ਸਤਵੈ (satvai)
Meaning: adverb: At the seventh (stage of life).
Quote:
ਸਤਵੈ ਸੰਜਿ ਕੀਆ ਘਰ ਵਾਸੁ॥ਅਠਵੈ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਹੋਆ ਤਨ ਨਾਸੁ॥
satvai saňj keeaa ghar vaas. aṭhvai krodh hoaa tan naas.
At the seventh stage of life, one gathers wealth and builds house. At the eighth stage of life, anger wells up, due to which the body is ruined. – Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 137
Message: Now passing from the adolescence stage, one gains some understanding and enters the adulthood in seventh stage where one gets engaged in amassing wealth. One tries to amass wealth as much as one can and by whatever means one can.
This verse brings us to an important question. Is working hard and earning wealth bad according to Gurbani? No, not at all. Gurbani advises us that one should earn livelihood by honest means but not forget the Creator as one engages in the pursuit of earning a livelihood.
Contemplation upon Gurbani, at this stage, is an important resource to draw upon to deepen and enrich our lives.
This is also the phase of financial pressures. Taking too many pressures for the sake of earning more wealth may give rise to frustration, anger, and stress.
Continuing to eighth stage, Guru Sahib points out that, when one realizes one has not earned spiritual wealth or merit through good actions one is filled with remorse which leads to anger. Remorse and anger weaken and ruin the body.
Some questions to reflect on: once we have raised our families and established ourselves in our work life, why not think of giving something back to society? Why not contribute to the betterment of society as a volunteer or mentor?
Etymology: From Sanskrit saptam (seventh) → Pali → Prakrit sattam → Lahndi/Punjabi satvaa/satmaa.
