GURU NANAK BANS PRAKASH, by Sukhbasi Ram Bedi (c. 1758C.1848), an Udasi saint and a descendant of Guru Nanak, is a versified biography of Guru Nanak with considerable detail about his descendants as well. Two manuscript copies of the work are extant one at the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and the second in the Central Public Library, Patiala. Of these, the former which is dated 1886 Bk/AD 1829 was copied by one Achhar Singh. The work has since been published (1986) by Punjabi University, Patiala. The author, according to his own statement (pp. 50613), was the son of Kabali Mall, seventh in the line of descendants of Lachhmi Chand (LakhmT Das), the younger son of Guru Nanak (1469-1539).
He was the disciple of Anandghana about whom he writes with deep reverence and whom he had first met at Tahli, near Dera Baba Nanak, and got initiated into the Udasi sect. Sukhbasi Ram journeyed through the Indian countryside preaching Sikli tenets, but he spent a major part of his life at Dera Baba Nanak where he was born and at Kashi where he studied Indian philosophy and poetics. It was on his return to the Punjab that he wrote this book. It is said that Maharaja Ranjit Singh rewarded him with a gift of five villages in Sialkot district and Raja Ranjit Dev of Jammu with fifty acres of land in the Kathua area.
This latter jdgir was confiscated by the British. This 4,500 stanxa long work which was written with the aim of eulogizing Guru Nanak and his family and preaching the Sikh way of life, opens with the Mul Mantra, followed by an invocation to various gods and goddesses. In presenting the life of Guru Nanak which covers more than half of the book, the author has depended upon the family tradition as well as upon works such as BdldJanam Sdkhiand Purdlan Janam Sakhi. He emphatically departs from the Bald tradition in that he places the birth of Guru Nanak in the month of Baisakh instead of Kartik.
The text contains references to certain events about which history has remained silent. The author, for instance, refers to Guru Arjan`s arrest under the orders of Jaharigir and his release at the intervention of Baba Sri Chand. This arrest may have preceded the one which ended in the Guru`s martyrdom. Dohira and Chaupai are the metres commonly employed by the poet though use has also been occasionally made of Soratha, Savaiyya and Aril. The language is Sadh Bhakha, with a predominant admixture of Punjabi.
References :
1. Gurmukh Singh, ed., Guru Nanak Bans Prakash. Patiala, 1986
Guru Nanak Bans Prakash is a seminal work in Sikh literature, composed by Sukhbasi Ram Bedi (c. 1758–c. 1848), an Udasi saint and a direct descendant of Guru Nanak. Crafted as a versified biography, the text not only commemorates the life of Guru Nanak but also provides extensive genealogical details about his descendants. By blending devotional fervor with historical narrative, the work establishes itself as an important tool for understanding both the spiritual path laid out by Guru Nanak and the legacy of his lineage.
Historical Background and Authorship
Sukhbasi Ram Bedi, born into a family with a distinguished lineage—being the son of Kabali Mall, the seventh in the descent from Lachhmi Chand (the younger son of Guru Nanak)—was deeply immersed in the Sikh traditions of his time. His encounter with Anandghana, a revered figure of the Udasi sect, instilled in him a commitment to propagating the Sikh way of life beyond mere recitation. As he journeyed across the Indian countryside, preaching Sikh virtues, his lifelong experiences found expression in this extensive work. The text, composed in verse, reflects both his scholarly rigor and his heartfelt devotion, capturing nuances of familial tradition and historical events that are often absent in more mainstream narratives of Guru Nanak’s life .
Structure and Content
Guru Nanak Bans Prakash is distinguished by several notable features:
- Versified Format:
The narrative is rendered in a poetic language that begins with the Mul Mantra—a core tenet of Sikh theology—and proceeds with invocations to various deities. This stylistic choice mirrors traditional Sikh devotional recitations and helps embed the text deeply into the oral culture of the community. - Genealogical Detail and Hagiographic Elements:
The text is not limited to the life events of Guru Nanak alone. It delves into the lineage of his descendants, providing a comprehensive account that blends personal anecdote with historical events. One of its unique contributions is its departure from established traditions in certain respects—for instance, placing Guru Nanak’s birth in the month of Baisakh instead of the more commonly held Kartik, thereby inviting readers to reexamine long-held narratives. - Historical Annotations and Unique Events:
The work also references episodes that traditional histories may overlook, such as mentioning an early arrest of Guru Arjan under Jahangir’s orders and his subsequent release through the intervention of Baba Sri Chand. Such details underscore the text’s role in not merely preserving, but in critically engaging with Sikh history . Legacy and Scholarly Importance
The significance of Guru Nanak Bans Prakash is multifaceted:
- Preservation of Tradition:
As one of the scholarly works originating from the Udasi tradition—a sect that played an instrumental role in managing and interpreting Sikh shrines—the text provides insights into a version of Sikh history that aligns closely with family tradition and oral recitations passed down through generations. - Academic and Devotional Relevance:
With its extensive length of over 4,500 stanzas, the work has served both as a devotional hymn to Guru Nanak and as a scholarly resource for researchers. Its manuscript copies, housed at institutions like the Guru Nanak Dev University (Amritsar) and the Central Public Library (Patiala), have enabled modern scholars to study its intricate details and continue the legacy of empowering Sikh historical narratives. - Cultural Impact:
Over time, Guru Nanak Bans Prakash has not only reinforced the devotional practices associated with Guru Nanak but has also inspired debates regarding the chronological particulars of his life and the interpretation of key events. This dynamic engagement with history and hagiography invites readers to explore Sikh spirituality in a nuanced, multifaceted manner .
