ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨੁ (pradhaan)
Meaning: noun: Chief, supreme, outstanding.
Quote:
ਸਗਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਮਹਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨੁ॥ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਮਿਟੈ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ॥
ਸਾਰੇ ਮਨੁਖਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਉਹ ਮਨੁਖ ਵੱਡਾ ਅਥਵਾ ਸ੍ਰੇਸ਼ਟ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸਦਾਸਾਧ-ਸੰਗਤਦੁਆਰਾਅਹੰਕਾਰਮਿਟਜਾਂਦਾਹੈ।
sagal purakh mahi purakh pradhaan. saadhsaňg jaa kaa miṭai abhimaan.
Among all persons, that person is supreme, whose arrogance is removed through the association with the virtuous. -Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 266
Message: Arrogance is an exaggerated sense of self. In other words, it is not the reality but instead, has a false basis. It degrades others. A constant focus on ‘I’, ‘me’ and ‘mine’ separates us from the realisation of our common connection with others and the Divine. Only if we associate with the virtuous or embody virtuousness can we destroy our big ego. By so doing, we can reign supreme in humility.
We need to have trust and faith in the Guru’s word that we are in this world on a temporary basis and at the behest of the Creator. When we have such realisation, we are able to see the “big picture” and accept that it is the Divine who is at the epicentre of the universe, and we are just like everyone else. In this way, our sense of self-importance gives to appreciating those around us.
Etymology: From Sanskrit pradhaan (chief thing).
