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Lavan
The Lavan or Laava Phere are four hymns from Guru Granth Sahib ji that are key part of wedding ceremony- The Anand Karaj. It has been composed the Guru Ram Das ji, the Fourth Guru and is on the pages 773-774 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. Taking the analogy of wedded couple in which individual soul is a woman while Infinite God or Oversoul is man or husband and their relationship is similar to the relationship between a man and a woman in a matrimony. So the Lavan depicts the spiritual journey of a seeker and the various stages of their union with Ik Onkar, the Divine. It provides the couple with the foundational principle of a successful marriage and place the union with the context of union with God. During the Lavan, a couple circumambulate Guru Granth Sahib ji four times while singing the hymns. It is not a meaningless ritual. When the couple move around Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji each time they are making commitment to God with Guru as their spiritual witness, guide and support. As a circle around Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji ends, it is to remind them that Guru Granth Sahib should be the centre of your life from which emerges spiritual leadership and understanding that you require for your soul’s long journey across the wild ocean of life. So Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is your worldly centre and the Sadh Sangat is your worldly witness and support. The four nuptial( temporal) rounds or Lavan were by Guru Ramdas ji for his own wedding. They explain the journey of the souls towards the Almighty. In Lavans Guru Ram Das ji tells us of duties that a person undertakes in wedded life to perform.
First Lavan- Round One
In the first round, the Lord instructs thee to revolve back to the world, and to look upon Guru’s word as the Veda to practise Righteousness and dwell upon Lord’s Name, the Smrities too inculcate but Lord’s Name and dwell upon your Perfect Guru and all thy sins are eradicated.
Thy fortune will smile, and the Bliss of poise will you gather and Lord will seem pleasing to you. Says Nanak “ In the first round, Lord Himself initiates His marriage with you.”
In the first round Guru asks the partners to commit to righteousness, renounce sinful actions,remember, meditate and embrace Nam. Only by good fortune is real peace obtained and Lord seems sweet to the mind. Worship One Waheguru and all your sins shall vanish.
Second Lavan- Round Second
In the second round, thy Lord unites thee with thy True Guru- the Cosmic Being, and you become fear free, save for the fear of the Lord in your mind, and you will get rid of the filth of I am ness. Your now is of your Immaculate God and singing the Lord’s praises, you realise His presence- the All Pervading, All Filling Lord. The only One Lord is both within and without. Meeting with the saints, you sing the songs of joy. Says Nanak “ In the Second Round the unstruck melody of the word rings in your mind.”
In the second round Guru asks the couple to advance further towards meeting the True Guru- God. The Guru leads you to meet True Lord- the Primal Being and Enlightener of the Universe. Have awe of God and your ego will disappear. Sing God’s praises and feel His presence before you. God is present both inside as well as outside every creature. So sing His praises for ever in joy.
Third Lavan- Round Third
In the third round, the joy of detachment wells up in your mind. Meeting with the saints, you meet your Lord and fortune smiles on you.
You attain the Lord, O’ saintly beings and utter the truth that is unutterable. In your mind ring the music of the Lord and you contemplate on Him, for thy lot now shines forth.
Says Nanak, “ In the third round, Divine Detachment wells up in your mind.
In the third round, the Guru says that the partner’s mind is filled with Divine Love. So meeting the Sadh Sangat speak the word of Lord’s Bane, which is only obtained by Good fortune. Recite Gurbani and sing the Glorious Praises of the God. The Naam will vibrate and resound within your heart and you will know your future destiny.
Fourth Lavan- Round Four
In the fourth round your mind is held in poise, for you have attained your Lord.
All to spontaneously your Lord has met you and by Guru’s grace your God seems sweet to you.
Your God, who loves you and you are ever attuned to Him.
And you attain your heart’s desire, thy Lord, thy God, and the Glory of the Lord’s Name rings in your mind. Your Master has brought about your wedding with Him and your heart, “Bride is in bloom being illumined by His name.
Says Nanak: “ In the Fourth Round, you attain your Eternal Lord.
In the fourth and final round, Guru says that the partner’s mind becomes peaceful and they will have found the God. His will seem sweet to Gurmukhs. You will lovingly focus your consciousness on the Lord day and night, all your desires will be fulfilled and the souls will blend with Waheguru and only His Naam will occupy your heart.
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