SALOK VARAN TE VADHIK is the title given to a miscellany comprising 152 slokas or couplets appearing in the concluding portion of the Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Arjan, when compiling the Holy Volume introduced slokas by the Gurus he had collected into the texts of vars, another favored form of composition. The couplets left over in the process were assembled under the caption Salok Varan Te Vadhik, i.e. slokas in excess of the vars. The first chapter in this section consists of 33 slokas 32 by Guru Nanak and one (No 28) by Guru Amar Das forming a sequel to Guru Nanak`s sloka 27.
The second chapter contains 67 slokas by Guru Amar Das, the third 30 by Guru Ram Das, and the fourth 22 by Guru Arjan. Guru Nanak`s slokas touch upon themes of moral conduct, social behavior and spiritual transformation. More pointedly they stress that egoity must be overcome. The only way to attain this goal is to take a mentor, the Guru, who will release one from dubiety and teach him to love God.
Man in misguided company does not realize the need of a mentor. Body need not be tormented. Those afflicted with ego remain devoid of wisdom, discernment and true learning. Absorption in God keeps life green forever. Only He and His actions are complete, and the gurmukh, i.e. one who towards Him leans, alone merges in the Complete whole.
Guru Amar Das` slokas reaffirm the value of the mentor. They who are so destined meet with the Guru. A believer in the Guru achieves nam, i.e. absorption in the remembrance of God, and thereby completes himself. Of the wayward, discarded brides lost in the cycle of transmigration, the true Guru alone can be the redeemer. The Guru dispenses nam and he promotes virtue.
Maya is a poisonous Snake ; the antidote is the Lord`s Nam. Thus are they saved who are blinded by maya. Guru leads one to God. Association with gurmukhs helps, but all depends on the grace of God, ultimately.
Loving faith in the Guru is central to the slokas of Guru Ram Das.The Guru`s guidance removes all the impediments. The ego ridden burn in the fire of craving and the cycle of coming and going is not sundered for them. Only by seeking refuge in the Guru is one emancipated.
According to Guru Arjan, those imbued with the Lord`s love never turn their faces away from Him. The Guru`s word rescues man from the five enemies, lust, anger, avarice, attachment and ego. Myriad`s are asleep in ignorance and they alone awake who constantly remember Lord`s Nam.
References :
1. Sabdarath Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Amritsar, 1969
2. Sahib Singh, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Darpan. Jalandhar, 1962-69
3. Kohli, Surindar Singh, A Critical Study of Adi Granth. Delhi, 1961
4. Macauliffe, Max Arthur, The Sikh Religion : Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors. Oxford, 1909
5. Gurbachan Singh Talib, tr., Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Patiala, 1991
Slokas in the Salok Vaaran Te Vadhik Anthology, a unique collection of poetic couplets compiled as an integral part of the concluding portion of the Guru Granth Sahib. This miscellany—often referred to simply as “Salok Vaaran Te Vadhik” (i.e., “slokas in excess of the vars”)—offers profound insights into Sikh ethics, spiritual transformation, and the role of the Guru in liberating the individual from worldly delusions.
Historical and Compiling Context
- Compilation by Guru Arjan:
When compiling the Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Arjan arranged the hymns not only in long compositions (vars) but also as shorter, pithy couplets (slokas). The slokas that did not fit into the main var compositions were assembled into the Salok Vaaran Te Vadhik anthology. This section, comprising a total of 152 slokas, is organized into four distinct chapters attributed to different Gurus:
• The first chapter contains 33 slokas—32 by Guru Nanak (with one by Guru Amar Das seamlessly concluding a thought initiated by Guru Nanak’s sloka 27).
• The second, third, and fourth chapters include 67 slokas by Guru Amar Das, 30 by Guru Ram Das, and 22 by Guru Arjan, respectively. - Significance of the Anthology:
Because these slokas appear at the very end of the Guru Granth Sahib (just before the Mundavani, the concluding epilogue), they serve as the final reflective voice of the sacred text. Their recitation during ceremonial closings (Bhog) has made them among the most familiar and cherished passages for the community.
Literary Structure and Poetic Qualities
- Form and Meter:
Crafted in the traditional doha (rhymed couplet) form, the slokas exhibit a concise yet impactful style. Their metrical structure lends them a musicality that facilitates memorization and contemplative recitation—qualities essential to the oral traditions of Sikh devotional practice. - Economy of Language:
The slokas are marked by brevity and precision. Despite their short length, each couplet is densely packed with philosophical insight and ethical instruction. This linguistic economy forces the reader or listener to concentrate on the essential messages embedded within the poetic imagery.
Themes and Spiritual Message
- Overcoming Ego and Embracing Humility:
A recurring theme throughout the anthology is the imperative to overcome “egoity.” The slokas stress that true spiritual transformation begins only when one relinquishes pride and the false sense of separate individuality. The Guru is portrayed as the essential mentor who dispels ignorance and bestows the light of wisdom. - The Role of the Gurmukh and the Guru’s Grace:
The verses insist that while the path to self-realization demands personal effort—specifically, the constant remembrance of God’s Nam—it is ultimately the grace of the Guru that frees one from the cycle of transmigration. In this light, the Guru’s teachings are the antidote to maya (the illusion of the material world) and the five enemies: lust, anger, avarice, attachment, and ego. - Moral and Social Conduct:
Many of the slokas also reflect on moral behavior and the importance of maintaining correct social conduct. They serve as ethical guides, warning that a life purely immersed in worldly pursuits is doomed to remain transient and unfulfilling. In contrast, a life dedicated to spiritual growth—characterized by sincere devotion and righteous actions—remains robust and enduring. - The Completeness of Divine Reality:
A central point in these slokas is the assertion that only the Divine is complete, whereas the ephemeral experiences of worldly pleasures are, at best, temporary. They urge the devotee to recognize that only through absorption in the remembrance of God does the inner self become “green forever”—a metaphor for perennial spiritual rejuvenation.
Philosophical and Practical Implications
- Guidance for the Seeker:
The anthology emphasizes that the salvation of the individual lies not in ritualistic observance alone but in the dynamic, transformative process of spiritual mentorship. The true seeker (or gurmukh) is encouraged to internalize the teachings of the Guru, thereby integrating moral insight with direct personal experience of God. - Critique of Material Attachment:
The slokas consistently critique the transient nature of material existence. By contrasting the ephemeral with the eternal, they teach that lasting joy is to be found only in a life steeped in silent, continuous contemplation of the Divine. In this regard, the text serves as a sober reminder that material satisfaction is never an end in itself. - Universal Relevance:
Although framed within the Sikh doctrinal context, the insights offered by the Salok Vaaran Te Vadhik extend beyond sectarian boundaries. Their call for inner transformation, ethical clarity, and profound humility resonates with universal spiritual ideals.
Enduring Impact and Contemporary Relevance
- Liturgical Influence:
Recited regularly during the closing of Guru Granth Sahib readings, these slokas continue to inspire a collective introspection about one’s personal journey toward enlightenment. Their role in Sikh liturgy underscores their importance not only as literary artifacts but also as living testaments to the path of spiritual self-realization. - A Model for Modern Devotion:
In today’s fast-paced world, the timeless message of these slokas—advocating deep self-reflection, renunciation of ego, and the reliance on the Guru’s guidance—remains profoundly relevant. They encourage modern devotees to go beyond superficial religious practices and to embrace an authentic, transformative spirituality. Concluding Reflections
The Slokas in the Salok Vaaran Te Vadhik Anthology are a masterful confluence of poetic form and profound spiritual insight. They encapsulate critical Sikh teachings—the indispensability of the Guru’s role, the futility of worldly attachments, and the necessity of constant remembrance of God’s Name—all delivered in a language that is as succinct as it is evocative. For the devout, these slokas not only offer moral guidance but also provide a rhythmic reminder of the ultimate quest for eternal truth.
