ਮਰਣ (maraṇ)
Meaning: noun: Death.
Quote:
ਜੇ ਕੋ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਤੇ ਡਰੈ॥ ਸਾਧ ਜਨਾ ਕੀ ਸਰਨੀ ਪਰੈ॥
je ko janam maraṇ te darai. saadh janaa kee sarnee parai
If one fears birth and death, then one should submit to the sanctuary of the virtuous beings
– Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 266
Message: The verses of this week are stressing on the importance of associating with Guru-focussed virtuous people (sadh sangat).
Guru Sahib uses the commonly prevalent belief or fear of rebirth as different life forms to further stress that all our fears of birth and death will go away if we pay heed to and practise the message of Gurbani acquired through sadh sangat.
A person, who achieves calmness of mind while living a truthful life as a responsible householder, he or she attains self-realization and does not fear beliefs, such as transmigration. He or she lives in the present moment, and forsakes worrying for the future, akin to the advice of Bhagat Kabir below:
ਸੁਰਗ ਬਾਸੁ ਨ ਬਾਛੀਐ ਡਰੀਐ ਨ ਨਰਕਿ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ॥ ਹੋਨਾ ਹੈ ਸੋ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ ਮਨਹਿ ਨ ਕੀਜੈ ਆਸ॥
One should not wish for a place in heaven, and one should not be afraid to live in hell. Whatever happens, will happen; do not have any desire in your mind. -Bhagat Kabir, Guru Granth Sahib, 337
Etymology: From Sanskrit maraṇ (dying, cessation) → Pali → Prakrit → Gujarati/Marathi/Sinhalese/Sindhi maraṇ (dying, death).
