The original state of our mind is like a clean mirror which then gets polluted by impurities. Ancient scriptures has divided impurities of the mind into three categories:
1. Mael (state or dross of our current and accumulated sins)
This is like the dust accumulating on the surface of a mirror day after day not allowing true reflection of mind to be seen. Guru Mahraj says,
ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕੀ ਇਸੁ ਮਨ ਕਉ ਮਲੁ ਲਾਗੀ ਕਾਲਾ ਹੋਆ ਸਿਆਹੁ ॥
The filth of countless incarnations sticks to this mind; it has become pitch black.
2. Vikshep (constant wavering of mind)
Like movements of the reflected image in a mirror that is kept moving.
ਇਹੁ ਮਨੂਆ ਖਿਨੁ ਊਭ ਪਇਆਲੀ ਭਰਮਦਾ ਇਕਤੁ ਘਰਿ ਆਣੈ ਰਾਮ ॥
One moment, mind is in heavens, next, it is in nether regions; the Guru brings wandering mind back to one-pointedness.
3. Avran (veil of ignorance)
Thick cloth covering the mirror of, that does not permit any reflection whatsoever.
ਦੁਲਭ ਦੇਹ ਖੋਈ ਅਗਿਆਨੀ ਜੜ ਅਪੁਣੀ ਆਪਿ ਉਪਾੜੀ ਜੀਉ ॥੩॥
He wastes this human body, so difficult to obtain. In his ignorance, he tears up his own roots. ||3||
When all three of this three impurities are removed, then the mind emerges in its original form.
ਅਬ ਮਨੁ ਉਲਟਿ ਸਨਾਤਨੁ ਹੂਆ ॥
My mind has now been restored to its original purity.
Gurmukhs keep their mirror facing the Guru so that Goldly characteristics are reflected back in them. They subdue and clean their mind from these impurities with their spiritual earning/practise (kamai) of Gurshabad with the kirpa of Guru Mahraj. May we all yearn and make effort to start cleaning our mirror-like mind. Gurprasad.
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