Sri Chand

Sri Chand, also referred to as Baba Sri Chand, who was the founder of the ascetic sect of Udasin and was the elder son of Guru Nanak, first Guru and founder of Sikhism. Sikh sources give his life the unlikely dates of 8 September 1494 – 13 January 1629, which would have made him 134 years old upon his death. He was born to Mata Sulakhani on Bhadra sudi 9, 1551 Bikrami (i.e. 8 September 1494). Baba Sri Chand is the greatest Brahmagyani among the first Sahibzaden and Brahmagyani of Guru Nanak.

We go to gurudwaras, temples so that our attention will be diverted from this world to the God of Surti. But if we go there and talk only about the world, then there is the benefit of going there.[1][2]

Memorials to Udasin mahants of Sadh Belo with an invocation to Sri Chand, the founder of Udasins.

Personal life

One day, Guru Nanak spontaneously came to his sister Nanaki at her house. Nanaki came to know that Guru never really comes without being called, he has come today, otherwise Guru had to be called earlier. So you will definitely get some advice.

Guru said to them that we are your slaves only. Just busy with the affairs of the world. Nanaki said that Guru, you should tell the whole world that you were busy, but in truth, you have come to remove everyone from this world, from attachment.

He told Guru that I have a desire in my mind, if you have permission, then tell us. Guru said that you were born before us and we should obey your orders. Tell me what you want.

Scholars say that those who are only one day older than us should also listen to them. He has got knowledge in this world before us. And Guruji himself being God is saying this thing and what about us?

She said that you have been married to Bibi Sulakhni, a girl with very good qualities, a good family. Whenever his parents come, they leave by speaking bad words to us. I Have listened to this. You don't even say anything to them. Guru said that tell them what they lack. Everything they want is given to them. Bibi said that you can even speak some sweet words to him. You can ask them about their condition, you can talk to them on any topic. Guruji never paid any attention to household life.

If we are short of things, someone comes to us and we only speak sweet words to him, then he will be very happy about it too. When we go to someone, the reason for this is not any food or drink, only two sweet words.--Gyani Sher Singh Ambala Wale

Guru said let's be fine. Now you come to another topic. Bibi Nanaki Ji said that I have a great desire to feed my nephews in my lap. Guruji said that you are a great devotee of God. Your wish will surely come true. And Guruji left. After that Guru started coming home at night, otherwise Guru Ji used to come home only occasionally.

After some time Shri Chand was born at his house.

But they could not recognize him until the time of Guru Nanak . And always considered him only a father. Even when Guru Nanak was leaving the body and going to the hereafter, he did not come to him. But when he left the body then they and Lakhmi Chand prayed to God to send his father to him for 2 ghadi (1 ghadi =24 minutes). And then God sent Guru on his Ardas again for 2 ghadi (24 minutes in 1 hour). Then Shri Chand also apologized to him. Guru gave him a boon that whatever he said would come true and also gave him infinite powers.

Shri Chand lived his entire life without a householder.

Meeting With Jahagir

Shri Chand lived all his life without a householder. One day Janhargir asked Pir Sai Mian if any people are connected with God. He said that at present only Shri Chand of Guru Nanak is a Brahmagiani. He sent an elephant with many companions to bring you to him.

Baba often used to take a blanket. Baba said let's put our blanket on the elephant first. As soon as he put that blanket on the elephant. So the elephant felt as if someone had placed the weight of the three worlds on him. And he began to sink. Baba told him that his elephant could not bear our blanket. How will he take us?

Baba said that we will climb on the back of our partner. When Sri Chand came to Jahangir's court, he welcomed him warmly and started talking to him. Baba took a blanket which he placed in front of him. That blanket would sometimes rise and shrink on its own; Like someone in it. Jahangir said Baba what is this.

He said that whatever is in the blanket should come to them. After a while, he also bit Jahangir. He fell from his seat. And began to tremble. He asked Sri Chand to remove it. Baba said to stop for 10 minutes. But he said let's remove it now.

He asked Baba what it was. Baba said that we had a fever which happens after 3 days but you still called us to him then we sent him in this blanket to talk. He then said that you can take away this warmth, you can give it to someone else, then take it away from you forever.

Baba said that we cannot do it. It is in the will of God. We don't have the guts to do it. Jahangir understood. And he also felt that he did no good by martyring Guru Arjan.

Baba then left from there and he gave his gadri to Baba Guraditta , the son of Guru Hargobind. Baba lived in the world for about 134 years.

Relationship with Sikh Gurus

Not much is known about the relationship of Guru Angad and Sri Chand.

Guru Amardas declared active and domestic Sikhs to be separate from passive and recluse Udasins.[3]

However the Sikh Gurus, Guru Amardas, Guru Ramdas, Guru Arjan and Guru Hargobind who were also contemporaries of Sri Chand did revere him.

Guru Hargobind's eldest son, Baba Gurditta, was given to the Udasins at the behest of Baba Sri Chand's request and Baba Gurditta eventually replaced Baba Sri Chand as head of the Udasins after his death. Baba Gurditta was the father of Guru Hari Rai, the grandfather of Guru Hari Krishan, and the elder half-brother of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

Ram Rai, son of Guru Har Rai joined the Udasin sect after a failed attempt of being an official eighth Guru of the Sikhs.

Influence

Composing Aarta

Sri Chand wrote Aarta, his most important writing, in praise of his father, Guru Nanak, and presented it to him after one of the Udasins. This writing had major influence on people of that time who did not know about Guru Nanak yet.

Akharas

Sri Chand established many akharas, some of them being Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad and Shree Panchayati Akhada Bada Udasin.[4]

References

You can also read at https://priteshgarg2018.blogspot.com/2021/09/blog-post_10.html

  1. Gurnek Singh. "Baba Srichand JI". Encyclopaedia of Sikhism. Punjabi University Patiala. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  2. "The Encycopaedia of Sikhism, vol. IV, S-Z". archive.org. p. Sri Chand, Baba. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  3. Cunningham,Joseph A History of the Sikhs
  4. "Shree Panchayati Akhada Bada Udasin". Hindustan Times.

Bibliography
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