Anand Kaaraj

Laavan Prayer:

sUhI mhlw 4 ] (773-16)

soohee mehlaa 4.
Soohee, Fourth Mehl:

hir pihlVI lwv privrqI krm idRVwieAw bil rwm jIau ] (773-16, sUhI, mÚ 4)
har pahilarhee laav parvirtee karam drirh-aa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.
In the first round of the marriage ceremony, the Lord sets out His Instructions
for performing the daily duties of married life.

bwxI bRhmw vydu Drmu idRVhu pwp qjwieAw bil rwm jIau ] (773-17, sUhI, mÚ
4)
banee barahmaa vayd Dharam darirhHu paap tajaa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.
Instead of the hymns of the Vedas to Brahma, embrace the righteous conduct of
Dharma, and renounce sinful actions.

Drmu idRVhu hir nwmu iDAwvhu isimRiq nwmu idRVwieAw ] (773-17, sUhI, mÚ
4)
Dharam darirhHu har naam Dhi-aavahu simrit naam drirh-aa-i-aa.
Meditate on the Lord's Name; embrace and enshrine the contemplative
remembrance of the Naam.

siqguru guru pUrw AwrwDhu siB iklivK pwp gvwieAw ] (773-18, sUhI, mÚ 4)
satgur gur pooraa aaraaDhahu sabh kilvikh paap gavaa-i-aa.
Worship and adore the Guru, the Perfect True Guru, and all your sins shall be
dispelled.

shj Anµdu hoAw vfBwgI min hir hir mITw lwieAw ] (773-18, sUhI, mÚ 4)
sahj anand ho-aa vadbhaagee man har har meethaa laa-i-aa.
By great good fortune, celestial bliss is attained, and the Lord, Har, Har, seems
sweet to the mind.

jnu khY nwnku lwv pihlI AwrMBu kwju rcwieAw ]1] (774-1, sUhI, mÚ 4)
jan kahai naanak laav pahilee aarambh kaaj rachaa-i-aa. ||1||
Servant Nanak proclaims that, in this, the first round of the marriage ceremony,
the marriage ceremony has begun. ||1||

hir dUjVI lwv siqguru purKu imlwieAw bil rwm jIau ] (774-2, sUhI, mÚ 4)
har doojrhee laav satgur purakh milaa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.
In the second round of the marriage ceremony, the Lord leads you to meet the
True Guru, the Primal Being.
inrBau BY mnu hoie haumY mYlu gvwieAw bil rwm jIau ] (774-2, sUhI, mÚ 4)
nirbha-o bhai man ho-ay ha-umai mail gavaa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.
With the Fear of God, the Fearless Lord in the mind, the filth of egotism is
eradicated.

inrmlu Bau pwieAw hir gux gwieAw hir vyKY rwmu hdUry ] (774-3, sUhI, mÚ 4)
nirmal bha-o paa-i-aa har gun gaa-i-aa har vaykhai raam hadooray.
In the Fear of God, the Immaculate Lord, sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord,
and behold the Lord's Presence before you.

hir Awqm rwmu pswirAw suAwmI srb rihAw BrpUry ] (774-3, sUhI, mÚ 4)
har aatam raam pasaari-aa su-aamee sarab rahi-aa bharpooray.
The Lord, the Supreme Soul, is the Lord and Master of the Universe; He is
pervading and permeating everywhere, fully filling all spaces.

AMqir bwhir hir pRBu eyko imil hir jn mMgl gwey ] (774-4, sUhI, mÚ 4)
antar baahar har parabh ayko mil har jan mangal gaa-ay.
Deep within, and outside as well, there is only the One Lord God. Meeting
together, the humble servants of the Lord sing the songs of joy.

jn nwnk dUjI lwv clweI Anhd sbd vjwey ]2] (774-5, sUhI, mÚ 4)
jan naanak doojee laav chalaa-ee anhad sabad vajaa-ay. ||2||
Servant Nanak proclaims that, in this, the second round of the marriage
ceremony, the unstruck sound current of the Shabad resounds. ||2||

hir qIjVI lwv min cwau BieAw bYrwgIAw bil rwm jIau ] (774-5, sUhI, mÚ 4)
har teejrhee laav man chaa-o bha-i-aa bairaagee-aa bal raam jee-o.
In the third round of the marriage ceremony, the mind is filled with Divine Love.

sMq jnw hir mylu hir pwieAw vfBwgIAw bil rwm jIau ] (774-6, sUhI, mÚ 4)
sant janaa har mayl har paa-i-aa vadbhaagee-aa bal raam jee-o.
Meeting with the humble Saints of the Lord, I have found the Lord, by great
good fortune.

inrmlu hir pwieAw hir gux gwieAw muiK bolI hir bwxI ] (774-7, sUhI, mÚ 4)
nirmal har paa-i-aa har gun gaa-i-aa mukh bolee har banee.
I have found the Immaculate Lord, and I sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord. I
speak the Word of the Lord's Bani.

sMq jnw vfBwgI pwieAw hir kQIAY AkQ khwxI ] (774-7, sUhI, mÚ 4)
sant janaa vadbhaagee paa-i-aa har kathee-ai akath kahaanee.
By great good fortune, I have found the humble Saints, and I speak the
Unspoken Speech of the Lord.
ihrdY hir hir hir Duin aupjI hir jpIAY msqik Bwgu jIau ] (774-8, sUhI, mÚ 4)
hirdai har har har Dhun upjee har japee-ai mastak bhaag jee-o.
The Name of the Lord, Har, Har, Har, vibrates and resounds within my heart;
meditating on the Lord, I have realized the destiny inscribed upon my forehead.

jnu nwnku boly qIjI lwvY hir aupjY min bYrwgu jIau ]3] (774-8, sUhI, mÚ 4)
jan naanak bolay teejee laavai har upjai man bairaag jee-o. ||3||
Servant Nanak proclaims that, in this, the third round of the marriage ceremony,
the mind is filled with Divine Love for the Lord. ||3||

hir cauQVI lwv min shju BieAw hir pwieAw bil rwm jIau ] (774-9, sUhI, mÚ 4)
har cha-utharhee laav man sahj bha-i-aa har paa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.
In the fourth round of the marriage ceremony, my mind has become peaceful; I
have found the Lord.

gurmuiK imilAw suBwie hir min qin mITw lwieAw bil rwm jIau ] (774-10, sUhI,
mÚ 4)
gurmukh mili-aa subhaa-ay har man tan meethaa laa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.
As Gurmukh, I have met Him, with intuitive ease; the Lord seems so sweet to my
mind and body.

hir mITw lwieAw myry pRB BwieAw Anidnu hir ilv lweI ] (774-10, sUhI, mÚ 4)
har meethaa laa-i-aa mayray parabh bhaa-i-aa an-din har liv laa-ee.
The Lord seems so sweet; I am pleasing to my God. Night and day, I lovingly
focus my consciousness on the Lord.

mn icMidAw Plu pwieAw suAwmI hir nwim vjI vwDweI ] (774-11, sUhI, mÚ 4)
man chindi-aa fal paa-i-aa su-aamee har naam vajee vaaDhaa-ee.
I have obtained my Lord and Master, the fruit of my mind's desires. The Lord's
Name resounds and resonates.

hir pRiB Twkuir kwju rcwieAw Dn ihrdY nwim ivgwsI ] (774-12, sUhI, mÚ 4)
har parabh thaakur kaaj rachaa-i-aa Dhan hirdai naam vigaasee.
The Lord God, my Lord and Master, blends with His bride, and her heart
blossoms forth in the Naam.

jnu nwnku boly cauQI lwvY hir pwieAw pRBu AivnwsI ]4]2] (774-12, sUhI, mÚ 4)
jan naanak bolay cha-uthee laavai har paa-i-aa parabh avinaasee. ||4||2||
Servant Nanak proclaims that, in this, the fourth round of the marriage
ceremony, we have found the Eternal Lord God. ||4||2||

Practices that occur in the wedding:

The first (Introductory) Ardaas

In this Ardaas (prayer) only the bride and groom

and their parents stand and participate to seek
Guru Ji’s blessings before proceeding with
wedding ceremony.

kIqwl oVIAYkM
mus uhir pih AwKIAY
“Whenever there is any work on hand, address
Vaheguru about it and invoke His blessings.”
(Ang 92, SGGS)

The First Hukamnama

– The Order (Hymn from Sri
Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
• A Hukamnama is a random reading of
the first shabad (hymn) on the ang
(page) which Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
opens on.
• Through the Hukamnama, Guru Ji
speaks and showers His blessings upon
the couple, the parents and the holy
congregation.
 Tying the Wedding Knot
• This ceremony is known as ‘Palle Dee Rasam’,
where the bride’s relatives (usually the father)
give her away to the groom.

• Holding the boy’s scarf in her hand, the bride

and groom physically join in communion, ready
to accept and affirm their marriage vows in front
of Guru Ji

• During this ceremony the musicians (Raagis)

sing a shabad (hymn).

The Advice to Couple

• At this point the Granthi Singh (the person who
reads and explains Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
explains to the the couple the importance of
marriage in relation to Gurmat (the Guru’s
teachings) and how through the Guru’s teachings
they can make their life peaceful and happier.

• The couple are asked whether they have taken

Amrit (baptism), and if not they are asked to agree
that in the near future both husband and wife will
take Amrit and commit themselves to the Guru,
just as today they have committed themselves to
one another.
 The main marriage ceremony
 Four hymns from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
are read to solemnise the Anand Kaaraj (Sikh
marriage).

 In these hymns, Guru Raam Daas Ji, the

fourth Sikh Guru, has described the marriage
of the individual soul with the Eternal Soul.

 These four hymns mention four spiritual

stages in the progression of love between
spouses and also of human souls towards
union with the Supreme Soul, Vaheguru.

• Marriage is a inner spiritual journey of one soul in

two bodies, which needs love, mutual respect,
mutual trust, mutual adjustment and commitment
to attain unity with Vaheguru.

• The essence of the four hymns may be summed

in the following words:
- Contemplation of Vaheguru’s Name
- Fear of the Immaculate Vaheguru
- Bairaag and longing of Divine Love
- Harmony and attainment of Vaheguru

• Guru Raam Daas Ji mentions that the married

life should be moulded to the spiritual and ideal
teachings contained in these hymns.
 1. During the marriage ceremony, the Granthi
recites the first Laav (vow).

2. Musicians (Raagis) then sing the same

verse, while the bride and the groom walk
clockwise around the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

3. When the musicians (Raagis) finish singing

the verse, the bride and the groom bow and
sit down.

--This protocol is repeated for each of the four

marriage verses.--

The bride and groom now bow their head

(matha tekh) to Guru Granth Sahib Ji and
walk around Guru Ji clockwise while the
same verse is sung by the musicians
(Raagis).
This signifies acceptance of the vow and the walking
around is a physical expression of the affirmation.

~ Full Explanation of Anand Karaj Ceremony ~

~ Lavan Vaikhiya ~

(Original Vaikhiya in Punjabi by Gyani Thakur Singh Khalsa damdami taksal):

Gyani ji says, Sri Guru Ram Das Ji Maharaj explains the concept of unity between jiv atma (a
soul-being like you or me) and Paratama (Supreme Soul God) in four lavans. These four
lavans are the four states towards Bhramgian (Supreme Divine Knowledge) and merger with
God. In the First state, Guru ji gives discourse the bride and groom on reading gurbani,
meditate on Naam. Upon doing, slowly but surely in the second state, this jiv atma falls in love
with Naam of God .When that happens mind starts getting free from all the doubts and fears
and this jiv gets more aware of their actions. In third state, jiv becomes bairaagi (emotionally
inclined towards divine). When in the mind, seed of bairaag started to grow and flourish then
this jiv meets with saints or society of saints. After meeting with saint or soceity of saints, this
jiv start meditating on Vahiguroo. In Gradual pace, Vahiguroo's resonance started in this jiv
(being) mind and heart and this jiv started listening to celestial resonance inside. Slowly
travelling through all three stages, this jiv (being) prepares firm capacity where Vahiguroo
gives its full parkash. After receiving three states, in the fourth state this jiv gets sehaj
avastha which makes this jiv automatically love his divine name. In this fourth state, desire to
meet Vahiguroo is fullfilled. Jiv Roop Istari (in form of being, wife) meets with husband lord.
Where couples- husband, wife as jiv together merges with true husband lord).

Gyani ji says, these four states are described in four lavans (rounds) which husband and wife
together perform around Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Soohee mehlaa 4.
Soohee, Fourth Mehl:

har pahilarhee laav parvirtee karam drirh-aa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.

In the first (parkarma) round of the marriage ceremony, lord shows parvirtee(world is
maya/illusion) then Lords shows nivarti as in self-realization to realize that illusion and stay
detached(nirlaip) while leaving in this world.

banee barahmaa vayd Dharam darirhHu paap tajaa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.

Bhrama talks about embracing the righteous conduct of dharma in vedas and renounce sinful
actions. Gurbani also as well says to embrace the righteous conduct of dharma and renounce
sinful actions (4 cardinal sins considered in Sikh dharma).

Dharam darirhHu har naam Dhi-aavahu simrit naam drirh-aa-i-aa.

Real essence of Dharma is to meditate on the Lord's Name; embrace and enshrine the
contemplative remembrance of the Naam, even the simritas(many scriptures) have talked
about importance of Naam.

Gyani ji says: Person should have balance between keeping rehat maryada and doing naam
simran (meditation). Maryada is of no usage, if dharmi does not meditate which is main
essence of dharma.

satgur gur pooraa aaraaDhahu sabh kilvikh paap gavaa-i-aa.

Worship and adore the Guru, the Perfect True Guru, and all your sins shall be dispelled.

sahj anand ho-aa vadbhaagee man har har meethaa laa-i-aa.

After worshipping and adoring the Guru, by great good fortune, slowly one gets attuned
towards sehaj avastha, celestial bliss is attained, and the Lord, Har, Har, seems sweet to the
mind.

jan kahai naanak laav pahilee aarambh kaaj rachaa-i-aa. ||1||

Servant Nanak proclaims that, in this, the first round (state) of the marriage ceremony, the
marriage ceremony has begun.

har doojrhee laav satgur purakh milaa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.

In the second round of the marriage ceremony, When Akaal Purkh leads you to meet the True
Guru by listening to guru's discourses.

Gyani ji says: Above tuk talks about Sikh (jagiaso-husband/wife) how their mind is purified
after meeting the true guru.

nirbha-o bhai man ho-ay ha-umai mail gavaa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.

Fearless Lord (Sat guru) eradicated the fear of God, hell, angels of death in the mind and
eradicates the filth of egotism in this being.

nirmal bha-o paa-i-aa har gun gaa-i-aa har vaykhai raam hadooray.

Immaculate Lord then puts immaculate fear( type of fear which consider God or Guru higher
than this being) inside this being, under which this being sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord,
and behold the Lord's Presence before anything.

har aatam raam pasaari-aa su-aamee sarab rahi-aa bharpooray.

The Lord, the Supreme Soul, is the Lord and Master of the Universe; He is pervading and
permeating everywhere, fully filling all spaces.

antar baahar har parabh ayko mil har jan mangal gaa-ay.

Deep within, and outside as well, there is only the One Lord God. Meeting together, the
humble servants of the Lord sing the songs of joy.

jan naanak doojee laav chalaa-ee anhad sabad vajaa-ay. ||2||

Nanak proclaims that, in this, the second round of the marriage ceremony, the unstuck sound
current of the Shabad resonates in couples mind. ||2||

har teejrhee laav man chaa-o bha-i-aa bairaagee-aa bal raam jee-o.

In the third round of the marriage ceremony, the mind is filled with Divine Love and longing
towards God.

sant janaa har mayl har paa-i-aa vadbhaagee-aa bal raam jee-o.

Then meeting with the humble Saints of the Lord, I have found the Lord, by great good
fortune.

nirmal har paa-i-aa har gun gaa-i-aa mukh bolee har banee.

I have found the Immaculate Lord, and I sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord. I speak the
Word of the Lord's Bani.

sant janaa vadbhaagee paa-i-aa har kathee-ai akath kahaanee.

By great good fortune, I have found the humble Saints, and I speak the Unspoken Speech of
the Lord along with the saints.

hirdai har har har Dhun upjee har japee-ai mastak bhaag jee-o.

The Name of the Lord, Har, Har, Har, vibrates and resounds within my heart; meditating on
the Lord, I have realized the destiny inscribed upon my forehead.

Gyani ji says: In this state, naam simran starts inside within the body and it vibrates and
resounds with its resonance all the time even though working, talking to someone.

Gyani ji gives further example how mother's concentration is always on her infant child even
though she is working in house. Just like that in this state, this being inner concentration is
always attuned to resonance happening inside.

jan naanak bolay teejee laavai har upjai man bairaag jee-o. ||3||

Servant Nanak proclaims that, in this, the third round of the marriage ceremony, the mind is
filled with Divine Love and longing (bairag) towards God.

Gyani ji says there are nine types of bairaag(longing)- Above verse talks about 8th type of
bairaag in its third state towards spirituality.

Nine types of bairaag.

1. Karan Bairag: Cause bairaag. For example- There was a raja(king) parthar, there was his
queen pingal who was extremely beautiful. Someone gave her amar phul which is divine
blessing to stay always young and beautiful. Queen pingal betrayed king by sharing her
blessing, wealth, time to king's servant. When King came to know about this secret, king went
through emotional shock and left his kingdom and did immense meditation, he also wrote 100
shaloks in book called - Bairaag shatak. This book is full of bairaag after reading this and
contemplating on it ones becomes fully bairaag/tyaagi.

2. Mand Bairaag- Longing due to the lack of worldly materials, leaving the family and set up
small ashram with small numbers of followers.

3. Ek Indra bairaag- To see, listen, talk about desire full things whether it's paraie women,
car, house, party with senses. In this type of bairaag one does not do action as in engaging
themselves in desire full activities but just seeing them. If one manages not to engage
themselves in actions/act that they tend to spent all their life seeing, listening, talking, such
person is called Ek Indrae Bairaagi.

4. Yatman Bairaag: This bairaag is to distinguish between Truth and Lie.

5. Vetrek Bairaag: This type of bairaagi (person belongs to vetrak bairaag state) to think
about merits and demerits in congregation.

6. Vasikar Bairaag: This type of bairaag is controlling over ten sense organs and mind.

7. Teebar bairaag- This type of bairaag renounces desire for paradise and worldly comforts.

8. Teebar tar Bairaag- This type of bairaag renounces desire for heavenly paradise and
heavenly comforts.

9. Tar Teebar tar tam bairaag- This type of bairaag to renounces the objects of inder lok, shiv
lok, Bhramlok [Realms of three deities). There are no desires left in this final state of bairaag.
Not even for salvation but only to fully merge with the beloved."

har cha-utharhee laav man sahj bha-i-aa har paa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.

In the fourth round of the marriage ceremony, mind has become peaceful; I have found the
Lord which has taken away all my anxiety and worries.

Gyani ji talks about meaning of sehaj avastha; Sehaj Avastha is state when person -who feels
no happiness upon gaining materialistic things in this world or status, also feels no sadness
upon loosing any materialistic things or social status in this world. Sehaj Avastha when
person's state is samh (steady and stable free from materialistic happiness and sadness).

Gyani ji further clarifies that this four state or round of lavan, being reaches the highest state
of bairaag. Ninth and last bairaag is known as: Tar Teebar tar tam bairaag

gurmukh mili-aa subhaa-ay har man tan meethaa laa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.

I have met Mukhi (Supreme) Guru, with intuitive ease; the Lord seems so sweet to my mind
and body.

har meethaa laa-i-aa mayray parabh bhaa-i-aa an-din har liv laa-ee.

The Lord's Naam (Name) seems so sweet; I am pleasing to my God. Night and day, I lovingly
focus my consciousness on the Lord.

man chindi-aa fal paa-i-aa su-aamee har naam vajee vaaDhaa-ee.

I have obtained my Vahiguroo, the fruit of my mind's desires. The Lord's Name resounds and
resonates.

har parabh thaakur kaaj rachaa-i-aa Dhan hirdai naam vigaasee.

The Lord God blends with His bride(couples/partner), and her heart blossoms forth in the
Naam.

Gurbani says:

Jab Hum Hotaie Tab Tu Nahi, Ab Tuhi Mein Nahi ||

jan naanak bolay cha-uthee laavai har paa-i-aa parabh avinaasee. ||4||2||

Servant Nanak proclaims that, in this, the fourth round of the marriage ceremony, we
together have found the Eternal Lord God.

~ Lavan Vaikhiya Sampuran Sampati ~