Moh

Five Evils

1. Kam (Lust) 2. Krodh (Rage) 3. Lobh (Greed) 4. Moh (Attachment) 5. Ahankar (Ego)

Moh (Punjabi: ਮੋਹ mōha; Sanskrit: muh^[1]) is a word in Punjabi and Sanskrit which describes attachment to worldly possessions or individuals.^[2]^[3]^[1] It is one of the five thieves within Sikh philosophy which hinder one's spiritual development.^[2]^[3]^[1]

^ ^a ^b ^c Singh, Harbans (2011). The Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Vol. 3: M-R (3rd ed.). Punjabi University, Patiala. pp. 111–112. ISBN 978-81-7380-349-9.
^ ^a ^b Mann, Gurinder Singh (2001). The Making of Sikh Scripture. Oxford University Press. p. 140. ISBN 9780198029878. In addition, Guru Nanak urges human beings to avoid lust (kam), anger (krodh), greed (lobh), attachment (moh) ... These are called the "five thieves" (panj chor), and the need to control them is a repeated theme in Guru Nanak's hymns; ...
^ ^a ^b Cole, W. Owen; Sambhi, Piara Singh (2005). A Popular Dictionary of Sikhism: Sikh Religion and Philosophy. Routledge. pp. 84–85. ISBN 9781135797607. Guru Amar Das stated, 'Within this body are hidden five thieves: they are lust, wrath, greed, attachment and egoism. They steal away the nectar within us ... In Punjabi the names of the five vices are, kam, krodh, lobh, moh, and hankar. ... Attachment is more in need of examination, being perhaps unfamiliar to the western mind. It means clinging to anyone or thing which prevents someone from becoming united with the one being who can provide eternal union, sahaj, God. Thus Guru Nanak wrote, 'Abandon love of family and of all affairs. Leave aside love of the world, it is a waste of time. Forsake worldly love and superstition, brother, it is all a waste of time' (AG 356). He uses the familiar Indian symbol of the lotus which can survive in a murky pond, its beauty unspoiled by the filth which surrounds it to illustrates the idea of non-attachment: 'As the lotus lives detached in water, as the duck floats carefree on the stream, so one crosses the sea of material existence with the mind attuned to the Word. Live detached, shorn of hope, living in the midst of hope' (AG 938).

[:3-1] Singh, Harbans (2011). The Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Vol. 3: M-R (3rd ed.). Punjabi University, Patiala. pp. 111–112. ISBN 978-81-7380-349-9.

[:1-2] Mann, Gurinder Singh (2001). The Making of Sikh Scripture. Oxford University Press. p. 140. ISBN 9780198029878. In addition, Guru Nanak urges human beings to avoid lust (kam), anger (krodh), greed (lobh), attachment (moh) ... These are called the "five thieves" (panj chor), and the need to control them is a repeated theme in Guru Nanak's hymns; ...

[:2-3] Cole, W. Owen; Sambhi, Piara Singh (2005). A Popular Dictionary of Sikhism: Sikh Religion and Philosophy. Routledge. pp. 84–85. ISBN 9781135797607. Guru Amar Das stated, 'Within this body are hidden five thieves: they are lust, wrath, greed, attachment and egoism. They steal away the nectar within us ... In Punjabi the names of the five vices are, kam, krodh, lobh, moh, and hankar. ... Attachment is more in need of examination, being perhaps unfamiliar to the western mind. It means clinging to anyone or thing which prevents someone from becoming united with the one being who can provide eternal union, sahaj, God. Thus Guru Nanak wrote, 'Abandon love of family and of all affairs. Leave aside love of the world, it is a waste of time. Forsake worldly love and superstition, brother, it is all a waste of time' (AG 356). He uses the familiar Indian symbol of the lotus which can survive in a murky pond, its beauty unspoiled by the filth which surrounds it to illustrates the idea of non-attachment: 'As the lotus lives detached in water, as the duck floats carefree on the stream, so one crosses the sea of material existence with the mind attuned to the Word. Live detached, shorn of hope, living in the midst of hope' (AG 938).

[1]

[2]

[3]