Bani of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth Sikh Guru (1621–1675), is revered not only for his supreme martyrdom but also for the spiritual depth of his Bani (sacred hymns). His writings form a distinct part of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, comprising 59 shabads and 57 saloks across 15 Raags. Though small in quantity compared to other Gurus, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s Bani is profound in content and tone, offering timeless guidance for human life.



Central Themes

The Bani of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji emphasizes:

Detachment and Impermanence

He repeatedly reminds that worldly wealth, relationships, and power are transient. One must remain detached (vairag) while performing duties. His saloksecho the truth that life is fleeting like a dream.

Fearlessness and Steadfastness

His hymns cultivate inner courage, preparing Sikhs to face adversity. The Guru stresses that true freedom arises when one conquers fear and attachment, remaining firm in God’s will.

Universal Love and Equality

Guru Ji’s writings transcend caste, creed, and ritualism. They highlight that all are equal before the Divine, and salvation comes through remembrance of Naam, not through hollow practices.

Surrender to Divine Will (Hukam)

His shabads encourage acceptance of God’s will with patience and serenity, even amidst suffering. This spiritual discipline later became the foundation of his martyrdom for protecting others’ faith.

Style and Language

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s Bani is marked by simplicity, clarity, and emotional intensity. His saloks, often just two or four lines, contain distilled wisdom. The tone is contemplative, somber, and introspective, guiding seekers toward renunciation of ego and attachment.

Place in Guru Sri Granth Sahib Ji

His Bani is found towards the end of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, just before the saloks of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. This placement reflects its role as a spiritual climax—preparing the seeker for the ultimate union with the Divine. His compositions are sung daily in Sikh congregations, especially the Salok Mahalla 9, recited during funerals and Ardas, providing comfort and strength.

Relevance Today

In a world driven by materialism and anxiety, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s Bani offers profound peace. It teaches us to live in the world yet remain inwardly detached, to embrace courage over fear, and to uphold truth and justice. His words are not just poetry but living guidance—mirroring the life he lived and the martyrdom he embraced for humanity’s freedom of conscience.

  • ਚਿਤੁ ਚੇਤਿ ਰਹੁ ਅਰ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ਨ ਕਰਹੁ ॥ ਅੰਤ ਕਾਲਿ ਜੋ ਲੇਹਿ ਉਧਾਰੁ ॥ ਅੰਗ 1186

    Chit chet rahu ar beechaar na karahu. Ant kaal jo leh udhaar.
    Meaning: Keep your mind focused on God and do not be distracted by useless thoughts. At the final moment, only His Name will liberate you.

  • ਜਗੁ ਰਚਨਾ ਸਭੁ ਝੂਠੁ ਹੈ ਜਾਨਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਰੇ ਮੀਤ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਭਜਨ ਬਿਨੁ ਅੰਤਿ ਨ ਤਰੈ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ॥ ਅੰਗ 219

    Jag rachnaa sabh jhooth hai jaan lehu re meet. Kahi Nanak Thaakur bhajan bin ant na tarai preet.
    Meaning: O friend, know that this entire worldly creation is temporary and false. Without devotion to the Lord, no one finds peace or salvation in the end.

  • ਸਗਲ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਏਕੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਰਾਇਣੁ ਗੁਣ ਨਿਧਾਨਾ ॥ ਅੰਗ 1187

    Sagal padaarath ek hai Naaraain gun nidhaanaa.
    Meaning: Of all treasures and possessions, the only true one is the Lord Himself, who is the storehouse of virtues.

  • ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਕਹੈ ਕਹਿਐ ਰਾਮੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਰਾਮੁ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਤਾ ਫਲੁ ਪਾਵੈ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਅੰਗ 555

    Raam raam sabh ko kahai kahiai raam na hoi. Gur parsaadee raam man vasai taa phal paavai koi.
    Meaning: Everyone chants the name of the Lord, but by merely saying it, one does not attain him. Only by the Guru’s Grace does the Lord dwell in the heart, and then one finds the true fruit.

  • ਧਨੁ ਜੋਬਨੁ ਅਰੁ ਪੁਰਖਾ ਪਰਿਵਾਰੁ ॥ ਬਿਨਸਿ ਜਾਇਓ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਛੁ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਅੰਗ 633

    Dhan joban ar purakhaa parivaar. Binas jaaio naahee kachh saar.
    Meaning: Wealth, youth, and family – all these perish with time. None of them are of lasting value.

  • ਸਗਲ ਦਵਾਰ ਕੋ ਛਾਡਿ ਕੈ ਗਹਿਓ ਤੁਹਾਰੋ ਦਵਾਰ ॥ ਬਾਂਹਿ ਗਹੇ ਕੀ ਲਾਜ ਅਸ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਦਾਸ ਤੂਹਾਰ ॥ ਅੰਗ 1429

    Sagal dvaar ko shhaadd kai gahiou thuhaarou dvaar. Ba(n)h gahae kee laaj as Gobind daas thuhaar.
    Meaning: Abandoning all other doors, I have come to Your sanctuary, O Lord. Please preserve the honor of this servant who has grasped Your arm for support.

  • ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਬੰਧੁ ਮੀਤ ॥ ਇਤੁ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਕਿਨ ਹੀ ਨਾਹੀ ਦੂਤ ॥ ਅੰਗ 1188

    Beechaar dekhahu bandhu meet. It jag meh kin hee naahee dhoot.
    Meaning: Reflect and see, O friends and companions: in this world, no one will ultimately go along with you.

  • ਸਗਲ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਕੋ ਰਖਵਾਰਾ ॥ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ਕਿਤਹੁ ਕਰਤਾਰਾ ॥ ਅੰਗ 1186

    Sagal srisat ko rakhvaaraa. Avar na doojaa kitahu kartaraa.
    Meaning: The Lord alone is the protector of the entire creation. There is no other Creator besides Him.

  • ਜਲੁ ਥਲੁ ਮੈਡਨੀ ਸਭੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਇਕੋ ਸਾਰਿੰਗ ਪਾਣੀ ॥ ਅੰਗ 219

    Jal thal maidanee sabh teraa iko saaringpaani.
    Meaning: Water, land, and the entire universe belong to You, O Lord, the one sustainer of all.

  • ਧਨੁ ਜੋਬਨੁ ਅਰੁ ਲਾਲਾ ਲੋਗੁ ॥ ਬਿਨਸਿ ਜਾਇਓ ਸੁਪਨੈ ਭੋਗੁ ॥ ਅੰਗ 219

    Dhan joban ar laalaa log. Binas jaaio supanai bhog.
    Meaning: Wealth, youth, and worldly pleasures are like a dream. They vanish and are of no use in the end.

  • ਨਾਰਾਇਣ ਨਾਰਾਇਣ ਨਾਰਾਇਣ ਸੁਖਦਾਈ ॥ ਨਾਰਾਇਣ ਨਾਰਾਇਣ ਨਾਰਾਇਣ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਈ ॥ ਅੰਗ 1427

    Naarayan Naarayan Naarayan sukhdaai. Naarayan Naarayan Naarayan gun gaai.
    Meaning: The Lord, Narayan, Narayan, Narayan, is the giver of peace. Sing forever the praises of Narayan, Narayan, Narayan.

  • ਧਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਜਿਸੁ ਜਪਤਿ ਮਨੁ ਹੋਇ ਨਿਰਮਲਾ ॥ ਅੰਗ 1186

    Dhan dhan teree banee jis japat man hoi nirmalaa.
    Meaning: Blessed, blessed is Your Word, O Lord; by meditating upon it, the mind becomes pure and immaculate.

  • ਕਾਹੇ ਰੇ ਮਨ ਚਿਤਵਹਿ ਉਦਮੁ ਜਾ ਆਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਪਰਿਆ ॥
    ਸਲਪਨੀ ਕੇ ਕੀਟ ਹਰਿ ਜੰਤ ਉਪਾਇਓ ਤਿਨ ਭਿ ਰੋਜੀ ਆਹਰਿ ਧਰਿਆ ॥” ਅੰਗ 1187

    Kaahe re man chitveh udam jaa aahar Har jeeo paraiaa. Salpanee ke keet Har jant upaaiou tin bhi rojee aahar dhariaa.
    Meaning: O mind, why do you worry so much about making a living? The Lord, who provides for even the tiny insects, has also arranged your sustenance.

  • ਏਕ ਭਜਨੁ ਮਨ ਸੰਗਿ ਲੈ ਹੋਵਤ ਸਗਲ ਨਿਧਾਨ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੁਨਿ ਰੇ ਮਨਾ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਤੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਦਾ ਹੈ ॥”ਅੰਗ 1188

    Ek bhajan man sang lai hovat sagal nidhaan. Kahi Nanak sun re manaa Paarbrahm tai sang sadaa hai.
    Meaning: By remembering the Lord, you obtain every treasure. O mind, listen: the Supreme Lord is always with you.

  • ਸਗਲ ਜਨਮੁ ਸੀਗਾਰ ਮਾਇਆ ਕਉ ਲਾਇਓ ॥ ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਜਬ ਚਲਨੁ ਲਾਗੋ ਤਬ ਸੰਗਿ ਨ ਆਇਓ ॥

    Sagal janam seegaar maiaa kau laaio. Ant kaal jab chalan laago tab sang na aaio.
    Meaning: One spends the entire life decorating and attaching to worldly wealth, but when the final moment comes, none of it goes along.

  • ਜੋ ਨਰੁ ਦੁਖ ਮੈ ਦੁਖੁ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਨੈ ॥ ਸੁਖ ਸਨੇਹੁ ਅਰੁ ਭੈ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਕੈ ਕਾਂਚਨ ਮਾਟੀ ਮਾਨੈ ॥” ਅੰਗ 1426

    Jo nar dukh mai dukh nahi maanai. Sukh sneh ar bhai nahi jaakai kaanchan maatee maanai.
    Meaning: That person is truly wise who is not disturbed by pain, is not attached to pleasure, is free from fear and attachment, and sees gold and dust alike.

  • ਸਗਲ ਭਰਮ ਬਿਨਸੇ ਮਿਟੇ ॥ ਗੁਰਿ ਅਪਨੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਮਿਲਾਏ ॥” ਅੰਗ 1428

    Sagal bharam binase mite. Gur apne Satgur milaae.
    Meaning: All doubts and illusions are destroyed when one meets the True Guru, who unites the soul with the Lord.