Sikh Concepts and Teachings - Sikh culture and Heritage

Question / Answers

(101) Question:-	One of the earlier compositions of Guru Arjan Dev Ji consists of his three levers written by him to his father at Lahore. Show your acquaintance with these letters.
Answer:-	During his stay at Lahore. Guru Arjan Dev Ji used to hold congregation wherein the devotees were persuaded to recite the name of Waheguru. However, Guru Arjan Dev Ji was very eager to see his father again. His ardent desire of meeting his father finds expression in his three letters, which read as under:- First Letter ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਲੋਚੈ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਸਨ ਤਾਈ।। ਬਿਲਪ ਕਰੇ ਚਾਤ੍ਰਿਕ ਕੀ ਨਿਆਈ।। ਤ੍ਰਿਖਾ ਨਾ ਉਤਰੈ ਸ਼ਾਂਤਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਦਰਸਨ ਸੰਤ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜੀਉ।। ਹਉ ਘੋਲੀ ਜੀਉ ਘੋਲਿ ਘੁਮਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਸਨ ਸੰਤ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜੀਉ।।ਰਹਾਉ।।(ਅੰਗ 96) Mera man loche Gur darsan taa-ee. Bilap kare Chaatrik kee niaa-ee. Trikha na utarai saant na aave bin darsan sant piaare jee-o. Hau gholi jeeo ghol ghumaaee Gur darsan sant piaare jeeo.Rahaao. My soul longeth for the sight of the Guru. My heart bewails like the Chatrik bird. My thirst is not quenched and I am restless. Without the sight of my dear Saint. I am a sacrifice, I am sacrifice again. For a holy glimpse of the beloved Saint. Second letter When there was no reply to his first letter, he sent his second letter after waiting for some days, wherein he wrote: ਤੇਰਾ ਮੁਖੁ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ ਜੀਉ ਸਹਜ ਧੁਨਿ ਬਾਣੀ ॥ ਚਿਰੁ ਹੋਆ ਦੇਖੇ ਸਾਰਿੰਗਪਾਣੀ ॥ ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਦੇਸੁ ਜਹਾ ਤੂੰ ਵਸਿਆ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਜਣ ਮੀਤ ਮੁਰਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥2॥ ਹਉ ਘੋਲੀ ਹਉ ਘੋਲਿ ਘੁਮਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਸਜਣ ਮੀਤ ਮੁਰਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (ਅੰਗ 96) Tera mukh suhaava sehaj dhun Baani. Chir ho-aa dekhe Saarang paani. Dhan su des jaha to vasiaa. Mere sajan meet Muraare jeeo.2. Hau gholi hau ghol ghumaaee. Gur sajjan meet muraare Jeeo. 1. Rahaao. You have an appealing face, The melody of your words is enchanting. It is long that Sarang bird has seen water. Blessed is the land where you dwell, My dear Saint, friend and Lord. I am sacrifice, I am sacrifice again, lb my dear Saint friend and Lord. Third letter ਇਕ ਘੜੀ ਨ ਮਿਲਤੇ ਤਾ ਕਲਿਜੁਗੁ ਹੋਤਾ ॥ ਹੁਣਿ ਕਦਿ ਮਿਲੀਐ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਗਵੰਤਾ ॥ ਮੋਹਿ ਰੈਣਿ ਨ ਵਿਹਾਵੈ ਨੀਦ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਦੇਖੇ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਬਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥3॥ ਹਉ ਘੋਲੀ ਜੀਉ ਘੋਲਿ ਘੁਮਾਈ ਤਿਸੁ ਸਚੇ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਬਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥(ਅੰਗ 96) Ik ghari na milte to kaljug hota. Hun kad mileeai pire tudh Bhagwanta. Moh rain na vihaavai need na aave, Bin dekhe Gur darbaare jeeo.3. Hau gholi jeeo ghol ghumaaee Tis sache Gur darbaare jeeo. 1. Rahaao A moment's separation seemed like an age. When shall I see you now, O my beloved Lord? My night does not pass, nor I get sleep. With out seeing the Guru's court. I am sacrifice, I am sacrifice again, To the true court of the Guru. It was this deep love and veneration which endeared him to Guru Ram Dass Ji. Coupled with these qualities was the quality of his obedience which brought him Gurgaddi.
(102) Question:-	When Guru Ram Dass Ji received the third letter, what was the effect upon him, and what action did he take?
Answer:-	On the receipt of the third letter, Guru Ram Dass Ji sent Baba Budha Ji to Lahore to bring Shri Arjan Dev Ji. When Arjan Dev Ji met his father, he was so happy that he added the following verses, which now, in addition to his earlier letters, constitute his composition named as `Shabad Hazare':- ਭਾਗੁ ਹੋਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਸੰਤੁ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਘਰ ਮਹਿ ਪਾਇਆ॥ ਸੇਵ ਕਰੀ ਪਲੁ ਚਸਾ ਨ ਵਿਛੁੜਾ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਤੁਮਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥4॥ ਹਉ ਘੋਲੀ ਜੀਉ ਘੋਲਿ ਘੁਮਾਈ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਤੁਮਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥1॥8॥ (ਅੰਗ 96-97) Bhaag hoaa Gur sant millaaiaa Prabh Abinaasi ghar meh paaiaa sew karee pal chasa na vicchara Jan Nanak daas tumaare jeeo Hau gholi jeeo ghol ghumaae. Jan Nanak daas tumaare jeeo. pause. I am blessed having met the holy Guru. I have found God Immortal in my own house. I beseech not to be separated for a moment again Nanak is Your slave. I am a sacrifice, I am a sacrifice again, Nanak is your slave.
(103) Question:-	Who was Baba Budha? When and where was he born? How did he come into contact with Gurus and during the period of how many Gurus, he remained associated.
Answer:-	Baba Budha came into contact with Guru's house during the period of Guru Nanak, he was born on 22nd October 1506 with Bhai Sugha Randhawa and Mata Goraan as his parents at village Kathu Nangal in Amritsar District. His childhood name was Boorha. He was only 12 when he 'met Guru Nanak and became his disciple. Since he used to talk with much more maturity than his age. he became popular as Baba Budha. It was he who put "Tilak' on the forehead of five Gurus starting from Guru Angad Dev Ji to Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji at the time of their sitting on the spiritual throne. He was undoubtedly a great devotee of the house of Guru Nanak.
(104) Question:-	When and why did Guru Ram Dass Ji place Guru Arjan Dev Ji on the spiritual throne (Gurgaddi)?
Answer:-	Guru Ram Dass Ji found his youngest son, Arjan Dev, as an embodiment of love and devotion. Considering him as more suitable than his other sons, he made him his successor to the spiritual throne in September 1581 A.D
(105) Question:-	What were the incomplete works of his father which were completed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji?
Answer:-	Guru Ram Dass Ji started excavation of Dukh Bhanjani Berl, but it was Guru Arjan Dev Ji who completed it and named it as 'Ran Dass Sarover. Guru Arjan Dev Ji also completed the construction of another holy tank named `Santokhsar'
(106) Question:-	When and who was given the honor by Guru Arian Dev Ji for laying the foundation-stone of Harimandir Sahib? Give brief details of the construction of the shrine. When was the construction of Harimandir Sahib completed?
Answer:-	The foundation-stone of Harimandir Sahib was laid in 1588 A.D. by the famous Sufi Saint, Sai Mia Mir. The special features of the construction of the shrine are that unlike other temples of the past, It was made at a lower than ground level with steps going down. Further, against the generality of the temples with their single gate facing toward the east, the new shrine was given four doors in all four directions. Central sanctum was made in the midst of a tank, The construction of Shri Harmandir Sahib was completed in 1601 AD.
(107) Question:-	Which were the cities founded by Guru Arjan Dev Ji? What were the other public welfare works completed by him? Give details.
Answer:-	Guru Arjan Dev Ji founded the cities of Tarn Taran and Kartarpur (near Jalandhar). It was near the village Khara that a tank was got made around which the city of Tarn Taran developed. Later on, on the demand of the devotees of village Dalla, Guru Ji constructed a town at a distance of about ten miles north of village Darla. Guru Ji bought a piece of land from Naazim Khan near Jalandhar and founded the new city. Guru Ji started living there and got constructed a well at that place. This place came to be known as Kartarpur. A big Bowly and a Dharamshala were also got constructed by Guruji at dabbi Bazar, Lahore as to provide his devotees the facilities of bathing and hearing Kirtan (devotional hymns) for the purity of their body and mind. When Guru Hargobind was born, Guru Ji got constructed another big well. It was so wide that six Persian wheels installed around it could operate simultaneously, and as such, it came to be known as Chheharta. Now there stands a Gurdwara which is under the control of SGPC through a local committee. A big fair is held every year on Basant Panchami day.
(108) Question:-	(a) When and where Guru Arjan Dev Ji compiled the Adi- Granth? Provide necessary information. (b) When and where was the Holy Book first installed? Who was the first person to recite Baani from it? What was the first Hukam Nama?
Answer:-	(a) Guru Arjan Dev Ji wanted to preserve the genuine compositions of his predecessors. For this purpose, he thought of collecting their compositions and preserving it at one place as to provide his devotees their Holy Book. For the welfare of whole mankind, Guru Ji also collected the best of the compositions by other Saints in other parts of the country and whatever compositions were in conformity With the principles given by Guru Nanak, the same were included in the Adi- Granth. Guru Ji further arranged all the compositions of his predecessors. Saints. Bhagats etc. 'on the basis of Raagas (musical notations) with utmost devotion and hard labour. This task of compilation was completed from 1601 to 1604 A.D. Bhai Gurdas acted as the writer of the Baani. The secluded peaceful place, where this work was undertaken, was later on named as ‘Ramsar' by making a holy tank there. In this Adi-Granth, there were compositions of 5 Gurus, 15 Saints and Bhagats, 11 Bhatts, and 4 devotees of the house of Guru. Bhai Gurdas, because of his humility, pleaded for noninclusion of his compositions in the Adi-Granth. Guru Ji accepted his request and did not include it, but declared it as the key to the Adi-Granth. Some of the persons, who were jealous of Guru Arjan and did not like his work of compiling a Holy Book, complained to Emperor Akbar that Guru Ji had insulted many Hindu and Muslim prophets in the said Book. But when Baba Budha Ji and Bhai Gurdas recited the following verses from the Holy Book, the Emperor was highly impressed:- ਖਾਕ ਨੂਰ ਕਰਦੰ ਆਲਮ ਦੁਨੀਆਇ।। ਅਸਮਾਨ ਜਿਮੀ ਦਰਖਤ ਆਬ ਪੈਦਾਇਸਿ ਖੁਦਾਇ।।1।। ਬੰਦੇ ਚਸਮ ਦੀਦੰ ਫਨਾਇ।। ਦੁਨੀਆ ਮੁਰਦਾਰ ਖੁਰਦਨੀ ਗਾਫਲ ਹਵਾਇ।।ਰਹਾਉ।। (ਅੰਗ 723) Khaak Noor kardang aalam duniaae. Aaasmaan jimee darakhat aab padaais Khudaae. Bande Chashm didang phanaae. Duniaa murdaar khurdani gaafal havaae. Rahaao. My God hash breathed his Light into the dust And so brought the world into being He has created the sky, the earth, the waters, the vegetation, 0 man, whatever you see at, passes away. But, the people usurp another's due, And are forgetful of the Lord (Pause) (b) Guru Arjan Dev completed the compilation of the Adi-Granth, which was known at that time as Tothi Sahib' on 15th August 1604. One Bhai Banno took this book to Lahore for the purpose of binding. It was on 30th August 1604 that the Holy Book was brought from Ramsar to Shri Harmandir Sahib in the form of a procession. The Pothi Sahib was installed for the first time at Harmandir Sahib on that day. Baba Budha Ji was given the honor of being the first Reciter from Gurbani. The Hukam Nama read by Bhai Budha. Ji at that time was as under:- ਸੰਤਾ ਕੇ ਕਰਜ ਆਪ ਖਲੋਆ ਹਰਿ ਕਾਮ ਕਰਵਣ ਆਈਆ ਰਾਮ॥ ਧਾਰਤ ਸੁਹਾਵੀ ਤਲ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ, ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਜੈ ਛਾਇਆ ਰਾਮ॥ Santa ke kaarj aap khaloiaa Har kam karaavan aaiaa Raam. Dharat suhaavi taal suhaawa, vich Amrit jai chhaaia Raam. God himself has come to fulfil task of the Saints, He Himself has come to do the task, And now blessed is the earth, the tank And the Nectar with which it is filled.
(109) Question:-	Give the present where abouts of the first recension of the Holy Book which was first installed on 30 August 1604.
Answer:-	This recension was with Guru Hargobind Sahib when he Was staying at Kartarpur. When he left Kartarpur for Kiratpur, his grandson, Dhirmal, kept the Holy Book with him. He never parted with the Holy. Book thereafter and till today this is lying at Kartarpur and Dhirmals family takes care of the same.
(110) Question:-	Give information regarding the first recension of the Holy Book which is presently stated to be lying at Kartarpur.
Answer:-	The compilation got prepared by Guru Arian Dev Ji was written in the hand of Bhai Gurdas. This was the first recension of the Holy Book, and is popularly known as Bhai Gurdas Beer. As mentioned above, it is this recension, which is generally accepted to be lying at Kartarpur. For this reason, it is known as Kartarpuri Beer also. The recension, bound in the book form, consists of 975 sheets. The entire Beer is written in the same ink and in the same hand. The dates of passing away of the first four Gurus have also been mentioned in the same ink afid in the same hand. The date of the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, also written in the same hand, is in a different ink. It appears that when the fifth Guru passed away, Bhai Gurdas mentioned it in his own hand. The signatures of the sixth Guru_ appear at page 541 of this recension. Although Revd Lohlin had expressed some doubts regarding this Beer, but, there is no support or acceptance of his views among the Sikhs.