Gurbani Word Of The Day: garab

ਗਰਬ (garab)
Meaning: noun: Pride, conceit, arrogance.

Quote:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮੈ ਗਰਬੁ ਕੀਆ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਨਿਆ॥ ਬੇਦ ਕੀ ਬਿਪਤਿ ਪੜੀ ਪਛੁਤਾਨਿਆ॥
brahmai garab keeaa nahee jaaniaa. bed kee bipat paṛee pachhu-taaniaa.
Brahma acted in pride and did not understand (the greatness of the Divine). But when he was faced with the misery of the loss of the Vedas, he repented. – Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 224

Message: Brahma – Created or Creator?

The verse above quotes the example of Brahma, one of the three gods in Hinduism.

He is believed to have created the universe and created the Vedas, the ancient scriptures of Hindus.

Legend relates that at one point, he became so egoistic that he considered himself as the supreme God, but when his Vedas were stolen by demons, he felt very miserable as he was overwhelmed by the loss. He then prayed to the Divine to help him.

Only when he was reminded that he was powerless to stop such a theft, did he realise that it was the Almighty who is the greatest and not him.

We too, often, indulge in egoism and do not realise the power of the Divine. Then, when our egocentric actions bring us pain, we repent and regret. Why not pay heed to the Guru’s call and avoid the suffering that egoism incurs on us.

The wisest man is he who does not fancy that he is so at all. -Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux, a French poet and critic, 1636-1711

You may also wish to listen to this poem on the impermanence of life lived in arrogance and pride: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/resources/learning/core-poems/detail/46565

Etymology: From Sanskrit garv (pride, arrogance).

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