BASANT KI VAR, by Guru Arjan, is the shortest of the twenty-two vars, i.e. holy poems composed in the style or tone of odes (vars, in Punjabi) or heroic ballads included in the Guru Granth Sahib. Basant, Punjabi for spring, from which musical measure the Var derives its title is, like Malhar (the rag”a of the rainy season), an ancient seasonal ragathe raga of springtime. Basant ki Var comprises three pauris or stanzas only, each pauri consisting of five lines. Like the Var of Balvand and Satta and unlike any Other var in the Guru Granth Sahib, this Var does not have any slokas added to the pauris.The Var addresses itself to the theme of the Guru`s grace which alone will enable man to overcome his ego or self hood and, thus, attain, communion with the Creator.
Springtime is the period of newness when vegetation stirs to life and nature comes to bloom in all its beauty and splendour. As the Guru`s grace occurs, man sheds the winter born leaves of ego, lust, greed, attachment and anger and blossoms into nam, joy in the constant remembrance of God. If Basant, i.e. spring, is the season of union, this Var impresses upon man to submit himself to the true Guru to achieve union with the Divine. Men who meditate on the Name and surrender themselves to the Will of the Lord are gurmukhs. They are holy, turned towards the Guru (gur==guru, JnuJch=face, i.e. face turned towards the Guru).
They alone overcome the five vices, companions of manmukhs, the self willed. Such men succumb not to grief, nor are they beguiled by pleasures. They are freed from the cycle of birth and death. Transmigration thus annulled, the self merges in the Creator.
References :
1. Bishan Singh, Giani, Bai Varan Satik. Amritsar, n.d.
Basant Ki Var, by Guru Arjan Dev is one of the twenty-two vars (heroic ballads) included in the Guru Granth Sahib and stands out for its succinct and potent expression of divine grace. Composed in the raga Basant—the musical embodiment of spring—this var uses the season’s themes of renewal and blossoming as a metaphor for the spiritual rejuvenation available through the Guru’s grace.
Key Features
Structure and Form:
Basant Ki Var is the shortest of the vars, consisting of just three pauris (stanzas), with each pauri made up of only five lines. Unlike many other vars, it does not include any additional slokas interwoven with the pauris, which lends it a direct and unembellished cadence. This economical style ensures that every line resonates with a clear spiritual message.
Seasonal Metaphor:
The title “Basant” signifies spring—a time when nature awakens, trees shed the tired “leaves” of winter, and blossoms emerge in their place. Guru Arjan Dev employs this seasonal imagery to illustrate how the Guru’s grace allows the soul to discard the burdens of ego, lust, greed, attachment, and anger. Just as spring renews and transforms the natural world, the divine benevolence initiates a similar transformation within the human heart, allowing it to blossom with the remembrance of God.
Theme of Divine Union:
At its core, Basant Ki Var is an exhortation to surrender to the true Guru. It emphasizes that only by meditating on the Divine Name (Naam Simran) and embracing the Guru’s teachings can one attain a state of union with the Creator. This union frees the devotee from the cycle of birth and death and brings about lasting spiritual bliss. Spiritual Significance
Renewal of the Soul:
Basant Ki Var serves as a call for inner renewal. In the same way that spring heralds a new beginning in nature, the verse invites the listener to shed all negative attachments and emerge spiritually revived. It is a reminder that each moment offers a chance to reorient oneself toward the eternal, transcending material limitations.
A Call to Surrender:
The var underscores that liberation (mukti) comes through the Guru’s grace—a grace that transforms the individual by dissolving the self-centered ego. In doing so, it guides the devotee away from the perils of worldly illusion toward the unchanging truth of the Divine.
Liturgical Role:
Recited by devotees to inspire spiritual renewal and maintain a focus on the Divine, Basant Ki Var holds an important place in Sikh devotional practice. Its rhythmic and unadorned form makes it particularly effective during moments of introspection, helping individuals to internalize its profound message of devotion and transformation.
In summary, Basant Ki Var by Guru Arjan Dev is not merely a seasonal ode but a richly layered meditation on the transformative power of divine grace. Its elegant simplicity and vivid imagery encourage every devotee to let go of their inner winter—laden with ego and attachments—and to embrace the eternal spring of spiritual awakening, achieved through tender devotion to the True Guru.
