nij means mine. man means the mind. We often say that we are not feeling like doing something, sometimes we feel like doing something. These bout of thoughts are because of mind. So, are we the thoughts or the mind? No, we are not so. Once the soul is out of the body, we shall be called dead. We are not the mind.
Are we the eyes, ears or other organs, or a lump of clay? We often say that the head is aching. Is this physical body our true identity? No, it is not so. We cannot regulate the functions of the visceras by our will. So, we cannot affirm our identity as the sack of organs.
Here, Tulsidas Ji is trying to convey that the mind has to be cleansed, for the Self can be seen. Mukur means the mirror. The mukur has to be cleansed (sudhar). We all are the soul. We have not realized the notion yet.
If we take two cushions and unveil its covers, and then we gather the stuffed cotton. Then, we should mix the contents of the two cushions. We shall see that the lump has transformed into a single mass, the boundaries of disintegrations disappear. Similarly, the core of soul is the same. Once we realize the symmetry, we shall be free. We say that the soul is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. It resides in all creations and creatures of the planet.
We see the reflection of our physique in the mirror. But, if the mirror is dusty or adorned by several spots, it shows a hazy image, despite our face is spotless. Similar concept works behind a selfie camera. We can experiment the words being quoted here. Our mind is a mirror. The Self is utterly pure. But, the mind has turned hazy, because of the deposition of scum on the mirror. The scum is because of the interactions in the world; lust, greed, wrath and the other passions cloud our minds. We need to take several steps to clean the mirror. Once the mind becomes clean, the Self, our ishta will become visible.
The steps to cleanse the mind were explained in the previous phrase. Shree Guru charan saroj ruj… Reminiscence of the words of the Guru shall help us clean the mirror. Even if we are not initiated by the Guru, any Name uttered with deep faith shall redeem us. Ego, doership, lust, greed, wrath and the wrath shall diminish.
Another step, is to be obedient to the words of our elders, and even those of the Guru. Third step should involve charity and sharing. Sharing the assets with others, without any expectation from others, will cleanse us. Forth step should involve meditation. If we mediate at night, before going to bed, the scum is gradually loosens up. And, when we wake up and meditate, the scum is scraped off even more.
Let us do another experiment. We take an old mirror, some oil, handful of mud and garden waste. We smear the mirror with the oil, and apply the dust on its surface. Then we try to clean the surface. It will be cumbersome to scrape off the layer. Despite using warm water and hard detergents, the mirror shall continue portraying hazy images. Even the hands will be soiled terribly. Similar fate is with our mind. We need to give time to loosen the debris.
We should try not to hurt others. If we feel forced by the bout of doership, we should surrender again, at the Divine feet. If ego overpowers our senses, we should remember that we are the soul which is the creator, preserver as well as the destroyer. The true doer cannot be proud of his meagre manipulations.
Once the ego is abolished, maan is abolished (hanan), we shall become Hanuman. Once we see it, we will Rama, Sita and Lakshamana in our hearts. Hanuman is not the doer, the Shakti dwelling within is the doer.
