Gurudwaras of World
Gateway to Sikhism proudly launches
Gurudwaras of World @ www.worldgurudwaras.com
Gateway to Sikhism proudly launches Gurudwaras of World @ www.worldgurudwaras.com on auspicious day of Khalsa Sajna Divas , Vaisakhi April 14th 2012. Worldgurudwaras.com will strive to be most comprehensive directory of Historical Gurudwaras and Non Historical Gurudwaras around the world.
The etymology of the term 'gurdwara' is from the words 'Gur (ਗੁਰ)' (a reference to the Sikh Gurus) and 'Dwara (ਦੁਆਰਾ)' (gateway in Gurmukhi), together meaning 'the gateway through which the Guru could be reached'. Thereafter, all Sikh places of worship came to be known as gurdwaras.
It is a work in progress and We strongly urge the Sikh Cyber Community to contribute to this project by submitting contact information, details, images of Gurudwaras around the world to make this a comprehensive directory.
Sikhism FAQs
Sikhism FAQs:Give the substance of the Asa-di-var.
Q106. Give the substance of the Asa-di-var. |
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Guru Nanak's Asa-di-var or the morning prayer, consists of Slokas and 24 Pauris. Guru Ramdas added 24 Chhands (Quatrains). A var or ode is a heroic measure, popular in the Punjab. This particular var is sung in the early morning in all Sikh Temples. Here Guru Nanak sings of the glory of God and "The Name". He details the process by which an ordinary man can become a perfect servant to God. Even so God's grace is essential, and one has to deserve it:
"God Himself shapes men as vessels, and brings them
to perfection.
In some is put the milk of loving and kindness, others ever are set on
the fire of passion.
Some lie down to sleep on cushions, others stand to watch over them.
God regenerates those on whom He looks with grace. (24) "
The hurdles on the path to divinity like the Ego, hypocrisy, evil thoughts and actions, are discussed and various remedies are suggested.
According to Prof. Teja Singh, The "Asa-di-var" resembles an ancient choral in Greek. There is a great similarity in the way both var and ode are sung. It may be noted that there are 22 vars in the Granth, out of which three, including Asa-di-var, are by Guru Nanak. Often Shabads (Hymns) are interspersed between Pauris and this provides for both a variation of musical score and changes of thought.
Krishna Chaitanya, an Indian musicologist writes about the effect of
the chant of Asa-di-var as under:
"In musical impact it is like the plain chant of European Christianity.
It is recitative which has taken wings, rather than an abstract arabesque
of sound. In its musical texture, it is wholly different from plain chant.
This is because plain chant comes early in the evolution of European music
whereas the melodic pattern of the Asa-di-var is derived by the simplification
of a mature classical tradition."
We understand the message and feel the melody at the same time. When the Asa-di-var is sung before dawn - Amrit Vela - it produces a feeling of inner repose and peace.
Gramophone records of the Asa-di-var are available in the market. The
most popular is that of the late Surjan Singh.
