ਸਤਿਗੁਰਬਚਨਕਮਾਵਣੇਸਚਾਏਹੁਵੀਚਾਰੁ॥

The three meanings of Maan

The word ਮਾਨੁ has at least three meanings. If we interpret all Gurbani Pankitis where this word appears, with the same meaning, then we are sure to get misled. Gurbani contains words from many different sources and for this reason, many times, each word comes in many meanings.

1. One meaning of Maan is ਅਭਿਮਾਨ which means ਗਰੂਰ, ਗਰਬ, ਅਹੰਕਾਰ, ਹੰਕਾਰ. In other words, many times the word ਮਾਨ comes as a short form of the word ਅਭਿਮਾਨ. One of the Pankiti that talks about this meaning of the word ਮਾਨ is - ਸਾਧੋ ਮਨ ਕਾ ਮਾਨੁ ਤਿਆਗਉ ॥

2. Another meaning of the word ਮਾਨ is ਪਤਿ, ਇਜ਼ਤ, ਸ਼ਰਮ. To ask for ਪਤਿ, ਇਜ਼ਤ, or ਸ਼ਰਮ in this world and the next world is perfectly in accordance to Gurmat. In Siri Rehraas Sahib, in the last Shabad before Siri Chaupai Sahib, we ask for Sharma (meaning ਪਤਿ, ਇਜ਼ਤ, ਸ਼ਰਮ). One of the Pankiti that talks about this meaning of the word ਮਾਨ is - ਮਾਨੁ ਮਾਂਗਉ ਤਾਨੁ ਮਾਂਗਉ ਧਨੁ ਲਖਮੀ ਸੁਤ ਦੇਹ ॥੧॥ Having said that, it won't be incongruous to mention that for a real Giani, the Maan or honour of this world is not of much importance. A Giani however, does want honour in the next world because getting honour in the next world means getting a place in Sachkhand. Who wouldn't want the honour of getting to stay at Sachkhand?

3. Another meaning of the word ਮਾਨ in Gurbani is to have reliance on Guru Sahib or to do Maan on Guru Sahib. To do Maan on Guru Sahib is an emotion of love and faith as per this Gurbani Pankiti: ਮਾਨੁ ਕਰਉ ਤੁਧੁ ਊਪਰੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਪਿਆਰੇ ॥

The confusion arises when we mix different meanings of the word ਮਾਨ. If Guru Sahib permits, a detailed Vichaar on this word will be done at a later date.

Gurbani is Agam Agaadh Bodh. Bhul Chuk dee Maafi jee.

Daas,
Kulbir Singh

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The word ਮਾਨੁ has at least three meanings. If we interpret all Gurbani Pankitis where this word appears, with the same meaning, then we are sure to get misled. Gurbani contains words from many different sources and for this reason, many times, each word comes in many meanings.

1. One meaning of Maan is ਅਭਿਮਾਨ which means ਗਰੂਰ, ਗਰਬ, ਅਹੰਕਾਰ, ਹੰਕਾਰ. In other words, many times the word ਮਾਨ comes as a short form of the word ਅਭਿਮਾਨ. One of the Pankiti that talks about this meaning of the word ਮਾਨ is - ਸਾਧੋ ਮਨ ਕਾ ਮਾਨੁ ਤਿਆਗਉ ॥

2. Another meaning of the word ਮਾਨ is ਪਤਿ, ਇਜ਼ਤ, ਸ਼ਰਮ. To ask for ਪਤਿ, ਇਜ਼ਤ, or ਸ਼ਰਮ in this world and the next world is perfectly in accordance to Gurmat. In Siri Rehraas Sahib, in the last Shabad before Siri Chaupai Sahib, we ask for Sharma (meaning ਪਤਿ, ਇਜ਼ਤ, ਸ਼ਰਮ). One of the Pankiti that talks about this meaning of the word ਮਾਨ is - ਮਾਨੁ ਮਾਂਗਉ ਤਾਨੁ ਮਾਂਗਉ ਧਨੁ ਲਖਮੀ ਸੁਤ ਦੇਹ ॥੧॥ Having said that, it won't be incongruous to mention that for a real Giani, the Maan or honour of this world is not of much importance. A Giani however, does want honour in the next world because getting honour in the next world means getting a place in Sachkhand. Who wouldn't want the honour of getting to stay at Sachkhand?

3. Another meaning of the word ਮਾਨ in Gurbani is to have reliance on Guru Sahib or to do Maan on Guru Sahib. To do Maan on Guru Sahib is an emotion of love and faith as per this Gurbani Pankiti: ਮਾਨੁ ਕਰਉ ਤੁਧੁ ਊਪਰੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਪਿਆਰੇ ॥

The confusion arises when we mix different meanings of the word ਮਾਨ. If Guru Sahib permits, a detailed Vichaar on this word will be done at a later date.

Gurbani is Agam Agaadh Bodh. Bhul Chuk dee Maafi jee.

Daas,
Kulbir Singh

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