Asa di Var, a composition by Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru, is another key composition found in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. Asa di Var is recorded on Ang (page) 462-475 of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib.

Asa di Var is a collection of 24 paurees or stanzas and 59 sloks (verses).It is typically sung by Sikhs at Gurdwara in the early ambrosial hours of the morning.

When Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, was compiling Asa di Var, he included Sloks of Guru Nanak and some from Guru Angad, the second Sikh Guru. These Sloks are tied together in a way that they relate to the same theme as highlighted in the stanza (pauree). In its present form, Asa di Var contains a few more shabads, recited by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru.

One Shabad often played from Asa Di Var is “Bhand Jameeai,” which honors women.

The main themes of Asa di Var include, but are not limited to becoming a spiritual being and building one’s character; warnings against religious rituals and instead finding the Divine within our own heart; abandoning ego and selfishness and giving up the five thieves of lust, anger, greed, pride and attachment.

Sikhs believe that singing or listening to Asa Di Vaar brings clarity, peace and a state of bliss.

~Resources: Living Reality (1994) by Bibiji Inderjit Kaur Khalsa, “Asa di Var” (SikhiWiki) and “Asa di Var” (Sikh Dharma International).