Deh Shiva Bar Mohe Eha (Gurmukhi: ਦੇਹ ਸਿਵਾ ਬਰ ਮੋਹਿ ਇਹੈ) is one of the most celebrated and widely quoted hymns by Guru Gobind Singh.[1]
History
It is taken from the Chandi Charitar Ukati Bilas composition of the Dasam Granth, and is generally understood as being composed by Guru Gobind Singh.[1][2] It is written in the form of a quatrain or savaiya.[1][3][4] Sikh groups have incorporated it as a national anthem for Sikhs.[4][5] The composition has been interpreted by some, such as Rajinder Sareen, as evidence that the Guru was a Shaivist, but this has been disputed by others, such as Karnail Singh, as a misinterpretation of the meaning of the verses. Karnail Singh also claims that in-actuality, the hymn was written by Shyam, allegedly one of the fifty two poets in the court of the tenth master.[6] The work is used as a prayer within Sikh schools and the Sikh Regiment of the Indian Army.[7] The composition is also a jaikara (battle cry) for Sikh warriors.[8]
देह शिवा बरु मोहि इहै सुभ (शुभ) करमन ते कबहूँ न टरों ॥
न डरों अरि सो जब जाइ लरों निसचै करि अपुनी जीत करों ॥ अरु सिख हों आपने ही मन कौ इह लालच हउ गुन तउ उचरों ॥
जब आव की अउध निदान बनै अति ही रन मै तब जूझ मरों ॥
— गुरू गोबिंद सिंह जी
Shahmukhi script
دیہہ شِوا بَرُ موہِ ایہے سُبھ (شُبھ) کَرَمَن تے کَبَہُو نہ ٹَرو؎-
نہ ڈرو اَرِ سو جب جائی لَروں نِسَچَے کَرِ اَپُنی جِیت کَروں ؎۔ اَرُ سِکھ ہوں آپنے ہی من کَو اِیہہ لالَچ ہَؤُ گُن تَؤُ اُچَروں ؎-
جب آوْ کی اَؤدھ نِدان بَنَے اَتِ ہی رَن مَے تب جُجھ مروں ؎۔
— گُرو گوبِند سنگھ جی
English translation
O Siva, (Epithet for the almighty) give me this boon,
May I never ever shirk from doing good deeds,
that I shall not fear when I go into combat.
And with determination I will be victorious.
That I may teach myself this creed alone,
to speak only of Thy (almighty) praises.
And when the last days of my life come,
Ar[u] sikh hō̃ āpanē hī man kau ih lālač ha'u gun ta'u učarō̃ ॥
Jab āv kī a'udh nidān banē at[i] ran mai tab jūjh marō̃ ॥
— Guru Gobind Sī̃ṅgh Jī
References
^ abcGrewal, J.S. (2019). Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708): Master of the White Hawk (1st ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN9780190990381. From the Chandi Charittar Ukti Bilas is the famous Savvayya starting with 'Deh Shiva bar mohe eha' (Give me the boon, O' Shiva).
^Indica, Volumes 40-41. Heras Institute of Indian History and Culture, St. Xavier's College. 2003. p. 51.
^Singh, Jagraj (2009). A Complete Guide to Sikhism. Unistar Books. p. 238. ISBN9788171427543.
^ abDatta, Amaresh (1988). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti. Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature series. Vol. 2. Sahitya Akademi. p. 1625. ISBN9788126011940. There are no special anthems in Punjabi. 'Jana gana mana.....' and 'Vande matram' being the national anthems of India, have been adopted in Punjab with equal fervour. The Sikh institutions, however, have also made "Deh Shiva bar mohe ehai......' a quatrain of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, as the additional anthem.
^Dilgeer, Harjinder Singh (1997). The Sikh Reference Book. Sikh Educational Trust for Sikh University Centre, Denmark. p. 94. ISBN9780969596424. Some Sikhs, out of ignorance, began using " deh shiva bar mohe ihai shubh karman te kabhoon na taron ... " as the Sikh national anthem.
^Singh, Karnail (2005). Fragments of Half a Century. Institute of Sikh Studies. p. 79. ISBN9788185815251.
^Singh, Birinder Pal (1999). Problem of Violence: Themes in Literature. Indian Institute of Advanced Study. p. 111. ISBN9788185952611.
^Dang, Satyapal (1988). Genesis of Terrorism: An Analytical Study of Punjab Terrorists. Patriot. p. 45. ISBN9788170500674.
