Word Of The Day: kuňchar

ਕੁੰਚਰੁ (kuňchar)
Meaning: noun: Elephant.

Quote:
ਮਨੁ ਕੁੰਚਰੁ ਕਾਇਆ ਉਦਿਆਨੈ॥
man kuňchar kaaiaa udiaanai.
The mind is like an elephant in the forest, the body.
– Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 221

Message: The elephant here is seen as representative of the mind while the forest refers to our life. An elephant, on rampage in the forest, destroys anything in its path. The mind – seen as the elephant – allowed to run free, also causes untold damage in our life. The vices residing in the mind play havoc with our thoughts, damage relationships and take away our peace.

The elephant can only be tamed by the mahout. With the help of his goad, it is tamed and controlled, before it can be stamped and allowed to enter the court of a king. For the mind to be tamed, in order to receive honor in the court of the Divine, the Guru serves as the goad and the wisdom of the Guru’s Shabad, the stamp. The wild nature of the mind can only be refined through the Guru’s guidance. No other clever tricks can subdue the mind.

Only through subduing the mind, can the value of divinity be appreciated. When the mind surrenders, it is open to seeing and reflecting on the new horizons for wisdom and peace. Through awareness, it intuitively realizes the beauty of the divine essence, which abides in all of us.

ਮਮਾ ਮਨ ਸਿਉ ਕਾਜੁ ਹੈ   ਮਨ ਸਾਧੇ ਸਿਧਿ ਹੋਇ॥
The mortal’s business is with the mind. Only one who disciplines the mind attains perfection. -Bhagat Kabeer, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 342

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Etymology: From Sanskrit kuňjar. .