Gems of Gurbani

Guru Granth Sahib

Vaar Malar    1

In 1521 Babur invaded India by butchering people and burning village after villages, he reaches Aimnabad (Now in Pakistan) and created havoc by mercilessly killing all males, captivating women and burning the entire town. Guru Nanak ji was returning after his third udasi (travel) along with Mardana when he was captured too in Aimnabad. The tyranny of the invader was so massive that Guru Nanak didn’t shy to reprimand the Almighty for His neglect of humanity. But later that year he writes this episode in Vaar form in Raag Malar. In this Vaar his hero is none other than Almighty Himself under whose Will the whole play is created and the lust and desire become like that fire that consumes everything once it is given freedom. This fire of lust and desire cannot be satiated even when one goes to live in the jungle, does fasting or several rites and penances. There are 28 Pauris or stanzas in this Vaar and one of them is written by Guru Arjun Devji and 27 stanzas are by Guru Nanak ji. The Vaar displays the socio-political conditions of the 16^th century as it unfolds the truth studied by Guru Nanak ji so minutely.

Vaar Malar ki First Guru

To be sung in measure Rana Kailash and Malda.

There is but One God. By the True Guru’s grace He is attained.

Shlok Third Guru

By meeting the Guru the soul blossoms like the earth is embellished after first rain on the parched soil. Greenery comes to life all around and the ponds and lakes get filled to brim. The love of the True Lord attaches as the red colour to Madder (A plant with deep red colour flowers used for making dye). The heart blooms like lotus flower and happiness overtakes by obeying the words of Guru. Look around everywhere the wayward person is on the other side of the God. Ultimately he snares like a deer caught in the net of a hunter and sees the messengers of death coming to him lurking on his head. Vile are hunger and thirst for desires and horrible are the lust and wrath. Unless one contemplates on Lord the same eyes do not see the difference. When it pleases you O Lord you can make a man content and free him from all worldly entanglements. You save his capital investment in You O Lord because he makes Guru a ladder and a boat for his salvation. If the mind and heart become truthful O Nanak, whosoever is attached to the True Lord receives his quintessence II 1 II

First Guru

There is only one road and only one door (to reach God). He himself is the ladder to reach one’s own home.

Beauteous is the Lord O Nanak where all comforts attained in the True Name II2 II

Pauri

Lord has created Himself and He, alone knows Himself. He has separated earth from sky like a canopy over the firmament. His command is manifested only by His word and sky stands without pillars.

Creating the sun and moon He has infused His own light in them.

Creating day and night He has shown His wondrous plays.

He created the places for pilgrimages to contemplate on goodness and bathe on auspicious occasions.

There is no equal to You O Lord! How can I describe and narrate on you?

Thou alone are seated on the eternal throne O Lord, all others just come and go II 1 II