Welcome to Week 8 of WordWise Wednesdays!
This Week’s word is:
ਉਡਾਰੀਆਂ (Udaarian)
It is a Punjabi word that translates literally to “flights”, “taking flight” or “soaring high”. Metaphorically, in Sufism & poetry, rather than just physical movement, it symbolizes emotional liberation, spiritual elevation, the mind and soul rising above the worldly, or the soul’s journey toward the Divine.
Sufism frequently uses the concept of flight to describe the transcendence of human limitations.
Etymology:
1. Originating from the Punjabi base verb Uddna (ਉੱਡਣਾ), which means “to fly, the singular noun form is Udaari (ਉਡਾਰੀ), meaning “a flight”, and the suffix -an or -yan is added to make it plural, transforming it into Udaariyan (ਉਡਾਰੀਆਂ).
2. It can be traced back to the Sanskrit prefix Ud- (उद्), which signifies “up,” “upwards,” or “outward,” 3. This is also closely related to the Hindi word Udaan (उड़ान), which also translates to “flight”.
2. It can be traced back to the Sanskrit prefix Ud- (उद्), which signifies “up,” “upwards,” or “outward,” 3. This is also closely related to the Hindi word Udaan (उड़ान), which also translates to “flight”.
Usage & Insights:
1. In a Sufi context, Udaariyan represents several layered spiritual concepts:
* Liberation from the Material World: Taking flight symbolizes escaping earthly, materialistic weights and emotional burdens to achieve a higher state of consciousness.
* The Soul’s Ascent (Miraj-e-Rooh): In Sufism, the human soul is often compared to a bird caged by the physical body. Udaariyan is the moment the bird breaks free, representing the soul’s release from mundane, material attachments as it ascends toward the Divine Beloved.
* Divine Intoxication (Khumar): When a seeker experiences Ishq-e-Haqeeqi (divine love), they enter a state of ecstasy where they feel completely detached from earth. This spiritual “high” is described as flying through the skies of love.
2. Punjabi Singer Satinder Sartaaj’s celebrated 2018 song Udaarian explains the Sufi love beautifully:
“Ho lavaan ishqe de ambri udaarian…”
Translation: “Oh, I am taking flights in the skies of love…”
Meaning: The seeker’s soul is rising above worldly constraints, completely consumed by love.
“Saanu pyar diyan chadiyan khumarian…”
Translation: “I am swept up in the intoxication of love…”
Meaning: Reflected in the traditional Sufi concept of spiritual ecstasy & intoxication.
3. Waris Shah wrote in Heer: “Jehre lain udaariyan naal baazan, ohna kabutran nu maut nede”
Translation: “The pigeons that attempt to fly alongside hawks are inviting their own demise.”
Metaphorically, it warns against competing with or trying to act equal to someone who is vastly more powerful, skilled, or ruthless than you.
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