ਨਿਮੁ (nim)
Meaning: noun: Neem.
Quote:
ਤੁਮੀ ਤੁਮਾ ਵਿਸੁ ਅਕੁ ਧਤੂਰਾ ਨਿਮੁ ਫਲੁ॥ ਮਨਿ ਮੁਖਿ ਵਸਹਿ ਤਿਸੁ ਜਿਸੁ ਤੂੰ ਚਿਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਹੀ॥
ਤੂੰਬੀ (ਲਉਕੀ), ਕਉੜ-ਤੁੰਮਾ, ਅੱਕ, ਧਤੂਰਾ, ਨਿੰਮ-ਫਲ (ਨਮੋਲੀ) – ਇਹ ਜ਼ਹਿਰ (ਵਾਂਗ ਕੌੜੇ ਫਲ) ਉਸ ਦੇ ਮਨ ਅਤੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਵਿਚ ਵਸਦੇ ਹਨ, ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ (ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ! ) ਤੂੰ ਚੇਤੇ ਵਿਚ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਉਂਦਾ।
tumee tumaa vis ak dhatooraa nim phal.
man mukh vasahi tis jis tooň chit na aavahee.
Bitter gourd, colocynth, swallow-wort, thorn-apple and neem fruit – these bitter poisons lodge in the mind and mouth of one who does not remember You (O Divine)! -Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 147
Message: Gurbani repeatedly reminds us that we need to understand the temporary nature of this world, overcome our vices, and be imbued with the love of the Divine. However, we are so self-absorbed that we continue following the dictates of our mind. The verses above tell us about the unpleasant consequences of such an egotistical behaviour and lifestyle.
Do we want to be self-centred individuals who do not gratefully remember the Creator, nurture negative and bitter thoughts and speak rudely? Should we keep wasting our lives uselessly in bitterness or resentment? The choice is ours.
Etymology: From Sanskrit nimb (neem) → Pali nimb → Prakrit ṇiṁb → Sindhi nimu, Lahndi nim, Punjabi nimb/nimm, Mathili/Bhojpuri neem and Hindi neeb/neem.
