About Compilation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Adi Birh Bare)

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*ADI BIRH BARAI* About Compilation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib

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Praise of Baba Mohan

Praise of Baba Mohan

We have already given in Chapter 1, the accounts given in “Sooraj Parkash” and “Gurbilas”, about the guilt feelings of Baba Mohan, who at the time of demise of his father Guru Amar Das, disobeyed him to bow at the feet of Guru Ram Das. Baba Mohan then returned to his room, which formed the upper storey of the house, and repented for this lapse. According to the above said books, the voice of Guru Amar Das was heard through the roof of the room. The Guru advised his son that the books of the Gurus’ Compositions that he possessed, he should preserve them carefully, not to give to any one, but to hand over to Guru Arjan Dev, the son of Guru Ram Das, when he would visit him to obtain these books for compilation of Guru Granth. Mohan should then fall on the feet of Guru Arjan Dev, for who would forgive him his mistake. It is stated that Baba Mohan apprised Guru Arjan Dev of this advice of Guru Amar Das.

Prior to the narration of the above said story, these two Poet historians wrote that when Guru Arjan went to Goindwal, he first took bath in the Baoli (Open Well) and at that time Guru Amar Das appeared and he advised him to utter praises of Mohan, and even if Mohan were to speak harsh words, those should be borne calmly, as in the end he would repent on his mistake and would hand over the books.

We have, after thorough examination of the whole situation by applying Reason, Historical Evidence and Comparison of Compositions of the Gurus with each other, reached the conclusion that Guru Arjan Dev had with him all the Compositions of the Gurus. In the circumstances, the Guru felt no necessity of obtaining the two books of Baba Mohan for compilation of Guru Granth Sahib. The whole story of Guru Arjan Dev’s visit to Goindwal, appearance of Guru Amar Das and praising of Baba Mohan, appears to be totally baseless.

The Composition of Guru Arjan Dev, which is being construed to be in the praise of Baba Mohan, has already been given in chapter 1. A little care is needed to examine this Shabad. In this Shabad no mortal has been praised at any place; it is entirely in the Praise of the Infinite Creator, the Enticer (Mohan). The Guru mentions the “Lofty Mansions of Infinite Glory - Sant Dharamsala” of God, not a small room of Baba Mohan in the upper storey of the house. The Guru says “wherever the Saints gather together, they dwell on You” Do the Saints gather together and dwell on Baba Mohan!! Could his room be called a ‘Dharmsal’? In this Shabad, the Guru praised God of BIG FAMILY - He is present in all His creation - Is this not His BIG FAMILY? Does He not create, sustain and look after His children? He (Mohan) is the Savior of the Universe (Not Baba Mohan). Who is “Adi Purkh Banvaria - the Primeval Being”? Who is “Sat Gur Purkh Murary - The True Enlightener”?

The Gurus have used word “Mohan” at a number of places in their Compositions. Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Amar Das also addressed God as “Mohan” (The Enticer - because He is Most Handsome and Wondrous - He attracts us). A few examples are given below, where the Gurus addressed God as “Mohan” -

Guru Nanak Dev

mohan mohe lia mun mera, bandan khol nirarai nanak joti jot smani, ja milia ati piare. 3.5.

(Tukhari Chhant)

mohan mohe lia mun mohe. gur kai sabad pachana tohe. 8.1.

(Rag Basant - Astpadia)

Guru Amar Das

kaman har ras baidhi jio, har kai sehaj subhai. mun mohan mohe lia jio, dubdha sehaj smai. 1.3
(Rag Gauri - Chhant)

Guru Arjan Dev

karat phire ban bhaikh, mohan rehat nirar. 1.31

(Rag Dev Gandhari)

main paikhio ri mohan sabh tai oocha. 1.32

(Rag Dev Gandhari)

Previous Chapter - Guru Amar Das had all the Compositions of Guru Nanak Dev with him

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