ingenuity, overcoming problems all
along the way, just abandoned the feather and went home. The ant had
not thought the problem through before it began its epic journey and
in the end the feather was nothing more than a burden. Isn’t life like
that! We worry about our family, we worry about money or the lack
of it, we worry about work, about where we live, about all sorts of
things. These are all burdens – the things we pick up along life’s path
and lug them around the obstacles and over the crevasses that life will
bring, only to find that at the destination they are useless and we can’t
take them with us.
When one ant finds food, others immediately gathered to help pull the
food to their storage. Disturb the pattern, quickly, they come together
and evacuate it. Then they get re-organized and continued on the line
they had created. There is no form of supervision, yet they accomplish
tremendous tasks, such as moving pieces of food that were about 30
times their individual sizes. As the follower ants learn the new route
by recognising and remembering landmarks, they would be slower
along the path than the leader ants. Leader ants would actually slow
down their journey to allow the follower ants to catch up with them.
In all aspects of training and instruction therefore, the leader ants
appeared to be teaching the followers. In fact, if the leader ants raced
directly to the food on their own, they would arrive four times faster.
Occasionally some leader ants grabbed the followers by the mouth
and dragged them to the source of the food! This was three times
faster than having a follower tag along. Leading and teaching the
followers to memorize landmarks and to communicate by tapping
their antennae was a much slower process. Yet most of the time, the
leader ants appeared willing to teach the followers at the personal cost

of slowing down their own efficiency and effectiveness. The leader
and follower ants were running together in tandem and this action
also involved bidirectional feedback between mentor and mentee. If
the gap between the leader and follower was too close, the leader
accelerated its pace. If the gap was too far, the leader slowed down.
Meanwhile, the follower ants were also seen to tap the leaders with
their antennae when they caught up, seemingly providing acknowl-
edgement and encouragement to proceed to the next step.
Ants are diligent workers and frequently carry loads larger than
themselves. We see immediately the application that we also need to
be diligent workers. After all, isn’t the queen the ruler of the colony?
World Book Encyclopedia states: “No single ant rules the colony…
The queen is not the ruler of the colony. . . . The ant colony has no
government, although the tasks are divided among the workers.” All
the ants in the colony work together, each apparently “knowing” what
to do and doing its part. This principle is certainly well-illustrated in
ant colonies. Each ant is made for a particular function and spends
its life doing what it was created to do. There are workers, nursery
attendants, soldiers, farmers, ranchers, harvesters, and more. Wouldn’t
things go more smoothly in the organisation if we all exercised our
own gift for the-good of all and stopped trying to be something we
were never meant to be
Ants are indeed especially suited to their particular job in size, shape,
and form. Leaf cutters have mouthparts especially suited for cutting
and chewing leaves. The honey-pot ant stores up a sweet substance
in its body and becomes a living storage tank giving whenever a need
arises. The blockhead ant has a head shaped like a block for barricad-
ing the doorway against intruders. Amazon army ants have jaws spe-
cialized for battle and that’s all they do. These soldiers don’t involve

themselves in the affairs of everyday life.
One of the most interesting types of ants is the “farmer” ant. These
ants actually raise aphids and other types of insects that produce a
sweet, honeylike substance. They “milk” the aphids for the “honey”
by stroking their backs with their antennae. The ants defend their
aphid colony from enemies, and occasionally move them to better
feeding spots. Other farmer ants cut leaves in small pieces. They then
carry them into their colony, chew them into tiny pieces, and “seed”
them with fungus. The tiniest workers tend the crop until the fungus
is ready to harvest, and then all share in the feast.
And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap
if we do not grow weary.
Once, while observing a large colony of leaf cutter ants, we were

impressed by the teamwork displayed. One ant was struggling with a
large load. As it came across the bridge, it slipped and almost fell off.
It managed to hang on tightly to the bridge with 2 legs and to the load
with 2 more, but was in quite a predicament. At that moment several
other ants came to its rescue. At great personal risk, they managed to
save the ant and the load.
Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for
the interests of others.
The ants worked as a team: form a team, bringing professionals

together.
The ants trusted one another: do away with the notion that only by
working alone can one ensure quality.
The ants were open: share the idea with like-minded people. When

ants discovered food, they informed others, who came along and
helped.
The ants were partners and of different sizes: bring help and make the
task our project, not mine. As much as possible, each team member
should get assignment based on his capability.
The ants were diligent and focused: The team must keep working,
even slowly. Deadlines will give us focus.
The ants regrouped: be open to try new ideas if present ones are not
working.
By engaging everyone in the organization, and trusting people, you

will have more success. You must not think that only you can close
the sales, install the products, and fine-tune the design all by yourself.
Give others the opportunities to fail or succeed, and always ask for
help. forward emails on the projects to others, instead of hoarding them
for days. share project progress and challenges to all team members.
The more people know where we are, the more they come up with
solutions. You never know which member of your staff has informa-
tion or networks that can unlock future growth opportunities unless
you share and communicate with the team. It means understanding
like my ancestors that “The ant-hills are not built by elephants, but by
the collective efforts of the little rejected ants.”

7
Management
& Leadership
7.1 Management 114
7.2 Management experts 116
7.3 key Leadership Lessons 125
7.4 Monkey Story 135
7.5 Which type of Bird are You? 137

7.1
Management
Management is the act of bringing people together to achieve desired

goals and objectives by making the optimum use of the available
resources. It is popularly termed as the art of getting things done
through and with people. The people or what we call human resources
is the core of any management activity. The whole managerial wisdom
centers on the effective and efficient use of these human resources by
giving them the desired satisfaction and delivering the values to the
society at large.
Management leadership has always been expected to play that role

which is in the larger interest of the society as a whole. Principles
before profit and ethics before economics are considered to be the
hallmark of the management leadership of all the times.
Today, management concepts need to be entwined with religion and

spirituality. There is a wealth of management wisdom in Sri Guru
Granth Sahib which is enough to stimulate and galvanize the whole of
business world. The wisdom of Sri Guru Granth Sahib if imbibed can
form the basis of ethical managerial behaviour. This wisdom when

manifested in thoughts, speech and actions ennoble and enlighten the
people. It provides internal fulfillment and fortification. It calls for
the alignment of thought, word and deed and motivate us to create a
business culture of conscience, care and consciousness. The message
of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is universal, seeking the welfare of all
human beings of the globe. It promotes integration, co-existence and
feeling of fraternity and amity and also emphasises the importance of
human values
Essential skills like Team Work, Motivation, Communication, Planning

etc which we take years to develop… some through attending vast
curriculum’s are available quite “naturally”. It’s time we look within
ourselves as it is all in there. Nature has gifted us with everything we
need, and in case we forget just look around…you might just learn
from the spider struggling to climb the wall!One of the most funda-
mental yet powerful principle of management is to ensure survival. If
an organization’s survival itself is at stake, nothing else matters. Inter-
estingly, management techniques are not the prerogative of human
beings alone. If fact, the animal kingdom is replete with examples
of management styles and techniques that enable animals to survive
over thousands of years, completely on their own with no help from
anyone.

7.2
Management
Experts
Th e Gi r aff e
Baby giraffes never go to school. But they learn a very important
lesson rather early in life. A lesson that all of us would do well to
remember. The birth of a baby giraffe is quite an earth-shaking event.
The baby falls from its mother’s womb, some eight feet above the
ground. It shrivels up and lies still, too weak to move. The mother
giraffe lovingly lowers her neck to smooch the baby giraffe. And then
something unbelievable happens. She lifts her long leg and kicks the
baby giraffe, sending it flying up in the air and tumbling down on
the As the baby lies curled up, the mother kicks the baby again and
again Until the baby giraffe, still trembling and tired, pushes its limbs
and for the first time learns to stand on its feet. Happy to see the
baby standing on its own feet, the mother giraffe comes over and
gives it yet another kick. The baby giraffe falls one more time, but
now quickly recovers and stands up. Mama Giraffe is delighted. She
knows that her baby has learnt an important lesson: Never mind how
hard you fall, always remember to pick yourself up and get back on

your feet. Why does the mother giraffe do this? She knows that lions
and leopards love giraffe meat. So unless the baby giraffe quickly
learns to stand and run with the pack – it will have no chance of
survival. Most of us though are not quite as lucky as baby giraffes. No
one teaches us to stand up every time we fall. When we fail, when we
are down, we just give up. No one kicks us out of our comfort zone to
remind us that to survive and succeed, we need to learn to get back on
our feet. If you study the lives of successful people though, you will
see a recurring pattern. Were they always successful in all they did?
No.Did success come to them quick and easy? No, You will find that
the common streak running through their lives is their ability to stand
up every time they fall. The ability of the baby giraffe!

Ea gle
ijQY ifTw imrqko iel bihTI Awie ]2]

(322-8, gauVI, mÚ 5)
Roaming and wandering in the ten directions , over water, mountains

and forests - wherever an eagle sees a dead body, she flies down and
lands on it.
V i sio n
With a superior mind, the leader can come up with a vision or a dream,
and that vision should be communicated to the people. And how true,
creating a vision for the people, the leader’s dreams can help create
a better world for the people. One leadership lesson drawn from the
eagle is that of vision. It is said that the eagle soars or flies high when
it is hunting. From the way of the eagle, the leader can learn the need
to have a high vantage point, giving vision to the people. The leader
should have a vision and see the big picture. And vision, having it is
a necessity, serves as a guide or even as a beacon and a guiding light
to the people.

Te am Wor k
The African Wild Dog
The world’s greatest Hunter having a success rate of 80%. The Lion
with a 30% success rate termed as the King of the Jungle seems a
moderate hunter against the Wild Dog. They display the best example
of one of the most sought after attributes,” Team Work”! Their bushy
tails with white tips serve as a flag to keep the pack in contact while
hunting. Team work and intelligence enable these master hunters to
bring down prey as large as Wildebeests. They often observe their
prey for days before the kill, and communication plays a vital role.
The dogs have a peculiar rather playful ceremony that bonds them
for a common purpose and initiates each hunt. They start circulating
among the other pack members, vocalizing and touching until they
get excited and are ready to hunt. They start the hunt in an organized,
cooperative manner. When prey is targeted, some of the dogs run
close to the animal, while others follow behind, taking over when the
leader is tired. Thus exhausting the preys stamina and not theirs!
L io ns
Managers can learn plenty of leadership lessons from lions as they
are masters of teamwork on all levels. Territories are held by several
males in so-called coalitions. Working as a team makes it easier for
them to fight against intruders, control larger territories, dispossess
older lions or secure female territories, the basis for their survival.
Female teamwork is best displayed during hunting and it is clearly
defined by the individual strengths of the team member. While females
do most of the hunting and share family responsibilities within the
whole group, males will assist with big kills and protect their territory

against intruders. For lions the intra and inter-gender teamwork
secures long-term survival and success. Bringing this example into
your corporate area you ask yourself: Where can the teamwork in my
company be optimized and is everybody aware of the benefits of an
increased level of partnership with colleagues and the focus towards
the outside-of-the-pride-enemy instead of the inside-of-the-company
different department or colleague
Th e Wisd om O f El e ph a n t s
Fous; The leaders of elephant herds can often be seen doing nothing,
as if they are frozen from one second to another. To the human eyes
it is unclear as to what is taking place. In those regular moments of
stillness the lead cow uses her senses to the fullest. She becomes aware
of the position and movement of the group, its surroundings and gets
in touch with each individual group member on an energetic level.
What a powerful leadership tool! at the beginning of every meeting,
refrain from any activity for a couple of seconds, focus on the group,
the energy in the room and your own physical condition. You will
undoubtedly find out it makes a BIG difference
L e opa rds - Fl e x i b i l it y
The hidden champions of flexibility Leopards are flexible in every
way imaginable, adapting themselves to every change in habitat that
might happen. They are excellent runners and climbers, with the
ability to attack from the ground and from trees, and hunt at night
or during the day. Regularly stepping out of one´s comfort zone is
something recommended to anybody, especially to leaders loaded up
with daily tasks and routines. Let´s not forget: Routines kill creativity.
And creativity is something we urgently need to re-inject into our

corporate lives in order to remain successful in a changing market-
place.
Croco di l e
mwgrmCu PhweIAY kuMfI jwlu vqwie ]
durmiq PwQw PwhIAY iPir iPir pCoqwie ]
jMmx mrxu n suJeI ikrqu n myitAw jwie ]5]
(1009-18, mwrU, mÚ 1)
The crocodile is caught by the hook and line;caught in the trap of

evil-mindedness, he regrets and repents, again and again.He does
not understand birth and death; the inscription of one’s past actions
cannot be erased.
Co ping W i t h C h ang e
Co ns iste n t ly
Re silience
‘The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. there is
one creature that has lived for thousands of years without changing
itself much. What it is today, is very much what it was thousands of
years ago. Very little has changed of the crocodile. It can live on land
and in water with the same ease. It is very powerful when it is in water
and on land practically the entire exposed part of its body is covered
with armor, making it a difficult target for predators. Many successful
companies have the hallmark of resilience that allows it to survive
over years and grow from strength to strength. Some companies are
good at managing changing technology while others are good at
managing changing business models. Only a few companies are good
at managing both. Apple is a company that is good at managing both.

Be a rs - C ons e rv i ng S c a r c e
Re sourc e s
In the world of nature, when winter gets too harsh and it becomes
difficult to find food, some animals go into hibernation to conserve
energy and wait for winter to pass. Bears that live in cold areas will
go into a light hibernation for about six months of winter during
which time they do not eat. During recessionary and troubled times,
organizations that are able to conserve their resources and cut out
flab, tend to survive better that organizations that carry on with a
Business-As-Usual approach. Take the case of Nissan Motors that
in 1999 was facing bankruptcy. At that time, Carlos Ghosn was
sent to Tokyo, with orders from France’s Renault SA to rescue its
floundering Japanese business partner, Nissan Motor. He slashed
costs, closed unprofitable factories, shrank the supplier network,
sold unprofitable assets, and rewired Nissan’s insular culture. Within
a year, Japan’s second-largest auto manufacturer had returned to
profitability.
D og - Ad ap tab i l i t y
suAwmI ko igRhu ijau sdw suAwn qjq nhI inq ]
nwnk ieh ibiD hir Bjau iek min huie iek iciq ]45]
(1428-17, slok, mÚ 9)
A dog never abandons the home of his master.O Nanak, in just the
same way, meditate on the Lord, single-mindedly, with one-pointed
consciousness.
One of the most common pets worldwide, this animal has adapted
itself to living with human beings as perhaps no other animal has.
Somewhere in its evolution it made this call. In the process, it has

made its own life easy and ensured its survival. People who have the
capability to adapt to their surroundings and environment quickly,
tend to be far more productive in and valuable to organizations, than
others who don’t. It is the same with organizations as well. Animals
adapt to changing environment naturally without conscious effort.
Human beings on the other hand are different.
L e adersh i p
Sri Guru Granth Sahib contains the philosophy of thought, action and
consequence. It offers a perfect set of values and practical code of
conduct. Thougths of the leader should be based on specific vision
only then can he actualise them. Visionary leader is the one who is
conscious of his vision. He should be creative and confident in his
thought to bring newness to the system to keep pace with the changing
business environment. The Guru asserts, ― As the inner vision is
awakened, one comes to know one’s own home, deep within the self
(SGGS, p-153). A visionary leader can lead his workforce by stimu-
lating them to perform as a team to give reality to the thoughts and
to attain new heights in the work field by effectively communicating
the vision. The Guru guides, ―One who sees the essence of reality
with impartial vision, O Saints, is very rare-one among millions
(SGGS, p-51). Thoughts should be guided by inspiring and pious
vision, wherein lies the welfare of all the stakeholders; discussed and
deliberated upon by all; pursued with dedication, commitment and
unprejudiced judgment.Sri Guru Granth Sahib emphasizes the virtues
of wisdom, truthfulness, justice, temperance, courage, humility, con-
tentment, and love for humanity, which are now the cherished ideals
of leadership. Vices of lust, wrath, greed, attachment and pride, which
are roots of unethical leadership, are termed as the worst sins in it.
The speech should be drenched with virtues. Sri Guru Granth Sahib

avers, ―The One Lord is in his heart. True are his actions; true are
his ways. True is his heart; Truth is what he speaks with his mouth
(SGGS, p-283). Confidence should be the hallmark of a leader and
confidence comes when one is virtuous. The Guru says, ―Those who
have no faith in their own minds, O Nanak - how they can speak
of spiritual wisdom (SGGS, p-647). Speech should be well thought,
lucid, effective and unprejudiced. ―The tongue speaks, the ears listen,
and the mind contemplates the Lord; they find peace and comfort
(SGGS, p-659). The Guru asserts that if we imbibe God in our heart
and mind, our words will be guided by the wisdom of the Lord and our
conduct will be ethical and virtuous. ―Contemplating His Virtues, I
accumulate virtue and merit; I wash myself clean of demerits (SGGS,
p-37). Virtues make leaders efficient and workforce trusts them and
their word. Love of money and vicious words brings failure as the
Guru says, ―Without virtue, nothing is of any use. The taste of Maya
(wealth) is bland and insipid (SGGS, p-61). The six core values of
leadership in Sri Guru Granth Sahib are integrity, compassion, equity,
tolerance, selflessness and stewardship.

7.3
Key Leadership Lessons
Leaders are responsible for achieving outcomes. Great leaders teach.

Great leaders help to develop and grow their team. Observing nature
can allow us to learn leadership lessons in a different way which can
contribute to a healthy organization.Domination and submission,
survival of the fittest, constant adaption to change - the wilderness
and the corporate world have many similarities.
The more detailed the look into each world, its routines, rules and
ways of communication, the more obvious it becomes how beneficial
it would be if the corporate world could learn from nature. In some
areas, such as product engineering it is already happening, but in the
area of personal development of leadership and teamwork skills this
opportunity is still sadly missed.

Ca mels
krhly mn prdysIAw ikau imlIAY hir mwie ]
guru Bwig pUrY pwieAw gil imilAw ipAwrw Awie ]
Leaders must be resourceful. Camels are able to go several days

without food and water. a leader must get better at using the resources
available– using wisely and making resources available when they
are most needed. You have reserves of energy, focus and discipline
both for yourself and for those you lead.
Leaders must be able to take the heat; Camels live in the dessert. They
are designed for hot weather and in that weather they thrive – and
provide their greatest service. When things are difficult, when there
are challenges, when the heat is on the team, project or organization;
that is when leaders are most needed.
Leaders must be able to see into the distance.; Getting a higher per-
spective allows them to see more and see further. Leaders serve their
teams and organizations making sure they have a higher and broader
perspective. As a leader you must create opportunities to get a higher
view, get a different perspective. From this vantage point you can see
your destination more clearly; you can more easily see obstacles and
challenges. As a leader both are important – seeing the vision and the
obstacles!
Leaders must realize they exist to serve others. The interesting thing
about riding a camel is that camel help the person get on and off. The
camel get down on his front knees, then down on his back knees,
putting himself in what seemed to an uncomfortable position; a serving
position. In each of these four lessons the idea of leaders as servants
comes through. To lead in remarkable ways you must recognize that it

isn’t about you – it is about those you are leading. It is sure the camel
would prefer to not have a person riding on it – and sometimes as
leaders it would be easier if others weren’t following.
D ucks
Water off a duck’s back – Ducks are renowned for their waterproof
feathers and it’s amazing to watch them when they get splashed. The
water just forms beads on their back and rolls off back into the pond.
Leaders need to have a similar level of resilience. They can’t afford
to allow problems, especially trivial ones, to weigh them down and
distract them from their plan or vision.
Smooth on top, paddling below – When you watch ducks, it looks as

though they are smoothly gliding along the surface of the water with
very little effort. However, a closer inspection reveals that they are
paddling hard under the water to get where they need to go.The best
leaders are more like ducks. Sure, they’re still working hard, but they
make it look easy, with warm smiles and time to spare for people.
They bring a sense of calmness and reassurance to those around them.
They are less likely to explode in rage and their people feel comfort-
able in their presence.
Head down, bum up – If a duck wants to survive, it knows that it has

to put its head down below the surface of the water to reach its food
sources. Similarly, leaders need to need to put in the hours and work
as hard (or harder) than you expect your people to work. You can’t
delegate all of the ugly tasks to others, you still have to make tough
decisions yourself.
Ducklings always follow someone – When a duckling first comes

out of its egg, it invariably follows the first thing it sees and remains

attached to it. It’s called imprinting and it doesn’t matter if the first
thing it sees is its real mother, a person or even a dog, it will continue
to follow it around. Similarly, in the absence of real leadership, people
will find someone else to follow. They need a clear vision, to know
where they fit in to delivering that vision and to have consistent
messages delivered to them or they will easily become distracted by
something else
H orses
Horses have unique qualities that make them ideally suited to
helping us learn about ourselves as leaders. They operate in fluid
social groups, exchanging leader-follower and giving and accepting
immediate feedback based on trust and respect. This behavior mirrors
our own personal and interpersonal relationships. Surviving for
millions of years as prey animals, they are aware of their environ-
ment. They can sense someone’s heartbeat from about 3 feet away.
Horses are looking for good leaders. In a herd, the leader will dictate
their survival, sound decision making is crucial. The implications of
good decisions and bad decisions are recognized instantly. A herd
consists of horses with varying “horse personalities”, like people,
some are more extroverted and others more introverted in their dispo-
sition. Horses will relinquish leadership to another horse or human if
the leader can authentically express to them that they will ensure their
safety, and offer comfort. Every herd of horses has leaders, followers
and a well-established pecking order. Similarly, a company can only
survive tumultuous times when its leader takes the reins and suc-
cessfully guides his or her employees, and reminds them to continue
performing .While the new generation in our workforce seeks col-
laboration, they also seek strong mentors and role models in senior
leadership positions who can help guide their career ambitions. In

times of change, effective business leaders must be willing to make
tough decisions and weather the consequences knowing that it will
benefit the entire organization. Often times, the leader among wild
horses is an old mare. Experienced mares have the dignity, resource-
fulness and resiliency that guide the others through difficult times.
Likewise, it’s the seasoned business executive that you’ll look to for
guidance to survive over the long haul.
Be aware of the frame you are in: emotional awareness and confidence
are critical. Your state of mind determines your horse’s performance.
If you’re nervous getting on a horse, it will sense that. Horses and
people are not that different; your internal sense of foreboding,
optimism or confidence has an impact on the people around you
whether you realize it or not. Being emotionally aware allows you to
consciously choose how to respond in any given situation.
Be mindful of non-verbal cues. Your body is a crucial instrument for

communicating with your horse; everything right down to your posture
matters. The same holds true with people. Whether you acknowl-
edge employees, how you sit in a chair, the way you hold yourself
during a conversation — these mannerisms matter because they send
a signal. Be aware of how you conduct yourself; your demeanor is an
important tool in your leadership toolbox and profoundly influences
the message you’re trying to get across.
Use deftness and forbearance before acting. Horses, like people, are

complicated and nuanced when it comes to taking cues from a leader.
Practice restraint and think things through before you respond —
once you send that e-mail out you cannot take it back. If you want to
be an effective leader, remember: the more turbulent the situation is,
the calmer you have to act.

Empathy is key to motivation. There are two ways to motivate a
horse: carrots (positive reinforcement) or sticks (negative reinforce-
ment). The most effective “carrot” a leader can use is empathy. When
your horse spooks, the fastest way to get it to behave is to understand
what is bothering it. Ask yourself, “what is going on here and why is
it happening?” Take a step back and think about the possible factors
influencing a situation before you react; it will prevent costly mistakes
and help you keep your employees motivated to succeed.
Satisfaction comes from the quality of the work, not from being well-
liked. The surest way to lose a horse’s respect is to spend your time
worrying if it likes you rather than if it’s doing a good job and com-
fortable in this enterprise. Horses, like people, feel a sense of worth
and fulfillment simply knowing they are doing meaningful work. If
employees are invested in the work at hand and in their role in that
work they will feel an abiding satisfaction as part of a functioning
and productive team. Overcoming the need for people to like you will
help you focus on being a more fair and effective leader.
G e ese
If between friends and partners we were geese... Ah! The next season,
when you see the geese migrating, going to a warmer place, to sort
the winter. Pay attention that they fly in a “V” formation. Maybe you
will be interested in knowing. Why they do it this way... By flying in
a “V” formation.... The whole flock increases the flight efficiency by
71% compared to just one bird flying alone.
Lesson 1
Sharing the same direction and working as a team, get us to the desti-
nation quicker and easier. By helping ourselves, the accomplishments

are greater! When a goose leaves the formation - He feels the resistance
of the air and the difficulties of flying alone. Then, he quickly comes
back to the formation to take advantage of the the flock’s power
in front of him.
Lesson 2
By staying in tune and united beside those who are going in the same
direction,the effort will be less. It will be easier and pleasing to reach
the goals,Everyone will be inclined to accept and give help. When
the leader goose gets tired of flying... He goes to the end of the “V”
formation. While another goose takes the lead.
Lesson 3
To share the leadership,There must be mutual respect between us

all the time. Sharing the hardest problems and tasks. Gathering our
abilities and combining our faculties,talents and resources. The geese
flying on a “V” formation, they quack to encourage to the ones in the
front. In that way, they keep the same speed.
Lesson 4
When there is courage and encouragement,the progress is greater. A

timely word of encouragement,always motivates, helps and strength-
ens..It produces the best of benefits. When a goose gets sick, is injured
or gets tired , And he must leave the formation... Other geese leave the
formation too, and they fly with him to help him out and protect him.
They remain with him until he dies or he is able to fly again. They
reach their bevy or they just make another “V” formation.
Lesson 5
Let’s stay beside each other no matter what the differences.Specially

in times of difficulty and great challenges.. If we bond together and
support each other..If we make true the spirit of teamwork..Regardless
of our differences, we can rise to meet our challenge.If we understand
the real value of friendship.
If we are aware of the feeling of sharing,

Life Will Be Easier
And The Passing Of Years
More Fulfilling
P e nguins
The power of a few can influence the behavior of many. Leadership,
as John Maxwell suggests, is really nothing more than influence.
Margaret Mead wrote that we should “never believe that a few caring
people can’t change the world. Indeed, that’s all who ever have.”But
when handed the reins of leadership and asked to turn around an organ-
ization that has been suffering from toxic team culture, it becomes
difficult to keep Mead’s words in mind.
Penguins are supposed to swim. In fact, those original forty-six

penguins had been taking regular leisurely dips in the pool to cool off
occasionally and make sure their feathers remained sleek. Life was
easy and un-challenging. Imagine the forty-six of them lying around,
eating, swimming, resting, and then repeating the process at a com-
fortable pace every day of their existence. Perhaps, it sounds much
like some of the people in the organization you are intent on turning
around. But things changed dramatically when six new penguins
moved in. The newcomers, upon their arrival, jumped into the pool
and swam. In fact, the new six penguins kept swimming laps all day
long. They didn’t squawk at or fight with or nag the original residents

to join them or change their attitudes—they just went about their
business of swimming around the pool. The newcomers started early
each morning and kept swimming in circles until they would stagger
out of the pool, exhausted, at dusk. What was most amazing, though,
is that those six penguins soon convinced the original forty-six to
change their leisurely lifestyle and join them. Before they arrived, the
old penguins had been lazy and comfortable. Soon, they were busy
swimming the whole day long. Sometimes, the shock of a new idea
or way of doing things inspires people to live up to others’ expec-
tations and levels of performance. Given the chance, all penguins
want to show their abilities, leadership skills, and penguin-hood.
Those new penguins changed the lifestyle habits of the other forty-six
entirely.The new penguins motivated them to change their toxic team
culture—and left us a few lessons:
1. Be willing to try new ideas. This can shake up how people have
done things in the past and lead to change.
2. Changing others’ behavior is more about showing than telling.

Penguins (and people) are less open to advice and suggestions than
you would like to think. They need to see it and be given a challenge
to live up to in order to change.
3. Don’t give up. If six little penguins can turn a group of 46 lazy
home-bodies into workout monsters, just imagine how you might
influence the group that you have been assigned.
Leadership truly is influence, and sometimes the most influential thing

we can do is roll up our sleeves and work as hard as we want others
to. Pretty soon others will rise to the challenge and join you. Team
motivation is often the result of one person being bold enough to shake
up the status quo with an extraordinary work ethic or enthusiasm that

spreads to the entire group. Sometimes there is need of leadership
that is willing to show the way instead of making demands. By taking
action and setting an example for others to emulate, you improve your
culture, and give others permission to join the crusade, as well.

7.4
Monkey Story
ijau kip ky kr musit cnn kI lubiD n iqAwgu dieE ]
jo jo krm kIey lwlc isau qy iPir grih pirE ]1]
Like the monkey with a handful of grain, who will not let go because
of greed - just so, all the deeds committed in greed ultimately become
a noose around one’s neck.
There were five monkeys inside the cage, a banana hanging on a

string and a set of stairs under it. A monkey goes to the stairs and
started climbing towards the banana. As soon as he touched the stairs,
all the monkeys were sprayed with cold water. After a while, another
monkey makes an attempt with the same result - all the monkeys are
sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to
climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it. Now, turn off
the cold water. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with
a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the
stairs. To his surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him.
After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb
the stairs, he will be assaulted. Next, remove another of the original
five monkeys and replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to
the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the

punishment with enthusiasm. Again, replace a third original monkey
with a new one. The new one makes it to the stairs and is attacked as
well. Two of the four monkeys that beat him have no idea why they
were not permitted to climb the stairs, or why they are participating
in the beating of the newest monkey. After replacing the fourth and
fifth original monkeys, all the monkeys that have been sprayed with
cold water have been replaced. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again
approaches the stairs. Why not? Because as far as they know that’s
the way it’s always been around here. And that’s how company policy
begins.

7.5
Which type of Bird

are You?
Ea gles
Just like their raptor compatriots, office eagles aren’t shy creatures.
They communicate directly, are geared toward quickly capturing goals
(prey), and judge themselves by results achieved. Office eagles often
rise to positions of influence and authority in which their strategic
leadership abilities enable them to visualize the business from 10,000
feet. Office eagles enjoy exploring and conquering new opportuni-
ties ahead of the competition. Like their avian counterparts, these
eagles prefer to function independently with the freedom to overcome
obstacles and progress toward goals. When office eagles overuse their
dominant style, they can come across as abrupt, overbearing, and
unwilling to acknowledge defeat or admit to being wrong. They need
to be conscious of how these aggressive tendencies affect other styles
and diminish their ability to produce the results they crave. Above
all, office eagles value clarity of mission. This enables them to direct
themselves toward achieving results in the quickest, most efficient
manner, which then opens their energy to the next opportunity.

Parro ts ( I ’s)
Just like their real-life counterparts, office parrots are easy to spot.
They typically are bursting with vitality, the center of attention, or
motivating the team with high energy and enthusiasm. Perhaps most
of all, they want to have a good time and typically boost morale
when times are tough. Office parrots have highly developed inter-
personal skills. The ability to read other people, combined with their
verbal adeptness, make them highly persuasive. Just like the aviary
parrot who can speak the language of any animal in the forest, office
parrots seem to naturally and effortlessly adapt to the person or the
situation. This enables them to easily build a large network of collab-
orative relationships within an organization .Office parrots thrive in
environments where they can bring new ideas to life. Their ability to
brainstorm and vocalize their thoughts drives the creative engine that
sparks innovation. Their talent to work on many projects at once gives
office parrots the energy boost to get things done.
One of the biggest misconceptions about office parrots is that they are
not as “hard working” as other styles. More casual, cheerful parrots
just have a knack for making hard work look like something fun to
do!
D oves (S ’s)
Like their avian counterparts, office doves are even paced and prefer
calm and predictable settings over fast-paced environments rife with
upheaval and change. Their energy level is low key as they steadily
work through their day with consistency and thoroughness. Office
doves have an innate drive to be helpful. They are quick to volunteer
their time and efforts for the sake of others. Whether it’s taking on an

assignment for an overwhelmed colleague or counseling a stressed
co-worker with patience and empathy, doves can be counted on to
pitch in and help. These qualities typically make them the employee
or manager everyone gets along with.
Their quiet nature belies strength of conviction that enables office

doves to overcome obstacles. Think of them as the strong, silent type
.Office doves are natural team players. They like to be a part of a
group and will do anything to help the team succeed. For these team
players, group success is more important than individual stardom.
They seek to create harmony and collaboration wherever they go.
Owls (C’s)
If you are observant enough to spot owls in the wild, you’ll notice
that they seem to be lost in thought…and office owls are no different.
They are naturally inquisitive. While feathered owls ask, “Who?” the
human owl’s questions of choice are “Why?” and “What if?” Their
ability to consider all possible angles of a situation or the possible
implications of a plan makes them invaluable when creating organi-
zational strategy.
Office owls are natural planners and don’t just “wing it.” They like
to follow a process and are quite systematic when working through
an issue. Once they have established a framework or rules for accom-
plishing tasks, they consistently will adhere to accepted standards. The
orientation of office owls is unrivaled. They notice things others never
pick up on. With their zest for details and analysis, they are energized
by tasks that ensure high-quality results. Office owls possess a natural
gift for sorting out complex problems and communicate in a reserved,
careful, and analytical way. Like the forest-dwelling owl, office owls

work behind the scenes. They have no need for the public recognition
craved by office parrots. In fact, such a spotlight would most likely be
uncomfortable for an owl, just like in the wild.

8
Spiritualism
8.1 Spirituality 142

8.2 Turtles 147
8.3 Camel 149
8.4 Elephant 151
8.5 Lotus 156
8.6 Swan (Hans) 158
8.7 Herons 160
8.8 Crow 161
8.9 Parrot 162

8.1
Spirituality
The thought of spirituality is as old as humanity itself. Along with

the development of human knowledge, the nature of the faith in the
Supernatural Authority has also changed. Throughout the ages man
has believed in some sort of religion. Faith plays a very vital role
in our lives. It is so powerful that it can make impossible targets
possible. It has the power to move mountains. Everything in the world
revolves around faith. The first step we took as a small child was
entirely on faith. Man progressed from the time he was dwelling in
the caves to the modern era of computers because of his faith in the
observation of the world and in the laws governing it. This faith in his
own sense organs and intelligence made him experiment with nature
and discover her various secrets. Though faith is an important aspect
of our lives, its full meaning and its profound implications are rarely
understood and appreciated.
Science dealing with matter and space has also slowly revolutionized
the thinking of man. Scientific discoveries, however, did not always
agree with the beliefs of the faiths. As the human knowledge developed,

many early religious beliefs were accepted only as mythology and
legends. Later discoveries of science did not agree with even the
basic beliefs of the faiths. Hence the scientists came into clash with
the protectors of the faiths. About five centuries ago, Galileo stated
that the earth revolves around the sun. He was punished because
this observation was different from what is stated in the scriptures.
Darwin theorized that the life on earth, including us humans, was not
created on a specific date(s), but evolved over millions of years. Now
the scientists accept it as a fact and teach it in the schools contrary
to religious beliefs. The same is true for the religious beliefs in the
East. The people worshipped the sun, the moon, and some creatures
as gods, some even do it today. They also believe that only some
specific days/dates are sacred for certain religious or social activities
Awpy pUrw kry su hoie ]
eyih iQqI vwr dUjw doie ]
siqgur bwJhu AMDu gubwru ]
iQqI vwr syvih mugD gvwr ]
(843-3, iblwvlu, mÚ 3)
Whatever the perfect Master does happens, these lunar cycle and days
of the week are duality ;it is sheer ignorance without the true guru,
only ignorant fools believe in the lunar cycle and days of the week.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji challenged the superstitious practices and rituals

of his age. He questioned the value of offering food and water to
one’s dead ancestors or the idea that child-birth causes impurity, or
that eatable things should be cooked within an encircled space, made
sacred by plastering it with cow-dung. He employed the touchstone of
reason to test their truth and proved them false. He appealed to men to
accept reason as their guide in all such matters.
jIvq ipqr n mwnY koaU mUeyN isrwD krwhI ]

ipqr BI bpury khu ikau pwvih kaUAw kUkr KwhI ]1]
(332-11, gauVI bYrwgix, Bgq kbIr jI)
He does not honor his ancestors while they are alive, but he holds
feasts in their honor after they have died. Tell me, how can his poor
ancestors receive what the crows and the dogs have eaten up?
The so called Rationalists believe that Faith is opposed to reason. They

take great pride in negating the importance of faith in our ‘rational’
world. The truth, however, is far from it. Our reasoning itself is based
on the faith in the power of our intellect. We have to have faith in the
power of the senses to show us the right picture of the world based
on which we formulate our logical thinking. The whole scientific
process is a journey in our faith in the apparatus used for various
experiments. Further, it is faith in the documented formula, such as E
= mc2 and Newton’s law of gravity, that scientists have been able to
make progress in various fields.
When we repose our trust in someone it means that, we have faith in

him. For instance, when we send a child to school, it is on account of
our faith in the value of education. In the matter of love, one has to
put faith in the beloved. So faith is not peculiar to religion; it is found
in almost every activity of life. The need for a Faith is recognized
even by the greatest scientists. Indeed, reason alone cannot fathom
the mysteries of existence and the Universe. Guru Nanak Dev Ji says:
“The intellect cannot grasp what is beyond the bounds of the intellect.
Rise above the limited human awareness and you will know of God
and His works.” Atomic energy and nuclear power have further
strengthened the scientists’ belief in the unlimited powers of Nature
and Providence. Albert Einstein writes in this connection: “Man does
not understand the vast of veiled Universe into which he has been for

the reason that he does not understand himself. He comprehends but
little of his organic processes and even less of his unique capacity to
perceive the world around him, to reason and to dream.”
Reason and Faith are complementary
They operate in different spheres, though each is sovereign in its own

field. Reason has certain limits. Faith is necessary in certain basic
things, as for example, the existence of God, or the need of the Guru’s
assistance. Reason operates in specified fields, as for example, when
a man shall pray and what actions he may take. Religion does not
exclude the operation of the intellect, though it certainly acts as a
limiting factor.
However, spiritual realization is beyond the ken of reason. On the

other hand, great scientists of the world have accepted the higher
truths revealed by religion. Man is an imperfect creature and his
faculties and powers are limited. Albert Einstein observes: “Strange
is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit,
not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to divine a purpose“. Man
is unable to comprehend the ultimate reality unaided. He needs the
assistance of a religious leader or Guru whose divine knowledge and
wisdom can guide him to his spiritual goal
Science continues to make new discoveries and inventions which

sometimes reject the theories of previous scientist. Could man 30
years ago consider it feasible to orbit through space or land on the
moon? What may be regarded as a miracle at one time may become
a fact later. Perhaps it would be best to have recourse to reason when
insensibility or blind faith proves of no avail. But where reason is
obviously not applicable, we must rely on faith. This is particularly
true of spiritual matters. While science and technology might assist

man in improving his physical conditions, surroundings and economic
standards, religion and ethics help to develop his personality and inner
self. Man may live in comfort and prosperity and yet have no peace of
mind. Even in a highly affluent society like that of the United States
of America, it is realized that wealth and power are not everything
.Spiritual progress is intrinsic and shows itself in inner satisfaction
and sense of fulfillment. The inter-relationship between science and
religion has been summed up by Prof. A. Toynbee as under: Science
must be based on religion and religion must include scientific ration-
ality. I think that the words of Albert Einstein. ‘Science without
religion is lame and religion without science is blind’, are of even
greater importance now than when he uttered them”.

8.2
Turtles
kuMmI jl mwih qn iqsu bwhir pMK KIru iqn nwhI ]

pUrn prmwnµd mnohr smiJ dyKu mn mwhI ]2]
(488-5, Awsw, mÚ 5)
The mother turtle is in the water, and her babies are out of the water.
She has no wings to protect them, and no milk to feed them.The
Perfect Lord, the embodiment of supreme bliss, the Fascinating Lord
takes care of them.See this, and understand it in your mind.
when you pick up a turtle going one way and turn it around so that it
is going the opposite direction, the turtle will just pull itself inside its
shell, turn around, and go the way it was originally going.So many
times, human beings allow circumstances or other people to dictate
which direction we will go next We get off track, go off course. We
allow fear to hold us back, or force us to change our plans and take
a safer course. One of the hallmarks of a person who is awakened,
spiritually, is the strength to carry on, in spite of our fears, and the
ability to persevere despite difficulties that would bring others to their
knees or immobilize them altogether. If we were more like turtles, we

would be able to take life in stride more often. Sure, we might move
along slowly and cautiously – turtles do that. But we would get to our
destination in the end, and that’s what counts, isn’t it?
For turtles to move ahead, they must stick their neck out of their shell.
For us, the expression “sticking one’s neck out” has come to be
synonymous with taking a risk, or venturing to offer an opinion that
others may not agree with, or express something that others are afraid
to say out loud. Very often, the only way for us to move forward in
life is to take a risk, to step out on faith. the best kind of risk is a
calculated one, where we are sure what the dangers are, and we have
done all that we could do to minimize them
“slow and steady wins the race.” although the turtle moves slowly, it
ultimately gets to its destination.
Sometimes we let our impatience get the best of us, and we end up
doing things – or failing to do things – in our haste. Sometimes we
just needlessly and thoughtlessly step on other people’s toes in our
hurry to get to our destination or achieve our goals.
Heaven is a state, not a place. Our true home is a way of living, not
a location. It makes no difference whether we are here or in the other
realm. Our real home is within each of us and follows us wherever
we go.A turtle’s shell is its home, and it carries its home everywhere it
goes. Our true home, heaven, is just like a turtle’s shell; only we carry
it inside of us.You are constantly in the presence of God, and have it
in your power to be successful in life.

8.3
Camel
Camel is symbolic of long-distance travel as it can endure days

in scorching hot deserts while transporting precious cargo across
great distances..it typically holds a message of travel - typically of
an arduous kind - like a pilgrimage. Rather than get stressed out
by internal questions like “What kind of travel?”, “Arduous travel?
That sounds intimidating, what kind of challenges will I face this
time!?” I’ve learned to embrace the protective qualities of the camel
instead of worrying about the pitfalls inherent to a long journey ahead.
We all have daunting travel ahead of us, it’s the way of human life.
That’s why the camel is such a great energetic guide on our human
path. Camels are designed to take on the challenges of long-distance
journeying over harsh terrain. From an energetic or spiritual stand-
point, they are superiorly equipped for the long-haul.
If we are faced with a potentially formidable path ahead of us - a

journey that we must take, but likely full of pitfalls - call upon the
camel for strength, endurance and protection. This could be a physical
journey, or a spiritual one. For centuries, the camel has been initiating

long expeditions through unforgiving conditions, and it is highly
capable of helping and protecting us as we make our way along the
long path of life.
The camel is also an expert at conservation. The humps of a camel

are stored with fat, which is stuffed with hydrogen atoms - water is
held in the camel’s fat cells and via its ingenious metabolic system,
the camel is able to regulate and conserve its water supply over long
periods of time. Camels, when invoked, can assist us with this too.
mwrvwiV jYsy nIru bwlhw byil bwlhw krhlw ]
ijau kurMk inis nwdu bwlhw iqau myrY min rwmeIAw ]1]
(693-10, DnwsrI, Bgq nwmdyv jI)
As water is very precious in the desert, and the creeper weeds are dear
to the camel,and the tune of the hunter’s bell at night is enticing to the
deer, so is the Lord to my mind.
Camels serve as a reminder to pace ourselves, and be mindful of

our own energy levels. When you feel like you’re always ‘running
on empty’ try visualizing the camel helping you to regulate your
energy stores. Camels can also help regulate our metabolism. Try
meditating with the camel; specifically ask the camel to help with
keeping resources and metabolism on an even keel. Camels can serve
as incredibly skilled guides in our life. They’ve been traveling for
eons, and their energy is impressed with themes of guidance, making
them expert helpers on our way through the varied paths of life. in
gurbani mind has been compared to camel and there is bani named as
Karhalay meaning camel
mn krhlw qUM mIqu myrw pwKMfu loBu qjwie ]
pwKMif loBI mwrIAY jm fMfu dyie sjwie ]6]
mn krhlw myry pRwn qUM mYlu pwKMfu Brmu gvwie ]

hir AMimRq sru guir pUirAw imil sMgqI mlu lih jwie ]7]
rwgu gauVI pUrbI mhlw 4 krhly (234-3)
O camel-like mind, you are my friend; abandon hypocrisy and greed.

The hypocritical and the greedy are struck down; the Messenger of
Death punishes them with his club. Listen only to the Teachings of the
Guru.This emotional attachment to Maya is so pervasive. Ultimately,
nothing shall go along with anyone.

8.4
Elephant
The metaphor of the elephant-mind has been frequently employed

in Gurbani to describe the nature of the mind. In fact this is a tradi-
tional term for the inflated ego, which has been in use for a very long
time. The earliest recorded use can be found in the Buddhist texts on
the nature of mind.
Psychologists now have studied the mind have also come to similar
conclusions regarding the mind. Let’s look at Gurbanifirst:
WhenGurbani portrays the elephant-mind, it is pointing to three

marked characteristics of the elephant:
1. Elephants’ enormously huge size being compared to inflated ego.
2. Elephants’ conduct upon eating fermented fruit or when purpose-

fully fed alcohol.
3. Elephants’ lustful urges.
The first characteristic of egoistic mind is being compared to the

size of the elephant. As the elephant brain weighs 5 kg and an
average elephant weighs about 5,000 kg the comparison indicates
the ballooning effect that can be attributed to ego. Gurbani poses the

issue in these words:
“Mun taou maigal hoe rehaa nikasiaa kio kar jaae.”

(SGGS, Pg. No. 509)
mnu qau mYglu hoie rhw inkisAw ikau kir jwie
The gate of liberation is narrow, less than one-tenth of a mustard seed.

The mind has become as big as an elephant; how can it pass through
this (narrow) gate?
In order to relate to this metaphor of inflated ego let us first imagine

ourselves as the rider hoisted on an elephant approaching a steep
downhill. This frightening landscape, coupled with feeling of loss
of control with panic setting in, paints a grim picture of the precar-
iousness of the situation. This is the condition of our mind which
has become a huge elephant of egocentric tendencies. It does what it
desires and feels that it is in charge like a true master. Here the term
narrow door is referring to the gate of salvation. It is termed narrow
as bloated egoistic person cannot pass through that narrow or egoless
gate.
The second characteristic of mind is being likened to a drunken

elephant:
mn kI miq mqwglu mqw jo ikCu bolIAY sBu Kqo Kqw ]
(351-9, Awsw, mÚ 1)
The intellect of the mind is like a drunken elephant. Whatever one

utters is totally false.
During warfare in Middle Ages elephants were intoxicated with

alcohol and then unleashed upon the opponents like weapons. The
drunken elephants charging and trampling on the soldiers not just
created chaos but also helped decide the outcome of wars. Therefore,

Guru Ji has compared the human mind to a drunken elephant that
inevitably creates destruction.
The third characteristic of mind that Guru Ji has referred to is the

lustful nature of the mind as:
kwm hyiq kuMcru lY PWikE Ehu pr vis BieE ibcwrw ]
(SGGS, Pg. No. 671)
Lured by sexual desire, the elephant is trapped; the poor beast falls
into the power of another.
Employing straw figures of female elephant as a decoy; placed over

a dug up pit the wild male elephants were lured and thus captured.
Once the male elephant was captured he was tamed over time; trained
to follow the commands of rider. As the elephant is lured by lust, so is
the mind enticed by lust and the mirage-like material world. Thus the
material world is a snare that traps the mind.
Modern psychology has reached similar conclusions about the mind.
Jonathan Haidt, a professor at New York University Stern School of

Business in his bestseller book The Happiness Hypothesis uses the
analogy of elephant and rider to compare to automatic processing and
controlled processing of the mind. His research led him to conclude
that there are two minds - one, where most mental processes happen
automatically and another where controlled processing takes place on
a limited scale. He has compared these mental processes to a small
rider and large elephant. The rider is our conscious thoughts (and
emotions). The elephant is our unconscious emotions (and thoughts).
According to him the elephant includes gut feelings, visceral reactions,

emotions and intuitions. The second mind which exercises controlled
processing is limited and we can think consciously only about one

thing at a time, compared to the automatic process that runs in parallel
and can handle multiple tasks simultaneously. The elephant often
does things for reasons the rider knows nothing about. The rider - the
brain’s interpreter module - is adept at “conflation”. When queried, it
simply makes up a plausible (but possibly quite misleading) explana-
tion for our behavior or our attitudes. And in this, of course, we con
ourselves as much as we con others.
According to David Mutchler; “Ego is not a place or a thing. It is

a state of consciousness.” Happiness, Mutchler further explains, is
attained by becoming aware of ego, learning more about what it is,
where it originates, how to recognize it, and what to do when you find
it. Gurbani too poses the question:
haumY ikQhu aUpjY ikqu sMjim ieh jwie ]
haumY eyho hukmu hY pieAY ikriq iPrwih ]
(SGGS, Pg. No. 466)
Where does ego come from? How can it be removed?What is the

remedy offered by Gurbani?
We are enjoined to control the wanderer mind with the “whip” or

“prod” of the “Gurbani”, says the Guru in Guru Granth Sahib. Because,
old habits die hard and the earlier we start we have more time for
corrective action and less time for habits to become our nature.
We need to get rid of the domination of the ego and cultivate awareness
(Vivek) that enables us to experience a higher reality, watch our own
actions and words, and make appropriate choices moment to moment.
mnu mYglu gur sbid vis AwieAw rwm ]
(SGGS, Pg. No. 576)
The mind-elephant is overpowered by the Gur-Shabad.

In fact Guru Amardas has described the process in these words:
mnu kuMcru pIlku gurU igAwnu kuMfw jh iKMcy qh jwie ]
nwnk hsqI kuMfy bwhrw iPir iPir auJiV pwie ]
(SGGS, Pg. No. 516)
The mind is the elephant, the Guru is the elephant-driver, and

awareness is the prod (whip). Wherever the Guru drives the mind,
it goes. O Nanak, without the prod, the elephant wanders into the
wilderness, again and again.
The egocentric elephant-mind will distract us and destroy us. The Guru
is like the driver with a prod in hand that controls its wandering ways.
The wandering nature of the ego results in human beings wandering
through life after life in the endless cycle of birth and re-birth. The
prod in the hand of the Guru provides the necessary stabilizing effect.
It helps destroys the ego. It is only when the ego is driven out that
the transformation of the elephant mind into the Divine Self starts.
The final destination is rising above the cycles of birth and death and
living consciously merged in the Creator. This is called Jiwan Mukta,
liberated while alive.

8.5
Lotus
jl purwiein rs kml prIK ]

(152-12, gauVI dKxI, mÚ 1)
This is the true mark of wisdom: that one remains detached, like the
water-lily, or the lotus upon the water.
The Lotus, the national flower of India, is a symbol of supreme reality.

To the Indian psyche, the lotus is more than a flower – it represents
both beauty and non-attachment. There is a saying that although it
grows in mud, it smells of myrrh. The lotus grows in fresh water
ponds and lakes and in semitropical climates. It blossoms gradually
and magnificently – one petal at a time and reaches full bloom when
the rays of the sun kiss the flower. The lotus is found in different
colours, namely, white, red, blue, pink, and purple and is found in
many Asian countries.
ibml mJwir bsis inrml jl pdmin jwvl ry ]
pdmin jwvl jl rs sMgiq sMig doK nhI bsu jl inq n vsq

AlIAl myr ccw gun ry ]
cMd kumudnI dUrhu invsis AnBau kwrin ry ]2]
(990-10, mwrU, mÚ 1)
In the pure, immaculate waters, both the lotus and the slimy scum are
found.The lotus flower is with the scum and the water, but it remains
untouched by any pollution. You dwell continually in the water; the
bumble bee does not dwell there, but it is intoxicated with its fragrance
from afar.Intuitively sensing the moon in the distance, the lotus bows
its head.
Lotus has a message to convey to humans. Although, lotus is an

archetype of beauty, it symbolises non-attachment. “Just as water
cannot wet the lotus leaf, so work cannot bind the unselfish man by
giving rise to attachment to results.” Even though the lotus is rooted
in mud, it continues to float on the water without becoming wet or
muddy. This aspect of the lotus dictates how humans ought to live
in this world – work incessantly but be not attached to the work and
to the surroundings. It also reveals, “This world is not our habitation
but one of many stages through which we are passing through.” “One
who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results
onto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf
is untouched by water.”
The Guru says that we should live in this world in detachment like the
lotus flowers that remain above the water and the ducks that do not let
their wings get wet while swimming.
jYsy jl mih kmlu inrwlmu murgweI nY swxy ]
suriq sbid Bv swgru qrIAY nwnk nwmu vKwxy ]

8.6
Swan
(Hans)
hir sru swgru inrmlu soeI ]
sMq cugih inq gurmuiK hoeI ]
iesnwnu krih sdw idnu rwqI haumY mYlu cukwvixAw ]
inrml hMsw pRym ipAwir ]

hir sir vsY haumY mwir ]
(128-19, mwJ, mÚ 3)
The Lord is the most pure and sublime Ocean. The Saintly Gurmukhs
continually peck at the Naam, like swans pecking at pearls in the
ocean. They bathe in it continually, day and night, and the filth of ego
is washed away. The pure swans, with love and affection, dwell in the
Ocean of the Lord, and subdue their ego.
Swans are the largest members of the duck family and are amongst
the largest flying birds. They are no longer found in India, even
though they are revered and are compared to saintly persons whose
chief characteristic is to be in the world without getting attached to it,
just as a swan’s feather does not get wet although it is in water. The
Punjabi word for swan is Hans. It is mentioned several times in the

Guru Granth Sahib with reference to its spiritual qualities as extolled
in literature. Swans are said to reside in the summer on Lake Man
Sarovar, in the Himalayas and migrate to Indian lakes in the plains
for the winter. They’re believed to possess some powers such as the
ability to eat pearls. Many other cultures too have stories associated
with swans e.g. The Ugly Duckling and the ballet Swan Lake by
Tchaikovsky . In Gurbani, we find the following references
hMsw ivic bYTw bgu n bxeI inq bYTw mCI no qwr lwvY ]
jw hMs sBw vIcwru kir dyKin qw bgw nwil joVu kdy n AwvY ]
hMsw hIrw moqI cugxw bgu ffw Bwlx jwvY ]
aufirAw vycwrw bgulw mqu hovY mM\u lKwvY ]
(960-9, rwmklI, mÚ 5)
Sitting among the swans, the crane does not become one of them;
sitting there, he keeps staring at the fish. And when the gathering of
swans looks and sees, they realize that they can never form an alliance
with the crane. The swans peck at the diamonds and pearls, while the
crane chases after frogs.T he poor crane flies away, so that his secret
will not be exposed.
eyko srvru kml AnUp ]
sdw ibgwsY prml rUp ]
aUjl moqI cUgih hMs ]
srb klw jgdIsY AMs ]1]
(352-6, Awsw, mÚ 1))
In the pool is the one incomparably beautiful lotus. It blossoms con-

tinually; its form is pure and fragrant.The swans pick up the bright
jewels.They take on the essence of the All-powerful Lord of the
Universe.

8.7
Herons
bgw bgy kpVy qIrQ mMiJ vsMin@ ]
Guit Guit jIAw Kwvxy bgy nw khIAin@ ]
(729-6, sUhI, mÚ 1)
The herons in their white feathers dwell in the sacred shrines of

pilgrimage.They tear apart and eat the living beings, and so they are
not called white.
They belong to a group of wading birds with a pointed spear like

bill, a long thin neck and thin legs. They live near shores marshes. It
is a stealthy hunter, stalking its prey by walking slowly toward it or
by standing still, awaiting the chance to ambush. In Indian folklores,
they are depicted as Cheat and thugs. They stand near the pool on one
leg and pretend to keep their eyes closed, but, in fact, they are cleverly
watching their prey. In Panjabi this type of thugs are called,’Bagla
Bhagat’.
hMsw hIrw moqI cugxw bgu ffw Bwlx jwvY ]
aufirAw vycwrw bgulw mqu hovY mM\u lKwvY ]
(960-9, rwmklI, mhlw 5)
The swans peck at the diamonds and pearls, while the heron chases
after frogs. The poor heron flies away, so that his secret will not be
exposed.

isl pUjis bgul smwDM ]
(1353-7, shsik®qI, mhlw 1)
you worship stones and sit like a heron, pretending to meditate.

8.8
Crow
aufhu n kwgw kwry ]
byig imlIjY Apuny rwm ipAwry ]1] rhwau ]
(gauVI, Bgq kbIr jI)
So flyaway, black crow (I have received the message of the coming

of my beloved, so that I may quickly meet my beloved. Crows are
considered to be very intelligent birds.
They are easily tamed. Their nasal sound is ‘caw’. In Panjabi folklore,
when a Crow ‘caws’ at the rooftop of a house, it is a message that
some important guest was coming. Women, whose husbands have
gone away on duty, long for crows to come and sit on their rooftops
and say ‘caw, caw’, signalling the coming of their love ones.
Awie gieAw pCuqwvxw ijau suM\Y Gir kwau ]3]
ibnu nwvY duKu dyhurI ijau klr kI BIiq ]
People come and go, regretting and repenting, like crows in a deserted
house. Without the Name, the body suffers in pain; it crumbles like a
wall of sand.

8.9
Parrot
qUM ipMjru hau sUAtw qor ]

jmu mMjwru khw krY mor ]2]
(323-19, gauVI, kbIr jI)
You are the cage, and I am Your parrot. So what can the cat of death
do to me?
Parrots are intelligent birds. They learn to imitate speech and other
sounds readily, and some are able to open complicated cage locks. In
one of the mythological stories, the recitation of the name ‘Rama’ by
a parrot gave mukti to a prostitute named Ganika.
hir hrnwKs hry prwn ]
AjYml kIE bYkuMTih Qwn ]
sUAw pVwvq ginkw qrI ]
so hir nYnhu kI pUqrI ]
hir hir krq pUqnw qrI ]
bwl GwqnI kptih BrI ]
ismrn dRopd suq auDrI ]
(874-11, goNf, Bgq nwmdyv jI)

The Lord took the life of Harnaakhash, and gave Ajaamal a place
in heaven. Teaching a parrot to speak the Lord’s Name, Ganika the
prostitute was saved. That Lord is the light of my eyes. Chanting the
Name of the Lord, Har, Har, Pootna was saved, even though she was
a deceitful child-killer. Contemplating the Lord, Dropadi was saved.
Gr kI nwir iqAwgY AMDw ]
pr nwrI isau GwlY DMDw ]
jYsy isMblu dyiK sUAw ibgswnw ]
AMq kI bwr mUAw lptwnw ]1]
(1165-1, BYrau, Bgq nwmdyv jI)
The blind fool abandons the wife of his own home, and has an affair
with another woman. He is like the parrot, who is pleased to see the
simbal tree; but in the end, he dies, stuck to it.

8 + 165 = 173 pages

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Nature in

First Edition: Jan, 2017

Price: INR R s 70 .00 (I n I n d i a )

Printed b y: S e rv o tta m S o lu tio n s

Published b y: L iv in g S u cc e s s fu lly F o u n da tion

LS-01 Beautiful Garden

Nature in Gurbani iii

God has bestowed us with natural resources and we need to maintain

Environmental damage has become one of the most crucial problems

The Guru‘s innumerable references to dense forests, gushing streams,

Yesterday, profit earning was considered to be the sole objective of

Nature in Gurbani vii

Mother Nature (2)

Nature in Gurbani 8+134 = 142pages viii

1.1 Mother Nature  2

Mother Nature is a great teacher because it enables the spiritual seeker

The ablutions in rivers (on so-called auspicious days) cannot bring

Just as an elephant is trapped when he falls a prey to his weakness for

The faithfulness of a dog to his master is well-known. The dog never

One who eats and drinks countless delicacies is no more than

The nature of a fool is whatever he speaks is useless and wasted. You

Sheikh Farid, in his inimitable vocabulary, says he is sacrifice to the

2.1 Life Lessons 8

2.4 The Farmer and the Donkey 31

2.5 The Two Wolves 33

There is a great deal of spiritual significance on the lessons we can

Value the Little Things

Do not be intimidated by small beginnings

As David Zindell observed in “The Broken God”, an acorn is unafraid

In forests, individual trees support one another. Whereas even a giant

As noted above, trees provide an environment that supports the growth

Trees have extensive root systems. Some trees, such as mesquites,

The Creator is all-pervasive

Evil company has evil influence

A plant of bananas suffers when next to a ptree of berries with thorny

It is like threshing a crop without any corn - nothing is gained.In the

Vanity does not allow learning from good company

Humility should be real and not for display

The simmal tree is straight as an arrow; it is very tall, and very

Those who take sanctuary of the Master are saved

Wealth and youth are transitory

Human birth is not obtained again and again

Those who experience the Creator need to perform no

Maya spreads out like sweet molasses; the self-willed manmukh

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

Some people call it listening to your gut, others refer to it as that

RESPECT YOUR ELDERS

Wisdom and knowledge is oftentimes passed down from older people

REACH YOUR GOALS AND PERSEVERE

Whether you have a big exam coming up or you’re looking to make

The planet is full of natural resources and it is up to us to make sure

Don’t yield to helplessness

it’s common to tie untrained elephants’ ankles to a bamboo tree using

Conquer your fear of failure

Don’t say no for the other person

According to the laws of aerodynamics, it should be impossible for

Animal’s hearing abilities far surpass that of humans. While we might

We Must Stick Together

Don’t Ever Give Up

For some virtues have no value

Pride in virtuous acts negates them

Those who make pilgrimages to sacred shrines, observe ritualistic

Vices and creatures

Greed is a dog; falsehood is a filthy street-sweeper. Cheating is eating

Price: INR R s 70 .00 (I n I n d i a )

Nature in Gurbani iii

Nature in Gurbani vii

Nature in Gurbani 8+134 = 142pages viii

1.1 Mother Nature 2

2.1 Life Lessons 8

2.4 The Farmer and the Donkey 31

2.5 The Two Wolves 33

3.1 Most Insightful Things 38

3.2 The Black Koel 47

4.1 Things That Matter Most 54