GUJARI KI VAR

GUJARI KI VAR, a composition in the form of folk balladry or a vdr, by GURU ARJAN included in the Guru GRANTH Sahib under Gujari rdga, one of the thirtyone musical measures into which hymns in the Scripture are cast. The poem comprises twentyone pauns or stanzas, with two slokas preceding each. The pauns as well as the slokas are of the composition of Guru Arjan. Whereas all the pauns, except the 20th which comprises five lines, are of eight lines each, the slokas except those preceding paun 1 and 20 and the first of the two slokas added to paun 2, are of two lines each. Unlike most of the other Vdrs in the Guru Granth Sahib which were composed in pauns alone and to which slokasby different Gurus were added by Guru Arjan at the time of compilation of the Scripture, this Vdr seems to have been composed originally in its present order. The Vdr lauds the God Almighty who is the Creator of all that exists. This universe is not only His creation, but also true like its Creator (1). All beings, all gods and goddesses and all scriptures sing His praises (2). Man must not forget even for a moment the Supreme Lord (4). A person whom He makes the object of His grace lives under the guidance of the true Guru, thereby annulling his duality. All his doubts and sorrows cease and he so attunes himself to His will that he attains liberation while still living in this world. He overcomes his ego and remembers Him in the company of the holy under the guidance of the Guru. But this becomes possible for man only through His grace (6). Man must seek the protection of the True Lord whose Will is supreme in the world. Men are prey to the Five Evils which not even ascetics and yogis arc able to repel. It is only the True Lord who helps one overcome these (15). Those who remember Him will be saved. The egoridden suffer on the wheel of transmigration (20). He who meditates on His Name attunes himself to His Will and attains liberation (21).

1. Kohli, Surindar SINGH, A Critical Study of ADI GRANTH. Delhi, 1951

2. Bishan Singh, Giani, Bai Varan Sfitik. Anirits;n, n.d. R.S.J.