RAMKALI SADU, by Sundar, is an “elegy” (sadd, in Punjabi) included in the Guru Granth Sahib in Raga Ramkali, eighteenth of the thirty-one musical measures used in Sikh Scripture. Sadd is a form of folk poetry prevalent in rural Punjab. Literally the term means an invocation call, hark or cry. Originally, it was used to denote songs addressed by lover to beloved expressing his heart`s anguish.
With the passage of time, it turned into a dirge sung in love and adoration of the dead. Sundar, a great grandson of Guru Amar Das, Nanak III, recaptures in this six stanza verse the advice the Guru gave to his followers and members of his family just before he passed away. Guru Amar Das tells them not to weep and wail for him, nor to perform the customary mourning rites. Since death is an opportunity for the individual soul to get united with the Supreme Soul, it is not a moment for lament.
The poem opens with an invocatory line wherein God is called the Beneficent Lord of this universe and one who cares for His devotees in all the three worlds. If one follows the Guru`s word, duality ends and one gives oneself to the contemplation of the Name of the Supreme Being alone. It was this gift of naamsimran which Guru Amar Das received from his predecessors, Guru Nanak and Guru Angad and which helped him achieve the Supreme status. When the call of death came, Guru Amar Das was absorbed in the meditation of His Name.
The imperishable, immovable and immeasurable Lord could be realized only through naamsimran (1). The second stanza summarizes the Guru`s injunctions to his followers to face the sombre moment of his death with calm serenity. One is adjured to rejoice in the Lord`s Will. It is only the Name that will help man in his journey to the next world, not the traditional funeral rituals meant to guide the soul hereafter.
The next two stanzas, written in the first person, constitute the Guru`s last advice to his followers and relations. Since the “death summons from God cannot be returned uncomplied” (3), none should feel sad or weep at the time of his death: rather, the moment should be taken as an opportunity for the soul to become united with the Lord (4).In the concluding two stanzas, Sundar sums up the advice given by the Guru calling upon his Sikhs to chant the holy hymns instead of resorting to the customary rituals (5). The Sadu concludes with Guru Amar Das bidding his son Mohri and all the Sikhs to pay obeisance to Guru Ram Das whom he had anointed his successor “by placing himself into him”(6). The Sadu is commonly recited at the conclusion of a reading of the Guru Granth Sahib as part of the obsequies.
References :
1. Snbadarth Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Amritsar, 1964
2. Sahib Singh, Sad Satik. Amritsar, 1935
3. Sardul Singh, Giani, Sadd Sidhant. Amritsar, n.d.
Ramkali Sadu, also known as Ramkali Sadd, is a poignant elegy included in the Guru Granth Sahib, composed by Baba Sundar in Raag Ramkali. This hymn holds a unique place in Sikh scripture as it reflects on the spiritual perspective of death and the succession of Guru Amar Das by Guru Ram Das. Below is an exploration of its themes, structure, and significance.
Historical and Contextual Background
- Authorship and Occasion:
Ramkali Sadu was composed by Baba Sundar, the great-grandson of Guru Amar Das. The hymn narrates the events surrounding the passing of Guru Amar Das and the appointment of Guru Ram Das as his successor. It captures the Guru’s final instructions to his followers and family, emphasizing the Sikh attitude toward death as a moment of spiritual transition rather than sorrow. - Elegiac Tone:
The term Sadu (or Sadd) translates to “call” or “invocation” in Punjabi. Traditionally, it refers to a dirge or lament, but in this context, it is an invocation to embrace the divine will and rejoice in the soul’s union with the Supreme.
Structure and Literary Features
- Composition:
The hymn consists of six stanzas, each rich in spiritual and emotional depth. It opens with an invocation to God as the beneficent Lord and protector of His devotees. The subsequent stanzas recount Guru Amar Das’s teachings and his serene acceptance of death. - Language and Style:
The language is simple yet profound, blending Punjabi with elements of Gurmukhi. The hymn employs metaphors and imagery to convey the impermanence of life and the eternal nature of the soul. - Musical Measure:
Set in Raag Ramkali, the hymn’s melody enhances its reflective and meditative tone, making it a powerful tool for spiritual contemplation.
Themes and Spiritual Message
- Acceptance of Death:
Guru Amar Das instructs his followers not to mourn his passing but to see it as an opportunity for the soul to unite with the Supreme. Death is portrayed as a natural and inevitable part of life, to be faced with calmness and faith. - Rejection of Ritualism:
The hymn emphasizes that traditional mourning rituals are unnecessary. Instead, it advocates for the remembrance of God’s Name (Nam Simran) as the true guide for the soul’s journey. - Succession and Continuity:
The hymn highlights the seamless transition of spiritual leadership from Guru Amar Das to Guru Ram Das. It underscores the importance of humility, service, and devotion in Sikh leadership. - Unity with the Divine:
The ultimate message of the hymn is the soul’s union with God, achieved through devotion, ethical living, and acceptance of divine will.
Liturgical and Devotional Significance
- Role in Sikh Practices:
Ramkali Sadu is recited during moments of reflection and remembrance, particularly in the context of death. It provides solace and guidance, reminding devotees of the Sikh perspective on mortality and the eternal nature of the soul. - Universal Appeal:
While rooted in Sikh theology, the hymn’s themes of acceptance, humility, and devotion resonate universally, offering wisdom and comfort to individuals of all faiths.
Concluding Reflections
Ramkali Sadu is more than an elegy; it is a spiritual guide that transforms the concept of death into a celebration of the soul’s journey toward divine union. Through its profound teachings and serene tone, the hymn inspires devotees to embrace life’s impermanence and focus on the eternal truth of God’s presence.