Capt ai n Yashpal Si ngh UH lH

Millstone
(Chakki , Quer n, hand-oper at ed mi l l st one)





In Guru Granth Sahib we get to read the sublime knowledge about the Almighty God in very
simple and easily understood language. We get to know the irrevocable and all-pervading
hukam (Will) of our Creator. An ideal and proper life-style to follow is learnt. One is rid of
the wanderings and wavering, superstitions and unfounded fears. Hypocrisy vanishes. Bliss,
happiness and equipoise become the lifes priceless possessions. These are the invaluable
returns of the time and effort invested in reading and contemplating Gurbani (Guru Granth
Sahib)
The Almighty Lord is limitless, boundless, incomprehensible, and indestructible. He
pervades the visible creation, in a way fire is present in the woods and butter exists in milk.
The correct knowledge and procedure help in deriving butter from milk and wood being used
Capt ai n Yashpal Si ngh UH lH

for its optimum calorific value. Similarly reading, contemplating, singing, practicing Gurbani
helps in relishing the experience of being with Waheguru (God).
Gurbani employs number of examples and illustrations for the benefit of
humankind in understanding the pristine spiritual knowledge. Message is readily understood,
as the examples, being from our day-to-day life, are already known to us.
Let us, in this write-up, talk about millstone. We are familiar with this
word. It a device for grinding grains. Though, nowadays grain is ground using electrically
driven millstones, which are capable of delivering large quantities in a very short time; it is
not uncommon even today in some villages, to use hand millstone for preparing coarse grain
feed for cattle.
So let us learn a little about this quern and see what message and inspiration Guru Granth
Sahib gives to humanity with the help of millstone. Photograph of an actual millstone in use
is shown above. Look closely at the photos given below and familiarize yourself with its
different parts.

Capt ai n Yashpal Si ngh UH lH

So now we know about the different parts of a hand millstone. There is another photo in
which a lady is shown operating the millstone. A video clip has also been added for further
understanding.

H!8 J U!F
(whole
seeds)
Capt ai n Yashpal Si ngh UH lH

So, how does Guru Granth Sahib inspire and motivate using example of quern:

HW H: H! W! J! W|JH! JJ| H |J Y!|J HF W|H!J! |U
|UH! WF |UH! J !|J U|U J UW| H|J W |HF H!|U 8|J
H U|J JJ H U8J !W HH8 |J
(T . T. H!. ! )


Capt ai n Yashpal Si ngh UH lH

This, translated in English reads as:

SHALOK, FI RST M EHL: W hen t he crop is ripe, t hen it is cut dow n; only
t he st alks are lef t st anding. The corn on t he cob is put int o t he
t hresher, and t he kernels are separat ed f rom t he cobs. Placing t he
kernels bet w een t he t w o mill-st ones, people sit and grind t he corn.
Those kernels w hich st ick t o t he cent ral axle are sparedNanak has
seen t his w onderf ul vision! | | 1 | (G. G. S. Page 142)

That is, upon ripening the harvest is reaped by farmer. He leaves behind the stalks and fence.
The seeds contained in the shell/husk are thrashed and separated. Somebody then, sits and
prepares to grind the seeds at the millstone. The kernels turn into flour. Guru Nanak says that
the kernels that remain close to their root (the pivot) are spared and remain whole. And this
is an awe-inspiring scene.
We, the humans are like the seeds/kernels. The entire world is like a millstone with sky being
the upper grindstone and earth being the lower one. Day after day, we are undergoing the
pain of grinding caused by lust, anger, ego, attachment, jealousy, greed etc. But those who
seek the shelter and refuge of their root the Almighty Waheguru (which stick to the central-
axle) will be spared and remain whole (emancipated) in this very world and not just after
death. They live a wholesome, meaningful and blissful life.
So, let us all seek motivation from Guru Granth Sahib and ponder over the sublime Name of
our creator, sustainer by whatever name we like (God, Ram, Hari, Allah, Khuda, Waheguru
etc.) and stay away from being ground