ਕੋਟੁ (koṭ)
Meaning: noun: Fort, castle.
Quote:
ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਸਬਦੇ ਸੋਹਣਾ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਕੋਟੁ ਅਪਾਰ॥
har maňdar sabde sohṇaa kaňchan koṭ apaar.
Through the Word of the Guru, the temple of God (human body) is beautified and likened to an infinite golden fortress. – Guru Amar Das, Guru Granth Sahib, 1346
Message: Gurbani tells us that even if our mind has thousands of its own wisdoms, it can never reach the ultimate goal of its spiritual life until and unless it follows the guidance and wisdom of the Guru. The purpose or mission of life is spiritual realization; to realize what’s beyond this physical existence. The Guru is the guide with the help of whom the mind can be truly satisfied and our true self inside us can be reached. The mind is looking for a connection with the eternal divine light hidden inside the body. As long as we are focused on the external or outside of the inner spirituality, the mind will remain restless. Only through the enlightenment of the Guru’s wisdom does one come to recognize that the human body is a divine treasure house. Through the power of divine wisdom, this trivial human life can be transformed into a golden treasure of opportunities, virtues, and bliss.
ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਏਹੁ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਹੈ ਗਿਆਨਿ ਰਤਨਿ ਪਰਗਟ ਹੋਇ॥
(O my mind) this body is the temple of God, the hari-mandar, but this is revealed through the jewel of divine wisdom. – Guru Amar Das, Guru Granth Sahib, 1346
Etymology: From Sanskrit koṭṭ (fort, fortified town) → Pali → Prakrit shoor (bold, hero) → Shina (Dardic) koṭ (fort) → Gurbani.
