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Kal Taaran Gur Nanak Aaya


Next year in November, it will be the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the illumined soul of my music and life. I am hearing of plans of celebrations all over the world ... But why wait until next year? Why not have a year long musical celebration??? I am diving right in, right now!!! 

This week, I start with a beautiful poem by Bhai Gurdas, "Kal Taaran Gur Nanak Aaya" in Raag Bageshri. I have been singing this since the 1990s, and I had recorded this first in 2009. I re-recorded this in the past few days. There will be a lot more in the coming weeks ...

Thanks to Simer Chabbra for the Happy Gurpurab cover art.

Lyrics and Translation -

ਸੁਣੀ ਪੁਕਾਰਿ ਦਾਤਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਗ ਮਾਹਿ ਪਠਾਇਆ
Sunee Pukaari Daatar Prabhu Guru Naanak Jag Maahi Pathhaaiaa
The benefactor Lord listened to the cries (of humanity) and sent Guru Nanak to this world.

ਚਰਨ ਧੋਇ ਰਹਰਾਸਿ ਕਰਿ ਚਰਣਾਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸਿਖਾਂ ਪੀਲਾਇਆ 
Charan Dhoi Raharaasi Kari Charanamritu Sikhaan Peelaaiaa 
He washed His feet, eulogised God and got his Disciples drink the ambrosia of his feet. 

ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪੂਰਨ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਇਕ ਦਿਖਾਇਆ
Paarabrahamu Pooran Brahamu Kalijugi Andari Iku Dikhaaiaa 
He preached in this darkage (kaliyug) that, saragun (Brahm) and nirgun (Parbrahm) are the same and identical. 

ਚਾਰੇ ਪੈਰ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਚਾਰਿ ਵਰਨ ਇਕ ਵਰਨੁ ਕਰਾਇਆ
Chaaray Pair Dharam Day Chaari Varani Iku Varanu Karaaiaa
Dharma was now established on its four feet and all the four castes (through fraternal feeling) were converted into one caste (of humanity). 

ਰਾਣਾ ਰੰਕ ਬਰਾਬਰੀ ਪੈਰੀ ਪਵਣਾ ਜਗਿ ਵਰਤਾਇਆ
Raanaa Ranku Baraabaree Pairee Paavanaa Jagi Varataaiaa
Equating the poor with the prince, he spread the etiquette of humbly touching the feet. 

ਉਲਟਾ ਖੇਲੁ ਪਿਰੰਮ ਦਾ ਪੈਰਾ ਉਪਰਿ ਸੀਸੁ ਨਿਵਾਇਆ
Ulataa Khaylu Piranm Daa Pairaa Upari Seesu Nivaaiaa
Inverse is the game of the beloved; he got the egotist high heads bowed to feet. 

ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਬਾਬੇ ਤਾਰਿਆ ਸਤਿਨਾਮੁ ਪੜ੍ਹਿ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਸੁਣਾਇਆ
Kalijugu Baabay Taariaa Satinaamu Parhhi Mantr Sunaaiaa
Baba Nanak rescued this dark age (kaliyug) and recited ‘satinam’ mantr for one and all. 

ਕਲਿ ਤਾਰਣ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਇਆ ॥੨੩॥ 
Kali Taarani Guru Naanaku Aaiaa ||23 || 
Guru Nanak came to redeem the kaliyug.
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