?????? (baal-ta?)
Meaning: noun: Childhood.
Quote:
?? ?????? �??? ???? � ???? ?? ?????? ??????�
?? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??, ??? ??????? ??? ??? -??? ????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ???????? ???
das baal-ta? bees rava? ��teesaa kaa su?dar kahaavai.
Up to the age of ten is childhood, up to twenty is youth, and up to thirty one is called beautiful. -Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 138
Message: Living for 100 Years!
Assume someone lives for 100 years!
In the hymn from which this verse is taken, Guru Nanak describes how one�s behavior changes as one ages.
Up to the age of 10 years old, one is a child.
At 20, one is called a young person.
Up to 30, one is considered good-looking.
At 40, one attains full maturity.
At 50, one starts faltering in one�s gait.
At 60, old age sets in.
At 70, one is devoid of senses.
At 80, one is unfit to work.
At 90, one is bed-ridden and is left with no strength to perform daily functions by oneself and after that, one�s life ends.
The above might not be exactly true in today�s world where medical wonders have made people healthier. However, whether life is short or long, it should be purpose driven – the purpose being realisation of divine potential within.
Or else, we are merely routinely and ignorantly living through the process of various stages of physical growth and decay.
Etymology: From Sanskrit baalatvana (childhood)? Gujarati baalpa? (childhood).
