Gurbani Word Of The Day: iraňd

ਇਰੰਡ (iraňd)
Meaning: noun: The castor-oil plant.

Quote:
ਤੁਮ ਚੰਦਨ ਹਮ ਇਰੰਡ ਬਾਪੁਰੇ   ਸੰਗਿ ਤੁਮਾਰੇ ਬਾਸਾ॥
tum chaňdan ham iraňd baapure   saňg tumaare baasaa.
 (O Divine!) You are sublime like the sandalwood tree, and I am like the lowly castor-oil plant dwelling close to You. – Bhagat Ravidas, Guru Granth Sahib, 486

Message: In literature, the castor-oil plant is compared with lowly and worthless individuals and their actions. However, unlike the bamboo tree, it takes on the fragrance of the sandalwood tree and becomes fragrant.

Bhagat Ravidas relates that, if we humans are without any qualities, we are also like the castor plant. The Divine is like the sandalwood. If we choose to be close to the Divine – follow divine wisdom and virtues – we too can be transformed.

The Divine is ever present but we are unaware, we do not realise this reality. Seek the teachings of Gurbani, and be enlightened by the blessings of being in awareness of the divine light in and around us at all times. Let the fragrance of divinity, virtue and wisdom enter our heart. Let our negative nature be transformed into a pious one.

ਜਿਉ ਚੰਦਨ ਨਿਕਟਿ ਵਸੈ ਹਿਰਡੁ ਬਪੁੜਾ   ਤਿਉ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਿਲਿ ਪਤਿਤ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ॥
As the lowly castor-oil plant, growing near the sandalwood tree becomes fragrant, so, the wrongdoers, associating with the company of saintly people, become approved. – Guru Ram Das, Guru Granth Sahib, 861

Notes: The castor-oil plant, widespread throughout tropical regions, is a species of  flowering plant which though useful nowadays is extremely allergenic. It produces abundant amounts of very light pollen, which easily become airborne and can be inhaled into the lungs, triggering allergic reactions. The sap of the plant causes skin rashes. Its seeds are very bitter and toxic. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricinus)

Etymology: From Sanskrit eraňḍ → Pali eraňḍ → Prakrit eraṁḍ → Sindhi araňḍu, Punjabi iraňḍ/ariňḍ/hariňḍ/hariňḍee → Gurbani iraňd/hiraňd.