ਲੇਵਉ (levau)
Meaning: verb, first person, singular: I take.
Quote:
ਮਾਧੋ ਕੈਸੀ ਬਨੈ ਤੁਮ ਸੰਗੇ॥ ਆਪਿ ਨ ਦੇਹੁ ਤ ਲੇਵਉ ਮੰਗੇ॥
maadho kaisee banai tum saňge. aap na dehu ta levau maňge.
O Lord! How can it work (will not work) being shy with You? If You do not give me (things that I need) Yourself, then (I won’t hesitate) I shall beg and take them from You. – Bhagat Kabir, Guru Granth Sahib, 656
Message: It is difficult to live life without obtaining material things. We need the basic necessities and sometimes more to suit our lifestyle. Gurbani advocates a life of creative and active social engagement, not one of seclusion. Therefore, do not be shy of opening up your heart before your Parent, the beneficent Giver.
In this verse, Bhagat Kabir shares his personal and intimate relationship with the Divine. It guides us to share our dreams and desires with our Creator. He advises that we need not be shy with our Father. Ask openly and confidently. It is said, “When you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”. We need to however know the difference between a need and a want. Only spiritual content can satisfy our inner needs.
ਜੋ ਮਾਗਉ ਸੋਈ ਸੋਈ ਪਾਵਉ ਅਪਨੇ ਖਸਮ ਭਰੋਸਾ॥
With complete faith in my Master, the Almighty, whatever I ask for, I receive. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 619
Etymology: From ਲੇ, le (to take, to get) from Sanskrit labhate (takes, catches) → Pali labhati (obtains) → Prakrit labhai, lahai, lei (takes) → Old Awadhi/Old Marwari lei (takes), Sindhi lahaṇu/leti (to obtain/taking), Lahndi levaṇ, laihaṇ, lahaṇ (to take, to receive)and Punjabi lahiṇaa, laiṇaa (to find, to take) and levaa (taking).
