VADAHANS KI VAR, in the Guru Granth Sahib, is by Guru Ram Das. He composed the largest number of vars—eight out of the twenty-two included in the Guru Granth Sahib. The poetic stanza used is the usual pauri. There are 21 pauris in all, interspersed with slokas by Guru Nanak (3) and Guru Amar Das (40).
The slokas epitomize the various aspects of the theme elaborated in the pauris that follow. Each pauri consists of five verses, but the slokas vary in length, from two lines to ten lines each. This var is included in the musical measure Vadahans, and Guru Arjan, in the course of the compilation of the Guru Granth Sahib, added the direction that it is to be sung to the tune of the popular folk ballad of Lalla and Bahlima.
The parallel between the two vars extends not merely to their musical and poetic style but also to their content. Whereas Lalla and Bahlima’s var celebrates heroic virtues, Vadahans Ki Var emphasizes spiritual values, and yet these are revealed in the latter to be complementary, as they are generally in the Sikh tradition. The characters in Lalla and Bahlima’s var assume symbolic significance in light of the argument developed in Vadahans Ki Var. Bahlima helps Lalla in time of distress. When Lalla defaults in his obligations, Bahlima brings him around to the realization of his duty or shortcoming—even by using force. In this context, the use of force is justified in the service of righteousness.
The conflict in Vadahans Ki Var is portrayed as being between bans (swan) and bagor bagala (duckling), a real saint and an impostor, a Guru-oriented person and a self-oriented one. In other words, the conflict here is between good and evil. The theme is treated in a contrapuntal, point-for-point manner, building up to a crescendo in which all doubts are removed, knowledge dawns, and tensions are resolved in a harmony of bliss.
Some of the opposites employed to work out the theme are:
- swan/duckling
- noble/ignoble
- joy/sorrow
- the honest teacher/the impostor
- nectar/poison
- life/death
- comfort/discomfort
- contented/worried
- pure/impure
- heaven/hell
- knowledge/ignorance
- truly devoted/pretender
- cool/fiery
- merit/demerit
- the connoisseur/obtuse
- truth/falsehood
- male/female
- delicious/tasteless
- friend/foe, etc.
The oneness, uniqueness, and omnipresence of God, the significance of the Guru, the ideal of peace and liberation, and an all-embracing love of mankind are the values emphasized in Vadahans Ki Var. Each individual works out his own release, but he is reminded again and again that this is achieved by God’s grace alone. The var has a well-designed structure.
The slokas that precede each pauri present the theme in its dual aspect. They are in the form of a proposition; the pauri that follows resolves the conflict. For instance, the var opens with the slokas by Guru Amar Das in which the opposite symbols of swan and duckling are introduced. But in the pauri that follows, Guru Ram Das alludes to God Almighty—who is the Sole Doer, the Sole Giver, and the All-Pervading Power—to whom everyone looks up.
In the succeeding slokas and pauris, it is made clear that those who follow the dictates of their baser self get entangled in worldly temptations. Their lives are full of suffering; those who take refuge in the Word of the Guru attain peace and happiness. The rituals and outward show of saintliness are of no avail—only the Guru’s sabad (Word) can save one.
The var ends on a serene note of hope, faith, and confidence. God alone is the creator and destroyer. He pervades everywhere; no one else can save or destroy us.
Let us, therefore, leave everything to Him and rid ourselves of all worries. The language of the var is Old Punjabi, with very little mixture of Sadh-bhakha. This is in keeping with the accepted style of a var, which should be in the spoken tongue of the masses. The figures of speech used are within easy comprehension of the common man.
References:
- Sabadarth Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Amritsar, 1964
- Sahib Singh, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Darpan. Jalandhar, 1962–64
- Bishan Singh, Giani, Bai Varan Satik. Amritsar, n.d.
Guru Ram Das’ Vadahans Ki Var: Spiritual Wisdom & Harmony, delineating its historical context, compositional structure, symbolic oppositions, ethical teachings, and the overall message that weaves together cosmic order with personal liberation.
Historical and Liturgical Context
Guru Ram Das’ Legacy of Vars:
Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, is distinguished for having composed the largest number of vars among the Sikh scripture—eight out of the twenty-two appearing in the Guru Granth Sahib. Vadahans Ki Var is one of these seminal compositions, emblematic of the Guru’s poetic and musical genius. As with other vars, its structure is intended for public recitation and musical expression, serving both as devotion and as a guide for moral and spiritual living.
Musical Measure and Directive:
This var is rendered in the musical measure called Vadahans. Notably, during the compilation of the Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Arjan prescribed that Vadahans Ki Var be sung to the tune of the popular folk ballad of Lalla and Bahlima. This direction does more than guide the mode of delivery—it creates a bridge between the heroic traditions of folk culture and the deeper, introspective spiritual values celebrated in the text.
Integration of Interwoven Slokas:
The composition comprises 21 pauris (stanzas) of five verses each. Interspersed among these pauris are slokas contributed by Guru Nanak (three slokas) and Guru Amar Das (forty slokas). These slokas serve to preface and elucidate the themes that the subsequent pauris develop in detail. Guru Amar Das’s introductory verses often set up a dualistic framework, while Guru Ram Das’s verses resolve the tension between conflicting states of being.
Poetic Structure and Literary Craftsmanship
Organizational Design:
Each pauri in Vadahans Ki Var is carefully structured into five verses, creating a rhythmic, almost musical flow. The design allows the var to build a thematic narrative in a step-by-step, cumulative manner. Preceding each pauri, the slokas function as a prologue that presents issues in dual aspects—essentially setting out a proposition laden with contrasts.
Language and Style:
The language is rendered in Old Punjabi, chosen deliberately to be accessible to the masses. There is minimal use of Sadh-Bhakha (a more formal literary register) so that the teachings remain grounded and understandable. Figures of speech in the var draw on everyday imagery—using familiar metaphors and simple opposites—to illustrate the cosmic struggle between righteousness and wrong, inner light and ego.
Musicality:
The instructions to render the var to the tune of a well-known folk ballad (Lalla and Bahlima) not only embed it in a familiar oral tradition but also underscore the inherent cadence of the message. The rhythmic pattern of the pauris, combined with the repetitive quality of the slokas, mirrors the cyclical nature of creation and emphasizes that spiritual harmony is achieved through repetition—by continuously recalling the Divine Word.
Symbolic Oppositions and Thematic Dualities
Conflict as a Metaphor for Inner and Outer Struggle:
At the heart of Vadahans Ki Var is the portrayal of a conflict between opposing forces, each symbolizing different aspects of the human condition. For example:
- Swan vs. Duckling (Bans vs. Bagor Bagala):
The “swan” symbolizes the refined, spiritually evolved being—a true saint whose actions and heart reflect divine qualities. In contrast, the “duckling” represents an impostor, a person led by ego or superficial righteousness. This contrast sharply illustrates the difference between a genuine devotee (gurmukh) and one who follows the dictates of the baser self (manmukh). - Other Oppositions:
The var employs a wide array of opposites—noble/ignoble, joy/sorrow, nectar/poison, life/death, comfort/discomfort, pure/impure, truth/falsehood, and even expressions of gender such as male/female—all woven into the intersecting narratives. While these contrasts appear in myriad forms, they all serve to underline the grand theme: that a life ruled by divine guidance, the Guru’s Word, transcends polarities.
Contrast with Lalla and Bahlima’s Var:
While the folk ballad of Lalla and Bahlima celebrates heroic virtues—praising valor and sacrifice—Vadahans Ki Var expounds spiritual values. Yet, intriguingly, the two are seen as complementary in the Sikh tradition. Here, symbolic figures from Lalla and Bahlima’s narrative, such as Bahlima’s role in guiding Lalla back to duty (even through the use of force when necessary), resonate with the ethical mandate of Vadahans Ki Var: that righteousness sometimes requires corrective intervention to re-establish cosmic order.
Resolution Through Divine Grace:
The dual aspects presented in the slokas (for instance, the initial depiction of opposites) are resolved in the pauris through a reaffirmation of God’s omnipresence and the superior, harmonizing power of the Guru’s sabad (Word). The ultimate resolution is a state of unity where the internal conflict is subsumed by divine grace—a transformation from duality to oneness.
Ethical, Spiritual, and Cosmological Themes
Path of Devotion and Inner Transformation:
The var presents devotion not as a set of ritualistic acts but as a deep, internal transformation that reorients the entire self. The faithful are instructed to reject attachments, ritual displays of saintliness, and empty ascetic practices; instead, they are called to repeat the Divine Name, which purifies the heart and leads to liberation. Guru Ram Das consistently emphasizes that true salvation is not self-achieved but is granted by God’s grace.
Cosmic Unity and Universal Brotherhood:
By drawing the reader’s attention to the interplay of opposites—good versus evil, self-forgetfulness versus ego—the var lays the groundwork for an understanding of cosmic unity. In the final analysis, all distinctions dissolve in the light of the Supreme, reinforcing the Sikh doctrine that all beings are one, bound by the omnipresence of God.
Moral Rectitude and Social Harmony:
Amid the symbolic narrative, Vadahans Ki Var is also a moral manual. It stresses that ethical conduct, humility, and adherence to the Guru’s teachings lead not only to personal release but also to the elevation of society as a whole. The var calls on individuals to live in accordance with Divine will, accepting the transformative power of the Guru’s sabad as the sole means to overcome the inherent dualities of earthly life.
The Harmonious Crescendo: From Conflict to Bliss
Duality Transcended:
The structure of Vadahans Ki Var—with its introductory slokas presenting contrasting themes, followed by pauris that resolve these oppositions—mirrors the journey of the soul from division to unity. Through persistent meditative practice on the Divine Word, the conflicting forces within the self are harmonized, culminating in an ecstatic state of bliss and liberation.
The Role of the Guru and the Word:
The var repeatedly underscores that although individual effort is essential, it is ultimately the grace of the Supreme, mediated through the Guru’s sabad, that brings about true transformation. This teaching serves as a corrective to the notion that spiritual prowess can be achieved by human means alone. The Guru directs the devotee to surrender to Divine Will and to find solace in the eternal rhythm of God’s presence.
Contemporary Relevance and Reflective Practice
A Timeless Spiritual Map:
In the modern context, Vadahans Ki Var continues to resonate as a beacon of spiritual wisdom. Its message—that inner conflict is resolved only by aligning oneself with the Divine Will—remains a powerful antidote to the existential uncertainties of contemporary life. The emphasis on ethical living, social harmony, and personal transformation offers a holistic roadmap for those seeking both inner peace and a meaningful engagement with the world.
Practical Application in Devotion:
For modern practitioners, the var is not just a text to be recited but a guide for daily living. Its rhythmic beauty and symbolic clarity invite a meditative approach to life, where every action and every moment becomes an opportunity to reaffirm one’s commitment to the Divine. This transformative process is as relevant today as it was in Guru Ram Das’ time, serving as a timeless reminder that the search for unity and liberation is both an individual and a collective quest.
Concluding Reflections
Vadahans Ki Var by Guru Ram Das is a masterful synthesis of musical artistry, spiritual wisdom, and ethical guidance. Through its 21 pauris and strategically interwoven slokas, the var presents a dynamic dialogue between opposing forces—illustrating the eternal struggle between the baser self and the true, liberated soul. The resolution found in the harmonious recitation of the Divine Word reaffirms the Sikh path of surrender, moral integrity, and universal oneness. In its poetic cadence and vivid imagery, the var stands as a timeless testament to the transformative power of the Guru’s sabad—a call to relinquish ego, embrace divine grace, and live in a state of serene, all-encompassing bliss.
