Gurbani Word Of The Day: haree-chaňd

ਹਰੀਚੰਦੁ (haree-chaňd)
Meaning: noun: Hari Chand or Harishchandra, a legendary king, famous for his generosity.

Quote:
ਹਰੀਚੰਦੁ ਦਾਨੁ ਕਰੈ ਜਸੁ ਲੇਵੈ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਇ ਅਭੇਵੈ॥
haree-chaňd daan karai jas levai. bin gur aňt na paai abhevai.
King Hari Chand used to give in charity and earn praise.
But without the guidance of his guru, he could not comprehend the mystery of the Infinite Divine. – Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 224

Message: Extreme Charity

This verse cites the story of King Hari Chand, reputed for his extreme generosity.

Legend has it that in order to win praise from society, he indulged in so much charity that once he even sold himself, his son, and his wife as slaves.

Then in his obsession to do more good he became so cruel that, while working as the guard of a cemetery, he got ready to kill his own wife who did not have the required fee to pay for the funeral of their dead son.

Thus, Hari Chand earned glory by giving alms in charity. But without seeking the guidance of his guru, Vashistha, he did not realise that in this world there are many benefactors and donors like him. Had he realised it, he would not have fallen prey to his conceit.

Egoism causes us to think that we act altruistically when in fact we do so for selfish reasons and this brings greater pain. Let’s genuinely help the needy but notmake a show of our charity.

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