Preface To 'Sacred Asa Di Var' By Harbans Singh Doabia

1. Asa Di Var is one of the Vars (Odes) present in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This Var is in the Asa measure (Musical tune sung early morning before sun-rise). It is sung early morning in all the Gurdwaras and most of the Sikh homes. It consists of twenty-four Pauris (Stanzas) and forty Saloks (Staves) of the First Satguru and fourteen Saloks of the Second Satguru, which were added subsequently. There are six Chhants comprising four stanzas each, colloquially known as 24 Chhakas* (quatrains) and composed by the Fourth Satguru, each of which is sung before each set of Saloks. These Chhakas are also printed in this work.

2. The Asa Di Var contains Divine Hymns, showing the Divine Ways to attain Liberation. It deals inter-alia with the following Divine Topics :

(1) The need of the True Guru, who transforms mortals into angels. (2) The pitiable condition of the self-willed persons, who lead sinful lives. (3) Wonderful universes, creations, men and other living beings etc., created by God. (4) Who is God and where does He live?