Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji · Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji · Ang 12 · Gauri Dipaki
Kirtan Sohila: the song of the Fearless One
Sohila, popularly Kirtan Sohila, is the fourth composition in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, at ang 12. It has five hymns: three by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, one by Sri Guru Ram Das Ji and one by Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji. This is the first of them, complete, in Raag Gauri Dipaki.
The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism reports that Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji gave the five hymns their single title when entering them in 1604, and that it became the prescribed bedtime prayer in 1699. It is also recited at cremation once the pyre is lit.
The hymn's subject suits both occasions. It takes death as a wedding whose date is already written, and it asks the listener to sing of a Lord who has no fear.
- 1ਜੈ ਘਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਆਖੀਐ ਕਰਤੇ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਬੀਚਾਰੋ ॥jai ghar keerat aakheeaai karate kaa hoi beechaaro
The house where the Creator's praise is spoken and the Creator is pondered:
Note. Prof. Sahib Singh reads this 'house' as the holy congregation.
- 2ਤਿਤੁ ਘਰਿ ਗਾਵਹੁ ਸੋਹਿਲਾ ਸਿਵਰਿਹੁ ਸਿਰਜਣਹਾਰੋ ॥੧॥tit ghar gaavahu sohilaa sivarih sirajanahaaro
there raise the song of praise, and hold your Maker in your thoughts.
Note. 'Sohila' is a song of praise. Prof. Sahib Singh connects it with songs of longing for union with a husband, which fits the wedding imagery later in the hymn.
- 3ਤੁਮ ਗਾਵਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਕਾ ਸੋਹਿਲਾ ॥tum gaavahu mere nirabhau kaa sohilaa
Let your song be for my Lord, who knows no fear.
- 4ਹਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਜਿਤੁ ਸੋਹਿਲੈ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥hau vaaree jit sohilai sadhaa sukh hoi
I give myself to that song, which brings a peace that lasts.
- 5ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਜੀਅੜੇ ਸਮਾਲੀਅਨਿ ਦੇਖੈਗਾ ਦੇਵਣਹਾਰੁ ॥nit nit jeeaRe samaaleean dhekhaigaa dhevanahaar
Living beings are tended every single day, and the Giver keeps an eye on each.
- 6ਤੇਰੇ ਦਾਨੈ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਨਾ ਪਵੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਦਾਤੇ ਕਵਣੁ ਸੁਮਾਰੁ ॥੨॥tere dhaanai keemat naa pavai tis dhaate kavan sumaar
You cannot put a price on the gifts, so how could the Giver be measured?
- 7ਸੰਬਤਿ ਸਾਹਾ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਮਿਲਿ ਕਰਿ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਤੇਲੁ ॥sanbat saahaa likhiaa mil kar paavahu tel
The wedding's year and date are set down in writing. Gather round and pour the oil.
Note. The wedding stands for the soul's departure to meet God, and the fixed date for the moment of leaving this life. The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism explains the oil as the Punjabi custom of pouring it on the threshold as a bride arrives.
- 8ਦੇਹੁ ਸਜਣ ਅਸੀਸੜੀਆ ਜਿਉ ਹੋਵੈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸਿਉ ਮੇਲੁ ॥੩॥dheh sajan aseesaReeaa jiau hovai saahib siau mel
Bless me, dear friends, that I may come to my Master.
- 9ਘਰਿ ਘਰਿ ਏਹੋ ਪਾਹੁਚਾ ਸਦੜੇ ਨਿਤ ਪਵੰਨਿ ॥ghar ghar eho paahuchaa sadhaRe nit pavann
Every home receives this invitation, and each day someone is called.
- 10ਸਦਣਹਾਰਾ ਸਿਮਰੀਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੇ ਦਿਹ ਆਵੰਨਿ ॥੪॥੧॥sadhanahaaraa simareeaai naanak se dheh aavann
Remember the One who calls us, Nanak says. Those days are coming.
Our line is a reading of the intent. For the Gurmukhi source text and reference translations seeSikhiToTheMax and SikhRI's Guru Granth Sahib Project.[DB][EoS]