In this series, we share sections from various Granths which inspire us in our study of Santhia. This passage from Sarkutavali Granth (written by Pandit Hardayal Ji) explores the question, what should our speech be like?
ਚੌਪਈ॥ ਸਤ ਬਚਨ; ਅਰ ਪਯਾਰੋ ਜੋਈ ॥ ਬੁੱਧਿਮਾਨ ਜਨ ਭਾਖੇ ਸੋਈ॥
Padh Arth (word by word meaning): ਜੋਈ(which) ਬਚਨ(words) ਸਤ(truth) ਅਰ(and) ਪਯਾਰੋ(loving) ਜੋਈ(which) ਬੁੱਧਿਮਾਨ(wise) ਜਨ(people) ਸੋਈ(those) ਭਾਖੇ(say)
Arth (meaning): The wise person only says those words which are true and pleasing to everyone’s hearts.
ਪ੍ਰਿਯ ਨ ਹੈ; ਪੁਨ ਵਾਕ ਸਤ ਹੈ ॥ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਹਿ ਸੋ; ਸਬਦ ਮਤਿ ਹੈ ॥
Padh Arth (word by word meaning): ਪ੍ਰਿਯ(loving) ਨ(not) ਪੁਨ(but) ਵਾਕ(words) ਸਤ(truth) ਹੈ(are) ਕਹੈ(say) ਨਾਹਿ(not) ਸੋ(to anyone) ਸਬਦ(scriptures) ਮਤਿ(ideology) ਹੈ(is)
Arth (meaning): Words that are true, but not loving should never be said, this is the message of the ancient scriptures. i.e. if some harsh truth is being used to intentionally hurt someone, we should reconsider saying such truth. As Bhagat Sheikh Farid Ji says:
ਇਕੁਫਿਕਾਨਗਾਲਾਇਸਭਨਾਮੈਸਚਾਧਣੀ ॥
Do not utter even a single harsh word; your True Master (Vaheguru) abides in all.
ਹਿਆਉਨਕੈਹੀਠਾਹਿਮਾਣਕਸਭਅਮੋਲਵੇ ॥੧੨੯॥
Do not break anyone's heart; these are all priceless jewels. ||129||
ਸਭਨਾਮਨਮਾਣਿਕਠਾਹਣੁਮੂਲਿਮਚਾਂਗਵਾ ॥
The minds of all are like precious jewels; to harm them is not good at all.
ਜੇਤਉਪਿਰੀਆਦੀਸਿਕਹਿਆਉਨਠਾਹੇਕਹੀਦਾ ॥੧੩੦॥
If you desire your Beloved, then do not break anyone's heart. ||130|| - Ang 1384
ਲਾਗੇ ਮਧੁਰ ਝੂਠ ਹੈ ਵਾਕੋ ॥ ਨਾਹਿ ਕਹੂੰ ਤਿ; ਭਾਖੇ ਤਾਂ ਕੋ॥
Padh Arth (word by word meaning): ਲਾਗੇ(seem) ਮਧੁਰ(sweet) ਝੂਠ(lies) ਹੈ(are) ਵਾਕੋ(words) ਨਾਹਿ(not) ਕਹੂੰ(say) ਤਿ(those) ਭਾਖੇ(to say) ਤਾਂ ਕੋ(to anyone)
Arth (meaning): Those words which sound sweet but are false/lies should never be spoken to anyone.
ਏਹੈ ਸਨਾਤਨ ਧਰਮ ਸੰਤਨ ਕੋ ॥ਇਹ ਅਨੁਗਾਮੀ, ਯੋਗ ਜਨਨ ਕੋ ॥੧੧॥
Padh Arth (word by word meaning): ਏਹੈ(this) ਸਨਾਤਨ(primordial/eternal) ਧਰਮ(righteous duty) ਸੰਤਨ ਕੋ(of the Saints) ਅਨੁਗਾਮੀ(according to this) ਯੋਗ(acceptable) ਜਨਨ(people)
Arth (meaning): This is the primordial dharam (righteous action to uphold) of the Saints. It is acceptable for people to speak in this manner (i.e. speak only those words that are true and won't hurt someone).
- Sarkutavali, Pandit Hardayal Ji, Chapter 7