CHAAR KUNT, CHAAR KHAANEE AND DAS DISHAA

(O Lord) On account of the actions committed (Karma), we are
separated from You. Please show Your Mercy, and unite us with
Yourself, Lord. Having grown weary of wandering in the four quarters
(and) ten directions (i.e., all sides/everywhere on earth: cuPyry hr pwsy)
we have come to Your Sanctuary, Lord (sggs 133).
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These three terms appear frequently in the SGGS (Sri Guru Granth Sahib). First, the term "Chaar Kunt" ("cwir kuMt" etc.) indicates the four main quarters, regions or directions (Kon or Dishaa) to the earth: (1) Poorab or east, (2) Pachham or west, (3) Uttar or north, and (4) Dakhan or south.

Chaar Khaanee ("cwry KwxI " etc.) denotes four main sources of creation: (1) Andaj or egg-born, (2) Jeraj or womb/placenta-born, (3) Setaj or sweat-born, and (4) Outbhuj or earth-born (vegetation etc.).

Das Dishaa" ("dh ids", "ds ids" etc.) refers to ten directions (Kon or Dishaa), which include four main ones listed before and six additional directions (four sub-directions or corridors between the four main ones and the other two include the upward and the downward direction) as follows: (1) Poorab or east, (2) Pachham or west, (3) Uttar or north, (4) Dakhan or south, (5) Eeshaan Kon or north east, (6) Agani Kon or south east, (7) Nairitee Kon or south west, (8) Vaayavee Kon or north west, (9) Aakaash or sky (denotes upward direction), and (10) Paataal or underworld/nether worlds (denotes downward direction).

These terms are in a way interconnected. First, as indicated by the SGGS, they are all created by the Lord. Second, it's according to the dictate of one's Karma, one is born through any of the four main sources of creation. Third, on account of the Manmukh lifestyle (ego or Hayume consciousness), the vast majority amongst those born as humans wander around everywhere: "cwir kuMt dh ids" (cuPyry hr pwsy).

— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org


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Updated on Saturday, January 20, 2007 2:42 PM PST

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