In the news:

Gold-plated palanquin,
a rare piece of craft
awesome labor of love
and a sign of devotion,
is made to hold
Guru Granth Sahib
and a bir with gilded covers
would grace the ceremony
as we reverently mark
the Parkash anniversary

In Guru Granth Sahib:
Guru Nanak says
“Soina rupa sabh dhaat hai maati ral jaee” (p.1012)
Gold and silver are nothing but perishable metal.
“Koorh soina koorh rupa koorh pehnanhar” (p.468)
False is gold, false is silver, false is the wearer.

Says Guru Ram Dass:
“Rattan padarath maanka soina rupa khak” (p.47)
Jewels, treasures, pearls, gold and silver are just dust.

Again:
“Jin shardha ram nam lagi tin doojay chit na laya ram
Jay dharti sabh kanchan ker deejay bin navai aver na bhaya ram” (p.444)
The one (Sikh) devoted to ram naam
hankers not after anything else.
Even if the whole earth is turned into gold
he longs for naught other than naam.

Should we glorify the event
with mere glitter of gold
to feel good and smug?
Does the crust mean more
than the wholesome core?
Should we stop at the shell
unmindful of the kernel?
Or heed the Gurus’ instruction
beyond the alluring illusion
and enter this common treasure
to share the words of wisdom?

(29.09.2004)