ਸੁਰਤਾਨੁ (surtaan)
Meaning: noun: A variant of sultan, emperor.
Quote:
ਸੋ ਸੁਰਤਾਨੁ ਜੁ ਦੁਇ ਸਰ ਤਾਨੈ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਜਾਤਾ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਆਨੈ॥
so surtaan ju dui sar taanai. baahar jaataa bheetar aanai.
One who shoots two arrows, and gathers one’s outgoing mind is a true sultan.
– Bhagat Kabeer, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 1160
Message: The mind works in its own ways, sometimes it is disciplined and at others skittish and playful. He alone can be a true leader – sultan – who can bring this mind under his control. Everyone else struggles to do so, sometimes winning over it and at others losing to it.
There is a constant struggle for control of the mind that goes on between vices and virtues. Those of us, aware of the wisdom of the all-pervading divinity within us, can turn to it for help. They, who can then crush their vices, are indeed to be respected. Human passions emerging from our five senses, our burning desires, can only be brought under control through the wisdom of the Divine, should we choose to heed it.
A strong, respected leader shoots two arrows. One arrow is to rein in the wandering mind, so as to bring it to a stable place. The second is to battle the conflict that now arises between the needs of the inner spiritual self – the virtues – and the desires of the outer material self – the vices.
The canopy of true royalty – true name and fame – spreads over the head of one such person who can win this battle between the mind and the warring senses knowing that the unconditional love of the Divine is with him.
Etymology: From Arabic sultaan (emperor), from salat, (verb; to occupy, take control of); also see, musallat (occupant, conqueror, appointed) and salatnat (empire, rule).
