Gems of Gurbani

Guru Granth Sahib

Asa di waar  11

The reprimands to the Brahman and exposure of his Hippocratic rites and rituals that has divided society into classes and castes and created a sense of subjugation in a large section of society are best explained by criticizing the rights of sacred thread (Janeyu) reserved for high caste Hindus only. By reading the following verses it becomes clear why Guru Nanak wrote these bani in a Waar or bir- ras. It also suggests why Asa di waar has become a Nit nem bani because it reminds us constantly on daily basis that we have to follow the Will of Almighty and look upon humanity as equals. Such human values if not ingrained on the daily basis they lose the strength of their value with several distractions and distracters who come into this world for making their own standing and status like the deras, ashrams and grave worshippers. It is very sad though that in spite of singing asa di waar from all Gurudwras with loudspeakers early morning people are not taking their daily lesson and still go to the graves for offerings and holding fairs and asking for boons and follow deras and do service (sewa) there. Due to their free service the dera chiefs make millions and enjoy luxurious life styles, expensive cars and foreign trips. Sad though it is but we have failed Guru Nanak ji and his invaluable teachings. In his time when the falsehood and ignorance reigned and fate of low birth, bearing tyranny of the mighty, living the life under deprivation in society Guru Nanak stood alone and raised his voice against the tyrant, the Brahman and mighty rulers and gave wonderful gifts of his words to infuse courage and strength in us. Asa di waar is that wonderful poetry that teaches us to fight for our rights to equality and attain salvation by recognizing our own strength and His presence within us.

 He says (Page 471-472); one must realize the difference between good and bad and not follow blindly because when man departs he has to follow the narrow path hereafter. He has to depart naked from this world and he may look really fearsome and he regrets the sins he committed. To Brahman he reprimands and says: make compassion the cotton, contentment the thread, abstention as knot and truth the twist to make the sacred thread. This is the sacred thread of the soul and this is the thread you adorn me with. This thread of soul doesn't break, do not get soiled, do not burn and cannot get lost. O Brahman you buy a thread that cost you four shells and make sacred enclosure for putting this on me, you whisper some mantras in my ear and become the preceptor of religion but at death your sacred thread will not go with me. Man makes lacs of thefts, he speaks lacs of lies, he is fraudulent and villainous to his fellow beings but the Brahman comes, twists his sacred thread then he puts on such men and religious sanctions are given and sacrificial goats are cooked and celebrated. Says Nanak that such threads when old are broken and new ones are twisted, where is the strength that it promises? By believing in the name of the Lord and by singing His praises the honour is produced and that is the real sacrificial thread O Nanak. Such a thread goes with to God’s court because it doesn't break.

To continue……