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Bhai Satta and Balwand

Bhai Satta and Bhai Balwand were official Ragis in the Darbar of Guru Arjan. They used to recite Gurbani in the morning and evening. Their sweet kirtan always mesmerized the Sangat. Bhai Balwand, also known as Rai Balwand, was a rababi (rebeck player) and co-composer with Bhai Satta, said to be his brother, of a Var included in the Guru Granth Sahib in the Ramkali musical measure. Bhai Satta, also called Satta Dum because he was a dum or mirasi, muslim minstrel and genealogist, and sang the sacred hymns to the accompaniment of a rebeck like the one Bhai Mardana played during the time of Guru Nanak.

Not much authentic biographical information is available about Bhai Satta and Balwand except that they were contemporaries with Guru Arjan for whom they recited shabad kirtan. According to other sources, Bhai Satta and Balwand started their career under Guru Angad sometime after he succeeded Guru Nanak in 1539 and continued to serve the Gurus until the time of Guru Arjan.

Pride And Greed Lead To A Fall

Balwand and Satta continued to please the Guru's visitors with their songs and music; but on seeing his glory increase, their pride and greed increased in the same ratio. They boasted that it was on account of their music the Guru had become famous. One day Baba Buddha asked them to sing him a shabad. They gave a rude reply and refused.

When the Guru heard what happened he was not pleased, and, when the minstrels came to sing in the evening Sangat, he turned his back on them. Bhai Satta and Balwand tried to catch the Gurus eye, but he avoided their salutation. They asked what offence they had committed. He informed them and said that, as they would not sing to a Sikh of his, they must not sing to him. They fell at his feet and begged forgiveness, which he gave in good nature. Their pride, however, was not totally humbled. When the embittered Prithi Chand (Guru Arjan's older brother) heard what happended he encouraged Bhai Satta and Balwand to leave the Gurus service.

Money For A Big Wedding

After some time, Bhai Satta and Balwand told the Guru that one of their daughters (although it is more likely that it was their grandaughter) was to be married, and they asked for money to meet the expenses of a large extravagant wedding. Guru Arjan asked them to wait for two months, and he would settle their accounts at the yearly Vaisakhi fair. Balwand said they could not wait so long; they wanted money at once, and pressed the Guru to borrow it for them.

Guru Arjan replied that it was not a good thing to borrow, and he asked them to have patience and see what God would do. After a short time, Bhai Satta and Balwand demanded the money they asked for. Guru Arjan decided to teach Bhai Satta and Balwand a lesson in humility and said that they will be given a coin for every true Sikh, after playing the kirtan in the Darbar during the following day.

True Sikhs

On the next day, after the kirtan was over, Guru Arjan gave Bhai Satta and Balwand four and a half coins. Bhai Satta and Balwand had been expecting a huge amount and asked the Guru why had they been given just four and a half coins when there were so many Sikhs. Guru Arjan explained that before him there were just four true Sikhs, Guru Nanak, Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das and Guru Ram Das, he considered himself as half a Sikh and therefore gave four and a half coins as promised.

Bhai Satta and Balwand began to address Guru in an insolent tone, "By singing your praises, we have made you famous. If we didn't sing the Guru's hymns, the Sikhs would never make you offerings? Therefore you shouldn't refuse our request. If you choose not to give the money we require, we will stop our kirtan then noone will recognize you as the Guru." The quarrel was not resolved, and the next morning Bhai Satta and Balwand did not present themselves in the Darbar.

Guru Arjan sent for them, but they refused to return. Guru Arjan sent a special messenger to tell them not to delay and return to perform their duties. The more, however, the Guru humbled himself, the prouder they became. When the Guru himself called on them, they spoke rudely of the House of Guru Nanak. They replied, "The Guru does not know our worth. His court shall have no splendour without us. Even Guru Nanak's court would not have been known without the music of Mardana."

Guru Arjan Carries Out Kirtan With A Saranda

Guru Arjan could endure the ingratitude of the minstrels who owed everything to him, but he could not endure the disrespect shown to Guru Nanak's court, so he cursed them and said, "They have slandered the house of Guru Nanak, so no Sikh should meet them." Guru Arjan was himself a good musician. He had performed the duty of a Ragi at Lahore for more than two years (this was when Guru Ram Das had sent him to attend the marriage of a relative). So Guru Arjan himself started playing the Saranda and singing Gurbani.

Guru Arjan also blessed the Sangat that they themselves could perform kirtan. He then assigned the duty of singing the hymns to his Sikhs. For a good cause enthusiasts are sometimes found. Bhai Ramu, Bhai Dipa, Bhai Ugarsain, and Bhai Nagauri came from Dalla with two-stringed violin-like instruments and cymbals, and took the places of the faithless Balwand and Satta. The Sangat were delighted.

When Bhai Satta and Balwand learnt that the Sangat and Guru Ji himself were doing kirtan and that the number of Sikhs was increasing day by day they felt ashamed of what they had said. They found themselves without corn or money to buy it, and then they began to repent of their impudence and imprudence. They suffered both mental anguish and fell sick with leprosy which gave them so much pain that they could not rest or sleep, so day and night they were in great grief.

Bhai Satta and Balwand Seek Forgiveness

Bhai Satta and Balwand told some Sikhs, whom they expected to perform the office of mediators between them and the Guru, that they would return to their duties, if they even received food and clothes as remuneration. The Sikhs mentioned this to the Guru, but he sternly forbade them to make any representation again on behalf of men who showed disrespect to the house of Guru Nanak and said, "If anybody is found helping them, their face will be blackened and they will be mounted on a donkey (with a shoe necklace around their neck) and be driven through all bazaars and streets of the city."

Now discarded by the Guru, they found themselves alienated from the Sikhs. Bhai Satta and Balwand wanted to seek forgiveness from Guru Arjan, but no Sikh was ready to see them, when they went outdoors people would turn their faces away from them (due to the Hukam of Guru Ji). Thus they had become completely isolated.

At last someone advised them to go and meet Bhai Ladha of Lahore as he was the only man who could help them and one who had great influence with the Guru. They met Bhai Ladha. Hearing their story Bhai Ladha said, "You have made a grave mistake by slandering the house of Guru Nanak. I am ready to help you but the Guru has laid down a very strict condition. He had said that one who helps you will have to face the consequences and ride a donkey with a blackened face and a shoe necklace around their neck." Bhai Satta and Balwand were desperate and repeatedly begged Bhai Ladha for help again and again.

Bhai Ladha Agrees To Help

Eventually, Bhai Ladha agreed to help and blackened his face with ashes. He rode a donkey facing the rear, putting on a shoe necklace. Bhai Satta and Balwand accompanyied him. On the way to Amritsar from Lahore people thought Bhai Ladha was a thief (due to the punishment) and shouted abuse at him. Bhai Ladha arrived at Guru Arjan's house riding the donkey. When he knocked on the door of the house, Guru Ji came outside and recognized Bhai Ladha. He asked Bhai Ladha to dismount.

Bhai Ladha dismounted the donkey and fell at the feet of the Guru. Guru Arjan cleaned the face of Bhai Ladha, took off the shoe necklace and embraced him. Guru Ji then said, "Bhai Ladha, it is true you are a great well-wisher of the poor, but these men had slandered the house of Guru Nanak. A slanderer of the house of Guru Nanak can't he pardoned. If they want to be pardoned then they should praise the house of Guru Nanak with the same tongue that criticized it."

Bhai Satta and Balwand agreed to do this. They recited Ramkali Ki Var also known as Satta ate Balwand Di Var, the Var can be found in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Ang 966 to 968. It was due to the reciting of the above Var that their disease disappeared, Guru Ji then pardoned them both. Guru Ji also said that whoever recites this Var with Prem (Love) will also have their diseases vanish.

Bhai Satta and Balwand, perceived all the Gurus as sharing the same spirit, the same one light. Both Bhai Satta and Balwand are said to have passed away at Lahore during the time of Guru Hargobind (1595-1644) and were buried on the bank of the River Ravi. Guru Hargobind's muslim rababi, Babak (d. 1692), performed their last rites.

ਰਾਮਕਲੀ ਕੀ ਵਾਰ ਰਾਇ ਬਲਵੰਡਿ ਤਥਾ ਸਤੈ ਡੂਮਿ ਆਖੀ
Rāmkalī kī vār rā▫e Balvand ṯathā Saṯai dūm ākẖī
Var Of Ramkali, Uttered By Satta And Balwand The Drummer:

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
Ik▫oaʼnkār saṯgur parsāḏ.
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

ਨਾਉ ਕਰਤਾ ਕਾਦਰੁ ਕਰੇ ਕਿਉ ਬੋਲੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਜੋਖੀਵਦੈ ॥
Nā▫o karṯā kāḏar kare ki▫o bol hovai jokẖīvaḏai.
One who chants the Name of the Almighty Creator - how can his words be judged?

ਦੇ ਗੁਨਾ ਸਤਿ ਭੈਣ ਭਰਾਵ ਹੈ ਪਾਰੰਗਤਿ ਦਾਨੁ ਪੜੀਵਦੈ ॥
Ḏe gunā saṯ bẖaiṇ bẖarāv hai pārangaṯ ḏān paṛīvaḏai.
Gods divine virtues are the true sisters and brothers; through them, the gift of supreme status is obtained.

ਨਾਨਕਿ ਰਾਜੁ ਚਲਾਇਆ ਸਚੁ ਕੋਟੁ ਸਤਾਣੀ ਨੀਵ ਦੈ ॥
Nānak rāj cẖalā▫i▫ā sacẖ kot saṯāṇī nīv ḏai.
Nanak established the kingdom; he built the true fortress on the strongest foundations.

ਲਹਣੇ ਧਰਿਓਨੁ ਛਤੁ ਸਿਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਸਿਫਤੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪੀਵਦੈ ॥
Lahṇe ḏẖari▫on cẖẖaṯ sir kar sifṯī amriṯ pīvḏai.
He installed the royal canopy over Lehna's head; chanting the Lord's Praises, he drank in the Ambrosial Nectar.

ਮਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਆਤਮ ਦੇਵ ਦੀ ਖੜਗਿ ਜੋਰਿ ਪਰਾਕੁਇ ਜੀਅ ਦੈ ॥
Maṯ gur āṯam ḏev ḏī kẖaṛag jor purāku▫e jī▫a ḏai.
The Guru implanted the almighty sword of the Teachings to illuminate his soul.

ਗੁਰਿ ਚੇਲੇ ਰਹਰਾਸਿ ਕੀਈ ਨਾਨਕਿ ਸਲਾਮਤਿ ਥੀਵਦੈ ॥
Gur cẖele rahrās kī▫ī Nānak salāmaṯ thīvḏai.
The Guru bowed down to his disciple, while Nanak was still alive.

ਸਹਿ ਟਿਕਾ ਦਿਤੋਸੁ ਜੀਵਦੈ ॥੧॥
Sėh tikā ḏiṯos jīvḏai. ||1||
The King, while still alive, applied the ceremonial mark to his forehead. ||1||

ਲਹਣੇ ਦੀ ਫੇਰਾਈਐ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਦੋਹੀ ਖਟੀਐ ॥
Lahṇe ḏī ferā▫ī▫ai nānkā ḏohī kẖatī▫ai.
Nanak proclaimed Lehna's succession - he earned it.

ਜੋਤਿ ਓਹਾ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਸਾਇ ਸਹਿ ਕਾਇਆ ਫੇਰਿ ਪਲਟੀਐ ॥
Joṯ ohā jugaṯ sā▫e sėh kā▫i▫ā fer paltī▫ai.
They shared the One Light and the same way; the King just changed his body.

ਝੁਲੈ ਸੁ ਛਤੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੀ ਮਲਿ ਤਖਤੁ ਬੈਠਾ ਗੁਰ ਹਟੀਐ ॥
Jẖulai so cẖẖaṯ niranjanī mal ṯakẖaṯ baiṯẖā gur hatī▫ai.
The immaculate canopy waves over him, and he sits on the throne in the Guru's shop.

ਕਰਹਿ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਫੁਰਮਾਇਆ ਸਿਲ ਜੋਗੁ ਅਲੂਣੀ ਚਟੀਐ ॥
Karahi jė gur furmā▫i▫ā sil jog alūṇī cẖatī▫ai.
He does as the Guru commands; he tasted the tasteless stone of Yoga.

ਲੰਗਰੁ ਚਲੈ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਹਰਿ ਤੋਟਿ ਨ ਆਵੀ ਖਟੀਐ ॥
Langar cẖalai gur sabaḏ har ṯot na āvī kẖatī▫ai.
The Langar - the kitchen of the Guru's Shabad has been opened, and its supplies never run short.

ਖਰਚੇ ਦਿਤਿ ਖਸੰਮ ਦੀ ਆਪ ਖਹਦੀ ਖੈਰਿ ਦਬਟੀਐ ॥
Kẖarcẖe ḏiṯ kẖasamm ḏī āp kẖahḏī kẖair ḏabtī▫ai.
Whatever his Master gave, he spent; he distributed it all to be eaten.

ਹੋਵੈ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਖਸੰਮ ਦੀ ਨੂਰੁ ਅਰਸਹੁ ਕੁਰਸਹੁ ਝਟੀਐ ॥
Hovai sifaṯ kẖasamm ḏī nūr arsahu kursahu jẖatī▫ai.
The Praises of the Master were sung, and the Divine Light descended from the heavens to the earth.

ਤੁਧੁ ਡਿਠੇ ਸਚੇ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹ ਮਲੁ ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਦੀ ਕਟੀਐ ॥
Ŧuḏẖ diṯẖe sacẖe pāṯisāh mal janam janam ḏī katī▫ai.
Gazing upon you, O True King, the filth of countless past lives is washed away.

ਸਚੁ ਜਿ ਗੁਰਿ ਫੁਰਮਾਇਆ ਕਿਉ ਏਦੂ ਬੋਲਹੁ ਹਟੀਐ ॥
Sacẖ jė gur furmā▫i▫ā ki▫o eḏū bolhu hatī▫ai.
The Guru gave the True Command; why should we hesitate to proclaim this?

ਪੁਤ੍ਰੀ ਕਉਲੁ ਨ ਪਾਲਿਓ ਕਰਿ ਪੀਰਹੁ ਕੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਮੁਰਟੀਐ ॥
Puṯrī ka▫ul na pāli▫o kar pīrahu kanĥ murtī▫ai.
His sons did not obey his Word; they turned their backs on him as Guru.

ਦਿਲਿ ਖੋਟੈ ਆਕੀ ਫਿਰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਬੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਭਾਰੁ ਉਚਾਇਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਛਟੀਐ ॥
Ḏil kẖotai ākī firniĥ banėh bẖār ucẖā▫iniĥ cẖẖatī▫ai.
These evil-hearted ones became rebellious; they carry loads of sin on their backs.

ਜਿਨਿ ਆਖੀ ਸੋਈ ਕਰੇ ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਤੀ ਤਿਨੈ ਥਟੀਐ ॥
Jin ākẖī so▫ī kare jin kīṯī ṯinai thatī▫ai.
Whatever the Guru said, Lehna did, and so he was installed on the throne.

ਕਉਣੁ ਹਾਰੇ ਕਿਨਿ ਉਵਟੀਐ ॥੨॥
Ka▫uṇ hāre kin uvtī▫ai. ||2||
Who has lost, and who has won? ||2||

ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੋ ਮੰਨਣਾ ਕੋ ਸਾਲੁ ਜਿਵਾਹੇ ਸਾਲੀ ॥
Jin kīṯī so mannṇā ko sāl jivāhe sālī.
He who did the work, is accepted as Guru; so which is better - the thistle or the rice?

ਧਰਮ ਰਾਇ ਹੈ ਦੇਵਤਾ ਲੈ ਗਲਾ ਕਰੇ ਦਲਾਲੀ ॥
Ḏẖaram rā▫e hai ḏevṯā lai galā kare ḏalālī.
The Righteous Judge of Dharma considered the arguments and made the decision.

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਆਖੈ ਸਚਾ ਕਰੇ ਸਾ ਬਾਤ ਹੋਵੈ ਦਰਹਾਲੀ ॥
Saṯgur ākẖai sacẖā kare sā bāṯ hovai ḏarhālī.
Whatever the True Guru says, the True Lord does; it comes to pass instantaneously.

ਗੁਰ ਅੰਗਦ ਦੀ ਦੋਹੀ ਫਿਰੀ ਸਚੁ ਕਰਤੈ ਬੰਧਿ ਬਹਾਲੀ ॥
Gur angaḏ ḏī ḏohī firī sacẖ karṯai banḏẖ bahālī.
Guru Angad was proclaimed, and the True Creator confirmed it.

ਨਾਨਕੁ ਕਾਇਆ ਪਲਟੁ ਕਰਿ ਮਲਿ ਤਖਤੁ ਬੈਠਾ ਸੈ ਡਾਲੀ ॥
Nānak kā▫i▫ā palat kar mal ṯakẖaṯ baiṯẖā sai dālī.
Nanak merely changed his body; he still sits on the throne, with hundreds of branches reaching out.

ਦਰੁ ਸੇਵੇ ਉਮਤਿ ਖੜੀ ਮਸਕਲੈ ਹੋਇ ਜੰਗਾਲੀ ॥
Ḏar seve umaṯ kẖaṛī maskalai ho▫e jangālī.
Standing at his door, his followers serve him; by this service, their rust is scraped off.

ਦਰਿ ਦਰਵੇਸੁ ਖਸੰਮ ਦੈ ਨਾਇ ਸਚੈ ਬਾਣੀ ਲਾਲੀ ॥
Ḏar ḏarves kẖasamm ḏai nā▫e sacẖai baṇī lālī.
He is the Dervish - the Saint, at the door of his Lord and Master; he loves the True Name, and the Bani of the Guru's Word.

ਬਲਵੰਡ ਖੀਵੀ ਨੇਕ ਜਨ ਜਿਸੁ ਬਹੁਤੀ ਛਾਉ ਪਤ੍ਰਾਲੀ ॥
Balvand kẖīvī nek jan jis bahuṯī cẖẖā▫o paṯrālī.
Balwand says that Khivi, the Guru's wife, is a noble woman, who gives soothing, leafy shade to all.

ਲੰਗਰਿ ਦਉਲਤਿ ਵੰਡੀਐ ਰਸੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਖੀਰਿ ਘਿਆਲੀ ॥
Langar ḏa▫ulaṯ vandī▫ai ras amriṯ kẖīr gẖi▫ālī.
She distributes the bounty of the Guru's Langar; the kheer - the rice pudding and ghee, is like sweet ambrosia.

ਗੁਰਸਿਖਾ ਕੇ ਮੁਖ ਉਜਲੇ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਥੀਏ ਪਰਾਲੀ ॥
Gursikẖā ke mukẖ ujle manmukẖ thī▫e parālī.
The faces of the Guru's Sikhs are radiant and bright; the self-willed manmukhs are pale, like straw.

ਪਏ ਕਬੂਲੁ ਖਸੰਮ ਨਾਲਿ ਜਾਂ ਘਾਲ ਮਰਦੀ ਘਾਲੀ ॥
Pa▫e kabūl kẖasamm nāl jāʼn gẖāl marḏī gẖālī.
The Master gave his approval, when Angad exerted himself heroically.

ਮਾਤਾ ਖੀਵੀ ਸਹੁ ਸੋਇ ਜਿਨਿ ਗੋਇ ਉਠਾਲੀ ॥੩॥
Māṯā kẖīvī saho so▫e jin go▫e uṯẖālī. ||3||
Such is the Husband of mother Khivi; He sustains the world. ||3||

ਹੋਰਿਂਓ ਗੰਗ ਵਹਾਈਐ ਦੁਨਿਆਈ ਆਖੈ ਕਿ ਕਿਓਨੁ ॥
Horiʼn▫o gang vahā▫ī▫ai ḏuni▫ā▫ī ākẖai kė ki▫on.
It is as if the Guru made the Ganges flow in the opposite direction, and the world wonders: what has he done?

ਨਾਨਕ ਈਸਰਿ ਜਗਨਾਥਿ ਉਚਹਦੀ ਵੈਣੁ ਵਿਰਿਕਿਓਨੁ ॥
Nānak īsar jagnāth ucẖhaḏī vaiṇ viriki▫on.
Nanak, the Lord, the Lord of the World, spoke the words out loud.

ਮਾਧਾਣਾ ਪਰਬਤੁ ਕਰਿ ਨੇਤ੍ਰਿ ਬਾਸਕੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਰਿੜਕਿਓਨੁ ॥
Māḏẖāṇā parbaṯ kar naiṯar bāsak sabaḏ riṛki▫on.
Making the mountain his churning stick, and the snake-king his churning string, he has churned the Word of the Shabad.

ਚਉਦਹ ਰਤਨ ਨਿਕਾਲਿਅਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਆਵਾ ਗਉਣੁ ਚਿਲਕਿਓਨੁ ॥
Cẖa▫oḏah raṯan nikāli▫an kar āvā ga▫oṇ cẖilki▫on.
From it, he extracted the fourteen jewels, and illuminated the world.

ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਅਹਿ ਵੇਖਾਲੀਅਨੁ ਜਿਣਿ ਐਵਡ ਪਿਡ ਠਿਣਕਿਓਨੁ ॥
Kuḏraṯ ah vekẖāli▫an jiṇ aivad pid ṯẖiṇki▫oṇ.
He revealed such creative power, and touched such greatness.

ਲਹਣੇ ਧਰਿਓਨੁ ਛਤ੍ਰੁ ਸਿਰਿ ਅਸਮਾਨਿ ਕਿਆੜਾ ਛਿਕਿਓਨੁ ॥
Lahṇe ḏẖari▫on cẖẖaṯar sir asmān ki▫āṛā cẖẖiki▫on.
He raised the royal canopy to wave over the head of Lehna, and raised his glory to the skies.

ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਾਣੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਾਹਿ ਆਪੁ ਆਪੈ ਸੇਤੀ ਮਿਕਿਓਨੁ ॥
Joṯ samāṇī joṯ māhi āp āpai seṯī miki▫on.
His Light merged into the light, and God blended him into itself.

ਸਿਖਾਂ ਪੁਤ੍ਰਾਂ ਘੋਖਿ ਕੈ ਸਭ ਉਮਤਿ ਵੇਖਹੁ ਜਿ ਕਿਓਨੁ ॥
Sikẖāʼn puṯrāʼn gẖokẖ kai sabẖ umaṯ vekẖhu jė ki▫on.
Guru Nanak tested his Sikhs and his sons, and everyone saw what happened.

ਜਾਂ ਸੁਧੋਸੁ ਤਾਂ ਲਹਣਾ ਟਿਕਿਓਨੁ ॥੪॥
Jāʼn suḏẖos ṯāʼn lahṇā tiki▫on. ||4||
When Lehna alone was found to be pure, then he was set on the throne. ||4||

ਫੇਰਿ ਵਸਾਇਆ ਫੇਰੁਆਣਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਖਾਡੂਰੁ ॥
Fer vasā▫i▫ā faru▫āṇ saṯgur kẖādūr.
Then, the True Guru, the son of Pheru, came to dwell at Khadoor.

ਜਪੁ ਤਪੁ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਨਾਲਿ ਤੁਧੁ ਹੋਰੁ ਮੁਚੁ ਗਰੂਰੁ ॥
Jap ṯap sanjam nāl ṯuḏẖ hor mucẖ garūr.
Meditation, austerities and self-discipline rest with you, while the others are filled with excessive pride.

ਲਬੁ ਵਿਣਾਹੇ ਮਾਣਸਾ ਜਿਉ ਪਾਣੀ ਬੂਰੁ ॥
Lab viṇāhe māṇsā ji▫o pāṇī būr.
Greed ruins mankind, like the green algae in the water.

ਵਰ੍ਹਿਐ ਦਰਗਹ ਗੁਰੂ ਕੀ ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨੂਰੁ ॥
varĥi▫ai ḏargėh gurū kī kuḏraṯī nūr.
In the Guru's Court, the Divine Light shines in its creative power.

ਜਿਤੁ ਸੁ ਹਾਥ ਨ ਲਭਈ ਤੂੰ ਓਹੁ ਠਰੂਰੁ ॥
Jiṯ so hāth na labẖ▫ī ṯūʼn oh ṯẖarūr.
You are the cooling peace, whose depth cannot be found.

ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਤੁਧੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਭਰਪੂਰੁ ॥
Na▫o niḏẖ nām niḏẖān hai ṯuḏẖ vicẖ bẖarpūr.
You are overflowing with the nine treasures, and the treasure of the Naam, the Name of the Lord.

ਨਿੰਦਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਜੋ ਕਰੇ ਸੋ ਵੰਞੈ ਚੂਰੁ ॥
Ninḏā ṯerī jo kare so vañai cẖūr.
Whoever slanders you will be totally ruined and destroyed.

ਨੇੜੈ ਦਿਸੈ ਮਾਤ ਲੋਕ ਤੁਧੁ ਸੁਝੈ ਦੂਰੁ ॥
Neṛai ḏisai māṯ lok ṯuḏẖ sujẖai ḏūr.
People of the world can see only what is near at hand, but you can see far beyond.

ਫੇਰਿ ਵਸਾਇਆ ਫੇਰੁਆਣਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਖਾਡੂਰੁ ॥੫॥
Fer vasā▫i▫ā faru▫āṇ saṯgur kẖādūr. ||5||
Then the True Guru, the son of Pheru, came to dwell at Khadoor. ||5||

ਸੋ ਟਿਕਾ ਸੋ ਬੈਹਣਾ ਸੋਈ ਦੀਬਾਣੁ ॥
So tikā so baihṇā so▫ī ḏībāṇ.
The same mark on the forehead, the same throne, and the same Royal Court.

ਪਿਯੂ ਦਾਦੇ ਜੇਵਿਹਾ ਪੋਤਾ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥
Piyū ḏāḏe jevihā poṯā parvāṇ.
Just like the father and grandfather, the son is approved.

ਜਿਨਿ ਬਾਸਕੁ ਨੇਤ੍ਰੈ ਘਤਿਆ ਕਰਿ ਨੇਹੀ ਤਾਣੁ ॥
Jin bāsak neṯrai gẖaṯi▫ā kar nehī ṯāṇ.
He took the thousand-headed serpent as his churning string with the force of devotional love,

ਜਿਨਿ ਸਮੁੰਦੁ ਵਿਰੋਲਿਆ ਕਰਿ ਮੇਰੁ ਮਧਾਣੁ ॥
Jin samunḏ viroli▫ā kar mer maḏẖāṇ.
and he churned the ocean of the world with his churning stick, the Summer mountain.

ਚਉਦਹ ਰਤਨ ਨਿਕਾਲਿਅਨੁ ਕੀਤੋਨੁ ਚਾਨਾਣੁ ॥
Cẖa▫oḏah raṯan nikāli▫an kīṯon cẖānāṇ.
He extracted the fourteen jewels, and brought forth the Divine Light.

ਘੋੜਾ ਕੀਤੋ ਸਹਜ ਦਾ ਜਤੁ ਕੀਓ ਪਲਾਣੁ ॥
Gẖoṛā kīṯo sahj ḏā jaṯ kī▫o palāṇ.
He made intuition his horse, and chastity his saddle.

ਧਣਖੁ ਚੜਾਇਓ ਸਤ ਦਾ ਜਸ ਹੰਦਾ ਬਾਣੁ ॥
Ḏẖaṇakẖ cẖaṛā▫i▫o saṯ ḏā jas hanḏā bāṇ.
He placed the arrow of the Lord's Praise in the bow of Truth.

ਕਲਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਧੂ ਅੰਧਾਰੁ ਸਾ ਚੜਿਆ ਰੈ ਭਾਣੁ ॥
Kal vicẖ ḏẖū anḏẖār sā cẖaṛi▫ā rai bẖāṇ.
In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, there was only pitch darkness. Then, he rose like the sun to illuminate the darkness.

ਸਤਹੁ ਖੇਤੁ ਜਮਾਇਓ ਸਤਹੁ ਛਾਵਾਣੁ ॥
Saṯahu kẖeṯ jamā▫i▫o saṯahu cẖẖāvāṇ.
He farms the field of Truth, and spreads out the canopy of Truth.

ਨਿਤ ਰਸੋਈ ਤੇਰੀਐ ਘਿਉ ਮੈਦਾ ਖਾਣੁ ॥
Niṯ raso▫ī ṯerī▫ai gẖi▫o maiḏā kẖāṇ.
Your kitchen always has ghee and flour to eat.

ਚਾਰੇ ਕੁੰਡਾਂ ਸੁਝੀਓਸੁ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥
Cẖāre kundāʼn sujẖī▫os man mėh sabaḏ parvāṇ.
You understand the four corners of the universe; in your mind, the Word of the Shabad is approved and supreme.

ਆਵਾ ਗਉਣੁ ਨਿਵਾਰਿਓ ਕਰਿ ਨਦਰਿ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥
Āvā ga▫oṇ nivāri▫o kar naḏar nīsāṇ.
You eliminate the comings and goings of reincarnation, and bestow the insignia of your Glance of Grace.

ਅਉਤਰਿਆ ਅਉਤਾਰੁ ਲੈ ਸੋ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਸੁਜਾਣੁ ॥
A▫uṯri▫ā a▫uṯār lai so purakẖ sujāṇ.
You are the Avataar, the Incarnation of the all-knowing Primal Lord.

ਝਖੜਿ ਵਾਉ ਨ ਡੋਲਈ ਪਰਬਤੁ ਮੇਰਾਣੁ ॥
Jẖakẖaṛ vā▫o na dol▫ī parbaṯ merāṇ.
You are not pushed or shaken by the storm and the wind; you are like the Summer Mountain.

ਜਾਣੈ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਜੀਅ ਕੀ ਜਾਣੀ ਹੂ ਜਾਣੁ ॥
Jāṇai birthā jī▫a kī jāṇī hū jāṇ.
You know the inner state of the soul; You are the Knower of knowers.

ਕਿਆ ਸਾਲਾਹੀ ਸਚੇ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹ ਜਾਂ ਤੂ ਸੁਘੜੁ ਸੁਜਾਣੁ ॥
Ki▫ā sālāhī sacẖe pāṯisāh jāʼn ṯū sugẖaṛ sujāṇ.
How can I praise you, O True Supreme King, when You are so wise and all-knowing?

ਦਾਨੁ ਜਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਭਾਵਸੀ ਸੋ ਸਤੇ ਦਾਣੁ ॥
Ḏān jė saṯgur bẖāvsī so saṯe ḏāṇ.
Those blessings granted by the Pleasure of the True Guru - please bless Satta with those gifts.

ਨਾਨਕ ਹੰਦਾ ਛਤ੍ਰੁ ਸਿਰਿ ਉਮਤਿ ਹੈਰਾਣੁ ॥
Nānak hanḏā cẖẖaṯar sir umaṯ hairāṇ.
Seeing Nanak's canopy waving over your head, everyone was astonished.

ਸੋ ਟਿਕਾ ਸੋ ਬੈਹਣਾ ਸੋਈ ਦੀਬਾਣੁ ॥
So tikā so baihṇā so▫ī ḏībāṇ.
The same mark on the forehead, the same throne, and the same Royal Court.

ਪਿਯੂ ਦਾਦੇ ਜੇਵਿਹਾ ਪੋਤ੍ਰਾ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥੬॥
Piyū ḏāḏe jevihā poṯrā parvāṇ. ||6||
Just like the father and grandfather, the son is approved. ||6||

ਧੰਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਗੁਰੁ ਜਿਨਿ ਸਿਰਿਆ ਤਿਨੈ ਸਵਾਰਿਆ ॥
Ḏẖan ḏẖan Rāmḏās gur jin siri▫ā ṯinai savāri▫ā.
Blessed, blessed is Guru Ram Das; he who created you, has also exalted you.

ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋਈ ਕਰਾਮਾਤਿ ਆਪਿ ਸਿਰਜਣਹਾਰੈ ਧਾਰਿਆ ॥
Pūrī ho▫ī karāmāṯ āp sirjaṇhārai ḏẖāri▫ā.
Perfect is your miracle; the Creator Lord itself has installed you on the throne.

ਸਿਖੀ ਅਤੈ ਸੰਗਤੀ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਕਰਿ ਨਮਸਕਾਰਿਆ ॥
Sikẖī aṯai sangṯī pārbarahm kar namaskāri▫ā.
The Sikhs and the Sangat recognize you as the Supreme Lord God, and bow down to you.

ਅਟਲੁ ਅਥਾਹੁ ਅਤੋਲੁ ਤੂ ਤੇਰਾ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਰਾਵਾਰਿਆ ॥
Atal athāhu aṯol ṯū ṯerā anṯ na pārāvāri▫ā.
You are unchanging, unfathomable and immeasurable; you have no end or limitation.

ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਤੂੰ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਭਾਉ ਕਰਿ ਸੇ ਤੁਧੁ ਪਾਰਿ ਉਤਾਰਿਆ ॥
Jinĥī ṯūʼn sevi▫ā bẖā▫o kar se ṯuḏẖ pār uṯāri▫ā.
Those who serve you with love - you carry them across.

ਲਬੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਮਾਰਿ ਕਢੇ ਤੁਧੁ ਸਪਰਵਾਰਿਆ ॥
Lab lobẖ kām kroḏẖ moh mār kadẖe ṯuḏẖ saparvāri▫ā.
Greed, envy, desire, anger and emotional attachment - you have beaten them and driven them out.

ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਥਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਸਚੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਪੈਸਕਾਰਿਆ ॥
Ḏẖan so ṯerā thān hai sacẖ ṯerā paiskāri▫ā.
Blessed is your place, and true is your magnificent glory.

ਨਾਨਕੁ ਤੂ ਲਹਣਾ ਤੂਹੈ ਗੁਰੁ ਅਮਰੁ ਤੂ ਵੀਚਾਰਿਆ ॥
Nānak ṯū lahṇā ṯūhai gur amar ṯū vīcẖāri▫ā.
You are Nanak, you are Angad, and you are Amar Das; so do I recognize you.

ਗੁਰੁ ਡਿਠਾ ਤਾਂ ਮਨੁ ਸਾਧਾਰਿਆ ॥੭॥
Gur diṯẖā ṯāʼn man sāḏẖāri▫ā. ||7||
When I saw the Guru, then my mind was comforted and consoled. ||7||

ਚਾਰੇ ਜਾਗੇ ਚਹੁ ਜੁਗੀ ਪੰਚਾਇਣੁ ਆਪੇ ਹੋਆ ॥
Cẖāre jāge cẖahu jugī pancẖā▫iṇ āpe ho▫ā.
The four Gurus enlightened the four ages; the Lord itself assumed the fifth form.

ਆਪੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੈ ਆਪੁ ਸਾਜਿਓਨੁ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਥੰਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਖਲੋਆ ॥
Āpīnĥai āp sāji▫on āpe hī thamiĥ kẖalo▫ā.
God created itself, and God itself is the supporting pillar.

ਆਪੇ ਪਟੀ ਕਲਮ ਆਪਿ ਆਪਿ ਲਿਖਣਹਾਰਾ ਹੋਆ ॥
Āpe patī kalam āp āp likẖaṇhārā ho▫ā.
God itself is the paper, God itself is the pen, and God itself is the writer.

ਸਭ ਉਮਤਿ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਵਣੀ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਨਵਾ ਨਿਰੋਆ ॥
Sabẖ umaṯ āvaṇ jāvṇī āpe hī navā niro▫ā.
All God's followers come and go; God alone is fresh and new.

ਤਖਤਿ ਬੈਠਾ ਅਰਜਨ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਖਿਵੈ ਚੰਦੋਆ ॥
Ŧakẖaṯ baiṯẖā Arjan gurū saṯgur kā kẖivai cẖanḏo▫ā.
Guru Arjan sits on the throne; the royal canopy waves over the True Guru.

ਉਗਵਣਹੁ ਤੈ ਆਥਵਣਹੁ ਚਹੁ ਚਕੀ ਕੀਅਨੁ ਲੋਆ ॥
Ugavṇahu ṯai āthavṇahu cẖahu cẖakī kī▫an lo▫ā.
From east to west, he illuminates the four directions.

ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਨ ਸੇਵਿਓ ਮਨਮੁਖਾ ਪਇਆ ਮੋਆ ॥
Jinĥī gurū na sevi▫o manmukẖā pa▫i▫ā mo▫ā.
Those self-willed manmukhs who do not serve the Guru die in shame.

ਦੂਣੀ ਚਉਣੀ ਕਰਾਮਾਤਿ ਸਚੇ ਕਾ ਸਚਾ ਢੋਆ ॥
Ḏūṇī cẖa▫uṇī karāmāṯ sacẖe kā sacẖā dẖo▫ā.
Your miracles increase two-fold, even four-fold; this is the True Lord's true blessing.

ਚਾਰੇ ਜਾਗੇ ਚਹੁ ਜੁਗੀ ਪੰਚਾਇਣੁ ਆਪੇ ਹੋਆ ॥੮॥੧॥
Cẖāre jāge cẖahu jugī pancẖā▫iṇ āpe ho▫ā. ||8||1||
The four Gurus enlightened the four ages; the Lord itself assumed the fifth form. ||8||1||

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Bhai Satta and Balwand, Ang 966 to 968


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