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

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

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

Attachment (Moh) the strong attachment that an individual has to worldly possessions and relationships. 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 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 a path of sin. It deviates a person from his moral duties and responsibilities and leads him towards a path of sin.

False Pride (Ahankar) means false pride due to one's possessions, material wealth, intelligence or powers. 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 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. It leads to jealousy, feelings of enmity and restlessness amongst people. Sikhism requires that a person serves the society and community with humility. Hence, the practise of cleaning the footwear of visitors to a Gurudwara is followed by many devout Sikhs. Sikhism requires that a person serves the society and community with humility. Hence, the practise of cleaning the footwear of visitors to a Gurudwara is followed by many devout Sikhs.

8 VIRTUES TO COMBAT THE 5 EVILS

Wisdom (Gyan) is the complete knowledge of a set of religious principles. is the complete knowledge of a set of religious principles. It can be achieved by hearing good, thinking good and doing good. 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. A man of wisdom tries to achieve a high moral standard in his life and interaction with others. According to Sikhism, the first steps to wisdom is to consider oneself as an ignorant person who has to learn a lot in life. According to Sikhism, the first steps 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'. 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. 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. Truthful living brings a person closer to God.

Justice (Niaon) means freedom and equal oppurtunities for all. means freedom and equal oppurtunities for all. Respect for the rights of others and strict absence of attempts to exploit a fellow being. Respect for the rights of others and strict absence of attempts to exploit a fellow being. Sikhism forbids the desire to loot another's property. Sikhism forbids the desire to loot another's property. It also strictly instructs the Sikhs to show respect even for the women and children of an enemy. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 control over ones ego and willingness to overlook anothers weakness or mistakes. It requires that a Sikh should be strongwilled, but kind hearted. 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. 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' 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. 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. 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 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