Gurbani Word Of The Day: sultaan

Theme for the Week:
English words in Guru Granth Sahib?

The English language has borrowed many words from other languages, besides Latin and Greek. Arabic and Persian languages too have contributed many words to English directly or indirectly via other languages.

This week we feature five such words found in Gurbani.

In some cases, these might be closer to the meaning of their root word; in other cases, they might also encompass modern English meaning.

ਸੁਲਤਾਨੁ (sultaan)
Meaning: noun: Sultan, emperor, king (especially the sovereign of a Muslim country).

Quote:
ਸੁਲਤਾਨੁ ਹੋਵਾ ਮੇਲਿ ਲਸਕਰ   ਤਖਤਿ ਰਾਖਾ ਪਾਉ॥ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹਾਸਲੁ ਕਰੀ ਬੈਠਾ   ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਭ ਵਾਉ॥
sultaan hovaa mel laskar   Takht raakhaa paau.
hukam haasal karee baiṭhaa   naanakaa sabh vaau.

If I were to become a sultan by raising an army and sitting on a throne, and sitting firmly on the throne, issue commands and receive what I order; still O Nanak, all this power is transient like the puff of a wind. -Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 14

Message: Sultans have come and gone…

Using himself as an example, Guru Nanak states that, what if I were a powerful sultan or sovereign with a vast army and control over all the subjects. 

I may issue commands at will and see them being executed at once.

What then?
Yes, the point is that despite this show of power which is short lived, one might not find true happiness and spiritual peace.

Gurbani reminds us over and over again that there is no spiritual joy and peace without inculcating divine values. The body and mind continue to suffer.

Even when we are affluent and powerful, we should not forsake the Divine. Let us not forget the importance of divinity and humility.

ਨਾਵ ਜਿਨਾ ਸੁਲਤਾਨ ਖਾਨ   ਹੋਦੇ ਡਿਠੇ ਖੇਹ॥
Those who were known as sultans and emperors have been seen reduced to dust in the end. -Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 16

Notes:

1. The word sultan is also used to mean the Divine (the true Sultan) in Gurbani.
2. Lascar (lashkar, army) and takht (literally, a sofa or long bench, or a bed; Punjabi Takht) are also now parts of English.

Etymology: From Arabic sultaan; comparable to Middle French sultan (ruler of Turkey).