Savaiye (Mahale Pahile Ke)

Savaiya Chand
Savaiya is an ancient and significant poetic form used in the Indian poetic tradition. Savaiya can be composed in two styles: varnik (based on the number of letters) and matrik (based on the number of meters). However, in Sanskrit literature, only varnik savaiyas are found. Later, in the literature of Hindi, Panjabi, Braj, and other languages, both varnik and matrik forms became prevalent. In varnik savaiyas, each line typically contains twenty-two to twenty-six meters, whereas in matrik savaiyas, the number of meters per line ranges from twenty-six to forty-six.

The ‘Guru Chand Divakar,’ authored by Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha, discusses thirty-four forms of this poetic meter. Various scholars have identified over forty distinct forms of this meter. The savaiyas of the Bhatts recorded in the Guru Granth Sahib employ various poetic forms, including Dandkala, Chapai, Malind, Sarda, Jholna, Sarvagami, Somia, Nisakar, Saman, and others.

This poetic form appears in many Sikh literary works, such as the Dasam Granth, Kabit Savaiye of Bhai Gurdas, Gurbilas Patshahi 6, Gurbilas Patshahi 10, and Gurpratap Suraj Granth, as well as in the compositions of poets like Tulsidas, Raskhan, Keshav Das, Matiram, Padmakar, Ghananand, and others. For example:

deh sivā baru mohi ihai subh karman te kabahūṁ na ṭaroṁ.
na ḍaroṁ ari so jab jāi laroṁ niscai kari apunī jīt karoṁ.
aru sikh hoṁ āpane hī man kau ih lālac haü gun taü ucroṁ.
jab āv kī aüdh nidān banai ati hī ran mai tab jūjh maroṁ.-Dasam Granth, Ukti Bilas, chapter eight, page 231.

kab lāgai mastak carnan raj, daras dayālu drigan kab pekhoṁ.
ammrit bacan suno kab sravnani, kab rasnā bentī bisekhoṁ.
kab tani karauṁ ḍanḍaut bandanā, pari pari pagani kripā pun rekhoṁ.
prem bhaki su prataccha prānpati, gyān dhyān jīvan pad lekhoṁ.-Bhai Gurdas Ji

vardant kī paṅgat kundkalī, adhrādhar pallav kholan kī.
caplā camkaiṁ ghan bīc jagaiṁ, chabī motin māl amolan kī.
ghuṅghrāri laṭaiṁ laṭkaiṁ mukh upari, kunḍal lol kapolan kī.
nivchāvari prān karaiṁ tulsī, bali jāuṁ lalā in bolan kī.5.-Tulsidas

mānush ho tau vahī raskhāni basau braj gokul gāṁv ke gvāran.
jo pasu hau to kahā basu mero carau nit nand kī dhenu manjhāran.
pāhan hau to vahī giri ko jo dharyo kar chatra purandar dhāran.
jo khag hau basero karau mili kālindī-kūl-kadamb kī ḍāran.1. -Raskhan

Savaiyas recorded in the Guru Granth Sahib
The composition titled ‘Savaiye’ is recorded on pages 1385 to 1409 of the Guru Granth Sahib. It includes the savaiyas revealed by Guru Arjan Sahib and the eleven Bhatts. The composition titled ‘savaīe srī mukhbākya mahalā 5,’ revealed by Guru Arjan Sahib (1563-1606 CE), is recorded on pages 1385-1389 of the Guru Granth Sahib. It consists of twenty savaiyas, which are further divided into two parts. From pages 1389 to 1409, there are one hundred twenty-three savaiyas revealed by the eleven Bhatts. These savaiyas are traditionally recited during the early morning ceremonial opening of the Guru Granth Sahib at Sri Harimandar Sahib, Amritsar.

The savaiyas composed by the Bhatts are commonly referred to as ‘Bhattan De Savaiye’ or ‘Savaiye Bhattan Ke.’ However, these titles do not appear in the Guru Granth Sahib. Rather, the following titles are used in the Guru Granth Sahib: ‘savaīe mahale pahile ke,’ ‘savaīe mahale dūje ke,’ ‘savaīe mahale tīje ke,’ ‘savaīe mahale caüthe ke,’ and ‘savaīe mahale panjave ke.’ According to Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi, these compositions include other poetic meters such as chaupai, soratha, dohra, rad, jholna, chapai, etc., with slight structural variations. Nevertheless, in the Guru Granth Sahib, all of these meters are categorized under savaiyas, possibly because most of the compositions are indeed savaiyas.

The following is a count of the savaiyas revealed by the Bhatts :

Name of the Bhatts	Count of the Savaiyas
	Mahale Pahile Ke	Mahale Duje Ke	Mahale Tije Ke	Mahale Chauthe Ke	Mahale Panjave Ke	Total
	Kalya Kalya sahar Ji	10	10	9	13	12	54
	Ja lap/Jalya Ji	-	-	5	-	-	05
	Kirat Ji	-	-	4	4	-	08
	Bhikha Ji	-	-	2	-	-	02
Nalya Ji	-	-	-	16	-	16
Gayand Ji	-	-	-	13	-	13
Mathura Ji	-	-	-	7	7	14
Balya Ji	-	-	-	5	-	05
Salya Ji	-	-	1	2	-	03
Bhalya Ji	-	-	1	-	-	01
Haribans Ji	-	-	-	-	2	02
Total	10	10	22	60	21	123

Savaiye Mahale Pahile Ke 1
Under this title, Bhatt Kalysahar Ji (also known as Bhatt Kalya Ji) has revealed ten savaiyas in praise of Guru Nanak Sahib (1469-1539 CE). They are recorded on pages 1389-1390 of the Guru Granth Sahib and consist of four to six lines.

The savaiyas begin with contemplating upon the benevolent giver, IkOankar, followed by the praise of Guru Nanak Sahib as the embodiment of IkOankar. Bhatt Kalya Ji emphasizes that the ever-new, eternal praise of Guru Nanak Sahib should always be recited. Further illustrating this devotion, Bhatt Kalya Ji describes how even the great gods, sages, Sheshnags, kings, people from the four castes, adherents of the six orders, Yogis, celibates, Shiva-worshippers, Buddhists, Jain monks, ascetics, and devotees from various ages sing the virtues of Guru Nanak Sahib. Bhatt Kalya Ji concludes the savaiyas by stating: The sublime praise of Guru Nanak Sahib is embedded in the heart of every devotee.

Savaiye Mahale Duje Ke 2
Under this title, Bhatt Kalya Ji has revealed ten savaiyas in praise of Guru Angad Sahib (1504-1552 CE). They are recorded on pages 1391-1392 of the Guru Granth Sahib, and savaiyas consist of four to six lines.

In these savaiyas, Bhatt Kalya Ji conveys that through the company of Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Angad Sahib emerged as the Guru of the world, enjoying both the comforts of sovereignty (raj) and the bliss of union with IkOankar (yog). Bhatt Kalya Ji states that the Nam of IkOankar dwells within Guru Arjan Sahib. Those who join his company connect with Bani, find their misdeeds, transgressions, and ignorance eradicated. Vices like lust and anger hold no power over Guru Arjan Sahib. He removes the lethargy and spiritual emptiness of the seekers who come to his door. His mere glimpse frees them from the cycles of birth and death.

Savaiye Mahale Tije Ke 3
Under this title, a total of twenty-two savaiyas are revealed in praise of Guru Amardas Sahib (1479–1574 CE), recorded on pages 1392-1396 of the Guru Granth Sahib: nine by Bhatt Kalya Ji, five by Bhatt Jalap Ji, four by Bhatt Kirat Ji, two by Bhatt Bhikha Ji, and one each by Bhatt Salya Ji and Bhatt Bhalya Ji. These savaiyas consist of four to eight lines.

These savaiyas express that Guru Amardas Sahib has firmly established the eternal Nam of IkOankar within himself. By virtue of Nam, he has overcome his vices and attained union with IkOankar. It is through his service and company that the afflictions and shortcomings of beings are removed.

Savaiye Mahale Chauthe Ke 4
Under this title, a total of sixty savaiyas are revealed in praise of Guru Ramdas Sahib (1534-1581 CE), recorded on pages 1396-1406 of the Guru Granth Sahib: thirteen by Bhatt Kalya Ji, four by Bhatt Kirat Ji, sixteen by Bhatt Nalya Ji, thirteen by Bhatt Gayand Ji, seven by Bhatt Mathura Ji, five by Bhatt Balya Ji, and two by Bhatt Salya Ji. These savaiyas consist of four to sixteen lines.

In these savaiyas, the symbols associated with Hindu deities such as the conch (shankh), discus (chakra), mace (gada), and lotus (padam) are attributed to Guru Ramdas Sahib in praise of his divine virtues. According to these compositions, Guru Ramdas Sahib is regarded as the most exalted. Anyone who seeks his refuge is freed from the cycle of birth and death. Like his predecessors, Guru Ramdas Sahib attained this spiritual stature from the same House of Guru Nanak Sahib.

Savaiye Mahale Panjave Ke 5
Under this title, twenty-one savaiyas, including three sorathas in praise of Guru Arjan Sahib, are recorded on pages 1406-1409 of the Guru Granth Sahib: twelve by Bhatt Kalya Ji, seven by Bhatt Mathura Ji, and two by Bhatt Haribans Ji. These savaiyas consist of four to six lines.

These savaiyas illustrate the unbroken continuity of the Guruship from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Arjan Sahib. They reveal that Guru Angad Sahib emerged from the House of Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Amardas Sahib from the House of Guru Angad Sahib, Guru Ramdas Sahib from the House of Guru Amardas Sahib, and Guru Arjan Sahib from the House of Guru Ramdas Sahib. These savaiyas emphasize that IkOankar dwells in the heart of Guru Arjan Sahib. Those who come to his refuge find all their matters resolved. By Guru Arjan Sahib’s time, Sikhi had been firmly established, with him as its guardian.