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In the previous article on Sabad structures, we delved into the structures of Sabads based on the stanzas they comprise. This article explores different stanza structures based on the lines they contain.
There are generally one to four lines in a stanza of a Sabad. In Panjabi, these lines are called ‘tuk’ (ਤੁਕ) or ‘pangti’ (ਪੰਗਤੀ). Based on the number of lines in a stanza, Sabads are primarily classified as follows:
- Iktuka (ਇਕਤੁਕਾ): A Sabad with one-line stanzas
- Dutuka (ਦੁਤੁਕਾ): A Sabad with two-line stanzas
- Tituka (ਤਿਤੁਕਾ): A Sabad with three-line stanzas
- Chautuka (ਚਉਤੁਕਾ): A Sabad with four-line stanzas
Please note that the title of a Sabad may include the number of lines in a stanza or the number of stanzas in a Sabad. In other places, the title may indicate both or none.
As mentioned in the previous article, the Guru Granth Sahib contains the following diverse stanza structures: ‘Dupada’ (two-stanza Sabad), ‘tipada’ (three-stanza Sabad), ‘chaupada’ (four-stanza Sabad), ‘panchpada’ (five-stanza Sabad), ‘astpadi’ (eight-stanza Sabad), ‘Solahe’ (sixteen-stanza Sabads).
Examples
A title with reference to the number of lines in a stanza — ‘A Sabad having one-line stanzas’ by the fifth Guru in Rag Asavari.
āsāvarī mahalā 5 iktukā
ਆਸਾਵਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਇਕਤੁਕਾ ॥
A title with reference to both the number of lines in a stanza and the number of stanzas in a Sabad — ‘Four-stanza Sabads having one-line stanzas’ by the fifth Guru in Rag Asa.
āsā mahalā 5 iktuke caüpade.
ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਇਕਤੁਕੇ ਚਉਪਦੇ॥
A title with reference to neither line nor stanza.
rāgu ṭoḍī mahalā 4 gharu 1.
ਰਾਗੁ ਟੋਡੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ਘਰੁ ੧ ॥
Before we delve into the specific examples of lines in a stanza, it is important to understand the role of the Gurmukhi1 punctuation mark, ॥, used in the Guru Granth Sahib. This punctuation mark either serves as a comma, semicolon (pause or break), or a full stop depending on the thought expressed or message conveyed in the stanza, its meter, and rhyming pattern. It may also serve as an exclamation or a question mark in certain cases.
For this reason, at times, what may appear to be two, three, or more lines in a stanza may be just one. In such cases, the first, second, or later instances of the punctuation mark, ॥, may serve as a comma or a semicolon, and the last, followed by numerals, a full stop.
Example
‘Sabad with three one-line stanzas' by Bhagat Kabir in Rag Asa.
āsā. tipadā. iktukā.
kīo siṅgāru milan ke tāī. hari na mile jagjīvan gusāī.1.
hari mero piru haü hari kī bahurīā. rām baḍe mai tanak lahurīā.1. rahāu.
dhan pir ekai saṅgi baserā. sej ek pai milanu duherā.2.
dhanni suhāgani jo pīa bhāvai. kahi kabīr phiri janami na āvai.3.8.30.
Guru Granth Sahib 483
ਆਸਾ ॥ ਤਿਪਦਾ ॥ ਇਕਤੁਕਾ ॥
ਕੀਓ ਸਿੰਗਾਰੁ ਮਿਲਨ ਕੇ ਤਾਈ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਨ ਮਿਲੇ ਜਗਜੀਵਨ ਗੁਸਾਈ ॥੧॥
ਹਰਿ ਮੇਰੋ ਪਿਰੁ ਹਉ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਬਹੁਰੀਆ ॥ ਰਾਮ ਬਡੇ ਮੈ ਤਨਕ ਲਹੁਰੀਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਧਨ ਪਿਰ ਏਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਬਸੇਰਾ ॥ ਸੇਜ ਏਕ ਪੈ ਮਿਲਨੁ ਦੁਹੇਰਾ ॥੨॥
ਧੰਨਿ ਸੁਹਾਗਨਿ ਜੋ ਪੀਅ ਭਾਵੈ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਫਿਰਿ ਜਨਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥੩॥੮॥੩੦॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੪੮੩
Applied adornment for the sake of meeting, (but) Hari, the Master, the Life of the world, did not meet.1.
In the above example, as indicated in the title, the stanzas of the Sabad are one line each (even though there seem to be two lines). This is also evident from the rhyming pattern of each line of the stanza. The words ‘tāī’ (ਤਾਈ) and ‘gusāī’ (ਗੁਸਾਈ) rhyme and together constitute one line. The first instance of the punctuation mark, ॥, after the word 'tāī' (ਤਾਈ) serves as a comma or a semicolon, while the second and the third instances appear with the numeral ‘.1.’ (॥੧॥) serve as a full stop. The thought expressed becomes complete and clear only when the punctuation mark, ॥, after the word 'tāī' (ਤਾਈ) is taken as a comma or semicolon and the whole stanza is read as one line.
In the rahau stanza of the above Sabad, the punctuation mark after the word ‘bahurīā’ (ਬਹੁਰੀਆ) serves as a comma, while after the word ‘lahurīā’ (ਲਹੁਰੀਆ) acts as a full-stop. Notably, the rahau line(s) are counted and numbered independently of the stanzas. For clarity, only the first and the last stanzas of the Sabads are provided as examples in this article.
Note: The literal meaning of ‘rahau’ is to pause, stay, remain steady, or rest. The stanza preceding the word rahau acts as a refrain or chorus, which is repeated after every other stanza while singing a composition. In most cases, the stanza of rahau contains the central idea of a Sabad. For further details, please check the following link. https://app.gurugranthsahib.io/tggsp/english/SignificantTermsDetail/Rahau
The stanza structure within a Sabad holds valuable clues that aid in unraveling its message. Often, the title serves as the primary and definitive pointer to the structure of the stanza. Additionally, the rhyming pattern provides another layer of indicators in determining where the pauses are and where the message is complete. These together inform us about the number of lines and pauses within each stanza and the continuity of thought within them, resulting in a message that resonates with the reader.
Therefore, readers always benefit from developing a better grasp of the indicators of Sabad structures. As one reads these diverse Sabads, each possessing distinct stanza structures, it's imperative for the reader to develop a good understanding of them. Comprehending the thought conveyed within a stanza requires reading its lines together as a set, following its rhyming pattern. For instance, in a ‘dutuka,’ the reader has to interpret two lines as a single set. Similarly, with a ‘tituka,’ its comprehension relies on reading three lines together, and so forth. Identifying and reading structures comprising three lines or more can be challenging. Developing this skill requires both training and practice. An integral aspect of this particular skill is understanding where to pause while reading lines of a stanza.
After understanding the role of the punctuation mark, ॥, used in the Guru Granth Sahib, let's discuss various kinds of lines appearing in the stanzas of Sabads.
Iktuka/Iktuki/Iktuke – One-Liner/One-Liners
Iktuka (ਇਕਤੁਕਾ)
In the Guru Granth Sahib, a Sabad may contain two or more stanzas. A Sabad composed of stanzas of one line each is known as 'iktuka.' The term ‘ik’ means one, and ‘tuk’ means line. Hence, ‘iktuka’ means a Sabad having one-line stanzas. For clarity, the word ‘iktuka’ will be pronounced with the syllables distributed as ‘ik-tuka.’ The word 'iktuka' appears three times in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Example 1
‘Sabad with three one-line stanzas' by Bhagat Kabir in Rag Asa.
āsā. tipadā. iktukā.
kīo siṅgāru milan ke tāī. hari na mile jagjīvan gusāī.1.
…
dhan pir ekai saṅgi baserā. sej ek pai milanu duherā.2.
dhanni suhāgani jo pīa bhāvai. kahi kabīr phiri janami na āvai.3.8.30.
Guru Granth Sahib 483
ਆਸਾ ॥ ਤਿਪਦਾ ॥ ਇਕਤੁਕਾ ॥
ਕੀਓ ਸਿੰਗਾਰੁ ਮਿਲਨ ਕੇ ਤਾਈ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਨ ਮਿਲੇ ਜਗਜੀਵਨ ਗੁਸਾਈ ॥੧॥
…
ਧੰਨਿ ਸੁਹਾਗਨਿ ਜੋ ਪੀਅ ਭਾਵੈ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਫਿਰਿ ਜਨਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥੩॥੮॥੩੦॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੪੮੩
In the above Sabad, as the title indicates, there are three one-line stanzas (even though there seem to be two lines). This is also visible in the rhyming pattern of each line of the stanza. The word-sets ‘tāī-gusāī’ (ਤਾਈ-ਗੁਸਾਈ) in the first stanza and ‘bhāvai-āvai’ (ਭਾਵੈ-ਆਵੈ) in the third stanza have the same rhyming pattern constituting one line and one thought expressed in the respective stanzas. The first instance of the punctuation mark, ॥, in each stanza represents a comma or a semicolon, and the second instance, next to the numerals, is a full stop. The thought expressed in the stanzas becomes complete and clear only when the whole stanza is read as one line. Thus, we can say that each stanza of the above Sabad has one line.
Example 2
‘Sabad with two one-line stanzas' by Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Asavari.
āsāvarī mahalā 5 iktukā.
…
jā siu raci rahe hāṁ. sabh kaü taji gae hāṁ. supnā jiu bhae hāṁ. hari nāmu jin̖i lae.1.
hari taji an lage hāṁ. janmahi mari bhage hāṁ. hari hari jani lahe hāṁ. jīvat se rahe hāṁ.
jisahi kripālu hoi hāṁ. nānak bhagatu soi.2.7.163.232.
Guru Granth Sahib 410
ਆਸਾਵਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਇਕਤੁਕਾ ॥
…
ਜਾ ਸਿਉ ਰਚਿ ਰਹੇ ਹਾਂ ॥ ਸਭ ਕਉ ਤਜਿ ਗਏ ਹਾਂ ॥ ਸੁਪਨਾ ਜਿਉ ਭਏ ਹਾਂ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਿਨਿ੍ ਲਏ ॥੧॥
ਹਰਿ ਤਜਿ ਅਨ ਲਗੇ ਹਾਂ ॥ ਜਨਮਹਿ ਮਰਿ ਭਗੇ ਹਾਂ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਨਿ ਲਹੇ ਹਾਂ ॥ ਜੀਵਤ ਸੇ ਰਹੇ ਹਾਂ ॥
ਜਿਸਹਿ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲੁ ਹੋਇ ਹਾਂ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਗਤੁ ਸੋਇ ॥੨॥੭॥੧੬੩॥੨੩੨॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੪੧੦
In the above Sabad, as indicated in the title, the stanzas are one line long (even though they seem four and six lines long, respectively). This particular example actually deviates from the established pattern of matching rhyme across the line of a stanza, as the lines continue even after a change in the rhyming pattern. The thought expressed becomes complete and clear only when the whole stanza is read as one line. In this example, all occurrences of the punctuation mark, ॥, following the word ‘hāṁ’ (ਹਾਂ) represent commas or semicolons, while those after the words ‘lae’ (ਲਏ) and ‘soi’ (ਸੋਇ) indicate a full stop, where the rhyming pattern changes to conclude the thought. These stanzas will be sung as one, keeping in mind that the thought expressed in the individual stanzas is one.
Iktuki (ਇਕਤੁਕੀ)
‘Iktuki’ is the feminine form of ‘iktuka.’ A Sabad composed of stanzas of one line each is known as ‘iktuki.’ The term ‘ik’ means one, and ‘tuk’ means line. Hence, ‘iktuki’ means a Sabad having one-line stanzas. For clarity, the word ‘iktuki’ will be pronounced with the syllables distributed as ‘ik-tuki.’ In the Guru Granth Sahib, the term ‘iktuki’ appears only once.
Example
‘Sabad with eight one-line stanzas' by Guru Nanak Sahib in Rag Asa.
āsā mahalā 1 iktukī.
guru seve so ṭhākur jānai. dūkhu miṭai sacu sabadi pachānai.1.
…
nānak rām nām sarṇāī. satiguri rākhe bandhu na pāī.8.10.
Guru Granth Sahib 416
ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ਇਕਤੁਕੀ॥
ਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵੇ ਸੋ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਜਾਨੈ ॥ ਦੂਖੁ ਮਿਟੈ ਸਚੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਪਛਾਨੈ ॥੧॥
…
ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਸਰਣਾਈ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਰਾਖੇ ਬੰਧੁ ਨ ਪਾਈ ॥੮॥੧੦॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੪੧੬
The above Sabad is an example of an ‘Astpadi,’ a composition comprising eight stanzas. The term ‘astpadi’ is a feminine noun; hence, in the above title, the term ‘iktuki’ is used instead of ‘iktuka.’ As the title suggests, this Sabad is one line long (even though there appear to be two lines). This is also evident from the matching rhyming pattern of each line of the stanza. The word-sets ‘jānai-pachānai’ (ਜਾਨੈ-ਪਛਾਨੈ), ‘sarṇāī-pāī’ (ਸਰਣਾਈ-ਪਾਈ) rhyme to constitute one line and one thought in the respective stanzas.
Iktuke (ਇਕਤੁਕੇ)
Iktuke is the plural form of 'iktuka.' Sabads composed of stanzas of one line each are known as 'iktuke.' The term ‘ik’ means one, and ‘tuk’ means line. Hence, ‘iktuke’ means Sabads having one-liner stanzas. For clarity, the word ‘iktuke’ will be pronounced with the syllables distributed as ‘ik-tuke.’ When the word ‘iktuke’ appears in a title, it means there are more than one ‘iktuka’ (one-liner) Sabads under it. In the Guru Granth Sahib, the word ‘iktuke’ appears four times in different titles.
Example 1
‘Sabads with four one-line stanzas' by Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Asa.
āsā mahalā 5 iktuke caüpade.
ik ghaṛī dinasu mo kaü bahutu dihāre. manu na rahai kaise milaü piāre.1.
…
jan nānak kaü hari darasu dikhāiā. ātamu cīn̖i param sukhu pāiā.4.15.
Guru Granth Sahib 374
ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਇਕਤੁਕੇ ਚਉਪਦੇ॥
ਇਕ ਘੜੀ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਮੋ ਕਉ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਦਿਹਾਰੇ ॥ ਮਨੁ ਨ ਰਹੈ ਕੈਸੇ ਮਿਲਉ ਪਿਆਰੇ ॥੧॥
…
ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਉ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸੁ ਦਿਖਾਇਆ ॥ ਆਤਮੁ ਚੀਨਿੑ ਪਰਮ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੪॥੧੫॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੩੭੪
Example 2
‘Sabads with four one-line stanzas' by Bhagat Kabir in Rag Asa.
ikoaṅkār satigur prasādi. āsā srī kabīr jīu ke caüpade iktuke.
sanak sanand antu nahi pāiā. bed paṛe paṛi brahame janamu gavāiā.1.
…
kahu kabīr nadari kare je mīṁrā. rām nām lagi utre tīrā.4.1.10.
Guru Granth Sahib 478
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਆਸਾ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀਉ ਕੇ ਚਉਪਦੇ ਇਕਤੁਕੇ॥
ਸਨਕ ਸਨੰਦ ਅੰਤੁ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਬੇਦ ਪੜੇ ਪੜਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੇ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥੧॥
…
ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਜੇ ਮੀਂਰਾ ॥ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਲਗਿ ਉਤਰੇ ਤੀਰਾ ॥੪॥੧॥੧੦॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੪੭੮
Under the two titles in the above two examples, there are multiple Sabads as indicated by the plural terms ‘caüpade’ (Sabads with four stanzas) and ‘iktuke’ (Sabads with one-line stanzas). Interestingly, the word ‘caüpade’ and ‘iktuke’ switch their positions. However, the meaning of the two titles remains the same: each Sabad under these titles has four stanzas, and each stanza is one line long (even though they appear to be two lines). Please note that each line's matching rhyming pattern conforms to the Sabads' title.
Dutuka/Dutuki/Dutuke – Two-Liner/Two-Liners
Dutuka (ਦੁਤੁਕਾ)
A Sabad that comprises stanzas of two lines each is known as ‘dutuka.’ The term ‘du’ means two, and ‘tuk’ means line. Hence, ‘dutuka’ means a Sabad having two-line stanzas. For clarity, the word ‘dutuka’ will be pronounced with the syllables distributed as ‘du-tuka.’ However, the word ‘dutuka’ does not appear in the Guru Granth Sahib; only its feminine form, ‘dutuki,’ and plural form, ‘dutuke,’ appear.
Dutuki (ਦੁਤੁਕੀ)
‘Dutuki’ is the feminine form of ‘dutuka.’ A Sabad that comprises stanzas of two lines each is known as ‘dutuki.’ The term ‘du’ means two, and ‘tuk’ means line. Hence, ‘dutuki’ means a Sabad having two-line stanzas. For clarity, the word ‘dutuki’ will be pronounced with the syllables distributed as ‘du-tuki.’ The term ‘dutuki’ appears twice in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Example
‘Sabad with ten two-line stanzas' by Guru Nanak Sahib in Rag Sorath.
soraṭhi mahalā 1 pahilā dutukī.
tū guṇdātau nirmalo bhāī nirmalu nā manu hoi. ham aprādhī nirguṇe bhāī tujh hī te guṇu soi.1.
…
īdhanu adhik sakelīai bhāī pāvaku rancak pāi. khinu palu nāmu ridai vasai bhāī nānak milaṇu subhāi.10.4.
Guru Granth Sahib 636
ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ਪਹਿਲਾ ਦੁਤੁਕੀ ॥
ਤੂ ਗੁਣਦਾਤੌ ਨਿਰਮਲੋ ਭਾਈ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਨਾ ਮਨੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਹਮ ਅਪਰਾਧੀ ਨਿਰਗੁਣੇ ਭਾਈ ਤੁਝ ਹੀ ਤੇ ਗੁਣੁ ਸੋਇ ॥੧॥
…
ਈਧਨੁ ਅਧਿਕ ਸਕੇਲੀਐ ਭਾਈ ਪਾਵਕੁ ਰੰਚਕ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਖਿਨੁ ਪਲੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਵਸੈ ਭਾਈ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਿਲਣੁ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥੧੦॥੪॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੬੩੬
As the title suggests, the Sabad is two lines long in the above example. This is also visible in the rhyming pattern of the stanzas. Both instances of the punctuation mark, ॥, after the word-sets ‘hoi-soi’ (ਹੋਇ-ਸੋਇ) and ‘pāi-subhāi’ (ਪਾਇ-ਸੁਭਾਇ) serve as full stops. Thus, we can say that each stanza of the above Sabad has two lines.
Dutuke (ਦੁਤੁਕੇ)
‘Dutuke’ is the plural form of ‘dutuka.’ Sabads that comprise stanzas of two lines each are known as ‘dutuke.’ The term ‘du’ means two, and ‘tuk’ means line. Hence, ‘dutuke’ means Sabads having two-line stanzas. For clarity, the word ‘dutuke’ will be pronounced with the syllables distributed as ‘du-tuke.’ When the word ‘dutuke’ appears in a title, it means there are more than one ‘dutuka’ (two-line) Sabads under it. The word ‘dutuke’ appears twelve times in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Example
‘Sabads with four two-line stanzas' by Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Asa.
āsā mahalā 5 dutuke 9.
un kai saṅgi tū kartī kel. un kai saṅgi ham tum saṅgi mel.
un kai saṅgi tum sabhu koū lorai. usu binā koū mukhu nahī jorai.1.
…
ohu bairāgī marai na jāi. hukme bādhā kār kamāi.
joṛi vichoṛe nānak thāpi. apnī kudrati jāṇai āpi.4.31.82.
Guru Granth Sahib 390
ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਦੁਤੁਕੇ ੯ ॥
ਉਨ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਤੂ ਕਰਤੀ ਕੇਲ ॥ ਉਨ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਹਮ ਤੁਮ ਸੰਗਿ ਮੇਲ ॥
ਉਨ੍ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਤੁਮ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਊ ਲੋਰੈ ॥ ਓਸੁ ਬਿਨਾ ਕੋਊ ਮੁਖੁ ਨਹੀ ਜੋਰੈ ॥੧॥
…
ਓਹੁ ਬੈਰਾਗੀ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਬਾਧਾ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਇ ॥
ਜੋੜਿ ਵਿਛੋੜੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਥਾਪਿ ॥ ਅਪਨੀ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਆਪਿ ॥੪॥੩੧॥੮੨॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੩੯੦
As indicated in the title, the stanzas of the above Sabad are two lines each (though there seem to be four). The rhyming of each stanza helps us understand their structure, with each line having its own rhyming pattern. To understand this better, let us look at the first stanza. The words ‘kel’ (ਕੇਲ) and ‘mel’ (ਮੇਲ) are creating a similar rhyming pattern. Thus, the first line of this stanza ends at ‘mel’ (ਮੇਲ), not ‘kel’ (ਕੇਲ). This means that the punctuation mark, ॥, after ‘kel’ (ਕੇਲ) serves as a comma and after ‘mel’ (ਮੇਲ) as a full-stop. Similarly, in the second part of the same stanza, ‘lorai’ (ਲੋਰੈ) and ‘jorai’ (ਜੋਰੈ) create a similar rhyming pattern. Here also, the punctuation mark, ॥, after ‘lorai’ (ਲੋਰੈ) serves as a comma and after ‘jorai’ (ਜੋਰੈ) as a full-stop. Thus, even though each stanza seems to have four lines, in reality, they are two lines, with each line having a rhyming set, constituting a ‘dutuke’ (a Sabad with two-line stanzas).
Tituka/Tituki/Tituke – Three-Liner/Three-Liners
Tituka (ਤਿਤੁਕਾ)
A Sabad, which comprises stanzas of three lines each, is known as ‘tituka.’ The term ‘ti’ means three, and ‘tuk’ means line. Hence, ‘tituka’ means a Sabad having three-line stanzas. For clarity, the word ‘tituka’ will be pronounced with the syllables distributed as ‘ti-tuka.’ The word ‘tituka’ appears only once in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Example
‘Sabad with four three-line stanzas' by Guru Nanak Sahib in Rag Asa.
āsā mahala 1 titukā.
koī bhīkhaku bhīkhiā khāi. koī rājā rahiā samāi.
kis hī mānu kisai apmānu. ḍhāhi usāre dhare dhiānu.
tujh te vaḍā nāhī koi. kisu vekhālī caṅgā hoi.1.
…
jāṁ tūṁ dehi japī terā nāu. dargah baisaṇ hovai thāu.
jāṁ tudhu bhāvai tā durmati jāi. giān ratanu mani vasai āi.
nadari kare tā satiguru milai. praṇvati nānaku bhavjalu tarai.4.18.
Guru Granth Sahib 354
ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ਤਿਤੁਕਾ ॥
ਕੋਈ ਭੀਖਕੁ ਭੀਖਿਆ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਕੋਈ ਰਾਜਾ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇ ॥
ਕਿਸ ਹੀ ਮਾਨੁ ਕਿਸੈ ਅਪਮਾਨੁ ॥ ਢਾਹਿ ਉਸਾਰੇ ਧਰੇ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥
ਤੁਝ ਤੇ ਵਡਾ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਕਿਸੁ ਵੇਖਾਲੀ ਚੰਗਾ ਹੋਇ ॥੧॥
…
ਜਾਂ ਤੂੰ ਦੇਹਿ ਜਪੀ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਦਰਗਹ ਬੈਸਣ ਹੋਵੈ ਥਾਉ ॥
ਜਾਂ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਾ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਗਿਆਨ ਰਤਨੁ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਆਇ ॥
ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਤਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਣਵਤਿ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਭਵਜਲੁ ਤਰੈ ॥੪॥੧੮॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੩੫੪
As indicated in the title, the stanzas of the above Sabad are three lines each (though there seem to be six), with each line having its own rhyming pattern. The rhyming patterns of the word-sets ‘khāi-samāi’ (ਖਾਇ-ਸਮਾਇ), ‘apmānu-dhiānu’ (ਅਪਮਾਨੁ-ਧਿਆਨੁ), ‘koi-hoi’ (ਕੋਇ-ਹੋਇ) indicates that in the first stanza of the Sabad, the punctuation mark, ॥, after the words ‘khāi’ (ਖਾਇ), ‘apmānu’ (ਅਪਮਾਨੁ), ‘koi’ (ਕੋਇ) serves as commas or semicolons and after the words ‘samāi’ (ਸਮਾਇ), ‘dhiānu’ (ਧਿਆਨੁ), ‘hoi’ (ਹੋਇ) as full stops. This pattern is maintained in the rest of the Sabad. Thus, in the above Sabad, each stanza has three lines (three line sets) constituting a ‘tituka’ (a Sabad with three line stanzas).
Tituki (ਤਿਤੁਕੀ)
‘Tituki’ is feminine form of ‘tituka.’ A Sabad, which comprises stanzas of three lines each, is known as ‘tituki.’ The term ‘ti’ means three, and ‘tuk’ means line. Hence, ‘tituki’ means a Sabad with three-line stanzas. For clarity, the word ‘tituki’ will be pronounced with the syllables distributed as ‘ti-tuki.’ The word ‘tituki’ appears twice in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Example
‘Sabad with eight three-line stanzas' by Guru Nanak Sahib in Rag Sorath.
soraṭhi mahalā 1 titukī.
āsā mansā bandhanī bhāī karam dharam bandhkārī.
pāpi punni jagu jāiā bhāī binsai nāmu visārī.
ih māiā jagi mohaṇī bhāī karam sabhe vekārī.1.
…
ihu tanu hāṭu sarāph ko bhāī vakharu nāmu apāru.
ihu vakharu vāpārī so driṛai bhāī gur sabadi kare vīcāru.
dhanu vāpārī nānakā bhāī meli kare vāpāru.8.2.
Guru Granth Sahib 635
ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ਤਿਤੁਕੀ ॥
ਆਸਾ ਮਨਸਾ ਬੰਧਨੀ ਭਾਈ ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਬੰਧਕਾਰੀ ॥
ਪਾਪਿ ਪੁੰਨਿ ਜਗੁ ਜਾਇਆ ਭਾਈ ਬਿਨਸੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਿਸਾਰੀ ॥
ਇਹ ਮਾਇਆ ਜਗਿ ਮੋਹਣੀ ਭਾਈ ਕਰਮ ਸਭੇ ਵੇਕਾਰੀ ॥੧॥
…
ਇਹੁ ਤਨੁ ਹਾਟੁ ਸਰਾਫ ਕੋ ਭਾਈ ਵਖਰੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਪਾਰੁ ॥
ਇਹੁ ਵਖਰੁ ਵਾਪਾਰੀ ਸੋ ਦ੍ਰਿੜੈ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਕਰੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
ਧਨੁ ਵਾਪਾਰੀ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਭਾਈ ਮੇਲਿ ਕਰੇ ਵਾਪਾਰੁ ॥੮॥੨॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੬੩੫
As indicated in the title, the stanzas of the above Sabad are three lines each. Interestingly, as opposed to previous examples, all the lines in a stanza rhyme, such as the word-sets ‘bandhkārī-visārī-vekārī’ (ਬੰਧਕਾਰੀ-ਵਿਸਾਰੀ-ਵੇਕਾਰੀ) in the first stanza, and ‘apāru-vīcāru-vāpāru’ (ਅਪਾਰੁ-ਵੀਚਾਰੁ-ਵਾਪਾਰੁ) in the last stanza of this Sabad. Here, the punctuation mark, ॥, at the end of each line serves as a full stop. Thus, we can say that each stanza of the above Sabad has three lines each, and so is titled ‘tituki’ (a Sabad with three-line stanzas).
Tituke (ਤਿਤੁਕੇ)
‘Tituke’ is the plural form of 'tituka.' Sabads, which comprise stanzas of three lines each, are known as 'tituke.' The term 'ti' means three, and 'tuk' means line. Hence, 'tituke' means Sabads having three-line stanzas. For clarity, the word 'tituke' will be pronounced with the syllables distributed as 'ti-tuke.' When the word 'tituke' appears in a title, it means there are more than one 'tituka' (three-line) Sabads under it. The word 'tituke' appears only once in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Example
‘Sabads with four three-line stanzas' by Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Sorath.
soraṭhi mahalā 5 gharu 1 tituke ikoaṅkār satigur prasādi.
kisu haü jācī kis ārādhī jā sabhu ko kītā hosī.
jo jo dīsai vaḍā vaḍerā so so khākū ralsī.
nirbhaü niraṅkāru bhav khanḍanu sabhi sukh nav nidhi desī.1.
...
kīmati kaüṇu karai prabh terī tū sarab jīā daïālā.
sabhu kichu kītā terā vartai kiā ham bāl gupālā.
rākhi lehu nānaku janu tumrā jiu pitā pūt kirpālā.4.1.
Guru Granth Sahib 608
ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਘਰੁ ੧ ਤਿਤੁਕੇ ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ਕਿਸੁ ਹਉ ਜਾਚੀ ਕਿਸ ਆਰਾਧੀ ਜਾ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੋਸੀ ॥
ਜੋ ਜੋ ਦੀਸੈ ਵਡਾ ਵਡੇਰਾ ਸੋ ਸੋ ਖਾਕੂ ਰਲਸੀ ॥
ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ਭਵ ਖੰਡਨੁ ਸਭਿ ਸੁਖ ਨਵ ਨਿਧਿ ਦੇਸੀ ॥੧॥
...
ਕੀਮਤਿ ਕਉਣੁ ਕਰੈ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੇਰੀ ਤੂ ਸਰਬ ਜੀਆ ਦਇਆਲਾ ॥
ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਕੀਤਾ ਤੇਰਾ ਵਰਤੈ ਕਿਆ ਹਮ ਬਾਲ ਗੁਪਾਲਾ ॥
ਰਾਖਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਨੁ ਤੁਮਰਾ ਜਿਉ ਪਿਤਾ ਪੂਤ ਕਿਰਪਾਲਾ ॥੪॥੧॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੬੦੮
Under the above title are eleven Sabads in the Guru Granth Sahib. Just like in the Guru Granth Sahib, the title ‘chaupade’ (four-stanza Sabads) sometimes also includes other forms of Sabads such as ‘dupade’ (two-stanza Sabads), ‘tipade’ (three-stanza Sabads) or ‘panchpade’ (five-stanza Sabads). In the above collection of eleven Sabads, nine Sabads are ‘dutuke’ (Sabads with two-line stanzas), and one each is ‘tituke’ (Sabads with three-line stanzas) and ‘chautuke’ (Sabads with four-line stanzas).
Chautuka/Chautuki/Chautuke/Chartuke – Four-Liner/Four-Liners
Chautuka (ਚਉਤੁਕਾ)
A Sabad, which comprises stanzas of four lines each, is known as 'chautuka.' The term 'chau' means four, and 'tuk' means line. Hence, 'chautuka' means a Sabad having four-line stanzas. For clarity, the word 'chautuka' will be pronounced with the syllables distributed as ‘chau-tuka.’ However, the word 'chautuka' does not appear in the Guru Granth Sahib; its variants, such as ‘chautuki,’ ‘chautuke,’ and ‘chartuke' are found.
Chautuki (ਚਉਤੁਕੀ)
'Chautuki' is the feminine form of 'chautuka.' A Sabad, which comprises stanzas of four lines each, is known as 'chautuki.' The term 'chau' means four, and 'tuk' means line. Hence, 'chautuki' means a Sabad having four-liner stanzas. For clarity, the word 'chautuki' will be pronounced with the syllables distributed as 'chau-tuki.' The word 'chautuki' appears only once in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Example
‘Sabads with eight four-line stanzas' by Guru Nanak Sahib in Rag Sorath.
soraṭhi mahalā 1 gharu 1 asṭpadīā caütukī ikoaṅkār satigur prasādi.
dubidhā na paṛaü hari binu horu na pūjaü maṛai masāṇi na jāī.
trisnā rāci na par ghari jāvā trisnā nāmi bujhāī.
ghar bhītari gharu gurū dikhāiā sahaji rate man bhāī.
tū āpe dānā āpe bīnā tū devahi mati sāī.1.
…
gagnantari vāsiā guṇ pargāsiā guṇ mahi giān dhiānaṅ.
nāmu mani bhāvai kahai kahāvai tato tatu vakhānaṅ.
sabadu gur pīrā gahir gambhīrā binu sabdai jagu baürānaṅ.
pūrā bairāgī sahaji subhāgī sacu nānak manu mānaṅ.8.1.
Guru Granth Sahib 634
ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ਘਰੁ ੧ ਅਸਟਪਦੀਆ ਚਉਤੁਕੀ ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਨ ਪੜਉ ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਹੋਰੁ ਨ ਪੂਜਉ ਮੜੈ ਮਸਾਣਿ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥
ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਰਾਚਿ ਨ ਪਰ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਵਾ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਨਾਮਿ ਬੁਝਾਈ ॥
ਘਰ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਘਰੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਦਿਖਾਇਆ ਸਹਜਿ ਰਤੇ ਮਨ ਭਾਈ ॥
ਤੂ ਆਪੇ ਦਾਨਾ ਆਪੇ ਬੀਨਾ ਤੂ ਦੇਵਹਿ ਮਤਿ ਸਾਈ ॥੧॥
…
ਗਗਨੰਤਰਿ ਵਾਸਿਆ ਗੁਣ ਪਰਗਾਸਿਆ ਗੁਣ ਮਹਿ ਗਿਆਨ ਧਿਆਨੰ ॥
ਨਾਮੁ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੈ ਕਹੈ ਕਹਾਵੈ ਤਤੋ ਤਤੁ ਵਖਾਨੰ ॥
ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰ ਪੀਰਾ ਗਹਿਰ ਗੰਭੀਰਾ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਜਗੁ ਬਉਰਾਨੰ ॥
ਪੂਰਾ ਬੈਰਾਗੀ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਗੀ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨੰ ॥੮॥੧॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੬੩੪
As the title suggests, each stanza is four lines long in the above example. Similar to a few earlier examples, the lines of respective stanzas rhyme. For example, the word-sets ‘jāī-bujhāī-bhāī-sāī’ (ਜਾਈ-ਬੁਝਾਈ-ਭਾਈ-ਸਾਈ) in the first stanza, and ‘dhiānaṅ-vakhānaṅ-baürānaṅ-mānaṅ' (ਧਿਆਨੰ-ਵਖਾਨੰ-ਬਉਰਾਨੰ-ਮਾਨੰ) in the last stanza of the Sabad rhyme. Here, the punctuation mark, ॥, serves as a full stop after each of the above words. Thus, we can clearly state that each stanza of the above Sabad has four lines and is titled 'chautuki' (a Sabad with four-line stanzas).
Chautuke (ਚਉਤੁਕੇ/ਚੌਤੁਕੇ)
'Chautuke' is the plural form of 'chautuka.' Sabads comprising four lines of stanzas are known as 'chautuke.' The term 'chau' means four, and 'tuk' means line. Hence, 'chautuke' means Sabads having four-line stanzas. For clarity, the word 'chautuke' will be pronounced with the syllables distributed as ‘chau-tuke.’ When the word 'chautuke' appears in a title, it means there are more than one 'chautuka' (four-line) Sabads under it. In the Guru Granth Sahib, the word 'chautuke' appears thrice.
However, in a departure from the norm, there is only one Sabad, each under all the titles of 'chautuke.' Just as explained under the title ‘tituke’ (ਤਿਤੁਕੇ), this may indicate that the following series of Sabads also include other stanza structures.
Example
‘Sabads with four four-line stanzas' by Guru Nanak Sahib in Rag Sorath.
soraṭhi m:1 caütuke.
māi bāp ko beṭā nīkā sasurai caturu javāī.
bāl kanniā kau bāpu piārā bhāī kau ati bhāī.
hukamu bhaïā bāharu gharu choḍiā khin mahi bhaī parāī.
nāmu dānu isnānu na manmukhi titu tani dhūṛi dhumāī.1.
…
nadari kare tā akhī vekhā kahṇā kathanu na jāī.
kannī suṇi suṇi sabadi salāhī ammritu ridai vasāī.
nirbhaü niraṅkāru nirvairu pūran joti samāī.
nānak gur viṇu bharamu na bhāgai saci nāmi vaḍiāī.4.3.
Guru Granth Sahib 596
ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਃ ੧ ਚਉਤੁਕੇ ॥
ਮਾਇ ਬਾਪ ਕੋ ਬੇਟਾ ਨੀਕਾ ਸਸੁਰੈ ਚਤੁਰੁ ਜਵਾਈ ॥
ਬਾਲ ਕੰਨਿਆ ਕੌ ਬਾਪੁ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਭਾਈ ਕੌ ਅਤਿ ਭਾਈ ॥
ਹੁਕਮੁ ਭਇਆ ਬਾਹਰੁ ਘਰੁ ਛੋਡਿਆ ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਭਈ ਪਰਾਈ ॥
ਨਾਮੁ ਦਾਨੁ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਨ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਤਿਤੁ ਤਨਿ ਧੂੜਿ ਧੁਮਾਈ ॥੧॥
…
ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਤਾ ਅਖੀ ਵੇਖਾ ਕਹਣਾ ਕਥਨੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥
ਕੰਨੀ ਸੁਣਿ ਸੁਣਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਲਾਹੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਵਸਾਈ ॥
ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਪੂਰਨ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਾਈ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰ ਵਿਣੁ ਭਰਮੁ ਨ ਭਾਗੈ ਸਚਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥੪॥੩॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੫੯੬
As per the title in the above Sabad, each stanza is four lines long. In this particular case, it is also evident from the number of punctuation marks, ॥. Here, all the lines rhyme like the word-set ‘javāī-bhāī-parāī-dhumāī’ (ਜਵਾਈ-ਭਾਈ-ਪਰਾਈ-ਧੁਮਾਈ) in the first stanza, and ‘jāī-vasāī-samāī-vaḍiāī’ (ਜਾਈ-ਵਸਾਈ-ਸਮਾਈ-ਵਡਿਆਈ) in the last stanza. Here, the punctuation mark, ॥, serves as a full stop after each of the above words. Thus, we can say that each stanza of the above Sabad has four lines.
The same is the case with the other two titles of 'chautuke.'
Example
‘Sabad with four four-line stanzas' by Guru Amardas Sahib in Rag Sorath.
soraṭhi mahalā 3 cautuke.
Guru Granth Sahib 602
ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ਚੌਤੁਕੇ ॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੬੦੨
Example
‘Sabad with four four-line stanzas' by Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Sorath.
soraṭhi mahalā 5 gharu 1 cautuke.
Guru Granth Sahib 608
ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਘਰੁ ੧ ਚੌਤੁਕੇ ॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੬੦੮
Chartuke (ਚਾਰਤੁਕੇ)
‘Chartuke’ is a variant of 'chautuke.' Sabads composed of stanzas of four lines each are known as ‘chartuke.’ The term 'char' means four, and 'tuk' means line. Hence, ‘chartuke’ means Sabads having four-line stanzas. For clarity, the word ‘chartuke’ is to be pronounced with the syllables distributed as ‘char-tuke.’ The word ‘chartuke’ appears only once in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Example
‘Sabads with three four-line stanzas' by Bhagat Kabir in Rag Gauri.
gaüṛī kabīr jī tipade cārtuke.
jam te ulaṭi bhae hai rām. dukh binse sukh kīo bisrām. bairī ulaṭi bhae hai mītā. sākat ulaṭi sujan bhae cītā.1.
…
ab manu ulaṭi sanātanu hūā. tab jāniā jab jīvat mūā. kahu kabīr sukhi sahaji samāvaü. āpi na ḍaraü na avar ḍarāvaü.3.17.
Guru Granth Sahib 326
ਗਉੜੀ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀ ਤਿਪਦੇ ਚਾਰਤੁਕੇ ॥
ਜਮ ਤੇ ਉਲਟਿ ਭਏ ਹੈ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਦੁਖ ਬਿਨਸੇ ਸੁਖ ਕੀਓ ਬਿਸਰਾਮ ॥ ਬੈਰੀ ਉਲਟਿ ਭਏ ਹੈ ਮੀਤਾ ॥ ਸਾਕਤ ਉਲਟਿ ਸੁਜਨ ਭਏ ਚੀਤਾ ॥੧॥
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ਅਬ ਮਨੁ ਉਲਟਿ ਸਨਾਤਨੁ ਹੂਆ ॥ ਤਬ ਜਾਨਿਆ ਜਬ ਜੀਵਤ ਮੂਆ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਸੁਖਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਵਉ ॥ ਆਪਿ ਨ ਡਰਉ ਨ ਅਵਰ ਡਰਾਵਉ ॥੩॥੧੭॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ੩੨੬
It is clear from the above example that each stanza of this Sabad has four lines. Interestingly, unlike the previous examples where each line has its own rhyming pattern or all lines have a similar rhyming pattern, in this case, two sets of consecutive lines have their own rhyming pattern, which changes with each set. Here, the word-sets
‘rām-bisrām’ (ਰਾਮ-ਬਿਸਰਾਮ) of the first two lines in the first stanza rhyme, while the word-sets ‘mītā-cītā’ (ਮੀਤਾ-ਚੀਤਾ) of the second two lines of the same stanza rhyme, though the line count remains four, since the punctuation mark, ॥, serves as a full stop after each word cited above. Thus, we can say that each stanza of the above Sabad has four lines.
Just as the Sabad structures range significantly in style, the stanza structures also offer a wide variety and add a fascinating dimension to the beautiful diversity in the structures of the Sabads. We hope this article will help you better identify stanza structures in the Guru Granth Sahib while you read or glance through the text next time.
The following articles in this series will discuss various poetic forms in the Guru Granth Sahib, starting with the var, chant, ghorian, alahania, barahmaha, etc.
Footnotes
1 It is the name of the script in which the Guru Granth Sahib has been written. It means, by the Guru or the
Gurmukhs (Guru-oriented Sikhs).
References
- Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha, Encyclopedia of the Sikh Literature, Publication Bureau, Punjabi University Patiala, 2011.
- Jaswant Singh, The Abode of God, Sikh Center, Central Sikh Gurdwara Board, Singapore, 2008.
- Joginder Singh Talwara, Bani Biura, Part 1, Singh Brothers, Amritsar, 2004.
- Principal Teja Singh, Shabdarth Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, SGPC, Amritsar, 2018.
- https://app.gurugranthsahib.io/tggsp/english/SignificantTermsDetail/Rahau
- https://www.sikhitothemax.org
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