SARANG Kl VAR, in the Guru Granth Sahib, is of the composition of Guru Ram Das. It is set to be sung in Sarang raga and hence the tide Sarang ki Var. Nine of the 22 vars included in the Guru Granth Sahib are composed in the musical mode of some of the current folk vars of those days, and Guru Arjan who compiled the Holy Book, recorded instructions as to the tune in which a particular varwas to be recited. Sarang ki Var is composed to the tune of the secular var of Rai Mahima and Hasna, which depicts the rivalry and combat of these two feudal chiefs. It consists of 36 pauns, 35 by Guru Ram Das and one 35th by Guru Arjan.
To the pauns Guru Arjan prefixed slokas by all the four preceding Gurus and by himself. All pauns are of uniform length of five lines each. The slokas are of varied length and are in different meters. Pauns 1 and 34 each have three slokas added to them ; the rest have two slokas each. What is the purpose of human life? This is the main theme of Sarang” ki Var.
Accumulation of material means is subordinate to the contemplation of God`s Name. A life filled with the love of God is truly blessed. This is the pervasive idea that runs through this Var. The fourth paun, for instance, speaks thus: The Name of God is the fountainhead of all joy.We get real joy through the recital of His Name (simran).
The gurmukh, one who faithfully follows the Guru`s instruction, always aspires to contemplate on God and thus to return Home honourably. His mind is ever occupied by the thought of God and he always recites His Name. The contemplation of God gives one power, over one`s mind which, otherwise, flies like a bird in all directions. 0 Nanak! only those whom God blesses with His grace devote themselves to the meditation of His Name. The contemplation of God is the only means of attaining spiritual bliss.
Religious costumes and formalism, baths at holy places and observance of rituals cannot cleanse the mind. Only the individual blessed with the grace of God seeks the shelter of the Guru, follows the path indicated by him and devotes himself to the constant remembrance of the Creator. The second paun says : ” The gurmukh is His own creation and He embodies His own virtues in him. This gurmukh uninterruptedly recites the word of the Guru and makes his mind the abode of God.The Divine flame is lit in him, his mind is liberated from delusion and he is no longer duped by maya.
Those who are `chosen` to be pious are led to meet the Guru by His grace. They accomplish sahaj, the ultimate state of equipoise, and remain saturated in the Name of God. ” As the secular var eulogizes the qualities of physical prowess and valour, the spiritual var sings the praise of God. In Sarang ki Var, glorification of God is sung in pauns 1,4,5,6,8,9,10,11,13, and 36, the praise of the Guru in pauns 19 and 20 and that of the gurmukh in pauns 2,22,25, and 31. Structurally, a var generally consists of three parts.
The first part narrates the causes that lead to the conflict. Here the cause is man`s ego and his attachment to the mundane world. The second part delineates the conflict.The conflict here is between good and evil. Love of the world pulls man in one direction and love of God in the other.
Only the grace of God is the individual`s Saviour. In resolution in the third part, the Var describes God as the supreme. master whose will prevails. The realization of this fact brings supreme bliss to man. The language of Sarang” ki Var is Punjabi. In a simple style, the Var enunciates the principles of a truly spiritual and ethical living.
Some of its verses have become proverbs in literary Punjabi, e.g. “ghale avahi Nanaka sade uthijahi sent by Him we come (into this world), and we depart at His call, sayeth Nanak” (GG, 1239), “akali sahibu seviai akali paiai man uthrough wisdom is Lord served, through wisdom is honour obtained” (GG,1245), “ghali khai kichhu hathahu dei Nanak rahu pachhanahi sei he who earns his bread by his labour, and is willing to share it with others, he, says Nanak, alone knows the way” (GG,1245). “Paraiaman kiu rakhlai diti hi sukhu hoiwhy usurp what belongs to another ? By restoring it back will ye attain peace” (GG,1249).
References :
1. Sabdarath Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Amritsar, 1975
2. Amole, S.S., Bai Varan Satik. Amritsar, 1944
3. Narain Singh, Giani, Bai Varan Satik. Amritsar, 1915
Sarang Ki Var: Spiritual Bliss Through God’s Name, a sublime composition that celebrates the transformative power of meditating on the Divine. This Var, set in the musical mode of Sarang, is part of the Guru Granth Sahib and is pivotal in expressing the essence of Sikh spirituality—all centered on the transcendence found in relentless remembrance of God’s Name.
Historical and Musical Context
- Authorship and Placement:
Sarang Ki Var is primarily the composition of Guru Ram Das, with later contributions by other Gurus—including Guru Arjan, who appended a final pauri—to the canon of the Guru Granth Sahib. Found on pages 1237 to 1251, this Var is one of the nine vars rendered in folk melodic modes of the time. Guru Arjan’s careful instructions regarding its tune ensure that its recitation preserves the intended emotional cadence and depth. - The Raga Sarang:
The composition is set to Sarang raga—a musical mode known for its bright, uplifting quality. In Sikh devotional literature, the choice of raga is always significant: the raga not only underpins the melodic contour but also reinforces the mood. Here, Sarang’s effulgent quality underscores the theme of spiritual joy: the reminder that bliss is found in the remembrance of God, transcending worldly constraints.
Structural and Poetic Features
- Uniform Pauri Composition:
Sarang Ki Var is organized into a series of pauris (stanzas) of uniform length—each stanza’s concise, five-line structure allows for a controlled yet emotive unfolding of ideas. The steady rhythm and regular meter lend the composition a musicality that encourages meditative recitation. - Integration of Slokas:
Preceding the main body of the Var are slokas—short verses that introduce the theme. These serve as a prelude, setting the stage for what follows by emphasizing that worldly pursuits pale in comparison to the spiritual nectar obtained by meditating on God’s Name (Nam Simran). - Elegant Imagery:
With vivid metaphors—such as comparing the Divine Name to the fountainhead of all joy, and the mind as a sanctuary where God dwells—Sarang Ki Var employs language that transforms abstract spiritual ideals into relatable, heart-stirring imagery. Such poetic devices call the devotee to recognize that the soul’s true fulfillment is not found in transient material gains but in a life absorbed in divine remembrance.
Themes and Spiritual Message
- Purpose of Human Life:
Central to Sarang Ki Var is the question: What is the purpose of human life? The text makes it clear that the accumulation of material wealth and fleeting pleasures are secondary to the lasting joy derived from meditating on God’s Name. In many pauris, the Var proclaims that only through the simran (contemplation) of the Creator can one discover eternal bliss—a joy that nourishes the spirit even through life’s trials. - Transcending Worldly Attachments:
The Var teaches that while the world offers transient comforts, its allure is ephemeral. The devotee is invited to shift focus from material possessions and transient relationships to an inner world where God’s presence remains constant. In doing so, the soul is freed from the cycle of attachment and burgeoning disappointment. - The Gurmukh Ideal:
A recurring message within Sarang Ki Var is the depiction of the gurmukh—one who, by faithfully following the Guru’s instructions, transforms the mind into an abode of the Divine. Such a person, absorbed in the continual remembrance of God, experiences a state of equilibrium and spiritual freedom. Their inner joy and strength are portrayed as veritable hallmarks of true devotion. - Divine Bliss through Remembrance:
The poetic narrative repeatedly underscores that the true joy of life is inseparable from God’s Name. One pivotal pauri extols that the Divine Name acts as a perpetual source of rejuvenation—a wellspring that makes every season, every moment, resonant with spiritual delight. This vision of an unbroken communion with the Divine is portrayed as the essence of spiritual bliss.
Impact on Devotional Practice
- Guiding Light for the Seeker:
Sarang Ki Var not only serves as literary and musical art but also acts as a daily spiritual compass. Its recitation during communal read-alouds and personal meditation sessions reinforces the Sikh commitment to remember God always. Devotees find in its verses a call to live thoughtfully—a reminder that divine bliss is attained by turning inward and surrendering to the eternal light. - Integration in Sikh Liturgical Life:
As part of the canon of the Guru Granth Sahib, Sarang Ki Var occupies an honored place in Sikh devotion. Its recitation in the early hours and during concluding ceremonies of sacred reading (Bhog) continues to inspire an appreciation for the transient nature of life and the perpetual, unchanging bliss of divine union. Concluding Reflections
Sarang Ki Var: Spiritual Bliss Through God’s Name is a visionary composition that encapsulates a core Sikh teaching: the ultimate purpose of life is to engage in the constant remembrance of the Divine. Its structured poetic elegance, set against the vibrant backdrop of Sarang raga, creates an enduring invitation to seek inner joy over worldly allurements. By emphasizing that true contentment comes from meditating on the eternal Source, this Var inspires devotees to consciously align their lives with the path of wisdom and divine love.
