Introduction to Aadh Guru Granth Bhagat Mala
These short stories have been taken from Aadh Guru Granth Bhagat Mala and translated into English. The purpose of translating these stories is to provide understanding and emphasise its significance when reciting Gurbaani and Bhai Gurdas Ji Vaaran.
The Sikh Gurus, Bhagats and Bhatt (bards) within Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji have made references to various great saints and disciples who existed at the time of the Hindu deities in different Yugas. These narratives are presented not to venerate Hindu deities; rather, they serve solely as references to illustrate the value of faith and understanding the importance of meditating upon the Lord’s Name.
The stories provide examples from the lives of many revered saints, aristocrats and common people serving as parallels for understanding the power and immense greatness of the One Lord, Vaheguru. They highlight the importance of living by faith and Dharma, and how meditation upon the Primal Lord leads to liberation from sin and misfortune.
The Story of Chandar Hans
Chandar Hans was the only son of Raja Mehdhavi and was born in the South of India. In the age of Duaapar, there was a huge battle between the kings and Chandar Hans’ father was killed by Drishtbudhi. Chandar Hans’ mother became sati (a common Hindu practice where the widow threw herself on her husband’s funeral pyre, which was abolished by the 3rd Guru, Guru Amar Daas Ji). Chandar Hans became an orphan and was raised by one of the maids, who raised him as one of her own.
Mehdhavi’s enemy wanted to kill Chandar Hans. When Chandar Hans’ nurse heard about this, she took Chandar Hans and fled to Kuntalpur. Although she saved Chandar Hans’ life, she had nothing left to provide for him. Chandar Hans grew to be a great warrior and a great devotee of Krishna.
Drishtbudhi continued with his quest to kill Chandar Hans. Drishtbudhi’s son, Jalaad organised some men to kidnap Chandar Hans and take him to the jungles. They tied him up and stuffed his mouth with a piece of cloth so that he could not cry out for help. They threw him next to the river and left him there. Chandar Hans realised that Jalaad had him taken to the jungles so that he could be killed there. Chandar Hans asked Jalaad, “Tell me this, why do you want to kill me? Have I done something bad because you normally kill someone if they have done something bad?”
Jalaad answered, “I do not hate you nor do I bear enmity with you. Drishtbudhi wishes for you to be killed. He has sent us to do it. We must accept everything he tells us to do, or he will kill us too.”
Chandar Hans: “But why does he wish to kill me? What have I done to cause him so much pain and hatred towards me?”
Jalaad: “He is worried and suspicious because you are the son-in-law of the Raja in Kuntalpur and you will become Raja one day. He wants to kill you, so you do not become the Raja and wage a war against him. There’s no time to talk now, I must kill you.”
Chandar Hans: “Fine, kill me! I cannot hold your hand but at least let me meditate upon the Lord before you kill me, so that I can at least be emancipated by the Lord.”
Jalaad agreed and allowed him to do this. Chandar Hans took out a small statue; he placed a few leaves and flowers from the jungle in front of it and began his prayers. Chandar Hans prayed to the Lord to save him. The Lord became merciful, and He entered the mind of Jalaad. Jalaad decided to not kill Chandar Hans. As he was about to leave, he looked at Chandar Hans’ foot and saw that he had six toes. He chopped the sixth toe so that he could show Drishtbudhi the toe and say he killed Chandar Hans.
Chandar Hans remained in the jungles. His foot was bleeding, and he was in a lot of pain. He prayed to the Lord again and the Lord stopped his foot from bleeding.
One day the Raja of Kuntalpur, Raja Kulindar went hunting in the jungles. He saw Chandar Hans meditating and he approached him. He told Chandar Hans to go home and get changed. Chandar Hans told him that he has no home, his parents both died and Drishtbudhi wishes to kill him for no reason. Raja Kulindar felt pity for Chandar Hans and saw how sincere and devoted Chandar Hans was that Raja Kulindar took him to his palace. Raja Kulindar made Chandar Hans his son and made him a prince.
ਸਭੁ ਹੈ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਹੈ ਪਸਰਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਬੀਜਿਆ ਖਾਵਾਰੇ ॥
Everything is God, God is the whole expanse, and man eats what he has planted,
ਜਿਉ ਜਨ ਚੰਦ੍ਰਹਾਂਸੁ ਦੁਖਿਆ ਧ੍ਰਿਸਟਬੁਧੀ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਘਰੁ ਲੂਕੀ ਜਾਰੇ ॥੬॥
When Drishtabudhi tormented the humble devotee, Chandar Hans, he only set his own house on fire.
(Guru Ram Das Ji; GGSJ: Ang 982)
