Varan Bhai Gurdas
Varan Bhai Gurdas (Gurmukhi: ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ vārāṁ bhā'ī guradāsa; meaning "ballads of Bhai Gurdas") is the name given to the 40 vars (a form of Punjabi poetry) which is traditionally attributed to Bhai Gurdas.[1][2]
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| Guru Granth Sahib |
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| Varan Bhai Gurdas |
Bhai Gurdas was a first cousin of Mata Bhani, mother of Guru Arjan Dev. He was the first scribe of Guru Granth Sahib and a scholar of great repute. From his work it is clear that he had mastery of various Indian languages and had studied many ancient Indian religious scriptures.
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 the Sikh terms like sangat, haumai, "Gun", Gurmukh and Manmukh, Sat, Naam, etc. Many of the principles of Sikhism are explained in simple terms by Bhai Sahib and at times in many different ways.
See also
References
- Singh, Pritama (1992). Bhai Gurdas. pp. 33–36. ISBN 9788172012182.
- Singh, Bhupender (23 December 2022). Baba Nanak Shah Fakir (1st ed.). Blue Rose Publishers. pp. 22–23. ISBN 9789357046602.
3. Vars of Bhai Gurdas (1551-1636): Bhai Gurdas, a contemporary of Guru Arjan and Guru Hargobind, was the son of Bhai Ishar Das Bhalla (one of Guru Amar Das's cousins) and Mai Jivani. The entire text of the sacred volume (Guru Granth Sahib) was inscribed by Bhai Gurdas, the nephew of Guru Amar Das under the direction and supervision of Guru Arjun. The thirty-nine Vars (heroic odes or ballads) of Bhai Gurdas, written fifty to seventy years after the demise of Guru Nanak, only briefly mention some of the events of the Guru's life; the rest is all eulogy (writing in praise of someone). Var 1 contains information on Guru Nanak. When Bhai Gurdas was composing his Vars, many people who personally knew the Guru were alive, particularly Baba Buddha who, was well known to the author, as well. Unfortunately, Bhai Gurdas did not avail of his knowledge. Nevertheless, whatever reference he makes in the Vars must be taken to be authentic.