Raga Sarang

 

Raga Sarang

The compositions in this raga appear on a total of 57 pages from Ang no. 1197 to 1254. Sarang’s character is soothing and has the ability to extinguish the minds smouldering selfishness and negative nature. The emotions of Sarang quench the mind’s burning desires, by expressing and highlighting the soul’s pure and true thoughts. It is a positive and fulfilling change. It is an important raga in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and used extensively by Guru Arjan Dev Ji though Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Amar Das Ji, Guru Ram Das ji and Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, Bhagat Kabirji and Bhagat Namdev Ji, and Bhagat Surdas Ji have also composed shlokas in it. Its aroh is Sa,Re, Ma, Pa, Ni Sa and Avroh is Sa, Ni, Pa, Ma, Re Sa and its vadi is Re and Samvadi is Pa.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji

My Loved Lord is near at hand, not far: Yea, ever since my Mind was pleased with the Guru’s Word, I Attained to my God, the Mainstay of my vital breath. Pause

This is how the Bride Meets with her Spouse, and is beloved of Him:

Yea, Reflecting on the Guru’s Word, I am rid of the sense of my colour,caste and tribe.

Guru Angad Dev Ji

The Vedas have given currency to the myths that make men reflect upon good and evil.

And also to believe that one takes what one gives: through this give and take is man cast into heaven or hell.

The sense of high and low, and of caste and colour: such are the illusions created in man.

Guru Amar Das Ji

Sweet, O Sweet is Lord’s Name, through which all our age old sins and fears are dispelled , and one sees the One alone, by the Guru’s Grace. Pause

When the True Lord seems Pleasing to the Mind,myriads of one’s sins are eradicated.

And except the Lord, one knows not another, yea, the True Guru Reveals to one, the One God.

Guru Ram Das Ji

I am a Sacrifice unto the Lord’s Feet.

For, I can Swim across the Sea of Flux,save by Contemplating my God.

When Faith in Lord fills my heart, my mind is Dedicated to His Service.

And my heart dwells ever upon the God’s Name which is All-powerful,All-merit.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji

My Guru has rid me of my Doubt: So, I am ever a Sacrifice unto my Guru. Pause

I contemplate ever His Word and Cherish His feet in my heart:

Yea, I bathe myself in the Dust of the Guru’s Feet, and I am rid of the Soil of Sin.

I serve ever my Perfect Guru and pay obeisance to him ever and forever more.

Lo, the Perfect Guru has wholly Fulfilled and Emancipated me.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

O man, there is no one to help you but your God:

For, your father and mother and wife and son and brother do not stay with you. Pause

Your riches and lands and other possessions you consider your own are not your own.

When your body is shattered, nothing of these go along with you, So why you cling to them?

Bhagat Kabir Ji

O man, why do you pride on your little achievements ? If you have a few maunds of foodgrains in your granary, and a few more coins than the others, why are you puffed up thus? Pause

If you are honoured still more, and have been granted the gift of hundred villages and a revenue of two hundred thousand coins.

Believe me, your overlordship lasts but for a few days like green leaves of the forest.

Bhagat Namdev Ji

Why, O mind, you roam in the forest of Vice?

And in thy Ignorance, lick the Poison that make you lose consciousness of yourself. Pause

When the fish lives in water, It knows not the net, nor death.

But lured by the taste of the tongue, she picks the bait at the iron rod.

So dost thou, lured by the love of riches and women.

Bhagat Surdas Ji

The men of God abide ever with God: They surrender their body,mind and all they have. Intoxicated with the Bliss giving Melody of Equipoise. Pause

Seeing the Lord’s Vision, they are freed of Vice, and attain all they seek :

They involve themselves with naught else, for they See ever the Glorious Presence of God.

He, who does not seek his God, is like a worm feeding on a leper.

Says Surdasa: “ I hold my God in the Palm of my Mind: and this is the very Heaven for me”.