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Asa Ki Var

Guru Nanak Sahib

Asa Ki Var
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This pauri (stanza), revealed by Guru Nanak Sahib, is accompanied by five saloks. The first salok comprises two lines, followed by two separate lines of ‘rahau,’ while the second salok comprises three. The first and second saloks describe the Sikh perspective on pain (dukh) and comfort (sukh). The third salok, which contains four lines, explains that devotion to IkOankar (the Divine) ought to be important to everyone. The fourth salok comprises three lines and designates IkOankar as the only source of illumination, the supreme, and the original source of all consciousness. The fifth salok, which contains two lines, highlights the importance of the Guru as the source of all wisdom essential for mental equipoise. This pauri reveals that in contrast to institutional education, truthful conduct is the only measure of significance in the court of IkOankar.
m: 2.
ek krisnaṅ sarab devā   dev devā ta ātmā.
ātmā bāsudevasyi   je ko jāṇai bheu. 
nānaku tā kā dāsu hai   soī nirañjan deu.4.
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
Guru Angad then builds on the ideas of verse two at an abstract level, taking us through various characters from the Hindu epics and distinguishing them from IkOankar. Guru Angad actually refers to Krisnang who is IkOankar and not Krishna, who is in the Gita. This difference in spelling is very important. The Krishna of the Gita is a character. The Krisnang referred to by Guru Angad is the Supreme One, and the word itself is genderless. The Guru says that if we figure out the mystery, we will know that there is one Krisnang who is above all of those who are presented as god-incarnates, who is the source of light, and source of consciousness of all. Guru Angad is contextualizing all other gods and goddesses as a part of the Source, 1Force, the only source of knowledge or instruction, for those who believe in millions of gods and goddesses.
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