ਸਲਿਤਾ (salitaa)
Meaning: noun: River, stream.
Quote:
ਗੰਗਾ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਲਿਤਾ ਬਿਗਰੀ॥ ਸੋ ਸਲਿਤਾ ਗੰਗਾ ਹੋਇ ਨਿਬਰੀ॥
ਜਿਹੜੀ ਨਦੀ ਗੰਗਾ ਦਾ ਸੰਗ ਕਰਕੇ ਵਿਗੜੀ, ਉਹ ਨਦੀ ਗੰਗਾ ਦਾ ਰੂਪ ਹੋ ਨਿਬੜੀ।
gaňgaa kai sang salitaa bigree. so salitaa gaňgaa hoi nibree.
The stream, which ‘ruined’ (transformed) itself by associating with (or flowing into) the Ganges, that stream became just like the Ganges. -Bhagat Kabir, Guru Granth Sahib, 1158
Message: Bhagat Kabir reinforces the importance of seeking out the right company rather than simply conforming to the accepted norms expected of him by society in the example of the stream. In this case, rather than meandering pointlessly to what it may become, the stream seeks out the Ganges.
It is of course a fact that the mighty Ganges, like all great rivers (think Amazon), finds its true might in the many rivulets that team up and pour into the Ganges. The example of a small stream, which abandons its own path and looks wayward is actually heading for the ultimate gain, which is more meaningful. The stream loses its identity and instead merges with its ultimate true destiny: the river Ganges.
The message is that only by losing our self-centredness can we come closer to the Divine, the ultimate source of everything.
Etymology: Modified from Sanskrit sarit (stream) → Pali saritaa.
