Rag Majh

 

Chapter IV

Rag- Majh

In Punjab, Majh rag evolved from the folk music tune of Majh region of Punjab comprising basically Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur districts. There is no reference to this rag in the tradition of Indian Classical Music. But respecting the tradition of folk music it has been incorporated in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. It is a unique gift to Indian Classical Music by the Sikh Gurus. While passing through Majh Rag, on its spiritual journey the soul chants painfully and melodiously singing while suffering the pangs of separation as it is believed that individual soul separates from The Oversoul ( The Lord Master) right from the time of birth, so it cries

Maera man lochai Gur darshan taee,

bilap kare Chatrik niaee.

My soul longs to behold face of God,

it cries like a cuckoo bird.

As it is purely a rag of Punjab, Bhagats have not composed any verse in this rag. Aroha of this rag is Sa, Re, Ma, Pa, Nee, Sa and avroh is Sa, Nee, Dha, Pa, Ga, Ma, Re Pa, Ga, Re, Ga, Sa, Re, Ne, Sa. Surs of this rag are both Gandhar and Nishad, the rest of the notes are sharp. Gandhar and Dhaiwat are not used in ascending scale. The act of this rag is Khamajh, Jatti-Aurav-Samporan. Apt time of rendering of this rag is the first quarter of the night. Vadi is Reshab (Re) and samvadi Pancham (Pa) and main surs of this rag are Pa,Dha, Ma, Ga, Ma, Re, Pa, Ma,Ga, Re, Ga, Sa, Re, Ni, Sa. Stringed instruments like Sitar, Sarangi, Rawan Hatha, violin and the like are more effective in this rag. John Dryden also in his poem A Song for St. Cecilia’s Day mentions functions of various musical instruments like trumpet, lyre, harp,flute and the like. In this work he mentions that the function of violin is to express the pangs of separation of lover and beloved and most of the Bhagats of Bhakti Movement in India also take relationship between individual soul and God to be similar to the relationship between a lover and a beloved and the birth is considered by them as separation between individual soul and Lord. This rag was initiated by Guru Nanak Dev ji. His following verse composed in Rag Majh, shows a similar thought expressed by English dramatist William Shakespeare in his play As You Like It in which he talks about the seven stages faced by a human being in his life.

The text : Guru Nanak Dev ji

At first man cherishes affection for breast’s milk, secondly he acquires understanding of his parents.

Thirdly he comes to recognise his brother, brother’s wife and his sister.

In the fourth stage the love of play arises in him, fifthly he runs after food and drink.

In the sixth he enquires not the woman’s caste in his lust,

Seventhly he amasses wealth and acquires an abode in his home.

In the eighth stage his body is wasted in wrath.

In the ninth stage he grow grey and his breathing gets difficult.

In the last stage he is burnt to ashes, his friends accompany him to pyre and give vent to loud lamentations. The Swan (soul) flies away and enquires about the path to take.

He came and departed and even his name is dead, after him food is offered to crows.

Nanak the wayward loves the spiritual darkness without the true Guru the entire world gets drowned.

Guru Angad Dev ji

The gift is preferable to the Giver. Understanding the perverse person to be such. What can be said and told regarding his intelligence, understanding and cleverness.

The deeds that mortals commit sitting inside get known in all four directions.

He who practises virtue goes by the name of virtue and he commits the sin is a sinner.

You, Yourself perform the entire play O’ Creator why to speak and talk of another.

O’Lord as long as Your light(soul) is in the body so long You speak in illumined body.

If some one shows that he has accomplished without Your light I would consider him wise.

Nanak, God who alone is accomplished and omniscient is made manifest by Guru’s instruction.

Guru Amar Das ji

In this dark age, the Lord’s praise has appeared as a light for the world.

Through the Guru a few swim across the life ocean. Lord bestows his light to him on whom he casts His merciful glance. Nanak, through the Guru such a man gets Name Jewel.

Pauri

Between the devotees of God and worldly men there can never be an alliance.

The Creator Himself is flawless. Duped by anyone He does not err.

His saints who practice the whole truth the Maker blends them with His own self.

The world hardened men , who eat poison by repeatedly telling lies, the Lord Himself has led astray.

They do not know the ultimate reality of departure and enhance the poison of lust and anger.

The devotees who night and day meditate on the Name, perform God’s service.

Becoming the slave of the Lord’s slaves, they remove their self conceit within them.

Bright are their faces in the Husband’s Court who are adorned with True Name.

Guru Ram Das ji

He, within whom is the truth, obtains the True Name and with his mouth utters the truth.

He himself walks on God’s way and puts other on God’s path.

If there be a pure water pond in front then the filth is washed off. By bathing in a stagnant pond more filth gets attached to man.

The perfect placeof pilgrimage is True Guru, who night and day meditates on Name of God. He is saved himself along with his family and by giving the Name of the Lord Master saves the entire world. Servant Nanak is sacrifice unto him who himself repeats the God’s Name and persuades others to utter His name.

Guru Arjan Dev ji

Majh, Fifth Guru, Couplets

My soul longs for a sight of the Guru.

It bewails like the piedcuckoo.

My thirst is not quenched, nor peace I find without the sight of dear Guru Saint.

I am a sacrifice, and I sacrifice my soul unto the sight of the Guru, the dear. Pause

Your face is beautiful and the sound of Your words imparts Divine Knowledge.

It is long since the sparrow hawk had a glimpse of water.

Blessed is the land where You dwell, O’ Venerable Divine Guru, my friend and intimate.

I am devoted, I am devoted unto the honourable Godly Guru, my friend and intimate. Pause

If I meet You not even for a moment, then dark age is dawned for me.

When shall I now meet You O’ my beloved, auspicious Lord ?

I cannot pass the night and sleep does not come without beholding the Guru’s Court.

I am a sacrifice and I sacrifice my soul unto that True Court of the venerable Guru. Pause

It is my good fortune to have met the saintly Guru.

I have discerned The Immortal God in my own home.

I will serve You and even for a trice and a moment will not separate from You. Servant Nanak is Your serf O’ reverend Master !

I am devoted and my soul is devoted unto You. Servant Nanak is Your slave. Pause.