ਰੁਖ ਬਿਰਖ (rukh birakh)
Meaning: noun: Trees.
Quote:
ਜਾ ਕੇ ਰੁਖ ਬਿਰਖ ਆਰਾਉ॥ ਜੇਹੀ ਧਾਤੁ ਤੇਹਾ ਤਿਨ ਨਾਉ॥
ਜਿਸ (ਮਾਲੀ) ਦੇ ਬ੍ਰਿਛ-ਬੂਟੇ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਹੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਵਾਰਦਾ-ਸ਼ਿੰਗਾਰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਜਿਹੋ ਜਿਹੀ (ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਬੂਟਿਆਂ) ਦੀ ਖਸਲਤ (ਪ੍ਰਕਿਰਤੀ) ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਓਹੋ ਜਿਹਾ ਹੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
jaa ke rukh birakh aaraao. jehee dhaat tehaa tin naau.
The one, who owns the trees, cultivates and nurtures them. As is their nature, so does he or she give them their names? -Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 25
Message: A gardener or the person who owns an orchard nurtures and takes care of it. According to the species of the plants, the gardener labels them. Similarly, the Gardener of the world-garden, who created sentient beings, looks after them, and according to their nature and habits, they are known in the world.
We are defined by our actions and thoughts. At times, there is a thin line dividing right and wrong. Ego also starts to dominate our mind and behaviour. Where do we seek guidance to help us follow the right path?
The Gardener alone can help us make our understanding discerning. The essence of His Naam will make our lives lovely. Let us rein in our self-centeredness and seek the sanctuary of the Divine Gardener.
Note: The synonymous terms rukh birakhseem to be used for a better poetic sense of sound and rhythm in the verse.
Etymology: Combination of rukh from Sanskrit ruksh (tree) → Pali/Prakrit rukkh → Lahndi/Punjabi rukkh + birakh from Sanskrit vruksh (tree) → Koṭgaṛhi dialect of West Pahaṛibrikkh, briksh.
