Page 38 - Gurmat Book 7

Vaar with Saloks, Saloks written by the First Guru, to be sung to the tune of

'Tunda-Asraajaa':

This is the beginning of Asa Di Vaar. There are 22 Vaars in Sri Guru Granth
Sahib and 9 of these Vaars come with a special folk tune or dhuni. In this case

the dhuni is that of Tunda Asraaja (A handless Prince named Asraaj). Vaar means

Ode. An ode is the longest form of poetry. Basant Ki Vaar, Majh Ki Vaar, Malhaar
Ki Vaar, Suhi Ki Vaar, Gaudi Ki Vaar, Raamkali Ki Vaar, Wadhans Ki Vaar and

several more. In the case of Asa Di Vaar, it means Ode of Asa (the Raag Asa is
sung in the morning).

Vaars are constructed of Saloks and Paudis. Paudis are exclusive to Vaars. Saloks

are a form of verse or stanza. They are not written in any raag, but they are sung
in the raag they are placed in. (So if a Salok is placed in Asa then it’s sung in

Asa). Paudis are a form of stanza and they capture the main message of each

Chhakka of the Vaar. Literally there is no difference between a Shabad and a
Paudi. In Punjabi language a Paudi means steps in a ladder or the ladder itself.

Chapter Questions

1. What does the word ‘Mahalla’ mean in Gurbani?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

2. Who was Tunda Asraaja?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. What is a Vaar? Give one name of a Vaar from Gurbani.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Open Sri Guru Granth Sahib on a random page. If you do not have access to
Sri Guru Granth Sahib, open a page on www.srigranth.org on the internet. Write
the heading of a Shabad as you see it.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Stepping Stones PSL Gurmat Sikhia Book 7G 2023 Edition Page 36