ਲਾਹਣਿ (laahaṇ)
Meaning: noun: Raw materials for making crude liquor.
Quote:
ਕਰਣੀ ਲਾਹਣਿ ਸਤੁ ਗੁੜੁ ਸਚੁ ਸਰਾ ਕਰਿ ਸਾਰੁ॥
karṇee laahaṇ sat guṛ sach saraa kar saar
(For spiritual intoxication) make good deeds the raw materials, truthful conduct the molasses, and Truth the most excellent liquor. – Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 553
Message: This verse is taken from a hymn where Guru Nanak is having a conversation with Bhai Mardana, his companion. Guru Nanak mentions the vices prevalent in society, one of which is the consumption of liquor. Although this puts a person in good spirits for a short while, it has a negative effect on the person and others around in the long run. Guru Nanak is suggesting a more positive way of achieving such a high which is beneficial to all.
Truth is as much an intoxicant as the liquor being consumed. Change the raw materials to good deeds and truthful living and one has a perfect recipe for everlasting intoxication. With spiritual wisdom replacing molasses, and devotional faith the distilling fire, the sweet nectar of spirituality is distilled. No wine of the world can intoxicate you to such a level as by drinking from this cup of truth.
Etymology: Probably from Sanskrit laas (broth) → Bengali laas (pea soup) → Hindi laas (broth, pea water), and/or from Sanskrit laavan (reaping) → Old Punjabi laahaṇi (raw materials for making spirit) → Punjabi laahaṇ (a still) and Hindi laahan (yeast).
Notes: Some scholars have named ‘Bhai Mardana’ as one of the contributors of the Guru Granth Sahib and ascribe this couplet to him. However, the couplet bears the name of ‘Nanak’. The stamp ‘Nanak’ confirms that this is the composition of Guru Nanak himself. Bhai Mardana could not use the poetic-stamp ‘Nanak’ for himself, as it could only be used by the successors of Guru Nanak.
So, the word ‘Mardana’ in the heading seems to be indicating that these couplets were directed to Bhai Mardana, at some point of time. (Or, Guru Nanak had composed them on behalf of Bhai Mardana – Shabadarth, page 553.) A similar reference is also found on page 1253 as ‘Sarang Mahala 5 Surdas’. This caption as well indicates that this hymn is by the fifth Guru directed to Bhagat Surdas.
“The confusion arose due to a miss-print in the printed copies of the Guru Granth Sahib. The printed copies of the Scripture miss the word ‘Mahala’. In some old copies of the Guru Granth Sahib, these couplets are found entitled as follows:
ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮ. ੧ ਮਰਦਾਨਾ
ਮ. ੧ ਮਰਦਾਨਾ
ਮ. ੧”
-Joginder Singh Talwara, Bani Beora, page 77, 1997 edition
