Gurbani Word Of The Day: Puree

ਅਮਰਾ ਪੁਰੀ (amraa puree)
Meaning: noun: The city of immortality, a spiritual state where one becomes spiritually immortal or eternal.

Quote:
ਅਕਥ ਕਥਾ ਅਮਰਾ ਪੁਰੀ   ਜਿਸੁ ਦੇਇ ਸੁ ਪਾਵੈ॥
akath kathaa amraa puree   jis dei su paavai.
The tale of ‘the city of immortality’ cannot be fully described; one unto whom the Divine grants (the dwelling of this place) obtains it. – Bhat Kalya, Guru Granth Sahib, 1398

Message: A city of immortality or eternity – we all dream of such a place on this earth or beyond. How do we find such a place? Bhat Kalya, one of the contributors of Guru Granth Sahib, reveals the mystery of this place to us.

In order to reach there, we need to learn to live in the presence of the Divine at all times, i.e. always remember the Divine, restrain the unhealthy flow of our mind and stabilize it; emulate the virtues of truth, right conduct and contentment, and thus be contented.

Then the ‘immortal or eternal city’ within the mind, a steady spiritual state, will be achieved. Bhat Kalya says it is beyond complete description or explanation. Such a feat is achieved through the beneficence of the Divine and by cultivating ethical conduct and culture as explained above.

ਕਬੀਰ ਕਾਮ ਪਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਮਰੀਐ   ਐਸਾ ਸਿਮਰਹੁ ਨਿਤ॥ ਅਮਰਾ ਪੁਰ ਬਾਸਾ ਕਰਹੁ   ਹਰਿ ਗਇਆ ਬਹੋਰੈ ਬਿਤ॥
O Kabir! Always remember the Divine who you remember only when the need arises. By doing so, you will dwell in the city of immortality and the Divine will restore the wealth you have lost. – Bhagat Kabir, Guru Granth Sahib, 1373

Etymology: Compound of amraa, from Sanskrit amar (immortal), and puree (town, city), from Prakrit puree, from Sanskrit pur.