ਗੁਣ (guṇ)
Meaning: noun: Quality, virtue.
Quote:
ਸਗਲ ਗੁਣਾ ਗੁਣ ਊਤਮੋ ਭਰਤਾ ਦੂਰਿ ਨ ਪਿਖੁ ਰੀ॥
sagal guṇaa guṇ ootmo bhartaa door na pikh ree.
Of all virtues the most sublime virtue is: do not see the Beloved to be far away. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 400
Message: Using the metaphor of a bride, the Guru tells us how to win the love and affection of our Beloved, the Divine.
The most sublime virtue that can help us in this endeavour is to ‘see’ the Beloved near at hand, all the time, whatever the circumstances.
The Divine pervades within, around, and in everyone. A religious practitioner is supposed to live in this awareness at all times.
The Guru’s words of wisdom can illuminate our mind with divine knowledge and take us to this path of spiritual experience. By living our life in harmony with the Divine will, we can be closer and more pleasing to the Creator.
If we want to become true devotees and enjoy the blissful proximity of the Divine, we should love and serve the Creator like an ideal human spouse does for their counterpart.
By practising the ultimate virtues of love and care for all, we would be showing our love for the Beloved, as the Creator dwells in the creation.
Etymology: From Sanskrit guṇ (quality, good quality) → Pali/Prakrit guṇ → Sindhi guṇu and Lahndi/Punjabi guṇ.
