This beautiful song, 'Dhan Dhan Mata Sahib Kaur Ji', is divine to listen to. Below is a video preview of the song followed by the explanation of what the song means.
In case you are not familiar with the artist at first glance, she is Gurbinder Kaur from the Acappella Jatha who have many songs on the Gurbani Media Center which are all very beautiful.
The lyrics come from the book 'Game of Love' by Harjinder Singh.
Have a great time reading this! Chardi Kala!
ਮਾਤਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕੌਰ ਜੀ
“I love my mom”
- “My mom’s the greatest” – “Best Mom in the World” –
Aren’t these the very slogans that sell millions of mugs, t-shirts
and gifts across the world? Thus, why would I not scream out in joy,
that my mom – Mata Sahib Kaur Jee is the Greatest? She is The
Greatest Mom that we could wish for. Hold this thought.
Now this is where our story begins – a few of us had a yearning to develop learning for a
mother, that is very near, yet so far due to our actions and deeds. So, two years ago in 2011 Kaurageous (www.kaurageous.com) organised a program celebrating the birthday of Mata Sahib Kaur, which took place at multiple locations across the globe. So we, the few Sikhs involved in these endeavours, started to try to fulfil our craving for information, history and our emotional and spiritual bond with our Mother – Mata Sahib Kaur – The Mother of the Khalsa - The mother of untold millions across the globe today, yesterday and for generations to come. This led us to write these lyrics, do some mixing, sing our lungs out and pen some words, that hopefully inspire you to reach out to Your mother, Our mother – Mata Sahib Kaur.
Now, here you are reading this – as part of this dedication and celebration to Mata Jee. Please listen to these tracks and try relating the meanings of these lyrics to your daily lives and our humble endeavour will have had the intended impact. The lyrics used attempt to show an insight into Mata Jee’s characteristics and life. We thought it best to use the lyrics to do this, as they come from our hearts and that is where our mother
resides. If we were to try writing a biography we wouldn’t and couldn’t do it justice. So this effort is a meagre shining of a candle in front of the Sun – that is Mata Sahib Kaur.
Chorus
ਧੰਨ ਧੰਨ ਮਾਤਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕੌਰ ਜੀ Dhan Dhan Maatha Sahib Kaur Jee
Great is Mata Sahib Kaur (Masterful Princess)
We all say our mom is great – it is a natural tendency created by the bond we develop from birth, which continues throughout our lives. Mata Sahib Kaur Jee was born in Rohtas, District Jhelum now in Pakistan. She was named Sahib Deva as her parents thanked the Sahib (the Master, the Ultimate Vaheguru) for the birth of their child and they added Deva (meaning Angel) as a suffix, to remind their daughter that she should dedicate her life to the master and become his angel (servant). This wish was fulfilled in 1700 AD when she married Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee, accepting the condition by Guru Sahib that he would not enter conjugal relations with her, as he had already fathered four sons and would not have any more children.
Some will be reading this thinking well I never had this motherly relationship with anyone in my life – this is the harsh reality that some experience. If we have faith in our True Mother – Mata Sahib Kaur, then she is with us at all times and will, and can, provide this nurturing love and support. A heartfelt example comes to mind. An orphan in one of the orphanages set up to support Shaheed families after 1984 came in crying to the orphanage, exclaiming, “My school have asked me who my mother is, what do I say now? ” The child was soothed and told, “You do have a mother, your mother is Mata Sahib Kaur” – the child’s spirits were raised and he became joyful. This might sound simplistic but the purity of thought is what will get us acceptance in God’s court, Bhagat Kabeer Jee instructs “Through innocent Love, God is realised” (324, Guru Granth Sahib Jee).
ਤਿਆਗ ਤੇ ਸੁੰਦਰਤਾ ਕੀ ਮੂਰਤ Theyaag te sundartaa kee moorath
The epitome of beauty and renunciationThe beauty of Mata Jee is that she is the epitome of what a Khalsa – the pure, represent. To be rewarded with the honour of being the Mother of the Khalsa for eternity is no easy feat. She accepted the conditions of her marriage to Guru Gobind Singh Jee without a thought. This was Mata Jee’s renunciation, her sacrifice, and she spent the rest of her life in the service of Guru Sahib and the Panth.
ਸੰਤਾਂ ਤੇ ਯੋਧਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਮਾਂ Santha te yodheya dee maa(n)
The Mother of Saints and Warriors
ਖਾਲਸਾ ਪੰਥ ਦੀ ਮਾਂ ... Khalsa Panth dee maa(n) ...
The Mother of the Khalsa Nation
Mata Jee, like Sahib Guru Gobind Singh Jee – our Father, is with us at all times. We just have to light the wick of meditation and recitation of Gurbani and they will both appear before us and serve us, just as our physical parents do in the world. It is now our task to become the Khalsa that the 10 Gurus spent 300 years perfecting, and once we do, no power in the world can stand in our way.
Verses
ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਦੀ ਅਭਿਆਸੀ Naam Simran dee abhyasee
Imbued with meditation
Mata Jee is forever imbued in meditation and has become meditation itself. When she walked this earth and blessed South India, she lived a few miles from where Takhat Sachkand Sri Hazur Sahib Gurdwara stands today - what is now called Mata Sahib Deva Gurdwara Sahib. Here Mata Jee used to remain imbued in meditation and sit for hours on end with her mind affixed on the Almighty.
ਸੁੰਦਰ ਚਾਲੀ, ਨਦਰਿ ਨਿਹਾਲੀ Sundar chalee, nder nihalee
Beautiful are her ways
Her vision destroys sorrow
Her ways are beautiful as they inspire us to become like her and our Father. Let us reflect in a worldly sense for a moment. Our physical mothers will support us from the wrath of our fathers - if we have committed misdeeds. If we cannot reach our Father (Guru Gobind Singh Jee) – or don’t have the spiritual prowess to do so, why can’t we also make heartfelt prayers to our Mother to help us. I am sure she would oblige and if we get blessed with her Darshan (sight of her) our sorrows will definitely be destroyed.
ਤੇਰੇ ਮੁਖੜੇ ਤੇ ਸੋਹਨੀ ਲਾਲੀ Tere mukhre te sohnee lalee
Her face is radiant
Those that meditate carry a spiritual aura and radiance, as does our Mata Jee. But her light is so bright that most of us would have to lower our heads in awe, as we probably wouldn’t be able to absorb it’s energy face on.
ਮਿਠੀ ਮਿਠੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਾਣੀ ... Mithee mithee teree bane ...
Her words are sweet
Her sweet words of advice guide us in both bad and good times.
ਰਹਿਣੀ ਬਹਿਣੀ ਦਾ ਰਾਹ ਵਿਖਾਲਦੀ ਹੈ ਮਾਂ, Rehenee behenee da raah vikhaldee hai maa(n)
A mother teaches one how to live.
ਤਿਆਗਨਾਂ ਆਪਾ ਭਾਵ ਹੈ ਮਾ ਦਾ ਚਾਹ, Theyagnaa(n) apaa bhaav hai ma dha chaah
She yearns to sacrifice her needs for those of her children.
ਗੱਲਵਕੜੀ ਚ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਲਾਡ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ ਮਾਂ, Galvakree ch ley ke laad krdhee hai maa(n)
She lovingly cradles her children
ਆਪਨੇ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਤੇ ਵੀ ਮੇਹਰ ਦੀ ਨਿਘਾ ਪਾ ... Apne bacheya(n) te vee mehar dhee nigha paa ...
Bless us your children with the glance of grace
ਪਿਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਲ ਕਰਵਾ ਲੈਂਦੀ ਹੈ ਮਾਂ, Pitha naal mel krva lendhee hai maa(n)
Our mother can get us to meet our Father (Guru Gobind Singh Jee)
ਸਾਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਪਿਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਾਹ, Sanoo vee pitha naal milaah
Please reunite us with Him mother (as He is in your reach, but seems unattainable to us).
ਡਿਗੇ ਹੋਏ ਨੂੰ ਬਾਹ ਫਿਰਾਹ, Digge hoye noo baah firaah
Give me, one who is fallen, your arm (to save me from drowning and bring me ashore)
ਟੁਟੀ ਹੋਈ ਸੁਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਾਹ, Tutti hoyee surthee noo milaah
Rejoin my broken consciousness with God
ਪਿਤਾ ਪ੍ਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਾਹ .... Pitha Prmathmaa naal milaah ...
Enable me to meet my Father God (from whom I have become estranged).
ਤੇਰਾ ਵਿਛੋੜਾ ਸਤਾਉਂਦਾਂ ਹੈ ਮਾ, Thera visshora sathaundaa hai maa
Your separation torments me (mother)
ਇਕ ਵਾਰੀ ਫੇਰੀ ਪਾ, Ik vaaree feree paa
Grant me your company at least once
ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਕਾ, Mereeaa(n) akheeaa(n) noo sukaa
Come and dry my eyes
ਮੇਰਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਸਫਲ ਬਨਾ, Meraa jeevan safal banna
Making my life worthwhile
ਆਪਨਾ ਪਵਿਤਰ ਮੁਖੜਾ ਵਿਖਾ... Apnaa pavithar mukhra vikha ...
Showing me your pure face
Mata Sahib Kaur Jee spent 7 years in the servitude of Guru Gobind Singh Jee, travelling and living with Guru Sahib for most of this period. She spent a further 38 years mostly in Delhi and left this world in Delhi where she was cremated at Gurdwara Bala Sahib (Delhi). She lived to the age of 66 years old but she is still with us at all times, if only we can make heartfelt cries of a child, such that our Mother cannot deny. Dhan Dhan Mata Sahib Kaur Jee (1679 – 1745AD).Lyrics Only
Chorus
ਧੰਨ ਧੰਨ ਮਾਤਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕੌਰ ਜੀ Dhan Dhan Maatha Sahib Kaur Jee
Great is Mata Sahib Kaur (Masterful Princess)
ਤਿਆਗ ਤੇ ਸੁੰਦਰਤਾ ਕੀ ਮੂਰਤ Theyaag te sundartaa kee moorath
The epitome of beauty and renunciation
ਸੰਤਾਂ ਤੇ ਯੋਧਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਮਾਂ Santha te yodheya dee maa(n)
The Mother of Saints and Warriors
ਖਾਲਸਾ ਪੰਥ ਦੀ ਮਾਂ ... Khalsa Panth dee maa(n) ...
The Mother of the Khalsa Nation
Verses
1) ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਦੀ ਅਭਿਆਸੀ Naam Simran dee abhyasee
Imbued with meditation
ਸੁੰਦਰ ਚਾਲੀ, ਨਦਰਿ ਨਿਹਾਲੀ Sundar chalee, nder nihalee
Beautiful are her ways
Her vision destroys sorrow
ਤੇਰੇ ਮੁਖੜੇ ਤੇ ਸੋਹਨੀ ਲਾਲੀ Tere mukhre te sohnee lalee
Her face is radiant
ਮਿਠੀ ਮਿਠੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਾਣੀ ... Mithee mithee teree bane ...
Her words are sweet
2) ਰਹਿਣੀ ਬਹਿਣੀ ਦਾ ਰਾਹ ਵਿਖਾਲਦੀ ਹੈ ਮਾਂ, Rehenee behenee da raah vikhaldee hai maa(n)
A mother teaches one how to live.
ਤਿਆਗਨਾਂ ਆਪਾ ਭਾਵ ਹੈ ਮਾ ਦਾ ਚਾਹ, Theyagnaa(n) apaa bhaav hai ma dha chaah
She yearns to sacrifice her needs for those of her children.
ਗੱਲਵਕੜੀ ਚ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਲਾਡ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ ਮਾਂ, Galvakree ch ley ke laad krdhee hai maa(n)
She lovingly cradles her children
ਆਪਨੇ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਤੇ ਵੀ ਮੇਹਰ ਦੀ ਨਿਘਾ ਪਾ ... Apne bacheya(n) te vee mehar dhee nigha paa ...
Bless us your children with the glance of grace
3) ਪਿਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਲ ਕਰਵਾ ਲੈਂਦੀ ਹੈ ਮਾਂ, Pitha naal mel krva lendhee hai maa(n)
Our mother can get us to meet our Father (Guru Gobind Singh Jee)
ਸਾਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਪਿਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਾਹ, Sanoo vee pitha naal milaah
Please reunite us with Him mother (as He is in your reach, but seems unattainable to us).
ਡਿਗੇ ਹੋਏ ਨੂੰ ਬਾਹ ਫਿਰਾਹ, Digge hoye noo baah firaah
Give me, one who is fallen, your arm (to save me from drowning and bring me ashore)
ਟੁਟੀ ਹੋਈ ਸੁਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਾਹ, Tutti hoyee surthee noo milaah
Rejoin my broken consciousness with God
ਪਿਤਾ ਪ੍ਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਾਹ .... Pitha Prmathmaa naal milaah ...
Enable me to meet my Father God (from whom I have become estranged).
4) ਤੇਰਾ ਵਿਛੋੜਾ ਸਤਾਉਂਦਾਂ ਹੈ ਮਾ, Thera visshora sathaundaa hai maa
Your separation torments me (mother)
ਇਕ ਵਾਰੀ ਫੇਰੀ ਪਾ, Ik vaaree feree paa
Grant me your company at least once
ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਕਾ, Mereeaa(n) akheeaa(n) noo sukaa
Come and dry my eyes
ਮੇਰਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਸਫਲ ਬਨਾ, Meraa jeevan safal banna
Making my life worthwhile
ਆਪਨਾ ਪਵਿਤਰ ਮੁਖੜਾ ਵਿਖਾ... Apnaa pavithar mukhra vikha ...
Showing me your pure face
Editors note: In case you are not familiar with the artist at first glance, she is from the Acappella Jatha who have many songs on the Gurbani Media Center which are all very beautiful.
The lyrics come from the book 'Game of Love' by Harjinder Singh
Here is the link to buy this song 'Dhan Dhan Mata Sahib Ji' on itunes Anything that brings us closer to the mother!
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