Chandi Di Var
CHANDI DI VAR 2
The wrathful demons prepare for revenge. The firm earth trembles under the marching heroes like a vessel upon stormy seas. But resistless is Durgshah on the field of battle. She cuts up the foemen like a hewer cuts the twigs. Those who were never tired of fighting have had more than their fill today. Mounting his fiery steed comes Nisumbha with a heavy bow he had specially sent for from Multan. But before he can take aim, a deadly blow from Durgshah`s sword bears him down. The same fate awaits Sumbha. Seeing their chiefs fall in this manner, the demons raise a loud howl of woe. They leave their horses and fly with weeds of grass in their mouths in token of surrender. Durgshah restores to Indra his crown. "Hail toJagmat the Universal Mother," cry all the worlds. Durga emerges from this account triumphant, highspirited and glorious. She is the symbol of divine power and justice.
To the virtuous, she is a ready and kindly friend and protector. In Chandi di Var, the different names used for the goddess are Durgshah, Chandi, Devita, Rani, Bhavani, Jagmat and Maha Mai the Great Mother. The chief point of Chandi di Var lies in its warlike temper which is evoked by a succession of powerful and eloquent similes and a dignified, echoic music of the richest timbre. The poem, though not the size of a true epic, has a remarkable breadth of sweep and intensity and a heightening rhythmical tempo with wellmarked climactic patterns. On the reader`s mind it makes a stirring and invigorating impact. NIHANGS, among SIKHS, especially include it in their daily devotion and derive much inspiration and spirit from reciting it.
References
1. Loehlin, C.H., The Granth of Guru Gobi`nd Singh and the KHALSA Brotherhood. Lucknow, 1971
2. Ashta, Dharam Pal, The Poetry of the Dasam Granth. Delhi, 1959
3. Nikky, Gunindar Kaur Singh, "Durga Recalled by the Tenth Guru," in The Journal of Religious Studies, vol. XVI, Nos. 1 & 2. PATIALA, 1988
4. Harbans Singh, Aspects of Punjabi Literature. Firozpur, 1961
5. Jaggi, Ratan Singh, Dasam Granth Parichaya. Delhi, 1990
6. Bcdi, Kala Singh, ed., Chandi di Var Satik. Delhi, 1965
Translation of Chandi Di Var PDF
