Gurbani

2007-02-21T17:26:00.001Z

Asa di Vaar
Asa-di-var----means A ballad of hope; it is one of the basic sacred compositions for the Sikhs and is sung every morning in congregation in gurdwaras. The Var is an heroic ode which describes the brave deeds of a hero. It is generally sung to inspire armies going to battle or to inspire people with martial spirit. The Asa-di-var is normally sung in the Ass raga. It consists of 24 stanzas (Pauris) and 44 Staves (Salokas) and was originated by Guru Nanak Dev JI later, Guru Angad Dev Ji added another 15 staves of his own. In congregation, the musicians sing this var along with Chhants (quatrains) of Guru Ramdas Das Ji. The stanzas express the ideas in general, while the staves clarify them by example and detail. Social and religious issues are then related, to ordinary life.

2007-02-21T17:23:00.000Z

SHABAD HAZAAREY
These are composed in nine different ragas and are in the style of the Bishanpadas. In these Guru Ji has given expression to his philosophical and spiritual beliefs. They have negated the ritualism associated with yoga, belief in the Avatars and sensuality and inspired people to move on the path of truth and goodness. Alongwith these is included a Khayal Patshahi 10 which is believed to be written by Guru Gobind Singh Ji while he was in the jungles of Machhiwara.

2007-02-16T14:22:00.000Z

Akal Ustat
This is the name given to the second Bani in the second holy scriptures of the Sikhs called the Dasam Granth. This text spans from page 33 to page 94 of the 2326 pages of this holy book of the Sikhs at www.sridasam.org. (Original text is printed over 1428 pages). It is composed of 271 verses, and is largely devotional in nature.
The word "Akal" mean the "timeless primal being" and the word "Ustat" means "praise". So together the words "Akal Ustat" means the "praise of the Almighty God" Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru writes praises of God with love and dedication saying that God is worshiped by various peoples in many different ways and with varying names and methods

2007-02-15T13:25:00.000Z

Benti Chaupee:
Composed by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, it is a part of main evening prayers of the Sikhs called Rehras Sahib. The Benti Chaupee can be read at any time during the day to provide protection and energy. Chaupai is the short name for the Sikh prayer or Gurbani whose full name is Kabiobach Bainti Chaupai. . The Chaupai is part of the second most important Sikh Holy Book called the Dasam Granth.

2007-02-15T13:15:00.001Z

Sawaiya
The English spelling can vary - Sometimes written as "Sawaiye" or "Savaiye" , etc
These are thirty-three in all. Apart from describing the form of the Khalsa, these describe God in a style very similar to that employed in the Akal Ustat. God as described here is above the limiting descriptions of the Vedas and the puranas. He is Omniscient, Omnipotent, the Sublime, The Transcendent, the Supreme Being. He is the Creator, Without hate, Without fear, Beyond time, Not incarnated, Self-existent, the Enlightener. He always takes care of his followers. In these compositions, the false hoods of people who masquerade as saints have been exposed.

2007-02-15T13:07:00.000Z

Anand Sahib:
This Bani is part of the Nitnem or prayer which are read by sikhs in the morning. The Bani was written by Guru Amar Das Ji, the third Guru of the Sikhs and form part of the 5 Banis that are recited daily by baptised Sikhs. The Bani appears on pages 917 to 922 of SGGS, the Sikh Holy Scriptures. The word Anand means Complete Happiness and it is said that the person who recites this Holy Bani daily with dedication, attention and comprehension, will achieve complete happiness in life.

2007-02-15T12:55:00.000Z

Sukhmani Sahib
The Sukhmani is probably the greatest composition of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. It is said that he wrote it in response to request from a devotee who was suffering form physical pain and mental anguish; it restored him to calm and health. The word 'Sukhmani' means the psalm of equipoise or jewel of bliss. it is reported that Wazir Khaq, the Governor of Lahore, whose real name was Hakim Alleem-ud-din Ansari, was suffering form a chronic stomach disease. He came to Amritsar for treatment and also visited the Harmandar Sahib. As Baba Buddha Ji pressed his stomach, his condition became normal. When he met Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the latter told him to listen to a recitation of the Sukhmani Sahib daily, to gain inner peace. Wazir Khan then engaged a Sikh to recite this to him every day. By and by, he memorised the text and became a healthy and happy man.
The Sukhmani Sahib has structural unity. It has 24 staves (Salokas), one of which begins each canto. There are 24 cantos, each containing 8 stanzas. Each stanza has ten lines, that is five couplets. There is also the unity of theme: the perfection of man mentally. morally and spiritually. The stave of each canto gives the gist of the stanzas that follow.

2007-02-15T12:45:00.000Z

Jaap Sahib

Jaap Sahib is made up of 199 verses and is the first Bani of the Dasam Granth . The Jaap Sahib begins with "Sri Mukhwakh Patshahi Dasvee," "By the holy mouth of the Tenth King." This appears to be a specific saying to authenticate the writings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself.

2007-02-15T11:11:00.000Z

Japji Sahib
Japji Sahib contains the whole essence of Sikh philosophy. It contains the basic teachings of Guru NanakDev ji. For these reasons it occupies the opening place in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. It is a treasury of secular and spiritual wisdom and deserves detailed study. It is difficult to say precisely when it was written. According to Puratan Janama-sakhi, it was stated by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, soon after his Divine revelation and benediction. Macauliffe' however felt that it was the mature work of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in advanced age, after he had settled at Kartarpur in 1521. Other biographers believe that the verses were written by the Guru Ji at different times and later collected together as a basic prayer, for the benefit of his followers. Japji is written in the sutra or mantra form, like the ancient Indian sacred texts and contains concentrated thought expressed in the minimum words. It Is this economy of words and brevity of expression which distinguish this composition from all others. The expressions used are both pertinent and pithy.