Word Of The Day: khar

ਖਰ (khar)
Meaning: noun: Donkey.

Quote:
ਮਨ ਖੁਟਹਰ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਹੀ ਬਿਸਾਸੁ   ਤੂ ਮਹਾ ਉਦਮਾਦਾ॥ ਖਰ ਕਾ ਪੈਖਰੁ ਤਉ ਛੁਟੈ   ਜਉ ਊਪਰਿ ਲਾਦਾ॥
man khuṭ-har teraa nahee bisaas   too mahaa ud-maadaa.
khar kaa paikhar tau chhootai   jau oopar laadaa.
O devious mind! (Like a donkey) no faith can be placed in you, you are very intoxicated. The donkey’s leash is only removed, after the load is placed on his back.
– Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 815

Message: Generally, donkeys are portrayed as stubborn, foolish and lowly. A donkey’s leash is only removed, after the load is placed on its back. However, donkeys have a keen sense of curiosity. Their reputation for stubbornness is due to their highly-developed sense of self-preservation. It is difficult to force a donkey to do something which it considers to be contrary to its best interest. Nevertheless, it can be trained. Show him or her by words and actions that you can be trusted and they will learn what we want them to do.

In the same vein, the mind when left to its own devices, is seen as foolish and stubborn as a donkey – hence the comparison. Left to its own devices, it is engrossed in worldly pleasures. It forgets that the Divine is its companion, helper and best friend. It is totally taken in by its vices. It is intoxicated and hence devious and foolish.

As a donkey can be trained to serve its master, so can our mind be brought under our control. Through the insights of the Guru, we are able to rein in the mind just as we leash the donkey. As the donkey comes to carry the load without resistance, so the mind can slowly find clarity and be enlightened.

ਕਬੀਰ ਮਨ ਜਾਨੈ ਸਭ ਬਾਤ   ਜਾਨਤ ਹ ਅਉਗਨ ਕਰੈ॥ ਕਾਹ ਕੀ ਕੁਸਲਾਤ   ਹਾਥਿ ਦੀਪ ਕੂਏ ਪਰ॥
The mind knows everything, and knowing it makes mistakes. What good is a lamp in one’s hand, if one still falls into the well? -Bhagat Kabeer, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 1376

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Etymology: From Sanskrit khar → Prakrit khar → Sindhi kharu →Punjabi khar (donkey).