SRI SANT RATAN MAL by Bhai Lal Chand, containing biographical sketches in Punjabi of the Sevapanthi saints, completed in 1919 Bk/AD 1862 at Amritsar, was first published in 1924 and reprinted in 1954 by Bhai Hira Singh Mahant, Sevapanthi Addan Shahi Sabha, Patiala. The voluminous work, comprising 563 printed pages, deals with the lives of prominent personages connected with the Sevapanthi sect, providing some incidental information about contemporary personalities such as Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Baba Sahib Singh Bedi of Una and Baba Vadbhag Singh.
The accounts of the saints are hagiographical in nature. The book also includes Babek Sar, popularly called Bhai Daya Ram Addan Shah Prashanotn (pp. 2232-52). Tins is a philosophical discourse between two well known Sevapanthi saints, Bhai Daya Ram and Addan Shah, the former raising questions and the latter answering them. The points at issue mainly relate to Vedanta and 10 Sikh teaching and philosophy.
References :
1. Gurmukh Singh, Sevapanthian di Panjabi Sahit nun Den. Patiala, 1986
Overview of Sri Sant Ratan Mal
Sri Sant Ratan Mal is a voluminous work by Bhai Lal Chand that offers detailed biographical sketches—in Punjabi—of notable Sevapanthi saints. Completed in 1919 Bk (AD 1862) at Amritsar and first published in 1924 (later reprinted in 1954 by Bhai Hira Singh Mahant of the Sevapanthi Addan Shahi Sabha, Patiala), this text spans 563 printed pages and provides an extensive hagiographical account. It not only chronicles the saintly lives but also weaves in incidental details about contemporary personalities such as Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Baba Sahib Singh Bedi of Una, and Baba Vadbhag Singh. These narratives have a distinctly devotional tone—emphasizing miraculous events, exemplars of piety, and the austere, ascetic practices distinctive of the Sevapanthi tradition .
Hagiographical Characteristics
The hagiographies in Sri Sant Ratan Mal are emblematic of the devotional literature that seeks to edify and inspire. Here are some key features:
Devotional and Miraculous Accounts:
The narratives focus on invoking the sanctity and miraculous traits of these saints. Their achievements, spiritual insights, and acts of selfsacrifice are recounted with the intent to illustrate a life wholly dedicated to divine pursuit. The accounts are structured to not merely record historical events but to emphasize moments of divine intervention and moral fortitude.
Intertwining History with Spiritual Discourse:
While the primary objective is to celebrate the esoteric virtues of the Sevapanthi saints, the work also serves as a historical document. It provides incidental, yet valuable, information about the sociopolitical milieu of the time—linking the spiritual endeavors of these figures with major historical milestones like the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. This duality helps situate the saints within the broader tapestry of Sikh history.
Emphasis on Asceticism and Renunciation:
The Sevapanthi tradition is characterized by a more stringent asceticism compared to mainstream Sikhism. The portraits in Sri Sant Ratan Mal highlight the selfdiscipline, celibacy, and rigorous spiritual practices that defined these saintly lives. This focus on renunciation underscores the distinctive ethos of the Sevapanthi sect—a strand that values inward detachment as the pathway to divine communion.
Philosophical Dialogues and Expositions:
Beyond individual life sketches, the work includes sections like the account of “Babek Sar” (popularly known as Bhai Daya Ram Addan Shah Prashanotn, pp. 2232–52) and “Tins,” which capture philosophical discourses between renowned Sevapanthi saints such as Bhai Daya Ram and Addan Shah. These dialogues delve into Vedanta, the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, and broader existential inquiries, thereby enriching the hagiographical narratives with deep theological reflections.
The Role and Impact of These Hagiographies
Sri Sant Ratan Mal accomplishes several critical objectives through its hagiographical portrayals:
Spiritual Inspiration and Guidance:
By presenting the lives of exemplary figures, the text serves as a moral guide. Devotees and readers are encouraged to emulate the virtues of selfsacrifice, piety, and renunciation exemplified by the Sevapanthi saints.
Cultural and Religious Identity:
These narratives help delineate the unique identity of the Sevapanthi tradition within the broader Sikh context. In doing so, they preserve a strand of Sikh spirituality that emphasizes austerity, philosophical inquiry, and a rigorous commitment to the spiritual path.
Historical Memory and Continuity:
The work functions as a repository of cultural memory, ensuring that the contributions of these saints are not lost to time. Their stories provide insight into how spiritual and ascetic ideals were lived and transmitted in an era marked by social and political transformation.
Philosophical Enrichment:
The inclusion of reflective discourses like those in “Tins” enhances our understanding of how Vedantic ideas and Sikh teachings were harmonized within the Sevapanthi framework. This not only enriches the hagiographical narrative but also invites readers to engage with deeper philosophical and theological questions.
Concluding Reflections
The hagiographies in Sri Sant Ratan Mal offer a window into the rich, multidimensional world of the Sevapanthi saints—melding historical accounts with spiritual exaltation. Through detailed biographical sketches and philosophical dialogues, Bhai Lal Chand not only records the extraordinary lives of these revered figures but also provides contemporary readers with models of devotion, ascetic rigor, and mystical insight. The work stands as a testament to the enduring impact of these saintly figures on Sikh spiritual consciousness and cultural identity.
