The music on
this recording is all part of the sacred music of the Sikh religion
known as Gurubani Kirtan. "Gurubani" means "from
the mouth of the Guru". These hymn-poems are compositions
of the Sikh Gurus who wrote them in a state of divine ecstacy.
"Kirtan" is the practice of call and response singing,
so that the practitioner may both hear and recite these sounds,
so as to take them into the body/being for the purpose of upliftment.
Track 1 is a
prayer mantra, and tracks 2, 3 and 4 are shabds or hymns, which
are all sung in Raga Dhanasri, an afternoon Raga, between 1 and
4 P.M. This is a raga of longing and has been pictured as a woman
missing her lover so much, that she keeps trying to draw his
picture. For complete translations of these hymns, go to www.satkartarmusic.com,
visit the recordings page, and click on the track title you would
like to view.
1. Ardas Bhaee Amardas Guru, Amardas Guru, Ardas Bhaee, Ram Das
Guru, Ram Das Guru, Ram Das Guru Sachee Sahee. This mantra is
invoking the grace of Guru Amardas and Guru Ram Das (3rd and
4th Sikh Gurus) to answer and deliver the needs and prayers that
the devotee asks for (Sung in Rag Dhanasri).
2. Jo Mageh Thakur Apane Tay - The main repeating line means,
"God's Slave has been saved by the Guru, the World-Lord;
drawing me to His Bosom, my sins have been erased by the Forgiving
Compassionate Lord."
3. Guru Ram Das Rahko Sarnahee - A hymn of praise to Guru Ram
Das asking for his protection. Recitation of this helps to build
a meditative and prayerful mind.
4. Tum Karoh Daya - Request for the Compassion of the Divine,
to bless the devotee with the understanding that inspires meditation
on the Lord.
RAG BHAIRO
Rag Bhairo is
named after the giant Bhairav, in Eastern mythology, who is one
of 3 guards for the palace in the heavens, of Lord Shiva, hence
the album name. It is sung between 4-7 A.M., and has a grand
and stately sound, though not sad. It is a very popular music
scale worldwide.
5. Satgur Sayv Sarb Ful Paee - Repeating line is " Serving
the True Guru, I have obtained all the fruits. My karmas of myriad
births are cleansed.
6. Rakha Ek Hamara Swamee - Repeating line is "The One Lord
who is the searcher of all hearts is my Protector." It is
for bringing contentment and peace.
7. Jo Jo Deesai, So So Rogee - "Whosoever I see, that one
suffers from disease; only my True Guru, the Perfect yogi, is
free from disease"