ਭਾਈ (bhaaee)
Meaning: noun: Brother.
Quote:
ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਤੂ ਸੁਖ ਸੰਪਤਿ ਰਾਸਿ॥ ਰਾਖਿ ਲੈਹੁ ਭਾਈ ਮੇਰੇ ਕਉ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਆਗੈ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ॥
hari jeeu too sukh saṁpat raas.
raakh laihu bhaaee mere kau prabh aagai ardaas.
O loving Divine! You are the wealth and capital of peace. I offer this prayer to You, O Master, please save my brother. -Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 619
Message: Cruelty of Prithi vs Love of Guru Arjan
At his wit’s end since his schemes did not work, Prithi Chand hoped that Guru Arjan would not have any children thus allowing the guruship to pass to his son.
He was disappointed again when Hargobind was born. He then tried many times to kill the child but was unsuccessful.
We always pray for our wellbeing and protection and for our loved ones too. Have you ever prayed for someone you don’t like or who is hostile to you?
It is believed that the hymn this verse is taken from was composed when Prithi Chand fell sick and was very ill.
Though Prithi Chand was always hostile to the Guru, yet Guru Arjan not only went to see him but also prayed for his early recovery and wellbeing.
Here the Guru teaches us that we should pray for the wellbeing of all as we would for a brother even if he should wish ill of us.
The Guru had no ill-will towards anyone. He prayed for the welfare of everyone, even those who were very unfriendly to him all their lives.
Let us learn from the Guru to have such a kind, forgiving and vengeance-free heart.
A certain amount of opposition is a great help to a man. Kites rise against, not with, the wind. -John Neal, author, 1793-1876
Etymology: From Sanskrit bhraatri/bhraatrika → Pali bhaataa/ bhaatikaa/bhaatiya → Prakrit bhaa-aa/bhaai/bhaaia → LahÝdi bhaa/bhraa/bhiraa → Kashmiri baayi → Punjabi/Sindhi bhaaee.
