Word Of The Day: maandal

ਮਾਂਦਲੁ (maaṅdal)
Meaning: noun: drum.

Quote:
ਕਬੀਰ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਹਉ ਫਿਰਿਓ   ਮਾਂਦਲੁ ਕੰਧ ਚਢਾਇ॥ ਕੋਈ ਕਾਹੂ ਕੋ ਨਹੀ   ਸਭ ਦੇਖੀ ਠੋਕਿ ਬਜਾਇ॥
kabeer sabh jag hau phirio   maaṅdal kaňdh chaḍhaai.
koee kaahoo ko nahee   sabh dhekhee ṭhok bajaai.
Kabeer: I have wandered all over the world carrying the drum on my shoulder. I have carefully looked into and studied the whole creation – no one belongs to anyone.
– Bhagat Kabeer, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 1370

Message: Bhagat Kabeer implies that he has with his booming drum tried to announce his presence in the world. He has tried to please the people by following the ways of the world and trying to go with the tide of human behavior and experience by making others happy. Unfortunately, no one seems to care about him and his wishes as it is human nature for everyone to be self-centered towards one’s own needs. Thus no one belongs to anyone – meaning everyone is for himself and herself. We have to progress on the spiritual path ourselves.

I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs, and ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music. -George Eliot, an English novelist, journalist, translator and writer, 1819 -1880

Keen to Explore Further?
Etymology: From Sanskrit mardal (a kind of drum) → Prakrit maddal (drum) → Punjabi mandal. Comparable to Nepali maadal/maadhal (drum, hub of wheel), Assamese/ Bengalimaadal (drum).

Another form of the word found in the Guru Granth Sahib:

1. ਮੰਦਲ: same as above.