ਛੀਪਾ (chheepaa)
Meaning: noun: Fabric dyer.
Quote:
ਨਾਮਦੇਅ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਲਗੀ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਤੀ ਲੋਕੁ ਛੀਪਾ ਕਹੈ ਬੁਲਾਇ ॥
ਨਾਮਦੇਵ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਹਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਲਗ ਗਈ, (ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ) ਸੰਸਾਰ ‘ਛੀਂਬਾ’ ਆਖ ਕੇ ਬੁਲਾਉਂਦਾ ਸੀ।
naamdea preeti lagee har saetee lok chheepaa kahai bulaa-i.
Namdev placed his love in the Divine; the people called him a fabric dyer. -Guru Ram Das Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 733
Message: Stories say that Namdev was not allowed to pray inside the temple by priests because he belonged to a low social class – a family of fabric dyers.
Gurbani, however, teaches us that there is one universal Creator and as we all come from Him, we are all equal in status. A connection with the Divine is not made through the social class one belongs to but through a humble and loving relationship with Him.
Namdev was a true devotee. Despite coming from a low social class of fabric dyers, Namdev’s spiritual wisdom elevated his standing and his writings (61 hymns) were given a place in Guru Granth Sahib.
Etymology: From Sanskrit shilpin → Punjabi chhapanaa, chheepanaa (fabric dyer).
