BIHAGRE KI VAR, by Guru Ram Das, is one of the twenty-two vars included in the Guru Granth Sahib. The Var, originally comprised pauris which were prefaced with slokas, or couplets, by Guru Arjan at the time of the compilation of the Guru Granth Sahib. All the twenty-one pauris are of the composition of Guru Ram Das. Of the forty-three slokas, thirty-three are by Guru Amar Das, four by Guru Nanak, two each by Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan, one by Kabir and one by Mardana. Each pauri is preceded by two sJokas except pauri 12 which has three sJokas prefixed to it.
The musical measure Bihagra to which the Var has been set and from which it derives its title is a midnight melody of northern India. The Var lauds the Supreme Being in His transcendental as well as immanent, attributive as well as unattributive aspects. God Himself pervades unmanifest and Himself becomes manifest; for thirty-six aeons He created pitch darkness and Himself abided in the void; no Vedas, Puranas and Sastras then existed; the Transcendent Lord God was all by Himself; withdrawn from all He Himself sat assuming absolute trance (18). He Himself created this universe (7), and in this process of creation He was the efficient as well as the material cause. God Himself is the Lord, an attendant and a devotee (5).
He Himself created this universe and then filled it with His bounties; the Formless Lord Himself manifests Himself in form (7). He Himself is the philosopher`s stone, Himself the metal and Himself He transforms it into gold (10). Man is advised to meditate on the Name of the Lord who is all powerful and unique in Himself. He should in the company of the holy remember Him (4). But only those on whom He bestows His grace meet the true Guru and sing His praises (17) in the company of the holy.
Thus, all their worldly appetites cease and they enjoy everlasting beatitude (4). One learns how to swim across the ocean of life only following the path shown by the Guru, but one can obtain both the Guru and the sabda of the Guru through His grace alone. Those who live under His grace are never distracted by material considerations. The Guru`s guidance frees them from worldly entanglements and they remain attached ever to His feet.
References :
1. Bishan Singh, Giani, Bai Varan Satik. Amritsar, n.d.
2. Sahib Singh, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Darpan, vol. IV. Jalandhar, 1963
Bihagre Ki Var is one of the twenty-two vars included in the Guru Granth Sahib. Composed by Guru Ram Das in the Fourth Mehl (Mahal 4), this var occupies a special position in Sikh devotional literature. When Guru Arjan Dev compiled the Adi Granth, he prefaced the var’s twenty-one pauris (stanzas) with a set of slokas (couplets) drawn from various revered sources, thereby framing the devotional message in a broader spiritual narrative. Specifically, of the forty-three slokas integrated into the var:
- Thirty-three are by Guru Amar Das,
- Four by Guru Nanak,
- Two each by Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan Dev,
- One by the mystic Kabir, and
- One by Bhai Mardana.
This interweaving of voices highlights the inclusive and universal spirit of the Sikh tradition, where even non-Guru revelations support the overarching theme of divine grace and spiritual awakening.
Musical Measure and Form
Bihagre Ki Var is set in the raga Bihagra, a musical measure evocative of a midnight melody characteristic of northern Indian classical music.
Raga Bihagra:
The raga, with its evocative and meditative quality, lends the var an atmosphere of both introspection and transcendence. Its choice underscores the var’s theme—the interplay between the manifest universe and the formless, sublime reality.
Structure and Composition:
The var is structured in a series of pauris, each prefaced by two introductory slokas (except pauri 12, which carries three). This systematic format not only accentuates the rhythmic beauty of the composition but also deepens the listener’s engagement with its lyrical flow. The pauris themselves are entirely composed by Guru Ram Das, whose language bridges the everyday with the metaphysical, inviting devotees to move from mundanity to spiritual delight.
Thematic Content and Spiritual Message
Bihagre Ki Var serves as an exaltation of the Supreme Being by exploring both immanent and transcendent aspects of the Divine. Some of its key themes include:
Divine Creativity and Presence
- Transcendence and Immanence:
The var proclaims that God Himself pervades the unmanifest and then makes Himself manifest. It reflects on the eternal creative act—how, in the beginning, the Transcendent Lord created the universe from a state of pitch darkness even before the advent of the Vedas, Puranas, and Sastras. This assertion is a reminder that all of creation springs forth from, and remains sustained by, the divine will. - Self-Manifestation:
In a striking mystical expression, the var states that God is not only the efficient cause (the one who initiates creation) but also the material cause (that from which everything is created). This dual description speaks to a God who is both formless and yet capable of manifesting Himself in tangible forms for the benefit of human understanding.
The Importance of Naam Simran (Remembrance of God’s Name)
- Meditation and Devotion:
The var advises the seeker to immerse in the remembrance (simran) of the Lord’s Name. It teaches that focusing on divine remembrance dispels all worldly illusions and attachments, allowing one to cross the turbulent ocean of life guided by the Guru’s path. - Grace and Liberation:
By meditating in the esteemed company of the holy, a devotee is granted access not only to the direct experience of the Guru’s grace but also to the essence of the divine message itself—transforming all worldly appetites into a state of everlasting beatitude.
Integration of Multiple Voices
- Collective Testimony:
Through the incorporation of slokas by revered figures like Guru Amar Das, Guru Nanak, Guru Arjan Dev, Kabir, and Bhai Mardana, the var builds a multifaceted expression of divine truth. This collective voice reinforces the Sikh conviction that spiritual truth is universal and accessible, transcending individual traditions or sectarian boundaries.
Devotional Impact and Contemporary Relevance
Bihagre Ki Var is more than a historical document—it continues to serve a vital function in the devotional practices of millions of Sikhs today. Its rhythmic cadence and profound lyrics are recited in Gurdwaras and during personal meditation sessions, fostering:
- A deep spiritual connection with the divine through the meditative power of the raga,
- An inclusive remembrance of the universal truths espoused by the Sikh Gurus and saints,
- An enduring call to surrender the ego and embrace the path of liberation through the Guru’s grace.
In essence, the var provides both a lyrical praise of the Creator and a practical guide for living a life immersed in divine remembrance.
Guru Ram Das’s Bihagre Ki Var is a masterful fusion of poetic artistry, musical beauty, and deep theological insight. By portraying God as both the transcendent architect of the cosmos and the intimate presence within all creation, the var invites its devotees into a transformative state of consciousness—one where the remembrance of God becomes the doorway to eternal peace and spiritual fulfillment.
