ਮਿਥਿਆ (mithiaa)
Meaning: adjective: False, vain; transient.
Quote:
ਸਾਧੋ ਇਹੁ ਤਨੁ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਜਾਨਉ॥
ਯਾ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਜੋ ਰਾਮੁ ਬਸਤੁ ਹੈ ਸਾਚੋ ਤਾਹਿ ਪਛਾਨੋ॥
ਹੇ ਸਾਧਨਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਭਲੇ ਪੁਰਸ਼ੋ! ਇਸ ਸਰੀਰ ਨੂੰ ਬਿਨਸਨਹਾਰ ਜਾਣੋ। ਇਸ ਵਿਚ ਜੋ ਵਿਆਪਕ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਵਸਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ-ਥਿਰ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਸਮਝੋ।
saadho ih tan mithiaa jaanau.
yaa bheetar jo raam basat hai saacho taahi pachhaano.
O sadhus! Know this body to be transient. The Divine who dwells within it – recognise Him to be permanent. -Guru Teg Bahadar, Guru Granth Sahib, 1186
Message: The changeable nature of the world is a given. Only the Divine that dwells in it is permanent.
No matter how much satisfaction worldly material things and sensual pleasures of the world may give us, there is nothing permanently valuable in them. They exist and they have value only at the will of the Divine.
Why are we seeking happiness from that which is transient in nature? Should we not be seeking happiness from its source, which is permanent?
In the quote above, the Guru is asking us to recognise that which is permanent – the Divine. Prayer to Him and contemplation on Him does not mean withdrawal from the world. It does not imply living an ascetic life.
Reflection on divine teachings in Gurbani provides clarity about what is more important in our lives, coming closer to the Divine who is permanent.
Etymology: From Sanskrit mithyaa (wrongly, falsely; in vain).
