ਸੂਰੀ (sooree)
Meaning: noun: A sharpened stake.
Quote:
ਕਬੀਰ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ਅਤਿ ਘਨੀ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਮਾਹਿ॥
ਸੂਰੀ ਊਪਰਿ ਖੇਲਨਾ ਗਿਰੈ ਤ ਠਾਹਰ ਨਾਹਿ॥
ਹੇ ਕਬੀਰ! ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡੀ ਸਿਆਣਪ ਇਹ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਦਿਲ ਵਿਚ ਹਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਜਪ। ਇਹ ਭਾਵੇਂ ਸੂਲੀ ਉਪਰ ਖੇਡਣ ਸਮਾਨ ਔਖਾ ਕੰਮ ਜਾਪਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਜੇ ਕੋਈ ਇਸ ਜੀਵਨ-ਆਦਰਸ਼ ਤੋਂ ਖੁੰਝ ਜਾਏ, ਤਾਂ ਬਚਾਅ ਦਾ ਹੋਰ ਕੋਈ ਓਟ-ਆਸਰਾ ਭੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ।
kabeer chaturaaee at ghanee hari jap hirdai maahi.
sooree oopar khelanaa girai ta ṭhaahar naahi.
Kabir! The cleverest wisdom is to contemplate on the Divine in the heart. Though it seems difficult like playing on a stake, yet, if one falls off (from this stake), then there is no other place of rest or support either. -Bhagat Kabir, Guru Granth Sahib, 1370
Message: Aiming to play on a stake? What a feat?
Isn’t that what life is all about? Playing to win the game of life and reach our objectives!
However, living one’s life in constant awareness of the Divine and embodying good attributes is not that easy. We have to forsake false beliefs, empty rituals, negativity and unnecessary attachments. We have to overcome our egoism.
It is difficult like playing on a stake, but the game has to be played. An effort has to be made or we lose the game of life. With the help of the Guru’s guidance, we can learn to keep an eye on our objectives and push out obstacles from our lives. We can thus win the game of life.
Etymology: From Sanskrit sool (spike, spit; impaling stake) → Pali sool (stake) → Prakrit sool (spit, trident) and soolee (sharp iron stake) → Kashmiri/Punjabi soolee and Sindhi sooree (impaling stake)
