Indian Antiquary Vol 55

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 80

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[APRIL, 1926
This the Sikhs could not appreciate, and it was ultimately decided that a deputation consisting of some notable Sikhs should wait upon Bhai Gurdas, who had very great influence with the Guru, and ask him to remonstrate with Hargovind on his general conduct. It is said that it was on this occasion that Bhai Gurdas composed the significant pauri that occurs in his 26th war, and which we shall presently quote 64. It has to be remembered, however, that the verse itself might have led to the fabrication of the story of the deputation, and instances of this kind are not rare in Sikh literature.. Macauliffe says that most of the details of the Janamsakhis of Guru Nanak are simply settings for his verses and compositions.65 So, we cannot as yet definitely say to which period of Guru Hargovind's life the pauri refers. But there is clear internal evidence which proves that it was composed after the release of Hargovind from Gwalior. As Bhai Gurdas died in 1629, 66 it is evident that the pauri was composed during the particular period of Hargovind's life which we have now been discussing. The importance of the passage in question cannot be gainsaid, as Bhai Gurdas was a contem porary and a very ardent admirer of the Gurus, and we therefore make no apology for quoting, it in full. It runs :
"People say the former Gurus used to sit in the temple; the present Guru remaineth not in any one place.
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The former Emperors used to visit the former Gurus; the present Guru was sent into the fortress by the Emperor.
In former times the Guru's darbar could not contain the sect; the present Guru leadeth a roving life and feareth nobody.
The former Gurus, sitting on their thrones, used to console the Sikhs; the present Guru keepeth dogs and hunteth.
The former Gurus used to compose hymns, listen to them, and sing them; the present Guru composeth not hymns, nor listeneth to them, nor singeth them.
He keepeth not his Sikh followers with him, but taketh enemies of his faith and wicked persons as his guides and familiars.
I say, the truth within him cannot possibly be concealed; the true Sikhs, like the bumble. bees, are enamoured of his lotus feet.
He supporteth a burden intolerable to others and asserteth not himself."67
It is to be noticed that in the last two verses Bhai Gurdas does not dispute the truth of the people's allegations, but merely expresses his firm belief that the Guru's motive would soon become clear and then everybody would learn to appreciate his actions. But that Bhai Gurdas himself did not also quite approve of the Guru's irregularities, is proved by his remarks in the twentieth pauri of his thirty-fifth war.68 Bhai Gurdas says, "Even if the Guru become a play-actor, his Sikhs should not lose their faith." This seems to indicate that in Bhai Gurdas' opinion Hargovind had actually become a play-actor.
It is thus evident that Hargovind was leading a disorderly life and that conflict with the State had practically become inevitable. The Sikh chroniclers state that difficulties had commenced even during the reign of Jahangir. The incident of Kaulan, the Kazi's daughter, or as some say, his concubine, has already been referred to. The Kazi, moreover, had other complaints against the Guru. A beautiful horse that was being brought from Kabul by a Sikh masand named Sujan70 for the personal use of the Guru was forcibly captured by an
04 Macauliffe, ibid., vol. IV, p. 76.
ee Ibid., vol. IV, p. 144.
es Ibid., vol. I, p. lxxxvii.
87 Macauliffe, ibid., vol. IV, pp. 76, 77.
es Ibid., pp. 133, 134.
69 The Sikhs state that Hargovind could not like the verse and inflicted a punishment on Bhai Gurdas in order to teach him humanity. The Bhai was, however, afterwards pardoned and allowed to continue his literary work (Macauliffe, vol. IV, pp. 134-137).
70 The Itihas Guru Khalsa (p. 131) states that it was Bhag Mal, a Sikh merchant.