Babeeha Prio Prio kare jalnidh prem pyaar – Shalok Vaaran Tey Vadheek – Ang 1419

 SGGS Angg 1419.

Shalok Vaaran Tey Vadheek M.3.

In the Slok Vaaran Tey Vadheek by Guru Amardas Ji, there are 5 Sloks where there is reference to a babeeha. (Sloks 54 – 58).

Most scholars have related the babeeha to a pied cuckoo. The authors of Shabad Arth (SGPC 1945), however say the babeeha (also known as chatrik or sarang), is a mythological bird which has a hole in its neck. As it tries to drink water from the ground, the water slips out of the hole and it remains thirsty. It pines for rainy days and puts its open beak skywards. A swanti boond (dewdrop) from the heavens can quench its thirst.
This seems to be a more correct version of the babeeha as Guru Nanak Dev Ji has also said at Angg 58 that waters of the world can never quench the thirst of the chatrik (babeeha).

“Re man aisee Har seyo preet kar jaisee chatrik meh; sar bhar thall hariavley ek boond na paveyee keh.”

In Gurbani the babeeha is a symbol used for a Sikh whose spiritual thirst can only be quenched by Amrit Naam which trickles from the Daswa Dwar.

This is Slok 54. The babeeha is in love with the Treasure of all Waters (Naam). He lovingly cries out “Beloved Beloved.”

“Babeeha Prio Prio kare jalnidh prem pyaar.”

But only when the babeeha meets the Guru will he obtain the cool soothing Water which takes away all pains.

“Gur mile sital jal paaeya sabh dukh visaranhaar.”

When the thirst gets quenched, peace and poise well up and all cries and screams are no more.

“Tiss chukey sahaj upjay chukay kook pukaar.”

Nanak says the gurmukh obtains peace and comfort as they enshrine the Name of the Lord in their hearts.

“Nanak gurmukh shaant hoye Naam rakho urr dhaar.”

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube