ਭਰਮੁ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ (bharam aňdheraa)
Meaning: noun: The darkness of delusion.
Quote:
ਚਰਣ ਕਮਲ ਰਿਦ ਮਾਹਿ ਸਮਾਏ ਤਹ ਭਰਮੁ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ਨਾਹੀ॥
charaṇ kamal rid maahi samaae tah bharam aňdheraa naahee.
(O Divine!) The heart, within which Your lotus feet are enshrined i.e. Your presence is experienced, there is no delusion, no darkness. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 499
Message: One cannot validate the existence of the Divine except through the wisdom of the Scripture. We look for answers in Gurbani. Seeing things through this testimony needs effort, right knowledge and sharp intelligence.
Ordinary human beings cannot naturally achieve this in their lives because they doubt the existence of an all pervading Divine, the creator existing within the creation. Most of us live with complete disregard for things beyond our immediate circle of experiences. Our focus is merely on acquiring more and more wealth and comforts.
We live in the darkness of delusion. We see ourselves as merely physical beings and the world which we experience through our senses as real. We are caught in this apparent reality of the world. This prevents us from knowing our essential nature, our eternal spirit. This state of ignorance is described in the Guru Granth Sahib as the cause of our unease as we doubt, wander and waver between faith and disbelief.
Few among us are aware of the role of the Divine in life. As Guru Arjan Sahib, states in the verse above, when the heart is open to divine light, there is no darkness, no delusion.
ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਤ ਕੋਟਿ ਸੂਰ ਉਜਾਰਾ ਬਿਨਸੈ ਭਰਮੁ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ॥
The light of millions of suns shines forth and the darkness of delusion is dispelled reciting the Name of the Divine i.e. remembering the Divine and emulating His attributes. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 700
Etymology: From Sanskrit bhram (giddiness, flickering, wandering).
