ਸਪੁ (sap)
Meaning: noun: Snake.
Quote:
ਸਪੁ ਪਿੜਾਈ ਪਾਈਐ ਬਿਖੁ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਮਨਿ ਰੋਸੁ॥
sap piṛaaee paaee-ai bikh aňtar man ros
A snake may be confined in a basket, but still there is poison within it, and anger within its mind
– Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 1010
Message: A snake in a basket
The metaphor of a poisonous snake depicts the state of our mind.
Yes, we are all guilty.
Trapped in the whirlpool of excessive materialism, we remain calm outwardly, but seethe with rage inside, just as a snake in a basket.
Putting on the garb of religiosity does not necessarily help one to be free of attachments such as lust, anger and greed. These are waiting to rear their ugly heads.
How can we save ourselves from these temptations and rekindle our divinity?
Only a snake-charmer can handle the poisonous snake and neutralize its poison. In the same vein, guidance of the Guru will help to liberate us from the vicious traps of the mind.
Once we give up pursuing the unhealthy urges of the mind, a state of poise will ensue.
Etymology: From Sanskrit sarp (snake) → Pali/Prakrit sapp → Sindhi sapu and Lahndi/Punjabi sapp.
