ਚਕੁ (chak)
Meaning: noun: Potter’s wheel.
Quote:
ਖਿਨੁ ਪੂਰਬਿ ਖਿਨੁ ਪਛਮਿ ਛਾਏ ਜਿਉ ਚਕੁ ਕੁਮ੍ਹਿਆਰਿ ਭਵਾਇਆ॥
khin poorab khin pachham chhaae jiu chak kumihaar bhavaa-i-aa.
(The transitory material wealth) moves to the east at one moment and to the west the next moment, ever changing direction, as does the wheel spun by the potter. -Guru Ram Das, Guru Granth Sahib, 442
Message: Transitory nature of material wealth and the futile chase for it
A potter’s wheel is a device used in the shaping of round ceramic ware.
In the verse above, the spinning of the potter’s wheel is used as analogy for the transient and ever changing nature of the material wealth.
We selfishly proclaim this is mine that is mine, and chase after worldly attachments. We have so attached our mind to the worldly material that we feel elated when something is gained but are depressed when something is lost.
However, this charm of the worldly possessions is transitory and the chase for material wealth futile. It keeps changing hands like the changing directions of a potter’s wheel.
Clinging to momentary pleasures of the world, we continue to be deceived by them and suffer.
Only by seeking guidance from the Guru can we enable ourselves to comprehend the real nature of the world and find proper ways to escape the vicious circle of our entanglements.
Etymology: From Sanskrit chakra (wheel, potter’s wheel; circle) → Pali chakk → Prakrit chakk (wheel) → Sindhi chaku (potter’s wheel).
