Gurbani Word Of The Day: pagree

Theme for the Week:
Did you know the word “turban” originated in the 16th century from the French language? The French word probably had its origins in the Persian word dulband which led to the Turkish word tulbent. This shows how diverse is its background and how far back in time it reaches as an article of clothing.

Indeed, for ages the turban has always been a common and fashionable item of clothing worn to cover heads in many cultures, most probably from Babylonian and Egyptian times. However, turbans are not only worn because of fashion but also because the turban has a lot of significance in the lives of a community.

For Sikhs, the turban and unshorn hair have become interlinked. The turban represents their sense of identity, for the preservation of which, Sikhs have sacrificed their lives. It represents sovereignty, dignity and honour for an individual as well as for the group.

After the creation of the Khalsa order in 1699, it was required that all Khalsa Sikhs cover their heads with a turban, thereby signifying equal status among them as opposed to some cultures in South Asia, where it was only worn by the higher classes and elites.

This week we will look at five references to ‘turban’ made in Gurbani by the Gurus and Bhagats. We will start with pagree and move on to words like pag, paag, dastaar, and dumala. Since Gurbani is composed in verse, some of these references to turban are metaphorical or symbolic.

ਪਗਰੀ (pagree)
Meaning: noun: Turban.

Quote:
ਖੂਬੁ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਗਰੀ   ਮੀਠੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਬੋਲ॥
khoob teree pagree   meeṭhe tere bol.
(O friend!) Your turban is very attractive and your speech is very sweet. – Bhagat Namdev, Guru Granth Sahib, 727

Message: Though the Divine is mostly described as formless in Gurbani, in this verse the Divine is described metaphorically.

The hymn, from where this verse is taken, is historically said to be uttered by Bhagat Namdev when he was forced to work by a Mogul, a person belonging to the ruling class of that time. Namdev uttered this hymn while on the way to Dwarka, a city in the state of Gujrat in northwestern India, often identified with the  Dwarka kingdom, the ancient kingdom of  Krishna.

Namdev saw the divine spark in every human being. Similarly he also saw that spark in the Mogul. So instead of objecting to this forced labour, Namdev conversed with him in a very friendly way. Not only did he greet him well, but also asked about his whereabouts and well-being. He then asked, “O my friend, how beautiful is your turban, and how sweet are your words, but I wonder what a Mogul is doing in Dwarka (the city of Hindus)?”

From this hymn, we learn that we should change our way of viewing other people and circumstances around us. Let us remember to see divinity in everyone, even in an enemy (since the Divine is everywhere). Having a positive attitude despite hindrances in life will make life much easier. Not only should our appearance be kempt, but our words and thoughts should be sweet too.

Etymology: From Sanskrit paggaa (headdress) → Bihari pagree andNepali pagari (turban, cap). Its modern Punjabi and Hindi form pagṛee seems to be a later development.

Notes:  The word ‘turban’ came from Middle French turbant, from Italian turbante (Old Italian tolipante), from Turkish tulbent (gauze, muslin, tulle), from Persian dulband (turban). The change of ‘l’ to ‘r’ may have taken place in Portuguese India and thence been picked up in other European languages. A men’s headdress in Muslim lands, it was popular in Europe and America in 1776-1800 as a ladies’ fashion. -See: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=turban.

 

 

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