Word Of The Day: ka?niaa

????? (ka?niaa)
Meaning: noun: Girl, young girl.

Quote:
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kuaar ka?niaa jaise karat seegaaraa. kiu raleeaa maanai baajh bhataaraa.
Even if a young girl adorns herself like a bride, how can she enjoy conjugal pleasure without her husband?
– Bhagat Kabeer, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 792

Message: Most of us, like the young girl mentioned above, adorn ourselves with outer worldly possessions. Our focus is on the pleasure we derive from our five senses. They drive us to establish a position for ourselves in this life, to accumulate wealth and material comfort. To us these provide the ultimate satisfaction. They become the foundation of our success.

Somewhere along the way we realize something deeper is missing. The young bride soon realizes that bridal adornment alone cannot provide the conjugal pleasure. She needs the presence of the husband. Likewise, we too realize that despite the wealth and material comforts we have accumulated, our life remains unfulfilled.

What we need is the awareness of the presence of the divine spark in us, the awareness of divine wisdom which will fill the void we experience. We need to seek a relationship with Gurbani. Only that can enlighten us.

Etymology: From Sanskrit kanyaa (maiden, girl).

Summary of the Week:
Our relationships define who we are. Our strengths and weaknesses, our virtues and vices are reflected through them.

A relationship with the outer and material world is necessary. So is a relationship with the Divine. It is this wisdom that helps maintain and strengthen relationships with family, friends and others. It is an insight or instinct from inside that softens us, making us kind, gentle and giving. It helps curb our desire for more. The discipline that comes from a commitment to the Divine brings uninterrupted safety. It keeps you on the middle path. In happiness, it stops you from going overboard. In sorrow, it makes you walk through actions which lead you to joy.

To lead a good and fulfilled life, we need both these relationships working side by side.

If you can’t change the situation, learn to see it differently. If you can’t change people, learn to understand them better. – Anonymous