Dedicated to the Sikhs who gave their lives for the truth.

ਸ੍ਵੈਯਾ ॥
Savaiyaa ॥
SWAYYA

ਦੇਹ ਸਿਵਾ ਬਰ ਮੋਹਿ ਇਹੈ ਸੁਭ ਕਰਮਨ ਤੇ ਕਬਹੂੰ ਨ ਟਰੋਂ ॥
Deha Sivaa Bara Mohi Eihai Subha Karamna Te Kabahooan Na Ttaroaaʼn ॥
O Goddess, grant me this that I may not hesitate from performing good actions.

ਨ ਡਰੋਂ ਅਰਿ ਸੋ ਜਬ ਜਾਇ ਲਰੋਂ ਨਿਸਚੈ ਕਰ ਅਪਨੀ ਜੀਤ ਕਰੋਂ ॥
Na Daroaaʼn Ari So Jaba Jaaei Laroaaʼn Nisachai Kara Apanee Jeeta Karoaaʼn ॥
I may not fear the enemy, when I go to fight and assuredly I may become victorious.

ਅਰੁ ਸਿਖ ਹੋਂ ਆਪਨੇ ਹੀ ਮਨ ਕੌ ਇਹ ਲਾਲਚ ਹਉ ਗੁਨ ਤਉ ਉਚਰੋਂ ॥
Aru Sikha Hoaaʼn Aapane Hee Mana Kou Eiha Laalcha Hau Guna Tau Aucharoaaʼn ॥
And I may give this instruction to my mind and have this tempotration that I may ever utter Thy Praises.

ਜਬ ਆਵ ਕੀ ਅਉਧ ਨਿਦਾਨ ਬਨੈ ਅਤ ਹੀ ਰਨ ਮੈ ਤਬ ਜੂਝ ਮਰੋਂ ॥੨੩੧॥
Jaba aav Kee Aaudha Nidaana Banai Ata Hee Rana Mai Taba Joojha Maroaaʼn ॥231॥
When the end of my life comes, then I may die fighting in the battlefield.231.

NOTE:

The word ਸਿਵਾ , in the context of Gurbani, is a grossly misunderstood word.  We shall look at the meaning in the context of the Shabad above.

Meaning of the word “ਸਿਵ, ਸਿਵਾ”in Mahan Kosh

ਸਿਵ:  There are numerous meanings (16 in total) of this word, some are (1) ਸੁਖ, ਸ਼ਾਂਤ happiness and contentment (2) ਮੁਕਤ salvation (3) ਮਾਹਾਦੇਵ Mahadev = Siva: one of the Hindu trinity (4) ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ, ਕਰਤਾਰ  God (5) ਆਤਮਗਿਆਨ spiritual knowledge (6) ਗੁਣ virtue, quality, merit 

ਸਿਵਾ: The meanings are (1) ਸ਼ਿਵ ਦੀ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ, ਦੁਰਗਾ, ਪਾਰਵਤੀ The wife of Siv, Durga, Parvati (2) ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਕਤਿ The power of God (3) ਹਰੀ ਦੁੱਬ  green grass (4) ਹਲਦੀ turmeric (5) ਮੁਕਤ salvation      

The word ਸਿਵ and ਸਿਵਾ have many meanings, some relevant ones are given above.  The meaning will depend on the context in which it is used.

In the context of the Shabad the setting is that Guru Gobind Singh, in Bachitar Natak, is making a supplication to an ENTITY asking for the power to never stray from performing good deeds or actions, to fight the enemy fearlessly attaining victory, while at the same time never forgetting the ENTITY and if need be will die fighting in the battlefield.  Knowing that Guru Gobind Singh has unequivocally stated “ਮੈ ਨ ਗਨੇਸ਼ਹਿ ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮ ਮਨਾਊਂ ॥ ਕਿਸ਼ਨ ਬਿਸ਼ਨ ਕਬਹੂੰ ਨਹ ਧਿਆਊਂ ॥ਕਾਨ ਸੁਨੇ ਪਹਿਚਾਨ ਨ ਤਿਨ ਸੋਂ ॥”, means that the ENTITY he is referring to is GOD. 

So in the context of the Shabad above the meaning of Shiva IS THE POWER OF GOD ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਕਤਿ.