Some Questions by a satsanggi:
- What is the difference between nau nidh and nav nidh?
- Why is the spelling different?
- They say nau nidh appears in the SGGS 45 times, don’t both mean 9 treasures?
The SGGS Ji is written in poetry. To maintain balance between different lines, the Gurus and saints have sometimes used great poetic license to express their revelations.
There is no difference between nau nidh and nav nidh except their spelling and pronunciation. Nau has a “longer” sound as compared with “nav” which is more pithy and pert.
Both mean 9 treasures.
In Indian thought the best treasures or riches any person could achieve was of these 9 types.
Bhai Kahn Singh Ji in his Shabad Ratnakar lists the 9 nidhis as.
- Padam – which means attainment of gold, silver and other precious metals.
- Maha padam – diamonds rubies and precious stones.
- Kharab – Riches of various kinds. [art treasures, heirlooms, exquisite sculptures]
- Kund – Trading in gold.
- Nil – Trading in precious stones.
- Sankh – producing delicious eatables from thin air.
- Kachap – Having food and grains and clothes in abundance.
- Mukund – Having mastery in arts music and poetry.
- Makar – Being adept at the art of war and weapons.
Having these nidhis makes one very powerful and it results in others wanting his friendship even more. Thus even more treasures are constantly being added by others to such a person making him more and more powerful.
The Gurus and Bhagats in SGGS Ji have used nau nidhis as a convenient phrase or reference for all possible riches a man (or woman) may desire to have. As far as Gurbani is concerned it is Naam which contains all the nau nidhis. In the first Asthpadhi of Sukhmani for example we come across –
“prabh kay simran ridh sidh nau nidh ” i.e “in the loving meditation upon God are found wealth, spiritual powers and the nine treasures”.
Manjeet Singh
