Bhai Gurdas Singh

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Bhai
Gurdas Singh
Repousse plaque (gilded panel) depicting Bhai Gurdas Singh presenting himself before Guru Gobind Singh with an offering, from the Khatwari Dharamsal in Shikarpur, Sindh.jpg
Repoussé plaque (gilded panel) depicting Bhai Gurdas Singh (standing at right) presenting himself before Guru Gobind Singh (seated in centre) with an offering, from the Khatwari Dharamsal in Shikarpur, Sindh
Personal
Religion Sikhism
Relations Alam Singh Nachna (brother)

Bhai Gurdas Singh (fl. 18th century), also known as Bhai Gurdas II, was a Sikh during the time of Guru Gobind Singh. [1] [2] He is most known for writing a Vaar (folk ballad). [3] [4] He was one of the traditionally-ascribed 52 poets of the Kavi Darbar of Guru Gobind Singh, being one of the three most renowned and famous of the group. [5] [6] : 62–63 

Contents

Biography

He was the brother of Alam Singh Nachna. [1] He served as one of the many poets in the durbar (court) of Guru Gobind Singh. [1] According to Louis E. Fenech and W. H. McLeod, he was a Sindhi poet who lived in the early part of the 18th century. [6] : 132 

In praise of Guru Gobind Singh, he exclaimed in his writing: [7]

"Lo, a man is born amongst men,
Chivalrous, Unfathomable, Singular and Unique"

— Bhai Gurdas Singh, translated by Devinder Pal Singh

Vaar

He was an eyewitness to the Vaisakhi event which occurred in Anandpur on 13 April 1699, when the Guru formalized the Khalsa order. [1] He later recounted his account of that day in a Vaar , named the Vaar Sri Bhagaut Ji Ki Patshahi Dasvin Ki, amidst hostilities from Hindus and Muslims alike. [1] [2] In a manuscript of the Vaar kept in the collection of the Sikh Reference Library, the work is known under the titled Vaar Bhai Gurdas Ji Ki. [2] The entire work comprises twenty-eight pauris (Indic term for stanzas), with twenty of the pauris praising Guru Gobind Singh and singling out unique aspects of the tenth guru. [2] A common theme emphasized throughout the work is how Guru Gobind Singh transformed the sangat (congregation) of Sikhs into the Khalsa. [2] The comparison is made to the Guru's sword and Kalika, the Indic deity. [2] Reference is made to the predecessor gurus Har Rai, Har Krishan (both on pauri 22) and Tegh Bahadur (pauri 23), with the last containing an account of the Guru's martyrdom in Delhi. [2] The finishing stanzas eulogize the Khalsa. [2] The work was composed in "Hindized Punjabi". [2]

In his Vaar, he states: [1]

The Guru has remembered upon the Kalka and prepare the Amrit of Khanda. Drinking which, this life becomes of fruition.

— Bhai Gurdas Singh, Vaar 41 (Pauri 1, lines 3–4)

In his Vaar, he furthermore stresses the importance of the remembrance and chanting of Akāl (Gurmukhi : ਅਕਾਲ, romanized: Akāla, lit.  'without time', fig. 'immortal') for Sikhs: [1]

Everyone automatically speaks of Guru Gobind Singh Ji who has made them to chant Akaal, Akaal.

— Vaar 41 (Pauri 17, line 10)

This work is commonly appended at the end of Varan Bhai Gurdas as a 41st Vaar on-top of the traditional forty authored by Gurdas Bhalla. [2]

According to Louis E. Fenech and Vir Singh, the 41st Vaar would have been written in the mid-1780s as per internal evidence. [8]

Later life

After the death of his master, Guru Gobind Singh, in 1708, it is said Gurdas Singh traveled to Sindh, where he did missionary work spreading the tenets of Sikhism in the local area of Shikarpur. [1] Traditional lore claims he lived to an impressive age of 150. [1] His life is commemorated in the Khatwari Dharamsal of Bhai Gurdas in Shikarpur, Sindh. [1]

Literary works

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guru Granth Sahib</span> Primary scripture of Sikhism

The Guru Granth Sahib is the central holy religious scripture of Sikhism, regarded by Sikhs as the final, sovereign and eternal Guru following the lineage of the ten human gurus of the religion. The Adi Granth, its first rendition, was compiled by the fifth guru, Guru Arjan (1564–1606). Its compilation was completed on 29 August 1604 and first installed inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar on 1 September 1604. Baba Buddha was appointed the first Granthi of the Golden Temple. Shortly afterwards Guru Hargobind added Ramkali Ki Vaar. Later, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru, added hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur to the Adi Granth and affirmed the text as his successor. This second rendition became known as the Guru Granth Sahib and is also sometimes referred to as the Adi Granth.

The following outline is provides an overview of Sikhism, or Sikhi.

<i>Dasam Granth</i> Secondary scripture of Sikhism

The Dasam Granth is a collection of various poetic compositions attributed to Guru Gobind Singh. The text enjoyed an equal status with the Adi Granth, or Guru Granth Sahib, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and were installed side by side on the same platform. The Dasam Granth lost favor during the colonial period when reformist Singh Sabha Movement scholars couldn't contextualize the reworkings of Puranic stories or the vast collection of 'Tales of Deceit' Sri Charitropakhyan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damdami Taksal</span> Sikh cultural and educational organization

The Damdamī Ṭaksāl, also sometimes referred to as Giani Samparda, Jatha Bhindra(n), or Sampardai Bhindra(n) is an orthodox Khalsa Sikh cultural and educational organization, based in India. They are known for their teachings of vidya as well as gurbanisanthiya. Its headquarters are located in the town of Mehta Chowk, approximately 40 km north of the city of Amritsar. It has been described as a seminary or “moving university” of the Sikh countryside.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarbloh Granth</span> Tertiary scripture of Sikhism

The Sarbloh Granth or Sarabloh Granth, also called Manglacharan Puran or Sri Manglacharan Ji, is a voluminous scripture, composed of more than 6,500 poetic stanzas. It is traditionally attributed as being the work of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru. Scholars, on the other hand, attribute the work to after the Guru's death, being authored by an unknown poet. The work is mostly revered by the Nihang sect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panj Pyare</span> Gathered quintet of five baptized Sikhs

Panj Pyare refers to a gathered ad hoc quintet of five baptized (Amritdhari) Khalsa Sikhs who act as institutionalized leaders for the wider Sikh community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhai Mani Singh</span> 18th-century Sikh religious leader and martyr

Bhai Mani Singh was an 18th-century Sikh scholar and martyr. He was a childhood companion of Guru Gobind Singh and took the vows of Sikhism when the Guru inaugurated the Khalsa in March 1699. Soon after that, the Guru sent him to Amritsar to take charge of Harmandir Sahib, which had been without a custodian since 1696. He took control and steered the course of Sikh destiny at a critical stage in Sikh history. He was also a teacher of the Gianian Bunga, later becoming known as the "Amritsari Taksal", currently located in Sato Ki Gali.

Mohkam Singh, born Mohkam Chand, was one of the inaugural group of Panj Pyare, or the first Five Beloved of honoured memory in the Sikh tradition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikh scriptures</span> Holy books of an Indian religion

The principal Sikh scripture is the Adi Granth, more commonly called the Guru Granth Sahib. The second most important scripture of the Sikhs is the Dasam Granth. Both of these consist of text which was written or authorised by the Sikh Gurus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Varan Bhai Gurdas</span> Sikh scripture

Varan Bhai Gurdas, also known as Varan Gyan Ratnavali, is the name given to the 40 vars which is traditionally attributed to Bhai Gurdas.

Rehat refers to the rules and traditions which govern the unique Sikh lifestyle and determines correct Sikh orthodoxy and orthopraxy. The Sikh Rehit Maryada is a code of conduct and conventions for Sikhism. The final version of the Rehat Maryada was controversially approved by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar in 1945. The Rehat Maryada was created to provide guidance to Sikhs on practical and functional aspects of daily life, including the operations of Sikh Gurdwaras, and religious practices to foster cohesion throughout the community. Rehitnāma is a Punjabi term that refers to a genre of Sikh religious literature which expounds upon specifiying an approved way of life for a Sikh.

<i>Chandi Di Var</i>

Chandi Di Var also known as Vaar Durga Ki is a composition written by Guru Gobind Singh, included in the 5th chapter of Dasam Granth.

<i>Suraj Prakash</i> Sikh scripture by Kavi Santokh Singh

Suraj Prakash, also called Gurpartāp Sūraj Granth, is a popular and monumental hagiographic text about Sikh Gurus written by Kavi Santokh Singh (1787–1843) and published in 1843 CE. It consists of life legends performed by Sikh Gurus and historic Sikhs such as Baba Banda Bahadur in 51,820 verses. Most modern writing on the Sikh Gurus finds its basis from this text.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhai Gurdas</span> Jathedar of the Akal Takht from 1606 to 1637

Bhai Gurdas was a Sikh writer, historian and preacher who served as the Jathedar of the Akal Takht from 1606 to his death in 1636. He was the original scribe of the early version of Guru Granth Sahib, having served as the amanuensis of Guru Arjan in its compilation.

<i>Guru Maneyo Granth</i> Historic statement of the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Maneyo Granth refers to the historic statement of the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708) shortly before his demise on affirming the sacred scripture Adi Granth as his successor, thereby terminating the line of human Gurus. Installed as the Guru Granth Sahib, it is now the central holy scripture of Sikhism, and the eternal living Guru of all Sikhs. It is central to Sikh worship as it is said to imbibe the one light of the creator manifested in the Ten Sikh Gurus‐one spirit in ten forms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khalsa Mahima</span> Compositions in Dasam Granth and Sarbloh Granth

Khalsa Mahima is the name of two compositions that praise the Khalsa in poetic form, composed by Guru Gobind Singh, each present in Dasam Granth and Sarbloh Granth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Dasam Granth</span> History of the secondary Sikh scripture, the Dasam Granth

The history of the Dasam Granth is related to the time of creation and compilation of various writings by Guru Gobind Singh in form of small booklets, some of which are Sikh prayers. The first combined-codex manuscripts of the Dasam Granth were created during the Guru period. It is also said that after 1708, the Dasam Granth was allegedly compiled by Mani Singh Khalsa, contributed by other Khalsa armymen under direct instructions of Mata Sundari and this volume is recognized as Sri Dasam Granth Sahib. The present day Dasam Granth includes Jaap Sahib, Akal Ustat, Bachitar Natak, Chandi Charitar Ukati Bilas, Chandi Charitar II, Chandi di Var, Gyan Prabodh, Chaubis Avtar, Rudra Avtar, 33 Sawaiye, Khalsa Mahima, Shashtar Nam Mala Purana, Ath Pakh-yaan Charitar Likh-yatay and Zafarnamah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baba Buddha</span> Important figure in Sikhism

Baba Buddha was a prime figure in early Sikhism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steek (Sikh literature)</span> Sikh Exegetical Literature

A steek or teeka [other spellings may exist such as stik or tika] is an exegesis or commentary on a Sikh Religious Text, usually Gurbani, but can also include other writings like the Ghazals of Bhai Nand Lal. An author of a steek or teeka is known as a teekakar. A steek always includes an explanation, or viakhya of the specific religious text, but depending on the complexity of the steek, it can also include footnotes, commentary, and contexts to the specific verses and where they were first written/revealed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kavi Darbar</span> 17th and 18th-century Sikh court of poets

Kavi Darbar is a term that refers to historical Sikh durbars (courts) composed of congregations of poets, litterateurs, artists, and scholars that were established and had flourished during the guruship period of Guru Gobind Singh in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. These establishments served as Sikh centres of learning and scholarship. They played a pivotal role in the history of Sikh literature.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Sri Dasam Granth: Facts Beyond Doubt (1st ed.). Malaysia: Sri Guru Granth Sahib Academy. 2021. pp. 302–304. ISBN   9781527282773.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Singh, Harbans. The Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Vol. 2: E-L. Punjabi University, Patiala. pp. 139–140.
  3. ↑ Kaur, Gurnam (1995). Sikh Value System and Social Change. Publication Bureau, Punjabi University, Patiala. p. 89. ISBN   9788173801341.
  4. ↑ Takhar, Opinderjit Kaur; Jakobsh, Doris R. (2023). Global Sikhs: Histories, Practices and Identities. Routledge Critical Sikh Studies. Taylor & Francis. ISBN   9781000847352. 23. Vars are long poems written by Bhai Gurdas. The first 40 vars are written by Bhai Gurdas who was contemporary to the early Gurus. But the 41st var is written, in the opinion of McLeod, by another Gurdas who had written it the eighteenth century. It is likely that information about the eighteenth century sangats of Bihar comes from Gurdas Il. McLeod, Dictionary, 212.
  5. ↑ Singh, Roopinder (8 April 2018). "Baisakhi in the City of Bliss". The Tribune. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  6. 1 2 Fenech, Louis E.; McLeod, William H. (2014). Historical Dictionary of Sikhism. Historical Dictionaries of Religions, Philosophies, and Movements (3rd ed.). Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN   978-1-4422-3600-4.
  7. ↑ Singh, Devinder Pal (April 1999). "The Literary Genius of Guru Gobind Singh" (PDF). The Sikh Review. 47 (4): 35–39 – via PhilPapers.
  8. ↑ Fenech, Louis E. (2013). "Notes". The Sikh Zafar-namah of Guru Gobind Singh: A Discursive Blade in the Heart of the Mughal Empire. Oxford University Press. p. 246. ISBN   9780199931453.


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