ਪੰਜਵੈ (paňjvai)
Meaning: adverb: At the fifth (stage of life).
Quote:
ਪੰਜਵੈ ਖਾਣ ਪੀਅਣ ਕੀ ਧਾਤੁ॥ ਛਿਵੈ ਕਾਮੁ ਨ ਪੁਛੈ ਜਾਤਿ॥
paňjvai khaaṇ peeaṇ kee dhaat. chhivai kaam na puchhai jaat.
At the fifth stage of life, the craving for food and drink wells up. At the sixth stage of life, lust does not care about any social class. – Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 137
Message: In fifth stage, human body longs for food and in sixth stage strong passions and sexual desire dominate.
This is the adolescence stage when our body matures and our mind needs sound direction of Gurbani to realize what is right and what is wrong. Puberty brings hormonal changes and reactions. This is a natural progression created by the Divine.
A guided fire can benefit human race and a wild fire can create havoc. In the same way, persons passing through this stage need to be guided to channelise their passions in the right direction.
As parents, as elder siblings, and as individuals, we need to realise our responsibility and guide our near and dear ones as they pass through this stage. Connecting a person to Gurbani at this impressionable age is the best gift we can give them.
Adolescent passions can be seen as an opportunity for anyone who is seeking to reconnect with their deepest inner beings. Why not seek the Guru’s guidance before making any choice? The Guru knows what is best for us and what is best for life.
In today’s world, when access to alcohol, porn and other harmful substances is getting easier by the day, the lighthouse of Gurbani in the form of Guru Granth Sahib is required to guide and keep us treading the right path.
Etymology: From Sanskrit paňcham (fifth) → Pali paňcham → Prakrit paṁcham → Lahndi/Punjabi paňjavaa.
