Nanak mel leyi Gur apne ghar Var paaya nari – Raag Tukhari – Ang 1107

SGGS Angg 1107 to 1110.

Raag Tukhari Shantt M.1. – Barah Maha

Scholars believe this was amongst the last few Banis written by Guru Ji before joti jote samaiye.

It has 17 padas. The 1st four speak of the Dharam Khand, Gyan Khand, Saram Khand and Karam khand.

The final pada is a summing up and conclusion.

After the 4 padas Guru Ji protrays the jeev isteri yearning for her Husband Lord. “Pir ghar nahi aave dhan kyo sukh paave…”.
As the months unfold, the external changes of the seasons are mirrored upon her inner being. But each month there is progress as she is committed to only Naam.
The progress is painful as karmic baggages are removed and thorough internal cleansing takes place.
In the 12th month of Phalgun the jeev isteri reaches home.
“Nanak mel leyi Gur apne ghar Var paaya nari” (pada 16 – Ang 1109)

The imagery and symbolism of this Bara Maha is rich beyond words.

Bara Maha had been used as a poetic form from ancient times. Poets like Kalidasa had used it for love poetry. But it was Guru Nanak Dev Ji who wrote the first ever Bara Maha with a spiritual theme. And what a matchless Divine Writing it is.

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shahad Kirtan available on YouTube