The phrase "ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਰੂਖ ਧਰਮ ਫੁਲ ਫਲ ਗਿਆਨ" (Nānak gur santokh rūkh dharm ful phal gyān) is a Gurbani verse, a line from the Sikh scriptures. It's a concise and powerful statement rich in symbolism. A direct translation isn't entirely sufficient to capture its depth, but we can break down the meaning:
Literal Translation:
- ਨਾਨਕ (Nānak): Refers to Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. It's more than just a name; it represents the Guru's teachings and wisdom.
- ਗੁਰ (Gur): Guru, teacher, or guide.
- ਸੰਤੋਖ (Santokh): Contentment, satisfaction, or peace of mind.
- ਰੂਖ (Rūkh): Tree.
- ਧਰਮ (Dharm): Dharma, righteousness, duty, or the right way of life.
- ਫੁਲ (Ful): Flowers.
- ਫਲ (Phal): Fruits.
- ਗਿਆਨ (Gyān): Knowledge, wisdom, or understanding.
Interpretive Translation and Explanation:
The verse uses the imagery of a tree to illustrate the path to spiritual growth and enlightenment as taught by Guru Nanak.
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"Nānak gur santokh rūkh": Guru Nanak teaches that contentment (santokh) is the root or foundation (rūkh) of spiritual life. This contentment isn't passive resignation but a deep-seated inner peace that comes from aligning oneself with divine will.
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"Dharm ful phal gyān": Righteous conduct (Dharm) bears the beautiful flowers (Ful) of virtuous actions and the fruits (Phal) of wisdom (Gyān). This signifies that living a righteous life naturally leads to positive actions (flowers) and the ultimate reward of spiritual knowledge and understanding (fruits).
In essence, the verse teaches that true spiritual growth begins with contentment and is nurtured through righteous living, which ultimately blossoms into wisdom and enlightenment. It's a compact statement of the core Sikh philosophy, emphasizing the interconnectedness of inner peace, ethical behavior, and spiritual understanding.
The beauty of Gurbani lies in its multi-layered meanings. Different individuals may interpret the verse with varying nuances based on their level of spiritual understanding and personal experience.
