ਮਰਣੁ ਕਬੂਲਿ (maraṇ kabool)
Meaning: verb: Accept death.
Quote:
ਪਹਿਲਾ ਮਰਣੁ ਕਬੂਲਿ ਜੀਵਣ ਕੀ ਛਡਿ ਆਸ॥
ਹੋਹੁ ਸਭਨਾ ਕੀ ਰੇਣੁਕਾ ਤਉ ਆਉ ਹਮਾਰੈ ਪਾਸਿ॥
(ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਦੀ ਖੇਡ ਖੇਡਣ ਦੇ ਚਾਹਵਾਨ!) ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਮੌਤ ਨੂੰ ਕਬੂਲ ਕਰ ਅਤੇ ਜੀਊਣ ਦੀ ਆਸ ਲਾਹ ਛੱਡ। ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਚਰਨ-ਧੂੜ ਹੋ ਜਾ, ਫਿਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਆ।
pahilaa maraṇ kabool jeevaṇ kee chhaḍ aas.
hohu sabhnaa kee reṇukaa tau aau hamaarai paas.
First, accept death and give up the desire for life. Become the dust of the feet of all, then, come to me. -Guru Arjun Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 1102
Message: This couplet by the fifth Guru further clarifies what has been said in yesterday’s quote. Death does not refer to physical death, but the death of a seeker’s thoughts, beliefs and attitudes that are not congruent with spirituality and realities of life. You cannot pour any more liquid in a cup which is already full. Similarly, a seeker cannot absorb or practise any teachings if the mind is already full of other ideas and beliefs.
To start a new chapter in spirituality, one of the foremost requirements is to give up pride or self-centredness and views that are not in harmony with the Guru’s teachings. It implies becoming really humble (‘dust of the feet of all’) having given up egocentricity completely and being receptive to spiritual teachings.
In short, the message is: To be near the Divine or love the Divine – give up attachment to material possessions, shed egoism and practise humility.
“Once you learn how to die you learn how to live.” -Anonymous
Etymology: Combination of maraṇ (dying, cessation, death) + kabool (to accept).
