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War with oneself is the true war

opinionWar with oneself is the true war

In the realm of war, the soldier going to battle is called a yodha, a warrior. The soldier has a vision, and moves forward in his endeavors. There are some yodhas who have become much stronger through regular training and practice, and they can fight ten enemies at once. They are known as mahabali or the sidhas. And finally, the warrior before whom none can stand, the soorma or the soora – all stands vanquished before him.
The realm of spirituality is also a war, a struggle, with none other but oneself. The enemies are clearly defined – lust, anger, greed, attachment, and the ego full of pride. The faithful devotee, who commences battle against these inner enemies is the yodha; he sets out on the path. With regular battle with the self, and with guidance from a teacher, the yodha moves to mahabali, the one who can achieve the ten sidhis. The mahabali even dies when he desires. And finally, the soora, the invincible, the devotee who has merged in Him.
The Guru Granth Sahib mentions these states of the devotees:
The Yodha, the Mahabali, and the Soora –
They all sing Your praise
.
The Guru Granth Sahib identifies the place where the consciousness of the great soora is fashioned:
In the realm of humility, incomparable beauty is fashioned:
The Sooras and Sidhas are shaped here.

The further the devotees move forward in spiritual achievement, the more humane and humble they become. Of such sooras, Saint Kabeer says:
The war drums beat in my mind’s sky, aim is taken, and my enemies are vanquished,
The Sooras have entered battle, time to struggle (with self).

Hence, His apostles convey a simple message – the only fight worth fighting is the one with one’s own self.

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