Raag Assa

SGGS Ang 473

Throughout history, women have been treated very badly.

They were regarded as subordinate to men. They could not register any property in their names and it was the husband’s right to hold on to her wages. This was prevalent until recent times. During the Colonial era in Malaya (pre 1957), women were regarded as chattels like animal and furniture and could be traded and taken away upon payment of a fee to the owner. It was only in 2023, that section 498 of the Penal Code was declared unconstitutional, as it said women could be treated as property to be sold or traded.

The Sikh Gurus treated women with dignity.

When Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji bought land in 1665 at Anandpur, Guru Ji named it as Chakk Nanaki, in honor of his mother. Women did not have rights to hold property in their names, but the Gurus were not bound by these rules. Later, the name, Chakk Nanaki was changed to Anandpur Sahib.

The Gurus openly criticized the cruel practice of sati, i.e. a widow was expected to burn herself at her husband’s pyre. In fact Guru Amardas Ji encouraged the remarriage of widows.

Shabad Veechar by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Keertan available on YouTube

Bhai Ji further elaborated on May 28, 2026:

Asa Ki Vaar, tells us about the Majesty of One Nirankar and His Naam.
In contrast to His Magnificience, so many appaling practices and mindless rituals are given importance.

Slok after Slok, after Pauri 4, pounds away at the corrupt and decadent practices which pass off as religious rituals.

Towards the end of Asa Ki Vaar, (Ang 473), Guru Nanak Dev Ji declares that women are not to be looked down upon. God has Created them with a certain finesse with which they set up home and become the conscience of the household and bring a softness in society, and relationships.
They should never be regarded as inferior or bad (mandaa). They give birth to world rulers and Spiritual Kings (Bhagats).

All are born of women, except the One Lord.
(Nanak Bhande Bahra Eko Sacha Soye).

ਮਃ ੧ ॥
First Mehla:

ਭੰਡਿ ਜੰਮੀਐ ਭੰਡਿ ਨਿੰਮੀਐ ਭੰਡਿ ਮੰਗਣੁ ਵੀਆਹੁ ॥
ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਜਨਮ ਲਈਦਾ ਹੈ, ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ (ਦੇ ਪੇਟ) ਵਿਚ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਸਰੀਰ ਬਣਦਾ ਹੈ । ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਦੀ (ਹੀ) ਰਾਹੀਂ ਕੁੜਮਾਈ ਤੇ ਵਿਆਹ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ।
From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married.

ਭੰਡਹੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਦੋਸਤੀ ਭੰਡਹੁ ਚਲੈ ਰਾਹੁ ॥
ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਦੀ ਰਾਹੀਂ (ਹੋਰ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨਾਲ) ਸੰੰਬੰਧ ਬਣਦਾ ਹੈ । ਤੇ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ (ਜਗਤ ਦੀ ਉਤਪੱਤੀ ਦਾ) ਰਸਤਾ ਚੱਲਦਾ ਹੈ ।
Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come.

ਭੰਡੁ ਮੁਆ ਭੰਡੁ ਭਾਲੀਐ ਭੰਡਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਬੰਧਾਨੁ ॥
ਜੇ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਮਰ ਜਾਏ ਤਾਂ ਹੋਰ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਦੀ ਭਾਲ ਕਰੀਦੀ ਹੈ, ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ (ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਨਾਲ) ਰਿਸ਼ਤੇਦਾਰੀ ਬਣਦੀ ਹੈ ।
When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound.

ਸੋ ਕਿਉ ਮੰਦਾ ਆਖੀਐ ਜਿਤੁ ਜੰਮਹਿ ਰਾਜਾਨ ॥
ਜਿਸ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ (ਜਾਤੀ) ਤੋਂ ਰਾਜੇ (ਭੀ) ਜੰਮਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਮੰਦਾ ਆਖਣਾ ਠੀਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ ।
So why call her bad? From her, kings are born.

ਭੰਡਹੁ ਹੀ ਭੰਡੁ ਊਪਜੈ ਭੰਡੈ ਬਾਝੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥
ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਪੈਦਾ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ (ਜਗਤ ਵਿਚ) ਕੋਈ ਜੀਵ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਪੈਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ।
From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all.

ਨਾਨਕ ਭੰਡੈ ਬਾਹਰਾ ਏਕੋ ਸਚਾ ਸੋਇ ॥
ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਕੇਵਲ ਇਕ ਸੱਚਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਹੀ ਹੈ, ਜੋ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਜੰਮਿਆ ।
O Nanak, only the True Lord is without a woman.

ਜਿਤੁ ਮੁਖਿ ਸਦਾ ਸਾਲਾਹੀਐ ਭਾਗਾ ਰਤੀ ਚਾਰਿ ॥
(ਭਾਵੇਂ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਹੋਵੇ, ਭਾਵੇਂ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ, ਜੋ ਭੀ) ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਨਾਲ ਸਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਦੇ ਮੱਥੇ ਉੱੱਤੇ ਭਾਗਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਣੀ ਹੈ, ਭਾਵ ਉਹਦਾ ਮੱਥਾ ਭਾਗਾਂ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ ।
That mouth which praises the Lord continually is blessed and beautiful.

ਨਾਨਕ ਤੇ ਮੁਖ ਊਜਲੇ ਤਿਤੁ ਸਚੈ ਦਰਬਾਰਿ ॥੨॥
ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਉਹੀ ਮੁਖ ਉਸੇ ਸੱਚੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਵਿਚ ਸੋਹਣੇ ਲੱਗਦੇ ਹਨ ।੨।
O Nanak, those faces shall be radiant in the Court of the True Lord. ||2||

Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Raag Aasaa – 473

Select Shabads

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

Ida Pingla aur Sukhmana teen basse Eik Thaee - Raag Ramkali - Ang 974

Ek kavavhe te sabh hova - Raag Maroo - Ang 1003

Gur Naanak baah pakar ham raakhaa - Raag Assa - 394

Baap hamara sadh charanjeevi - Raag Bhairo - Ang 1141

 Pavnae meh pavan samaaiaa - Raag Ramkali - Ang 885

Nanak tagg na tuttiye je tagg hovay jor - Raag Assa - Ang 471

Tu Dana Tu Abichal Tuhi Tu jaat meri paati - Raag Ramkali - Ang 884

Jimmi puche asmàan Fareeda khevat kinn gaye - Raag Assa - Ang 488

Har Jeth jorunda lorhiye jis Agge Sabh Nivann - Raag Majh - Ang 134

Kewal Raam Naam Manoramang - Raag Gujri - Ang 526

Naal iaane dostee kade na aavae raas - Raag Assa - Ang 474

Rangi Rangi Bhaanti Kar Kar Jinsi Maya Jin Upayee - Japji Sahib - Ang 6

Baha pakad rogho kadh leiya - Raag Bhairo - Ang 1142

Jag supna baaji banee khin me khel khelaye - Raag Sri Raag - Ang 18