ਪੰਡਿਤ (paňḍit)
Meaning: noun: Pundits, learned Brahmins; priests.
Quote:
ਮੂਰਖ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਹਿਕਮਤਿ ਹੁਜਤਿ ਸੰਜੈ ਕਰਹਿ ਪਿਆਰੁ॥
ਬੇ-ਸਮਝ ਪੰਡਤ, ਚਲਾਕੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਹੁੱਜਤਾਂ (ਦਲੀਲ ਬਾਜੀਆਂ) ਕਰਦੇ ਅਤੇ ਦੌਲਤ ਇਕੱਠੀ ਕਰਨ ਵਿਚ ਰੁਚੀ ਰਖਦੇ ਹਨ।
moorakh paňḍit hikmat hujat saňjai karahi piaar.
Foolish pundits use clever tricks, indulge in vain arguments, and love to gather wealth. -Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 469
Message: Pundits were supposed to be custodians of knowledge and wisdom. Their duty was to correctly educate and guide others about virtue, dharma and other religious and social matters.
The masses were dependent on pundits for advice. But with time, many of the pundits became corrupt, selfish, hypocrites and ignorant of what constituted correct wisdom and spiritual knowledge.
Their main aim was to satisfy their own selfish motives and collect money from simple-minded people. They had become experts in misguiding the masses who still remained dependent on them for advice and guidance, due to fear and ignorance.
Sadly, this kind of behaviour is still pervasive in the present times. Individuals should stand on their own feet, be discerning and make their own judgements so that they are not misguided by others.
Etymology: From Sanskrit paṅḍit (learned, clever; scholaracher) → Pali paṅḍit (learned man).
