Bachitar natak is autobiography a secondary

-Baldev Singh

Introduction
Bachittar Natak (Strange Drama) is one of the fifteen or sixteen books that comprise the controversial
Dasam Granth (DS) of unknown authorship. Before discussing the evolution of DS, it is important to
distinguish it from Aad Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS), the Sikh canon – living Guru of the Sikhs vested
with Guruship by Guru Gobind Singh in CE.

According to Sikh tradition*, Guru Gobind Singh prepared the final version of the Sikh scripture called
Damdami Bir that contained all the baanies of Aad Guru Granth Sahib compiled by Guru Arjan in
CE and also the baani (poetic composition) of Guru Tegh Bahadur. It acquired this name as it was
prepared at a resting station (Damdama) either in Anandpur or at Sabo Ki Talwandi. Further, it is
believed that it was this volume which he carried to Nander with him and vested it with Guruship before
his death in CE. It is also mentioned in historical sources that during the battle with Ahamad Shah
Abdali in CE it was lost for good [1, 2, 3]. In order to distinguish between Damdami Bir and Aad
Guru Granth Sahib(Awid gRMQ) compiled by Guru Arjan in CE, it was called “Dasven Patshah Da
Granth”.

sRI guru goibMd isMG svwmI ny dmdmy dy mkwm sMmq iv~c jo Awqimk Skiq nwl kMT qoN bwxI
au~cwrx krky gurU gRMQ swihb ilKvwieAw, ausdw nwauN dsvy pwqSwh dw gRMQ swihb hoieAw, pr pRis~D nwauN
dmdmy vwlI bIV hY[
The Granth that Guru Gobind Singh dictated from spiritual memory at Damdma in Sammat
63 ( CE) is called “Dasven Patshah Da Granth Sahib”, but its popular name is “Damdami
Bir” [4].

Additionally, Giani Gian Singh ( CE) in his Panth Parkash ( CE) asserts that the real Dasam
Granth (Damdami Bir) of Guru Gobind Singh was in the possession of Buddha Dal and it was lost in the
great Ghalooghara (great holocaust) of CE and taken to Kabul by Abdali.

Asl dsm gurvwlw grMQ [rihq ibR~D dl mYN m~D pMQ [

There is an ongoing discussion about Dasam Granth. Some people feel that all of what it contains is not the Bani of the tenth Guru. We have Nitnem Banis which have never been questioned. There are also a number of other compositions that stand the test of Gurmat i.e. compatibility with what is contained in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The latter must be accepted as the touchstone for examination of any Bani.

It is interesting that the tenth Guru himself has laid down what is right and what is not. The first Swayya from the 33 Swayyay is often the basis of discourse at the time of administration of Amrit and for good reason. It says:

ਜਾਗਤਿ ਜੋਤ ਜਪੈ ਨਿਸ ਬਾਸੁਰ ਏਕ ਬਿਨਾ ਮਨ ਨੈਕ ਨ ਆਨੈ ॥

ਪੂਰਨ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਤ ਸਜੈ ਬ੍ਰਤ ਗੋਰ ਮੜੀ ਮਟ ਭੂਲ ਨ ਮਾਨੈ ॥

ਤੀਰਥ ਦਾਨ ਦਇਆ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮ ਏਕ ਬਿਨਾ ਨਹ ਏਕ ਪਛਾਨੈ ॥

ਪੂਰਨ ਜੋਤ ਜਗੈ ਘਟ ਮੈ ਤਬ ਖਾਲਸ ਤਾਹਿ ਨਖਾਲਸ ਜਾਨੈ ॥੧॥

Jaagat jot japai nis baasur ek binaa man naik na aanai|;

Pooran prem prateet sajai brat gor madi mat bhool na maanai||

Teerath daan dauyaa tap sanjam ek binaa noh ek pachhaadai|| Pooran jot jagad ghat mai tab Dhaalas taah(i) naDhaalas jaanai||1||

One who remembers the ever-lit Lamp (Akal Purakh) night and day, and brings none else to mind;

Practices this with perfect devotion and love, does not make the mistake of beliving in tombs or mausoleums

does not believe in pilgrimages, charities, penances and austerities;

Recognizes none but the One Lord;

When the mind is illuminated by such perfect light;

One becomes a perfect Khalsa. 1.

As may be seen Guru Sahib teaches to acknowledge ony the One Lord and do away with rituals etc.

In Hindu Mythology whenever the Devtas are in trouble they ask the Devi (goddess) for help. In order to remove any doubts about Devi Deavtas, the tenth Guru says in the fifth stanza of Chaupaee that starts with “Pranvai Aadi Ekakaara”:

ਅਨਹਦ ਰੂਪ ਅਨਾਹਦ ਬਾਨੀ ॥

Anhad roop anaahad baani;

ਚਰਨ ਸਰਨ ਜਿਹ ਬਸਤ

by Harnaak Singh       9-Jan

Gur Sikh Jio. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

ABSTRACT

In this article we address a question, one who denigrates the Dasam Granth, poses to others who accept the teachings of Dasam Granth.  The question is about some verses in the Bachitar Natak.

To address this question we first get an overview of the Bachitar Natak.  It is broadly in two parts. The verses in question are related to the second part, which relates to the creation and the autobiography of Guru  Gobind Singh.  The first part narrates the immanent qualities of God.

The analysis shows that those who denigrate the Dasam Granth are ill-informed and also have an agenda to propagate; in this article their opposition to reincarnation is indicated. 

They do not appreciate the wealth of knowledge in the Bachitar Natak. 

INTRODUCTION

We were given a question on some verses in the Bachitar Natak as follows:

START OF QUESTION &#; Can you please give me a transalation of this bani frm BN&#;taer natak[DG] says

ek sarwan te mell nikara//tate mdho kitab tan dhara//

dutiya kaan te mel nikari/ta te bhyee sharest eh sari//

tin ko kaal bahoh badh kra//tin ke medh samund mah pra//

chikantaas jal par ter rahi//medha naam tabe te kahee//

It says kaldhuj dug out some wax from one ear, who he named ‘mdho’ and ‘kitab’, who took the shape of demons.  When he dug his other ear, the creation emerged or was created.  Kaal Dev killed Mdho & Kitab with great difficulty and threw their remain/skin into the sea, which dried up to become Land.

The translation above is given by a nindhak of Dasam Granth.  END OF QUESTION.

Note that the “nindak” of Dasam Granth who gave the translation is actually “ridiculing” the composition in the Dasam Granth.

The approach to respond to the question is to get an overview of the Bachitar Natak and address these specific stanzas in the analysis.

BACHITAR NATAK BROADLY

The Bachitar Natak has broadly two major parts

Composition attributed to Guru Gobind Singh

The Bachittar Natak or Bachitar Natak(Gurmukhi: ਬਚਿਤ੍ਰ ਨਾਟਕ, romanized:&#;Bachittar Natak; 'The Wonderful Play') is partly an autobiography of Guru Gobind Singh. The appellation Bachitar Natak is sometimes confusingly only applied around the Dasam Granth. The Bachitar Natak Granth, not to be confused with the Bachittar Natak composition, contains a large corpus of the Dasam Granth canon.

Overview

The Bachittar Natak is part of the Dasam Granth, the second holy scripture of Sikhism. The composition covers various aspects, including the lineage of Guru Gobind Singh, the persecution of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the author's own rebirth, and the defense and spread of dharma (righteousness). It also includes descriptions of battles, hunting expeditions, and journeys in Punjab and the Himalayan foothills. The Bachitar Natak consists of fourteen chapters, sometimes also called "Apni Katha" (meaning "my story"), which provides an autobiographical account of Guru Gobind Singh's life until the year

Synopsis

The Bachitar Natak is partly an autobiography of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, in which he narrates the events and circumstances of the first 32 years of his life. It outlines the history and challenges faced by the Sikh community during that time. It states the author was meditating in the Himalayan foothills on a 7-peaked mountain before being called to take birth. This previous incarnation of Guru Gobind Singh is known as Dusht Daman.

The Bani (composition) starts with a praise of the Akal Purakh (the ultimate being) and then provides a genealogy of the Bedis and Sodhis, tracing their lineage back to Lava and Kush. It also includes the author's own biography and