Bichitra Natak
Encyclopedia
Bachittar Natak is from Dasam Granth
generally attributed to Guru Gobind Singh
, the 10th Sikh Guru spans from ang (page) 94 to ang 175 of the 2326 ang.
Bachittar Natak is generally attributed to tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh
. Although the word "Natak" means "drama" in Punjabi
, this is no drama. The Guru has outlined the circumstance and history of the time and how great courage and strength was required to overcome the many hurdles that were upon the community.
It starts with a praise of the Akal Purukh. It then gives a genealogy starting from Lord Rama
and his two sons Lav and Kush. It gives the author's own biography and includes the Battle of Nadaun
, Husaini battle and the arrival of prince Muazzam in the Punjab. It continues up to AD 1696.
It is written in early Braj bhasha with some Apabhramsha
influence. Several translations in Punjabi, Hindi and English exists.
The life's story of Guru Gobind Singh is further told by the court-poet Sainapat, who is also believed to have translated the Chanakya Niti
at the Guru's behest. Sainapat finished his Sri Gur Sobha in AD 1711, three years after the death of the Guru. Other early sources are Koer Singh's Gurbilas Patshahi, written in 1751 and the Bansawalinamah by Kesar Singh Chhibbar
(1767).
There is some controversy regarding the authorship (whether this was really written by Guru Gobind Singh) since some of the content and style does not match his views or the views of Sikhism
in general as defined by the Guru Granth Sahib
(refer to analysis in the external links section).
The autobiography terminate here abruptly. Apparently the Guru became engaged in other affairs. The next book in the Dasam Granth is Chandi Charitra. This composition is thought to have occurred just prior to the founding of the Khalsa order by the Guru.
Then the two sons of Sita
(and Rama
) became rulers.
They married the Madra
(Punjabi) princesses and performed various types of yajnas.23.
There they founded two cities, the one Kasur
and the other Lahore
.
The descendants of Lava and Kusha become Sodhis
Those who studied the Vedas, called , they absorbed themselves in good acts of righteousness.
The Sodhi
king of Madra
Desha (Punjab) sent letters to them, entreating them to forget the past enmities.1.
The messengers sent by the king came to Kashi and gave the message to all the Bedis.
All the reciters of the Vedas came to Madra Desha and made obeisance to the king.2.
Sacrifice of Guru Teg Bahadur
When Hargobind left for the abode of the Lord, Har rai was seated in his place.
Har Krishan (the next Guru) was his son; after him, Tegh Bahadur became the Guru.12.
He protected the forehead mark and sacred thread (of the Hindus)which marked a great event in the kali age.
For the sake of saints, he laid down his head without even a sigh.13.
For the sake of Dharma , he sacrificed himself. He laid down his head but not his creed.
Translation based on the text by Kulbir Thind.
by a number of scholars. There is an ongoing dispute about the authorship of Bachittar Natak. Some scholars of Sikhism consider it to be a work of one of Guru Gobind Singh's followers rather than his own.
Dasam Granth
Dasven Patshah Da Granth or Dasam Granth , often called Sri Dasam Granth Sahib with respect, is a scripture of Sikhism, containing some of the texts attributed to 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Although the Dasam Granth is commonly confused with the Guru Granth Sahib, there is no overlap in...
generally attributed to Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh is the tenth and last Sikh guru in a sacred lineage of ten Sikh gurus. Born in Patna, Bihar in India, he was also a warrior, poet and philosopher. He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur as the leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine...
, the 10th Sikh Guru spans from ang (page) 94 to ang 175 of the 2326 ang.
Bachittar Natak is generally attributed to tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh is the tenth and last Sikh guru in a sacred lineage of ten Sikh gurus. Born in Patna, Bihar in India, he was also a warrior, poet and philosopher. He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur as the leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine...
. Although the word "Natak" means "drama" in Punjabi
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
, this is no drama. The Guru has outlined the circumstance and history of the time and how great courage and strength was required to overcome the many hurdles that were upon the community.
It starts with a praise of the Akal Purukh. It then gives a genealogy starting from Lord Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
and his two sons Lav and Kush. It gives the author's own biography and includes the Battle of Nadaun
Battle of Nadaun
The Battle of Nadaun was fought at Nadaun, between Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur and the Mughals under Alif Khan. Raja Bhim Chand was supported by Guru Gobind Singh and other hill chieftains, who had refused to pay tribute to the Mughal emperor. The Mughals were supported by Raja of Kangra and Raja...
, Husaini battle and the arrival of prince Muazzam in the Punjab. It continues up to AD 1696.
It is written in early Braj bhasha with some Apabhramsha
Apabhramsha
Apabhraṃśa is a term used by Sanskrit grammarians since Patañjali to refer to dialects that deviate from the norm of Sanskrit grammar. The term in Sanskrit literally means "corrupt" or "non-grammatical language". It is used as a cover term for the dialects forming the transition between the late...
influence. Several translations in Punjabi, Hindi and English exists.
The life's story of Guru Gobind Singh is further told by the court-poet Sainapat, who is also believed to have translated the Chanakya Niti
Chanakya
Chānakya was a teacher to the first Maurya Emperor Chandragupta , and the first Indian emperor generally considered to be the architect of his rise to power. Traditionally, Chanakya is also identified by the names Kautilya and VishnuGupta, who authored the ancient Indian political treatise...
at the Guru's behest. Sainapat finished his Sri Gur Sobha in AD 1711, three years after the death of the Guru. Other early sources are Koer Singh's Gurbilas Patshahi, written in 1751 and the Bansawalinamah by Kesar Singh Chhibbar
Chhibber
Chhibber is a Brahmin clan from the Punjab. They are one of the seven clans of the Mohyals who are Saraswat Brahmins of the Punjab. The other six clans are Bali, Bhimwal, Datt/Dutt, Lau, Mohan and Vaid. Punjabi Brahmins other than Mohyals include Barahis , Bawanjais and Athwans...
(1767).
There is some controversy regarding the authorship (whether this was really written by Guru Gobind Singh) since some of the content and style does not match his views or the views of Sikhism
Sikhism
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
in general as defined by the Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
(refer to analysis in the external links section).
Outline of Bachittar Natak
The chapters are numbered at the beginning, but the title of each chapter is given at the conclusion, following the traditional Indian convention.- Chapter 1: Eulogy of Akal Purukh, the ultimate being.
- Chapter 2: My Story. Opening statements and mention of Lava and Kusha, the two sons of RamaRamaRama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
. - Chapter 3: Descendants of Lava and Kusha and emergence of the BediBediBedi can refer to:* Bedi clan, clan in India* Bedi, Gujarat, census town in Jamnagar district, India* Freda Bedi, Tibetan Buddhist nun...
and SodhiSodhi-Distribution:It is mostly found Malwa , Doaba and some parts of Majha.-Sikh Guru's:Seven of the Sikh Gurus belonged to the Sodhi clan.In his...
clans (in which 8 of the 10 Sikh Gurus were born). - Chapter 4: The Recitation of the Vedas and the Offering of Kingdom. The interaction of the two clans.
- Chapter 5: Description of the Spiritual Rulers, i.e. of the nine Sikh Gurus preceding Gobind Singh himself, from Nanak to Teg Bahadur (father of Gobind Singh).
- Chapter 6: The Command of Supreme Lord to Me be born into the World. Includes an account of Gobind Singh performing "tapa" at Hemkunt in the Himalayan mountains, in a previous birth.
- Chapter 7: Description of the Poet. Starts with his birth in Patna, and arrival in the MadraMadraMadra, Mada or Madraka is the name of an ancient region and its inhabitants, located in the north-west division of the ancient Indian sub-continent.-Uttaramadra division:...
desh (i.e. Punjab region). - Chapter 8: The Battle of BhanganiBattle of BhanganiThe Battle of Bhangani was fought between Guru Gobind Singh's army and the combined forces of many Rajas of the Sivalik Hills , on 18 September 1688, at Bhangani near Paonta Sahib...
. Includes his settlement of the Anandpur, which was to be the center of his spiritual and literary activities. - Chapter 9: Description of the Battle of NadaunBattle of NadaunThe Battle of Nadaun was fought at Nadaun, between Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur and the Mughals under Alif Khan. Raja Bhim Chand was supported by Guru Gobind Singh and other hill chieftains, who had refused to pay tribute to the Mughal emperor. The Mughals were supported by Raja of Kangra and Raja...
. - Chapter 10: Description of the Expedition of Khanzada and his flight.
- Chapter 11: Description of the fight with Hussaini and loss of his associates Kirpal, Himmat and Sangatia.
- Chapter 12: Description of the battle of Jujhar Singh.
- Chapter 13:Arrival of the Mughal Prince and his officers.
- Chapter 14: The Supplication to the Lord, Destroyer of All.
The autobiography terminate here abruptly. Apparently the Guru became engaged in other affairs. The next book in the Dasam Granth is Chandi Charitra. This composition is thought to have occurred just prior to the founding of the Khalsa order by the Guru.
Selected verses
Founding of Lahore and Kasur:Then the two sons of Sita
SITA
SITA is a multinational information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry...
(and Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
) became rulers.
They married the Madra
Madra
Madra, Mada or Madraka is the name of an ancient region and its inhabitants, located in the north-west division of the ancient Indian sub-continent.-Uttaramadra division:...
(Punjabi) princesses and performed various types of yajnas.23.
There they founded two cities, the one Kasur
Kasur
Kasur , the capital of Kasur District in Pakistan. Kasur is located adjacent to the border of Ganda Singh Wala between Pakistan and India, and is a tourist attraction because of the daily occurring Flags lowering ceremony...
and the other Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
.
The descendants of Lava and Kusha become Sodhis
Those who studied the Vedas, called , they absorbed themselves in good acts of righteousness.
The Sodhi
Sodhi
-Distribution:It is mostly found Malwa , Doaba and some parts of Majha.-Sikh Guru's:Seven of the Sikh Gurus belonged to the Sodhi clan.In his...
king of Madra
Madra
Madra, Mada or Madraka is the name of an ancient region and its inhabitants, located in the north-west division of the ancient Indian sub-continent.-Uttaramadra division:...
Desha (Punjab) sent letters to them, entreating them to forget the past enmities.1.
The messengers sent by the king came to Kashi and gave the message to all the Bedis.
All the reciters of the Vedas came to Madra Desha and made obeisance to the king.2.
Sacrifice of Guru Teg Bahadur
When Hargobind left for the abode of the Lord, Har rai was seated in his place.
Har Krishan (the next Guru) was his son; after him, Tegh Bahadur became the Guru.12.
He protected the forehead mark and sacred thread (of the Hindus)which marked a great event in the kali age.
For the sake of saints, he laid down his head without even a sigh.13.
For the sake of Dharma , he sacrificed himself. He laid down his head but not his creed.
Translation based on the text by Kulbir Thind.
Dispute about authorship
This work is not regarded as the work of Guru Gobind SinghGuru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh is the tenth and last Sikh guru in a sacred lineage of ten Sikh gurus. Born in Patna, Bihar in India, he was also a warrior, poet and philosopher. He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur as the leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine...
by a number of scholars. There is an ongoing dispute about the authorship of Bachittar Natak. Some scholars of Sikhism consider it to be a work of one of Guru Gobind Singh's followers rather than his own.