Bhai Gurdas 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 Sri Guru Arjan, the fifth Sikh Guru. The relationship between Bhai Gurdas and Sri Guru Arjan Dev had the same purity and durability as Krishna-Arjun in Mahabharata. Both have a profound Guru-Shishya relationship created by their mutual respect.

Sri Guru Arjan Dev highly respected him as his maternal uncle and often discussed the deep teachings of Sikhism. His mission was to spread awareness of the principles of the guru and to enlighten people on the reality of social responsibility and the true way of life. Although his first love was the service he rendered to Sikhism and the teaching of his guru; his devotion to Sikhism was so strong that he never married.

Early Life

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 years old. Bhai Gurdas was born in a Bhalla Khatri family possibly in 1551 (exact year unknown but likely between 1543 and 1553) at Basarke Gillan, a small village in the Punjab. Gurdas' father, Ishar Das, was the youngest brother of Sri Guru Amar Das; therefore Gurdas was the nephew of Sri Guru Amar Das and a first cousin of Mata Bhani, mother of Sri Guru Arjan Dev. Bhai Ishar Das had settled in Goindwal soon after the town was founded in 1546 AD, 1603 Bk). Bhai Gurdas had spent his early years at Goindwal and Sultanpur Lodhi.

As a child, he grew up in close association with the gurus and grasped all the knowledge under the canopy of their knowledge tree. He attended many Sangat or Sikh assemblies in local colonies since his parents were Sikh too. 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. At that time the city was the (Sikhi Da Dhura) religious centre of the Sikhs.

However, the year he turned twelve was a turning point in his life. His parents died early leaving the boy devastated and unattended at a very young age. Having no one to care for him, he was orphaned to life. Bhai Gurdas was adopted by Sri Guru Amar Das. Under his patronage, his son-in-law Ram Das received training in the musical traditions of North India, and his nephew Gurdas Bhalla received his early education in Punjabi, Braj, and Persian languages, including Hindu and Muslim literary traditions at Sultanpur Lodhi. He spent his early years at Goindwal and Sultanpur Lodhi. At Goindwal, Gurdas listened and obtained knowledge from scholars and swamis who visited the town while traversing the Delhi-Lahore Road.

Relationship with Gurus

Bhai Gurdas is the nephew of Guru Amar Das. Bibi Bhani the daughter of Guru Amar Dass was married to Guru Ram Das. This makes Bhai Gurdas the brother-in-law (cousin) of Guru Ram Das and maternal uncle (mama) of Guru Arjan Dev. Bhai Gurdas lived up to the time of Guru Hargobind.

Bhai Gurdas also knows Guru Tegh Bahadur- the son of Guru Hargobind who also visited (not yet Guru) Bhai Gurdas antim sanskaar (last rites) which was personally designed and made by Guru Hargobind Sahib. Bhai Gurdas came in contact with several Gurus and was a zealous Sikh with a high avatar. Bhai Gurdas chose never to marry and devote his life to Sikh and Sikh Parchar. Bhai Gurdas was appointed as a Parcharik by Guru Amar Das and remained Parcharik until His last days.

Later Life

Later, Bhai Gurdas proceeded to Varanasi where he studied Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures; subsequently, he was initiated into Sikhism. After Sri Guru Amar Das died, his successor Sri Guru Ram Das, assigned Bhai Gurdas as a Sikh missionary to Agra. He was then sent as a missionary of the Sikh Guru to spread the teachings of Guru Nanak. He made extensive visits to Agra, Lucknow, Varanasi, Burhanpur, Rajasthan, Jammu and the Chamba hills, preaching Guru Nanak's words.

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 and was satisfied they had no anti-Muslim tone.

After Guru Ram Das left the world, Bhai Gurdas developed a close relationship with the fifth Nanak, Guru Arjan Dev. The Guru had great respect for him and regarded him as his maternal uncle.

Bhai Gurdas led a batch of Sikhs to Gwalior where Guru Hargobind had been detained under the orders of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir jealous of the popularity of Sikhism, had imprisoned Guru Hargobind. 

He was present at the weddings of the Guru's sons Baba Gurditta (April 1621) and Baba Suraj Mall (April 1629). He offered Ardas at the death in 1621 of Mata Ganga – the widow of Guru Arjan. He also recited Scripture and offered Ardas at the time of Baba Buddha's death on 8 September 1631.

After that, Gurdas was sent to Kabul, Kashmir, Rajputana, and Varanasi again to preach Sikhism. He even went to Sri Lanka, preaching the name of the Guru among the masses and showing them the true way of life.

Bhai Gurdas physically laboured in the excavation of the sacred Sarovar (pool) at Darbar Sahib at Amritsar (1577). Gurdas was employed to oversee the development of Amritsar by Guru Ram Das as soon as the township started construction.

Sri Guru Hargobind decided to construct the Akal Takht (lit. Throne of the Timeless (a reference to God)) in front of the Harmandar Sahib. The Akal Takht was revealed by Sri Guru Hargobind on 15 June 1606. The foundation stone of the building of the Akal Takht was laid down by Sri Guru Hargobind himself. The rest of the structure was completed by Baba Buddha and Bhai Gurdas. No mason or any other person was permitted to participate in the construction of the structure. Sri Guru Hargobind himself was the custodian of the Takht. On 31 December 1612, When Sri Guru Hargobind was imprisoned at Gwalior Fort, he assigned Baba Buddha to perform the services at Harmandir Sahib and Bhai Gurdas as the first Jathedar of Akal Takht, the spokesperson of Sikh. It is one of the five Takhats that Sikh consider when dealing with societal issues

Sri Guru Hargobind also appointed him to teach his young son (the future Guru) Tegh Bahadur, the ancient classics. Bhai Buddha also trained the Guru's son in the martial arts of archery and horsemanship.

Literacy Works

Bhai Gurdas remained 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 other works in Punjabi are collectively called Vaaran Bhai Gurdas. Aside from his well-known Vaars, he also wrote Kabits, a form of poetry, in the Braj language. He was initially thought to have been the author of 556 Kabits but a discovery of 119 additional Kabits authored by Gurdas was made in 1939 by Vir Singh in a Gurmukhi manuscript.

• 6 Chhands of 8 Verses each in Sanskrit
• 672 Kabits and 3 Swayyas in Brij Bhasha
• 40 Vaars containing 912 Pauris in Punjabi

His poetry, now available in two volumes, in Punjabi, Varan Bhai Gurdas and in Braj, Kabitt Savaiyye, is often sung along with Gurbani, the Gurus' words, at holy congregations. Guru Arjan put his seal of approval on the Vaaran Bhai Gurdas by designating it as the "key" to the Sikh Holy Scripture.

Scribe of Sri Guru Granth Sahib

After the passing of Guru Ram Das, in 1581, Bhai Gurdas returned to the Punjab, where he first visited Goindwal 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 fifth Guru compiled The Adi Granth containing the hymns of the Gurus and those of some saints and sufis, Bhai Gurdas inscribed the entire text under the direction and supervision of Guru Arjun.

He was such a humble being that he was prompted by Guru Arjan to write the Adi Granth, but he was averse to including his own compositions-which were of the highest calibre- merely because he never sought recognition.

It was under the supervision of the fifth Sikh Guru that he inscribed the first copy of Sikh Scripture, then called The Adi Granth, which is now respected as the perpetual Guru of the Sikhs and is central to the Sikh religion.

The compilation of The Adi Granth (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) by Bhai Gurdas was completed in 1601. It took almost 11 years to complete this task. On this site now stands a Gurdwara known as Gurdwara Sri Ramsar Sahib. It is also known as Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhawan. Bhai Gurdas not only wrote The Adi Granth as dictated by Sri Guru Arjan Dev, but he also supervised the writings of four other scribes, namely Bhai Haria, Bhai Sant Das, Bhai Sukha and Bhai Manasa Ram who were writing various Sikh scriptures.

Though the original copy was once turned over to Guru Tegh Bahadur after an attempt on the ninth Guru's life, it was returned at the wish of the Guru to Dhir Mall, the elder son of Baba Gurditta and a grandson of Guru Hargobind. Though many hope that the original Bir as penned by Bhai Gurdas will one day return to the possession of the Panth, the original Granth is still in the possession of the family of Dhir Mall's descendants at Kartarpur, in Jalandhar district of the Punjab. (Some have pointed out that had the Adi Granth been in the library of the Darbar Sahib during 1984's attack the Original Bir would most likely have been lost in the fires that destroyed so many priceless treasures of Sikh History.)

Bhai Gurdas was not only an interpreter of Sikh scriptures and a preacher of Sikhism; he was a walking encyclopaedia of Sikhism.

Varan Bhai Gurdas 

Bhai Gurdas was a great scholar of Persian, Sanskrit and comparative religion. He was a poet of superb beauty. His most famous compositions are Vaars, (Punjabi ballads gems of knowledge', 40 in number).

Varan Bhai Gurdas (Gurmukhi: vārāṁ bhā'ī guradāsa; also known as Varan Gyan Ratnavali (Romanised: Vāra gi'āna ratanāvalī, is the name given to the 40 Vaars (a form of Punjabi poetry) which is traditionally attributed to Bhai Gurdas. It is said that the motivation for Gurdas to write the first Vaar was due to Guru Arjan requesting him to complete an authentic work of literature documenting and detailing the life of Guru Nanak.

According to Bhai Gurdas Bhalla, Gurbilas Patshahi Chhevin (1718) Guru Arjan ordered me to compose 40 Vaars so that peace may descend upon me.  Bhai Gurdas authored the work in the late 16th century. He did not consult Baba Buddha (who had been alive when Guru Nanak was around) when he compiled the work.

The full title of the work given in one manuscript dated to 1782 is: Varan Gian Ratnavali Bhai Gurdas Bhalley ka Bolana, meaning "Vars [captioned] Gian Ratnavali. Thus spake Bhai Gurdas Bhalla." Another manuscript (dated to at least 1732 or earlier) is titled simply as Bani Bhai Gurdas Bhalley ji ki. Varan. The words Gian Ratnavali as part of a title may have once only applied to the first of forty Vaars rather than being part of a title to describe the entirety of the work of literature. Originally, the entirety of the work was simply entitled Varan. The SGPC officially named its publication of the work as Varan Gyan Ratnavali.

Each of the 40 chapters of “Varan Bhai Gurdas” consists of a differing number of Pauris (sections, paragraphs). The composition is a collection of detailed commentary and explanation of theology and the ethics of Sikh beliefs as outlined by the Gurus. It explains Sikh terms such as; Sangat, Haumai, "Gun", Gurmukh, Manmukh, Sat, Naam, to name only a few. Many of the principles of Sikhism are explained in simple terms by Bhai Sahib and at times in many different ways.

The 40 Vaars maintain a high-degree of similarity in nearly all manuscriptural versions of the work, barring a few variations and discrepancies. Some Sikhs have rejected the authenticity of the 10th or 40th years of the work specifically, the former based on religious doctrine and the latter based upon linguistic style inconsistency. A notable and outspoken critic of the 10th vaar was Giani Lal Singh of Sangrur.

Bhai Gurdas Singh {Bhai Gurdas-II (Duja)} is said to be a contemporary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh. He is not to be confused with Bhai Gurdas, who was the scribe of the Adi Granth under Guru Arjan Dev. Bhai Gurdas Singh's work with the title Vaar Sri Bhagaut Ji Ki Patshahi Dasvin Ki was added as a "supplement" to Bhai Gurdas 40 Vaars, and is known as the "41st Vaar." Bhai Gurdas Singh's work contains the famous Shabad:

'ਵਾਹ ਵਾਹ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਆਪੇ ਗ੝ਰ ਚੇਲਾ'

Vah Vah Gobind Singh Ape Gur Chela

Wow! Wow! Gobind Singh, himself the Guru and the disciple.

The 41st Vaar eulogises Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa.

According to Bhai Mani Singh, the first Var of the work is the only genuine and attestable janamsakhi tradition covering the life of Guru Nanak. Bhai Mani Singh would author a janamsakhi rendition, known as the Gyan-ratnavali or Bhai Mani Singh Janam Sakhi, based upon the first vaar of Varan Bhai Gurdas.

Sikh Historian

Bhai Gurdas has documented the Sikh history in his writings and has solved some of the historical riddles about Guru Nanak Dev's visit to Mecca, Medina, and other parts of the world:

ਫਿਰਿ ਬਾਬਾ ਗਇਆ ਬਗਦਾਦ ਨੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਜਾਇ ਕੀਆ ਅਸਥਾਨਾ।

ਇਕ ਬਾਬਾ ਅਕਾਲ ਰੂਪੁ ਦੂਜਾ ਰਬਾਬੀ ਮਰਦਾਨਾ।

(ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੧ ਪਉੜੀ ੩੫ )

Fir Baba gaya Baghdad no bahar jae kiya asthana |
Ek Baba Akal roop, dooja rababi Mardana |

Then Baba (Guru Nanak Dev) went to Baghdad and camped outside the city. In addition to Baba Nanak, who was a Divine personality, Mardana, the musician also went along.

Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev

Guru Arjan Dev was martyred as per orders of Emperor Jahangir on May 30, 1606. Jahangir wrote in his Tuzak-i-Jahangiri only 20 days after the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev that he ordered his execution. Bhai Gurdas had documented the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev as follows:

ਰਹਿਦੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਦਰੀਆਉ ਵਿਚਿ ਮੀਨ ਕੁਲੀਨ ਹੇਤੁ ਨਿਰਬਾਣੀ॥

ਦਰਸਨੁ ਦੇਖਿ ਪਤੰਗ ਜਿਉ ਜੋਤੀ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਾਣੀ॥

ਸਬਦ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਲਿਵ ਮਿਰਗ ਜਿਉ ਸੁਖ ਸੰਪਟ ਵਿਚਿ ਰੈਣਿ ਵਿਹਾਣੀ॥

ਚਰਣ ਕਵਲ ਮਿਲਿ ਭਵਰ ਜਿਉ ਸੁਖ ਸੰਪਟ ਵਿਚਿ ਰੈਣਿ ਵਿਹਾਣੀ ।

ਗੁਰੁ ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਨ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਬਾਬੀਹੇ ਜਿਉ ਆਖ ਵਖਾਣੀ॥

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੁਖਫਲੁ ਪਿਰਮ ਰਸੁ ਸਹਜ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਸਾਧ ਸੰਗਿ ਜਾਣੀ॥

ਗੁਰ ਅਰਜਨ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਕੁਰਬਾਣੀ ॥੨੩॥

(Vaaran Bhai Gurdas)

Rehidhae Gur Dhareeao Vich Meen Kuleen Haeth Nirabanee||

Dharasan Dhaekh Pathang Jio Jothee Andhar Joth Samanee||

Sabadh Surath Liv Mirag Jio Sukh Sanpatt Vich Rain Vihanee||charan Kaval Mili Bhavar Jiu Sukh Sanpat Vichi Raini Vihaanee|

Gur Oupadhaes N Visarai Babeehae Jio Akh Vakhanee||

Guramukh Sukhafal Piram Ras Sehaj Samadhh Sadhh Sang Janee||

Gur Arajan Vittahu Kurabanee ||a||

Liberating the soul from the body, Guru (Arjan Dev) stabilised himself in the water of the river as a fish remains in the water. As the moth rows itself into the flame, his light mingled with the light of the Lord. Caring of for life, as the deer keeps its consciousness concentrated when in peril, the Guru also, when undergoing suffering kept none else except the Lord in his consciousness. As the black bee remains enrapt in the petals of flower and enjoys fragrance, The Guru like a rainbird spoke to his disciples that the teachings of the Guru should not be forgotten. The pleasure of the Gurmukh (Guru Arjan Dev) is the delight of love and he accepts the holy congregation as the natural state of meditation. I am sacrifice unto Guru Arjan Dev.

Vaaran Bhai Gurdas

Salutation to the Guru who blessed us with the mantra of the True Name and emancipated us, ferrying us across the Sea of material existence.

Passing Away

Bhai Gurdas left his body for eternal abode on 25 August 1636 at Goindwal, leaving behind a legacy that continues to brighten the path of Sikhism. His passing was marked with the highest honours as Guru Hargobind personally performed ceremonial service at his funeral, highlighting his respected position in the Sikh community. 

Even though he wasn’t one of the gurus, he was still a very important figure in conserving and reforming Sikhism. A spiritual person all his life he only lived for these teachings. Even gurus admired his profound faith and devotion to Sikhi.

 

References

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Image provided by the author.