Shabad Kirtans - A Brief Intro And Ek Onkar (Mool Mantar)

Devotional singing in Sikhism is called a Kirtan. It is typically performed at Gurdwaras (Sikh temples), wherein Sikh scriptures and legends are recited in a song, set to a certain 'raga' (tune) and accompanied with music. A Shabad Kirtan refers to the musical recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, the primary scripture in the Sikhism tradition. The Shabad Kirtan is silently listened to by the gathered congregation.

Three types of Sikh musicians are Rababis, Ragis, and Dhad.

It began in the late 16th century as the musical expression of mystical poetry, accompanied by a musical instrument rabab, by Bhai Mardana an early follower of Guru Nanak –the founder of Sikhism. Following Nanak, all the Sikh gurus sang in the then-prevalent classical and folk music styles, accompanied by stringed and percussion instruments. The style was where the text was of prime significance and the music played a supporting, albeit important, role. The Gurus specified the raag for each hymn in the Sikh sacred scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib.

Significant efforts have been under way since the 1970s to revive the rich Sikh music tradition initiated and developed by the Sikh Gurus. Various terms used to refer to this tradition include Shabad keertan parampara, Gurbani sangeet parampara and Gurmat sangeet.

Listening to shabads brings a lot of peace within... It is like cleansing of the mind, body and soul ! Truly divine.

If you like to add some additional information on this topic, you are most welcome to do so through the comments section of this blog.

I feel privileged and humbled to present here a few shabads, with their meanings translated into English. As a start, sharing the lyrics, meaning and link to the shabad "Ik Onkar" - which is considered as the 'Mool-Mantar'

Hope you would enjoy listening to them as much as I do... if not more !

"Ik Onkar" (also sometimes written as "Ek Onkar")

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbftHnxqUfk&t=1324s

The "Mool Mantar" is the most important composition contained within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs; it is the basis of Sikhism. The Mool Mantar is said to be the first composition uttered by Guru Nanak Dev upon enlightenment at the age of about 30. Being the basis of Sikhism it encapsulates the entire theology of Sikhism. When a person begins to learn Gurbani, this is the first verse that most would learn.

Ek Onkar - There is Only One God
Sat Naam - His Name is True
Karta Purakh - He is the Creator
Nirbhau - Without Fear
Nirvair - Without Hate
Akaal Moorat - Ominipresent
Ajooni - Free from Birth and Death
Saibhan - Self-Illuminating
GurParsad - Realized through the Grace of the True Guru
Jap - Meditate upon His Name
Aad Sach - For He was True when Time Began
Jugaad Sach - He has been True since the Ages
Hai Bhi Sach - He is still True
Nanak Hosi Bhi Sach - Guru Nanak says He will forever be True

This is the actual symbol of "Ik Onkar" in Gurmukhi - the Sikh script.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbftHnxqUfk&t=1324s

Ik Onkara Sat Naam, kartaa purakh, nirbhau, nirvair akaal moorat, ajoonee saibhn, gur parsaad Jap aad sach jugaad sach hai bhee sach naanak hosee bhee sach sochai soch naa hov-a-ee jay sochee lakh vaar. chupai chup naa hov-a-ee jay laa-i rahaa liv taar. bhukhi-aa bhukh naa utree, jay bannaa puree-aa bhaar. sehas si-aanpaa lakh hoh, taa ik naa chalai naal. kiv sachi-aaraa ho-ee-ai, kiv koorhai tutai paal. hukam rajaa-ee chalnaa, naanak likhi-aa naal.

There is but one God, True is His Name, Creative His personality and immortal His form. He is without fear, sans enmity, unborn and self-illumined. By the Guru’s grace He is obtained. True in the prime, True in the beginning of ages, True He is even now and True He verily, shall be, O Nanak! By pondering on God, man cannot have a conception of Him, even though he may ponder over lacs of times. Even though one be silent and remains absorbed in Lord’s constant love he obtains no mind’s silence. The hunger of the hungry departs not, even though they may pile up loads of the world’s valuables. Man may possess thousands and lacs of wits, but not even one goes with him (avails him in the Lord’s court). How can we be true and how can the screen of untruth be rent? O Nanak! By obeying, the pre-ordained order of the Lord’s will.