Word Of The Day: Panch Panihaaree

ਪੰਚ ਪਨਿਹਾਰੀ (paňch panihaaree)
Meaning: noun: Five water-drawers, water-carriers.

Quote:
ਕੂਅਟਾ ਏਕੁ ਪੰਚ ਪਨਿਹਾਰੀ॥ ਟੂਟੀ ਲਾਜੁ ਭਰੈ ਮਤਿ ਹਾਰੀ॥
kooaṭaa ek paňch panihaaree. ṭooṭee laaj bharai mat haaree.
There is one well, and five water-drawers. Even though the rope is broken, the fools continue trying to draw water.
– Bhagat Kabeer, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 325

Message: Imagine there is one well, and there are five people who are trying to draw water from it even though the rope is broken. What will you call them? Foolish and ignorant, right?

The well is the body and its five senses the water drawers. The broken rope refers to the senses that have grown old and weak physically, yet they are still trying to draw water from the well (drawing pleasure from the body, continue indulging in vicious pleasures).

Through contemplation on Gurbani teachings, such an understanding is acquired that the body, mind and senses begin to tread on the right path. They abandon their old behaviour and habits. The five senses are transformed or born again and refreshed.

Since they do not indulge in negative and sinful activity anymore, they are no more weighed down with negativity. The mind becomes clear as the vision and hearing are cleared. Neither the mind nor the senses nor the body is foolish anymore as it now indulges in the right actions that are good and meant to help others.

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Etymology: From Sanskrit paaneeyahaar (water-carrier) → Prakrit paaṇiahaaree → Punjabi panihaaree (water-carrier, water-drawer).