ਬਗਾ (baggaa)
Meaning: adjective: White.
Quote:
ਬਗਾ ਰਤਾ ਪੀਅਲਾ ਕਾਲਾ ਬੇਦਾ ਕਰੀ ਪੁਕਾਰ॥
ਚਿੱਟਾ, ਲਾਲ, ਪੀਲਾ ਤੇ ਕਾਲਾ (ਲਿਬਾਸ ਪਹਿਨ ਕੇ ਮੈਂ ਭਾਵੇਂ ਚਾਰੇ) ਵੇਦਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਕਾਰ ਪੁਕਾਰ ਕੇ ਉੱਚੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼ ਨਾਲ ਪਾਠ ਤੇ ਵਖਿਆਨ ਕਰਾਂ।
baggaa rattaa peealaa kaalaa bedaa karee pukaar.
Wearing white, red, yellow and black robes, I may shout out loud and explain the four Vedas. -Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 139
Message: Secret to Self-realisation
Taking on the role of a Brahmin (Hindu priest), the Guru proclaims that we might wear various robes representing various scriptures; recite the scriptures and expound on them, but the human intellect still remains sullied with egotism and falsehood.
Reflection, internalisation and practice of Divine teachings will elevate us to the realm of better understanding. And that will bring true joy to ourselves and others around us. Not mere reading or rote recitation.
Note: The human fascination with various colours and complexions is not new. In the Gayatri tantra, the four Vedas (Sama, Yajur, Rig and Atharva) are mentioned having four hues or complexions: white, red, yellow and black respectively. The verse above seems to make reference to that.
Etymology: Perhaps from Sanskrit valgu (beautiful) → Pali/Prakrit vaggu → Lahndi bagg (white wood) and Lahndi/Punjabi bagga (white)
