Dancing And Gurbani

[spnadmin]

Of late Garba and Rass have undergone fusion. So you will see men and women performing Garba.

Little kids and parents learning Garba-Rass


There are in the US Garba-Rass dance teams that compete.

YouTube - Rass (Stick Dance Workshop) from Gujarat - - Utsavam at the Horniman Museum

 

[spnadmin]

YouTube - Gujarati Jagran Group Ras Performance in Auckland 2006

 

[spnadmin]

This is more Rass than Garba. All men -- which is typical. Rass for men and Garba for women; except now the dance forms have changed and men and women will dance together.

YouTube - Ras Garba - રાસ ગરબા

 

[spnadmin]

Bhangra Bhangrissimo

Bhangra is performed throughout the Punjab and is considered one of the indigenous folk dances of across Punjab in both India and Pakistan. Originally it was a harvest dance performed by men. Today it is danced in night clubs and for almost any celebratory occasion.

YouTube - musharraf dance

 

[spnadmin]

Gidda

The traditional folk equivalent of bhangra for women is Gidda.

YouTube - Gidda Dance Santa Rosa Diwali 1

 

[spnadmin]

Last one for now.

Also from the Punjab -- this one is performed also in Pakistan - strictly by men - originally a dance of celebration after a successful battle. Now performed after soccer matches or any victory in the sports arena.

YouTube - Luddi/ Bhangrra

 

[spnadmin]

Merry Christmas to our forum members who have trees, and lights, and all that good pastry, and all of that! :yes:

 

[BhagatSingh]

Would you close your eyes and spin around in your room (all alone) while having gurbani on? And just spin like youve never spun before! Slowly of course...

 

[spnadmin]

Bhagat ji

No, I can't say I would.

ਵਾਜਾ ਮਤਿ ਪਖਾਵਜੁ ਭਾਉ ॥
vaajaa math pakhaavaj bhaao ||
Make your intellect your instrument, and love your tambourine;
ਹੋਇ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਸਦਾ ਮਨਿ ਚਾਉ ॥
hoe anandh sadhaa man chaao ||
thus bliss and lasting pleasure shall be produced in your mind.
ਏਹਾ ਭਗਤਿ ਏਹੋ ਤਪ ਤਾਉ ॥
eaehaa bhagath eaeho thap thaao ||
This is devotional worship, and this is the practice of penance.

ਇਤੁ ਰੰਗਿ ਨਾਚਹੁ ਰਖਿ ਰਖਿ ਪਾਉ ॥੧॥
eith rang naachahu rakh rakh paao ||1||
So dance in this love, and keep the beat with your feet. ||1||

ਪੂਰੇ ਤਾਲ ਜਾਣੈ ਸਾਲਾਹ ॥
poorae thaal jaanai saalaah ||
Know that the perfect beat is the Praise of the Lord;


ਹੋਰੁ ਨਚਣਾ ਖੁਸੀਆ ਮਨ ਮਾਹ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
hor nachanaa khuseeaa man maah ||1|| rehaao ||
other dances produce only temporary pleasure in the mind. ||1||Pause||

v ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਵਜਹਿ ਦੁਇ ਤਾਲ ॥
sath santhokh vajehi dhue thaal ||
Play the two cymbals of truth and contentment.

ਪੈਰੀ ਵਾਜਾ ਸਦਾ ਨਿਹਾਲ ॥
pairee vaajaa sadhaa nihaal ||
Let your ankle bells be the lasting Vision of the Lord.

ਰਾਗੁ ਨਾਦੁ ਨਹੀ ਦੂਜਾ ਭਾਉ ॥
raag naadh nehee dhoojaa bhaao ||
Let your harmony and music be the elimination of duality.

ਇਤੁ ਰੰਗਿ ਨਾਚਹੁ ਰਖਿ ਰਖਿ ਪਾਉ ॥੨॥
eith rang naachahu rakh rakh paao ||2||
So dance in this love, and keep the beat with your feet. ||2||

ਭਉ ਫੇਰੀ ਹੋਵੈ ਮਨ ਚੀਤਿ ॥
bho faeree hovai man cheeth ||
Let the fear of God within your heart and mind be your spinning dance,

ਬਹਦਿਆ ਉਠਦਿਆ ਨੀਤਾ ਨੀਤਿ ॥
behadhiaa outhadhiaa neethaa neeth ||
and keep up, whether sitting or standing.

ਲੇਟਣਿ ਲੇਟਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਤਨੁ ਸੁਆਹੁ ॥
laettan laett jaanai than suaahu ||
To roll around in the dust is to know that the body is only ashes.

ਇਤੁ ਰੰਗਿ ਨਾਚਹੁ ਰਖਿ ਰਖਿ ਪਾਉ ॥੩॥
eith rang naachahu rakh rakh paao ||3||
So dance in this love, and keep the beat with your feet. ||3||

ਸਿਖ ਸਭਾ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਕਾ ਭਾਉ ॥
sikh sabhaa dheekhiaa kaa bhaao ||
Keep the company of the disciples, the students who love the teachings.

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੁਣਣਾ ਸਾਚਾ ਨਾਉ ॥
guramukh sunanaa saachaa naao ||
As Gurmukh, listen to the True Name.

Raag Aasa, Ang 350

 

[spnadmin]

Also on the subject of spinning is the following shabad in Raag Aasaa, on Ang 464. Spinning appeals as much as having my camel-like mind wandering from oasis to oasis. It is exhausting and keeps me thoughts spinning in circles. Guru Nanak had a lot more to say about spinning -- but I will leave you with this.

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ਹੋਰਿ ਕੇਤੇ ਰਾਮ ਰਵਾਲ ॥
naanak nirabho nirankaar hor kaethae raam ravaal ||
O Nanak, the Lord is fearless and formless; myriads of others, like Rama, are mere dust before Him.

ਕੇਤੀਆ ਕੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕਹਾਣੀਆ ਕੇਤੇ ਬੇਦ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥
kaetheeaa kannh kehaaneeaa kaethae baedh beechaar ||
There are so many stories of Krishna, so many who reflect over the Vedas.

ਕੇਤੇ ਨਚਹਿ ਮੰਗਤੇ ਗਿੜਿ ਮੁੜਿ ਪੂਰਹਿ ਤਾਲ ॥
kaethae nachehi mangathae girr murr poorehi thaal ||
So many beggars dance, spinning around to the beat.

v ਬਾਜਾਰੀ ਬਾਜਾਰ ਮਹਿ ਆਇ ਕਢਹਿ ਬਾਜਾਰ ॥
baajaaree baajaar mehi aae kadtehi baajaar ||
The magicians perform their magic in the market place, creating a false illusion.


ਗਾਵਹਿ ਰਾਜੇ ਰਾਣੀਆ ਬੋਲਹਿ ਆਲ ਪਤਾਲ ॥
gaavehi raajae raaneeaa bolehi aal pathaal ||
They sing as kings and queens, and speak of this and that.


ਲਖ ਟਕਿਆ ਕੇ ਮੁੰਦੜੇ ਲਖ ਟਕਿਆ ਕੇ ਹਾਰ ॥
lakh ttakiaa kae mundharrae lakh ttakiaa kae haar ||
They wear earrings, and necklaces worth thousands of dollars.


ਜਿਤੁ ਤਨਿ ਪਾਈਅਹਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸੇ ਤਨ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਛਾਰ ॥
jith than paaeeahi naanakaa sae than hovehi shhaar ||
Those bodies on which they are worn, O Nanak, those bodies turn to ashes.

 

[spnadmin]

Bhagat ji and forum members,

I just found an Internet radio channel for bhangra. Really terrific at bollywoodboston.com. The direct link to the radio is:

Bollywood Boston! - Bhangra Radio

Scroll down a bit and find the media player and click on the "Play" button. Right below is the play list. Two really good ones are "Darshan" and "Das Ja."

Enjoy!

 

[singhbj]

Waheguru ji ka khalsa
Waheguru ji ki fateh

Please read this Shabad

SikhiToTheMAX - Enabling Gurmat Knowledge

Thanks

Waheguru ji ka khalsa
Waheguru ji ki fateh

 

[spnadmin]

Singhbj ji

In this verse,

audmu krq hovY mnu inrmlu nwcY Awpu invwry ]
oudham karath hovai man niramal naachai aap nivaarae ||
Making the effort, the mind becomes pure; in this dance, the self is silenced.

The dance is not dancing around -- Guruji starts out with the words, "making the effort" the mind become pure; then Guruji says "in this dance" by which Guruji means "making the effort" to purify the mind. The dance is the dance of the self in meditation by which the self is silenced.

Later in the shabad Guruji says,

rbwbu pKwvj qwl GuMGrU Anhd sbdu vjwvY ]1] rhwau ]
rabaab pakhaavaj thaal ghu(n)gharoo anehadh sabadh vajaavai ||1|| rehaao ||
He plays upon the guitar, tambourine and cymbals, and the unstruck sound current of the Shabad resounds. ||1||Pause||

The play upon guitar, tambourine and cymbals leads to sounds that come from strking on instruments. But in this verse it leads to the "unstruck sound current of the Shabad..." So we have metaphors in this Shabad.

Forum member Surinder Kaur Cheema ji in big blue leters used to say "Me neech tells me...." Well, me neech tells me that Guruji is not talking about making music in the usual sense or dancing in the usual sense.

What does your neech tell you?

 

[Gyani Jarnail Singh]

Gurbani is so powerful that it can overpower...the OX..the Elephant..the Dog...etc inside us and make them not only play music in perfect tune but dance to it as well - the animals mentioned are anology to our base instincts..kaam krodh lobh moh hankaar etc:happy:

 

[spnadmin]

Gyani ji

You just made a lot of people feel much better now with your reply. :yes: Just don't let me hear you were doing in it gurdwara.

 

[kiram]

Singhbj ji

In this verse,

audmu krq hovY mnu inrmlu nwcY Awpu invwry ]
oudham karath hovai man niramal naachai aap nivaarae ||
Making the effort, the mind becomes pure; in this dance, the self is silenced.

The dance is not dancing around -- Guruji starts out with the words, "making the effort" the mind become pure; then Guruji says "in this dance" by which Guruji means "making the effort" to purify the mind. The dance is the dance of the self in meditation by which the self is silenced.

Later in the shabad Guruji says,

rbwbu pKwvj qwl GuMGrU Anhd sbdu vjwvY ]1] rhwau ]
rabaab pakhaavaj thaal ghu(n)gharoo anehadh sabadh vajaavai ||1|| rehaao ||
He plays upon the guitar, tambourine and cymbals, and the unstruck sound current of the Shabad resounds. ||1||Pause||

The play upon guitar, tambourine and cymbals leads to sounds that come from strking on instruments. But in this verse it leads to the "unstruck sound current of the Shabad..." So we have metaphors in this Shabad.

Forum member Surinder Kaur Cheema ji in big blue leters used to say "Me neech tells me...." Well, me neech tells me that Guruji is not talking about making music in the usual sense or dancing in the usual sense.

What does your neech tell you?

Aad ji, loved this explaination May i ask you which Shabad is this and if you could elaborate on the "Anhad Shabad Vajaavey" once again ji...

 

[spnadmin]

Kiram ji Here is the Shabad

ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
aasaa mehalaa 5 ||
Aasaa, Fifth Mehl:


ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰਤ ਹੋਵੈ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਨਾਚੈ ਆਪੁ ਨਿਵਾਰੇ ॥
oudham karath hovai man niramal naachai aap nivaarae ||
Making the effort, the mind becomes pure; in this dance, the self is silenced.


ਪੰਚ ਜਨਾ ਲੇ ਵਸਗਤਿ ਰਾਖੈ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਏਕੰਕਾਰੇ ॥੧॥
panch janaa lae vasagath raakhai man mehi eaekankaarae ||1||
The five passions are kept under control, and the One Lord dwells in the mind. ||1||


ਤੇਰਾ ਜਨੁ ਨਿਰਤਿ ਕਰੇ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵੈ ॥
thaeraa jan nirath karae gun gaavai ||
Your humble servant dances and sings Your Glorious Praises.


ਰਬਾਬੁ ਪਖਾਵਜ ਤਾਲ ਘੁੰਘਰੂ ਅਨਹਦ ਸਬਦੁ ਵਜਾਵੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
rabaab pakhaavaj thaal ghungharoo anehadh sabadh vajaavai ||1|| rehaao ||
He plays upon the guitar, tambourine and cymbals, and the unstruck sound current of the Shabad resounds. ||1||Pause||


ਪ੍ਰਥਮੇ ਮਨੁ ਪਰਬੋਧੈ ਅਪਨਾ ਪਾਛੈ ਅਵਰ ਰੀਝਾਵੈ ॥
prathhamae man parabodhhai apanaa paashhai avar reejhaavai ||
First, he instructs his own mind, and then, he leads others.


ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਜਪੁ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਜਾਪੈ ਮੁਖ ਤੇ ਸਗਲ ਸੁਨਾਵੈ ॥੨॥
raam naam jap hiradhai jaapai mukh thae sagal sunaavai ||2||
He chants the Lord's Name and meditates on it in his heart; with his mouth, he announces it to all. ||2||


v ਕਰ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਾਧੂ ਚਰਨ ਪਖਾਰੈ ਸੰਤ ਧੂਰਿ ਤਨਿ ਲਾਵੈ ॥
kar sang saadhhoo charan pakhaarai santh dhhoor than laavai ||
He joins the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, and washes their feet; he applies the dust of the Saints to his body


ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਅਰਪਿ ਧਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਆਗੈ ਸਤਿ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥੩॥
man than arap dhharae gur aagai sath padhaarathh paavai ||3||
He surrenders his mind and body, and places them before the Guru; thus, he obtains the true wealth. ||3||


ਜੋ ਜੋ ਸੁਨੈ ਪੇਖੈ ਲਾਇ ਸਰਧਾ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਦੁਖੁ ਭਾਗੈ ॥
jo jo sunai paekhai laae saradhhaa thaa kaa janam maran dhukh bhaagai ||
Whoever listens to, and beholds the Guru with faith, shall see his pains of birth and death taken away.


ਐਸੀ ਨਿਰਤਿ ਨਰਕ ਨਿਵਾਰੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਾਗੈ ॥੪॥੪॥੪੩॥
aisee nirath narak nivaarai naanak guramukh jaagai ||4||4||43||
Such a dance eliminates hell; O Nanak, the Gurmukh remains wakeful. ||4||4||43||

 

[spnadmin]

kiram ji

My best attempt at an explanation of this Shabad is defective compared to what others can say. But I will try. I read the shabad as a blueprint with directions on how to apply our minds and hearts. If my words are too simplistic, that is because I don't usually think that Guruji is being secretive (just every now and then)

The key: Making the effort, the mind becomes pure; in this dance, the self is silenced.
The goal is to silence the self, we must make the effort to purify the mind.

Guru Arjan Dev ji is clear about the dance-steps:

1. Sing His PraisesGaavai,
2. Hear the Shabad resound vajaavai
3. Reflect rehaao
4. Instruct the mind through constant prayer prathhamae man parabodhhai
5. Join with sangat and share with others our experience with the Satguru paashhai avar reejhaavai ||
6. Chant the Lord's name raam naam jap
7. Contain the Naam within our hearts hiradhai jaapai
8. Announce the Naam openly so all others can hear it mukh thae sagal sunaavai
9. Give seva to the Guru through dutiful association with sangat kar sang saadhhoo charan pakhaarai santh dhhoor than laavai ||
10 Surrender mind and body and offer them to Kartar man than arap dhharae gur aagai sath padhaarathh paavai ||3||

So that is the dance that Guru is telling us and this is the result with His Glance of Grace will be

ਜੋ ਜੋ ਸੁਨੈ ਪੇਖੈ ਲਾਇ ਸਰਧਾ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਦੁਖੁ ਭਾਗੈ ॥
jo jo sunai paekhai laae saradhhaa thaa kaa janam maran dhukh bhaagai ||
Whoever listens to, and beholds the Guru with faith, shall see his pains of birth and death taken away.

Please correct my errors.

 

[kiram]

Thank you Aad ji, loved the explanation... and the Shabad..
May i please request you to explain the Rahao line ji.. "Anhad Sabad Vajaavey"
What is the unstruck sound current ji that Guru Ji is talking about...

 

[spnadmin]

kiram ji

I started to respond and the browser kicked me off the thread. Sorry -- but it means that the timing is not right Let me re-group and get back to you in a little while.