Sahib samalhe Panth nihaley asaan bhi othey janaa – Raag Wadhans -Alahnian – Ang 579

SGGS Angg 579.

Raag Wadhans (Vadhans) M.1

Alahnian.

Alahnian are literally songs of lamentation. In large parts of India, upon the death of a person, the relatives and friends gather at the house of the deceased. The women folk will huddle around and wail loudly, occasionally singing some virtues of the deceased. This wailing in sing song fashion is called “siapaa.” Often the village barberess  (nain), or mirasan will lead the wailing, singing one line of lamentation, followed by the other ladies in chorus. It is a folk form of showing sadness at the departure of a loved one.

This wailing in groups continues daily till the death ceremonies are concluded.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji used this folk form in His Bani and stressed the importance of accepting the Will of the Lord. All this wailing and beating of breasts in sadness was of no use. It was important to accept death as a certainty, and to live a life immersed in Naam.

Guru Ji emphasises that the gurmukh does not fear death. He lives a life of dignity and in his fearlessness slowly rises to liberation and is forever freed from births and deaths.

Alahnian appear from Anggs 578-582. Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 5 Alahnian Shabads are followed by 4 Shabads of Guru Amardas Ji in the same tone, although the title Alahnian is not given there.

This is the 1st pada of the second Alahnian Shabads by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

As the siapaa is mostly done by women, Guru Ji uses the female gender in His Bani.

The woman calls upon her friends to meet and dwell upon the True Name (instead of wailing).

“Aavho milho saheliyo Sachra Naam laaehaan.”

There is crying, but it is over the sadness of separation of the body from the Lord and Master. Let us remember Him in contemplation.

“Rovhe birha tann ka Sahib samalehaan.”

Let us lovingly remember the Lord, (not the deceased), and keep a watchful eye on the Path (towards Him, lest we go astray), we shall have to go there as well (as our turn comes, all will have to die).

“Sahib samalhe Panth nihaley asaan bhi othey janaa.”

He who creates also destroys; His Will has come to pass.

“Jis ka kiyaa Tin hi liyaa hova Tisse ka Bhanaa.”

Whatever He infused in us (His Writ of death), has come to the fore; how can we ever command Him?

“Jo tin kar paaya so aagey aaya asee ke hukam karehaan.”

Come my companions let us meet together and contemplate upon the True Name.

“Aavho milho saheliyo Sachra Naam laeehaan”

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube