Admin1) SRI RAAG Sri Raag is the Sixth Raag in the in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. Sri Raag means Supreme, exalted; this raag has regal status. Historically, this raag was used for religious functions of the Hindus, this is the only raag in the SGGSJi with its name before the word raag, while […]
1) SRI RAAG
Sri Raag is the Sixth Raag in the in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. Sri Raag means Supreme, exalted; this raag has regal status. Historically, this raag was used for religious functions of the Hindus, this is the only raag in the SGGSJi with its name before the word raag, while all others are raag and then the name.
Ideally, it is to be recited in the late afternoon.
Guru Nanak says…
ANG 17: The Palace of The Lord is so beautiful, in it are rubies, pearls, diamonds and precious gems. A fortress of gold surrounds the source of divine nectar.
For me contemplating on “The palace of The Lord”…. my mind takes me to the entrance of the Golden Temple….The Darshani Deori. With utmost reverence, with abiding faith and humility, I bow and then step over the threshold…. I begin to walk towards the Guru………to seek the blessings.
In the entrance, the Darshani Deori are exquisite works of marble that are the inspiration of this painting of the first Raag…. as I begin my journey.
2) RAAG GAURI:
This is an evening Raag.
The Sukhmani Sahib is composed by Guru Arjan Dev ji in this raag at gurdwara Ramsar Sahib in Amritsar.
Ang 262:
Guru Arjan Dev ji tells us…..
Sukhmani: peace of mind, the nectar of the name of God The minds of the devotees abide is joyful bliss …pause.
Looking at this painting …..I would like you to see the leaves in the lower part of the painting, they are dull, as if withering and falling away, as if having lived without life giving nectar. Or let me say ….. without the blessing of Naam, their lives lived in vain, they wither away.
Now the pair of leaves in the center…they are bright, radiant and so colorful, they are eager to receive the drop of the life giving nectar. These radiant leaves are suggestive of those souls… who are blessed with the
nectar of Naam. Spiritually awakened, they are radiant. These souls are the true devotees whose minds abide in joyful bliss.
3) RAAG AASA.
The ideal time to recite this raag is in the pre-dawn hours.
ASA Di Vaar is composed in this raag….it gives guidance on how to transform our lives.
I would like to share that this painting came together in a space of stillness of mind. My art class was over…I asked to stay on in the studio…I felt in the zone and continued, as if one with the paints and this is how this painting came together…in that quiet space, of being with my paints.
Looking at this painting: At the bottom of the painting are 5 knurly roots….these represent lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego …..that are out of control within. These knurly roots bind me down. Rising above the roots and on each side of the stem are two leaves…not very distinct, in fact melting into the back ground. This is suggestive of surrender…surrendering the sense of separateness….of me and mine, of understanding of being one with the creation. Then rising above that, the pure intent, like a beautiful flower that rises to the divine. This is the process of transformation of a human life.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji: Ang 462 : I am a sacrifice to my Guru a 100 times a day, for he made angles out of men without delay.
From the knurly roots to the flower of pure intention rising to the Divine.
4) RAAG GUJRI.
This is historically an old raaga that was used to sing devotional hymns.
The ideal time to recite this raag is in the rainy season and in the early morning hours.
Guru Arjan Dev ji asks us to reflect:
Ang 495:
I have searched all Shastra’s Vedas and Simritis…they all affirm one thing; without a Guru there is no liberation…..reflect this in your mind. (Vichaaro)
The Guru asks us to reflect upon the guidance given…
How do I reflect? I am surrounded by distractions all around me.
In order to reflect…(to do Vichaar) I must be able to turn my attention inwards, to be able to find a quiet place within me. The inspiration comes from the shell that is curling upon itself, as if going further inwards, of nature giving inspiration. Inspiring me to turn inwards to reflect upon the words of the Guru.
~ Navjeet Kaur (Navi)