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Vice (& Five Vices, Five Evils, Punj Dokh)


VICE (& Five Vices, Five Evils, Punj Dokh)

Vice means evil or grossly immoral conduct from which one should escape.

In Guru Granth Sahib, there are several references to five vices: Kaam (lust), Karodh (wrath/anger), Lobh (greed/avarice), Moh (emotional attachment), Hankaar (pride). In Guru Granth Sahib they have been mentioned as Punj Chor (five thieves), Punj Vikaar (Five Vices), Panch Dokh, Kilbikh/Kilvikh/Paap/Dokh (Five Sins) also. Among these five, Hankaar is most dangerous. These are five major weaknesses of a human being, which are an obstacle in the path to liberation (self-realization).

One must get rid of these five vices in order to get liberation (self-realization). These vices are obstacles in the path to union with the Supreme Soul. Meditation and truthful living can overcome these.

The five vices have corrupted my mind.

Moment by moment, they lead me further away from God

(Guru Granth Sahib, p. 710)

In the one temple of the body are the five thieves, who continually do misdeed (Guru Granth Sahib , p.1096)

Without overcoming the five thieves, how can the mind be subdued

(Guru Granth Sahib, p. 1140)

To overcome five vices one should acquire five virtues: lust can be overcome by self-control, anger with tolerance, greed with contentment, ego with modesty and affection/attachment with devotion to duty.

(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)

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