Vahiguru ji ka Khalsa, Vahiguru ji ki Fatih!

In earlier times, students learned the alphabet and its forms by writing on wooden tablets called 'Patti.' These tablets symbolized the sacred act of learning, where each letter came alive under the careful guidance of a teacher. Inspired by this tradition, a poetic form called 'Patti' emerged, using the letters of the script sequentially to convey profound subjects and universal truths.

The Guru Granth Sahib beautifully expresses this rich connection between language and wisdom. Within its verses, compositions like Patti by Guru Nanak Sahib and Guru Amardas Sahib; Oankar by Guru Nanak Sahib; and Bawan Akhari by Guru Arjan Sahib and Bhagat Kabir ji invite us to reflect on the sacredness embedded in language itself. Each composition carries spiritual insights, urging us to view letters as more than symbols but as gateways to divine understanding.

In the Patti composition, Guru Nanak Sahib transforms the simple act of learning into an invitation to connect with the One. Praising IkOankar, the One Creative and Pervasive Force, the Guru reminds us that true wisdom transcends intellectual knowledge and resides in the heart and deeds of a sincere seeker. Though tradition says this message was first directed at a pandit, Guru Nanak Sahib’s words extend to us all, challenging our assumptions about what it means to be truly educated. The Guru tells us that learning is measured not by what we know but by how we live.

True wisdom shines in lives adorned with good deeds, where spiritual liberation becomes the highest aspiration. This call beckons us to a deeper understanding that moves beyond words and leads us into a living relationship with the Eternal. The Patti composition also inspires us to transcend apparent dualities. Just as students once wrote and memorized letters on slates, we are urged to immerse ourselves in spiritual teachings to gain true insight. Letters are more than marks on a page; they are sacred vessels of divine wisdom.

In the first couplet, Guru Nanak Sahib addresses the mind with urgency: O mind! Why do you forget, O foolish mind? You will only be considered learned when you give the account of your deeds, O sibling! Using the letter ਸ (‘sassā’), the Guru declares that IkOankar, the Sovereign Creator, gave birth to all creation. Life becomes meaningful when our consciousness remains steadfastly connected to the Creator. Service to the Creator is not a mere ritual but a continuous, living devotion that fulfills our purpose.

Guru Nanak Sahib’s relational approach is striking. The Guru addresses us as siblings, breaking down hierarchies and inviting us into a shared spiritual journey. The Guru reminds us that it is not about scholarly accolades but about living in constant awareness of the Eternal.

Each couplet in Patti calls us to move beyond intellectual pursuits and into a transformative experience. Can we let go of superficial learning and embrace these teachings with our whole being?

Will we yearn to be seekers, living with grace,
Serving in the Creator’s radiant embrace?
The journey awaits—will our hearts respond,
To the open invitation, a sacred bond?

May Wisdom-Guru guide us!