Bara Maha Majh (Song of Twelve Months in Majh Raga) is a composition of Guru Arjan Dev,the fifth in the line of the ten Gurus or prophet-teachers of the Sikh faith. Guru Arjan Dev\’s poetry has the imprint of chaste classical culture, despite its limitation today, being in a mixture of Punjabi and Braj languages.Bara Maha is a form of folk poetry in which the yearnings of a love-lorn young woman separated from her spouse are expressed in terms of the moods of nature as they change from month to month. In Sanskrit, a poetical form of similar import was Shad ritu varnan (Sad rtu varnan) i.e., description of the six seasons.
Kalidasa\’s Ritu Sanar is an outstanding example of this genre.In the Punjabi language, over 100 Bara Mahas have been identified (compiled by Piara Singh Padam). The oldest of these is the one composed by Guru Nanak Dev in the raga Tukhari. This was followed by the one by Guru Arjan Dev in raga Majh. Although Guru Nanak\’s Bara Maha, in the eyes of many a literary vituoso, stands out in poetic splendour and philosophical import, Guru Arjan Dev\’s Bara Maha has been able to enjoy wider popularity because of the simplicity of its diction and profundity of emotions expressed.
That is why, perhaps, the latter has been adopted for ceremonial recitation by congregations in the Sikh Gurdwaras on the first day of each month both as a way of its announcement and of invoking divine blessings for the current month.Bara Maha is an allegorical composition. In it the virhan (separated bride) stands for the dtman (human soul), and the spouse for Paramatma (the Supreme Soul or God). While formally Guru Arjan\’s Bara Maha unfolds itself in the context of time (kald), its content is dedicated to the one that transcends Time (akala). The work comprises 14 stanzas—a prologue followed by one stanza each pertaining to the 12 months, and a concluding stanza forming an epilogue.
The theme of the poem has been announced in the opening stanza steeped in intense emotion: To us, from Thee separated, As a consequence of our own deeds, 0 Lord, In Thy grace grant reunion! Pointlessly we wandered in diverse directions, Worn out, to Your protection, have we repaired.Like a dry cow is my state, of use of none; A sapling without water, that never shall blossom. How can a forlorn woman, separated from her spouse, find peace? Cursed is her town. cursed her village, If her home the Lord has visited not. Of what worth are her embellishments, Her betel-flavoured mouth, and even her whole body? To one from her Lord separated, Even friends are a spectacle of doom.
Supplicates Nanak: Be merciful And grant me devotion to your Name. 0, the Lord of abode imperishable! Unite me with Thyself. The subsequent 12 stanzas have a more or less similar structure. In each, the opening line voices a yearning for union with God.The subsequent lines expand the pathos of the opening line in a variety of moods consonant with the seasonal variation month by month. The last line of each stanza suggests one or another means for reunion with God.
The final stanza, the epilogue tends to reflect on the benefits that come to those who attain union with the Lord. The closing couplet of this stanza appears to epitomise the spirit of the entire work: Every month and day and moment Auspicious becomes for those Who the grace of the Lord obtain. \’Grant me Thy Grace\’, supplicates Nanak, \’I crave for a glance of Thy face.\’
References :
1. Guru Nanak, “Bara Mah Tukhari”, Sri Guru Granth Sahib, (English Translation Dr. Gopal Singh), SGPC, Amritsar, 1929.
2. Kohli, Surindar Singh, A Critical Study of Adi Granth, Delhi, 1961.
3. Uberoi, Mohan Singh (ed.), Punjabi Bhagti-Kavya, 1944.
Guru Arjan Dev’s Bara Maha: The Soul’s Yearning Across the Twelve Months
Guru Arjan Dev’s Bara Maha is a poetic masterpiece that gracefully weaves together the rich textures of Punjabi and Braj—two languages that together evoke both the earthiness of everyday experience and the refinement of classical expression. This composition, set in the raga Majh, uses the cycle of twelve months as a metaphor for the soul’s passionate journey of longing and eventual reunion with the Divine.
A Timeless Allegory
At its heart, Bara Maha reimagines a traditional folk genre. Historically, the Bara Maha form was employed in popular poetry to express the sorrow and longing of a bride separated from her lovesick spouse. Guru Arjan Dev transforms this familiar image into a profound spiritual allegory:
The Separated Bride: Here, the forlorn bride is an emblem of the human soul—detached from its ultimate source of bliss. Her yearning isn’t for an earthly lover but for the Supreme Being, whose presence can restore her wholeness.
The Cycle of Months: Each month reflects a distinct emotional and mystical state. The changes in nature—its blossoms, heat, monsoon rains, and declining leaves—mirror the internal transitions of the soul as it oscillates between sorrow, hope, and ultimate ecstasy in the quest for union with the Divine. The Blend of Punjabi and Braj
Guru Arjan Dev’s use of both Punjabi and Braj languages enriches the composition on multiple levels:
Punjabi: Grounded in the everyday speech of the people, Punjabi lends the work an immediacy and accessibility that resonates with the common devotee. Its earthy expressions connect the spiritual yearning to lived experience.
Braj: With its refined and lyrical quality rooted in classical Sanskrit traditions, Braj elevates the poetic expression to a higher aesthetic plane. The intermingling of Braj with Punjabi thus creates layers of meaning, where contemporary emotion meets timeless spiritual truth. Spiritual and Liturgical Impact
Bara Maha is more than just a poetic chronicle of seasonal change—it is a living meditation on the nature of divine remembrance (Naam Simran) and the journey toward spiritual fulfillment:
Emotional Depth: The composition captures the spectrum of human emotion—from the ache of separation to the exaltation of union—inviting devotees to reflect on their own inner journey.
Ceremonial Recitation: In many Gurdwaras, this masterpiece is recited in a ceremonial context, often marking the beginning of a new month. Its recitation becomes not only an artistic expression but also an act of invoking divine blessings and renewing a devotee’s commitment to spiritual life. Legacy and Enduring Beauty
Guru Arjan Dev’s Bara Maha stands as a testament to the transformative power of art in the Sikh tradition. By reinterpreting a popular poetic form in a context of soulful devotion, the composition has traveled well beyond its original temporal and linguistic boundaries. Its celebration of the cyclical nature of time and the eternal longing of the soul continues to inspire:
Scholars and Devotees: Both groups appreciate Bara Maha for its lyrical beauty and philosophical depth. Its vivid imagery and musical quality provide a space where personal introspection meets communal devotion.
Modern Interpretations: Even today, the work is examined in both its literary and devotional contexts, serving as a bridge between historical spirituality and contemporary expressions of inner search.
In summary, Guru Arjan Dev’s Bara Maha is a sublime blend of language, emotion, and metaphysical insight. It captures the human soul’s perennial yearning for the Divine through the allegorical framework of the twelve months—each reflecting a phase in the eternal cycle of separation and reunion. By combining the familiar cadence of Punjabi with the classical allure of Braj, Guru Arjan Dev created a work that speaks across ages, inviting every listener to journey towards an experience of divine bliss.
