Bhai Gurdas Ji (1551 – August 25, 1636)
Bhai Gurdas Ji was born in the sacred town of Goindwal Sahib, Punjab, to father Bhai Datar Chand Bhalla Ji and mother Mata Jeevani Ji. When he was only three years old, his revered mother passed away. Bhai Gurdas Ji grew to become a distinguished Sikh scholar, writer, historian, and preacher. He holds the unique honor of being the first scribe of the Aad Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and during his lifetime, he served under the guidance of four Sikh Gurus.
Childhood and Education
The upbringing and education of Bhai Gurdas Ji were lovingly arranged under the guardianship of the Third Guru, Sri Guru Amar Das Ji. With the blessings and guidance of the Guru, Bhai Gurdas Ji attained mastery in Punjabi, Hindi, Sanskrit, and Braj languages. After Guru Amar Das Ji, he continued his service under the Fourth Guru, Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, and later under the Fifth Guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji. At the command of the Gurus, he traveled to places such as Agra and Kashi, where he actively spread the message of Gurmat.
Relation with the Gurus
By lineage, Bhai Gurdas Ji was the nephew of Guru Amar Das Ji and the maternal uncle of the Fifth Guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
The First Scribe of Aad Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
The unparalleled honor of being the scribe of the first recension (Bir) of Aad Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji belongs solely to Bhai Gurdas Ji. This monumental service was rendered with deep devotion under the direct guidance and supervision of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
Special Contributions
During the time when the Fifth Guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, was seated on the spiritual throne at Amritsar Sahib, Prithi Chand attempted deceitfully to usurp the Guruship. At that critical juncture, Bhai Gurdas Ji returned from Agra to Amritsar and made efforts to pacify Prithi Chand’s hostility. In his 36th Vaar, Bhai Gurdas Ji openly exposed the hypocrisy and duplicity of Prithi Chand, thereby safeguarding the sanctity of the Guru’s mission.
Vaars – The Jewel of Wisdom
Bhai Gurdas Ji’s monumental literary contribution, the “Vaars Giaan Ratanavali” (The Jewel of Wisdom), holds a place of high reverence in Sikh history and Punjabi literature. The Fifth Guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, honored these writings by calling them the “Key to Gurbani.” In total, Bhai Gurdas Ji composed 40 Vaars, while the 41st Vaar, popularly known as “Vaar Sri Bhagauti Ji Ki,” is also attributed to him.
Final Moments
Bhai Gurdas Ji dedicated all of his seventy-four years of life to the selfless service of the House of the Guru. In the year 1686 Bikrami (1636 CE), while in the holy presence of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, he departed for his eternal abode, attaining union with the Divine. To this day, the Sikh Panth remembers Bhai Gurdas Ji with the highest reverence as the “Key to Gurbani.”
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