Shivpreet Singh
Shivpreet Singh
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I am co-hosting a very interesting live event this Saturday. I and my colleague Kate Taylor, founder of ArtistsSupportUkraine (instagram) will be talking to 5 artists from Ukraine about the war. Let me give you some background. 

On the first day of the invasion of Ukraine, I started the instagram and twitter campaign #Artists4Ukraine. Since then we have been trying to post art, music, poetry and other creative posts that support peace and freedom in Ukraine. One of the most fascinating people I met in the past month is curator extraordinaire Kate Taylor who has had an illustrious career as an art manager, curator, expert on contemporary art, and founder of the agency of cultural management Port.agency.  While she has been dealing with bombs and displacement, amazingly she has continued her work and organized several artists through her ArtistsSupportUkraine project.  

On Saturday we will have a live event featuring 5 artists from Ukraine hosted by Kate and myself. The online event can be viewed on Youtube and Facebook at 10 AM PST/ 7PM Ukraine/ 10:30PM IST (you can click on "Set Reminder" now for a reminder when the event begins).  I hope you will be able to join and see the event. I am looking forward to learning more about the artists, their art and their commentary on the war. 

We will be collecting donations for artists so they can continue their vital work.  You can make donations through DhunAnand Foundation or through ArtistsSupportUkraine.  

- Shivpreet Singh Kapoor, 
Founder DhunAnand Foundation






Video



Traditional Lyrics and Translation


ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਜੀ ਘਰੁ ੧
रामानंद जी घरु १
Rāmānanḏ jī gẖar 1
Raamaanand Jee, First House:

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ੴ सतिगुर प्रसादि ॥
Ikoaʼnkār saṯgur parsāḏ.
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

ਕਤ ਜਾਈਐ ਰੇ ਘਰ ਲਾਗੋ ਰੰਗੁ ॥
कत जाईऐ रे घर लागो रंगु ॥
Kaṯ jāīai re gẖar lāgo rang.
Where should I go? My home is filled with bliss.

ਮੇਰਾ ਚਿਤੁ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਮਨੁ ਭਇਓ ਪੰਗੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
मेरा चितु न चलै मनु भइओ पंगु ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Merā cẖiṯ na cẖalai man bẖaio pang. ||1|| rahāo.
My consciousness does not go out wandering. My mind has become crippled. ||1||Pause||

ਏਕ ਦਿਵਸ ਮਨ ਭਈ ਉਮੰਗ ॥
एक दिवस मन भई उमंग ॥
Ėk ḏivas man bẖaī umang.
One day, a desire welled up in my mind.

ਘਸਿ ਚੰਦਨ ਚੋਆ ਬਹੁ ਸੁਗੰਧ ॥
घसि चंदन चोआ बहु सुगंध ॥
Gẖas cẖanḏan cẖoā baho suganḏẖ.
I ground up sandalwood, along with several fragrant oils.

ਪੂਜਨ ਚਾਲੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਠਾਇ ॥
पूजन चाली ब्रहम ठाइ ॥
Pūjan cẖālī barahm ṯẖāe.
I went to God's place, and worshipped Him there.

ਸੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਬਤਾਇਓ ਗੁਰ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਮਾਹਿ ॥੧॥
सो ब्रहमु बताइओ गुर मन ही माहि ॥१॥
So barahm baṯāio gur man hī māhi. ||1||
That God showed me the Guru, within my own mind. ||1||

ਜਹਾ ਜਾਈਐ ਤਹ ਜਲ ਪਖਾਨ ॥
जहा जाईऐ तह जल पखान ॥
Jahā jāīai ṯah jal pakẖān.
Wherever I go, I find water and stones.

ਤੂ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਸਮਾਨ ॥
तू पूरि रहिओ है सभ समान ॥
Ŧū pūr rahio hai sabẖ samān.
You are totally pervading and permeating in all.

ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਸਭ ਦੇਖੇ ਜੋਇ ॥
बेद पुरान सभ देखे जोइ ॥
Beḏ purān sabẖ ḏekẖe joe.
I have searched through all the Vedas and the Puraanas.

ਊਹਾਂ ਤਉ ਜਾਈਐ ਜਉ ਈਹਾਂ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥੨॥
ऊहां तउ जाईऐ जउ ईहां न होइ ॥२॥
Ūhāʼn ṯao jāīai jao īhāʼn na hoe. ||2||
I would go there, only if the Lord were not here. ||2||

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਮੈ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਤੋਰ ॥
सतिगुर मै बलिहारी तोर ॥
Saṯgur mai balihārī ṯor.
I am a sacrifice to You, O my True Guru.

ਜਿਨਿ ਸਕਲ ਬਿਕਲ ਭ੍ਰਮ ਕਾਟੇ ਮੋਰ ॥
जिनि सकल बिकल भ्रम काटे मोर ॥
Jin sakal bikal bẖaram kāte mor.
You have cut through all my confusion and doubt.

ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਰਮਤ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ॥
रामानंद सुआमी रमत ब्रहम ॥
Rāmānanḏ suāmī ramaṯ barahm.
Raamaanand's Lord and Master is the All-pervading Lord God.

ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਾਟੈ ਕੋਟਿ ਕਰਮ ॥੩॥੧॥
गुर का सबदु काटै कोटि करम ॥३॥१॥
Gur kā sabaḏ kātai kot karam. ||3||1||
The Word of the Guru's Shabad eradicates the karma of millions of past actions. ||3||1||

Introduction

Why should I go anywhere else
When my own house is colorful
- Bhagat Ramanand

Today is Holi
the festival of colors
But there is a sadness
in the colors of Holi today

There is
an angst
Of a barbaric
Invasion that has uprooted 
millions of lives

UNICEF says 
more than 1.5 million children 
have been forced to become refugees. 

I have talked to some of their parents. 
They have left their homes,
They have lost everything they had. 
possessions. family members, friends, limbs. lives. 

But I have also seen some
Amazingly positive things. 
I have seen courage and fearlessness. 
I have seen kindness and compassion
I have seen an entire world choose
sunflowers over tanks

But most heartening
Is this girl I have seen from Ukraine

With pride she waves their colors

The colors of sunflowers 
That sing peace 
are within her
the colors of the sky
That sing freedom
Are within her

You can remove her from her home
But you can never her hope from within

May her holy dream of 
freedom and peace
Come true soon

Shabad in Punjabi - Kat Jaiyeh Re


ਕਤ ਜਾਈਐ ਰੇ ਘਰ ਲਾਗੋ ਰੰਗੁ ॥ ਮੇਰਾ ਚਿਤੁ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਮਨੁ ਭਇਓ ਪੰਗੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਏਕ ਦਿਵਸ ਮਨ ਭਈ ਉਮੰਗ ॥ ਘਸਿ ਚੰਦਨ ਚੋਆ ਬਹੁ ਸੁਗੰਧ ॥
ਪੂਜਨ ਚਾਲੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਠਾਇ ॥ ਸੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਬਤਾਇਓ ਗੁਰ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਮਾਹਿ ॥੧॥

ਜਹਾ ਜਾਈਐ ਤਹ ਜਲ ਪਖਾਨ ॥ ਤੂ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਸਮਾਨ ॥
ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਸਭ ਦੇਖੇ ਜੋਇ ॥ ਊਹਾਂ ਤਉ ਜਾਈਐ ਜਉ ਈਹਾਂ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥੨॥

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਮੈ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਤੋਰ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਸਕਲ ਬਿਕਲ ਭ੍ਰਮ ਕਾਟੇ ਮੋਰ ॥
ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਰਮਤ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਾਟੈ ਕੋਟਿ ਕਰਮ ॥੩॥੧॥

Meditation - Kat Jaiyeh Re


One day I had a desire. I made myself beautiful by rubbing sandalwood
Then I took off to find Brahma. Guru told me that Brahma is my mind.

Where should I go, my home is colored.
My consciousness doesn't move, my mind is handicapped

Wherever I go there is water and stone. You are full equally in all.
I researched vedas and puranas. It would make sense to go there, if He wasn't here.

Oh Satguru I love you. You have broken all the myths.
My swami travels all over. The shabad of the guru has resolved all past issues.



Translation by Sahib Singh in Punjabi


ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਜੀ ਘਰੁ ੧     ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਕਤ ਜਾਈਐ ਰੇ ਘਰ ਲਾਗੋ ਰੰਗੁ ॥ ਮੇਰਾ ਚਿਤੁ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਮਨੁ ਭਇਓ ਪੰਗੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਏਕ ਦਿਵਸ ਮਨ ਭਈ ਉਮੰਗ ॥ ਘਸਿ ਚੰਦਨ ਚੋਆ ਬਹੁ ਸੁਗੰਧ ॥ ਪੂਜਨ ਚਾਲੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਠਾਇ ॥ ਸੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਬਤਾਇਓ ਗੁਰ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਮਾਹਿ ॥੧॥ ਜਹਾ ਜਾਈਐ ਤਹ ਜਲ ਪਖਾਨ ॥ ਤੂ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਸਮਾਨ ॥ ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਸਭ ਦੇਖੇ ਜੋਇ ॥ ਊਹਾਂ ਤਉ ਜਾਈਐ ਜਉ ਈਹਾਂ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥੨॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਮੈ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਤੋਰ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਸਕਲ ਬਿਕਲ ਭ੍ਰਮ ਕਾਟੇ ਮੋਰ ॥ ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਰਮਤ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਾਟੈ ਕੋਟਿ ਕਰਮ ॥੩॥੧॥ {ਪੰਨਾ 1195}

ਪਦ ਅਰਥ: ਕਤ = ਹੋਰ ਕਿੱਥੇ? ਰੇ = ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਰੰਗੁ = ਮੌਜ। ਘਰ = ਹਿਰਦੇ-ਰੂਪ ਰ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ। ਨ ਚਲੈ-ਭਟਕਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ। ਪੰਗੁ = ਪਿੰਗਲਾ, ਜੋ ਹਿੱਲ ਜੁਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਕਦਾ, ਥਿਰ।1। ਰਹਾਉ।

ਦਿਵਸ = ਦਿਨ। ਉਮੰਗ = ਚਾਹ, ਤਾਂਘ, ਖ਼ਾਹਸ਼। ਘਸਿ = ਘਸਾ ਕੇ। ਚੋਆ = ਅਤਰ। ਬਹੁ = ਕਈ। ਸੁਗੰਧ = ਸੁਗੰਧੀਆਂ। ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਠਾਇ = ਠਾਕੁਰ ਦੁਆਰੇ, ਮੰਦਰ ਵਿਚ।1।

ਜੋਇ = ਢੂੰਡ ਕੇ, ਖੋਜ ਕੇ। ਤਹ = ਉਥੇ। ਜਲ ਪਖਾਨ = (ਤੀਰਥਾਂ ਤੇ) ਪਾਣੀ, (ਮੰਦਰਾਂ ਵਿਚ) ਪੱਥਰ। ਸਮਾਨ = ਇੱਕੋ ਜਿਹਾ। ਊਹਾਂ = ਤੀਰਥਾਂ ਤੇ ਮੰਦਰਾਂ ਵਲ। ਤਉ = ਤਾਂ ਹੀ। ਜਉ = ਜੇ। ਈਹਾਂ = ਇਥੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ।2।

ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਤੋਰ = ਤੈਥੋਂ ਸਦਕੇ। ਜਿਨਿ = ਜਿਸ ਨੇ। ਬਿਕਲ = ਕਠਨ। ਭ੍ਰਮ = ਵਹਿਮ, ਭੁਲੇਖੇ। ਮੋਰ = ਮੇਰੇ। ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਸੁਆਮੀ = ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ। ਰਮਤ = ਸਭ ਥਾਂ ਮੌਜੂਦ ਹੈ। ਕੋਟਿ = ਕ੍ਰੋੜਾਂ। ਕਰਮ = (ਕੀਤੇ ਹੋਏ ਮੰਦੇ) ਕੰਮ।3।1।

ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਹੋਰ ਕਿਥੇ ਜਾਈਏ? (ਹੁਣ) ਹਿਰਦੇ-ਘਰ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ ਮੌਜ ਬਣ ਗਈ ਹੈ; ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਹੁਣ ਡੋਲਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਥਿਰ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।1। ਰਹਾਉ।

ਇੱਕ ਦਿਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਭੀ ਤਾਂਘ ਪੈਦਾ ਹੋਈ ਸੀ, ਮੈਂ ਚੰਦਨ ਘਸਾ ਕੇ ਅਤਰ ਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਕਈ ਸੁਗੰਧੀਆਂ ਲੈ ਲਈਆਂ, ਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਮੰਦਰ ਵਿਚ ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਤੁਰ ਪਈ। ਪਰ ਹੁਣ ਤਾਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ (ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਂ ਮੰਦਰ ਵਿਚ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਸਮਝਦੀ ਸਾਂ) ਮੇਰੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਵੱਸਦਾ ਹੀ ਵਿਖਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ।1।

(ਤੀਰਥਾਂ ਉਤੇ ਜਾਈਏ ਚਾਹੇ ਮੰਦਰਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਜਾਈਏ) ਜਿਥੇ ਭੀ ਜਾਈਏ ਉਥੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਹੈ ਜਾਂ ਪੱਥਰ ਹਨ। ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਤੂੰ ਹਰ ਥਾਂ ਇੱਕੋ ਜਿਹਾ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਹੈਂ, ਵੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਆਦਿਕ ਧਰਮ-ਪੁਸਤਕਾਂ ਭੀ ਖੋਜ ਕੇ ਵੇਖ ਲਈਆਂ ਹਨ। ਸੋ ਤਰੀਥਾਂ ਤੇ ਮੰਦਰਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਤਦੋਂ ਹੀ ਜਾਣ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਪਏ ਜੇ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਇਥੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਨਾਹ ਵੱਸਦਾ ਹੋਵੇ।2।

ਹੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ! ਮੈਂ ਤੈਥੋਂ ਸਦਕੇ ਹਾਂ, ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਔਖੇ ਭੁਲੇਖੇ ਦੂਰ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਹਨ। ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਦਾ ਮਾਲਕ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਹਰ ਥਾਂ ਮੌਜੂਦ ਹੈ (ਤੇ, ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ) ਗੁਰੂ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਕ੍ਰੋੜਾਂ (ਕੀਤੇ ਮੰਦੇ) ਕਰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਾਸ ਕਰ ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ।3।1।

Sahib Singh's Translation's Translation in English: 


Meaning: O brother! Where else to go? (Now) merriment has become in the Hirda-ghar itself; My mind does not waver now, it has become still.1. Get rid of

One day a longing arose in my mind, I rubbed sandalwood and took perfume and many other perfumes, and I went to worship in the temple. But now that God (whom I thought lived in the temple) my Guru has shown me to dwell in my mind.1.

(Go to the shrines whether we go to the temples) Wherever we go there is water or stones. O Lord! You are equally abundant everywhere, you have searched and seen the ancient Vedic scriptures. So I had to go to the temples and shrines only if God did not dwell in my mind here.2.

O Satguru! I am a sacrifice to Thee, who has removed all my difficult delusions. The Lord, the Master of Ramananda, is present everywhere (and is found through the Guru, because) the Guru's word destroys crores (of evil deeds) done.3.1.


Thich Nhat Hanh was a Buddhist monk from Vietnam was passed away last week. I know very little about him so I am looking forward to learning more about his life and work from Fran Bak, an ambassador of oneness at DhunAnand who happened to be at Thay’s monastery in Vietnam when this happened. We will likely get together on a zoom call for this on March 3 - the 40th day from his passing.

What I do find intriguing is why this Buddhist monk obtained initial fame. As an article in the economist says, “At a time when the Vietnamese Buddhist establishment was largely apolitical, he believed Buddhists had to engage directly with people’s suffering — and that meant getting involved in the political life of the nation.” The courage to stand against what was wrong was the lesson of his life.

This reminds me of Guru Nanak’s poem highlighting Babar’s torture, Jaisi Main Aveh. At a time when most Bhakti saints were largely apolitical, Guru Nanak included in his definition of singing of truth/remembrance of oneness, standing against atrocities.

The following is one of his writings that inspires a beautiful way of dealing with loss.

A dream of my mother - Thich Nhat Hanh.


The day my mother died I wrote in my journal, "A serious misfortune of my life has arrived." I suffered for more than one year after the passing away of my mother.

But one night, in the highlands of Vietnam, I was sleeping in the hut in my hermitage. I dreamed of my mother. I saw myself sitting with her, and we were having a wonderful talk. She looked young and beautiful, her hair flowing down. It was so pleasant to sit there and talk to her as if she had never died.

When I woke up it was about two in the morning, and I felt very strongly that I had never lost my mother. The impression that my mother was still with me was very clear.

I understood then that the idea of having lost my mother was just an idea. It was obvious in that moment that my mother is always alive in me.

I opened the door and went outside. The entire hillside was bathed in moonlight. It was a hill covered with tea plants, and my hut was set behind the temple halfway up. Walking slowly in the moonlight through the rows of tea plants, I noticed my mother was still with me. She was the moonlight caressing me as she had done so often, very tender, very sweet... wonderful!

Each time my feet touched the earth I knew my mother was there with me. I knew this body was not mine but a living continuation of my mother and my father and my grandparents and great-grandparents. Of all my ancestors. Those feet that I saw as "my" feet were actually "our" feet. Together my mother and I were leaving footprints in the damp soil.

From that moment on, the idea that I had lost my mother no longer existed. All I had to do was look at the palm of my hand, feel the breeze on my face or the earth under my feet to remember that my mother is always with me, available at any time.


For inspiration on MLK day today I am reading his book “Why we can’t wait.” Martin Luther understood demonstrations, and the effect and power of singing and music. He often talked positively about singing and music. Here are a couple of inspirational MLK quotes:

As long as we live, there is never enough singing.

 

Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.

 

Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. No greater commendation than this can be found — at least not by us. After all, the gift of language combined with the gift of song was only given to man to let him know that he should praise God with both word and music, namely, by proclaiming [the Word of God] through music.

Music and singing played a critical role in inspiring, mobilizing, and giving voice to the civil rights movement. “The freedom songs are playing a strong and vital role in our struggle,” said Martin Luther King, Jr., during the Albany Movement. “They give the people new courage and a sense of unity. I think they keep alive a faith, a radiant hope, in the future, particularly in our most trying hours” (Shelton, “Songs a Weapon”).

The evolution of music in the black freedom struggle reflects the evolution of the movement itself. Calling songs “the soul of the movement,” King explained in his 1964 book Why We Can’t Wait that civil rights activists “sing the freedom songs today for the same reason the slaves sang them, because we too are in bondage and the songs add hope to our determination that ‘We shall overcome, Black and white together, We shall overcome someday’” (King, Why, 86).

Every breath I remember Gobind
- Guru Arjan, Raag Gauri
Every moment I sing Gobind.
- Guru Arjan, Raag Malhar

I have been singing this shabad for over 30 years; I composed it when I was a teenager. It comes from a fairly long poem of 55 couplets, lyrics and translation of which is included below. Each couplet is a gem and can be mediated upon separately. I have chosen to sing different portions of the poem in different years. This year I focus on something that is relevant to the ongoing pandemic. The shabad was written by Bhai Nandlal, the poet laureate of Guru Gobind Singh's court. 

Bhai Nand Lal, Guru Gobind Singh and I 

Bhai Nandlal came from a Hindu family but he was such an expert of farsi and arabic that he was hired by Aurangzeb to teach persian to his kids.  The story goes that once after hearing Bhai Nand Lal's interpretation of a Quran verse, Aurangzeb was very impressed. He insisted to his ministers and son that such a man should convert to Islam. Aurangzeb's son was a confidante of Bhai Nandlal and told him that his dad wanted him converted to Islam.  Bhai Nand Lal did not want to convert to Islam, so he started pondering as to where he could go to get saved. Someone told him if he wanted to get saved from Aurrangzeb one of the only safe place in North India was Anandpur Sahib, in the court of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. 

Bhai Nandlal fled overnight towards Anandpur Sahib.  The rest is history; he met the guru, served the sangat of Anandpur Sahib and eventually became the poet laureate of Guru Gobind's court. He was the Guru's most favorite poet among the 52 poets he had in his court.  He stayed with the Guru for several years. 

After Guru Gobind's passing, Bhai Nandlal moved to Multan when he and his descendents lived for over 9 generations.  I am fortunate to be his 10th descendant. My father was born in Multan in the ancestral home of the great poet.  Our family moved to India after the partition (1947) and we moved to the US in 1991. 

Had Guru Gobind Singh not protected Bhai Nandlal from the Mughals, our family would literally not exist. So my existence is a grace of Guru Gobind Singh. My life, literally, is Gur Prasad. 

- Shivpreet [December, 2017]

Marham-e-Har Ranj Guru Gobind Singh - 01/08/2022


NOTE: To see lyrics and translation on the video, turn CC on (Captions on).

For this year's recording of the shabad, I focused on one verse that I have never sung, and I found very apt for the times we are living in: 

Khaazan-e-har Ganj Guru Gobind Singh
Marham-e-har Ranj Guru Gobind Singh

The treasurer of every treasure is Guru Gobind Singh
The balm for every ailment is Guru Gobind Singh

Khaazan means treasurer, khazaanchi. Ganj is a treasure.  For instance Bhagat Farid is called Ganj-e-shakar - the treasure of sweetness. Marham means ointment/cure and Ranj means ailment.  So the guru is the keeper of all treasures and the cure for all ailments.  

I am always amazed at all these lines. Each line is a treasure by itself and Bhai Nandlal says so much in so few words, the economy is comparable to the best succint poetry i have ever found: Emily Dickinson and Guru Nanak (especially in describing Lahore Shehar). 

Lyrics and Translation


Naasr-o Mansoor Guru Gobind Singh,
Eezad-i Manzoor Guru Gobind Singh.

Victorious and comforting is Guru Gobind Singh
Accepted by God is Guru Gobind Singh

Haq Ra Ganjoor Guru Gobind Singh,
Jumla faiz-o Noor Guru Gobind Singh.

Keeper of Divine Treasure is Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the bestower of all gifts and blessings)

Haq Haq Aagaah Guru Gobind Singh,
Shah Shahanshah Guru Gobind Singh.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is always aware of the ways of God
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the emperor of emperors

Haq Haq Aagaah Guru Gobind Singh,
Shah Shahanshah Guru Gobind Singh.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is always aware of the ways of God)
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the emperor of emperors

Bar do Aalam Shah Guru Gobind Singh
Khasam Ra Jaa Kaah Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Gobind Singh rules over both the worlds;
he is the destroyer of the enemies.

Khaazan-e-har Ganj Guru Gobind Singh
Marham-e-har Ranj Guru Gobind Singh

The treasurer of every treasure is Guru Gobind Singh
The balm for every sorrow is Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Gobind Singh - 12/24/2017

Happy Gurpurab everyone!!!  Today we remember the emperor of emperors, Guru Gobind Singh.  Last week, I sang the first few lines and the last few lines of Guru Gobind Singh's poet laureate Bhai Nandlal. Here is a video of the practice we did at home. Accompanying me on the guitar is my dear friend Janapriyan Levine (http://www.janapriyan.com). Enjoy and share it with your hearts, friends and family ...



I have been singing this poem for many years but this year I focused on the last few lines of the poem.  While most of the poem describes the amazing nature of Guru Gobind Singh, it is the last few lines which give us a glimpse into what gursikhi was during the guru's time.  These last few lines are rarely sung - they describe the utmost humility of Bhai Nandlal. If I were to prosify his beautiful poetic lines, the gist is:
My soul is branded "Guru Gobind Singh;" I am the slave dog of Guru Gobind Singh ... nay, I am lower than his dogs; if I were to partake the leftovers of his dogs, I would be fortunate. The only hope I have now is that when my life is sacrificed for the Guru, let my head be on his feet.
- Shivpreet (December 24, 2017)


First few verses -


Naasr-o Mansoor Guru Gobind Singh,
Eezad-i Manzoor Guru Gobind Singh.

Victorious and comforting is Guru Gobind Singh
Accepted by God is Guru Gobind Singh

Haq Ra Ganjoor Guru Gobind Singh,
Jumla faiz-o Noor Guru Gobind Singh.

Keeper of Divine Treasure is Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the bestower of all gifts and blessings)

Haq Haq Aagaah Guru Gobind Singh,
Shah Shahanshah Guru Gobind Singh.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is always aware of the ways of God
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the emperor of emperors

Haq Haq Aagaah Guru Gobind Singh,
Shah Shahanshah Guru Gobind Singh.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is always aware of the ways of God)
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the emperor of emperors

Bar do Aalam Shah Guru Gobind Singh
Khasam Ra Jaa Kaah Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Gobind Singh rules over both the worlds;
he is the destroyer of the enemies.

Last few verses:

Laal sag ghulaam Guru Gobind Singh
Daagdaar Naam Guru Gobind Singh

Nand laal is the slave dog of Guru Gobind Singh; 
he carries the stamp of Guru Gobind Singh on him.

Kamtareen z sagaan Guru Gobind Singh
Rezaa Cheen-e-Khaan Guru Gobind Singh

Nand Lal is lower than all the dogs of Guru Gobind Singh; 
he (pecks) at the left overs of their dinner.

Saa-el az inaam Guru Gobind Singh
Khaak-e-paak iqdaam Guru Gobind Singh

Nand Lal is begging to get the gift 
of holy dust of Guru Gobind Singh’s footsteps.

Baad Jaanas fidaaye Guru Gobind Singh
Farq-o-bar Paaye Guru Gobind Singh

His (Nand Lal’s) life may be sacrificed for Guru Gobind Singh 
Nand Lal’s head may always remain at his feet.


The Complete Poem from Ganjnama - Nasar-o-mansoor Guru Gobind Singh

Nasar-O Mansoor Guru Gobind Singh
Eezad-I Manzoor Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is Victorious And Assists Us To Succeed In Life; He Is Accepted By God As His Own.

Haq Ra Ganjoor Guru Gobind Singh
Jumla Faiz-O Noor Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is The Custodian Of God’s Treasure; He Is The Bestower Of All The Gifts.

Haq Haq Aagaah Guru Gobind Singh
Shahe Shahan Shah Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Knows The Ways Of God; He Is The Emperor Of Emperors.

Bar Do Alam Shah Guru Gobind Singh
Khasam Ra Jan Kah Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Rules Over Both The Worlds; He Is The Destroyer Of The Enemies.

Faa-Ez Al-Anwaar Guru Gobind Singh
Kashif Al-Asraar Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Illuminates Our Lives With Abundance; He Reveals Secrets Of God.

Aalim Al-Astaar Guru Gobind Singh
Abr-E Rehmat Baar Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is Aware Of The Secrets Of The World; He Showers His Unlimited Mercies.

Muqbal-O Maqbool Guru Gobind Singh
Waasil-O Mausool Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is The Favourite Of Waheguru; He Is With Him All The Time

Jaan Firoz-E Dahar Guru Gobind Singh
Faiz-E Haq Ra Bahr Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Bestows Life In This World; He Is The Sea Of Waheguru’s Blessings

Haq Ra Mehboob Guru Gobind Singh
Talib-O Matloob Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is Loved By God; He Is The Seeker As Well As The Sought.

Teg Ra Fattah Guru Gobind Singh
Jan-O Dil Ra Rah Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Achieved Victories With His Sword; He Knows The Secret Of Every Heart.

Sahib-E Ikleel Guru Gobind Singh
Zill-E Haq Tazleel Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Wears The Crown Of The World; He Lives In The Shadow Of Waheguru.

Khaazan-E Har Ganj Guru Gobind Singh
Marham-E Har Ranj Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Controls All The Treasures Of The World; He Is The Medicine Of All Ailments.

Daawar-E Aafaaq Guru Gobind Singh
Dar Do Aalam Taaq Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is The Master Of The World; Both The Worlds Are Under His Shelter.

Haq Khud Wasaaf Guru Gobind Singh
Bartareen Ausaaf Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is Praised By God Himself; He Is Bestowed With Highest Qualities.

Khaasgan Dar Paa-E Guru Gobind Singh
Qudsi-Aan Baar-Aae Guru Gobind Singh
Great Men Are At The Feet Of Guru Gobind Singh; The Angels Visit Him For Audience.

Muqbal-Aan Maddah Guru Gobind Singh
Jaan-O Dil Ra Rah Guru Gobind Singh
The Fortunate Ones Admire Guru Gobind Singh; He Knows Every Thing In Our Hearts.

Laa-Makaan Paabos Guru Gobind Singh
Bar Do Aalam Kos Guru Gobind Singh
The Poor Kiss The Feet Of Guru Gobind Singh; The Drum Of His Authority Sounds In Both The Worlds.

Suls-Ham Mahkoom Guru Gobind Singh
Rubeh Ham Makhtoom Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Rules Over The Three Worlds; He Has The Stamp Of His Authority On The Four Vedas.

Suds Halqeh B-Gosh Guru Gobind Singh
Dushman Afgan Josh Guru Gobind Singh
The Six Shastras Are His Slaves; He Always Defeats The Enemy.

Khalas-O Be-Keeneh Guru Gobind Singh
Haq Haq Ainaa Guru Gobind Singh
Pure At Heart, Guru Gobind Singh Is Free From Ill Will; He Is The Mirror Through Whom God Reveals Himself.

Haq Haq Andesh Guru Gobind Singh
Badshah Darvesh Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Meditates On God; He Is A Mystic And A King At The Same Time.

Makram Al-Fazaal Guru Gobind Singh
Mun-Im Al-Mut-Aal Guru Gobind Singh

Kaaram Al-Kiram Guru Gobind Singh
Raaham Al-Rahaam Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is Most Generous And Forgiver.

Naa-Em Al-Mun-Aam Guru Gobind Singh
Faham Al-Fahaam Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Blesses Even The Benevolent; He Bestows Gifts Even To Those Who Give.

Daa-Im-O Paa-Inda Guru Gobind Singh
Farakh-O Farkhundeh Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is Eternal; He Is Auspicious For All.

Faiz-E Sub-Haan Zaat Guru Gobind Singh
Noor Haq Lam-Aat Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is Essence Of God’s Blessings; God Himself Radiates Through Him.

Samiaan-E Naam Guru Gobind Singh
Haq Been Z In-Aam Guru Gobind Singh
Those Who Have Listened To The Name Of Guru Gobind Singh Have Received The Gift Of Seeing God Himself.

Waasif-Aan-E Zaat Guru Gobind Singh
Wasil Az Barkaat Guru Gobind Singh
Those Who Sang The Praises Of Guru Gobind Singh Were United With God.

Raaqmaane Wasf Guru Gobind Singh
Naamwar Az Lutf Guru Gobind Singh
Those Who Wrote In Praise Of Guru Gobind Singh Received Fame The World Over With His Grace.

Naazran-E Roo-E Guru Gobind Singh
Mast Haq Dar Koo-E Guru Gobind Singh
Those Who Had Seen The Face Of Guru Gobind Singh Moved In His Lanes Intoxicated With God’s Name.

Khaak Bos-E Paa-E Guru Gobind Singh
Muqbal Az Aalaa-E Guru Gobind Singh
Those Who Kissed The Dust Under The Feet Of Guru Gobind Singh Were Fortunate And Were Elevated In Life.

Qadir-E Har Kar Guru Gobind Singh
Be-Kasaan Ra Yaar Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is The Doer Of All That Is Happening In This World, He Is Friend Of The Poor.

Saajid-O Masjood Guru Gobind Singh
Jumleh Faiz-O Jood Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Worships (God); He Is Also Worshipped (By The Whole Creation).He Is Generous With All The Bounties He Gives.

Sarwraan Ra Taj Guru Gobind Singh
Bartareen Mi-Araj Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is The Chief Of All The Kings; He Occupies The Loftiest Position.

Ashar Qudsi Ram Guru Gobind Singh
Wasif-E Ikram Guru Gobind Singh
The Ten (Greek) Gods Are Under The Command Of Guru Gobind Singh And They Sing His Praises In Reverence.

Um Qudas B-Kar Guru Gobind Singh
Gaashia Bardaar Guru Gobind Singh
The Sacred Goddesses Of The World Are Also Working For Guru Gobind Singh And They Are His Servants.

Qadr-O Qudrat Peish Guru Gobind Singh
Inkiyaad Andesh Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Controls Our Destinies; Still He Meditates On God In Submission.

Tisya Ulvi Khaak Guru Gobind Singh
Chaakar-E Chalaak Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is Above The Highest Thrones; He Moves In The Heavens.

Bartar Az Har Qadr Guru Gobind Singh
Jaawdani Sadr Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is Supreme In All Virtues; He Is Eternal And Above Everyone Else.

Aalam-E Raushan Z Guru Gobind Singh
Jaan-O Dil Gulshan Z Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Gives Light To The World; Our Hearts And Souls Blossom Because Of Him.

Roz Afzoon Jaah Guru Gobind Singh
Zeb Takht-O Gaah Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh’s Stature Is Increasing Every Day; He Is The Beauty Of All Thrones.

Murshid Al-Daareen Guru Gobind Singh
Beenash-E Har Ein Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is Our Guide In Both The Worlds; He Is The Sight Of Every Eye.

Jumla Dar Furmaan Guru Gobind Singh
Bartar Aamad Shaan Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Commands The Whole Creation; He Is Supreme In Stature.

Har Do Aalam Kheil Guru Gobind Singh
Jumla Andar Zeil Guru Gobind Singh
Both The Worlds Are The Army Of Guru Gobind Singh; All Are Under His Protection.

Waahab Al-Wahaab Guru Gobind Singh
Faateh Har Baab Guru Gobind Singh
The Most Generous Guru Gobind Singh Is The Conqueror Of Every Battle.

Shaamil Al-Ashfaaq Guru Gobind Singh
Kaamil Al-Akhlaaq Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh’s Blessings Are Unending; He Is Virtue Personified.

Rooh Dar Har Jism Guru Gobind Singh
Noor Dar Har Chashm Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Is The Soul Of Every One; He Is The Light Of Every Eye.

Jumla Rozi Khwaar Guru Gobind Singh
Feiz-E Haq Amtaar Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Provides Sustenance To All; He Showers His Graces.

Bist-O Haft Gadaa-E Guru Gobind Singh
Khaak Rob Saraa-E Guru Gobind Singh
The Twenty-Seven Gods Are The Beggars Of Guru Gobind Singh; They Are Engaged In Sweeping His House.

Khams Wasf Pei-Raa-E Guru Gobind Singh
Haft Ham Sheidaa-E Guru Gobind Singh
The Five Elements Praise Guru Gobind Singh; The Seven Worlds Admire Him.

Bar Do Aalam Dast Guru Gobind Singh
Jumla Ulvi Past Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Has His Hand On Both The Worlds; All The Angels Are Inferior

Lal Sag Gulaam Guru Gobind Singh
Daad-Daar-E Naam Guru Gobind Singh
Nand Lal Is The Slave Dog Of Guru Gobind Singh; He Carries The Stamp Of Guru Gobind Singh On Him.

Kamtareen Z Sgaan Guru Gobind Singh
Rezaa Cheen-E Khaan Guru Gobind Singh
Nand Lal Is Lower Than All The Dogs Of Guru Gobind Singh; He (Pecks) At The Left Overs Of His Dinner Table.

Saa-El Az In-Aam Guru Gobind Singh
Khaak-E Paak Iqdaam Guru Gobind Singh
Nand Lal Is Begging To Get The Gift Of Holy Dust Of Guru Gobind Singh’s Feet.

Baad Jaanash Fidaa-E Guru Gobind Singh
Farq-O Bar Paa-E Guru Gobind Singh
His (Nand Lal’s) Life May Be Sacrificed For Guru Gobind Singh And Nand Lal’s Head May Always Remain At His Feet.

For detailed meanings and urdu script: Ganjnama - Bhai Nandlal (PDF)

Alternate Translation by Harbhajan Singh

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the helper of others
Guru Gobind Singh Ji has the help of God(105)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the treasurer of God
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is bestower of merciful gifts (106)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji knows God well
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the emperor of emperors (107)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the king of both worlds
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the warrior who gives life to enemies (108)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the giver of great gifts
Guru Gobind Singh Ji tells the secrets of God (109)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji puts a veil over everyone's sins
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is a cloud of mercy (110)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is accepted out of the accepted
Guru Gobind Singh Ji has reached God (111)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is a river of divine knowledge
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is a sea of God's gifts (112)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is beloved of God
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is a lover of God (113)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is an expert with the sword
Guru Gobind Singh Ji knows the secrets of every heart (114)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the master of the crown
Guru Gobind Singh Ji has God's shade over Him (115)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the treasurer of all God's treasures
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the cure for all pain (116)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the master of the world
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is unequalled in both worlds (117)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is praised by God Himself
Guru Gobind Singh Ji has many great virtues (118)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji has very important people falling at His feet
Guru Gobind Singh Ji gives instruction to even demi-gods (119)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is praised by accepted ones
Guru Gobind Singh Ji knows what is in everyone's heart (120)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji's feet are kissed by the heavens
Guru Gobind Singh Ji's drum sounds in both worlds (121)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji has the three loks(worlds) under Him
Guru Gobind Singh Ji has the stamp of His command all over the world (122)

Sudas is the servant of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Guru Gobind Singh Ji slows down the zealous energy of enemies (123)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is holy and free from enemity
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is a mirror who shows the true God (124)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji understands the true God
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is a king and a saint as-well (125)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is kind, merciful and wise
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the giver who gives great gifts (126)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the giver of givers
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the merciful of merciful (127)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji kindly gives gifts to those who give
Guru Gobind Singh Ji gives to beneficient people (128)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is forever sound and steady
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is beautiful and blessed (129)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is blessed by God
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is a wonder of the timeless being's light (130)

Those who've listened to the name of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Have seen God with the grace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (131)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is a picture of virtues
Guru Gobind Singh Ji has become one with supernatural powers (132)

Those who've sung the praises of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Have been kindly blessed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji (133)

Those who have had a sight of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Have become intoxicated in the passage of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (134)

Those who have kissed the dust of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's feet
Have been kindly blesed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji (135)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the doer of all actions
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the helper of the weak (136)

Everyone does homage to Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the embodiment of all kindness (137)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the chief all leaders
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the highest of the high (138)

Great demi-gods are servants of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
They sing the praises of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (139)

Eminent goddesses are under the order of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
They are the servants of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (140)

Nature has the utmost respect for Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the servant of God (141)

The nine cosmos (khand) are the dust of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's feet
They are the wise servants of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (142)

The highest throne is beneath Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Guru Gobind Singh Ji has God's court within His reach (143)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is excellent in all virtues
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the permanent leader (144)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji gives light to the world
All bodies and souls have blossomed from Guru Gobind Singh Ji (145)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji's advancement is improving two-fold every day
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the beauty of all king's thrones (146)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the helper in both worlds
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the sight of every eye (147)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji has the whole creation in His command
Guru Gobind Singh Ji's praise is the highest of all (148)

Both worlds are the army of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Everyone is in the protection of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (149)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the giver of givers
Guru Gobind Singh Ji achieves victory everywhere (150)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is of excellent conduct
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the soul in every body (151)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is very loving and affectionate
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the light in every eye (152)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the giver of daily food to everyone
Guru Gobind Singh Ji showers the grace of God (153)

Even the stars are the beggars of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
They are the servants of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's darbar (154)

The five elements praise Guru Gobind Singh Ji
The seven spiritual guides are a sacrifice unto Guru Gobind Singh Ji (155)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji has His hand on both worlds
Guru Gobind Singh Ji owns everything high and low (156)

Nand Lal is the slave-dog of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Nand Lal is aiming for the name of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (157)

I am lower than the dogs of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
I peck the small pieces in the dishes of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (158)

I am a beggar of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
For the holy dust of the feet of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (159)

May my life be a sacrifice unto Guru Gobind Singh Ji
And may my head stay at the feet of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (160)

I was listening and meditating upon this beautiful ghazal by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, beautifully composed by Mehdi Hassan. It is one of my favorite ghazals of Mehndi Hassan which I first heard in a ghazal baithak at my uncle's home in the late 80s.  

People used to asked Mehdi Hassan, ‘Mehdi bhai, please sing the badalo bahar ghazal for us.’ He used to tell them it is "bad-e-naubahar" to which they would reply, ‘We don’t understand it but it is really good’. Here is an attempt to expand the aura of this beautiful ghazal by providing a better understanding of it through multiple translations. 

"Gulon Main Rang Bhare" is a love poem, in which the poet expresses his feelings of longing and desire for his beloved. The first couplet is arguably the most beautiful. The poet starts with a request: "Colors are filling the flowers, the spring breeze blows the atmosphere. O love, why don't you come so the business of the garden can continue?". Love is not a business, it is not an occupation. But the poet is preoccupied with his love. The color filling the flowers, and the spring breeze blowing gently is beautiful - but it seems empty without the love.  So, the poet requests the love to come so spring can be spring, and flowers can be flowers. 

Lyrics and three translations are given below. I love the one by Mustansir Dalvi the best.  It is truly compact and innovative. 

Lyrics of Gulon Mein Rang Bhare


The following lyrics include all the seven couplets of the ghazal.  The 6th couplet was usually not sung by Mehndi Hassan; one of the translations does not include it.  

gulon mein rang bhare, baad-e-naubahaar chale
chale bhi aao ki gulshan kaa karobaar chale 

qaffas udaas hai yaro, sabaa se kuchh to kaho
kahin to bahr-e-Khudaa aaj zikr-e-yaar chale 

kabhi to subh tere kunj-e-lab se ho aagaaz
kabhi to shab sar-e-kaakul se mushkabaar chale 

bada hai dard ka rishtaa, ye dil garib sahi
tumhaare naam pe aayenge gam gusaar chale 

jo ham pe guzari so guzari magar shab-e-hijraa
hamaare ashk teri aaqabat sanawaar chale 

huzoor-e-yaar hui daftar-e-junoon ki talab
girah mein leke garebaan kaa taar taar chale 

maqaam ‘Faiz’ koii raah mein jachaa hii nahiin
jo kuu-e-yaar se nikale to suu-e-daar chale 


Gulon Main Rang Bhare Translated by Mustansir Dalvi


Like the new breeze of spring
that grants blossoms their hue,
come forth love, grant the garden
leave to go about its business.

This birdcage is forlorn.
Call upon the gentle wind, friends
to petition the Lord, if it will,
to speak of my beloved.

Let the dawn, for once, arrive
through the archway of your lips.
Let the dusk spread its perfume
like musk from your tresses.

This impoverished heart
is privileged to suffer
and, hearing your name,
to swell, leaving comfort behind.

What is done is done
but, sundering night,
know that your passing
is adorned with our tears.

So insatiable is my vehemence
to be in your presence, my love,
I bunch up my shirt in a knot
and rip its collar to shreds.

No destination along the way
has any appeal for Faiz,
a step away from his beloved’s street
is a giant leap to the gallows pole.

Translation of Gulon Mein Rang Bhare with Vocabulary


1. Gulon mein rang bhare baad-e-naubahaar* chale
Chale bhi aao ke gulshan** ka kaarobaar chale

गुलों मे रंग भरे, बाद-ए-नौबहार चले
चले भी आओ कि गुलशन का कारोबार चले

Let the breeze of a new spring, flow and Fill the flowers with colours
Please do come so that the garden can get on with its daily business

Gul गुल گل = flower

shammaa parvaanaa hon ke Gunchaa o gul
zindagii kis ko raas aa.ii hai #Shakeel badayuni

baad-e-naubahaar बाद-ए-नौ-बहार
بادِ نوبہار =breeze of new spring
Baad= here it means breeze , wind, air but also means afterwards , subsequent )
Gulshan , गुलशन
گلشن = garden/ rose garden

ai nau-bahaar-e-naaz terii nikhaton* kii KHair (*khushbu)
daaman jhaTak ke nikle tere gulsitaan se ham #Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi

Kaarobaar ,कारोबार , کاروبار = business, affair, kaamkaaj
kaarobaar-e-jahaan sanvarte hain
hosh jab be-KHudii* se miltaa hai Jigar Moradabadi ( Being besides Oneself, Intoxication, Rapture, Senseless)

2. Qafas* udaas hai yaaron sabaa** se kuchh tau kaho
Kahin to bahr-e-Khuda*** aaj zikr-e-yaar chale

कफ़स उदास है यारों सबा से कुछ तो कहो
कहीं तो बह्र-ए-खुदा आज ज़िक्र-ए-यार चले

The prison is sad, friends ask the breeze to say something
At least somewhere for God’s sake, let there be discussion of the beloved

Qafas क़फ़स قفس = cage, prison ( emphasis on ‘f’)

qafas mein jii nahiin lagtaa kisii tarah
lagaa do aag koii aashiyaan men #Altaf Hussain Hali

Sabaa सबा صبا = a gentle breeze

KHush-buu pighalte lamhon kii saanson mein kho gaii
KHush-buu kii vaadiyon mein sabaa le gaii mujhe
#Iffat Zarrin

Bahr e Khuda बहर-ए-ख़ुदा بہر خدا = khuda ke liye, for God’s sake
zikr-e-yaar ज़िक्र-ए-यार ذکرِ یار = mehboob ki baatein , mention of the beloved

maahaul saaz-gaar karo main nashe mein huun//
zikr-e-nigaah-e-yaar karo main nashe mein huun
Ganesh Bihari ‘tarz’

3. kabhi tau subah tere kunj-e-lab* se ho aaghaz**
Kabhi to shab sar-e-kaakul se mushakbaar *** chale

कभी तो सुब्ह तेरे कुन्ज-ए-लब से हो आगाज़
कभी तो शब् सर-ए-काकुल से मुश्कबार चले

At least once let the morning start from the corner of your lips ( a gentle morning kiss/touch)
At least once let the night be filled with the musky smell of your tresses

Kunj e lab कुन्ज -ए-लब کنج لب = kunj=corner. Lab =lips here it refers to a smile or a touch/ kiss
سرِ کاکل Sar e kakul सर-ए-काकुल = tresses
आग़ाज़ AaGaaz beginning, commencement,start, genesis

Ibtidaa* ishq kii hai dekh ‘amaanat’ hushyaar
ye vo aaGaaz** hai jis kaa ko.ii anjaam nahii.n (both mean beginning, start, commencement but aaghaaz also used for genesis #Amaanat Lukhnavi

Aaghaaz karna= Commence, Start
Aaghaaz hona= start
Din ka aaghaaz = start of day
Mushk-baar मुश्क-बार مشکبار = scented like musk

kah sabaa vo khulii hai zulf kahaa.n
tujh me.n buu mushk-naab* kii sii hai ( smell of pure, unadulterated musk )
#Sher Mohd Imaan

4. Jo hum pe guzri so guzri magar shab-e-hijraan*
Hamaare ashk** teri aaqibat*** sanwaar chale

जो हम पे गुज़री सो गुज़री मगर शब्-ए-हिजरां
हमारे अश्क तेरी आक़िबत संवार चले

Whatever befell me, I endured but at least on the night of separation
My tears adorned your future

Guzri — ‘z’ not ‘j’
Shab e hijraan शब-ए- हिजरां شبِ ہجراں = the night of separation ( shab = night| hijr = separation)
Ashk अश्क اشک ( k not q ) = aansoo, tears
Aaqibat आक़िबत عاقبت = the end, conclusion , future life
And aaqabat (conclusion, future, future life, life after death, other world),
http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definition/conclusion
future 2) other world 3) life after death 4) conclusion

5. huzuur-e-yaar huyii daftar-e-junuun* kii talab
girah men le ke girebaan kaa taar taar chale

हुज़ूर-ए-यार हुई दफ़्तर-ए-जुनूँकी तलब
गिरह मे लेके गरेबां के तार-तार चले

The beloved has summoned me to her court with my documents of infatuation
I have only my torn to tatters collar, which I take tied in a knot

Daftar e junuun دفتر جنوں = literally multitude of frenzy/ but here documentation of infatuation

Roz-e-hisaab jab mera pesh ho daftar-e-amal
Aap bhi sharmsaar ho, mujh ko bhi sharmsaar kar #Iqbal

daftar didn’t originally mean office .It was a colloquial term 4 file/folder The clerk looking after them in govt offices was called daftari, a Class IV position in govt offices.

girah गिरह گرہ = here it means a knot, but is also used for one-sixteenth of gaz(yard)
the famous song “dil ki girah khol do, chup na baitho koi geet gao”.
girebaan गरेबां گریبان = literally means the collar,the opening of breast portion of a garment
apne girebaan mein jhank kar dekho = self introspection
chaak-e-garebaan = collar torn to bits in amorous frenzy.
Girebaan-geer= adj.: accuser, one catching by neck or collar, plaintiff

aashiq hain magar ishq numaayaa’n nahiin rakhte
ham dil kii tarah chaak girebaan nahiin rakhte Bekhud dehalvi

kaanTon ko bhii ab baad-e-sabaa chheD rahii hai
phuulon ke hasiin chaak girebaan se guzar ke #Ali Jawwad Zaidi

6. Maqaam* Faiz koi raah mein jacha** hi nahin
Jo ku e yaar*** se nikle to su e daar**** chale

मक़ाम फैज़ कोई राह मे जचा ही नही
जो कू-ए-यार से निकले तो सू-ए-दार चले

No place attracted Faiz, en-route
After leaving the Beloved’s lane he headed for the gallows

Maqaam मक़ाम مقام = dwelling,occasion,place,position ( here place)
جچا जचा jacha = liked
Kuu e yaar कू-ए-यार کوئے یار = yaar ki gali , lover’s street

kitnaa hai bad-nasiib ‘zafar’ dafn ke liye
do gaz zamiin bhii na milii kuu-e-yaar me.n

yaaro kuu-e-yaar kii baate’n kare’n
phir gul o gul-zaar kii baate’n kare’n
Akhtar Shiraani

Suu e daar सू-ए-दार سُوئے دار = towards the gallows ( suu-e = towards / suu = evil, bad |
daar = gallows as here but also means house ,place )

ham na iisaa na Sarmad* o Mansur(name of a Sufi saint who was hanged for saying “I am God”)
log kyuu.n suu-e-daar le ke chale (* hanged for heresy by Aurangzeb) #Naushad Ali


Another Translation of Gulon Mein Rang Bhare


gulon mein rang bhare, baad-e-naubahaar chale
chale bhi aao ki gulshan kaa karobaar chale 

The flowers need to flush with color,
The winds need to blow in the change,
Love, would waft in like the spring?
The flowers, they need to bloom again.

qaffas udaas hai yaro, sabaa se kuchh to kaho
kahin to bahr-e-Khudaa aaj zikr-e-yaar chale 

The cage around us is still, and silent,
Please, speak of kindness into the breeze
For god’s sake, fill the quiet around us,
With beautiful descriptions of my lover.

kabhi to subh tere kunj-e-lab se ho aagaaz
kabhi to shab sar-e-kaakul se mushkabaar chale 

Someday, somewhere, my day will start
From the corner of your smiling lips,
Someday, somewhere, my day will end
With the heady perfume of your hair.

bada hai dard ka rishtaa, ye dil garib sahi
tumhaare naam pe aayenge gam gusaar chale 

The bond that pain forges is strong,
Though we, alone, have broken, weak hearts,
But we will wait, in anticipation of you,
Your call pulling us through the haze.

jo ham pe guzari so guzari magar shab-e-hijraa
hamaare ashk teri aaqabat sanawaar chale 

What we have felt, and we have borne,
Will end as this evening of separation will,
Maybe my tears will drip on your soul,
And washed it clean for your next life.

huzoor-e-yaar hui daftar-e-junoon ki talab
girah mein leke garebaan kaa taar taar chale 

We welcomed them as friends, but their
Greed was a vast, unquencing thirst,
And they tied us up, preparing our bodies
For how they carved us out into pieces.

maqaam ‘Faiz’ koii raah mein jachaa hii nahiin
jo kuu-e-yaar se nikale to suu-e-daar chale 

Unfortunately, Faiz could not find any
Solace in this exiled wanderings, home
Was nowhere to be found, nor love, and
So, I chose to find death at the gallows.


Yesterday, we lost an amazing kirtaniya, Prof. Kartar Singh ji who passed away at the age of 94 years. 

He was recently handed over the Padma Shri award by the Ludhiana DC in the hospital.

Professor Sahib leaves an amazing treasure of music for us, through which he will always live among us.  While I have enjoyed a lot of his compositions, I especially like two of his Basant compositions. Both these were sung live in Harimandir Sahib. Both are the traditional Shudha Basant which is different from the more popular purvi basant which is often sung by Hindustani classical musicians. 

Raga Basant is a Hindustani classical music raga that is associated with the season of spring and is typically performed in the evening. During the spring season it can also be sung at any time. It is also associated with the Hindu festival of Vasant Panchami, which marks the arrival of spring. The raga is often used to convey feelings of joy, happiness, new beginnings and celebration.

Nahi Chhodo Re Baba Raam Naam (Bhagat Kabir)




ਪ੍ਰਹਲਾਦ ਪਠਾਏ ਪੜਨ ਸਾਲ ॥
प्रहलाद पठाए पड़न साल ॥
Parahlāḏ paṯẖāe paṛan sāl.
Prahlaad was sent to school.

ਸੰਗਿ ਸਖਾ ਬਹੁ ਲੀਏ ਬਾਲ ॥
संगि सखा बहु लीए बाल ॥
Sang sakẖā baho līe bāl.
He took many of his friends along with him.

ਮੋ ਕਉ ਕਹਾ ਪੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਵਸਿ ਆਲ ਜਾਲ ॥
मो कउ कहा पड़्हावसि आल जाल ॥
Mo kao kahā paṛĥāvas āl jāl.
He asked his teacher, "Why do you teach me about worldly affairs?

ਮੇਰੀ ਪਟੀਆ ਲਿਖਿ ਦੇਹੁ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੋੁਪਾਲ ॥੧॥
मेरी पटीआ लिखि देहु स्री गोपाल ॥१॥
Merī patīā likẖ ḏeh sarī gopāl. ||1||
Write the Name of the Dear Lord on my tablet."||1||

ਨਹੀ ਛੋਡਉ ਰੇ ਬਾਬਾ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ॥
नही छोडउ रे बाबा राम नाम ॥
Nahī cẖẖodao re bābā rām nām.
O Baba, I will not forsake the Name of the Lord.

ਮੇਰੋ ਅਉਰ ਪੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਨ ਸਿਉ ਨਹੀ ਕਾਮੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
मेरो अउर पड़्हन सिउ नही कामु ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Mero aor paṛĥan sio nahī kām. ||1|| rahāo.
I will not bother with any other lessons. ||1||Pause||

ਸੰਡੈ ਮਰਕੈ ਕਹਿਓ ਜਾਇ ॥
संडै मरकै कहिओ जाइ ॥
Sandai markai kahio jāe.
Sanda and Marka went to the king to complain.

ਪ੍ਰਹਲਾਦ ਬੁਲਾਏ ਬੇਗਿ ਧਾਇ ॥
प्रहलाद बुलाए बेगि धाइ ॥
Parahlāḏ bulāe beg ḏẖāe.
He sent for Prahlaad to come at once.

ਤੂ ਰਾਮ ਕਹਨ ਕੀ ਛੋਡੁ ਬਾਨਿ ॥
तू राम कहन की छोडु बानि ॥
Ŧū rām kahan kī cẖẖod bān.
He said to him, "Stop uttering the Lord's Name.

ਤੁਝੁ ਤੁਰਤੁ ਛਡਾਊ ਮੇਰੋ ਕਹਿਓ ਮਾਨਿ ॥੨॥
तुझु तुरतु छडाऊ मेरो कहिओ मानि ॥२॥
Ŧujẖ ṯuraṯ cẖẖadāū mero kahio mān. ||2||
I shall release you at once, if you obey my words."||2||

ਮੋ ਕਉ ਕਹਾ ਸਤਾਵਹੁ ਬਾਰ ਬਾਰ ॥
मो कउ कहा सतावहु बार बार ॥
Mo kao kahā saṯāvahu bār bār.
Prahlaad answered, "Why do you annoy me, over and over again?

ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਜਲ ਥਲ ਗਿਰਿ ਕੀਏ ਪਹਾਰ ॥
प्रभि जल थल गिरि कीए पहार ॥
Parabẖ jal thal gir kīe pahār.
God created the water, land, hills and mountains.

ਇਕੁ ਰਾਮੁ ਨ ਛੋਡਉ ਗੁਰਹਿ ਗਾਰਿ ॥
इकु रामु न छोडउ गुरहि गारि ॥
Ik rām na cẖẖodao gurėh gār.
I shall not forsake the One Lord; if I did, I would be going against my Guru.

ਮੋ ਕਉ ਘਾਲਿ ਜਾਰਿ ਭਾਵੈ ਮਾਰਿ ਡਾਰਿ ॥੩॥
मो कउ घालि जारि भावै मारि डारि ॥३॥
Mo kao gẖāl jār bẖāvai mār dār. ||3||
You might as well throw me into the fire and kill me."||3||

ਕਾਢਿ ਖੜਗੁ ਕੋਪਿਓ ਰਿਸਾਇ ॥
काढि खड़गु कोपिओ रिसाइ ॥
Kādẖ kẖaṛag kopio risāe.
The king became angry and drew his sword.

ਤੁਝ ਰਾਖਨਹਾਰੋ ਮੋਹਿ ਬਤਾਇ ॥
तुझ राखनहारो मोहि बताइ ॥
Ŧujẖ rākẖanhāro mohi baṯāe.
Show me your protector now!

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਥੰਭ ਤੇ ਨਿਕਸੇ ਕੈ ਬਿਸਥਾਰ ॥
प्रभ थ्मभ ते निकसे कै बिसथार ॥
Parabẖ thambẖ ṯe nikse kai bisthār.
So God emerged out of the pillar, and assumed a mighty form.

ਹਰਨਾਖਸੁ ਛੇਦਿਓ ਨਖ ਬਿਦਾਰ ॥੪॥
हरनाखसु छेदिओ नख बिदार ॥४॥
Harnākẖas cẖẖeḏio nakẖ biḏār. ||4||
He killed Harnaakhash, tearing him apart with his nails. ||4||

ਓਇ ਪਰਮ ਪੁਰਖ ਦੇਵਾਧਿ ਦੇਵ ॥
ओइ परम पुरख देवाधि देव ॥
Oe param purakẖ ḏevāḏẖ ḏev.
The Supreme Lord God, the Divinity of the divine,

ਭਗਤਿ ਹੇਤਿ ਨਰਸਿੰਘ ਭੇਵ ॥
भगति हेति नरसिंघ भेव ॥
Bẖagaṯ heṯ narsingẖ bẖev.
for the sake of His devotee, assumed the form of the man-lion.

ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਕੋ ਲਖੈ ਨ ਪਾਰ ॥
कहि कबीर को लखै न पार ॥
Kahi Kabīr ko lakẖai na pār.
Says Kabeer, no one can know the Lord's limits.

ਪ੍ਰਹਲਾਦ ਉਧਾਰੇ ਅਨਿਕ ਬਾਰ ॥੫॥੪॥
प्रहलाद उधारे अनिक बार ॥५॥४॥
Parahlāḏ uḏẖāre anik bār. ||5||4||
He saves His devotees like Prahlaad over and over again. ||5||4||

Kat Jayiye Re Ghar Lago Rang - Professor Kartar Singh



ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਜੀ ਘਰੁ ੧
रामानंद जी घरु १
Rāmānanḏ jī gẖar 1
Raamaanand Jee, First House:

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ੴ सतिगुर प्रसादि ॥
Ikoaʼnkār saṯgur parsāḏ.
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

ਕਤ ਜਾਈਐ ਰੇ ਘਰ ਲਾਗੋ ਰੰਗੁ ॥
कत जाईऐ रे घर लागो रंगु ॥
Kaṯ jāīai re gẖar lāgo rang.
Where should I go? My home is filled with bliss.

ਮੇਰਾ ਚਿਤੁ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਮਨੁ ਭਇਓ ਪੰਗੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
मेरा चितु न चलै मनु भइओ पंगु ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Merā cẖiṯ na cẖalai man bẖaio pang. ||1|| rahāo.
My consciousness does not go out wandering. My mind has become crippled. ||1||Pause||

ਏਕ ਦਿਵਸ ਮਨ ਭਈ ਉਮੰਗ ॥
एक दिवस मन भई उमंग ॥
Ėk ḏivas man bẖaī umang.
One day, a desire welled up in my mind.

ਘਸਿ ਚੰਦਨ ਚੋਆ ਬਹੁ ਸੁਗੰਧ ॥
घसि चंदन चोआ बहु सुगंध ॥
Gẖas cẖanḏan cẖoā baho suganḏẖ.
I ground up sandalwood, along with several fragrant oils.

ਪੂਜਨ ਚਾਲੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਠਾਇ ॥
पूजन चाली ब्रहम ठाइ ॥
Pūjan cẖālī barahm ṯẖāe.
I went to God's place, and worshipped Him there.

ਸੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਬਤਾਇਓ ਗੁਰ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਮਾਹਿ ॥੧॥
सो ब्रहमु बताइओ गुर मन ही माहि ॥१॥
So barahm baṯāio gur man hī māhi. ||1||
That God showed me the Guru, within my own mind. ||1||

ਜਹਾ ਜਾਈਐ ਤਹ ਜਲ ਪਖਾਨ ॥
जहा जाईऐ तह जल पखान ॥
Jahā jāīai ṯah jal pakẖān.
Wherever I go, I find water and stones.

ਤੂ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਸਮਾਨ ॥
तू पूरि रहिओ है सभ समान ॥
Ŧū pūr rahio hai sabẖ samān.
You are totally pervading and permeating in all.

ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਸਭ ਦੇਖੇ ਜੋਇ ॥
बेद पुरान सभ देखे जोइ ॥
Beḏ purān sabẖ ḏekẖe joe.
I have searched through all the Vedas and the Puraanas.

ਊਹਾਂ ਤਉ ਜਾਈਐ ਜਉ ਈਹਾਂ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥੨॥
ऊहां तउ जाईऐ जउ ईहां न होइ ॥२॥
Ūhāʼn ṯao jāīai jao īhāʼn na hoe. ||2||
I would go there, only if the Lord were not here. ||2||

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਮੈ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਤੋਰ ॥
सतिगुर मै बलिहारी तोर ॥
Saṯgur mai balihārī ṯor.
I am a sacrifice to You, O my True Guru.

ਜਿਨਿ ਸਕਲ ਬਿਕਲ ਭ੍ਰਮ ਕਾਟੇ ਮੋਰ ॥
जिनि सकल बिकल भ्रम काटे मोर ॥
Jin sakal bikal bẖaram kāte mor.
You have cut through all my confusion and doubt.

ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਰਮਤ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ॥
रामानंद सुआमी रमत ब्रहम ॥
Rāmānanḏ suāmī ramaṯ barahm.
Raamaanand's Lord and Master is the All-pervading Lord God.

ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਾਟੈ ਕੋਟਿ ਕਰਮ ॥੩॥੧॥
गुर का सबदु काटै कोटि करम ॥३॥१॥
Gur kā sabaḏ kātai kot karam. ||3||1||
The Word of the Guru's Shabad eradicates the karma of millions of past actions. ||3||1||
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SHIVPREET SINGH

Singing oneness!
- Shivpreet Singh

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