Introduction to the Authors of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

 

Chapter- 2

A Brief Introduction of the Authors of Sri Guru Granth Sahib

This chapter aims to give a few words of introduction to great personalities that walked on this planet and whose compositions have become a part of this holy work. Besides the six Gurus, there are fifteen bhagats and some other personalities who have contributed to the Holy Granth in the form of music and their compositions. Beginning with six Gurus who have contributed to this sacred work are- Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Angad Dev, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan Dev and the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji

First and foremost contributor to Holy work is Guru Nanak Dev ji also known as Baba Nanak, who founded Sikhism as he was the first of the ten Gurus of Sikhism. He was born on April 15, 1469 A.D at Rai Bhoi ki Talwandi ( present day Nanakana Sahib in Pakistan) in Lahore province of Delhi Sultanate. He was born in a Khatri Punjabi Clan like all Gurus, specifically being a Khatri Bedi. His parents were Kalyan Das Bedi ( shortened to Kalu Mehta) and mother Tripta ji were Hindu Khatris. His father was a local patwari (revenue official) for the village Talwandi, founded by Rai Bhoi. Name of Nanak’s grandfather was Shiv Ram Bedi and great grandfather’s name was Ram Narayan Bedi. His life was marked with many events that suggested that he had been blessed with divine grace. Even at the tender age of 5 years he had voiced interests on divine subjects. At the school he astonished the teacher by describing the implicit symbolism of the first alphabet of the language resembling the mathematical expression of one as denoting unity or oneness of God. One incident was witnessed by Rai Bular (present landlord of Talwandi village) that Nanak was sleeping under a tree and his head was covered from the harsh sunlight by the stationary shadow of the tree and by a venomous Cobra snake in another story. Nanak’s elder sister was Nanki who was five years older to him. She was married to Jaya Ram who was an employee of at Modikhana -a store house to collect revenues in the form of commodities in the service of Delhi Sultanate at Sulatanpur Lodhi for Lahore governor of Sultanate Daulat Khan. She took Nanak with her and Jaya Ram got a job for him at Modikhana. At the age of 18 years he was married to daughter of another patwari Mul chand named Sulakhani in the town of Batala in 1487 and had two sons Baba Sri Chand ji ( founder of Udyasin sect) and Baba Lakshmi Chand ji. He stayed in Sultanpur till 1500 A.D During the first part of 16 th century he undertook four long journeys, along with his two companions Baba Bala and Baba Mardana, known as Udyasins in which he visited places like Tibet, most of the South Asia including Sri Lanka, and Arabia and Jaganath Puri and Assam in the east. He also visited Mt. Sumer, Mecca, Baghdad, Achala Batala, Sylhet in Assam and Multan. At the age of 55 years he settled down at the town of Kartarpur and lived here till his death in 1539. He appointed Bhai Lehna as his successor as Guru Angad Dev ji. His contribution to the Holy Granth is in the form of some major prayers like Japji Sahib, Asa Di Var, and Siddh Gosht.

Guru Angad Dev Ji

After meeting Guru Nanak Dev Ji and serving and working with him for many years, Guru Nanak Dev ji gave Lehna the name Angad and chose him as his successor, rather than his two sons, and made him the Second Guru of Sikhism. He is remembered in Sikhism for adopting and formalising Gurmukhi alphabet and script. Guru Angad Dev ji began the process of compiling the hymns of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and contributed his 63 shlokas also to it. He was born on 31^st March 1504 in village Matte di Sarai ( now Sarainaga) in Muketsar district of Punjab. Born in the family of a small yet successful trader Pheru Mal, he was given name of Lehna. His mother’s name was Ramo also known as Mata Sabhirat, Mata Mansa Devi and Daya Kaur. Guruji’s grandfather’s name was Baba Narayan Das Trehan. Like all Sikh Gurus, Lehna also came from the family of Khatri caste with Trehan Gotra ( Clan). His entire family, including his parents left their ancestral village in face of Babar’s invasion and settled on the banks of River Beas at the village known as Khadur Sahib, now in Tarantaran district of Punjab. Before becoming disciple of Guru Nanak Dev ji, Bhai Lehna was a religious teacher at Khadur and a priest at the temple of Goddess Durga. On one of his religious pilgrimage he passed through the town of Kartarpur that was set up by Guru Nanak Dev ji. After a dialogue with Guru Nanak Dev ji he was so much influenced and impressed that he stayed and served his spiritual master Guru Nanak Dev ji throughout his life. After becoming the Second Guru, he came to the village of Khadur known as Goindwal Sahib as very few Sikhs at Kartarpur accepted him as their Guru as sons of Guru Nanak Dev ji also declared their claim to be Guru Nanak Dev ji’s successor. The Second Mughal Emperor Humayun met Guruji after he lost battle to Sher Shah Suri at Kannauj. He blessed Mughal emperor and assured him that he would get back the throne. Besides Gurumukhi script he is also known for systematising the institution of Langar(community Kitchen) in all Sikh Gurudwaras premises where visitors from near and far would get a free simple meal in a communal seating. He stressed on treating Gurudwaras as a place of rest and refuge. So he emphasised on the recruitment of such sevadars who would be polite and hospitable to all visitors. He was also a great patron of wrestling and started a Mal (Akhara) system where physical exercises, martial arts and wrestling was taught as well as health topic such as staying away form tobacco and other toxic products that could ruin young men’s health. He stressed on keeping body healthy by regular exercises and established Akharas in every village.

Guru Amar Das ji

Guru Amar Das Ji was born to parents- Bakht Kaur( also known as Sulakhani, Lakhmi Devi or Rup Kaur) and Tej Bhan Bhalla on May 5, 1479 A.D at Basarke village of Amritsar district. His grandfather’s name was Hari Das and his family belonged to Bhalla Gotra of Khatri clan and Guru Amar Das ji was the eldest son of his family. At the age of 20 years he married Mansa Devi and had four children- daughters Dani and Bhani sons Mohan and Mohri. Bhani was his favourite child. To earn his livelihood Guru Amar Das ji took up the profession of agriculturist and trader. He followed Vaishanavism for much of his life. He undertook nearly twenty annual pilgrimages to Haridwara. On one such pilgrimage a Hindu monk met him and asked why he did not have a Guru till then. Acting on his advice Guru Amar Das ji decided to have somebody as his Guru. While returning from Haridwar he heard Bibi Amro- daughter of Guru Angad Dev ji who was related to him as well as she was his nephew’s wife- singing the hymns of Guru Nanak Dev ji. He learnt about Guru Angad Dev ji from her and made him as his Spiritual Guru though he was much younger to him. He served Guru Angad Dev ji relentlessly by waking up early in the morning, fetching water for bath of his Guru and cleaning and cooking for the volunteers with Guru. He succeeded Guru Angad Dev ji as the third Guru of Sikhism at the ripe age of 73 years after 11 years of devoted service of his Guru. He gave leadership to the Sikhs till the age of 95 years when before his death he appointed his son-in-law Bhai Jetha or Guru Ram Das ji as the fourth Guru of Sikhism. After becoming Guru, Guru Amar Das ji moved to Goindwal to avoid conflict with the sons of Guru Angad Dev ji who did not like their father’s decision to appoint Guru Amar Das ji as his successor. Even at Goindwal he was harassed by Guru Angad’s on Datu and kicked Guru Amar Das ji knocking him from his seat saying “ Only yesterday thou wert a water carrier in our house and thou sittest as a Guru”. To it Guru Amar Das ji replied humbly “ O’ Great King, pardon me thou must have hurt thy feet”. Guru Amar Das ji hid himself in a house at Basarke, his home village and Datu set himself as Guru in Goindwal. It was Baba Buddha who persuaded Guru Amar Das ji to return to Goindwal when Datu went back to Khadur when he found that he had no followers. He emphasised his followers to wake up early in the dawn, do their ablutions and then meditate in silent seclusion. He believed that a good devotee should be truthful, keep his mind in control, eat only when hungry, seek the company of pious men, worship the Lord, make an honest living, serve holy men, covet another’s wealth and never slander others. He was also a social reformer and banned Sati system in Sikhism and discouraged veiling of women’s faces, promoted inter-caste marriages, remarriage of widows and adopting monogamy as ideal gender relationship. He also started the tradition of appointing Manjis ( zones of religious administration with a chief known as Sangatiya who could be a man or even a woman. He also introduced Dasvandh- tradition of donating ten percent of income to noble causes- and augmented the tradition of langar. Another organization set up by him, analogous to Manji was Piri in which appointed officials spread faith specially among women. He also constructed a well of 84 steps known as Baoli Sahib at Mughal Emperor. Mughal emperor met Guru Amar Das ji but only after Akbar agreed to take langar like any common man with everybody. He persuaded Akbar to repeal tax on Hindus pilgrims visiting Haridwar. He composed a hymn Anand Lavana and made it a part of the ritual of Sikh marriage called Anand Karaj that means blissful event. He is believed to have selected the site of Harmandir Sahib at Amritsar whose construction was started by Guru Ram Das ji, completed and inaugurated by Guru Arjan Dev ji and gilded in gold by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Guru Ram Das Ji

Bhai Jetha ji or Guru Ram Das ji was believed to have been declared as successor by Guru Amar Das ji, as his daughter and Jetha’s wife Bhani was close to him, by personally putting the sandal paste on his forehead. Guru Ram Das ji was born in Chuna Mandi Lahore but he lost his parents at the age of 7 years and grew up under the care of his maternal uncle. He was born on 24 th September 1534 A.D in a Sodhi family. His grandfather Thakur Das was a well known shopkeeper of Chuma Mandi Area Lahore. His father Hari Das inherited the shopkeeper vocation from his father. As he was their eldest child, so his parents named him as Jetha. After the death of his parents his maternal grandmother took him to her village Basarke which was also ancestral village of Guru Amar Das ji. He sold boiled grams, black chickpeas (known as Ghuganian) and boiled wheat to earn his livelihood since the age of 9 years. He would sometimes meet holymen and often share his wares with them free of cost and then be scolded by his grandmother. When Guru Amar Das ji visited Basarke he was impressed by the traits of this young boy. Once he asked him to accompany him to Khadur where Guru Angad Dev ji lived. At Khadur after attending congregations he was impressed both by Guru Angad Dev ji as well as Guru Amar Das ji. He sold bakliyas ( boiled corn) at Khadur to earn his livelihood. When Guru Amar Das ji moved to Goindwal Sahib he also moved

along with him in 1552 A. D and spent most of the time in his durbar and one of the responsibility entrusted to him was that the utensils used for langar were clean and tidy and so as to ensure thorough cleaning he cleaned them himself. He was also given the role of serving drinking water in langar. He accompanied Guru Amar Das ji on his holy pilgrimages. Under his patronage he was educated in North Indian Classical Music Tradition. Before becoming Guru, he was sent by Guru Amar Das ji to represent his view point in Mughal Court as Brahmins had lodged a protest against Guru ji that he was neglecting the traditional caste divisions and social hierarchies in langar as everybody without any distinction sat on the ground to take Langar. He impressed Mughal Emperor Akbar by his reply that in the eyes of the Divine all of humankind are equal. In 1553 A. D he wedded Guru Amar Das ji’s daughter Bhani and had three sons- Prithvi Chand, Mahadev and Guru Arjan Dev ji. He is credited to have found the city of Ramdaspur, later Amritsar and beginning construction of Golden Temple and the Holy pond around it. He, along with Guru Amar Das ji, is credited with various parts of Anand and Lavan compositions in Suhi measure. He made his youngest son Arjan Dev ji as his successor and fifth Guru of Sikhism.

Guru Arjan Dev ji

He is known for compiling the first official edition of the Sikh Scripture called Adi Granth that was later expanded into Guru Granth Sahib ji by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji. He was the youngest son of Guru Ram Das ji and Bhani. Born in Goindwal town on April 15, 1563 A.D. His other brothers were Prithvi Chand and Mahdev. He spent last 11 years of his life at Goindwal and next 7 years with his father in Ramdaspur, later Amritsar. He spent two years in Lahore during his young age when he was sent to attend wedding of his first cousin Suhari Mal’s as well as to establish Sikh Congregation. He became fifth Guru after Guru Ram Das ji. His choice of his youngest son as his successor led to the post succession conflicts and disputes leading to internal divisions among the Sikhs. Mahadev was an ascetic by nature so he did not oppose his father’s decision but Prithvi Chand opposed Guru Arjan Dev ji vehemently by creating another sect in Sikhism that was known as Minas by the followers of Guru Arjan Dev ji. Prithvi Chand even tried to assassinate his own nephew young Hargobind twice and even befriended and incited Mughal agents against Guru Arjan Dev ji. He completed the construction of Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, organised Masand system and the tradition of the collection of Dasvandh. Guru Arjan Dev ji was put behind the bars by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir accusing him of inciting rebellion against him by blessing Prince Khusrau. He was promised to be released if he decided to convert to Islam but he refused and facing unbearable torture at the hands of Mughals embraced martyrdom in Lahore. However, before his death he appointed Guru Hargobind Sahib as his successor and sixth Guru of Sikhism.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib

Guru Habgobind Sahib appointed his grand son Guru Har Rai as his successor and Guru Har Rai made his son Guru Harkishan Sahib as the next Guru. Guru Harkishan ji died early due to smallpox and at the time of his death he could utter only these words “Baba Bakala” implying that his successor is at Bakala. Taking advantage of the ambiguity of the words of dying Guru many installed themselves in claiming to be the new Guru. Sikhs were also puzzled to see so many claimants till a wealthy trader named Makhan Shah Labana who had vowed to give 500 gold coins to the Sikh Guru if he escaped a shipwreck. So on survival he came in search of new Guru but when he found so many people at Bakala claiming to be new Guru he met each of them two gold coins in the belief that the genuine Guru would be omniscient and know about his vow of 500 gold coins. After giving two gold coins to many people posing as new Guru he asked if anybody is left out, somebody replied that there is a person named Tegha who must be sitting in some remote nook of the town. So Makhan Shah approached him too and when he offered him two gold coins, Bhai Tegha or Guru Tegh Bahadur ji replied that his offering of two gold coins is much less than the 500 gold coins promised by him and he showed him the marks of ropes on his shoulder by which he had pulled his ship to the safety. So Makhan Shah Labana offered rest of the gold coins to him and ran to the roof and started shouting “ Guru Ladho Re” or I have discerned the True Guru. So in August 1664 A.D a Sikh Congregation led by Diwan Dargha Mal, a well known devotee of Guru Harkishan ji arrived in Bakala to proclaim Guru Tegh Bahadur as the Ninth Guru of the Sikhs. He travelled widely and extensively in different parts of Indian subcontinent including Dhaka, Assam and Patna where Guru Gobind Singh ji- The Tenth Guru was born. He undertook these journeys with a view of spreading the message of Guru Nanak Dev ji and started a number of community wells and langar. He visited the towns of Mathura, Agra, Allahabad, and Varanasi also. At Dhubri in Assam he helped in patching up the conflict between Raja Ram Singh of Jaipur, leading Mughal forces and King of Ahoms Raja Chakradhwaj. He also visited Rani Champa of Bilaspur kingdom who offered to give him a piece of land in her Kingdom. So he bought a piece of land for five hundred rupees and founded the city of Anandpur Sahib in the foothills of Himalayan range in 1672 A.D. He toured the Malwa region of Punjab to meet the masses as the persecution of non-muslims reached new heights. A congregation of Kashmiri pandits led by Kirpa Ram approached him and requested him to give them shelter as they were being converted forcefully to Islam in Kashmir. He left form his base at Makhowal to protest against the persecution of Kashmiri pandits by Mughal officials and was arrested at Ropar and put in a jail at Sirhind. Four months later he was brought to Delhi and asked to perform some miracle to prove his nearness to God or to embrace Islam. Guru declined both the offers as performing miracles was anti-natural unless for the well being of populace and to accept Islam was out of question. So both of his colleagues who were arrested along with him Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Dayala were tortured to death. Bhai Sati Das was sawn into two while Bhai Dayala was boiled olive in a cauldron and Bhai Sati Das was cut to pieces. After that Guru ji was also beheaded publicly in Chandni Cowk on November 11, 1675 A.D. However, before his death he appointed Guru Gobind Rai his son or Guru Gobind Singh ji as his successor. He had composed 116 hymns in 15 ragas were included in Guru Granth Sahib ji by Guru Gobind Singh ji at pages 219-1427 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.

Bhagats

Bhagat Ramanand Ji

He was 14^th century Vaishnavite saint and Guru of Kabir ji. He was born at 1400 A.D at Varanasi. The Hindu tradition recognises him as the founder of Rmanandi Sampradyay. He was born ina Gaur Brahmin family at Pragyaraj ( Allahabad). Ramanand was disciple of Raghvanand, a Guru in Vedanta based Vatakatalai school of Vaishanavism. He is credited as an author of many devotional poems but like most of the Bhakti movement poets his authorship of these works is vague. He developed his philosophy and devotional themes inspired by South Indian Vedanta philosopher Ramanuja. He lived most of his life in the city of Varanasi. As an early reformer he accepted disciples without any discrimination of gender or class. Traditional scholarship holds that his disciples included later Bhakti movement saints such as Kabir, Ravidas, Pipa and others. His verse is mentioned in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and he is known for discussing spiritual themes in his poetry in vernacular Hindi so as to make knowledge accessible to common man.

Kabir ji

He is a well known Indian mystic poet and saint. Born in Varanasi he is known for being critical of organized religion. The years of his birth and death are uncertain. Some historians consider 1397-1448 as the period of Kabir while others feel it to be 1440 to 1517 A.D. It is commonly believed that Kabir was found as an infant Lahartara Pond by a Muslim weaver couple Niru and his wife Nima, who brought him up in their family. He became disciple of Swami Ramananda in Varanasi known for devoitonal Vaishanavism with a strong bent to monist Advaita philosophy that God was inside every human being and not only that but present in every object, even in the minutest spec of dirt. His family is believed to have lived in Kabir Chaura in Varanasi. Kabir Matha here celebrates his life and times. His poetry is in Sadhu khadi boli or dialect of Hindi along with Braj, Bhojpuri and Awadhi. He also composed poetry in pure Bhojpuri. Most of his poetic compositions are on the themes of devotion, mysticism and discipline. There are 82 works attributed to him like Kabir Bijak, Kabir Parichai, Sakhi Granth, Adi Granth and Kabir Granthawali (Rajasthan). His followers have named his verbally composed poems as Banis (utterances) including songs and couplets- dohe, slokas, and Sakhis witnessing to be evidence of Truth. His poems were verbally composed and transmitted to following generations orally till they were compiled and written during 17^th century when Kabir Bijak was compiled and brought out. He questioned the meaningless and unehtical practises of all religions – specifically in Hinduism and Islam. During his life time he was severely condemned and threatened both by Hindus and Muslims alike. But he considered slanderers as his friend and companion. However, after his death both Hindus as well as Muslims claimed him.

Tirlochan ji

Tirlochan was a celebrated medieval Indian saint who has contributed hymns to Guru Granth Sahib ji and Raag Sri. He was born in 1269 A.D in a Vaishya family of Barsi in Solapur district of Maharashtra. Four shabads written by him have been included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. In these he has condemned superficial rituals and pretentious renunciation and stressed on the holiness of the heart. His compositions can be found in Sri Rag, Rag Gujri, and Rag Dhanasari.

Dhanna ji

Bhagat Dhanna or Dhanna Jat was a mystic poet and vaishanav devotee who has contributed three hymns to Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. He was born in a peasant family of Dhaliwal clan in village Chauru of Tehsil Phagi of Jaipur district in Rajasthan. He was disciple of Saint-poet Ramanand. Later on he moved to village Dhuan Kalan of Devli Tehsil of Tonk district in Rajasthan. There are a number of tales about the spiritual powers of Dhanna ji. As per one story one day many Sanasins came to him and demanded food and he used the grains that he had stored for sowing. So that year he could not sow the seeds in his fields. Though the fields did not yield grains but that year gourds were the output of the field. When feudal lord came to collect revenue Dhanna ji offered him gourds. Surprised and angered the feudal lord broke the gourd and found that they were full of precious pearls. Bhagat Meera refers to this story in her poem “ Sun lijo binati mori, main sharan gahi prabhu teri”.

Pippa ji

Bhagat Pippa ji was a rajput ruler of Gagron who had abdicated his throne to become a Hindu mystic, poet and saint of Bhakti Movement in India. It is believed that he lived he lived in late fourteenth century and early fifteenth century in the present day Jhalawar district of Rajasthan. He worshipped Hindu Goddess Durga Bhawani and kept her idol in a temple within his palace He left throne and became a disciple of Swami Ramanand like Kabir and Dadu Dayalh He shifted his devotional worship from Saguni ( Dvaita Dualism) to Nirguni God (Advaita Monism). In one of the story he stumbled into a robber of a milching buffalo that provided milk to his companions. Instead of protesting he helped the robbers in taking away buffalo and even suggested that they should take its young calf too with them. The robbers were so much touched that they left their evil ways and became his disciples. He taught that God is within one’s own self and that the worship is to within and have reverence for God in each human being. He has contributed hymns to the sacred book of the Sikhs- Guru Granth Sahib ji.

Bhagat Namdev Ji

Namdev was influenced by Vaishnavism and became widely known in India for his devotional songs set to music (Bhajans- Kirtans). His philosophy contains both nirguna and saguna brahman elements with Vedanta themes. Details of his life are uncertain and vague He is believed to have lived between 1270-1350 A.D. He was married to Rajai and had a son Vitha both of them wrote about him. As per Mahipati, a hagiographer of the 18^th century, Namdev’s parents were Damashet and Gonai- a childless elderly couple who found child Namdev floating in river in response to their prayer to Almighty for a child. He was born into what is generally recognised as a Kshatriya community. Variously recorded him as being brought up in a Shimpi (tailor) or Chippa (Calico-printer) community of Maharashtra. There are differences regarding his birth too as some believe that he was born at Narsi Bahmani, down the Krishan River while other believe him to be born at Pandharpur. There was some communication between Namdev and Yogi Saint Jnaneshwar as noted by a hagiographer Nabhadas in Bhaktimala. He is generally considered by the Sikhs as holy men as a large number of them too came from lower classes. So they were lured by the social reforms projected by Namdev. As per Sikh tradition he died at a village Ghuman though it is not universally accepted. The literary works of Namdev were influenced by Vaishnavite philosophy and a belief in Vithoba. Along with Jnaneswar’s work, Tukaram and the writings of Namdev forms the basis of belief held by Varkaki sect of Hinduism that had first emerged first in Karnataka and then spread to Pandharpur in Maharashtra. Both Jnaneshwar and Namdev used Marathi language to convey their beliefs. Namdev’s style was to compose simple worded praise for Vithoba and to use a melodic device Sunkritan, both of which were easily accessible to common man. He taught that all can be saved equally, without any distinction of caste, through devotion (bhakti) to Vithoba. The earliest anthology record of Namdev’s compositions can be seen in Guru Granth Sahib ji that was compiled in 1604 A.D His padas are not mere poems but like other Bhakti Movement Saints he composed Bhajans that is songs meant to be sung to music. Literally a bhajan means a thing share or enjoyed collectively. His poetry was influenced by Vaishnavite philosophy, sometimes invoking Vithoba, sometimes Vishnu-Krishna as Govind Hari but he never refers to Dashrath’s son Ram- the her of Ramayana but when he mentions Ram he is implying a pantheistic Ultimate Being who is the One True and Real Teacher or Guide of man (Sadguru). He considers devotion, as a path of emancipation, superior to others.

Bhagat Ravidas ji

Ravidas or Raidas is generally venerated as spiritual teacher or Guru in U.P, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. Details of his life are vague as some scholars feel that he was born in 1377 and died in 1528 A.D. in the village Gobardhanpur at Benares at the age of 151 years. His parents were Santokh Dass and Mata Kalsi belonging to leather working community. While pursuing the vocation of leather work he spent most of his time in the company of Sufi Saints, Sadhus and ascetics. He was married to Lona Devi at the age of 12 yearsa and had a son Vijay Das The text Anantdas Parcai is one of the earliest surviving biographies of various Bhakti Movement poets that describes the birth of Ravidas. Medieval era text Bhaktimala suggest him to be disciple of Swami Ramanand His ideas and fame grew over his lifetime and even Brahmins used to bow before him. He travelled widely to Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Himalayas. He abandoned Saguna forms of supreme beings and focussed on Nirguna (abstract) forms of Supreme Beings. He also discusses the ideas that are foundation of Nath philosophy of Hindusim. Most of the scholars believe that Ravi Das met Guru Nanak Dev Ji during his life time. He is revered in the Sikh Scripture and 41 of his poems have been included in Adi Granth Sahib.

Sant Jayadeva

He was a Sanskrit poet during 12^th century. He is known for his epic poem Geet Govinda that concentrates on Krishna’s love for Gopi Radha in a rite of Spring He is the earliest dated author of hymns included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. As per Gitagovind he was born in Kenduli Sassan village near Puri in Odisha. Inscriptions at Lingaraja temple suggest that Jayadeva had been a member of a teaching faculty of the school at Kurmapataka where he perhaps studies too. After his education he must have left for Kumarpataka where he had experience in composing poetry, music and dance. Besides Gitagovinda a few poems in archaic odia has been published by the Directorate of Culture, Odisha. They describe the romance of Radha-Krishan and contain ideas very similar to those used in Gitagovinda. He is widely considered as one of the earliest musicians of Odisi Music. Every night during Badasingar or the last ritual of Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri the Gitagovinda is sung to traditional ragas and talas such as Mangala Gujri. Two hymns by Jayadeva have been included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.

Sant Parmanand Ji

He was a Vaishavite saint and mystic poet. Another prominent Bhagat of this age Sur Das ji was Guru Bhai of Parmanand ji as both of them were disciples of Sri Vallabhacharya ji. His one hymn has been included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. (SGGS,Ang 1253). Born in 1483 A.D Born in a Kanyakubja Brahmin family he is believed to have resided at Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh He used to make 700 genuflections daily to God on his uncovered often bleeding knees. For a long time that God could only be worshipped in image (Sagun) but later on he had realisation that the Nirguna Supreme God umanifest could also be loved and prayed to. In one hymn included in Guru Granth Sahib ji he disapproves ritualistic reading and hearing of the sacred texts if that does not promote the service to fellow human beings. He commends sincere devotion that could only be achieved in the company of the Saints.

Bhagat Sen Saint-poet

Sen Bhagat was a Hindu mystic Saint poet of Bhakti Movement who lived at the end of 14^th century and beginning of 15^th century. He was a Barber to Raja Ram Singh of Rewa. He was a well known name in every household due to his devotion to God. He was also disciple of Ramanand Ji. There are diverse views about his place of birth. Some consider him as royal barber in court of Ruler of Bidar, Karnataka while others feel that he was Royal Barber in court of Ruler of Bandhavgarh in Rajasthan while some others believe that he was born at Parbatpura in Punjab.

Bhagat- Surdas

He was a sixteenth century blind Hindu devotional poet and singer, who was known for his poetic work written in praise of Lord Krishna. He was born in a brahmin family of of Uttar Pradesh in 1258 A.D. He is celebrated as the pinnacle of poetic artistry in Braja Bhasha where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. His poems collectively are compiled in work Sursagar. It is said that when Surdas ji visited Golden Temple at Amritsar in the times of Guru Arjan Dev ji, he was so old that he could recite only one line and that couplet was completed by Guru Arjan Dev ji himself and included it in Guru Granth Sahib ji under Rag Sarang His lone line in Guru Granth Sahib ji is “ Chaad man hari bimukhan ko sang”( O’ mind do not even associate with those who have turned their backs to the Lord Hari).

Sheikh Farid

Fariduuddin Masud Ganjshakar popularly known as Baba Farid was a 13 th century Punjabi Muslim mystic poet and preacher. He was born in Kothewal in 1188 A.D- a place 10 kms away from Multan in Pakistan Punjab. He got his early education at Multan. Then he met his Guru Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki who was passing through Multan on the way of journey from Baghdad to Delhi. After completion of his education, Sheikh Farid moved to Delhi where he learnt Islamic Doctrines from his Guru Bakhtiar Kaki. When Kaki passed away in 1235 A.D. Farid left Hanis and became his spiritual successor but instead of settling in Delhi he chose to migrate to his native Punjab to a place then named Ajodhan present day Pakpattan in Punjab province of Pakistan). He was one of the founders of Chisti-Sufi order.

Bhagat Bhikhan ji

Peer Bhikhan Shah was a 17^th century Sufi Saint born in Pehowa in Kurukshetra district of Haryana. For some time he lived in Guram in Patiala district and finally settled at Thaska in Kurukshetra district. As per a tale preserved in Bhai Santokh Singh’s work Sir Gur Pratao Suraj Granth, Bhikan Shah learnt through intuition that Guru Gobind Singh ji will be born in Patna, so he made obesiance to the East instead of West as done by most of the muslim saints. When asked to explain his strange act his reply that Lord Himself revealed through new born baby in the East so he had bowed beofre no ordinary mortal . Then he travelled all the way to Patna to see infant Guru ji. Desiring to know what would be the attitude of Guru ji towards two principal faiths of the country he placed two pots before infant Guru Gobind Singh ji, who was only three months old at that time. As the infant Guru ji covered both the pots simultaneously with his tiny hands he concluded happily that Guru ji would treat both Hindus and Muslims alike and show regard to both of them. There was another meeting between Guruji and Bhikan Shah at Lakhnaur in Ambala District of Haryana. His two shabad have been included in Rag Sorath at Ang 659-660 of SGGS.

Bhagat Beni ji

It is believed that he spent most of his time in prayer and meditation neglecting the household needs. He is believed to be contemporary of Guru Nanak Dev ji. He was a scholar with a humble temperament. He was ever ready to serve true True Guide which provided him real comforts. He denounced Hindu rituals and austerities of Hat Yoga so that common man learns the real motive of the true religion that is cultivation of Divine Name. He has three hymns in Rag Sri, Rag Ramkali and Rag Prabhatiin Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.

Bhagat Sadhana Ji

He was a poet, mystic and a saint, He was butcher by birth and profession. His only memorial is in Sirhind where he passed away. He was born in 1180 A.D at Hyderabad, Sindh in a muslim family. As his ancestral profession was of a butcher so he worked on his meat shop. But near his meat shop he planted a shady tree and created potable water facility for travellers and others. From his early age he was interested in Spiritualism and discussed spiritual and divine issues with various saints and holy men passing and relaxing under the tree before his shop. He proved that Shaligram stones, considered sacred by Vaishnavites is not God they are simple stones that were used by him in weighing his wares. He is also known for overcoming the desire of a seductive woman who killed her husband in order to have relationship with him. After his preachings she was totally transformed and burnt herself with the body of her husband on the funeral pyre. There is another story too that somebody accused him of seducing his wife and magistrate ordered his hands to be cut. Even after the punishment he was not disturbed and all and continued his devotion towards the Almighty with full devotion and concentration. It is believed that God was so much pleased with his devotion that He gave his hands back.

Balvand Rai

He was a poet, mystic and Rabab player in the court of Fifth Guru- Guru Arjan Dev ji. He was born in a muslim family belonging to Deeom-Mirasi community, who embraced Sikh faith during the Guruship of Guru Arjan Dev Ji Sahib. He had a brother named Satta. Another narrative is that he used to play hymns for Sikh Gurus congregation during Guru Angad Dev ji’s time and continued till the time of Guru Arjan Dev ji. His three hymns are included in the Holy Granth. As per a Sikh lore he and his brother Satta became so arrogant that they left Guru after a disagreement over funds they requested from the Sikhs. Realising their error they returned back to Guru after falling seriously ill and they were pardoned by the Sikh Guru. He co-composed this ballad of Ramkali with Bhai Satta Doom who was a drummer that includes six hymns. They were motivated to compose these hymns as a means of apology for leaving the service of Guru that can be found pages 966-968 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji under the title Ramkali ki Vaar Rai Balvand att Satte Doom Akhi. Sikh Guru was so much impressed by this composition that he bestowed the title of Rai, that was usually reserved for Brahman scholars alone. He passed away in Lahore during the time of Guru Hargobind Sahib.

Bhats

It is believed that they had come to the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev ji led by Bhatt Kalshar. Most of them were Gaur Brahmins of Kashmiri origin. They are Kalshar, Jalap, Kirat, Bhiks, Salh, Balh, Nal,Gyand, Mathura Baland and Harbans.

Kalshar

He was a Gaur Brahmin poet in the court of Guru Arjan Dev ji whose 54 hymns have been included in Guru Granth Sahib ji. Traditionally it is believed to be a compiler of hymns authored by other Bhats which were later on included in Guru Granth Sahib ji by Guru Arjan Dev ji.

Jalap

He was also a Gaur Brahmin poet in court of Guru Arjan Dev ji whose five hymns have been incorporated in the Holy Granth.

Kirat

He was a brahmin bard in the court of the Fifth Guru. His eight hymns have been included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. He was born at Sultanpur Lodhi and passed away in Lahore in 1634 A.D. He was also a Jathedar of Akal Fauj and achieved martyrdom in Battle of Amritsar. He was son of Bhat Bhikha and brother of Bhat Mathura. His ancestors settled in Landour near Kurukshetra in Haryana.

Bhat Bhika

He was also Gaur Brahmin poet in the court of Fifth Guru, whose two hymns are present in Guru Granth Sahib ji.

Bhat Harbans

His two hymns have been included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. He was also a Gaur Brahmin poet.

Bhat Mathura

His 14 hymns have been included in the Sacred Text. He was a Gaur Brahmin poet.

Bhat Salh

A Gaur Brahmin poet whose three hymns are in Guru Granth Sahib ji.

Bhat Bhalh

One hymn of this Gaur Brahmin poet is included in the Holy Text.

Bhat- Nalh

Sixteen hymns of this Gaur Brahmin poet have been included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.

Bhat Gayand

Thirteen hymns of this court poet of Guru Arjan Dev ji have been included in Guru Granth Sahib ji.

Bhat Balh

Five hymns of this court poet of the Fifth Guru are present in Guru Granth Sahib ji

Gur Sikhs

Bhai Satta, Bhai Mardana and Bhai Piara are three Gur Sikhs who have contributed to Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.

Bhai Satta ji

He was a musician artist in the court of Guru Arjan Dev ji. His daughter was about to be married and he requested Guru Arjan Dev ji for financial assistance. When Guru Arjan Dev ji asked him about the money needed, his reply was one day’s offering at the Golden Temple. It was a coincidence that that day offerings at Golden Temple were quite meagre that enraged him, so both Balvand and Satta left the court of Guru Arjan Dev ji and even told him that without their music Guru’s Court would be reduced to nothing. In response Guruji expelled both of them from Sikhism and commanded everybody that if anybody will try to help them he will be punished by darkening his face made to ride a donkey with a broom in hand. They realised their error when both of them suffered from leprosy so they went to Bhai Ladha ji- a great philanthropist of Lahore for help. He led them back to Guru Arjan Dev ji for pardon of their sins and he blackened his face, took broom in his hand and rode a donkey from Lahore to Amritsar where they were received and pardoned by Guru Arjan Dev ji.

Bhai Mardana ji

He was one of the first Sikh and long time companion of Guru Nanak Dev ji. A muslim by birth he accompanied Guru Nanak Dev ji in this journeys. Born in a muslim mirasi community in 1459 A.D at Rai Bhoi Ki Talwandi ( Nanakana Sahib). He had a sound knowledge of music and played Rabab when Guruji sang Gurbani Kirtan. Swami Haridas- teacher of Tansen- was disciple of Mardana and learnt classical music from him. There are three slokas composed by Guru Nanak Dev ji which are dedicated to Mardana ji. He also played Rabab to the hymns composed by Kabir, Tirlochan,Ravidas, Dhanna and Beni. He was named Marjana( Dieable) by his mother as most of her children died soon after birth. But Guruji blessed him by giving the name Mardana implying that he or anybody in his clan will not die premature. When Guruji came to Sultanpur Lodhi to do the work at the granary, Guruji’s father Kalu Mehta sent Mardana to Sultanpur Lodhi to know the well being of his son. Though Mardana was married by that time and even had sons and daughters but he did not leave the company of Guru Nanak Dev throughout his life.