In Gurbani, precise pronunciation plays a vital role in preserving both meaning and poetic structure. Some words contain both aunkad (ਔਂਕੜ) and hora (ਹੋੜਾ), where one matra represents the original form of the word, while the other is added to maintain the metrical weight (ਕਾਵਿ ਤੋਲ) of the verse. In some cases, the word’s correct form includes aunkad, but it is pronounced with hora to align with the verse’s rhythm. Conversely, some words are originally formed with hora but are written with aunkad to maintain the poetic flow.
These phonetic adjustments ensure that the poetic flow remains intact while upholding the correct pronunciation. This article explores such occurrences in Gurbani, providing examples where these adaptations take place. Understanding this Gurbani rule allows for a more precise pronunciation of Gurbani while maintaining its poetic rhythm and linguistic authenticity.
Words with Aunkad Pronounced with Hora:
In the above-mentioned verses, words like ਜੋੁਆਨੀ, ਸੋੁਹੇਲਾ, ਤੋੁਹੀ, ਅਨਦਿਨੋੁ, ਜਹਾਨੋੁ, etc., are words with two matras. These words are written in their proper form with ਔਂਕੜ (aunkad), but for the purpose of completing the weight (meter) of the verse, the pronunciation is adjusted with the use of ਹੋੜਾ (another vowel mark). Therefore, their correct pronunciation should include the hora, as in ਜੋਆਨੀ, ਸੋਹੇਲਾ, ਤੋਹੀ, ਅਨਦਿਨੋ, ਜਹਾਨੋ, etc.
| Word (Written Form) | Correct Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| ਜੋੁਆਨੀ | ਜੋਆਨੀ |
| ਸੋੁਹੇਲਾ | ਸੋਹੇਲਾ |
| ਤੋੁਹੀ | ਤੋਹੀ |
| ਅਨਦਿਨੋੁ | ਅਨਦਿਨੋ |
| ਜਹਾਨੋੁ | ਜਹਾਨੋ |
Words with Hora Pronounced with Aunkad:
In the above-mentioned verses, words like ਲੋੁਭਾਨੁ, ਤੋੁਲਾਇਸੀ, ਸੋੁਹਾਗਣਿ, ਗੋੁਬਿੰਦ, etc., are two-matra words. The proper form of these words includes hora, but for completing the meter of the verse, they are pronounced with ਔਂਕੜ. Therefore, their correct pronunciation should be with ਔਂਕੜ, as in ਲੁਭਾਨ, ਤੁਲਾਇਸੀ, ਸੁਹਾਗਣਿ, ਗੁਬਿੰਦ, etc.
| Word (Written Form) | Correct Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| ਲੋੁਭਾਨੁ | ਲੁਭਾਨ |
| ਤੋੁਲਾਇਸੀ | ਤੁਲਾਇਸੀ |
| ਸੋੁਹਾਗਣਿ | ਸੁਹਾਗਣਿ |
| ਗੋੁਬਿੰਦ | ਗੁਬਿੰਦ |
From the above explanation, it can be concluded that in such words, one matra is used to express the correct form of the word, while the second matra is added to complete the verse’s meter. The second matra should be pronounced in the context of completing the weight of the verse.
