ਚਕੀ (chakee)
Meaning: noun: Hand mill, made of two grinding stones.
Quote:
ਦੁਇ ਪੁੜ ਚਕੀ ਜੋੜਿ ਕੈ ਪੀਸਣ ਆਇ ਬਹਿਠੁ॥ ਜੋ ਦਰਿ ਰਹੇ ਸੁ ਉਬਰੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਅਜਬੁ ਡਿਠੁ॥
dui puṛ chakee joṛ kai peesaṇ aai bahiṭh.
jo dar rahe su ubre naanak ajab ḍiṭh.
Placing two grinding stones of a hand mill together, they (millers) sit to grind. The kernel which remains at the door, i.e., sticks to the central axle, is spared. Nanak! This is a strange scene! -Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 142
Message: Lucky One!
This verse is a beautiful visual example of a hand mill made of two grinding stones.
When the crop is ripe, it is harvested and thrashed. Then by winnowing, the grain is separated from the crop.
In olden times, by joining two grinding stones of a hand mill together, millers sat down to grind the grains.
Being a keen observer of nature and the world around, Guru Nanak observed this scene carefully.
Grains which remained within the small space between the central axle and the stones escaped from being crushed.
Likewise, those who remain in close proximity to the Divine or the company of good people (sat sangat) are spiritually saved from any harm just like those grains.
Indian Traditional Grinder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSa1N5uRnLE
Etymology: From Sanskrit chakra (wheel, potter’s wheel; circle) → Pali chakk → Prakrit chakk (wheel) → Sindhi chaku (potter’s wheel) and chakee (hand mill).