Rababi Basant describes the moment that Bhāī Mardana (Guru Nanak’s best friend) was first  presented with the rabāb by Bhāī Firandā, a celebrated musician described in Sūraj Prakāsh Graṅth as from the court of the heavens, from Sachkhaṅḍ. The moment that Bhāī Mardānā first plucks a string is described as one that adds new colour to the surroundings. Animals brim with love, and plants engage in a delicate dance. The rabāb welcomes spring, transforming the cold of winter. Gurū Nānak would sing praises of the Creator, and Bhāī Mardāna would play the rabāb alongside him. This instrument was the final ingredient in making Gurū Nānak Dev jī and Bhāī Mardānā jī the sacred duo that gifted the world Gurbāṇī Kīrtan.
 

Braj text, in Gurmukhi
ਭਈ ਆਵਾਜ਼ ਤੁਹੀ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰਾ, ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਕਰਤਾਰਾ
ਤਹਿ ਪੀਛੇ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਿਨਤੀ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਤਾਰ ਮਝਾਰਾ।
ਭਏ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਮੈ ਪਸੁ ਪੰਛੀ ਸਭ, ਮੋਹੇ ਮਨ ਉਦਿਆਨਾ
ਤਰਵਰ ਤੇ ਰਸ ਨੁਚਰਨ ਲਾਗਯੋ ਵਿਸਰਾ ਸਭਨ ਅਪਾਨਾ।
 
Braj text, Latin transliteration:
bhaī avāz tūhī niraṅkārā, niraṅkār kartārā!
tahe pīchhe srī nānak bintī hovahe tār majhārā.
bhae prem mai pasu paṅchī sabh, mohe man udiānā.
tarvar te ras nucharan lāgeo visrā sabhan apānā.
 
[the rabab] sings “you are the formless one, the creator who created everything”
sri nanak responds, rendering the same message as the rabab
animals and birds are entranced in love
trees, forgetting all self-awareness, dance happily

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