Laava: Difference between revisions

The laava (singular laav) are the four hymns of the Anand Karaj (Sikh wedding ceremony) which form the main part of this ceremony. The four hymns are from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scriptures and appear on pages 773 to 774 of the total of 1430.

Guru Ram Das says on page 788 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib of the meaning of marriage to a Sikh couple: "They are not said to be husband and wife who merely sit together. Rather they alone are called husband and wife, who have one soul in two bodies." The four laava give the Sikh couple spiritual guidance for their life ahead. The Guru tells of the four stages of married life and the how the couple as a team have to first begin by following the path of righteousness and sinless-ness. Secondly to only have fear of the Lord and remove the ego within the souls; then to remember and sing the Lords name with the holy congregation. Finally, the couple will find divine peace; will accept the Will of the Lord and find unending happiness in the Lord.

The Four Rounds

The main part of the Anand Karaj (Sikh Marriage Ceremony) is the reading and then the singing of each laav in turn. When the Laav is sung, the couple as a pair joint by a piece of cloth circle the SGGS. This has relevance to the occasion and should not be considered a ritual without meaning. When the couple circle the SGGS each time they are making a commitment to God with the Guru as their spiritual witness and support. And as one circles the Sri Guru Granth Sahib you are reminded that the Guru should be the center of your life, from which springs your spiritual leadership and understanding that you require for your soul's long journey across this 'world ocean'. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the spiritual center and the Sadh Sangat is your worldly (temporal) witness and support.

The four nuptial rounds were written by Guru Ram Das for his own wedding. They explain the journey of the souls toward the Almighty. In them he tells us of the duties that a person undertaking a life of marriage should perform. In the first round, the Guru asks the partners to:

Summary

Summary First Round

• commit to righteousness.
• renounce sinful actions.
• Remember, mediate and embrace Naam.
• Only by good fortune, is real peace obtained and Lord seems sweet to the mind.
• Worship the one Waheguru and all your sins will vanish.

Summary Second Round

In the second round, the Guru asks the partners to advance further towards meeting the True Guru - God:

• The Lord leads you to meet the True Guru, the Primal Being - the enlightener
• have fear of fearless God and your ego will disappear
• Sing God's praises and feel His presence before you.
• God is everywhere, outside and within, sing in Joy

Summary Third Round

In the third round, the Guru says that the partners mind is filled with "Divine Love":

• meeting the Sadh Sangat (Holy Congregation)
• speak the Word of the Lord's Bani.
• which is only obtained by good fortune
• Recite Gurbani and sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord
• The [[Naam] will vibrates and resounds within your heart
• and you will know your future destiny.

Summary Fourth Round

In the final round, the Guru says that the partners mind become peaceful and they will have found the Lord:

• God's Will seems sweet to these Gurmukhs.
• You will lovingly focus your consciousness on the Lord, day and night
• All your desires will be fulfilled
• The Souls will blend with Waheguru and only Naam will occupy your heart.

The Laava

First Laav

{{Quote|ਸੂਹੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥ soohee mehlaa 4. Soohee, Fourth Mehl:

ਹਰਿ ਪਹਿਲੜੀ ਲਾਵ ਪਰਵਿਰਤੀ ਕਰਮ ਦ੝ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਬਲਿ ਰਾਮ ਜੀਉ ॥
har pahilarhee laav parvirtee karam drirh-aa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.
In the first round of the marriage ceremony, the Lord sets out His Instructions for performing the daily duties of married life.

ਬਾਣੀ ਬ੝ਰਹਮਾ ਵੇਦ੝ ਧਰਮ੝ ਦ੝ਰਿੜਹ੝ ਪਾਪ ਤਜਾਇਆ ਬਲਿ ਰਾਮ ਜੀਉ ॥
banee barahmaa vayd Dharam darirhHu paap tajaa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.
Instead of the hymns of the Vedas to Brahma, embrace the righteous conduct of Dharma, and renounce sinful actions.

ਧਰਮ੝ ਦ੝ਰਿੜਹ੝ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ੝ ਧਿਆਵਹ੝ ਸਿਮ੝ਰਿਤਿ ਨਾਮ੝ ਦ੝ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ॥
Dharam darirhHu har naam Dhi-aavahu simrit naam drirh-aa-i-aa.
Meditate on the Lord's Name; embrace and enshrine the contemplative remembrance of the Naam.

ਸਤਿਗ੝ਰ੝ ਗ੝ਰ੝ ਪੂਰਾ ਆਰਾਧਹ੝ ਸਭਿ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਪਾਪ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥
satgur gur pooraa aaraaDhahu sabh kilvikh paap gavaa-i-aa.
Worship and adore the Guru, the Perfect True Guru, and all your sins shall be dispelled.

ਸਹਜ ਅਨੰਦ੝ ਹੋਆ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੀ