WAHEGURU WORD
ABSTRACT
The word “Waheguru/ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ” was never used by Sikh Gurus in their compositions of Gurbani as recorded in AGGS. However, it comes in the writings of Bhatts 14 times as described later. Jetha (Guru Ram Das) used this word Waheguru explaining to Emperor Akbar that the word has been made out of the initials of name for God used in Satjug (Wasdev), Tretajug (Hari), Dwaparjug (Gobind) Kaljug (Ram) praising God and the Guru as per Macauliffe in The Sikh Religion Vol 2 page 106 published, first edition in 1909. I personally do not accept this reference as Bhai Gurdas used the same explanation in the Pauri 49 of his Var 1 with a minor difference and he served 3rd to the 6th Guru.
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The words “Gur Wahe” comes twice in AGGS in two hymns of Guru Amar Das and Guru Arjun;
ਵਾਹੁ ਵਾਹੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ ਜਿ ਸਚੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਏ ਸੋਇ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਵਾਹੁ ਵਾਹੁ ਜਿਸ ਤੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥
vāhu vāhu saṯgurū hai jė sacẖ driṛ▫ā▫e so▫e. Nānak saṯgur vāhu vāhu jis ṯė nām parāpaṯ hoe.
vāhu vāhu saṯgurū hai jė sacẖ driṛ▫ā▫e so▫e. Nānak saṯgur vāhu vāhu jis ṯė nām parāpaṯ hoe.
Bravo! Bravo! Blessed and Great is the True Guru, who implants the Truth within. O Nanak, Blessed and Great is the True Guru, through whom the Name of the Immortal God, is received.-----Guru Amar Das, Sloke Varan To Vadheek, AGGS, Page, 1421-13
ਵੇਮੁਹਤਾਜਾ ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹੁ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਕਹਹੁ ਗੁਰ ਵਾਹੁ ॥
Vemuhṯājā veparvāhu. Nānak ḏās kahhu gur vāhu.
Vemuhṯājā veparvāhu. Nānak ḏās kahhu gur vāhu.
The God is absolutely independent and totally care-free; O servant Nanak, chant Immortal God’s Glorious Praises.-----Guru Arjun, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 376-8
Waheguru Word comes in AGGS 14 times on page 1402, 1403 and 1404 in Swayayeas Mahlay Chauthay K 4 (praising Guru Ram Das) composed by Bhatt Gyand, where It has been used to address Guru Ram Das as:
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿ ਜੀਉ ॥
ਕਵਲ ਨੈਨ ਮਧੁਰ ਬੈਨ ਕੋਟਿ ਸੈਨ ਸੰਗ ਸੋਭ ਕਹਤ ਮਾ ਜਸੋਦ ਜਿਸਹਿ ਦਹੀ ਭਾਤੁ ਖਾਹਿ ਜੀਉ ॥
ਦੇਖਿ ਰੂਪੁ ਅਤਿ ਅਨੂਪੁ ਮੋਹ ਮਹਾ ਮਗ ਭਈ ਕਿੰਕਨੀ ਸਬਦ ਝਨਤਕਾਰ ਖੇਲੁ ਪਾਹਿ ਜੀਉ ॥
ਕਾਲ ਕਲਮ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹਾਥਿ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਉਨੁ ਮੇਟਿ ਸਕੈ ਈਸੁ ਬੰਮ੍ਯ੍ਯੁ ਗ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਨੁ ਧ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਨੁ ਧਰਤ ਹੀਐ ਚਾਹਿ ਜੀਉ ॥
ਸਤਿ ਸਾਚੁ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ ਆਦਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਸਦਾ ਤੁਹੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿ ਜੀਉ ॥
Vāhigurū vāhigurū vāhigurū vāhi jī▫o Kaval nain maḏẖur bain kot sain sang sobẖ kahaṯ mā jasoḏ jisahi ḏahī bẖāṯ kẖāhi jī▫o. Ḏekẖ rūp aṯ anūp moh mahā mag bẖa▫ī kinknī sabaḏ jẖanaṯkār kẖel pāhi jī▫o.Kāl kalam hukam hāth kahhu ka▫un met sakai īs bamm▫yu ga▫yān ḏẖeān ḏẖaraṯ hī▫ai cẖāhi jī▫o. Saṯ sācẖ sarī nivās āḏ purakẖ saḏā ṯuhī vāhigurū vāhigurū vāhigurū vāhi jī▫o.
Waahay Guru, Waahay Guru, Waahay Guru, Waahay Jee-o. You are lotus-eyed, with sweet speech, exalted and embellished with millions of companions. Gazing upon Your supremely beautiful form, and hearing the musical sounds of Your silver bells tinkling, she (Soul) was intoxicated with delight. Death's pen and command are in Your hands. Tell me, who can erase it? Shiva and Brahma yearn to enshrine Your spiritual wisdom in their hearts. You (God) are forever True, the Home of Excellence, the Primal Supreme Being. Waahay Guru, Waahay Guru, Waahay Guru, Waahay Jee-o.-----Bhatt Gyand, AGGS, Page, 1402- 11-14-18
ਅਕਥ ਕਥਾ ਕਥੀ ਨ ਜਾਇ ਤੀਨਿ ਲੋਕ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇ ਸੁਤਹ ਸਿਧ ਰੂਪੁ ਧਰਿਓ ਸਾਹਨ ਕੈ ਸਾਹਿ ਜੀਉ ॥
ਸਤਿ ਸਾਚੁ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ ਆਦਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਸਦਾ ਤੁਹੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿ ਜੀਉ ॥
Akath kathā kathī na jā▫e ṯīn lok rahi▫ā samā▫e suṯah siḏẖ rūp ḏẖari▫o sāhan kai sāhi jī▫o.Saṯ sācẖ sarī nivās āḏ purakẖ saḏā ṯuhī vāhigurū vāhigurū vāhigurū vāhi jī▫o.
No one can speak God’s Unspoken Speech. You are pervading the three worlds. You assume the form of spiritual perfection, O King of kings. You (God) are forever True, the Home of Excellence, the Primal Supreme Being. Bravo Guru, Bravo Guru, Bravo Guru, Bravo Sir.-----Bhatt Gyand, AGGS, Page, 1403-2
ਕੀਆ ਖੇਲੁ ਬਡ ਮੇਲੁ ਤਮਾਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਭ ਰਚਨਾ ॥
ਤੂ ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਗਗਨਿ ਪਯਾਲਿ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹ੍ਯ੍ਯਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਤੇ ਮੀਠੇ ਜਾ ਕੇ ਬਚਨਾ ॥
Kī▫ā kẖel bad mel ṯamāsā vāhigurū ṯerī sabẖ racẖnā. Ŧū jal thal gagan pa▫yāl pūr rah▫yā amriṯ ṯe mīṯẖe jā ke bacẖnā.
You (God) have formed and created this play, this great game. O Bravo Guru, this is all You, forever You are pervading and permeating the water, land, skies and nether regions; Your Words are sweeter than Nectar.----- Bhatt Gyand, AGGS, Page, 1403-18
ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਪਰਮਾਰਥੁ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਸੇਤੀ ਮਨੁ ਖਚਨਾ ॥
ਕੀਆ ਖੇਲੁ ਬਡ ਮੇਲੁ ਤਮਾਸਾ ਵਾਹਗੁਰੂ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਭ ਰਚਨਾ ॥
Gur parsāḏ pā▫ī▫ai parmārath saṯsangaṯ seṯī man kẖacẖnā. Kī▫ā kẖel bad mel ṯamāsā vāhgurū ṯerī sabẖ racẖnā.
By Guru's Grace, the greatest thing is obtained, and the mind is involved with the True Congregation. You (God) have formed and created this play, this great game. O Bravo Guru, this is all You’re making.-----Bhatt Gyand, AGGS, Page, 1404-2
According to the spurious 49 Pauri inserted in the Vaar 1 of Bhai Gurdas (Who was the writer of the first volume of Pothi (AGGS) under the supervision of Guru Arjun (5th Guru), Waheguru word is explained to be coined by combining the first letters of various deities of different Yugas in Vedantic philosophy. It is not being accepted by Sikhs at large that Pauri 49 was written by him as follows:
Waheguru Spell (ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਮੰਤ੍)
ਸਤਿਜੁਗ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਵਾਸਦੇਵ ਵਾਵਾ ਵਿਸ਼ਨਾ ਨਾਮ ਜਪਾਵੈ ॥
ਦੁਆਪਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਹਰੀਕਿ੍ਸ਼ਨ ਹਾਹਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
ਤੇ੍ਤੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਰਾਮ ਜੀ ਰਾਰਾ ਰਾਮ ਜਪੇ ਸੁਖ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਗਗਾ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਨਾਮ ਜਪਾਵੈ ॥
ਚਾਰੇ ਜਾਗੇ ਚਹੁ ਜੁਗੀ ਪੰਚਾਇਣ ਵਿਚ ਜਾਇ ਸਮਾਵੈ ॥
ਚਾਰੋਂ ਅਛਰ ਇਕ ਕਰ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜਪ ਮੰਤ੍ ਜਪਾਵੈ ॥
ਜਹਾਂ ਤੇ ਉਪਜਿਆ ਫਿਰ ਤਹਾਂ ਸਮਾਵੈ ॥
Satgur Satgur Vasdev Vava Vishna Naam Japavai,Dyapur Satgur Harkrishan Haha Har Har Naam Dhiavai,Trayte Satgur Ram Ji Rara Ram Japavai,Kaljug Nanak Gur Gobind Gaga Gobind Naam Japavai,Charay Jaagay Chouh Jugi Panchaen Vich Jaaey Samavai,Charon Acher Ik Kar Waheguru Jap Mantar Japavai,Jahan Te Upjeaa Phir Tahan Samavai.
Satguru (Nanak) in Satyuga was Vasudeva and his name as ‘Vava’ Vishnu Nam
In Kali Yuga Guru Nanak were Gobind and his name as ‘Gaga’ Gobind was made to be repeated by people. He (Nanak) gathered four letters (Vava, Haha, Rara, and Gaga of all the reincarnated gods) created a Jap Nam ‘Waheguru’ as a mantra to be repeated by people.
Those who will repeat this Jap Mantra ‘Waheguru’ will be merged back into God.-----Bhai Gurdas, Pauri 49, Vaar 1
In this Pauri the word, ‘Waheguru’ has shown to be coined by taking the first letter ‘ Vava’ of Vishnu, ‘Haha’ of Hari (Krishna), ‘Rara’ of Rama and ‘Gaga’ of Gobind – all the important gods in Vedantic philosophy. So much so Bhai Gurdas also said that Guru Nanak himself was the Satguru as the reincarnations of God as Vishnu, Hari (Krishna), Rama, and Gobind during different Vedantic Ages.
As described in Macauliffe, Max Arthur-Vol, 2, published in 1909, page 106 & 107, when the Brahmans and others who hated Guru Amar Das complained to Emperor Akbar that Guru is teaching wrong things to others. Guru Amar Das sent Bhai Jetha (Later became Guru Ram Das) to Emperor Akbar, who explained to the Emperor and said, ‘O Emperor, in the Sat, the Treta, the Dwaapur, and the Kal ages God was worshipped under the names of Wasdev, Hari, Gobind, and Ram. The Guru hath made from the initials of these four names the word Waheguru, which is the praise of God and the Guru. Despite this reference, none of the three gurus Guru Ram Das (Jetha), Guru Arjun Dev and Guru Tegh Bahadur did not use the word Waheguru in their compositions of Gurbani as incorporated in Sikh Scripture (AGGS).
The word Waheguru has been mentioned in the following Vaars of Bhai Gur Das:
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਲਾਹਣਾ ਗੁਰੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਅਲਾਏ ॥
Waheguru Salahna Gur Shabad Alayea.
Waheguru, God is eulogized through the recitation of the word of the Guru.
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਡੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥
Waheguru Vaddi Vaddiaye.
Wondrous is the Waheguru whose greatness is grand.
- Vaar 12, Pauri 17-2
ਵੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਅਗੋਚਰਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਸੁਣਾਇਆ ॥
Ved Kateb Agochra Waheguru Gur Shabad Sunayia.
The Gurus recited Word-Guru as Waheguru, Which is beyond Vedas and Semitic Scriptures.
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰਮੰਤ੍ ਹੈ ਜਪਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਖੋਈ ॥
Waheguru Gur Manter Hai, Jap Haumai Kho-ee.
The Guru-mantra is Waheguru, chanting It erases egotism. (Even though there are supposed to be no Mantras in Sikhism)
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੁ ਸੁਣਾਇਆ ॥
Waheguru Gur Sabd Sunayiaa.
Word Waheguru was imparted to the people.
This word, Waheguru, has been accepted by Bhai Santokh Singh, Pundit Tara Singh Narautom, and Bhai Vir Singh as reported by Bhai Hazara Singh. Even Bhai Hazara Singh has also hesitantly accepted that this Vaar is written by Bhai Gurdas, although some theologians have stated that Pauri 49 was not written by Bhai Gurdas.
Conclusion:
At pages, # 153, 226, 478, 514, 515, 521, 565, 754, 755, 788, 947, 1276 and 1421 of the AGGS ‘Gur’ and ‘Wah’ are found as separate words but not as ‘Waheguru’ as one word for God.
The entire world roams around, chanting, "Ram, Ram, (Lord, Lord)" or (Waheguru Waheguru), but God cannot be obtained like this. God is inaccessible, unfathomable and so very great; God is unweighable, and cannot be weighed. No one can evaluate God and cannot be purchased at any price. Through the Word of the Guru's Sabd, God's mystery is known; in this way, God comes to dwell in the mind. O Nanak, God Itself is infinite; by Guru's Grace, God is known to be permeating and pervading everywhere. God, Itself comes to blend and having blended remain blended.-----Guru Amar Das, Raag Bihagrha Ki Vaar, AGGS, Page, 555
It is also said by Guru Amar Das in Bihagrha Ki Vaar that God is not obtained by repeating and saying the words again and again. God cannot be obtained that until and unless one has not practiced meditation, self-discipline, self-restraint or righteous living as mentioned by Guru Arjun in Raag Asa in Rehras 12-8.
ਸਲੋਕ ਮਃ ੩ ॥
Salok mėhlā 3.
ਰਾਮੁ ਰਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਫਿਰੈ ਰਾਮੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਅਗਮੁ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਅਤਿ ਵਡਾ ਅਤੁਲੁ ਨ ਤੁਲਿਆ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਕੀਮਤਿ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਈਆ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਲਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਭੇਦਿਆ ਇਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਆਪਿ ਅਮੇਉ ਹੈ ਗੁਰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇ ॥
ਆਪੇ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਮਿਲਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਆਪੇ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਆਇ ॥੧॥ Rām rām karṯā sabẖ jag firai rām na pā▫i▫ā jā▫e. Agam agocẖar aṯ vadā aṯul na ṯuli▫ā jā▫e. Kīmaṯ kinai na pā▫ī▫ā kiṯai na la▫i▫ā jā▫e.Gur kai sabaḏ bẖeḏi▫ā in biḏẖ vasi▫ā man ā▫e.Nānak āp ame▫o hai gur kirpā ṯe rahi▫ā samā▫e.Āpe mili▫ā mil rahi▫ā āpe mili▫ā ā▫e.
It is said that Guru Gobind Singh designated “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh” to Bhai Mani Singh as Sikh Salutation but there is no documentary proof except for being an oral tradition.
It is left to the individuals to make their own understanding of God and decide the origin and meaning of the word “Waheguru,” and can use any name for God of their own understanding with focus and sincerity or one can follow the Sabd of Guru Arjun in Raag Asa:
This human body has been given to you. This is your chance to meet God of the Universe. Nothing else will work. Join the Company of the Holy; vibrate and meditate on the Jewel of the Naam. Make every effort to cross over this terrifying world-ocean. You are squandering this life uselessly in the love of Materialism. Pause. Until and unless you have not practiced meditation, self-discipline, self-restraint, righteous living, have not served the Holy and have not acknowledged God, your King. Says Nanak, my actions are contemptible! O God, I seek Your Sanctuary; please, preserve my honor.------M/5-12-8
ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
Asa M-5
ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ ॥
ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥
ਅਵਰਿ ਕਾਜ ਤੇਰੈ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਕਾਮ ॥
ਮਿਲੁ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਭਜੁ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮ ॥੧॥
ਸਰੰਜਾਮਿ ਲਾਗੁ ਭਵਜਲ ਤਰਨ ਕੈ ॥
ਜਨਮੁ ਬ੍ਰਿਥਾ ਜਾਤ ਰੰਗਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਕੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਜਪੁ ਤਪੁ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਨ ਕਮਾਇਆ ॥
ਸੇਵਾ ਸਾਧ ਨ ਜਾਨਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇਆ ॥
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਮ ਨੀਚ ਕਰੰਮਾ ॥
ਸਰਣਿ ਪਰੇ ਕੀ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਸਰਮਾ ॥੨॥੪॥
Bẖa▫ī parāpaṯ mānukẖ ḏehurī▫ā.Gobinḏ milaṇ kī ih ṯerī barī▫ā.Avar kāj ṯerai kiṯai na kām.Mil sāḏẖsangaṯ bẖaj keval nām.Saraʼnjām lāg bẖavjal ṯaran kai.Janam baritha jāṯ rang mā▫i▫ā kai. rahā▫o.Jap ṯap sanjam ḏẖaram na kamā▫i▫ā.Sevā sāḏẖ na jāni▫ā har rā▫i▫ā.Kaho Nānak ham nīcẖ karammā.Saraṇ pare kī rākẖo sarmā.
This human body has been given to you. This is your chance to meet God of the Universe. Nothing else will work. Join the Company of the Holy; vibrate and meditate on the Jewel of the Naam. Make every effort to cross over this terrifying world-ocean. You are squandering this life uselessly in the love of Materialism. Pause. Until and unless you have not practiced meditation, self-discipline, self-restraint, righteous living, have not served the Holy and have not acknowledged God, your King. Says Nanak, my actions are contemptible! O God, I seek Your Sanctuary; please, preserve my honor.------M/5-12-8
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