Tav Prasad Savaiye
ਤ੍ਵ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਸਵੱਯੇ (ਸ੍ਰਾਵਗ ਸੁੱਧ)
- Written by
- Guru Gobind Singh Ji
- Found in
- Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, Angs 11 to 13
- Length
- 10 savaiye
- Recitation
- About 4 min
Display
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ikOankaar satigur prasaadh ||
The Lord is One and he can be attained through the grace of the True Guru.
ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ ੧੦ ॥
paatishaahee 10 ||
Written by the Sovereign King, Guru Gobind Singh Ji
ਤ੍ਵ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਸਵੱਯੇ ॥
tavai prasaadh || sava'ye ||
BY THY GRACE SWAYYAS
Savaiya 1
ਸ੍ਰਾਵਗ ਸੁੱਧ ਸਮੂਹ ਸਿਧਾਨ ਕੇ ਦੇਖਿ ਫਿਰਿਓ ਘਰ ਜੋਗ ਜਤੀ ਕੇ ॥
sraavag su'dh samooh sidhaan ke dhekh firio ghar jog jatee ke ||
I have seen during my tours pure Sravaks (Jaina and Buddhist monks), group of adepts and abodes of ascetics and Yogi.
ਸੂਰ ਸੁਰਾਰਦਨ ਸੁੱਧ ਸੁਧਾਦਿਕ ਸੰਤ ਸਮੂਹ ਅਨੇਕ ਮਤੀ ਕੇ ॥
soor suraaradhan su'dh sudhaadhik sa(n)t samooh anek matee ke ||
Valiant heroes, demons killing gods, gods drinking nectar and assemblies of saints of various sects.
ਸਾਰੇ ਹੀ ਦੇਸ ਕੋ ਦੇਖਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਮਤ ਕੋਊ ਨ ਦੇਖੀਅਤ ਪ੍ਰਾਨਪਤੀ ਕੇ ॥
saare hee dhes ko dhekh rahio mat kouoo na dhekheeat praanapatee ke ||
I have seen the disciplines of the religious systems of all the countries, but seen none of the Lord, the Master of my life.
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗਵਾਨ ਕੀ ਭਾਇ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਹੂ ਤੇ ਏਕ ਰਤੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਏਕ ਰਤੀ ਕੇ ॥੧॥੨੧॥
sree bhagavaan kee bhai kirapaa hoo te ek ratee bin ek ratee ke ||1||21||
They are worth nothing without an iota of the Grace of the Lord. 1.21.
Savaiya 2
ਮਾਤੇ ਮਤੰਗ ਜਰੇ ਜਰ ਸੰਗ ਅਨੂਪ ਉਤੰਗ ਸੁਰੰਗ ਸਵਾਰੇ ॥
maate mata(n)g jare jar sa(n)g anoop uta(n)g sura(n)g savaare ||
With intoxicated elephants, studded with gold, incomparable and huge, painted in bright colours.
ਕੋਟ ਤੁਰੰਗ ਕੁਰੰਗ ਸੇ ਕੂਦਤ ਪਉਨ ਕੇ ਗਉਨ ਕੋ ਜਾਤ ਨਿਵਾਰੇ ॥
koT tura(n)g kura(n)g se koodhat paun ke gaun ko jaat nivaare ||
With millions of horses galloping like deer, moving faster than the wind.
ਭਾਰੀ ਭੁਜਾਨ ਕੇ ਭੂਪ ਭਲੀ ਬਿਧਿ ਨਿਆਵਤ ਸੀਸ ਨ ਜਾਤ ਬਿਚਾਰੇ ॥
bhaaree bhujaan ke bhoop bhalee bidh niaavat sees na jaat bichaare ||
With many kings indescribable, having long arms (of heavy allied forces), bowing their heads in fine array.
ਏਤੇ ਭਏ ਤੁ ਕਹਾ ਭਏ ਭੂਪਤਿ ਅੰਤ ਕੋ ਨਾਂਗੇ ਹੀ ਪਾਂਇ ਪਧਾਰੇ ॥੨॥੨੨॥
ete bhe ta kahaa bhe bhoopat a(n)t ko naa(n)ge hee paa(n)i padhaare ||2||22||
What matters if such mighty emperors were there, because they had to leave the world with bare feet.2.22.
Savaiya 3
ਜੀਤ ਫਿਰੈ ਸਭ ਦੇਸ ਦਿਸਾਨ ਕੋ ਬਾਜਤ ਢੋਲ ਮ੍ਰਿਦੰਗ ਨਗਾਰੇ ॥
jeet firai sabh dhes dhisaan ko baajat ddol miradha(n)g nagaare ||
With the beat of drums and trumpets if the emperor conquers all the countries.
ਗੁੰਜਤ ਗੂੜ ਗਜਾਨ ਕੇ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਹਿੰਸਤ ਹੈਂ ਹਯਰਾਜ ਹਜਾਰੇ ॥
gu(n)jat gooR gajaan ke su(n)dhar hi(n)sat hai(n) hayaraaj hajaare ||
Along with many beautiful roaring elephants and thousands of neighing houses of best breed.
ਭੂਤ ਭਵਿੱਖ ਭਵਾਨ ਕੇ ਭੂਪਤ ਕਉਨੁ ਗਨੈ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਤ ਬਿਚਾਰੇ ॥
bhoot bhavi'kh bhavaan ke bhoopat kaun ganai nahee(n) jaat bichaare ||
Such like emperors of the past, present and future cannot be counted and ascertained.
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਪਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗਵਾਨ ਭਜੇ ਬਿਨੁ ਅੰਤ ਕਉ ਅੰਤ ਕੇ ਧਾਮ ਸਿਧਾਰੇ ॥੩॥੨੩॥
sree pat sree bhagavaan bhaje bin a(n)t kau a(n)t ke dhaam sidhaare ||3||23||
But without remembering the Name of the Lord, they ultimately leave for their final abode. 3.23.
Savaiya 4
ਤੀਰਥ ਨਾਨ ਦਇਆ ਦਮ ਦਾਨ ਸੁ ਸੰਜਮ ਨੇਮ ਅਨੇਕ ਬਿਸੇਖੈ ॥
teerath naan dhiaa dham dhaan su sa(n)jam nem anek bisekhai ||
Taking bath at holy places, exercising mercy, controlling passions, performing acts of charity, practicing austerity and many special rituals.
ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਕਤੇਬ ਕੁਰਾਨ ਜਮੀਨ ਜਮਾਨ ਸਬਾਨ ਕੇ ਪੇਖੈ ॥
bedh puraan kateb kuraan jameen jamaan sabaan ke pekhai ||
Studying of Vedas, Puranas and holy Quran and scanning all this world and the next world.
ਪਉਨ ਅਹਾਰ ਜਤੀ ਜਤ ਧਾਰ ਸਬੈ ਸੁ ਬਿਚਾਰ ਹਜਾਰ ਕ ਦੇਖੈ ॥
paun ahaar jatee jat dhaar sabai su bichaar hajaar k dhekhai ||
Subsisting only on air, practicing continence and meeting thousands of persons of all good thoughts.
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗਵਾਨ ਭਜੇ ਬਿਨੁ ਭੂਪਤਿ ਏਕ ਰਤੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਏਕ ਨ ਲੇਖੈ ॥੪॥੨੪॥
sree bhagavaan bhaje bin bhoopat ek ratee bin ek na lekhai ||4||24||
But O King! Without the remembrance of the Name of the Lord, all this is of no account, being without an iota of the Grace of the Lord. 4.24.
Savaiya 5
ਸੱੁਧ ਸਿਪਾਹ ਦੁਰੰਤ ਦੁਬਾਹ ਸੁ ਸਾਜ ਸਨਾਹ ਦੁਰਜਾਨ ਦਲੈਂਗੇ ॥
sa'udh sipaeh dhura(n)t dhubaeh su saaj sanaeh dhurajaan dhalai(n)ge ||
The trained soldiers, mightly and invincible, clad in coat of mail, who would be able to crush the enemies.
ਭਾਰੀ ਗੁਮਾਨ ਭਰੇ ਮਨ ਮੈਂ ਕਰ ਪਰਬਤ ਪੰਖ ਹਲੇ ਨ ਹਲੈਂਗੇ ॥
bhaaree gumaan bhare man mai(n) kar parabat pa(n)kh hale na halai(n)ge ||
With great ego in their mind that they would not be vanquished even if the mountains move with wings.
ਤੋਰਿ ਅਰੀਨ ਮਰੋਰਿ ਮਵਾਸਨ ਮਾਤੇ ਮਤੰਗਨ ਮਾਨ ਮਲੈਂਗੇ ॥
tor areen maror mavaasan maate mata(n)gan maan malai(n)ge ||
They would destroy the enemies, twist the rebels and smash the pride of intoxicated elephants.
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਪਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗਵਾਨ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਬਿਨੁ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਜਹਾਨ ਨਿਦਾਨ ਚਲੈਂਗੇ ॥੫॥੨੫॥
sree pat sree bhagavaan kirapaa bin tiaag jahaan nidhaan chalai(n)ge ||5||25||
But without the Grace of the Lord-God, they would ultimately leave the world. 5.25.
Savaiya 6
ਬੀਰ ਅਪਾਰ ਬਡੇ ਬਰਿਆਰ ਅਬਿਚਾਰਹਿ ਸਾਰ ਕੀ ਧਾਰ ਭਛੱਯਾ ॥
beer apaar badde bariaar abichaareh saar kee dhaar bhachha'yaa ||
Innumerable brave and mighty heroes, fearlessly facing the edge of the sword.
ਤੋਰਤ ਦੇਸ ਮਲਿੰਦ ਮਵਾਸਨ ਮਾਤੇ ਗਜਾਨ ਕੇ ਮਾਨ ਮਲੱਯਾ ॥
torat dhes mali(n)dh mavaasan maate gajaan ke maan mala'yaa ||
Conquering the countries, subjugating the rebels and crushing the pride of the intoxicated elephants.
ਗਾੜ੍ਹੇ ਗੜ੍ਹਾਨ ਕੋ ਤੋੜਨਹਾਰ ਸੁ ਬਾਤਨ ਹੀਂ ਚਕ ਚਾਰ ਲਵੱਯਾ ॥
gaaRhe gaRhaan ko toRanahaar su baatan hee(n) chak chaar lava'yaa ||
Capturing the strong forts and conquering all sides with mere threats.
ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਭ ਕੋ ਸਿਰਨਾਇਕ ਜਾਚਕ ਅਨੇਕ ਸੁ ਏਕ ਦਿਵੱਯਾ ॥੬॥੨੬॥
saahib sree sabh ko siranaik jaachak anek su ek dhiva'yaa ||6||26||
The Lord God is the Cammander of all and is the only Donor, the beggars are many. 6.26.
Savaiya 7
ਦਾਨਵ ਦੇਵ ਫਨਿੰਦ ਨਿਸਾਚਰ ਭੂਤ ਭਵਿਖ ਭਵਾਨ ਜਪੈਂਗੇ ॥
dhaanav dhev fani(n)dh nisaachar bhoot bhavikh bhavaan japai(n)ge ||
Demons, gods, huge serpents, ghosts, past, present and future would repeat His Name.
ਜੀਵ ਜਿਤੇ ਜਲ ਮੈ ਥਲ ਮੈ ਪਲ ਹੀ ਪਲ ਮੈ ਸਭ ਥਾਪ ਥਪੈਂਗੇ ॥
jeev jite jal mai thal mai pal hee pal mai sabh thaap thapai(n)ge ||
All the creatures in the sea and on land would increase and the heaps of sins would be destroyed.
ਪੁੰਨ ਪ੍ਰਤਾਪਨ ਬਾਢ ਜੈਤ ਧੁਨ ਪਾਪਨ ਕੇ ਬਹੁ ਪੁੰਜ ਖਪੈਂਗੇ ॥
pu(n)n prataapan baadd jait dhun paapan ke bahu pu(n)j khapai(n)ge ||
The praises of the glories of virtues would increase and the heaps of sins would be destroyed
ਸਾਧ ਸਮੂਹ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਨ ਫਿਰੈਂ ਜਗ ਸਤ੍ਰ ਸਭੈ ਅਵਿਲੋਕ ਚਪੈਂਗੇ ॥੭॥੨੭॥
saadh samooh prasa(n)n firai(n) jag satr sabhai avilok chapai(n)ge ||7||27||
All the saints would wander in the world with bliss and the enemies would be annoyed on seeing them.7.27.
Savaiya 8
ਮਾਨਵ ਇੰਦ੍ਰ ਗਜਿੰਦ੍ਰ ਨਰਾਧਪ ਜੌਨ ਤ੍ਰਿਲੋਕ ਕੋ ਰਾਜ ਕਰੈਂਗੇ ॥
maanav i(n)dhr gaji(n)dhr naraadhap jauan tiralok ko raaj karai(n)ge ||
King of men and elephants, emperors who would rule over the three worlds.
ਕੋਟਿ ਇਸਨਾਨ ਗਜਾਦਿਕ ਦਾਨ ਅਨੇਕ ਸੁਅੰਬਰ ਸਾਜ ਬਰੈਂਗੇ ॥
koT isanaan gajaadhik dhaan anek sua(n)bar saaj barai(n)ge ||
Who would perform millions of ablutions, give elephants and other animals in charity and arrange many svayyamuaras (self-marriage functions) for weddings.
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਮਹੇਸਰ ਬਿਸਨ ਸਚੀਪਤਿ ਅੰਤ ਫਸੇ ਜਮ ਫਾਸ ਪਰੈਂਗੇ ॥
braham mahesar bisan sacheepat a(n)t fase jam faas parai(n)ge ||
Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu and Consort of Sachi (Indra) would ultimately fall in the noose of death.
ਜੇ ਨਰ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਪਤਿ ਕੇ ਪ੍ਰਸ ਹੈਂ ਪਗ ਤੇ ਨਰ ਫੇਰ ਨ ਦੇਹ ਧਰੈਂਗੇ ॥੮॥੨੮॥
je nar sree pat ke pras hai(n) pag te nar fer na dheh dharai(n)ge ||8||28||
But those who fall at the feet of Lord-God, they would not appear again in physical form. 8.28.
Savaiya 9
ਕਹਾ ਭਯੋ ਜੋ ਦੋਊ ਲੋਚਨ ਮੂੰਦ ਕੈ ਬੈਠਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਬਕ ਧਿਆਨ ਲਗਾਇਓ ॥
kahaa bhayo jo dhouoo lochan moo(n)dh kai baiTh rahio bak dhiaan lagaio ||
Of what use it is if one sits and meditates like a crane with his eyes closed.
ਨ੍ਹਾਤ ਫਿਰਿਓ ਲੀਏ ਸਾਤ ਸਮੁਦ੍ਰਨਿ ਲੋਕ ਗਯੋ ਪਰਲੋਕ ਗਵਾਇਓ ॥
nhaat firio le'ee saat samudhran lok gayo paralok gavaio ||
If he takes bath at holy places upto the seventh sea, he loses this world and also the next world.
ਬਾਸ ਕੀਓ ਬਿਖਿਆਨ ਸੋਂ ਬੈਠ ਕੈ ਐਸੇ ਹੀ ਐਸੇ ਸੁ ਬੈਸ ਬਿਤਾਇਓ ॥
baas keeo bikhiaan so(n) baiTh kai aaise hee aaise su bais bitaio ||
He spends his life in such performing evil actions and wastes his life in such pursuits.
ਸਾਚੁ ਕਹੋਂ ਸੁਨ ਲੇਹੁ ਸਭੈ ਜਿਨ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕੀਓ ਤਿਨ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਇਓ ॥੯॥੨੯॥
saach kaho(n) sun leh sabhai jin prem keeo tin hee prabh paio ||9||29||
I speak Truth, all should turn their ears towards it: he, who is absorbed in True Love, he would realize the Lord. 9.29.
Savaiya 10
ਕਾਹੂ ਲੈ ਪਾਹਨ ਪੂਜ ਧਰਯੋ ਸਿਰ ਕਾਹੂ ਲੈ ਲਿੰਗੁ ਗਰੇ ਲਟਕਾਇਓ ॥
kaahoo lai paahan pooj dharayo sir kaahoo lai li(n)g gare laTakaio ||
Someone worshipped stone and placed it on his head. Someone hung the phallus (lingam) from his neck.
ਕਾਹੂ ਲਖਿਓ ਹਰਿ ਅਵਾਚੀ ਦਿਸਾ ਮਹਿ ਕਾਹੂ ਪਛਾਹ ਕੋ ਸੀਸੁ ਨਿਵਾਇਓ ॥
kaahoo lakhio har avaachee dhisaa meh kaahoo pachhaeh ko sees nivaio ||
Someone visualized God in the South and someone bowed his head towards the West.
ਕੋਊ ਬੁਤਾਨ ਕੋ ਪੂਜਤ ਹੈ ਪਸੁ ਕੋਊ ਮ੍ਰਿਤਾਨ ਕੋ ਪੂਜਨ ਧਾਇਓ ॥
kouoo butaan ko poojat hai pas kouoo mritaan ko poojan dhaio ||
Some fool worships the idols and someone goes to worship the dead.
ਕੂਰ ਕ੍ਰਿਆ ਉਰਝਿਓ ਸਭ ਹੀ ਜਗ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗਵਾਨ ਕੋ ਭੇਦੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ॥੧੦॥੩੦॥
koor kriaa urajhio sabh hee jag sree bhagavaan ko bhedh na paio ||10||30||
The whole world is entangled in false rituals and has not known the secret of Lord-God 10.30.
End of Tav Prasad Savaiye
What Tav Prasad Savaiye is
Tav Prasad Savaiye is a set of ten verses by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru. They come from Akal Ustat, a longer composition in praise of the Timeless One in the Dasam Granth, where they are numbered 21 to 30. On this page they appear on pages 11 to 13 of the Dasam Granth in the standard pagination.
"Tav Prasad" means "by Your grace". A savaiya is a poetic meter with long, flowing lines, four lines to each verse. Sikhs also call this bani Das Savaiye, "the ten savaiye", or Sravag Sudh after its first words.
Meaning of Tav Prasad Savaiye
The ten savaiye make one sustained point: nothing a person can own, conquer or perform has any worth without love for God and God's grace.
The bani opens with the Guru describing what he has seen: Jain and Buddhist monks, adepts, yogis and ascetics, heroes, and holy gatherings of many creeds. "I have seen the disciplines of the religious systems of all the countries, but seen none of the Lord, the Master of my life." All of it, the first verse concludes, is worth nothing without an iota of God's grace.
The next verses turn to worldly power. Emperors with decorated elephants, millions of horses and kings bowing before them still leave the world barefoot. Mighty armies clad in armor, sure that even mountains could not move them, still depart when their time comes. Without remembering the Name, the Guru says, they "ultimately leave for their final abode".
Then the bani examines religious practice. Bathing at pilgrimage places, charity, fasting, self-discipline, and study of the Vedas, Puranas and Quran are all of no account without remembrance of God. Sitting with closed eyes "like a crane" in false meditation is empty.
The ninth savaiya holds the heart of the bani. "I speak Truth, all should turn their ears towards it: he, who is absorbed in True Love, he would realize the Lord." The tenth closes by describing people who worship stones, the dead, or a particular direction, and concludes: "The whole world is entangled in false rituals and has not known the secret of Lord-God."
When and how to recite
The Sikh Rehat Maryada lists Tav Prasad Savaiye as the third bani of the morning Nitnem, after Japji Sahib and Jaap Sahib. It is also one of the five banis recited at Amrit Sanchar. Many Sikhs continue from it straight into Chaupai Sahib and Anand Sahib.
It is recited at Amrit Vela with the rest of Nitnem, head covered, in a clean and quiet place. Because it is short, people who are building a Nitnem habit often learn it early. Its long savaiya lines have a steady rhythm, and listening to a recitation while following the text is a good way to learn where each line breaks.
It takes about 3 to 5 minutes. The recording on this page is just under 4 minutes.
What Sikhs traditionally hold
Sikhs hold Tav Prasad Savaiye as a daily reminder to test their own practice. Wealth, status and even religious routine can become ends in themselves. The bani answers with one sentence that many Sikhs carry through the day: whoever loves, finds God.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tav Prasad Savaiye take?
About 3 to 5 minutes. The recording on this page runs just under 4 minutes. It is the shortest of the morning Nitnem banis.
How many savaiye are in Tav Prasad Savaiye?
Ten. They are numbered 21 to 30 in Akal Ustat, which is why you will see double numbers such as 1.21 and 2.22 at the end of each verse.
Why is it called Tav Prasad Savaiye?
"Tav Prasad" means "by Your grace", the phrase at the head of the section. A savaiya is the name of the poetic meter used. It is also called Das Savaiye (ten savaiye) or Sravag Sudh, after its opening words.
Can I listen to Tav Prasad Savaiye instead of reading?
Listening with attention is a common way to learn it, and many people listen while following the text. Over time most Sikhs move toward reciting it themselves as part of their Nitnem.
Where can I get the Tav Prasad Savaiye PDF?
Use the PDF section on this page. There are two versions: Gurmukhi only, and Gurmukhi with transliteration and English translation.
Tav Prasad Savaiye PDF
Please treat printed Gurbani with respect.