Raga Vadhans

 

Raga Vadhans

This raga is supposed to be sung at the fourth part of the day that is from 3 p.m to 6 p.m. Little has been written about this rare raga as it is not in Ragmala and today it is ascribed to Kafi thata. Fifty three Shabads plus numerous Shlokas have been composed in it by Guru Nanak Dev ji, Guru Amar Das ji, Guru Ram Das ji and Guru Arjan Dev ji. It is considered suitable for cold weather and is assigned to afternoon hours. Its mood is quiet and tender. Texts set to this raga is explains how Guru alone can lead one to the Lord. Without the Lord, one is like a widow- without a Spouse.

Raga Vadhans is based on Punjabi folk music and is set in tradition of Ghoreea, Suhag and Alohnian. The feelings instilled by this Raag can be compared to those of a bride on the day of her wedding that is she is both happy at getting new home as well as sad at separating from her parent’s house. The Aroh of this raga is Sa, Re, Ma,Pa Dha, Ni, Pa, Ni, Sa and Avroh is Sa,Ni,Pa, Dha, Ma, Ga, Re, Sa, Ni, Sa, the vadi of this Raga is Re while Samvadi is Pa.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji

For the addict nothing equals an intoxicant; for the fish, nothing equals the water.

But he who is imbued with the Lord, he loves all.

Sacrifice I am to Your Name, O my Lord. Pause

You my Master are a fruitful tree. Your name is Nectar- Sweet.

And whosoever tastes Your taste is satiated, and I am a sacrifice unto him.

I see You not, though You abide in all. And How can I quench my Thirst when between me and Your pool of Nectar stands the Wall of Doubt.

Says: Nanak I only deal in You, O’ Loved Master, for You are my only Merchandise.

And, I am rid of my Doubt only if I praise You, my Lord in Prayer.

Guru Amar Das Ji

If the mind is soiled, all is soiled: by bathing the body, the mind is not cleansed.

This world is led astray by Doubt, and rare is the one who knows the Truth.

O’ my mind, Contemplate the One Name of God:

This is the treasure with which the True Guru has Blessed you.

If one learns the postures of the adepts and disciplines his sex.

The dirt of one’s mind is not cleaned , nor goes the filth of one’s ego.

No other discipline works on this mind but the refuge of the True Guru.

Meeting with whom one’s mind is transformed and one’s state becomes indescribable.

And then goes your dirt of I-am ness and your mind gets pure.

Guru Ram Das ji

There is but one Master and He comes to the one with a single Mindedness.

Yea, he who is turned God-wards enjoys immense Bliss of the Master.

I seek to see my God for I am in Love with Him:

It is through Perfect Guru that I meet with my Loved Lord; I am a sacrifice to my Guru- Pause.

My body is infested with Inequities. Then how may I meet with my Perfect Guru ?

The Virtuous One attain the Lord. But I have no virtue, so how O mother shall I meet my God?

I am worn out trying this way and that, So You protect Nanak, the meek one, O’ Lord.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Blessed is the time when I see my Lord. Yea, Sacrifice am I to the feet of the True Guru.

O’ You soul giving, Bountiful Lord, my Love. My mind is activated contemplating Your Name.

Truth is Your Mantram, Nectar sweet is Your word.

Comfort giving is Your person. All seeing is Your Eye.

True is Your Command, You who Sit on Your Eternal Throne.

You are my Eternal Lord for, You neither come nor go.

You are my Beneficent God, I am Your poor Servant.

Says Nanak ; “ Thou art my All-pervading, All-filling Lord.”