ਨਿਵਿ (niv)
Meaning: adverb: Bowing.
Quote:
ਨਿਵਿ ਨਿਵਿ ਪਾਇ ਲਗਉ ਗੁਰ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਆਤਮ ਰਾਮੁ ਨਿਹਾਰਿਆ॥
(ਮੈਂ) ਨਿਉਂ ਨਿਉਂ ਕੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਚਰਨੀ ਲਗਦਾ ਹਾਂ, (ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਂ) ਆਪਣੇ ਅੰਦਰ (ਵਸਦੇ ਹੋਏ) ਰਾਮ (ਨੂੰ) ਵੇਖ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ।
niv niv pai lagau gur apune aatam raam nihaariaa.
Bowing down, again and again, I fall at the feet of my Guru; (by the Guru’s teachings) I have realized the Divine within. -Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 353
Message: The bowing down again and again is not merely a physical act, but implies complete and unalloyed respect and reverence. It is only when we genuinely respect someone that we are prepared to follow the teachings or guidance of that person or Scripture.
Guru Nanak’s Guru is the Almighty, and he realised the Divine within by following the path shown to him by the Supreme Being. Our Guru is Guru Granth Sahib, and we can realise the Divine within by following (bowing to) the teachings enshrined in our Guru. Guru Granth Sahib connects us to the Divine and inspires us to be nearer to Him.
Etymology: From Sanskrit naman (bowing).
