ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨੁ (pradhaan)
Meaning: noun: Chief, supreme, outstanding.
Quote:
ਸਗਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਮਹਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨੁ॥ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਮਿਟੈ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ॥
sagal purakh mahi purakh pradhaan. saadhsaňg jaa kaa miṭai abhimaan.
One who rids one’s arrogance by associating with the virtuous is the supreme among all persons.
– Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 266
Message: Arrogance – I know it all – how commonplace this human attribute has become in our lives. We all have the potential for arrogant tendencies. These are particularly strong when we fear people will see us for who we really are. We build walls around us to hide our vulnerability. Publicly or just inside our mind we make ourselves to be bigger and better than the other, often knocking others down at the same time.
Constant focus on I, me and mine separates us from the realization of our common connection with others and the Divine, and from our realization of our place in the divine order. We are all One. We come from the same source. Inordinate preoccupation with self, blinds one to the reality of our relationship with others. Only when we rid ourselves of the egoism, can we make space for divinity and wisdom and fulfilling relationships in our lives. Coming to know where we stand in the divine order makes us humble. Through this humility comes our respect and honour for others and from others.
We reign supreme in humility. This is a paradox in human reality.
Etymology: From Sanskrit pradhaan(chief thing).
