Among all the seasons, Basant (spring) is regarded as the season of happiness, joy, bliss, and renewal. It is often referred to as the Queen of Seasons because, during this time, all living beings and vegetation appear vibrant and full of life.
bsMqu ciVAw PUlI bnrwie ]
basaṅt chaṛiā phūlī banrāe ||
Spring has come, and all the plants are flowering.
eyih jIA jMq PUlih hir icqu lwie ]1]
eh jīa jaṅt phūleh har chit lāe ||1||
These beings and creatures blossom forth when they focus their consciousness on
God. ||1||
Through the metaphor of Basant, Guru Sahib explains that just as the entire universe rejoices during this season, similarly, union with the Divine is the true spring of the soul. Thus, in Sikhi, Basant is not merely a seasonal change but holds profound spiritual significance. Alongside this, Raag Basant occupies a special place among the thirty-one raags of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In this article, an effort is made to understand Raag Basant and the spiritual symbolism of Basant as presented in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Raag Basant
From the perspective of Gurmat Sangeet, Basant holds great importance. This raag evokes emotions of joy, devotion, and divine union, much like the spring season fills nature with colour, vitality, and life.
Bani in Raag Basant has been composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Amar Das Ji, Guru Ram Das Ji, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Guru Teg Bahadar Ji, and four Bhagats—Bhagat Kabir Ji, Bhagat Namdev Ji, Bhagat Ravidas Ji, and Bhagat Ramanand Ji.
The formal commencement of Raag Basant takes place on the last night of the month of Poh, at 8:45 pm, at Sachkhand Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. This is performed by reciting six paurīs of Anand Sahib, followed by Ardas. After the Ardas, the first shabad of Raag Basant:
“mwhw mwh mumwrKI ciVAw sdw bsMqu ]”
is sung by the raagi jatha, marking the beginning of Raag Basant. This tradition has continued from ancient times. Following the Ardas, every raagi jatha begins their kirtan chauṅkī with Raag Basant. This maryada is observed from Magh Sangrand until Hola Mahalla.
The Spiritual Metaphor of Basant
From the perspective of the seasons, Basant is an exceptionally pleasant time of year. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji presents Basant as a spiritual metaphor. Just as vegetation flourishes during Basant (Spring), the soul that is connected to the Divine remains forever in a state of bliss. Guru Sahib states:
nwnk iqnw bsMqu hY ijn@ Gir visAw kMqu ]
Nanak tinā basaṅt hai jin ghar vasiā kaṅt ||
O Nanak, it is the spring season for those within whose homes their Husband God abides.
ijn ky kMq idswpurI sy Aihinis iPrih jlμq ]2]
Jin ke kaṅt disāpurī se ahinis fireh jalaṅt ||2||
Those whose Husband God is far away continue burning day and night. ||2||
According to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the soul that remains immersed in the Divine Name experiences eternal spring, whereas the soul separated from the Divine continues to burn in the fire of separation.
In Basant Ki Vaar, composed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji on Ang 1193, devotion is described as the true Basant (Spring). When a person immerses in Naam Simran and devotion, they experience an everlasting spring—a state of unchanging bliss and deep communion with the Divine. Gurbani further explains that the mind is like a field; without the rain of Naam, it remains dry and barren. When Divine Grace touches the soul, it blossoms like a garden in spring.
hir kw nwmu iDAwie kY hohu hirAw BweI ]
har kaa naam dhiaai kai hoh hariaa bhaiee ||
Meditate on God’s Name and blossom forth in green abundance.
krim ilKMqY pweIAY ieh ruiq suhweI ]
karam likha(n)tai paieeaai ieh rut suhaiee ||
By your destiny, you have been blessed with this wondrous spring of the soul.
vxu iqRxu iqRBvxu mauilAw AMimRq Plu pweI ]
van tiran tirabhavan mauliaa a(n)mirat fal paiee ||
See all the three worlds in bloom and obtain the fruit of Ambrosial Nectar.
imil swDU suKu aUpjY lQI sB CweI ]
mil saadhoo sukh uoopajai lathee sabh chhaiee ||
Meeting with the Holy Saints, peace wells up, and all sins are erased.
nwnku ismrY eyku nwmu iPir bhuiV n DweI ]1]
naanak simarai ek naam fir bahuR na dhaiee ||1||
O Nanak, remember in meditation the One Name, and you shall never again be consigned to the womb of reincarnation. ||1||
Conclusion
Thus, Basant holds a special place in Sikhi from seasonal, musical, and spiritual perspectives. Overall, it can be said that Guru Sahib, through the metaphor of the Basant season, guides humanity towards the ultimate truth of life. Those who are coloured in the Divine Name remain unaffected by external seasons; for them, it is always spring.
sbdy sdw bsMqu hY ijqu qnu mnu hirAw hoie ]
sabadhe sadhaa basa(n)t hai jit tan man hariaa hoi ||
The Word of the Shabad brings eternal spring; it rejuvenates the mind and body.
nwnk nwmu n vIsrY ijin isirAw sBu koie ]60]
naanak naam na veesarai jin siriaa sabh koi ||60||
O Nanak, do not forget the Naam, which has created everyone. ||60||
