Shabad Hazaray
Encyclopedia
Shabad Hazaray is the Bani of longing for the beloved. It was written by Guru Arjan when he was separated from Guru Ram Das
for a long period of time. During that period of separation he sent these three letters to his beloved Guru and Father. Reciting this shabad brings union of the beloved. The fourth shabad was added by Guru Arjan at the time of the union with Guru Ram Das
.
came to Amritsar
from Lahore
especially to ask Guru Sahib to attend his son's wedding. Guru Ji said, "I will not be able to go because I can't leave my duties here as Guru. Perhaps I can send one of my sons instead."
Guru Ram Das
Ji had three sons: Baba Prithi Chand or Prithia, Baba Mahadev and Arjan Mal. Prithia was in charge of collecting donations, of which he secretly took a portion for himself. When the Guru asked him to attend the wedding, Prithia said, "I have to take care of the collections. And I hate going to weddings."
Actually, he was afraid if he were away from the Guru for too long, he might not be appointed the Guru's successor. Having no luck with Prithia, Guru Ji then turned to Mahadev. Mahadev lived his life in meditation and said, "I have no desire to involve myself in worldly affairs."
Finally, Guru Sahib Ji asked Arjan if he would go. Arjan said, "I only desire to do what you wish." Guru Ji was very pleased. He asked Arjan to spend some time in Lahore to share the Guru's teachings with the Sikhs there. Any donations he received were to be given to the free kitchen to feed the poor. The last words he said to Arjan were, "You should stay in Lahore until I send for you by letter."
Arjan Mal stayed in Lahore
after the wedding and grew to be much loved by his relations and the Sikh
s there. Still, all the time he was there, his heart was with his father, Guru Ram Das
Ji. When he expressed his longing to his new friends, they suggested he write a letter asking that he be able to return. Arjan Mal wrote a beautiful shabad :
"My soul longs for the Guru like the pied-cuckoo longs for the rain of the monsoon. I am always a sacrifice unto the True Guru."
He sent this letter with one of the Sikhs who had come with him to Lahore
. When the messenger reached Amritsar
, Prithia saw him and suspected that he had a letter for the Guru from his brother. He said,"I will take the letter to the Guru myself." When he read the letter he knew that it was so beautiful that it would move the Guru's heart in Arjan's favor. So he hid the letter in his coat and sent the Sikh back to Arjan telling him that the Guru said he should stay in Lahore
until sent for. When Arjan received this message, he knew that Prithia, and not his father, had sent the message.
He then wrote a second letter with strict orders that it be given only to the Guru. In it, he wrote, "I love the sight of the Guru's face and the sound of his words, and it has been long since I have seen him. I am ever a sacrifice unto the True Guru." This time, Prithia grabbed the letter out of the messenger's hands, and grew more angry than before. Again, he hid the letter in his coat. He sent another message that Arjan was to remain in Lahore until sent for. When Arjan heard this from the messenger, he wrote a third letter, this time putting a number "3" on it. He told the messenger to be on his guard against Prithia and to give the letter to Guru Ram Das
Ji himself. The messenger waited until Prithia had to go home, and then quickly reached the Guru and gave him the letter.
In it, Arjan said, "Each second away from the Guru is like an age. I cannot sleep without a sight of the Guru. I am ever a sacrifice unto him." On this letter, the Guru saw the number "3", and knew instantly that he had not received the other two letters. The messenger related the story to him, and the Guru grew very angry. He called for Prithia and asked him three times if he knew anything about the other letters. Prithia denied it every time. The all knowing Guru knew his thoughts, and told the messenger to go get the coat in Prithia's house. When he returned with it, the two missing letters were in the pocket. The Guru charged Prithia with lying in front of the whole congregation, and laid bare his disobedience to the Guru.
At once, the Guru sent Bhai Buddha to Lahore
with a carriage to bring Arjan Mal home as soon as possible. When Arjan was finally united with his father, he placed his head on Guru Sahib Ji's chest against his long beard. He remained that way for many moments, while the Guru held him gently in his arms. The Guru then said that as he had written three stanzas, he should write a fourth to finish the poem. Arjan wrote the last verse saying, "It is my good fortune to have met the True Guru, and I have found the Immortal God in my own home. My greatest desire is to never be separated from him again, not even for an instant. I am ever a sacrifice to the True Guru."
Upon hearing this, the Guru was very pleased. He said, "The Guruship is passed on because of merit. As only the one who is most humble can claim it, I grant it to you." Guru Ji then sent for a coconut and five paisey and placed them before Arjan. He descended from his throne and seated Arjan upon it in front of the whole sangat. Bhai Buddha pressed the tilak on Arjan's forehead as a symbol that the light of Guru Ram Das
Ji had now passed to Arjan, who then became Guru Arjan Dev Ji the fifth Guru of the Sikhs.
My mind longs for meeting the Guru
(Guru Arjan Dev, not yet a Guru, expresses his desire to meet his father Guru Ram Das Ji).
It is anxious like the rain-bird
(Weaver-bird, Papiha: Papeehaa, Beehaa, or Bambeehaa It keeps eager to have a drop of rain at a special auspicious moment).
I am thirsty and have no peace without meeting the revered Saint (my Guru-Father). ||1||
I am a sacrifice (Love-lost, eager) for meeting the Saint (Guru-Father). ||1||Pause||
(Pause means wait, and contemplate on what has been said above).
Your face (Meeting you) is so impressive, and your speech is peace and joy giving.
(But) my Lord -Guru-Father, it has been long since that I met you. (I long to see you).
Great blessed is the place where you are (Live), my friend, companion, and my lord (Guru-Father). ||2||
I am a sacrifice - an appreciation, to my friend and companion lord (Guru-Father). ||1||Pause||
When I could not see you even for a short while, it was a dark-age, a hard time, for me.
When shall I meet you now, beloved Lord (Revered father)!
My night does not pass, and sleep comes not, without being in the presence of the Guru: Prophet (Guru-Father). ||3||
I am a sacrifice, sacrifice I am, to this true court of the revered Guru. ||1||Pause||
It is my good destiny, that I have met the Saint Guru (The Saint-Father).
I met Immortal Prabhu at home.
(Prabhu - The Master: father, met Guru Arjan Dev on his return from Lahore. At every step the son is calling his father, Lord).
I will serve You forever, and shall never be separated from You even for an instant. Servant Nanak is Your slave, O beloved Master. ||4||
I am, a sacrifice - an appreciation I am, Nanak is yours and in your service (my Guru-Father). ||Pause||1||8||
(This 4th Hymn is his thanks after his return from Lahore).
In the turbulent times after Guru Arjan Dev Ji's martyrdom the Sikhs came to Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji (sixth Guru) and said "O Lord of all the heavens we are in turbulent times where we are preparing and training for battle which is cutting into out Naam/Simran time. Please tell us Sire, what prayers should we recite to make for this?" Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji answered that they should recite the shabads of Guru Arjan Dev Ji that he wrote to Guru Ram Das Ji. These shabads are now known as Sahabd Hazare , for their recited worth is a thousandfold.
These are the audio of shabad hazaare by tenth master Guru Gobind Singh Ji, not the shabads by Guru Arjun Dev Sahib Ji
Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das was the fourth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and was given the title of Sikh Guru on 30 August 1574.-Early life:Ram Das was born in Lahore, Punjab on 24 September 1534[1] to a Sodhi family of the Khatri clan. His father was Hari Das and his mother Anup Devi. His wife was Bibi Bhani,...
for a long period of time. During that period of separation he sent these three letters to his beloved Guru and Father. Reciting this shabad brings union of the beloved. The fourth shabad was added by Guru Arjan at the time of the union with Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das was the fourth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and was given the title of Sikh Guru on 30 August 1574.-Early life:Ram Das was born in Lahore, Punjab on 24 September 1534[1] to a Sodhi family of the Khatri clan. His father was Hari Das and his mother Anup Devi. His wife was Bibi Bhani,...
.
Background
A cousin of Guru Ram DasGuru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das was the fourth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and was given the title of Sikh Guru on 30 August 1574.-Early life:Ram Das was born in Lahore, Punjab on 24 September 1534[1] to a Sodhi family of the Khatri clan. His father was Hari Das and his mother Anup Devi. His wife was Bibi Bhani,...
came to Amritsar
Amritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
from Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
especially to ask Guru Sahib to attend his son's wedding. Guru Ji said, "I will not be able to go because I can't leave my duties here as Guru. Perhaps I can send one of my sons instead."
Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das was the fourth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and was given the title of Sikh Guru on 30 August 1574.-Early life:Ram Das was born in Lahore, Punjab on 24 September 1534[1] to a Sodhi family of the Khatri clan. His father was Hari Das and his mother Anup Devi. His wife was Bibi Bhani,...
Ji had three sons: Baba Prithi Chand or Prithia, Baba Mahadev and Arjan Mal. Prithia was in charge of collecting donations, of which he secretly took a portion for himself. When the Guru asked him to attend the wedding, Prithia said, "I have to take care of the collections. And I hate going to weddings."
Actually, he was afraid if he were away from the Guru for too long, he might not be appointed the Guru's successor. Having no luck with Prithia, Guru Ji then turned to Mahadev. Mahadev lived his life in meditation and said, "I have no desire to involve myself in worldly affairs."
Finally, Guru Sahib Ji asked Arjan if he would go. Arjan said, "I only desire to do what you wish." Guru Ji was very pleased. He asked Arjan to spend some time in Lahore to share the Guru's teachings with the Sikhs there. Any donations he received were to be given to the free kitchen to feed the poor. The last words he said to Arjan were, "You should stay in Lahore until I send for you by letter."
Arjan Mal stayed in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
after the wedding and grew to be much loved by his relations and the Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
s there. Still, all the time he was there, his heart was with his father, Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das was the fourth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and was given the title of Sikh Guru on 30 August 1574.-Early life:Ram Das was born in Lahore, Punjab on 24 September 1534[1] to a Sodhi family of the Khatri clan. His father was Hari Das and his mother Anup Devi. His wife was Bibi Bhani,...
Ji. When he expressed his longing to his new friends, they suggested he write a letter asking that he be able to return. Arjan Mal wrote a beautiful shabad :
"My soul longs for the Guru like the pied-cuckoo longs for the rain of the monsoon. I am always a sacrifice unto the True Guru."
He sent this letter with one of the Sikhs who had come with him to Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
. When the messenger reached Amritsar
Amritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
, Prithia saw him and suspected that he had a letter for the Guru from his brother. He said,"I will take the letter to the Guru myself." When he read the letter he knew that it was so beautiful that it would move the Guru's heart in Arjan's favor. So he hid the letter in his coat and sent the Sikh back to Arjan telling him that the Guru said he should stay in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
until sent for. When Arjan received this message, he knew that Prithia, and not his father, had sent the message.
He then wrote a second letter with strict orders that it be given only to the Guru. In it, he wrote, "I love the sight of the Guru's face and the sound of his words, and it has been long since I have seen him. I am ever a sacrifice unto the True Guru." This time, Prithia grabbed the letter out of the messenger's hands, and grew more angry than before. Again, he hid the letter in his coat. He sent another message that Arjan was to remain in Lahore until sent for. When Arjan heard this from the messenger, he wrote a third letter, this time putting a number "3" on it. He told the messenger to be on his guard against Prithia and to give the letter to Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das was the fourth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and was given the title of Sikh Guru on 30 August 1574.-Early life:Ram Das was born in Lahore, Punjab on 24 September 1534[1] to a Sodhi family of the Khatri clan. His father was Hari Das and his mother Anup Devi. His wife was Bibi Bhani,...
Ji himself. The messenger waited until Prithia had to go home, and then quickly reached the Guru and gave him the letter.
In it, Arjan said, "Each second away from the Guru is like an age. I cannot sleep without a sight of the Guru. I am ever a sacrifice unto him." On this letter, the Guru saw the number "3", and knew instantly that he had not received the other two letters. The messenger related the story to him, and the Guru grew very angry. He called for Prithia and asked him three times if he knew anything about the other letters. Prithia denied it every time. The all knowing Guru knew his thoughts, and told the messenger to go get the coat in Prithia's house. When he returned with it, the two missing letters were in the pocket. The Guru charged Prithia with lying in front of the whole congregation, and laid bare his disobedience to the Guru.
At once, the Guru sent Bhai Buddha to Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
with a carriage to bring Arjan Mal home as soon as possible. When Arjan was finally united with his father, he placed his head on Guru Sahib Ji's chest against his long beard. He remained that way for many moments, while the Guru held him gently in his arms. The Guru then said that as he had written three stanzas, he should write a fourth to finish the poem. Arjan wrote the last verse saying, "It is my good fortune to have met the True Guru, and I have found the Immortal God in my own home. My greatest desire is to never be separated from him again, not even for an instant. I am ever a sacrifice to the True Guru."
Upon hearing this, the Guru was very pleased. He said, "The Guruship is passed on because of merit. As only the one who is most humble can claim it, I grant it to you." Guru Ji then sent for a coconut and five paisey and placed them before Arjan. He descended from his throne and seated Arjan upon it in front of the whole sangat. Bhai Buddha pressed the tilak on Arjan's forehead as a symbol that the light of Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das was the fourth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and was given the title of Sikh Guru on 30 August 1574.-Early life:Ram Das was born in Lahore, Punjab on 24 September 1534[1] to a Sodhi family of the Khatri clan. His father was Hari Das and his mother Anup Devi. His wife was Bibi Bhani,...
Ji had now passed to Arjan, who then became Guru Arjan Dev Ji the fifth Guru of the Sikhs.
Shabad Hazaray Bani
The Bani (Scripture) of Fifth Guru Arjan Dev, in the Raag (Musical measure) called Raga Maajh, Chau-Padas (Four lines per Hymn), First House of Raag.My mind longs for meeting the Guru
(Guru Arjan Dev, not yet a Guru, expresses his desire to meet his father Guru Ram Das Ji).
It is anxious like the rain-bird
(Weaver-bird, Papiha: Papeehaa, Beehaa, or Bambeehaa It keeps eager to have a drop of rain at a special auspicious moment).
I am thirsty and have no peace without meeting the revered Saint (my Guru-Father). ||1||
I am a sacrifice (Love-lost, eager) for meeting the Saint (Guru-Father). ||1||Pause||
(Pause means wait, and contemplate on what has been said above).
Your face (Meeting you) is so impressive, and your speech is peace and joy giving.
(But) my Lord -Guru-Father, it has been long since that I met you. (I long to see you).
Great blessed is the place where you are (Live), my friend, companion, and my lord (Guru-Father). ||2||
I am a sacrifice - an appreciation, to my friend and companion lord (Guru-Father). ||1||Pause||
When I could not see you even for a short while, it was a dark-age, a hard time, for me.
When shall I meet you now, beloved Lord (Revered father)!
My night does not pass, and sleep comes not, without being in the presence of the Guru: Prophet (Guru-Father). ||3||
I am a sacrifice, sacrifice I am, to this true court of the revered Guru. ||1||Pause||
It is my good destiny, that I have met the Saint Guru (The Saint-Father).
I met Immortal Prabhu at home.
(Prabhu - The Master: father, met Guru Arjan Dev on his return from Lahore. At every step the son is calling his father, Lord).
I will serve You forever, and shall never be separated from You even for an instant. Servant Nanak is Your slave, O beloved Master. ||4||
I am, a sacrifice - an appreciation I am, Nanak is yours and in your service (my Guru-Father). ||Pause||1||8||
(This 4th Hymn is his thanks after his return from Lahore).
In the turbulent times after Guru Arjan Dev Ji's martyrdom the Sikhs came to Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji (sixth Guru) and said "O Lord of all the heavens we are in turbulent times where we are preparing and training for battle which is cutting into out Naam/Simran time. Please tell us Sire, what prayers should we recite to make for this?" Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji answered that they should recite the shabads of Guru Arjan Dev Ji that he wrote to Guru Ram Das Ji. These shabads are now known as Sahabd Hazare , for their recited worth is a thousandfold.
Audio
- Balbir Singh (Hazoori Ragi Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar) - Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10 Volume 1
- Balbir Singh (Hazoori Ragi Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar) - Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10 Volume 2
These are the audio of shabad hazaare by tenth master Guru Gobind Singh Ji, not the shabads by Guru Arjun Dev Sahib Ji