Gurbani Word Of The Day: banjaaran

Theme for the Week:
How can we fulfil our job and family duties while at the same time establish and enjoy a relationship with the Divine?

Gurbani informs us in simple and easy ways. It tells us that we can learn much from nature, human dealings, birds and animals around us by observing their behaviour and actions. Human’s best friends, dogs, known for their undying loyalty and faithfulness to the owner, teach us about the importance of such values.

The theme this week deals with how we ought to conduct our way of life in whatever mode we are in. With the help of some fascinating examples from nature and the surroundings, Guru Nanak illustrates how we can connect with the Creator in an effortless and natural way.

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. – Albert Einstein, 1879-1955

ਬਨਜਾਰਨਿ (banjaaran)
Meaning: noun: Literally, female trader, (in India/Punjab, a peddler) but here, a spiritual trader, a seeker.

Quote:
ਮੈ ਬਨਜਾਰਨਿ ਰਾਮ ਕੀ  ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਰੁ ਵਾਪਾਰੁ ਜੀ॥
mai banjaaran raam kee. teraa naam vakhar vaapaar jee.
O Divine! I am a merchant/trader of Yours. Your Name is my merchandise and trade. – Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 157

Message: The verse illustrates how a merchant should engage in true business practices by learning from the Guru. Guru Nanak emphasizes that the trader of the Divine, being a true disciple, only deals in the merchandise of His true Name i.e. ethical and truthful practices.

Our life-giving human breath is our treasured capital, while our five senses and our mind are the merchants/traders. If we trade (devote) in positive and worthy dealings, we can acquire and use the profitable wealth of divine wisdom and benefit accordingly.

Together with like-minded and sincere seekers of truth, we can cultivate the virtues of truthfulness, fairness, trust, love and compassion. Thus by dealing in spiritual wisdom, we can attain the status of a spiritual merchant (true devotee).

Ultimately the mind is calmed when it learns to earn the profits of divine understanding and divine wealth while honestly engaged in daily duties.

ਹਉ ਬਨਜਾਰੋ ਰਾਮ ਕੋ ਸਹਜ ਕਰਉ ਬਾਪਾਰੁ ॥ ਮੈ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਧਨੁ ਲਾਦਿਆ ਬਿਖੁ ਲਾਦੀ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ॥
I am the merchant of the Divine; I deal in spiritual wisdom. I have loaded the wealth of the Lord’s Name while the world has loaded poison of vices. – Bhagat Ravidas, Guru Granth Sahib, 345

Etymology: Modified from Sanskrit vaṇijyaakaar (trader) → Prakrit vaṇijjaaray → Sindhi vaṇjaaro, Lahndi vaṇjaaraa, Punjabi vaṇjaaraa/baṇjaaraa, and Hindi banjaaraa.