Baans

Baans (ਬਾਂਸੁ – Bamboo)

In Gurmat, Baans (bamboo) as a metaphor for false pride and fruitless height:

Bamboo grows tall, but it gives neither fragrance nor cooling shade.

Even if it grows near chandan (Gurmukh/Saint), it does not absorb fragrance.

Symbol of egoistic people: pride in money, caste (kul, varna), status, kingship.

Gurmat Teaching:

Such ego-driven persons, despite coming close to saints, remain untouched by spiritual fragrance.

Sikhs are advised: “Do not die like baans” — i.e., do not waste life in empty pride without spiritual fragrance.

ਕਬੀਰ ਬਾਂਸੁ ਬਡਾਈ ਬੂਡਿਆ ਇਉ ਮਤ ਡੂਬਹੁ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਕਬੀਰ ਬਾਂਸੁ ਬਡਾਈ ਬੂਡਿਆ ਇਉ ਮਤ ਡੂਬਹੁ ਕੋਇ ॥

Historical Illustration:

Hill Rajas (22 Dhar Kings) in Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s time acted like baans:

They came near the Guru, sometimes even received help. Yet, their ego and caste-pride kept them away from Gurmat.

In contrast, many “ordinary” people (dhaak-palaas types) who aligned with Guru Sahib, gained fragrance of Sikhi like Gani Khan Nabi Khan.