Bhai Gurdas is well known for his writing called Varan Bhai Gurdas. I have written about this text before. Today I will talk about a lesser known text, also authored by him, called ‘Kabit Savaiye‘. Below is one of the popular hymns from this book which was composed when Bhai Gurdas was away from the Guru for his language learning:
ਸੁਪਨ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਚਿਤ੍ਰ ਬਾਨਕ ਬਨੇ ਬਚਿਤ੍ਰ ਪਾਵਨ ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਆਜ ਮੇਰੋ ਆਏ ਹੈ ।
Himself holy and capable of making other pious – the friendly True Guru has come into my dream beautifully attired and adored. It is indeed a wonderful marvel for me.ਪਰਮ ਦਇਆਲ ਲਾਲ ਲੋਚਨ ਬਿਸਾਲ ਮੁਖ ਬਚਨ ਰਸਾਲ ਮਧੁ ਮਧੁਰ ਪੀਆਏ ਹੈ ।
Ever and profoundly benevolent, big eyed – his utterances sweet like honey.ਸੋਭਿਤ ਸਿਜਾਸਨ ਬਿਲਾਸਨ ਦੈ ਅੰਕਮਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਰਸ ਬਿਸਮ ਹੁਇ ਸਹਜ ਸਮਾਏ ਹੈ ।
He has honoured me by placing me on the throne of His chest. I am lost in the love filled trance of Nam Amrit that merged me into a state of equipoise.ਚਾਤ੍ਰਿਕ ਸਬਦ ਸੁਨਿ ਅਖੀਆ ਉਘਰਿ ਗਈ ਭਈ ਜਲ ਮੀਨ ਗਤਿ ਬਿਰਹ ਜਗਾਏ ਹੈ ॥੨੦੫॥
Enjoying the bliss of divine dream, I was woken up by the voice of rain-bird. The awe and marvel of love-filled state disappeared reawakening the pangs of separation (like a fish feels out of water).
Enjoy a beautiful rendering below:
Here is response from BBC:Dear Mr SinghThank you for your e-mail ridargeng The Adil Ray Show’ broadcast on 6 August.I understand that you were left extremely angry and concerned by the content of the programme.On Thursday 6 August 2008 during The Adil Ray Show on the BBC Asian Network, the news covered two stories about Sikhs. One was about the cancellation of a Gurdas Maan concert in Canada, the other about Sikh soldiers joining the Queen’s Guard in the United Kingdoma0for the first time. Presenter Adil Ray talked about both stories with the newsreader after the bulletin.Some listeners mistakenly thought that he was in some way mocking the Kirpan or Sikhism or judging the perceived rights or wrongs of wearing the Kirpan which has led to discussion on some messageboards based on incorrect information.The BBC Asian Network and Adil Ray would like to assure all listeners that he did not mock the Kirpan or Sikhism but was merely expressing surprise at the cancellation of the concert over the Kirpan issue, and then to link the two stories he made a remark about the British Army and whether it would be open-minded enough to let Kirpan wearers in.It is important to be clear that at no time did Adil Ray make any judgement about people’s faith or wearing the Kirpan and botha0the BBC Asian Network and Adil Ray welcome the fact that he has listeners of all faiths who enjoy his humour and presentation.We note that you allege Adil Ray stated something to the effect of That’s a stupid reason for having a Kirpan and do Sikhs really need them’. To be absolutely clear, Adil Ray did not say this or indeed anything like this as explained, he simply commented upon the decision by the organisers to cancel the concert and then discussed with the newsreader the story of the Queen’s Guard.I would like to assure you that we have registered your comments on our audience log. This is the internal report of audience feedback which we compile daily for all programme makers and commissioning executives within the BBC, and also their senior management. It ensures that your points, and all other comments we receive, are circulated and considered across the BBC.Thank you once again for taking the trouble to share your views with us.RegardsRichard CareyBBC Complaints