ਫਨ (phan – sounds like fun)
Meaning: noun: Deception, illusion.
Quote:
ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਕਉਨੁ ਸਹਾਈ ਮਨ ਕਾ॥ ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਭਾਈ ਸੁਤ ਬਨਿਤਾ ਹਿਤੁ ਲਾਗੋ ਸਭ ਫਨ ਕਾ॥
har bin kaun sahaaee man kaa.
maat pitaa bhaaee sut banitaa hit laago sabh phan kaa.
Who else other than the Divine can be the help and support of the mind? Love and attachment to mother, father, brother, son, and spouse, is all illusionary. – Bhagat Kabeer, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 1253
Message: Time and again we are reminded of the temporary nature of our life. How permanent can our human relationships then be? If human existence is so transient who do we turn to for support?
There is only one true support for the wavering mind and that is the Divine, of which each of us is a living spark.
Can we see the Divine as having a personality – of truth, of beauty, of benevolence, of giving? Earthly parents do their best at the human level. The Divine as a parent serves as an unlimited source of goodness making Him the perfect parent.
The Divine as a supreme teacher serves to provide nourishment to the mind. As a closest friend, He is a truly impartial guide in moments of happiness or difficulty.
How do we make ourselves worthy of such a relationship with Him? We need to check our own behaviour. In humility see our shortcomings and failures. Recognize where there has to be change. At all times be conscious of the strength that comes from a humble, devoted relationship with the Divine.
Etymology: From Arabic/Persian phan (deception, illusion).
