ਮੁਹਤੁ (muhat)
Meaning: noun: Same as mhoorat, period of 48 minutes (2 gharee or 1/4 pahar).
Quote:
ਘੜੀ ਮੁਹਤ ਕਾ ਪਾਹੁਣਾ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰਣਹਾਰੁ॥
ghaṛee muhat kaa paahuṇaa kaaj savaaraṇ-haar.
A human being is a guest for a moment or two in this world, (but it is strange that considering oneself permanent, one) tries to resolve all worldly affairs. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 43
Message: Life is very momentary and uncertain. We do not know how long we are to live in this world. The verse seems to give us a wake-up call. It warns us against being complacent about realizing and fulfilling our real purpose in life.
A human being in this world is like a guest in a house. One comes to this world for a very short period. But deeming it to be permanent, one exhausts oneself while trying to accomplish worldly tasks. When the end comes, one repents: a part of human life is wasted in sorting the affairs of the world; another part is lost in slumber (both physical and spiritual). The third part of life is missed in useless talks and fights, and lastly the end dawns. The result is that one never remembers the One who created and gave everything. We do not realise what our purpose in life is.
Our stay in this world is limited and counted. Don’t waste time. Associate with Guru-oriented people and experience spiritual revitalization. Your life will be fulfilled. Start now lest you lose your breathe.
ਹਮ ਆਦਮੀ ਹਾਂ ਇਕ ਦਮੀ ਮੁਹਲਤਿ ਮੁਹਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਾ॥
We are beings of a breath; we do not know the span of our life and the time of our departure from this world. – Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 660
Etymology: From Sanskrit muhoort → Pali muhutt → Prakrit muhutt/mahutt (moment; measure of time = 48 minutes).
Summary of the Week:
Human life is above all other species. The Creator has given us the power to think and analyse, what is good and bad. At the same time, there is a wider responsibility. One has to live a balanced life, remember the Creator at all times, and serve creation.
Gurbani instructs us to make it happen by connecting with the Divine and rekindling our divine spark. Different fractions of time are referred to in Gurbani to make us realise that time is passing and so is our opportunity to connect with the Divine. The most blessed time for us is when we connect with the Divine.
Always remember the Guru’s teachings and make all of your lifetime fruitful and blessed!
ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਵੇਲਾ ਘੜੀ ਧੰਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਮੂਰਤੁ ਪਲੁ ਸਾਰੁ॥ ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਸੰਜੋਗੜਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਡਿਠਾ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਸਾਰੁ॥
Blessed is that time, blessed is that gharee, blessed is that mhoorat, excellent is that instant, and blessed is that day of spiritual union, when I meet with the Guru. -Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 958
Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity. -Henry van dyke, an American poet, 1852-1933
Vaho Guru Granth Sahib Jio!