Bhai Mardaana ji

Bhai Mardaana ji

When we go through pages of history, there is no personality with the stature of Bhai Mardaana ji whose extremely dedicated , degree of sacrifice, contentment in the face of every obstacle, courageous man of his word and deeply faithful attendant character is unmatched. Bhai Mardaana ji is such a hallowed man who had the chance to accompany, to obey and listen to the blessed words, to follow like a shadow the Divine light in the form of Satguru Nanak Dev ji till the last breath of his life. Even shadows leave in the dark, but Bhai Mardaana ji stood by the embodiment of peace and divinity, Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, through ups and downs of life. He followed Guru Nanak Dev ji through jungles, plains, mountains, deserts in rain, sun and stormy weather. He fearlessly accompanied Guru Nanak Dev ji when Satguru ji went to guide the evil people, thieves, robbers, cannibals and power crazed rulers of this world to the spiritual path of life. He tolerated the curses and blessings of different types of sadhu’s, saints and yogis, faced the wrath filled words and punishments of kings, accepted the admonishments and abuse of religious and caste fanatics. He left his family bonds of affection and love. He spent his entire life without proper clothes, bedding and other creature comforts. He became a part of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s pilgrimage of imparting peace to the distressed world. Along with Guru Nanak Dev ji, he roamed a great deal on foot, remaining hungry and thirsty for days on end. Baba Mardaana ji was such a blessed soul because he got to listen and sing the divine Gurbani and edict of God almighty as it came to the lips of Guru Nanak Dev ji throughout his life. Baba Mardaana ji was not only an expert in music but also a complete master in different measures of musicology. The Guru of famous world singer Taan Singh(one of nine gems of Akbar’s court), Bhai Hardas ji was a student of Bhai Mardaana ji. Bhai Mardaana ji’s expertise in playing the Rabab(musical instrument) is explained by Bhai Gurdas ji in his vaar 1st, pauri 35 as :

Firstly, Baba himself was in the form of Timeless and secondly, he had his companion Mardana, the rebeck player. Mardana, the bard and witty person and a good player of Rabab in assemblies was a disciple of Guru Nanak.

When ever Guru Nanak Dev ji was to enunciate Gurbani for the improvement of humanity, he would address Mardana and say,”Mardania Rabab chhare Bani ayi aa”( O Mardana ! play the Rabab, the word of god has arrived). Also, when ever Guru Nanak Dev ji was in his celestial mood, he would often say,” Mardania play on the Rabab. Let us praise Almighty God so we get his glimpse.” Mardana used to follow Guru’s order, play the Rabab and Satguru Nanak Dev ji would sing the divine praises of the lord by singing gurbani. At such a beautiful blissful moment his sweet voice accompanied with the rabab would permeate all the surrounding area. The most stonehearted of people would melt, and the birds and animals would forget their mundane existence to behold the voice of god. The divine hymns filled the atmosphere to such an extent that even the birds, animals and plants swayed in harmony to the celestial music. The immense personality that is Bhai Mardana ji, was born in the year 1459 A.D. at Rai Bho-ay Di Talwandi, Distt. Sheikhpura(Pakistan). His father was Lakho ji. His parents named him “Dana” in childhood. In this lucky and blessed village of Rai Bho-ay Di Talwandi, Great Guru Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji was born ten years after the of birth of Mardana ji. Inheriting the legacy of singing and rabab playing ( Bhai Mardaana was born a Marasi- they are traditionally entertainers and musicians), Dana ji learned the art of singing and playing the Rabab at very early age. He became a well known Rabab player of that time period. He would often attend prestigious musical concerts being a rabab player. It is recorded in history that one day Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji was resting under a shady tree outside the village. He overheard the melodious tune of a rabab. He got up and went straight to the place from where the sound was coming. He saw a young man in the prime of youth, singing and playing the rabab in a very enchanting manner. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji asked,’’ Brother! What is your name?” The young man replied,” Sir my name is Dana and people call us Mirasi.” Satguru Nanak Dev ji said,” You play the Rabab very beautifully. You are well aware of the different measures of the Raag.” Guru ji further said,” O Dana, if you accompany us and sing god’s word in the measures of Raag then you can be rewarded in this world and the next world.” Dana replied,” We sing to please the rich people and earn our livelihood. If I accompany you then the members of my family would starve to death. As a hungry man can neither read a Namaz(muslim prayer) nor have a Roza(Muslim principles of religious practice); we will be losers in both worlds. How will you emancipate humanity?”

Guru Nanak ji stated,” O Dana! why have you become downhearted? Everybody is brought up and provided for by God Almighty. Namaz and Roza are the blessings of God and God is within the heart of all saints. When your deeds will be accounted for; no body in your family will be held responsible for that. You should become Mardana (Brave man), accompany and help me for the welfare of the humanity.” Mardana agreed and bowed to the words of Guru Nanak Dev ji. He became Mardana and joined Guru ji in the task of improvement of humanity. According to Janam Sakhi(Biography) of Bhai Mani Singh ji, Guru ji gave three orders to Mardana as followed:-

1. Not to cut his hair
2. Recite Naam in the early hours of the morning
3. Help the needy and serve the saints.

Bhai Mardana ji remained firm on these orders throughout his life and preached them also. Due to the company of Guru Nanak Dev ji and practicing the orders of the Guru in his daily life, Bhai Mardana ji had reached a high status of spirituality. This is mentioned in his Janam Sakhi(Biography). Once in the devoted, informal way Bhai Mardana ji affectionately said to Guru Nanak Dev ji,” Baba ji, There is no difference between you and me. You are a servant of God and I am your servant. You achieved God Almighty and I achieved through you. You have seen God and I have seen Him through you. Baba! God does what you say but I have a request to make, please don’t separate me from you; neither here nor in the afterlife.” Right there Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji blessed Mardana ji with the following words,” Mardana! I am very pleased with you. Wherever you reside, I will reside there.” Bhai Mardana ji once crossing the boundaries of all formalities said to Guru Nanak Dev ji,” Baba! Your service is very hard. I can’t do full justice to it. Please grant me leave to go home.” Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji gave lots of blessings to him and asked,” Mardana! What can I do so you stay with me ?” Mardana said,” Baba ji ! I can stay with you only if you bless me with the same patience that you have. As you don’t feel thirsty or hungry, so I shouldn’t feel the need of these things too. The state in which you move around, please take me to that stage. If you bless me with these things then I can stay with you. “ Guru Nanak Dev Ji said,” Well done Mardana! Well done. You have demanded very noble things. Mardaniya my pleasure is with you. Where ever you reside, I shall reside. I am Delighted---Delighted.” The vision of Mardana ji had crossed physical boundaries. He considered the human body as a perishable earthen piece and soul as a part of God. Guiding and directing the general public on the path of good values, when Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji reached the city of Khurram(Afghanistan), He camped on the bank of a river. Knowing that Bhai Mardana ji’s end was near, Guru Nanak Dev ji said to him,” Mardana ! You have undergone so many difficulties for the improvement of humanity. You have tolerated the pangs of separation of your family, friends and relatives. You accompanied me every moment in the forests, deserts, cities, villages and mountains, in this country and abroad. You encountered the miseries of hunger, thirst, rain, storm and other problems of life and helped to improve humanity. Now you have reached the end of your life. If you have any desire, please let me know so that I can fulfill it.”

Mardana ji requested with folded hands,”O Lord! With your Grace all the demands and desires have vanished. I am lucky to breathe my last breath in your holy feet.” Guru Nanak Dev ji once again asked Mardana,” Mardana! If you wish, we can throw your body in the water as Brahmins do. If you wish your body to be cremated as Khatri’s do , we can do that. If you wish your body to be thrown in the air as Vaishas do, we can do it. If you wish to be buried like shoodars( low-caste) , we can fulfill your desire.” Mardana ji replied,” Well Said Baba ji ! Well said. Are you still keeping me tied in the circle of physical bodies? After hearing your teachings and enjoying your company, the idea of this body being real had vanished. Consider my soul only as a companion of my body. “ Guru Nanak Dev ji again addressed Mardana ji and said,” Mardana! A thought comes to my mind that there should be a burial place or tomb to make you famous in the world.” Then Mardana ji got serious and said,” Baba ji with great difficulty, I am going to leave this tomb of a physical body. Why do you want to put me in a stone tomb?” Great Guru Nanak ji embraced Mardana ji after listening to his replies and said,” Mardana! You have recognized Braham(ultimate truth). Now there is no difference between you and me. YOU are a form of Braham.” Bhai Mardana ji left for heavenly abode in the year 1534 and reached the state of harmony as water mingles with water and a ray of light with light. His rabab and words of Guru Baba Nanak Dev ji did miracles in world history which are unique and will remain unique. His name, because of being attached with Bani of Guru Nanak Dev ji has become eternal for ever. Mardana ji had become a recipient of Great Guru’s grace to such an extent that the title of using”Nanak” which was used only by Guru’s and not by any other Sikhs, Bhagat or saint was used by Mardana ji in his own uttered bani. No body else achieved such a high degree of honor and greatness. There are three Shaloks of Mardana ji in “Bihagra Di Var”. In these shaloks he has written Kalyug ( Dark age) as a vessel of liquor distillation. He states that in this age a man renounces meditation of God and indulges himself in sexual pleasures, day and night. When his sexual desire is not fulfilled, he gets angry. He becomes addicted to the false and temporary intoxicants which make him feel worthy and proud. He is trapped in greed and attachment and thus cheats himself. As stated on page 553 :

Drinking in this wine, O Nanak, one takes on countless sins and corruptions.

A man becomes a pleasure seeker by instinct and is caught by so many diseases of body and mind. On the contrary, a Gurmukh (who follows Guru’s teachings) under the guidance of a Guru recognizes his own self through his body. Only the lucky one who sits in sat sangat(company of congregation) gets to this realization. By the company of Sat-Sangat, one gets to meet the Guru and adopts the path based on teachings of the Guru. If, with the grace of Guru and constant recitation of naam, a person’s concentration is focused on meditation then the stage of harmony with God can be achieved. All the evil deeds including every type of sin is forgiven. A person is United with the true name and this his both worlds are rectified. As stated on page 553 :

If the human body is the vat, and self-realization is the wine, then a stream of Ambrosial Nectar is produced. Meeting with the Society of the Saints, the cup of the Lord's Love is filled with this Ambrosial Nectar; drinking it in, one's corruptions and sins are wiped away.

Just like Bhai Mardana ji , his family also joined Guru ji’s way of life and Gurughar(house of Guru). He had two sons, Bhai Sajda ji and Bhai Rajada ji. After the heavenly departure of Sri Guru Nanak Ji, Mardana ji’s two grand sons, Bhai Sadu and Bhai Badu used to recite Kirtan and Aasa Di Vaar at Khadoor Sahib in the Holy presence of Guru Angad Dev ji. After that Bhai Satta jiand Bhai Balwand ji from his family used to recite Kirtan in the holy presence of Shri Guru Arjun Dev ji and Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji. Even today, his family descendants, Bhai Lal ji and Bhai Shaad ji (Pakistan) perform Kirtan with traditional instruments in a classical way of singing Gurbani. They are really serving the congregation, getting the blessings of the Guru and bringing glory to the name of their ancestor Bhai Mardana ji. As stated on page 1084 :

One who is blessed with the mercy and compassion of the Merciful Lord, is the manliest man among men.





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				Bhai Mardaana ji When we go through pages of history, there is no personality with the stature of Bhai Mardaana ji whose extremely dedicated , degree of sacrifice, contentment in the face of every obstacle, courageous man of his word and deeply faithful attendant character is unmatched. Bhai Mardaana ji is such a hallowed man who had the chance to accompany, to obey and listen to the blessed words, to follow like a shadow the Divine light in the form of Satguru Nanak Dev ji till the last breath of his life. Even shadows leave in the dark, but Bhai Mardaana ji stood by the embodiment of peace and divinity, Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, through ups and downs of life. He followed Guru Nanak Dev ji through jungles, plains, mountains, deserts in rain, sun and stormy weather. He fearlessly accompanied Guru Nanak Dev ji when Satguru ji went to guide the evil people, thieves, robbers, cannibals and power crazed rulers of this world to the spiritual path of life. He tolerated the curses and blessings of different types of sadhu’s, saints and yogis, faced the wrath filled words and punishments of kings, accepted the admonishments and abuse of religious and caste fanatics. He left his family bonds of affection and love. He spent his entire life without proper clothes, bedding and other creature comforts. He became a part of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s pilgrimage of imparting peace to the distressed world. Along with Guru Nanak Dev ji, he roamed a great deal on foot, remaining hungry and thirsty for days on end. Baba Mardaana ji was such a blessed soul because he got to listen and sing the divine Gurbani and edict of God almighty as it came to the lips of Guru Nanak Dev ji throughout his life. Baba Mardaana ji was not only an expert in music but also a complete master in different measures of musicology. The Guru of famous world singer Taan Singh(one of nine gems of Akbar’s court), Bhai Hardas ji was a student of Bhai Mardaana ji. Bhai Mardaana ji’s expertise in playing the Rabab(musical instrument) is explained by Bhai Gurdas ji in his vaar 1st, pauri 35 as : Firstly, Baba himself was in the form of Timeless and secondly, he had his companion Mardana, the rebeck player. Mardana, the bard and witty person and a good player of Rabab in assemblies was a disciple of Guru Nanak. When ever Guru Nanak Dev ji was to enunciate Gurbani for the improvement of humanity, he would address Mardana and say,”Mardania Rabab chhare Bani ayi aa”( O Mardana ! play the Rabab, the word of god has arrived). Also, when ever Guru Nanak Dev ji was in his celestial mood, he would often say,” Mardania play on the Rabab. Let us praise Almighty God so we get his glimpse.” Mardana used to follow Guru’s order, play the Rabab and Satguru Nanak Dev ji would sing the divine praises of the lord by singing gurbani. At such a beautiful blissful moment his sweet voice accompanied with the rabab would permeate all the surrounding area. The most stonehearted of people would melt, and the birds and animals would forget their mundane existence to behold the voice of god. The divine hymns filled the atmosphere to such an extent that even the birds, animals and plants swayed in harmony to the celestial music. The immense personality that is Bhai Mardana ji, was born in the year 1459 A.D. at Rai Bho-ay Di Talwandi, Distt. Sheikhpura(Pakistan). His father was Lakho ji. His parents named him “Dana” in childhood. In this lucky and blessed village of Rai Bho-ay Di Talwandi, Great Guru Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji was born ten years after the of birth of Mardana ji. Inheriting the legacy of singing and rabab playing ( Bhai Mardaana was born a Marasi- they are traditionally entertainers and musicians), Dana ji learned the art of singing and playing the Rabab at very early age. He became a well known Rabab player of that time period. He would often attend prestigious musical concerts being a rabab player. It is recorded in history that one day Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji was resting under a shady tree outside the village. He overheard the melodious tune of a rabab. He got up and went straight to the place from where the sound was coming. He saw a young man in the prime of youth, singing and playing the rabab in a very enchanting manner. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji asked,’’ Brother! What is your name?” The young man replied,” Sir my name is Dana and people call us Mirasi.” Satguru Nanak Dev ji said,” You play the Rabab very beautifully. You are well aware of the different measures of the Raag.” Guru ji further said,” O Dana, if you accompany us and sing god’s word in the measures of Raag then you can be rewarded in this world and the next world.” Dana replied,” We sing to please the rich people and earn our livelihood. If I accompany you then the members of my family would starve to death. As a hungry man can neither read a Namaz(muslim prayer) nor have a Roza(Muslim principles of religious practice); we will be losers in both worlds. How will you emancipate humanity?” Guru Nanak ji stated,” O Dana! why have you become downhearted? Everybody is brought up and provided for by God Almighty. Namaz and Roza are the blessings of God and God is within the heart of all saints. When your deeds will be accounted for; no body in your family will be held responsible for that. You should become Mardana (Brave man), accompany and help me for the welfare of the humanity.” Mardana agreed and bowed to the words of Guru Nanak Dev ji. He became Mardana and joined Guru ji in the task of improvement of humanity. According to Janam Sakhi(Biography) of Bhai Mani Singh ji, Guru ji gave three orders to Mardana as followed:- 1. Not to cut his hair 2. Recite Naam in the early hours of the morning 3. Help the needy and serve the saints. Bhai Mardana ji remained firm on these orders throughout his life and preached them also. Due to the company of Guru Nanak Dev ji and practicing the orders of the Guru in his daily life, Bhai Mardana ji had reached a high status of spirituality. This is mentioned in his Janam Sakhi(Biography). Once in the devoted, informal way Bhai Mardana ji affectionately said to Guru Nanak Dev ji,” Baba ji, There is no difference between you and me. You are a servant of God and I am your servant. You achieved God Almighty and I achieved through you. You have seen God and I have seen Him through you. Baba! God does what you say but I have a request to make, please don’t separate me from you; neither here nor in the afterlife.” Right there Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji blessed Mardana ji with the following words,” Mardana! I am very pleased with you. Wherever you reside, I will reside there.” Bhai Mardana ji once crossing the boundaries of all formalities said to Guru Nanak Dev ji,” Baba! Your service is very hard. I can’t do full justice to it. Please grant me leave to go home.” Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji gave lots of blessings to him and asked,” Mardana! What can I do so you stay with me ?” Mardana said,” Baba ji ! I can stay with you only if you bless me with the same patience that you have. As you don’t feel thirsty or hungry, so I shouldn’t feel the need of these things too. The state in which you move around, please take me to that stage. If you bless me with these things then I can stay with you. “ Guru Nanak Dev Ji said,” Well done Mardana! Well done. You have demanded very noble things. Mardaniya my pleasure is with you. Where ever you reside, I shall reside. I am Delighted---Delighted.” The vision of Mardana ji had crossed physical boundaries. He considered the human body as a perishable earthen piece and soul as a part of God. Guiding and directing the general public on the path of good values, when Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji reached the city of Khurram(Afghanistan), He camped on the bank of a river. Knowing that Bhai Mardana ji’s end was near, Guru Nanak Dev ji said to him,” Mardana ! You have undergone so many difficulties for the improvement of humanity. You have tolerated the pangs of separation of your family, friends and relatives. You accompanied me every moment in the forests, deserts, cities, villages and mountains, in this country and abroad. You encountered the miseries of hunger, thirst, rain, storm and other problems of life and helped to improve humanity. Now you have reached the end of your life. If you have any desire, please let me know so that I can fulfill it.” Mardana ji requested with folded hands,”O Lord! With your Grace all the demands and desires have vanished. I am lucky to breathe my last breath in your holy feet.” Guru Nanak Dev ji once again asked Mardana,” Mardana! If you wish, we can throw your body in the water as Brahmins do. If you wish your body to be cremated as Khatri’s do , we can do that. If you wish your body to be thrown in the air as Vaishas do, we can do it. If you wish to be buried like shoodars( low-caste) , we can fulfill your desire.” Mardana ji replied,” Well Said Baba ji ! Well said. Are you still keeping me tied in the circle of physical bodies? After hearing your teachings and enjoying your company, the idea of this body being real had vanished. Consider my soul only as a companion of my body. “ Guru Nanak Dev ji again addressed Mardana ji and said,” Mardana! A thought comes to my mind that there should be a burial place or tomb to make you famous in the world.” Then Mardana ji got serious and said,” Baba ji with great difficulty, I am going to leave this tomb of a physical body. Why do you want to put me in a stone tomb?” Great Guru Nanak ji embraced Mardana ji after listening to his replies and said,” Mardana! You have recognized Braham(ultimate truth). Now there is no difference between you and me. YOU are a form of Braham.” Bhai Mardana ji left for heavenly abode in the year 1534 and reached the state of harmony as water mingles with water and a ray of light with light. His rabab and words of Guru Baba Nanak Dev ji did miracles in world history which are unique and will remain unique. His name, because of being attached with Bani of Guru Nanak Dev ji has become eternal for ever. Mardana ji had become a recipient of Great Guru’s grace to such an extent that the title of using”Nanak” which was used only by Guru’s and not by any other Sikhs, Bhagat or saint was used by Mardana ji in his own uttered bani. No body else achieved such a high degree of honor and greatness. There are three Shaloks of Mardana ji in “Bihagra Di Var”. In these shaloks he has written Kalyug ( Dark age) as a vessel of liquor distillation. He states that in this age a man renounces meditation of God and indulges himself in sexual pleasures, day and night. When his sexual desire is not fulfilled, he gets angry. He becomes addicted to the false and temporary intoxicants which make him feel worthy and proud. He is trapped in greed and attachment and thus cheats himself. As stated on page 553 : Drinking in this wine, O Nanak, one takes on countless sins and corruptions. A man becomes a pleasure seeker by instinct and is caught by so many diseases of body and mind. On the contrary, a Gurmukh (who follows Guru’s teachings) under the guidance of a Guru recognizes his own self through his body. Only the lucky one who sits in sat sangat(company of congregation) gets to this realization. By the company of Sat-Sangat, one gets to meet the Guru and adopts the path based on teachings of the Guru. If, with the grace of Guru and constant recitation of naam, a person’s concentration is focused on meditation then the stage of harmony with God can be achieved. All the evil deeds including every type of sin is forgiven. A person is United with the true name and this his both worlds are rectified. As stated on page 553 : If the human body is the vat, and self-realization is the wine, then a stream of Ambrosial Nectar is produced. Meeting with the Society of the Saints, the cup of the Lord's Love is filled with this Ambrosial Nectar; drinking it in, one's corruptions and sins are wiped away. Just like Bhai Mardana ji , his family also joined Guru ji’s way of life and Gurughar(house of Guru). He had two sons, Bhai Sajda ji and Bhai Rajada ji. After the heavenly departure of Sri Guru Nanak Ji, Mardana ji’s two grand sons, Bhai Sadu and Bhai Badu used to recite Kirtan and Aasa Di Vaar at Khadoor Sahib in the Holy presence of Guru Angad Dev ji. After that Bhai Satta jiand Bhai Balwand ji from his family used to recite Kirtan in the holy presence of Shri Guru Arjun Dev ji and Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji. Even today, his family descendants, Bhai Lal ji and Bhai Shaad ji (Pakistan) perform Kirtan with traditional instruments in a classical way of singing Gurbani. They are really serving the congregation, getting the blessings of the Guru and bringing glory to the name of their ancestor Bhai Mardana ji. As stated on page 1084 : One who is blessed with the mercy and compassion of the Merciful Lord, is the manliest man among men.

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