ਊਚਾ (oocha)
Meaning: noun: High, superior, best.
Quote:
ਆਪਸ ਕਉ ਜੋ ਜਾਣੈ ਨੀਚਾ॥ ਸੋਊ ਗਨੀਐ ਸਭ ਤੇ ਊਚਾ॥
ਜੋ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ (ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ) ਨੀਵਾਂ ਸਮਝਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਹੀ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਉੱਚਾ ਗਿਣਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
aapas kao jo jaaṇai neechaa. so-oo ganee-ai sabh te oochaa.
One who considers oneself lowly (humblest of all), only he or she is regarded as the highest of all. -Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 266
Message: Lowest of all becomes highest of all!
To want to be considered great is in actuality a human weakness. Our ego makes us self-centred and we feel we are more important or intelligent than others. This adversely affects our relationships with others.
If we rid ourselves of thoughts that we are superior either in status, wealth, or knowledge, the humility which we conduct ourselves with actually lifts us to a higher spiritual elevation. A person who remains humble is ultimately honoured as the most superior as he or she treats others well, irrespective of race, religion or status.
ਓਹੁ ਸਭ ਤੇ ਊਚਾ ਸਭ ਤੇ ਸੂਚਾ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਵਸਿਆ ਭਗਵਾਨੁ॥
One, within whose heart the Divine abides, is the highest of all and the purest of all. -Guru Ram Das, Guru Granth Sahib, 861
Etymology: From Sanskrit/Prakrit uchch (high, lofty, elevated). Comparable to Bengali oochch/oochchaa and Hindi ooṅchch/ooṅchchaa.
