Bhai Sahib

Nand Lal
ਨੰਦ ਲਾਲ
نند لال

Ji
BornUnknown
1633
Ghazni, Mughal Empire
(present-day Afghanistan)
Died1713
Multan, Mughal Empire
(present-day Punjab, Pakistan)
Resting placeMultan
Pen nameGoya
OccupationPoet
LanguagePersian, Arabic, Punjabi
EducationPersian, Arabic, Punjabi, Mathematics
Period1633—1720
RelativesDiwan Chhaju Mal (Chajju Ram) (father)

Bhai Nand Lal (Persian: بھائی نند لال; Punjabi: ਭਾਈ ਨੰਦ ਲਾਲ; 1633–1720), also known by his pen name Goya (Persian: گویا; Punjabi: ਗੋਯਾ), was a 17th-century Sikh poet in the Punjab region.[1]

Bhai Nand Lal aside from being an exuberant poet. Was considered to be one of the wisest scholars of the Mughal empire of India during the 16th century. Being a scholar of many languages including Sanskrit & Farsi. Harboring quite a indepth array of knowledge pertaining Hindu And Persian teachings, writings, religious texts and poetry.

Early life

Lal was born in Ghazni. His father, Diwan Chajju Mal (1600-1652) was a disciple of the 8th Sikh Guru Har Kishan. Chajju Mal was chief secretary (Diwan) of Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan. Chajju Mal went with Shikoh during his conquest of Afghanistan. Dara Shikoh returned to India while Chajju Mal stayed in Ghazni, Afghanistan, where Bhai Nand Lal was born.

At age 12, Lal started writing Persian poetry with the Takallus of Goya. He learned Sanskrit, Hindi, Arabic, and Persian from his father. Lal was also a scholar of Islamic studies, even though he never took the Shahada.

His mother Dharga Mal, an Amrithdari Sikh, died when he was 17. At the age of 19, his father died. In 1652, Lal settled in Multan province, where he married.[2] Bhai Nand Lal Ji Over the years advanced his position as a government employee. Which at the time was known as the Mughal Empire.

Bhai Nand Lal was confirmed to be the wisest man in the entire empire. Although being of Hindu origin Bhai Nand Lal was a remarkable scholar, even in the topic of Islam. Which they spent many years studying. Having been requested to personally teach the emperor’s son Muazzam. Eventually an issue arose where the emperor was unable to obtain a satisfactory interpretation regarding a letter from the Persian King.

The emperor's son Muazzam personally asked his teacher to pen a response. With a interpretation. Bhai Nand Lal’s response letter to the King of Persia was chosen by the emperor as most adequate & was sent. Disgruntled at the fact that Bhai Nand Lal’s interpretations surpassed even the entire court and Islamic Ulama (the body of Muslim religious scholars and chief religious authorities). The emperor wasn’t able to tolerate that the wisest man in the empire was of Hindu descent.(The emperor upon his death being known for having killed more than 4.6 million non Muslims who refused to convert to Islam) Thus in 1687 Bhai Nand Lal was sent take up refuge amongst the presence of the 10th Sikh Guru. Guru Gobind Singh who was outside the reach of the Mughal emperor's rein of tyranny. In the presence of the 10th Sikh Guru Bhai Nand Lal ji has said to have gained more knowledge than ever before. Coming from imperial luxuries, being the wisest of the entire empire, The 10th Sikh Guru choose to first humble the great scholar. After a few days at the request of others in the Shrine. Bhai Nand Lal was asked to adopt the some form of service for the Shrine. Bhai Nand Lal offered his services to the Guru to help interpret or teach others in the Shrine, even to teach children, what ever was available. The 10th Sikh Guru wanting to humble the wisest man in the entire empire. They suggested washing dishes, stating that was the only present need to be fulfilled at the time. Which was initially quite a shock for the wisest man in the entire empire to have to wash dishes in a rural Shrine. They did so diligently, eventually moving on to run 3 of the Guru’s free kitchens. When the time came Guru Gobind Singh tested Bhai Nand Lal's ego which he was proven to be the most humble in the Shrine (The Majestic City of Bliss Anandpur Sahib) Only then did the Guru bring forth the wisest man of the entire empire to be the crown jewel of his court. Bhai Nand Lal had stated, those years spent as a selfless servant of the 10th Sikh Guru, they Gained more knowledge than, they had over the course of their entire life! In 1687 Bhai Nand Lal ji arrived at the Gurus Shrine The Majestic city of Bliss Anandpur Sahib. In December of 1695 Bhai Nand Lal ji Wrote Rehatnama as narrated by Guru Gobind Singh on the banks of the River Sujlet. In 1705 Bhai Nand Lal wrote Zafarnama narrated By Guru Gobind Singh. Which was sent to the Mughal emperor. Bhai Nand Lal the wisest man in the entire Mughal Empire. His description of the 10th Sikh Guru was profound. Stating he is not a prophet here to impart upon humanity, he is not a perfect human being or saintly guide or worldly king. The specific words written call Guru Gobind Singh a manifestation of Light that permeates every single cell in the universe.

Lal became a courtier in the darbar of Guru Gobind Singh; the tenth Sikh Guru. He was one of the fifty-two poets of the court.

Initiation Into the Guru's Court

Guru Gobind Singh One early morning disguised as a small beggar. Being 7 feet tall and muscular, they weren't so easily hidden thus a surprise.

They came through the Kitchen halls begging for food one early morning while preparations where on going.

They where turned down at the first and second kitchen. As the Cooks stated first our Singhs (Lions/Warriors) will eat then you can come and eat. Going from Kitchen Hall to Kitchen Hall being turned down. They finally reached Bhai Nand Lal’s Kitchen (Langar Hall) they asked if some food was available, they where quite hungry and weak. Bhai Nand Lal informed the person that the beans where still cooking partly raw, wait some time and it will be ready. The disguised beggar stated “I can’t wait, I’m in hurry. Is there anything you can give me” Bhai Nand Lal ji said wait a minute, I’ll roll you out some bread, some roti. The disguised beggar asked for the raw doe instead sighting they will eat it raw. As they don’t have time, astonished.

Bhai Nand Lal passed off some half cooked beans and raw doe to the disguised beggar & as he took off into the night.

Later in the day during their court sessions of mediation and insight. Guru Gobind Singh stated he was rejected from his Kitchen Halls as a hungry beggar. They Summoned Bhai Nand Lal ji. They placed the raw doe before them & stated to the court. I appeared before you hungry, begging food & you feed me! Astonished, was the entire court.

This is how Bhai Nand Lal was welcomed into the Guru's Court of Poets. Where they went on to become the crown jewel of the court.

Career

Painting of Guru Gobind Singh and the court poet Bhai Nand Lal Goya

Initially, he served as the secretary to Prince Muazzam, eventually rising to the position of chief secretary. Bahadur Shah I, the son & Prince of the Mughal emperor. One day, a letter arrived from the Persian king, containing a verse from the Quran that puzzled the emperor. Despite his efforts, he could not find a suitable meaning or interpretation for this verse, even through out his entire court and the Ulama (the body of Muslim religious scholars and chief religious authorities).

Upon hearing of his troubles, Prince Muazzam, asked Lal if he could put together an interpretation and Response to the Kings Letter for the emperor. The letter & interpretation was said to have greatly pleased the emperor. However, when he noticed the name was that of a Hindu, the emperor said that a man who carries such great wisdom of the Quran could not be of Hindu faith, so he should accept Islam.

Upon hearing of this, Prince Muazzam summoned an imperial horse and asked a close friend, Ghyaz Uddin, to help escort his teacher to safety. Bhai Nand Lal was forced to flee to Anandpur Sahib In 1687. The only place in the entire Mughal Empire that was out of the emperor's reach. They rode there overnight,[3] and appeared before Guru Gobind Singh, who stayed in the town until 1704. In 1695 Bhai Nand Lal wrote Rehatnama. In 1699 Guru Gobind Singh Initiated the Saint Soldier philosophy & created the Khalsa.

In 1704 The Mughal Army shut down the City of Bliss in order to Siege Anandpur Sahib. Bhai Nand Lal asked Guru Gobind Singh to allow him the right to fight against the invading soldiers. Guru Gobind Singh asked Bhai Nand Lal to remain a poet of his court sighting "upon reading your writings oh Bhai Nand Lal Thousands will become Sikh and pick up the sword of honour" You must remain a poet of my court.

When Guru Gobind Singh left Anandpur Sahib in 1704. The Guru evacuated Anandpur in the winter of 1704-1705 and the Battle of Sarsa. Bhai Nand Lal went back to their home in Multan, but soon he joined Bhai Mani Singh and the women of the Guru's household, the Guru's wife Mata Sundari along with the mother of the Khalsa, Mata Sahib Kaur, who, Bhai Mani Singh had taken to the safety of Delhi which was beyond Panipat - the limit of Wazir Khan's reach. It is said that Nand Lal's contacts with the more liberal-minded members of the Mughal Court were helpful in providing for their safety.

In 1705 Bhai Nand Lal Wrote Zafarnama, Narrated By Guru Gobind Singh ji. Zafarnama reached Aurangzeb in 1707. Aurangzeb died shortly after receiving Zafarnama In March 1707.

In 1707 Bhai Nand Lal he joined Prince Muazzam and helped invite Guru Gobind Singh to help Bahadur Shah gain the Mughal throne Prince Muazzam later became the Mughal emperor as Emperor Bahadur Shah I.

After Bahadur Shah became emperor in June 1707, a reconciliation was commenced Between Guru Gobind Singh and the Mughal Empire.

Guru Gobind Singh got Anandpur back from the Mughal Empire and remained close to the imperial camp for nearly a year. Although Guru Gobind Singh's appeals for the restoration of his lands turned out to be ineffectual however as Bahadur Shah went on postponing any restoration to the status quo ante as he was not willing to offend either the Guru or the hill rajas.

Bhai Nand Lal He came to Multan again in 1712 after the death of Muazzam and started a school of Arabic and Persian. This school was still functioning in 1849 when the British annexed Punjab.[2] Lal died in 1713[4] in Multan.

Works

Some of his major works include:[5]

  • Diwan-i-Goya (دیوان گویا) – contains 63 Ghazals and 12 Rubaiyāt (quatrains) and some verses.
  • Zindaginamah (زندگینامه) – It is a Masnawi of 510 verses which discusses the spirituality and high-spirit in one's life.
  • Ganjnamah (گنجنامه) – Ganjnamah contains short poems eulogizing the Ten Sikh Gurus.
  • Tankhanama – It contains the code of conducts for Sikhs and Khalsa.
  • Jot Bigās
  • Arz-ul-Alfaz (عرض الفاظ)
  • Tausif-o-Sana (توصیف و ثناء)
  • Khatimat (also spelt as Khatimah)
  • Dastoor-ul-Insha (دستور الانشا)
  • Faiz-i-Noor (فیض نور)

Translations

His works, originally in Persian, were translated into Punjabi and English. The translation of Diwan-e-Goya, titled The Pilgrim’s Way[6] by B.P.L Bedi into English has a foreword from Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and was published by Punjabi University Patiala.[6][7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Singh, Pashaura; Fenech, Louis E. (2014-03-27). The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies. OUP Oxford. p. 168. ISBN 9780191004117.
  2. 1 2 Goya, Nand Lal (2003). Kaalame Goya Bhai Nand Lal. Translated by Bindra, S. Pritpal Singh. Institute of Sikh Studies Chandigarh. pp. 13–14.
  3. ↑ Nabha, Bhai Kahn Singh. Gur Shabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh ( Encyclopedia of Sikhism) pdf version (in Punjabi). Bhai Baljinder Singh (Rara Sahib). p. 2597.
  4. ↑ Singh, Prof. Satbir Singh (1968). Puratan Aitihasik Jeevaneean (in Punjabi) (ed 3rd 2006 ed.). Main Heeran Gate, Jalandhar: Mehtab Singh, New Book Company , Mai Heeran Gate , Jalandhar. pp. 168–174.
  5. ↑ Sri Dasam Granth: Facts Beyond Doubt (1st ed.). Malaysia: Sri Guru Granth Sahib Academy. 2021. p. 293. ISBN 9781527282773. Bhai Nand Lal ji was also one of 52 court poets of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. His major works include Diwan-E-Goya, Zindaginama, Ganjnama, Faiz-E-Noor, and Tankhahnama.
  6. 1 2 B P L Bedi (1999). The Pilgrims Way.
  7. ↑ "Diwan-e-Goya – Bhai Nand Lal Goya". Retrieved 2023-01-28.

Further reading

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