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Bhai Gurdas (Punjabi: ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ; 1551 – 25 August, 1636)[1]was an influential Sikh figure, writer, historian and preacher. He was one of the original scribes of the Adi Granth and later served as the first Jathedar of the Akal Takht.[2]

Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurdas Ji
ਭਾਈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ
Painting depicting Bhai Gurdas
Honorable Jathedar
1st Jathedar of Akal Takht
In office 1618–1636
Preceded by	Position Established
Succeeded by	Mani Singh
Personal details
Born	Gurdas Bhalla 1551 Basarke Gillan, Amritsar, the Punjab
Died	25 August 1636 Goindwal, Tarn Taran, the Punjab
Parents	Ishar Das (father) Jivani (mother)
Known for	Transcribing the Adi Granth Vaaran Bhai Gurdas

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Practices Sikh Rehat Maryada Prohibitions Ardās Kirtan Amrit Velā Dasvand The Five Ks Langar Sewa Simran Nitnem Dastar (Turban) Naam Karan Amrit Sanskar Anand Karaj Antam Sanskar
Scripture Guru Granth Sahib Dasam Granth Sarbloh Granth Five Banis
Places and Takhts Gurdwara Harmandir Sahib Akal Takht Keshgarh Sahib Damdama Sahib Patna Sahib Hazur Sahib
General topics and terminology Ik Onkar Khalsa Waheguru Panj Pyare Khanda Literature Music Names Nanakshahi calendar Criticism Jathedar of Akal Takht War Sects
Glossary Sikh Topics
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Early life

Bhai Gurdas was possibly born in 1551[3] (exact year unknown but likely between 1543-1553)[4] at Basarke Gillan, a small village in the Punjab. He was the only child of Bhai Ishar Das, nephew of Guru Amar Das, and Mata Jivani. Bhai Gurdas was near 3 years of age when his mother died.[5] [6]

After being orphaned at the age of 12, he was adopted by Guru Amar Das. Bhai Gurdas learned Sanskrit, Braj Bhasha, Persian and Punjabi and eventually began preaching. He spent his early years at Goindval and Sultanpur Lodhi. At Goindval, Gurdas listened and obtained knowledge from scholars and swamis that continuously visited the town while traversing the Delhi-Lahore road. He later moved to Varanasi, where he studied Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures. After Guru Amar Das ji left for his heavenly abode, his successor Guru Ram Das, assigned Bhai Gurdas as a Sikh missionary to Agra.

Later life

In 1577, Bhai Gurdas contributed his labour to excavating the Sarovar at Darbar Sahib. Twenty years later, he went on an expedition to Kartarpur and recited many of the early hymns to Emperor Akbar. Akbar was impressed by their spiritual content and was satisfied they had no anti-Muslim tone.[5]

After Guru Ram Das left the world, Bhai Gurdas formed a close relationship with the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan. The Guru had great respect for him, and regarded him as his maternal uncle ("mama"). Gurdas led a group of Sikhs to Gwalior, where the Mughal emperor Jahangir, jealous of the popularity of Sikhism, had imprisoned Guru Hargobind.[5] After that, Gurdas was sent to Kabul, Kashmir, Rajasthan, 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.

Literary works

Bhai Gurdas completed the Adi Granth in 1604. It took him nearly 19 years to scribe. He not only wrote the Adi Granth, as dictated by Guru Arjan, but also supervised four other scribes (Bhai Haria, Bhai Sant Das, Bhai Sukha and Bhai Manasa Ram) in the writing of various Sikh scriptures. His other works in Punjabi are collectively called Vaaran Bhai Gurdas.[5]

Writings

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

Elevation as the first Jathedar of Akal Takhat

The Akal Takht was revealed by Guru Hargobind Shahib Ji on 15 June 1606. The foundation stone of the building of the Akal Takht was laid down by Guru Hargobind himself. The rest of the structure was completed by Baba Buddha ji and Bhai Gurdas ji. No mason or any other person was permitted to participate in the construction of the structure. Guru Hargobind himself was the custodian of the Takht. On 31 December 1612, when Guru Hargobind Sahib was imprisoned at Gwalior Fort, he assigned Baba Buddha Ji to perform the services at Harmandir Sahib and Bhai Gurdas ji as the first Jathedar of Akal Takht.

Death

He left his body for eternal abode on 25 August 1636 at Goindwal.[6] Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji personally performed the ceremonial service at his funeral.[2]

See also

• Sikh Gurus

References

External links

• Sikh Marg

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