Gurbani Word Of The Day: dharmee

ਧਰਮੀ (dharmee)

Meaning: adjective: Righteous.

Quote:
ਧਰਮੀ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਰਹਿ ਗਾਵਾਵਹਿ   ਮੰਗਹਿ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰੁ॥
ਧਰਮੀ ਕਹਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ, ਧਰਮ-ਕਰਮ ਕਰਦੇ ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਸੋਭਾ ਕਰਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰ ਮੰਗਦੇ ਹਨ।

dharmee dharam karahi gaavaavahi   maňgahi mokh duaar.
The righteous ones perform righteous deeds but seek praises for themselves and ask for the door of salvation (as a reward for their good deeds). -Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 469

Message: There were those who claimed to be righteous and virtuous people because they performed some charitable deeds.

But they were doing these charities for the sake of self-praise and they desired spiritual elevation or liberation as a reward for these deeds.

Thus, their good actions were hypocritical and not genuinely altruistic. Ideally, virtuous acts should be done in a selfless spirit, as a natural duty. Isn’t being good a reward in itself?

Another question that needs to be considered carefully: “How different are we in the modern times?  Do we continue to trade with and bribe the Divine?”

Etymology: From Sanskrit dharmin (pious, just, righteous) from Sanskrit dharma or dharm (custom, duty; righteousness, morality, virtue; law, etc.), ultimately from Indo-European root dhar (to hold firmly or support).

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