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EVILS AND VIRTUES

Kaam: refers to lust and illegitimate sex. It is one of the greatest evils that tempts people
away from God. It makes an individual weak-willed and unreliable. Normal sexual
relationship as a house-holder is not restricted in any way in Sikhism. But sex outside
marriage or sex against the will of the partner is taboo, as it can cause unlimited sorrows.

Krodh: is anger and needs to be controlled. A person overcome by 'krodh' loses his
balance of mind and becomes incapable of thinking. According to Sikhism, 'krodh' takes
a person away from God as hatred has no place in religious practise.

Lobh: means greed, a strong desire to possess what rightfully belongs to others. It makes
an individual selfish and self-centered. It takes a person away from his religious and
social duties. A person can become blind with greed if an effort to control the desire for
unlimited possessions is not made.

Moh: refers to the strong attachment that an individual has to worldly possessions and
relationships. It blurs the perspective of a human being and makes him narrow minded. It
deviates a person from his moral duties and responsibilities and leads him towards path of
sin.

Ahankar: means false pride due to one's possessions, material wealth, intelligence or
powers. It gives an individual a feeling that he is superior to others and therefore they are
at a lower level than him. It leads to jealousy, feelings of enmity and restlessness amongst
people. Sikhism requires that a person serves the society and community with humility.

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8 VIRTUES TO COMBAT THE 5 EVILS

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Wisdom (gyan): is the complete knowledge of a set of religious principles. It can be


achieved by hearing good, thinking good and doing good. A man of wisdom tries to
achieve a high moral standard in his life and interaction with others. According to
Sikhism, the first step to wisdom is to consider oneself as an ignorant person who has to
learn a lot in life.

Truthful Living (sat): This is more than 'truth'. It means living according to the way of
God i.e. the thoughts should match the words that a person speaks and his actions should
also match his words. Truthful living brings a person closer to God.

Justice (niaon) : means freedom and equal oppurtunities for all. Respect for the rights of
others and strict absence of attempts to exploit a fellowbeing. Sikhism forbids the desire
to loot anothers property. It also strictly instructs the Sikhs to show respect even for the
women and children of an enemy.

Temperance (santokh) : means self control which has to be developed through meditation
and prayers. A Sikh has to banish evil thoughts from his mind by constantly repeating
Gods name and reciting prayers. Torture to the body to develop self-control is not
advocated in Sikhism.

Patience (dhiraj) : implies a high level of tolerance and empathy for others. It requires
control over ones ego and willingness to overlook anothers weakness or mistakes. It
requires that a Sikh should be strongwilled, but kind hearted.

Courage (himmat) : means bravery i.e. absence of fear. It is the ability to stake ones life
for ones convictions and for saving others from injustice or cruelty.

Humility (namarta) : is a deliberate denial of pleasure at one's own praise and admiration.
It means underplaying ones own strengths and respecting the abilities of others. It is the
antidote to 'ahankar'

Contentment (sabar) : means refraining from worldly fears and submitting oneself to the
will of God. The typical worldly fears can be fear of death, poverty, disrespect and defeat.
It is this virtue that has given the Sikhs the moral strength to withstand the various
atrocities committed on their community in the last three centuries.

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