Even a pandit could be a fool
ਪੰਡਤ ਵੀ ਮੂਰਖ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ

Bhai Gurdas Vaaran

Displaying Vaar 32, Pauri 18 of 20

ਗੋਸਟਿ ਗਾਂਗੇ ਤੇਲੀਐ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਨਾਲਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਜਗੁ ਦੇਖੈ।

Gosati Gaangay Tayleeai Panthhit Naali Hovai Jagu Daykhai |

A discussion between Gangu, the oilman and a pandit was being witnessed by one and all.

ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੩੨ ਪਉੜੀ ੧੮ ਪੰ. ੧


ਖੜੀ ਕਰੈ ਇਕ ਅੰਗੁਲੀ ਗਾਂਗਾ ਦੁਇ ਵੇਖਾਲੈ ਰੇਖੈ।

Kharhee Karai Ik Angulee Gaangaa Dui Vaykhaalai Raykhai |

Showing one finger to Gang/ the pandit indicated that the Lord is one. But Gangu thought that he wanted to extract his (Ganges) one eye and hence he showed two fingers indicating that he will bring out both of his (pandit's) eyes.

ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੩੨ ਪਉੜੀ ੧੮ ਪੰ. ੨


ਫੇਰਿ ਉਚਾਇ ਪੰਜਾਂਗੁਲਾ ਗਾਂਗਾ ਮੁਠਿ ਹਲਾਇ ਅਲੇਖੈ।

Dhayri Uchaai Panjaangulaa Gaangaa Muthhi Halaai Alaykhai |

But the pandit thought that Gangu is hinting at the two dimensions of Lord - nirgun (beyond all virtues) and sagun, (with all virtues).

ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੩੨ ਪਉੜੀ ੧੮ ਪੰ. ੩


ਪੈਰੀ ਪੈ ਉਠਿ ਚਲਿਆ ਪੰਡਿਤੁ ਹਾਰਿ ਭੁਲਾਵੈ ਭੇਖੈ।

Paireen Pai Uthhi Chaliaa Panthhitu Haari Bhulaavai Bhaykhai |

Pandit now raised five fingers to show that His two forms are due to the five elements, but, considering the pandit as indicating that with five fingers he would scratch the face of Gangu,

ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੩੨ ਪਉੜੀ ੧੮ ਪੰ. ੪


ਨਿਰਗੁਣੁ ਸਰਗੁਣੁ ਅੰਗ ਦੁਇ ਪਰਮੇਸਰੁ ਪੰਜਿ ਮਿਲਨਿ ਸਰੇਖੈ।

Niragunu Saragunu Ang Dui Pramaysaru Panji Milani Saraykhai |

Gangs brandished his fist showing that he would kill him by the stroke of his fist. Now pandit felt that he was being made to understand that unity of five elements was the cause of the creation.

ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੩੨ ਪਉੜੀ ੧੮ ਪੰ. ੫


ਅਖੀ ਦੋਵੇਂ ਭੰਨਸਾਂ ਮੁਕੀ ਲਾਇ ਹਲਾਇ ਨਿਮੇਖੈ।

Akheen Dovain Bhannasaan Mukeelaai Halaai Nimaykhai |

Mistakingly the pandit accepted his defeat and fell at his opponent's feet and left the place. In fact the fool had meant that he would bring out his eyes and attack with a tight fist but this was interpreted differently by the pandit.

ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੩੨ ਪਉੜੀ ੧੮ ਪੰ. ੬


ਮੂਰਖ ਪੰਡਿਤੁ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਵਿਸੇਖੈ ॥੧੮॥

Moorakh Panthhitu Surati Visaykhai ||18 ||

Thus because of his specific thinking even the pandit was also proved a fool.

ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੩੨ ਪਉੜੀ ੧੮ ਪੰ. ੭