Balihari Gur apne dioharhi sadh vaar – Raag Assa-Asa Ki Vaar – Ang 462-475

SGGS Ang 462 475

ASA KI VAAR,  Slok M.1.

A Sikh sings Praises of his Guru.

I am a sacrifice to my Guru, a hundred times a day; He makes angels out of men, without any delay.

“Balihari Gur apne dioharhi sadh vaar; jin manas te devte kiye kartt na laagi vaar.”

“sadh vaar” is poetic rendition of “sat vaar.” In Hindi/Sadh Bhasha, the word “sat” means hundred. Just as Bhagat Namdev Ji says “re jihba karo sat khand; jaam na uchrass Sri Gobind.”

O my tongue I will cut you into a hundred pieces if you do not recite the Name of the Lord.

The Chakkas of Guru Ramdas Ji are read together with Asa Ki Vaar.

The clip (available on YouTube) also has all Sloks of Asa Ki Vaar and all Pauris until Pauri no. 6.

You will note the lines of each Pauri are fairly long. When it comes to the final line, it is very short. For example Pauri no. 6. The first line
“Bin Satgur kinne na paaiyo bin Satgur kinne na paaiya.” (16 vowel sounds).

The final line of Pauri no. 6 is very short
“Jagjiwan Dataa Paaiya” (7 vowel sounds). To bring symmetry to the lines, the Ragi Singh will normally add,
“Sri Waheguru, Waheguru” or repeat the last line,
“Jagjiwan Dataa Paaiya”

This symmetrical balancing is the “Tunde As Raje Ki Dhuni.”

Asa Ki Vaar begins with three Sloks, which tells us about the dire necessity to be in the Sharan of a Satguru. The rest of the Vaar addresses this in a unique way.

The Vaar stresses the Sole Sovereignity of God. The Satguru blesses those who come to His Sharan, with Naam.

In contrast, the Vaar tells us of various methods used, and the misconceptions by people, who do not get enlightenment from a Satguru.

Dancing by the raasdhariye, to think and foolishly believe that being buried has some spiritual significance, discrimination against women, sharaads, sutak, janaeuu, wearing blue clothes to please your political masters, while you secretly read you own Scriptures at home.

So many superstitions and futile practices and rituals are criticized.

Towering over others like a simmal tree, but being of no use to mankind. Sitting in samadhee like a baglaa. The futility of prayer to devi devas. The acidic dangers of haumai.

In this Slok, Guru Angad Dev Ji tells us, even if you have light from a hundred moons, and thousands of suns, without enlightenment from the Satguru, all these external dazzling lights are of no use. You will be in pitch darkness of ignorance without the Satguru (Shabad).

Pauri 7 of Asa Ki Vaar begins with a Chaka by Guru Ramdas Ji. It speaks of the gurmukhs who love God and gather to Sing His Praises.

“Gurmukh Pyare Aaye Mil Mai Chiri Vishune Raam Raaje.

Then comes a long Slok by M.1, about haumai.
Haumai is put in by God Himself, and only He/His Naam can remove it. Haumai is the root cause of bondages, and puts you into the cycle of births and deaths. Only if you deeply reflect upon haumai and understand it’s dangers, can you reach His Darr.

“Nanak haumai bujhe ta Darr Sujhe.”

Next, Guru Angad Dev Ji elaborates further about haumai.

“Haumai eeyi bandhna fir fir jooni pahe”

Only Naam/Gur Ka Shabad is the antidote to haumai. Only with His Kirpa does one do kamayee of the Guru’s Shabad.

“Kirpa Kare Je Aapni Ta Gur Ka Shabad Kamaye.”

Pauri no. 7 now speaks of those who do not act in haumai. They have santokh, (contentment, i.e. they do not chase after maya like those in haumai), and their conduct is in sewa, not self serving haumai. They are blessed.

“Sev Kiti Santokhie Jinni Sacho Sach Dhiaaya”

Pauri 8.

Starting with Guru Ramdas Ji’s
“Gur Amrit bhinni deohri” (Guru’s Grace drenches (bhinni) the body (deohri), Pauri no. 8 rolls out.

In the first Slok, Guru Ji lists 19 aspects of Creation, starting with,

“Purkha Birkha Tiratha Tatta Megha Khetah…”

He knows the condition of each aspect of Creation and looks after all.

“Nanak Jantt Upaye Ke Samale Sabna.”

In the face of such a Loving God, without His Name in your thoughts, of what use are the external religious symbols,?

“Nanak Sache Naam Bin Kya Tikka Kya Tagg.”

Without His Grace (Karam Sacha Nishan), all methods to reach Him are doomed to failure (Matti Mithiya).

Pauri 8 tells us, He Alone is Sach (True, Perfect, Pure) “Sacha Sahib Ek Tu” and He Operates in Truth “Jinni Sacho Sach Vartaieya”

In His Grace, He leads one to abide in Truth.

Pauri 13.

The Chaka by Guru Ramdas Ji says if He is Pleased with you, He Writes upon your forehead, that you will one day Unite with the Satguru (Shabad).

“Jin mastak Dhur Har Likhiya tin Satgur Miliya Raam Raaje.”

The first Slok before Pauri 13 tells us about the body and mann. The body is a rath (chariot, carriage), and the mann (jeev) is the rathvaho (charioteer).

“Nanak Mer sareer ka eik rath eik rathvaho”

The Enlightened Ones realise that age upon age, this carriage and charioteer change.

“Jug Jug fer vataiyeh gyani bujhe tahe ”

The next Slok tells us about the futility of relying upon the Vedas.

The Sam Ved, the Rig Ved, the Jujar Ved, and the Athar Ved. All claim to give the right message for salvation. (Chare Ved hohe Sachiar).

Guruji says, however, upon reading and reflecting upon their content, ( Padhe Gunhe) four different philosophies are presented ( tin char vichar).

Guru Ji concludes. Leave these Vedas aside. If you want salvation, you must be humble, and engage in Prema Bhagti with Naam. Only that can lead to salvation.

“Bhao Bhagat kar neech sadaaiye; Tao Nanak mokhantar paaiye.”

Pauri 13 tells us about the Glory of the Satguru (Shabad). It is a rare one who realises that the Satguru is a Divine Boat to ferry you safely across the turbulent world ocean.

“Satgur hai Bohitha virle kinne vichariya ; Kar Kirpa paar utareiya.”

Pauri 24.

Guru Ramdas Ji’s final Chaka tells us about the Bhagats.
He Establishes Bhagats in every Age and Epoch. He ensures their dignity and protection.

“Har jug jug Bhagat Upaaiya paij rakhda aaya Raam Raaje.”

Two examples are given. He killed off Harnakash and saved Prahlad Ji.

“Harnaksh dosht Har maariya Prahlad taraiaya.”

He turned His Back upon the egoistic and slanderous, and showered His Love upon Bhagat Namdev.

“Ahangkarian nindaka pith de Namdeo mukh laaiya.”

Those humble ones who Serve Him, He certainly saves them at the very end.

“Jann Nanak aisa Har Seviya Antt Le Chadaiaya.”

There are two Sloks before Pauri 24.

The first Slok by M.1. says, He Himself creates the bhanda (human body), and He Himself can make the mortal Perfect

“Aape bhande saajian Aape Puran deh.”

In some He pours Milk (Amrit Naam), whilst many others He keeps on the fire (they need further purifying).

“Eikni Dudh Samaaiyen Eik chule rahen chadhe.”

Some sleep peacefully, while some stand guard over them.

“Eik nihali peh savan eik upar rahen khade.”

He (Cleanses) makes Perfect upon whom He Casts His Glance of Grace.

“Tinna Savare Nanaka Jin Ko Nadar Kare.”

The second Slok by M.2. says, He Himself Creates and Fashions the world, and He Himself Keeps it in Order.

“Aape Saaje Kare Aap Jaaiye Bhi Rakhe Aap.”

He Creates beings in the world and Sees their Creation and Destruction.

“Tis Vich Jantt Upaaiye Ke Dekhe Thaap Uthaap.”

Nanak says, upon whom can we complain, when He Himself is All and Everything?

“Kis Nu Kahiye Nanaka Sabh Kich Aape Aap.”

The final Pauri (24), is by way of conclusion.

Even if one wishes to describe the Glories of the Great One, he will be unable to do so.

“Vadhe kiya Vadiaaiyan Kich Kehna Kahen Na Jaaiye.”

He is the Creator, All Powerful, and Benevolent. He Provides sustenance for all.

“So Karta Kader Kareem De Jiaa Rijak Sabahe.”

One should engage in that work that has been Ordained for him from the Primal Source (Dhur).

“Sayee kaar kamaavnee Dhur Chodhi Tinne Paaiye.”

Nanak says, besides the One Lord, there is no other Refuge at all.

“Nanak Eiki Bahri Hor Dujji Naahi Jaaiye”

He Does Whatever He Wills.

“So Kare Je Tisse Rajaaiye.”

Shabad Veechar by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube