Gurbani Word Of The Day: chaanaṇ

ਚਾਨਣ (chaanaṇ)

Meaning: noun: Lights, light-sources.

Quote:
ਜੇ ਸਉ ਚੰਦਾ ਉਗਵਹਿ   ਸੂਰਜ ਚੜਹਿ ਹਜਾਰ॥ 
ਏਤੇ ਚਾਨਣ ਹੋਦਿਆਂ   ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਘੋਰ ਅੰਧਾਰ॥
je sau chaňdaa ugvahi   sooraj chaṛahi hajaar.
ete chaanaṇ hodiaaṅ   gur bin ghor aňdhaar.

Even if hundreds of moons appear and thousands of suns rise (in the sky), even with so many light-sources, there is still pitch darkness (of ignorance in the human mind) without the Guru. -Guru Angad Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 463

Message: A million lights…

The sun and the moon eliminate the natural external darkness in the world.

However, the chief obstacle to attain the ultimate goal of human life is the internal darkness of ignorance, which leads to strife and violence.

Inner ignorance cannot be overcome by artificial external light.

Only the divine teaching of the Guru is the light which will remove our ignorance and stubborn ego.

Are we willing to let this light come in and help us enlighten the dark contours of our lives?

Etymology: From Sanskrit chaandraṇ (moonlight) → Prakrit chaṁdiṇ (moonlight) → Sindhi chaaṇḍraaṇu/ṇo (moonlit) → Lahndi chaanuṇ/chaanṇaa (light) → Punjabi/Gurbani chaanaṇ (light).