The most beautiful place in the universe: ਡਿਠੇ ਸਭੇ ਥਾਵ ਨਹੀ ਤੁਧੁ ਜੇਹਿਆ
Spiritual wisdom reminds us that the most beautiful place in the universe is an awakened consciousness. Those whose hearts are filled with wisdom are full of beauty and virtues, bringing life into radiance. Credits: Pexels
The art of introspection
We all carry wisdom within us. Like a well, we can draw from it. Introspection allows us to perceive this primal wellspring of life and find inspiration for a fulfilled existence.
Wisdom blooms intuitively, like a lotus. It manifests in everyday life, connecting us to the mystery of existence. Wisdom goes far beyond knowledge, intellect, and personal development. It is grounded in a conscious and mindful life filled with reflection, firsthand experiences, and virtues. It requires profound spiritual insight. Wisdom draws from an intuitive ethics that considers the long-term welfare of all. It is immune to trends and dominating discourses of the age. It enables us to reflect on human-made constructs, peer beyond the facade of impermanence, and think, speak, and act with foresight. Wisdom elevates us beyond fleeting emotions, thoughts, the body, and beyond dogmas, beliefs, group affiliations, institutions, and all demarcations.
Sikhi: Living with Wisdom
The way of life in Sikhi is based on timeless spiritual wisdom (Gurmat), revealed by over 30 Enlightened Ones and preserved in writing (Gurbani). Sikhi views all beings as equal members of one spiritual family. Gurmat helps us reflect on childhood influences and the alienation from our hearts, distinguish natural needs from desires, adopt a cyclical worldview, and transcend the diaspora of impermanence. It paves the way for a dignified, sovereign, ethical, healthy, spiritual, and community-centered life in harmony with nature and the Divine.
The description of the ineffable mystery
The internalization of spiritual wisdom is at the heart of Sikhi. A key support for the journey of life is the explanation of the preserved wisdom. Behind the words, we look for their timeless spiritual meaning. In this way, we approach the ineffable mystery of life. We describe the indescribable, acknowledging the impossibility of this task. We are aware of our fallibility, yet humbly try to bring the insights gained into daily life.
ਏਨਾ ਅਖਰਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੋ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਸਿਰਿ ਲੇਖੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥੨॥ GGS, 432, M.1
ਬਾਵਨ ਅਛਰ ਲੋਕ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਸਭੁ ਕਛੁ ਇਨ ਹੀ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਏ ਅਖਰ ਖਿਰਿ ਜਾਹਿਗੇ ਓਇ ਅਖਰ ਇਨ ਮਹਿ ਨਾਹਿ ॥੧॥ ਜਹਾ ਬੋਲ ਤਹ ਅਛਰ ਆਵਾ ॥ ਜਹ ਅਬੋਲ ਤਹ ਮਨੁ ਨ ਰਹਾਵਾ ॥ ਬੋਲ ਅਬੋਲ ਮਧਿ ਹੈ ਸੋਈ ॥ ਜਸ ਓਹੁ ਹੈ ਤਸ ਲਖੈ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥੨॥ GGS, 340, Bhagat Kabir
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਬਣੀਐ ॥ GGS, 304, M.4
Where can I find the most beautiful place in the universe?
The following verses that were revealed to the Enlightened One Gur Angad remind us that the most beautiful place in the universe is an awakened consciousness. Those whose hearts are filled with wisdom are full of beauty and virtues, and bring life into radiance.
ਡਿਠੇ ਸਭੇ ਥਾਵ ਨਹੀ ਤੁਧੁ ਜੇਹਿਆ ॥
All places were experienced, yet none are like you.
ਬਧੋਹੁ ਪੁਰਖਿ ਬਿਧਾਤੈ ਤਾਂ ਤੂ ਸੋਹਿਆ ॥
Raised by the ordaining root primal essence of being, you shine in beauty.
ਵਸਦੀ ਸਘਨ ਅਪਾਰ ਅਨੂਪ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਪੁਰ ॥
Dwelling in the woven infinity and incomparability, in the abode of divine servants.
ਹਰਿਹਾਂ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਸਮਲ ਜਾਹਿ ਨਾਇਐ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਸਰ ॥੧੦॥ GGS, 1361, M.5
Harihan (O Liberator from impurities), says Nanak, the soul’s impurities dissolve through the inner bath in the pool of divine servants.
Explanation of key terms
ਡਿਠੇ refers to direct perception, an experience from first-hand awareness. ਸਭੇ ਥਾਵ includes the vast diversity of all external experiential spaces. ਨਹੀ ਤੁਧੁ ਜੇਹਿਆ indicates that no external appearance, no physical place, and no outer experience can match the state of inner connection with the Divine.
ਬਧੋਹੁ suggests a conscious rising, a spiritual elevation. ਪੁਰਖਿ represents cosmic order and wisdom. From the connection to this origin of life, an inner radiance, ਸੋਹਿਆ, is born.
ਵਸਦੀ shows all permeating, vibrant presence. ਸਘਨ, ਅਪਾਰ, and ਅਨੂਪ emphasize the unfathomable depth and vitality of existence. ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਪੁਰ symbolizes a consciousness fully permeated by the Divine. Ram originates from the Sanskrit word राम, which means “who grants joy.” It can be translated as blissful divine presence.
ਹਰਿ also comes from ancient Sanskrit roots. It is derived from हर्, meaning to take away, to remove, or to liberate. In spiritual language, Hari refers to the energy that dissolves darkness, the fetters, and the impurities of the ego. Hence it does not refer to specific deity but refers to the transformative power of the Divine. ਹਾਂ is an interjection, a confirming address or a gentle exclamation, akin to "O" or "Oh thou" — a term of love, respect, and intimacy. ਕਸਮਲ refers to the deep, subtle impurities of our being like ego, greed, delusion, and self-aggrandizement. ਨਾਇਐ means bathing and stands for seeing through superficiality, immersing in wisdom, and strengthening the connection to our original natural spiritual self.
Spiritual and timeless essence of the verses
The external – places, people, experiences, and events – may seem fascinating and alluring, yet no external experience or any seemingly sacred place or pilgrimage site can match the joy and depth of connection to the divine essence (Nam). These verses remind us that love, balance, peace, and beauty do not come from outside or through activities, but from our own being. This message is of special relevance in our world which is shaped by constant seeking outside oneself along with the motto “faster and more” and the belief that the grass is always greener elsewhere, by promises of happiness through consumption, money-driven practices in the name of religion or superficial self-optimization, and emotional instant gratification, inner engineering, and transhumanism.
Honest introspection and reconnecting to our true spiritual nature guide us on the path of harmony, aliveness, and humility, allowing us to become one with the order of creation and the wisdom of life. The inner bath means a quiet return to our original self, free from vanity, greed, and self-alienation. The meditative quiet and loving reconnection to what has always resided within us, the imperishable wisdom and beauty of the divine source within ourselves, brings us home to our highest spiritual consciousness - and not techniques, courses, products, or swimming with the masses.
Divine recitation of the explained verses by Gurmeet Singh Shant. Credits: SikhiCouncil, AI Copilot, 2025
