- Composed by
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji, with saloks of Guru Angad Dev Ji
- Source
- Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 462–475
- Structure
- 24 pauris by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, with saloks by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Angad Dev Ji
- Recited
- Other Banis for study & Paath
Read Asa Di Vaar
ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਿਉਹਾੜੀ ਸਦ ਵਾਰ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਮਾਣਸ ਤੇ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਕੀਏ ਕਰਤ ਨ ਲਾਗੀ ਵਾਰ ॥੧॥
Balihaaree gur aapane diuhaarree sad vaar. Jin maanas te devate keee karat na laagee vaar.
I would give myself to my Guru a hundred times a day — the Guru who, without delay, turns ordinary people into godly beings.
ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੋਂ ਦਿਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੌ ਵਾਰ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ਜਾਵਾਂ — ਉਹ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੋ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਦੇਰ ਕੀਤਿਆਂ ਸਧਾਰਨ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਬਣਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ।
The opening of this Bani.
The full text could not be loaded right now. GurVichaar reads every Bani live from the verified BaniDB database. Please check your internet connection and refresh, or read it in a printed Gutka Sahib or at SikhiToTheMax.
Context and purpose
A vaar is a ballad form traditionally used to sing of heroes. In Asa Di Vaar, Guru Nanak Dev Ji uses it for a spiritual struggle: the human being against ego, falsehood and hollow custom. Each pauri is accompanied by saloks, by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Angad Dev Ji.
Its saloks are among the most quoted in Sikh life: ego as a chronic disease with its cure within it, sweetness and humility as the essence of virtue, truth as medicine for all, and the powerful question of why women should be called lesser when kings themselves are born of them.
In kirtan, Asa Di Vaar is traditionally sung together with the chhants of Guru Ram Das Ji in Raag Asa, which is why a full recital in the gurdwara takes a few hours.
When it is recited
Asa Di Vaar is commonly sung as kirtan in the early morning in many gurdwaras, often before or around dawn. It is not one of the personal Nitnem Banis listed in the Sikh Rehat Maryada, though some Sikhs read or listen to it at home in the morning. Timing and length of the kirtan vary from place to place.
How it is structured
- Opening salok and pauri — Gratitude to the Guru who transforms ordinary people, and the Divine as creator of all.
- Pauris on ego and truth — Ego as illness, truth as medicine, and the Guru's Word as the way out.
- Pauris on ritual and social custom — Questioning outward purity, caste pride and the treatment of women.
- Closing pauris — Everyone who comes must go; set your own life's work right with your own hands.
Key themes
Ego and its cure
Ego is described as a deep illness whose cure also lies within — through the Guru's Word.
Against empty ritual
Outward purity and ritual are questioned when the heart and conduct are not pure.
Dignity of women
The Vaar asks why women should be called lesser, when all people — kings included — are born of them.
Humility, truth and speech
Sweetness, humility and truthful speech are presented as the heart of good living.
Lines to reflect on
ਹਉਮੈ ਦੀਰਘ ਰੋਗੁ ਹੈ ਦਾਰੂ ਭੀ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਹਿ ॥
Haumai deeragh rog hai daaroo bhee is maahi.
Ego is a chronic disease — yet its cure also lies within it.
ਹਉਮੈ ਇੱਕ ਪੁਰਾਣਾ ਰੋਗ ਹੈ — ਪਰ ਇਸ ਦਾ ਇਲਾਜ ਵੀ ਇਸ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਹੀ ਹੈ।
ਦੁਖੁ ਦਾਰੂ ਸੁਖੁ ਰੋਗੁ ਭਇਆ ਜਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਤਾਮਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥
Dukh daaroo sukh rog bhaiaa jaa sukh taam na hoee.
Suffering can become the medicine, and comfort the disease — for when there is only comfort, the Divine is forgotten.
ਦੁੱਖ ਦਵਾਈ ਬਣ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸੁਖ ਰੋਗ — ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਜਦੋਂ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਸੁਖ ਹੀ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਰੱਬ ਭੁੱਲ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
ਮਿਠਤੁ ਨੀਵੀ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਗੁਣ ਚੰਗਿਆਈਆ ਤਤੁ ॥
Mithat neevee naanakaa gun changiaaeeaa tat.
Sweetness and humility are the essence of all virtues and goodness.
ਮਿਠਾਸ ਅਤੇ ਨਿਮਰਤਾ ਸਾਰੇ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਚੰਗਿਆਈਆਂ ਦਾ ਤੱਤ ਹਨ।
ਸੋ ਕਿਉ ਮੰਦਾ ਆਖੀਐ ਜਿਤੁ ਜੰਮਹਿ ਰਾਜਾਨ ॥
So kiu mandaa aakheeai jit janmeh raajaan.
Why call her lesser, from whom even kings are born?
ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਮਾੜਾ ਕਿਉਂ ਆਖੀਏ, ਜਿਸ ਤੋਂ ਰਾਜੇ ਵੀ ਜਨਮ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ?
ਨਾਨਕ ਫਿਕੈ ਬੋਲਿਐ ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਫਿਕਾ ਹੋਇ ॥
Naanak fikai boliai tan man fikaa hoe.
Speaking harshly and insipidly makes one's whole body and mind harsh and insipid.
ਕੌੜਾ ਅਤੇ ਫਿੱਕਾ ਬੋਲਣ ਨਾਲ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦਾ ਸਾਰਾ ਤਨ ਅਤੇ ਮਨ ਵੀ ਕੌੜਾ ਅਤੇ ਫਿੱਕਾ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
ਜੋ ਆਇਆ ਸੋ ਚਲਸੀ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਈ ਆਈ ਵਾਰੀਐ ॥
Jo aaiaa so chalasee sabh koee aaee vaareeai.
Whoever has come will depart; everyone's turn comes.
ਜੋ ਆਇਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ; ਹਰ ਇੱਕ ਦੀ ਵਾਰੀ ਆਉਂਦੀ ਹੈ।
ਆਪਣ ਹਥੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਕਾਜੁ ਸਵਾਰੀਐ ॥੨੦॥
Aapan hathee aapanaa aape hee kaaj savaareeai.
With your own hands, set your own life's work right.
ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਜੀਵਨ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਜ ਆਪ ਸਵਾਰੋ।
ਸਚੁ ਸਭਨਾ ਹੋਇ ਦਾਰੂ ਪਾਪ ਕਢੈ ਧੋਇ ॥
Sach sabhnaa hoe daaroo paap kadhai dhoe.
Truth is the medicine for everyone; it washes away wrongdoing.
ਸੱਚ ਸਭ ਲਈ ਦਵਾਈ ਹੈ; ਇਹ ਮਾੜੇ ਕਰਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਧੋ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ।
Difficult words explained
Practical reflections
- Where did ego speak for me today, and what did it cost?
- Did any words of mine today make someone smaller? How can I speak with sweetness tomorrow?
- Which 'ritual' in my life have I kept while forgetting its meaning?
Audio recitation
A verified recitation will be added once a recording with clear rights is available. Audio & video library.
References & sources
- Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 462–475
- Sikh Rehat Maryada, SGPC
- BaniDB Gurbani database