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The
versatility of Guru Arjan Dev can be judged from the variety and scope of
the compositions, spread over almost 650 pages out of the total 1430 pages
of the Adi Granth.
There
is hardly a form that the poet has not exploited for his expression: be it
Chhants (lyrics), vars (odes or long disquisition
compositions), Padas (couplets), Chaupadas (quatrains) or
Ashtpadis (Octests). He has also adopted in quite a few of his writings
some of the patterns and conventions of Indian Poetics, such as Bawan
Akkhari (acrostics created round the fifty two letters of Sanskrit
alphabet); Bara-Maha (the twelve months of the year); Sat var
(days of the week); Thirteen (lunar dates) or Pahre hours of
the day and night) and Pauries (steps). The poetical genius of the
Guru-poet and his large output in the realm of musical thought calls for a
full-length study. |
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Sukhmani Sahib is a remarkable piece of work. "Sukhmani sukh amrit prabh nam, bhagat janan ke man bisram" (Sukhmani is the nectar of succour, it instils tranquillity in worshippers). At the birth of Guru Hargobind , Guru Arjan composed another hymn in Rag Asa: Satgur sachai diya bhej, Chir jeevan upjya sanjog .................................... jumya put bhagat Govind ka, Pragtiya sabh meh likhya dhur ka ................................................. Wadhi weil bauh pirhi chali, Dharam Kala Hari bandh bahali (Adi Granth, p. 396) Quite a few hymns refer to the fever and the virulent attack of small pox on the childhood Hargobind in his early childhood. Sookh mangal kalyan sahai dhan Prabh ke charan nihariya, Rakhan harai rakhiyo barik satguru taap utariya (Adi Granth, p. 619) The Guru exhorts his Sikhs to discard superstitious practices and beliefs and seek the sanctuary of the Creator in all ailments and sufferings. Mera satgur rakhwala hoya, Dhar kirpa prabh hath dey rakhiya Hargobind nawan niroya (Adi Granth, p. 620) The contemplation of the Lord, Guru Arjan Dev explains at the very outset, is the only key to bliss. It vanishes agony and anguish from the heart : Simrau simar simar sukh pawau, Kal Kales tann mahey mitawau (Adi Garnth, p. 262) The idea is stressed later to the effect that the Naam Divine is the unfailing remedy of all diseases. Sarab rog ka aukhad naam, Kalyan roop mangal gun gam (Adi Granth, p. 274) |
