I visited Gurdwara Patalpuri Sahib to immerse the ashes of a family member. Standing at that sacred place, where countless families have said their last goodbye to loved ones, I felt once again the humbling reality of life. Every visit there reminds me of a truth that we all know but often choose to forget — nothing in this world is permanent.
I make it a point to attend cremations, even if I skip weddings, engagements, or social gatherings. It is not because I dislike celebrations, but because death teaches us what no festival or ceremony can. It forces us to stand face to face with reality. In our everyday lives, we start believing that we are here forever. We buy land, build houses, make registries, as if permanence is ours to claim. But the truth lies elsewhere.
The Guru Granth Sahib explains this beautifully, reminding us that life is temporary and the body is but a vessel. Other religions too preach the same. Yet, human nature clings stubbornly to the idea of permanence. We measure success in wealth, status, and possessions — things that do not walk with us to the end.
Gurdwara Patalpuri Sahib itself carries the weight of this truth. Situated at Kiratpur Sahib on the banks of the Sutlej, it is a place of immense spiritual importance. Sikh history tells us that Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the sixth Guru, chose Kiratpur as his final resting place in 1644. Later, Guru Har Rai Ji and Guru Harkrishan Ji’s ashes were also immersed here. For centuries, Sikhs have brought the ashes of their loved ones to this gurdwara, turning it into a sacred reminder of life’s impermanence and the journey of the soul.
Is former Member of Punjab Public Service Commission
A farmer and keen observer of current affairs
Time passes like a breath. Childhood memories, school days, youthful friendships — all still feel like yesterday. And yet, more than half a century of life has slipped away like a few fleeting moments. With only a few more moments left, I often ask myself: What is human pride about? What is human greed about?
Perhaps that is why places like Patalpuri matter so much. They are not just spaces for ritual. They are reminders — stark, painful, but necessary — that life’s journey is short. The only permanence is the values we live by, the love we share, and the truth we embrace.
In the end, humility is the only wealth worth carrying.