Gurbani words that appear in Malay Language - Can you identify them? - Part 1

Gurbani words that appear in Malay Language- Can you identify them? - Part 1

Many shabads in Guru Granth Sahib Ji have been written in various languages such as Persian, Urdu, Sanskrit, Brij Bhasha, and etc. Wherever Guru Nanak Dev Ji went on their journey, they spoke the native language of that place. This in itself attracted the locals to Guru Sahib. Many Gursikhs such as Baba Deep Singh Ji, Bhai Mani Singh Ji, Bhai Nand Lal Ji were experts in various langauges apart from Gurmukhi, such as Persian Urdu and Sanskrit.

Bhai Nand Lal Ji's bani in Persian

Many words in the Malay language comes from ancient languages such as Sanskrit, Persian, Hindi, Portuguese, Dutch and so on. Now it has also included words from the English language as well.

Many of these words are also contained in Gurbani. Through identification of these words, it makes it easier for one who knows the language, to be able to understand Gurbani better as well. Also, it becomes much easier when trying to explain Gurbani to another Malay-speaking person.

George Orwell, the great author of 1984 and Animal Farm said,

“The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.”

Language is one way of communication that connects people. And as Sikh, I suppose we are lucky to have Guru Granth Sahib Ji, from whom we are able to learn words or phrases in various languages and their meanings. It is important to learn these languages. 

Why so? One word can appear in two different languages, and they can mean two different things. If we are unable to identify them, understanding Gurbani can be difficult. 

So, let's start, shall we?

No	Gurbani	Malay	Meaning	Gurbani Reference
1	Jam Doot	Duta	Messenger	ijin guru syivAw Awpxw jmdUq n lwgY fMfu ] Jin Gur Saeviaa Aapanaa Jamadhooth N Laagai Ddandd || For those who serve their Guru, there is no punishment at the hands of the Messenger of Death.
2	Narak	Neraka	Hell	gur kY bcin nrik n pvY ] Gur Kai Bachan Narak N Pavai || The Guru's Word saves one from falling into hell.
3	Swarag	Syurga	Heaven	qyrw AMqu n pwieAw surig miC pieAwil jIau ]1] Thaeraa Anth N Paaeiaa Surag Mashh Paeiaal Jeeo ||1|| Your limits are not known to any of the beings in the heavens, in this world, or in the nether regions of the underworld. ||1||
4	Istri	Isteri	Wife	iesqRI purKY Aiq nyhu bih mMdu pkwieAw ] Eisathree Purakhai Ath Naehu Behi Mandh Pakaaeiaa || The husband and wife are very much in love; sitting together, they make evil plans.
5	Swami	Suami	Master	qUµ Twkuru suAwmI pRBu myrw ] Thoon Thaakur Suaamee Prabh Maeraa || You are my God, my Lord and Master.
6	Duniya	Dunia	World	dunIAw mukwmy PwnI qhkIk idl dwnI ] Dhuneeaa Mukaamae Faanee Thehakeek Dhil Dhaanee || The world is a transitory place of mortality - know this for certain in your mind.
7	Sabun	Sabun	Soap	dy swbUxu leIAY Ehu Doie ] Dhae Saaboon Leeai Ouhu Dhhoe || Soap can wash them clean.
8	Noor	Nur	Light	eyk nUr qy sBu jgu aupijAw kaun Bly ko mMdy ]1] Eaek Noor Thae Sabh Jag Oupajiaa Koun Bhalae Ko Mandhae ||1|| From the One Light, the entire universe welled up. So who is good, and who is bad? ||1||
9	Guru	Guru	Teacher	ibnu gur mYlu n auqrY ibnu hir ikau Gr vwsu ] Bin Gur Mail N Outharai Bin Har Kio Ghar Vaas || Without the Guru, this pollution is not removed. Without the Lord, how can there be any homecoming?
10	Raja	Raja	King	ਰਾਜਾ ਮੰਗੈ ਦਿਤੈ ਗੰਢੁ ਪਾਇ ॥ Raajaa Mangai Dhithai Gandt Paae || When the king makes a demand, and it is met, the bond is established.
11	Waqt	Waktu	Time	ਵਖਤੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੇ ਸੁ ਬੰਦਾ ਹੋਇ ॥ Vakhath Veechaarae S Bandhaa Hoe || One who reflects upon his allotted time of life, becomes the slave of God.
12	Bhumi	Bumi	Land	ਭੂਮੀਆ ਭੂਮਿ ਊਪਰਿ ਨਿਤ ਲੁਝੈ ॥ Bhoomeeaa Bhoom Oopar Nith Lujhai || The landlord fights over his land each day.
13	Dand	Denda	Punishment	ਜਿਨਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਆਪਣਾ ਜਮਦੂਤ ਨ ਲਾਗੈ ਡੰਡੁ ॥ Jin Gur Saeviaa Aapanaa Jamadhooth N Laagai Ddandd || For those who serve their Guru, there is no punishment at the hands of the Messenger of Death.
14	Arth	Erti	Meaning	ਇਸੁ ਪਦ ਜੋ ਅਰਥਾਇ ਲੇਇ ਸੋ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥ Eis Padh Jo Arathhaae Laee So Guroo Hamaaraa || One who understands the meaning of this verse is my Guru.
15	Qurban	Kurban	Sacrifice	ਹਉ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੁ ਜਾਈ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਵੈ ॥ Ho Kurabaan Jaaee Thaerae Naavai || I am a sacrifice to Your Name.
16	Nagar	Negeri	City/Town	ਜਿਥੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਜਪੀਐ ਮੇਰੇ ਗੋਇਦਾ ਸੇਈ ਨਗਰ ਉਜਾੜੀ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ Jithhai Naam N Japeeai Maerae Goeidhaa Saeee Nagar Oujaarree Jeeo ||1|| Where the Naam, the Name of my Lord of the Universe is not chanted-those towns are like the barren wilderness. ||1||
17	Pehelwan	Pahlawan	Warrior	ਹਉ ਗੋਸਾਈ ਦਾ ਪਹਿਲਵਾਨੜਾ ॥ Ho Gosaaee Dhaa Pehilavaanarraa || I am a wrestler; I belong to the Lord of the World.
18	Roop	Rupa	Form/ Appearance	ਅਚਰਜ ਰੂਪੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੋ ਗੁਰਿ ਮੇਲਾਇਆ ਮਾਇ ॥੧॥ Acharaj Roop Niranjano Gur Maelaaeiaa Maae ||1|| Wondrous is the Form of the Immaculate One. Through the Guru, I have met Him, O my mother! ||1||
19	Pardhan	Perdana	Prime	ਪੁਰਖੁ ਸਤਿ ਕੇਵਲ ਪਰਧਾਨੁ ॥ Purakh Sath Kaeval Paradhhaan || His personality is true - He alone is supreme.
20	Mentri	Menteri	Minister	ਮੰਤ੍ਰੀ ਕੈ ਅਪਨਾ ਠਹਰਾਇਓ ॥ Maantaree Kai Apanaa Tthaharaaeiao ॥ He was also made one of the ministers,
21	Ras	Rasa	Taste	ਰਸ ਕਸ ਆਪੁ ਸਲਾਹਣਾ ਏ ਕਰਮ ਮੇਰੇ ਕਰਤਾਰ ॥੧॥ Ras Kas Aap Salaahanaa Eae Karam Maerae Karathaar ||1|| I am caught in these tastes and flavors, and in self-conceited praise. These are my actions, O my Creator! ||1||
22	Takhat	Takhta	Throne	ਤਖਤਿ ਬੈਠਾ ਅਰਜਨ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਖਿਵੈ ਚੰਦੋਆ ॥ Thakhath Baithaa Arajan Guroo Sathigur Kaa Khivai Chandhoaa || Guru Arjun sits on the throne; the royal canopy waves over the True Guru.
23	Outar	Utara	North	auqir diKix puib dyis psçim jsu BwKh ] Outhar Dhakhin Pub Dhaes Pascham Jas Bhaakheh || In the countries of the north, south, east and west, the Praises of the Naam are chanted.
24	Divaan	Dewan	Hall/Court	ਦੀਬਾਨੁ ਏਕੋ ਕਲਮ ਏਕਾ ਹਮਾ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਮੇਲੁ ॥ Dheebaan Eaeko Kalam Eaekaa Hamaa Thumhaa Mael || There is only One Court of the Lord, and He has only one pen; there, you and I shall meet.
25	Rehem	Rahmat	Mercy	rhm qyrI suKu pwieAw sdw nwnk kI Ardwis ]4]3] Reham Thaeree Sukh Paaeiaa Sadhaa Naanak Kee Aradhaas ||4||3|| By Your Mercy, may I find peace; this is Nanak's lasting prayer. ||4||3||