ਨੈ (nai)
Meaning: noun: River.
Quote:
ਉਦਰੁ ਨੈ ਸਾਣੁ ਨ ਭਰੀਐ ਕਬਹੂ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਅਗਨਿ ਪਚਾਏ॥
(ਮਨਮੁਖ ਦਾ ਤ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨਾਲੂ) ਪੇਟ ਨਦੀ ਵਾਂਗ ਕਦੀ ਭਰਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਤ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨਾ ਦੀ ਅੱਗ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਬਰਬਾਦ ਕਰ ਦੇਂਦੀ ਹੈ।
udar nai saaṇ na bhareeai kabhoo trisnaa agan pachaa-e.
(A manmukh’s) belly like a river is never filled up; the fire of craving consumes him or her. -Guru Amar Das, Guru Granth Sahib, 1131
Message: Big tummies wanting more
Like a lava flow that consumes everything in its way, a greedy human being is never satisfied but craves for more. As long as one is self-centred or desperately materialistic, his or her craving for more material possessions never ends.
The excessive desire is like a river of fire. It cannot be extinguished with more material possessions as these work as fuel. Unlimited and uncontrollable craving engender suffering.
Only when we are Guru-oriented and learn to be thankful for what we have, can we find spiritual satisfaction and contentment.
Etymology: From Sanskrit nadee (river) → Pali nadee → Prakrit ṇaee → Punjabi/Hindi and others naee/nai.
