ਮਥੁਰਾ (mathuraa)
Meaning: noun: Mathura, one of the sacred cities of Hindus, located in northern India.
Quote:
ਤਟ ਤੀਰਥ ਦੇਵ ਦੇਵਾਲਿਆ ਕੇਦਾਰੁ ਮਥੁਰਾ ਕਾਸੀ ॥
taṭ teerath dev devaaliaa kedaar mathuraa kaasee.
Shrines built on the banks of sacred rivers, temples built on the names of various deities, and places of pilgrimage, Kedarnath, Mathura and Benares (are all transient). -Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 1100
Message: Transience of mighty structures
Situated along the banks of the river Yamuna, Mathura is known to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. It is one of the ancient cities of the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
However ‘sanctified’ a place can be in this world, all things and entities including holy places, books, temples, and deities will vanish one day. They all are subjected to decay and will perish someday like the ancient city of ruins we see in Egypt.
It is only the Almighty who is eternal and stable.
Nurture love and devotion for the Divine alone and have no other desire than the proximity of the Divine. Only Divine vision and wisdom can give solace and satisfaction to our hearts. Once it is cultivated, it is as permanent as the Divine.
Etymology: Origin not known.
Summary of the Week:
Places where one resides, poses one takes up when practising meditation, and superstitions one holds: none of these are of use in the practical aspects of life.
Let’s dismiss delusions and misinformation we have been fed before. Let’s apply the divine wisdom of Gurbani to our minds.
Let’s learn from Bhagat Kabir who did not care where he lived and realized the Divine everywhere.
ਮਨਹੁ ਕਠੋਰੁ ਮਰੈ ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਨਰਕੁ ਨ ਬਾਂਚਿਆ ਜਾਈ॥
ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਸੰਤੁ ਮਰੈ ਹਾੜੰਬੈ ਤ ਸਗਲੀ ਸੈਨ ਤਰਾਈ॥
If a hard-hearted person dies in Benares, one cannot escape hell or misery. And if a saint of the Divine dies in Haramba or Maghar, still, one saves all one’s following. -Bhagat Kabir, Guru Granth Sahib, 484
