ਪੰਚ (paňch)
Meaning: noun: Literally five; the five members of a village assembly (panchayat); traditionally panchayats consisted of wise and respected elders chosen and accepted by the community; hence, the leaders, the exalted ones, the supreme beings. .
Quote:
ਪੰਚ ਪਰਵਾਣ ਪੰਚ ਪਰਧਾਨੁ॥ ਪੰਚੇ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਦਰਗਹਿ ਮਾਨੁ॥
paňch parvaaṇ paňch pardhaan. paňche paavahi dargahi maan.
The exalted ones are acknowledged and accepted as leaders. Such exalted ones are accorded honour in the Court. – Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 03
Theme for the Week:
In this week, we’ll cover pauri number 16 of Jap Ji Sahib. This is a long stanza; for ease of understanding messages, we have divided it into five parts.
The stanza first explains the exalted status of the panch, the ones who keep their focus on the Guru’s wisdom and live according to a higher paradigm. Then, it deals with the myth that a bull holds or supports the earth. It proceeds to describe the infinite nature and variety of creation; no one can make an estimation of its extent or limits.
Guru Nanak gives a subtle hint of the Big Bang Theory, that all of creation came into being and expanded from a single command. It is pointed out in the end that while contemplation on the Divine is essential, but it does not enable a human being to comprehend the whole of creation.
Message: Panch, the exalted ones, are those who know that this world is transitory. They are not caught up in the web of Maya. They cling to the Perpetual, the Divine. The focus of their mind is the Guru – Gurbani, living by studying and contemplating the divine teachings. They heartily accept those teachings and then lovingly put them into practice.
They cherish divinity in their hearts and lead their life in harmony with nature. Such a way of life leads them to an exalted state of mind. Thus, they receive honour and respect wherever they go, here and hereafter. They have demolished the wall of falsehood and become sachiaar, truthful in both thoughts and deeds
ਪੰਚਮਿ ਪੰਚ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਤੇ ਜਿਹ ਜਾਨਿਓ ਪਰਪੰਚੁ॥
They who know the true nature of the world are the panch, the exalted ones and leaders. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 297
Keen to Explore Further?
Interpreters of Gurbani have ascribed various meanings to the word panch, including the number five, the five elements, and the mind. But the general and more authentic view is that panch denotes an exemplar, or an iconic figure, someone worthy of being held up as an example. In current parlance in the Punjab (and other parts of India), the sar-panch is the headman of the village. In Gurbani, panch is also used to refer to those who are not caught up in the web of par-panch, a synonym for Maya. It is in this sense that we have used the meaning here.
Guru Nanak seems to hold out the panch as exemplars, those who have scaled the spiritual summit. For sojourners of the spirit, the panch hold out the hope that the Divine is accessible, even if it is unseen. The panch live in a state of mannai – an inner quality, relating to our consciousness. The panch are exalted and iconic figures who, through the practice of Naam, have achieved a shift in inner consciousness.
In short, the panch have morphed from being a self-centered (manmukh) to becoming a Guru-centered (gurmukh).
Just as there are tools and equipment to scale a mountain, there is an inner technology to practice Naam and here it is referred to as gur ek dhian (focus on the Guru – Gurbani).
Etymology: From Sanskrit panch (five).
