ਗਤਿ (gati)
Meaning: noun: Movement, deliverance (from impurity), hence also, purification, cleansing.
Quote:
ਮੁਇਆ ਜੀਵਦਿਆ ਗਤਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਜਾਂ ਸਿਰਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਪਾਣੀ॥
ਮੁਇਆਂ ਤੇ ਜਿਉਂਦਿਆਂ ਗਤਿ (ਸ਼ੁਧੀ, ਪਵਿਤਰਤਾ) ਤਾਂ ਹੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਜੇ ਸਿਰ ਵਿਚ ਪਾਣੀ ਪਾਇਆ (ਭਾਵ, ਇਸ਼ਨਾਨ ਕੀਤਾ-ਕਰਾਇਆ) ਜਾਏ।
muiaa jeevadiaa gati hovai jaa sir paaeeai paaṇee.
At the time of death and at the time of birth, one is considered to be cleansed when water is poured on the head or one is washed with water. -Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 150
Message: Water is used from birth to death
Water has been used as a means of purification and cleansing in many of the world’s religions. Water is used in rituals relating to birth and death. Water is used to cleanse the body before a prayer. It is believed to have a unique cleansing power, that we do not approach the Divine without first using this to purify ourselves. As such, should we not be giving it more reverence in our life?
In all of these practices, the humans have just taken its availability for granted. We should, while using it for life purposes, pause and consider our dependency on it. This process would inspire us to be grateful to the Divine for this great gift. An awareness of its importance is what is needed amongst us.
Etymology: From Sanskrit gati (going, gait) → Pali gati (course).
