ਹਰੀਆਵਲੀ (hareeaavalee)
Meaning: adjective: Lush green, pleasant and flourishing.
Quote:
ਸਾ ਧਰਤੀ ਭਈ ਹਰੀਆਵਲੀ ਜਿਥੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਬੈਠਾ ਆਇ॥
ਉਹ ਧਰਤੀ ਹਰੀ-ਭਰੀ, ਭਾਵ ਸੁਹਾਵਣੀ ਹੋ ਗਈ, ਜਿਥੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਆ ਕੇ ਬੈਠਾ।
saa dhartee bha-ee hareeaavalee jithai meraa satigur baiṭhaa aai.
That land, where my Satguru came and sat, became lush green (pleasant and flourishing). -Guru Ram Das, Guru Granth Sahib, 310
Message: Those who pray to and worship the Divine must also be conscious of the blessings we have received from Him – namely this earth that provides us with the sustenance to live this life.
As the land became lush and flourishing when the Guru came and sat on it, so would the earth be green and fertile when it is given reverence and respect and is treated kindly by us. Too busy living our fast, consumer-oriented lives, many of us have alienated ourselves from the earth and ignored it. It then loses its greenery and begins to die in front of our eyes.
Just as we need spiritual guidance and nourishment from the Guru in our lives, the earth needs something from us as well. Care for it. Appreciate what it is providing to us. When did you last stop to feel the earth under your bare feet, to hear the sounds of a refreshing stream or look up at the blue sky in awe? When did you last make a connection with it?
We need to establish a link with the earth and with one another as children of the same mother. It will not remain healthy without our effort and input.
Etymology: Modification of Sanskrit harit or haritaal (green) → Punjabi hariaalaa (green).
