Bhai Gurdas: Difference between revisions

From SikhiWiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
mNo edit summary
Line 4: Line 4:
'''Bhai Gurdas''' (1551- [[23 September]] [[1637]]{{eref|1|http://sgpc.net/Historical%20dates%20&%20events/date_september.asp}}) is a much honoured Sikh scholar, missionary, and literary master who is also respected for his Sikh way of life. He was a leading figure in [[Sikhism]] who enjoyed the company of [[Guru Arjan]], the fifth [[Sikh Guru]].  
'''Bhai Gurdas''' (1551- [[23 September]] [[1637]]{{eref|1|http://sgpc.net/Historical%20dates%20&%20events/date_september.asp}}) is a much honoured Sikh scholar, missionary, and literary master who is also respected for his Sikh way of life. He was a leading figure in [[Sikhism]] who enjoyed the company of [[Guru Arjan]], the fifth [[Sikh Guru]].  


It was under the supervision of the fifth [[Sikh Guru]] that he inscribed the first copy of [[Sikh Scripture]], the [[Guru Granth Sahib]], which is now respect as the perpetual Guru of the Sikhs and is central of the Sikh religion. He was also responsible for various writings in his own right which have gained much respect in the Sikh community. His [[Varan Bhai Gurdas|Varan]] have been referred to by [[Guru Arjan]] as the "Key" ("khungee") to the [[Guru Granth Sahib]].  
It was under the supervision of the fifth [[Sikh Guru]] that he inscribed the first copy of [[Sikh Scripture]], the [[Guru Granth Sahib]], which is now respected as the perpetual Guru of the Sikhs and is central of the Sikh religion. He was also responsible for various writings in his own right which have gained much respect in the Sikh community. His [[Varan Bhai Gurdas|Varan]] have been referred to by [[Guru Arjan]] as the "Key" ("khungee") to the [[Guru Granth Sahib]].  


Bhai sahib was born in a Bhalla Khatri family. His father was [[Bhai Ishar Das]] and his mother's name was [[Mata Jivani]]. He was born at [[Goindval]], [[Punjab]], [[India]] in 1551AD. He was the nephew of third Guru, [[Guru Amar Das]]. (see [[Guru family tree]])  Bhai Gurdas was a first cousin of [[Mata Bhani]], mother of [[Guru Arjan Dev]].
Bhai Sahib was born in a Bhalla Khatri family. His father was [[Bhai Ishar Das]] and his mother's name was [[Mata Jivani]]. He was born at [[Goindval]], [[Punjab]], [[India]] in 1551. He was the nephew of the third Guru, [[Guru Amar Das]]. (see [[Guru family tree]])  Bhai Gurdas was a first cousin of [[Mata Bhani]], mother of [[Guru Arjan Dev]].


==Background==
==Background==

Revision as of 20:26, 30 December 2009

Bhai Gurdas ji scribes the Adi Granth

Bhai Gurdas (1551- 23 September 16371) is a much honoured Sikh scholar, missionary, and literary master who is also respected for his Sikh way of life. He was a leading figure in Sikhism who enjoyed the company of Guru Arjan, the fifth Sikh Guru.

It was under the supervision of the fifth Sikh Guru that he inscribed the first copy of Sikh Scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, which is now respected as the perpetual Guru of the Sikhs and is central of the Sikh religion. He was also responsible for various writings in his own right which have gained much respect in the Sikh community. His Varan have been referred to by Guru Arjan as the "Key" ("khungee") to the Guru Granth Sahib.

Bhai Sahib was born in a Bhalla Khatri family. His father was Bhai Ishar Das and his mother's name was Mata Jivani. He was born at Goindval, Punjab, India in 1551. He was the nephew of the third Guru, Guru Amar Das. (see Guru family tree) Bhai Gurdas was a first cousin of Mata Bhani, mother of Guru Arjan Dev.

Background

Bhai Ishar Das, one of Guru Amar Das's brother had settled in Goindval soon after the town was founded in 1546 AD (1603 Bk). Bhai Gurdas, who was the only child of his parents, lost his mother when he was barely three and his father when he was 12.

He spent his early years at Goindval and Sultanpur Lodhi. At the former place, he had the opportunity of listening to many men of knowledge and spiritual attainment who kept visiting the town which fell on the Delhi-Lahore road and was then the religious centre of the Sikhs.

He later proceeded to Varanasi where he studied Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures. He was subsequently initiated into Sikhism. He was then sent as a missionary of the Sikh Guru to spread the message of Guru Nanak. He extensively visited Agra, Lucknow, Varanasi, Burhanpur, Rajasthan, Jammu and Chamba hills, preaching Guru Nanak's word.

Adi Granth inscribed in Amritsar

Bhai Gurdas ji with Baba Buddha ji

After the passing away of Guru Ram Das, in 1581, he returned to the Punjab, visited Goindval and thence proceeded to Amritsar to pay his obeisance to Guru Arjan, Guru Ram Das's successor. He made Amritsar his home and through his devotion and love of learning carved for himself a pre-eminent position among the Guru's disciples.

When the Guru decided to compile the Holy Granth containing the hymns of the Gurus and of some of the saints and sufis, he chose Bhai Gurdas to be his principal helper. They worked together on the volume which was completed in 1604. The entire text was inscribed by Bhai Gurdas. The copy written in his hand is preserved to this day in the family of the Guru's descendants at Kartarpur, in Jalandhar district of the Punjab.

Sewadar and dedicated academic

Bhai Gurdas also contributed the labour of his hands to the excavation of the sacred pool at Amritsar (1577). He was chosen to recite the Gurus' hymns to Emperor Akbar when he visited Kartarpur in 1596-97 on his way back from a military campaign.

As the tradition goes, the Emperor had been incited by Prithi Chand and his supporters against Guru Arjan saying that the hymns he was planning to compile into a volume had an anti-Muslim tone. As Bhai Gurdas read out verses selected at random, the Emperor was deeply impressed with their spiritual content.

Respected Sikh leader

When Guru Hargobind, Nanak Vl, decided to construct in front of the Harimandar, Akal Takht, Throne of the Timeless Lord, he entrusted the task to the two most revered Sikhs of the time, Bhai Gurdas and Bhai Buddha the latter blessed by Guru Nanak himself.

Bhai Gurdas Library in Amritsar in his Honour

Bhai Gurdas was assigned to looking after the premises. Guru Hargobind also appointed him to teach his young son (Guru) Tegh Bahadur ancient classics even as Bhai Buddha supervised his training in Manly arts of archery and horsemanship.

Esteemed scholar and brave soldier

Bhai Gurdas led a batch of Sikhs to Gwalior where Guru Hargobind had been detained under the orders of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. He was present at the weddings of the Guru's sons Baba Gurditta (April 1621) and Baba Suraj Mall (23April 1629). He offered ardas at the death in 1621 of Mata Ganga, Wife of Guru Arjan, and recited Scripture and offered ardas at the time of Baba Buddha's death on 8 September 1631.

Philosopher and Chief scribe

Bhai Gurdas continued as the bulwark of Sikhi for many years. He was the expounder and exemplar of the Sikh way of life. He was a man of wide learning especially in ancient texts and philosophy who devoted his exceptional talents to preaching the Sikh faith. He composed verse which is valued for its vigorous, fast paced style and for its vivid exposition of the teaching of the Gurus.

His poetry, now available in two volumes, in Punjabi Varan Bhai Gurdas and in Braj Kabitt Savaiyye and is sung along with gurbani, the Gurus' word, at holy congregations. Guru Arjan put his seal of approval on it by designating it as the "key" to the Holy Scripture. Bhai Gurdas, who never married, died at Goindval on Bhadon suds 5,1693 13k/25 August 1636.

See also

Download Bhai Sahib's Bani

These files are in Acrobat Reader pdf format

External Links

Search the Varan

Most sites have incomplete coverage and translation into English

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  • 1. Copyright © Harbans Singh "The encyclopedia of Sikhism. Vol III."
  • 2. Jaggi, Ratan Siligh, Bhai Gurdas Jivan Te RachnaPatiala, 1974
  • 3. Sardul Singh, Bhai Gurdas. Patiala, 1961
  • 4. Nripinder Singh, The Sikh moral tradition, Delhi 1990.
  • 5. Darshan Singh. Bhai Gurdas Sikhi de pahile viakhiakar, Patiala, 1986.