The changing seasons of Spring, Fall, Monsoon, and Winter denote the changing phases in our lives. As humans, we are meant to experience all the emotions (seasons) of joy, pain, grief, resilience, and growth in our lifetime, and remember that everything is ephemeral and transient.
Gurbani has repeatedly and sagaciously used the concept of seasons to edify the spiritual awakening.
ਫਰੀਦਾ ਰੁਤਿ ਫਿਰੀ ਵਣੁ ਕੰਬਿਆ ਪਤ ਝੜੇ ਝੜਿ ਪਾਹਿ ॥
ਚਾਰੇ ਕੁੰਡਾ ਢੂੰਢੀਆਂ ਰਹਣੁ ਕਿਥਾਊ ਨਾਹਿ ॥੧੦੨॥ (ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ : ਅੰਗ ੧੩੮੩ ਪੰ. ੯)
Hindi: Fareedaa Rut Firi Van Kambiaa Pat Jharre Jharr Paahe ||
Chaare Kunddaa Dhoondheaan Rehan Kithhaao Naahe ||102||
English Meaning: Baba Fareed says, the seasons change, the forest/trees shake, and the leaves drop from the trees and scatter on the ground. I have searched in the four directions, but I have not found any resting place anywhere. ||102||
The above verse implies that we undergo various seasons in our lives. When the leaves fall from the trees, the tree eagerly awaits Spring. The season of Spring (basant) comes with new vitality and vigour, and fills the tree with new leaves, which again succumb to the changing season in due course of time, and this cycle continues. He further says that we keep looking for peace in all places, in all directions, but it is only to be found in the Guru’s Simran and in feeling the connect with Him in our hearts.
Baba Farid has enlightened us about the transient nature of life in a few simple words by illustrating the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, and by emphasising that clinging to impermanent, materialistic things in life brings fear, pain and suffering.
The Basant or Spring season is considered the season of renewal, joy, bliss, rejuvenation and growth across the world. It provides a hope of revival after the season of Fall, as we anticipate new beginnings.
Basant has been referred to in many places in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib as a metaphor for spiritual enlightenment and for letting go of our ego by detaching from worldly pleasures. When we let go of our ego, we clear the road that connects us to the divine consciousness and pave the way for Basant (enlightenment) in our lives.
ਦੇਖੁ ਫੂਲ ਫੂਲ ਫੂਲੇ ॥ ਅਹੰ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਤਿਆਗੇ ॥
ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲ ਪਾਗੇ॥ ਤੁਮ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਭਾਗੇ॥ ਹਰਿ ਚੇਤਿ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ॥ (ਮ. 5, p 1185)
Hindi: Dekh Phool Phool Phoolae || Aham Tyag Tyagae ||
Charan Kamal Pagae || Tum Milau Prabh Sabhagae || Har Chaet Man Mere ||
English Meaning: Behold, the flowers are blooming in full blossom. Renounce and abandon your ego. Attach yourself to the Lord’s Lotus Feet. O fortunate one, unite with God. O my mind, always remain conscious of the Lord.
Gurbani urges us to embrace it as a season of transformation. So, when leaves fall in the Autumn (when life takes away something from us), we should not fret; rather, we should learn to detach ourselves from the falling leaves, follow their rhythm, and prepare to welcome the changes that the new season might bring forth in the journey of our lives. It is a season of joy and a reminder of life’s impermanence, urging one to seek the eternal spring of divine wisdom.
ਆਜੁ ਹਮਾਰੈ ਗ੍ਰਿਹਿ ਬਸੰਤ ॥ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਏ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੁਮ ਬੇਅੰਤ ॥“
Hindi: Aaj hamare greh basant. Gun gaaye Prabh tum beant ||
English Meaning: Today, in my home, it is springtime. I sing the glorious praises of you, O infinite Lord.
The core meaning of this verse is that our inner home, our soul, is eternally in a state of spring, a season of joy, transformation and new beginnings, and this joy comes from singing the praises of our infinite God. The season’s transformation mirrors the soul’s journey towards liberation as one seeks inner transformation by immersing in the verses of the Guru.
Sri Guru Granth Sahi includes hymns composed under Raag Basant, which express emotions of joy and devotion, much like the season of Basant that transforms nature into a vibrant, lively space.
ਮਾਹਾ ਮਾਹ ਮੁਮਾਰਖੀ ਚੜਿਆ ਸਦਾ ਬਸੰਤੁ ॥ (ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ : ਅੰਗ ੧੧੬੮ ਪੰ. ੪)
Hindi: Maahaa Maah Mumaarakhee Chadiaa Sadaa Basant ||
English Meaning: Among the months, blessed is this month, when spring always comes.
The verses emphasise that just as the Earth blooms in spring, the human soul can also evolve and awaken when immersed in divine love. The transformation that spring brings to nature is akin to the inner transformation of a person who meditates on the Guru’s name.
ਤਿਸੁ ਸਦ ਬਸੰਤੁ ਜਿਸੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਨਾਮੁ ॥ (ਮ. 5, ਪੰਨਾ 1180)
Hindi: Tiss sadd basant jiss hriday naam II
English Meaning: The one whose heart is filled with the Divine Name experiences an eternal spring.
The ultimate teaching is to always keep God in mind, as this leads to spiritual liberation.