Raga Ramkali

Raga Ramkali

The emotions in this raga are like those of a wise teacher discipling their disciple. The disciple is aware of the pain of learning but is still conscious of the fact that ultimately it is for the best. In this way Ramkali conveys the change from all that we are familiar with,to something we are certain will be better. It appears on total of 99 pages from 876 to 975. Though not given in Ragmala it is one of the most important ragas in Sri Guru Granth Sahib J. All Gurus, including Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji have composed in this raga. The total number of Shabads in this raga comes to over three hundred. A number of hymns in Ramkali expound True Yoga and other Spiritual issues. Some famous compositions in this raga include Siddh Gosti, Anand Sahib, Sadd, Oankar and the Var by Balwand and Satta. It belongs to Bhairvi Thaat. Its Aroha is Sa, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni,Sa and Avroha is Sa, Ni, Dha, Pa, Ma’, Pa, Dha, Ni, Dha, Pa, Ga. Ma, Re, Sa and its Pakar is Dha, Pa, Ma’, Pa, Dha,Ni, Dha, Pa, Ga, Ma, Re,Sa. Its Vadi is Pa and Samvadi is Re. Some of the verses in this raga are:

Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Hear you, O’ Machhindra, Nanak speaks to you.

A Yogi is he who disciplines his five ( Desires) and wobbles not.

He, who practices his Yoga thus saves himself and saves his entire lineage.

That detached one, then is blessed with such a Wisdom, that he Merges forever in Absolute Lord.

Guru Angad Dev Ji

The Purse of Pearls the Knowing Jeweller opened.

And lo, the seekers and the master both were lost in its wonder.

They alone Trade in these Pearls who have gathered Virtue in their Skirt.

But they, who know not, grope, like the blind ones, in the world.

Guru Amar Das Ji

In the Satyuga, everyone spoke the Truth.

And by Guru’s Grace, in each heart was the Love of God.

Dharma had all the four legs to stand upon.

But only if one reflects on this, one knows. In all the four ages, The Glory is through Lord’s Name.

Guru Ram Das Ji

If I be a man of Destiny, I’ll meet with the saints in no time.

The Lord’s Saint is the Pool of Nectar; it is through Good Fortune that in it one bathes.

O’ God, Yoke me to the service of Your Saint, and I’ll grind his corn and wave the fan over his head and anoint my forehead with the Dust of his feet. Pause.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji

His hands are the cymbals, his eyes the tambourine, his forehead the rebeck :

His ears echo the sweet music of the flute and his tongue utters the sound:

His mind brings with it the ankle bells (of Desire) and so dances the man!

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

O mind,you seek the Refuge of the Lord’s Name, contemplating whom one sheds the evil of the mind and attains the state of Supreme Bliss Pause

Blessed, blessed is the creature who sings the Lord’s Praise,

and purging his mind of the Sins of the myriad births, lands in heaven.

Rai Balwand and Satta the Drummer

When the Creator-Lord Himself Abjudicates, then who can challenge His Will?

Yea, the Virtuous alone are real brothers and sisters, and he alone is Approved who is Blessed.

Nanak had foounded the True Dominion of God: he raised the Castle of Truth on firm foundations.

He made the Lord’s Canopy wave over Angad’s head, nd he, Praising the God drank in Lord’s Nectar. Nanak Blessed Angad with the sword of Spiritual Power, instructing him in Guru-God’s Wisdom. And bowed before his disciple in his own life time.

Lo, he anointed him as the Guru, while yet he was himself was alive.