Deh Shiva Bar Mohe Eha (ਦੇਹ ਸ਼ਿਵਾ ਬਰ ਮੋਹੇ ਈਹੇ) is a popular hymn by Guru Gobind Singh, taken from Chandi Charitar Ukati Bilas composition of Dasam Granth. Following is a brief background, lyrics and translation. At the end of the note there are some other related poems and writings on fighting justice, sacrifice and courage.
The shabad teaches us to live with courage and bravery to the highest levels of righteousness. It teaches us to never shirk from conducting oneself in the most upright and considerate possible manner and to be prepared at all times to willingly and consistently behave in the most impartial and just manner and to always undertake to carry out righteous acts; to never have any fear or show even the slightest hesitation when taking such actions; to never flinch from stepping in front of the enemy to protect the poor, weak and needy of the world - to never have any apprehension or anxiety from the righteous fight ahead.
Ajab nashāt se jallād ke
chale haiñ ham aage
ki apne saa.e se sar paañv se
hain do qadam aage
Lyrics in English
Deh Shiva bar mohe ihai
shubh karman te kabhun na taron
Na doron ar syon jab jaye laron
nischay kar apni jeet karon
Ar sikh hon apne hi man ko
ih laalach hon gun to ucharon
Jab aav ki audh nidaan bane
at hi ran main tab joojh maron.
English Translation
O Power of Akaal, give me this boon
May I never ever shirk from doing good deeds
That I shall not fear when I go into combat. And with determination I will be victorious.
That I may teach myself this greed alone, to speak only of Thy (allmighty lord Waheguru) praises.
And when the last days of my life come, I may die in the might of the battlefield.||231||
My Reflection
O Shiva, grant me this boon—
That I may never turn away from doing what is right,
That I may never falter when faced with a fight,
And that I may always possess the courage to triumph.
Let my heart be shaped
By the trials of life,
With an unwavering desire
To keep your name ever in my thoughts.
And when my time comes,
Allow me to fall bravely on the battlefield.
- Guru Gobind Singh (tr. by Shivpreet Singh)
Lyrics in Gurbani:
ਦੇਹ ਸਿਵਾ ਬਰੁ ਮੋਹਿ ਇਹੈ ਸੁਭ ਕਰਮਨ ਤੇ ਕਬਹੂੰ ਨ ਟਰੋਂ ॥ਨ ਡਰੋਂ ਅਰਿ ਸੋ ਜਬ ਜਾਇ ਲਰੋਂ ਨਿਸਚੈ ਕਰਿ ਅਪੁਨੀ ਜੀਤ ਕਰੋਂ ॥ਅਰੁ ਸਿਖ ਹੋਂ ਆਪਨੇ ਹੀ ਮਨ ਕੌ ਇਹ ਲਾਲਚ ਹਉ ਗੁਨ ਤਉ ਉਚਰੋਂ ॥ਜਬ ਆਵ ਕੀ ਅਉਧ ਨਿਦਾਨ ਬਨੈ ਅਤਿ ਹੀ ਰਨ ਮੈ ਤਬ ਜੂਝ ਮਰੋਂ ॥੨੩੧॥
Lyrics in Hindi
देह शिवा बर मोहे इहै, शुभ कर्मन ते कबहूँ न टरों
न डरौं अरि सौं जब जाय लड़ौं, निश्चय कर अपनी जीत करौं,
अर सिख हों आपने ही मन कौ इह लालच हउ गुन तउ उचरों,
जब आव की औध निदान बनै अत ही रन मै तब जूझ मरों ॥२३१॥
Related Readings on Courage, Sacrifice and Fighting for Justice
Martin Luther King -
True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.
- Martin Luther King speaking about When Peace Becomes Obnoxious.
Guru Nanak - Jau Tau Prem Khelan Ka Chau
Jau tau prem khelan ka chau
Sir dhar tali gali meri aau
It marag pair dharijay
Sir deejai kaan na keejay
If you wanna play the game of love;
First put your head on your palm;
If you set foot on this path
Don't hesitate to give your head
Guru Nanak - Jaisi Mein Aveh
Jaisi Main Avai Khasam ki Baani,
taisada kari gyaan vey Lalo
As the Word of the divine comes to me,
so do I express it, O Lalo
Kabir - Soora So Pehchaniye
Soora So Pehchaniye
Jo Larhe Deen Ke Het
Purja Purja Kat Mare
Kabhoon Na Chchade Khet
Courageous is that person
who fights for dharma
Even if he gets sliced in pieces
He does not leave the battleground
Tagore - Jodi Tor Dak Shune
Jodi tor đak shune keu na ashe
tôbe êkla chôlo re,
If no one answers your call
make a stride and walk alone
Ghalib - Ajab Nashaat se
Ajab nashāt se jallād ke
chale haiñ ham aage
ki apne saa.e se sar paañv se
hain do qadam aage
With a peculiar intoxication
I walk in front of the executioner
From my shadow, my head and feet
I am two feet ahead.
John Lewis - Good Trouble
Get in Good Trouble
Amjad Islam Amjad - Chand ke sath kayi dard purane nikale
Fasle gul aayee phir ik bar aseerane wafa
Apane hee kuun ke dariya me nahane nikale
Flowers are blooming again in the garden of loyalty
I came to bathe in my own blood
Advice to young kids by ee cummings - To be nobody
To be nobody - but -yourself-- in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else--means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.
And so my advice to all young people who wish to become real is: do something easy, like dreaming of freedom--unless you're ready to commit yourself to feel and work and fight till you die.
Remember Me and Fight -Shri Krishna in Bhagwad Gita
तस्मात्सर्वेषु कालेषु मामनुस्मर युध्य च।
मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्मामेवैष्यस्यसंशयम्।।8.7।।
Don't Hesitate - Mary Oliver
If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be. We are not wise, and not very often kind. And much can never be redeemed. Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this is its way of fighting back, that sometimes something happens better than all the riches or power in the world. It could be anything, but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.
Courage
Deh Shiva
Fight
Good Deeds
Gurbani
Guru Gobind Singh
Popular
References
Resist
Right
Rumination
Sacrifice
Translation
Truth
Singing oneness!
 is a popular hymn by Guru Gobind Singh, taken from Chandi Charitar Ukati Bilas composition of...){kind=link}
14 Comments
Thanks for the citation because most people think the whole thing is written by 10th guru.
ReplyDeleteMistake in the English lyrics... Instead of jeet.... Keet is mentioned
ReplyDeletethanks ... I fixed it
DeleteCreed and not greed if I may suggest
DeleteI made a mistake in suggesting creed in place of greed
DeleteVidash Dalmotra ji for you knowledge Shiva, Brahma, Ram, Krishan, etc are mentioned many times in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
ReplyDeleteAlso you maybe interested in
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QKuguBjbAs4
What is deh Shiva really referring to, I wonder what shiva is related to, I wanna learn everything..
ReplyDeleteThey are referring to the God(Waheguru) not Lord Shiva
DeleteI believe whole Guru Granth Sahib ji is referring different religions and all have used their God’s names and other kavis also. Like Ram, Krishna, Hari, Shiva, Allah etc. And for kavis Like kabir ..
DeleteSo I believe in this its Shiva Hindu God only.
But remember guys skihi teaches “ek om kar”
Deh shiva kar kripa
ReplyDeleteTeri bhakti me janam janam karu
You can chant/do this Shabad when you have a fear to get fail in achieving anything(not bad things).According to me my translation:
ReplyDelete"O lord give me such enough power & tricks/tips/strategies to rule/victor over the problems OR "zulam",which are ruling over us/me, instead they rule us."
-Anon Sikh
This is only for "ਦੇਹਿ ਸਿਵਾ ਬਰੁ ਮੋਹਿ ਇਹੈ ਸੁਭ ਕਰਮਨ ਤੇ ਕਬਹੂ ਨ ਟਰੋਂ ॥
Deleteਨ ਡਰੋਂ ਅਰਿ ਸੋ ਜਬ ਜਾਇ ਲਰੋਂ ਨਿਸਚੈ ਕਰਿ ਅਪੁਨੀ ਜੀਤ ਕਰੋਂ ॥"
-Anon Sikh
The learning of a lifetime by a warrior saint, still relevant in today’s relatively more peaceful and non-violent times. While the Shabad tells you to live up to your Dharam, you have to have a very clear understanding of what your Dharam is, to live up to. Jai hind, SatShriAkal& Jaigurudev
ReplyDeleteThanks Shiv Preet Singh ji. Pray for Blessing of Wahe Guru and all the holy Trinities for your noble efforts
Delete