Var Sat

VAR SAT ("Seven Days of the Week"), a title shared by two of the compositions in the Guru Granth Sahib — Kabir's in measure Gauri and Guru Amar Das's in measure Bilaval. The one by Guru Amar Das is entitled Var Sat, while that by Kabir has a variation in the form of Var Kabir Jiu Ke 7. Kabir's poem comprises eight stanzas, each of four lines, besides a verse of rahau (pause), which constitutes the refrain, adjuring man to sing God's praises. Guru Amar Das' Var Sat contains ten stanzas, each of six lines, besides the rahau after stanza 1. The emphasis, again, is on the remembrance of God.

Each day which is devoted to meditation and repetition of His Name is thought to be auspicious. None of the days of the week are made auspicious or inauspicious by the influence of the planet deities said to govern them.

Kabir, using yogic terminology, traces the spiritual progress of a bhakta who is ultimately urged to set aside his ego to reach the destination. He also stresses the role of the true Guru in the process of realization. Beginning most of the stanzas with the name of a day of the week, Kabir sets forth the ideals of pure living and constant remembrance of God. This leads to spiritual enlightenment and union with the Lord in the joy whereof all rituals and practices cease to have any meaning.

God realization is also the theme of Guru Amar Das's Var Sat. Love and humility are the qualities recommended for the devotee. He must seek and cultivate the Guru's word which will enable him to overcome his ego. Sabda (sabad) should be the basis of his contemplation and actions. This sabda is by God's favour grasped. By reference to the last three days of the week, Guru Amar Das exhorts men to discard superstition and illusion, austerities and penances. The ideal the hymn presents is that of a gurmukhone whose face is turned towards the Guru, one who to the Guru's word is attuned.