The concept of Ghar has been realized out of interpretation of the directives enshrined within Sri Guru Granth Sahib . Thus, the concept of Ghar has been developed from within Sri Guru Granth Sahib .
The keen observation of Gurbani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib especially under the directives of Ghar in the form of titles of sabads and chhants in Sri Guru Granth Sahib has led to the establishment of concept of Ghar .
A few attributes of concept of Ghar are as under:
- In it’s written form, the Gurbani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is has been systematically preserved as tuks , pada
pad e and the numbering pattern thereof, so that there remains no scope of any addition/deletion of a tuk / pada in Bani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib . Similarly, for reading Gurbani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, there is a uniform and systematic concept of Ghar in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. - In order to understand the concept of Ghar , the meaning of Gurbani has to be realized. Without comprehension of meanings of Gurbani , the concept of Ghar cannot be perceived. Whence we comprehend the meaning of tuks of Gurbani , we realize certain sections in tuks of Gurbani .
- With variance in comprehension of Gurbani, different individuals might realize different sections in the same tuk. However, Understanding understanding of the concept of Ghar, guides us to determine the number of sections in tuks as ordained by Guru Sahib, as ghar, in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, with uniformity.
- When we derive sections of a tuk, in accordance with concept of Ghar, then each such section within tuk is rendered as a ghar.
- The ghars of tuk are ghars in each tuk of sabad in Ghar 1 and Ghar
- Total of all ghars in a pada of sabad determine all types of Ghar, from Ghar 3 onwards.
- Since Ghar 1 and Ghar 2 are established based only on the ghars of tuk, thus, establishment of Ghar 1 and Ghar 2 is relatively simpler. Thus, sabads in Ghar 1 or Ghar 2 often lack title of Ghar. Conversely, whenever there is no Ghar attributed to a sabad, it is either belongs to Ghar 1/Ghar 2 or it is following a title on the preceding sabad(s).
- In case of Ghar 1, all tuks in sabads of Ghar 1 have to be read in one go which also explains the title Ghar 1.
- In Ghar 1, there can be one or more ghars in different tuks of the same pada,
- In Ghar 2, there are always two ghars in each tuk of every pada.
- The variation in ways of arriving at the sum total of ghars with different number of tuks in different pade gives rise to various sub-types of Ghar of sabads.
- Once Ghar is established for any sabad, all pade of that sabad are in accordance with that particular Ghar.
- There are different sub-types of each type of Ghar. Different pade of a sabad, in a particular Ghar, can be in different sub-types of the same Ghar.
- Ghar 3 onwards, the number of the Ghar of sabad is always equivalent to the sum total of ghars in each pada of that sabad. i.e. Ghar 3 has three ghars in each pada of sabad; Ghar 4 has four ghars in each pada; Ghar 5 has five ghars in each pada and so on.
- The concept of Ghar is an amalgamation of pronunciation and numbers of ghars. Whereas pronunciation of types of Ghar of sabads is Teeja (Third), Chautha (Fourth), Panjvan (Fifth) etc., it also, means that there are three ghars, four ghars and five ghars in each pada
- The Ghar of Rahao pada is always different from the Ghar of rest of the pade in every sabad.
- The placement of Rahao pada helps to differentiate partaals from sabads. In partaals, the Rahao pada is always the first pada while in sabads (to be sung in single Taal), the Rahao pada is always the second pada of the sabad.
- There is no Rahao pada in chhants (with exception of one chhant in raag Kedara).
- Irrespective of mention of Ghar in headings, every sabad, partaal, chhant, salok, paori of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is in one or the other Ghar.
- The Ghar of Chhant is determined as unique combination of ghars of tuk as well as ghars of pada.
- Determination of Ghar of those sabads, where Ghar is not mentioned in their headings, has to be accomplished by following the headings of Ghar on previous sabads.
- Singing of sabads/chhants should also be rendered corresponding to the reading of sabads/chhants, in accordance with concept of Ghar.
- Gurmat Sangeet shall be accomplished by performing Kirtan in accordance with Ghar, in addition to compliance of guidelines of respective Raag, as enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
- The concept of Ghar is uniformly applicable to the entire Gurbani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib irrespective of its being authored by Gurus or Bhagats.
- There are 103 sub-types of Ghar of sabads and 69 sub-types of Ghar of chhants in Sri Guru Granth Sahib.