ਗੁਣਵੰਤੀ (guṇ-vaňtee)
Meaning: noun: Having good qualities; a virtuous woman, the title of a composition by Guru Arjan, in Guru Granth Sahib.
Quote:
ਸੂਹੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਗੁਣਵੰਤੀ॥
ਜੋ ਦੀਸੈ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੜਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਨਿਵਿ ਨਿਵਿ ਲਾਗਉ ਪਾਇ ਜੀਉ॥
ਜੋ ਵੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਦਾ ਸਿੱਖ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਜ਼ਰੀ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਨਿਉਂ ਨਿਉਂ ਕੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਚਰਨੀਂ ਲਗਦੀ ਹਾਂ ਜੀ।
soohee mahalaa 5 guṇ-vaňtee.
jo deesai gursikharraa tis niv niv laagau paai jeeu.
When I see any Sikh of the Guru, I humbly bow and touch his or her feet (I humble myself before them). -Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 763
Message: Gunvanti, literally meaning a woman of good qualities, is the title of a composition by Guru Arjan, in Raag Suhi, in Guru Granth Sahib. It follows Guru Nanak’s Kuchaji and Suchaji. The verse above is taken from this composition.
Through this composition, the Guru teaches a seeker the manner of walking humbly when in the association of the Guru-oriented people, adopting good values from them, submitting self-centeredness, and having shed the cleverness or duality of the mind, to always be prepared to act upon the teachings of the Guru. One who cultivates these qualities is called virtuous or gunvanti.
The term is figuratively used for a meritorious devotee or seeker. Like the hymns of Guru Nanak, this one too is uttered in the first person, and by implication, it sums up qualities of a true and pious seeker.
A true and pious seeker yearns to unite with the Divine. In humility, she begs for this opportunity. She asks for an understanding that will allow her mind to be focused on the One Master and not go wandering. She asks that she be shown the path to the Divine.
In the company of those who tread the path of the Guru and through an understanding of and submission to the teachings of the Guru, she hopes the pain of being separated from the Divine is lessened.
The Guru tells us to do the work that is necessary to reach this end. One needs to control the mind, rejecting its arrogance. Too intellectual a mind asks too many questions. One needs to lead it away from temptation and cravings to a place where it can dedicate itself to the Divine. Through its humility and devotion, the love of the Divine is obtained.
Are we willing to become such a virtuous bride or seeker?
ਗੁਣਵੰਤੀ ਗੁਣ ਵੀਥਰੈ ਅਉਗੁਣਵੰਤੀ ਝੂਰਿ॥
(By reflecting on the attributes of the Divine) the virtuous being expands her virtues, while the unvirtuous one suffers in misery.
Etymology: From Sanskrit guṇvat/guṇvatee, from guṇ (speciality, merit, constituent part, nature) + vati, a suffix (owner of).
