Mahala and Ghar in Gurbani

onspjo · #1 (**permalink**) 21-Jan-2011, 01:52 AM

WJKK WJKF!
What does Ghar mean in gurbani. I know Mahala (number) represents one of the gurus. First Mahal is Guru Nanak Devji, Second Mahal is Guru Angad Devji.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/34207-mahala-and-ghar-in-gurbani.html
What does Ghar mean? Thanks.
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spnadmin · #2 (**permalink**) 21-Jan-2011, 02:13 AM

"Ghar" is a musical term that further guides the raagi how to perform the shabad. I have uploaded a chart. There are differences among experts in the exact usage of the term. http://www.gurbani.org/articles/webart231.htm

Gyani Jarnail Singh · #3 (**permalink**) 21-Jan-2011, 04:27 AM

and GHAR also means..HIS HOUSE...WITHIN US...THE Ultimate Place to BE !! NIJH GHAR..HIS VERY OWN HOUSE !! We are all Single women..and our ultimate place is OUR IN LAWS place when we get married to HIM...this is the imagery most portrayed in Gurbani..BRIDE and BrideGROOM !! IN Indian Society the ultimate place of honour for a woman is her In laws..sauhra ghar.

spnadmin · #4 (**permalink**) 21-Jan-2011, 05:32 AM

This is somewhat trivial after Gyani ji's reply. So I hope just to be building on it.

There are occasions when, for an example, a hukamnama is taken. The invocation "Ik Oaankar Satgur Prasaad" is recited, and then the name of the raag and mahala and ghar is given. This can be translated as (again an example) "Raag xxxx, Mahala 4, speaking in the House (ghar) of Guru Nanak....though the shabad was actually authored by Guru Arjan Dev. That is the way I was first introduced to the meaning of "ghar" as House, just as Gyani just said. The musical significance I learned only later.

onspjo · #5 (**permalink**) 22-Jan-2011, 02:37 AM

Thanks Spnadmin ji for detailed description of meanings of different ghar. They do look complicated and probably require much more understanding of ragas/taals. I studied music during school for 6 years but do not remember a thing. There is so much that can be studied and implemented to feel the complete joy of bani recitation.
Hopefully, with God's grace, I'll study the ragas and taals again.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=34207
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=34207
Thanks again for sharing this.

J KAUR