Gurbani Word Of The Day: paaras

ਪਾਰਸ (paaras)
Meaning: noun: An imaginary stone, believed to turn steel to gold; the philosopher’s stone.

Quote:
ਗੁਰ ਪਾਰਸ ਹਮ ਲੋਹ   ਮਿਲਿ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਹੋਇਆ ਰਾਮ॥
gur paaras ham loh   mil kaňchan hoiaa raam.
The Guru is the philosopher’s stone and we are like iron; by meeting him, we are transformed to (pure and valuable, likened to) gold. – Guru Ram Das, Guru Granth Sahib, 1114

Message: The paras or philosopher’s stone is a mythical substance capable of turning base metals, such as iron or mercury, into shining gold. In some legends, possession of this stone alone grants immortality; it symbolizes perfection, enlightenment, and bliss.

In this verse, Guru Ram Das uses a metaphor of the Guru being a philosopher’s stone showing how only divine wisdom has the power to transform the base nature of our mind into attaining a gold-like divine nature.

The ‘supposed’ capability of the philosopher’s stone to transform base metal into gold illustrates the power the Guru’s Word has on the mind of an unenlightened individual. Seek the guidance of Gurbani, open yourself to divine wisdom that will transform your way of thinking and bring you closer to the Divine. That is the only road to fulfillment of our desires.

ਜਿਉ ਛੁਹਿ ਪਾਰਸ ਮਨੂਰ ਭਏ ਕੰਚਨ   ਤਿਉ ਪਤਿਤ ਜਨ ਮਿਲਿ ਸੰਗਤੀ   ਸੁਧ ਹੋਵਤ ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਸੁਧ ਹਾਧੋ॥
Just as an iron slag is transmuted into gold by touching the philosopher’s stone, so a wrongdoer becomes pure by joining good company and practising the teachings of the Guru. – Guru Ram Das, Guru Granth Sahib, 1297

Notes: The turning of iron slag into gold by touching the philosopher’s stone is used in the metaphorical or mythical sense.

Etymology: From Sanskrit sparsh → Apabhraṁsh paras (touch).

Summary of the Week:
In societies all around the world, through fear or ignorance, people perform rituals to ward off problems. They believe that performing certain actions can remove their worries, uncertainties or troubles. Guru Nanak Sahib exposed the falsehood of these superstitions and rituals followed in his day. Any form of worship where people turn to outward objects – trees, animals, shrines – devoid of divine wisdom, is of no avail.

Constantly on our minds is how to remove our various ills and troubles, how to fulfill our wishes and desires. We work hard to try to achieve what we are looking for. Are we doing so wisely or do we simply follow rituals commonly accepted by society and practised without question?

The words of Guru Arjan Sahib below aptly sum up where we need to look and what we need to do. There is no other than the Divine and the divine wisdom that can remove our troubles and fulfill our wishes. Make your own inroads to understand this wisdom. Let this transform our thinking and refine our minds. Serve Him with true understanding, love and devotion.

Rituals performed around a tree, a cow, a shrine or a sparkling gemstone from the outside cannot transform our lives. The sparkling gem of enlightenment lies within each and every one of us.

ਪਾਰਜਾਤੁ ਲੋੜਹਿ ਮਨ ਪਿਆਰੇ॥ ਕਾਮਧੇਨੁ ਸੋਹੀ ਦਰਬਾਰੇ॥ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਸੇਵਾ ਗੁਰ ਪੂਰੇ   ਨਾਮੁ ਕਮਾਇ ਰਸਾਇਣਾ॥
O my loving mind! If you wish for the wish-fulfilling tree and the wish-fulfilling cow to adorn your courtyard then serve the perfect Guru, and practise the Name of the Divine, the source of all delights; only this can bring true satisfaction and contentment. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib,1078

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