'Barah Maha’ is an established genre of poetry linked to the seasons. The seasons of the year are an integral part of nature. The ever-changing colourful facets of nature spur a spontaneous outpour of poetic thoughts. The sight of sheer diversity and vastness of creation of the Lord fills the soul with ecstasy and intensifies the desire to reunite with the creator. There are two different compositions of ‘Barah Maha’ in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The ‘Barah Maha’ of ‘Rag Manjh’ written by Guru Arjan Dev ji, is familiar to all. I would like to talk about ‘Barah Maha’ in ‘Rag Tukhari’. This ‘Barah Maha’ is one of the last compositions of Guru Nanak, which he wrote at Kartarpur Sahib. This bani of Guru Nanak dev ji is charged with the sentiment of “The soul-bride enjoying all the pleasures, and merging in the Being of her Beloved.” Its different from Japuji which is full of wisdom. Yet, here is a strong emotion of love for the Lord. It appears more as an outpour of yearning for the beloved. As Prof. Sahib Singh ji writes that this bani reflects the emotions of a woman leaving her father's home and going to her husband. There is a nostalgia of days spent at father's home, nevertheless her heart is filled with joy and enthusiasm in anticipation of the unification with her beloved. In the future posts I will like to discuss this Bani. I didn't get much opportunity to hear this bani in kirtan as well. I wonder why kirtanyaas don't sing it much. If any one of you have any kirtan recordings please share it. Here is one of the pauries.
ਬਰਸੈ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਧਾਰ ਬੂੰਦ ਸੁਹਾਵਣੀ ॥
बरसै अम्रित धार बूंद सुहावणी ॥
barsai amrit Dhaar boond suhaavanee.
The Ambrosial Nectar rains down on us! Its drops are so delightful!
ਸਾਜਨ ਮਿਲੇ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਬਣੀ ॥
साजन मिले सहजि सुभाइ हरि सिउ प्रीति बणी ॥
saajan milay sahj subhaa-ay har si-o pareet banee.
Meeting the Guru, the Best Friend, with intuitive ease, the mortal falls in love with the Lord.
ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰਿ ਆਵੈ ਜਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਭਾਵੈ ਧਨ ਊਭੀ ਗੁਣ ਸਾਰੀ ॥
हरि मंदरि आवै जा प्रभ भावै धन ऊभी गुण सारी ॥
har mandar aavai jaa parabh bhaavai Dhan oobhee gun saaree.
The Lord comes into the temple of the body, when it pleases God's Will; the soul-bride rises up, and sings His Glorious Praises.
ਘਰਿ ਘਰਿ ਕੰਤੁ ਰਵੈ ਸੋਹਾਗਣਿ ਹਉ ਕਿਉ ਕੰਤਿ ਵਿਸਾਰੀ ॥
घरि घरि कंतु रवै सोहागणि हउ किउ कंति विसारी ॥
ghar ghar kant ravai sohagan ha-o ki-o kant visaaree.
In each and every home, the Husband Lord ravishes and enjoys the happy soul-brides; so why has He forgotten me?
ਉਨਵਿ ਘਨ ਛਾਏ ਬਰਸੁ ਸੁਭਾਏ ਮਨਿ ਤਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੁ ਸੁਖਾਵੈ ॥
उनवि घन छाए बरसु सुभाए मनि तनि प्रेमु सुखावै ॥
unav ghan chhaa-ay baras subhaa-ay man tan paraym sukhaavai.
The sky is overcast with heavy, low-hanging clouds; the rain is delightful, and my Beloved's Love is pleasing to my mind and body.
ਨਾਨਕ ਵਰਸੈ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਣੀ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਘਰਿ ਆਵੈ ॥੪॥
नानक वरसै अम्रित बाणी करि किरपा घरि आवै ॥४॥
naanak varsai amrit banee kar kirpaa ghar aavai. 4
O Nanak, the Ambrosial Nectar of Gurbani rains down; the Lord, in His Grace, has come into the home of my heart. 4
Labels: Gurbani (SGGS-1107)
Upinder Ji...Simply beautiful and wonderful...