Sri Chand

Sri Chand (1494 – 1643) [http://www.sikh-heritage.co.uk/personalities/baba%20srichand/babasrichand.htm Biography] accessed September 18, 2006] [ [http://www.gobindsadan.org/babasirichand/schand_life.shtml Baba Siri Chand Ji] ] was the first son of Guru Nanak, raised by his sister. Sri Chand was a renounciate yogi. After his father left Sri Chand stayed in Dera Baba Nanak and maintained Guru Nanak's temple. He established the Udasi order who travelled far and wide to spread the teachings of Nanak.

After Baba Sri Chand's death at the age of 149, the son of Guru Hargobind, Baba Gurditta became his successor as head of the Udasis. The Udasis protected and maintained the historical shrines of Anandpur, Hazoor Sahib and Amritsar for over a hundred years after Guru Gobind Singh's death. They established schools of learning to keep the Sikh tradition alive.

He devoted his long life to meditation,preaching,and helping the poor,the downtrodden, and those in need.

Baba Sri Chand ji - the great mystic saint and elder son of Guru Nanak Dev ji. his life spanned the 149 years from 1494 to 1543. The emperor once asked his fakir, Syed Mia Mir, " As I am the Emperor all of India, who is the greatest spiritualking amongst you all"? Mia Mir Replied, "Guru Nanak's elder son, King of all Fakirs."The consensus conducted at the time of Shah Jahan showed that Baba Sri Chand ji had the greatest following throughout his entire kingdom.

While the Guru Gaddi was passed to Guru Angad Dev ji, Baba Sri Chand ji acceptedhis responsibility from his father and Guru of uniting the various spiritual schools of India. He was revered by Muslims and Hindus, ascetics and householders alike. He carried Guru Nanak Dev Ji's message throughout the subcontinent from Sindh toGilgit Valley and from Kandahar to Kabul.

Baba Ji was held in great esteem by the ensuing 5 Sikh Gurus. Guru Amar Das Ji offered Baba Mohas ji, who is the best known as the custodian of Guru Sahib's Pothis (hand written verses) from which Guru Arjun Dev ji compiled Guru Granth Sahib. And Guru Hargobind Sahib offered Baba Gurditta Ji, who became Baba Ji's successor and is regarded as the patriarch of the Udasi Sampardai. Interestingly Baba Gurditta ji was father of Guru Har Rai Ji, grandfather of Guru Harkrishan ji, the older brother of Guru Tegh Bahadur and the uncle of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Birth and History of a Story

Born on "Bhadon Sudi" 9 of "Samat" 1551(1494 AD) in Sultanpur Lodhi, Punjab.His right ear lobe was extended in a ring of flesh, leaving no doubt that he was a born "yogi."

Early life

Guru Nanak Dev started his training at a very early age, mostly by personal example. Thus, as a child he formed habits of rising early, bathing, and spending long hours in meditation. He was told religious stories and sermons to which he listened attentively.He did not play like other children of his age; on the other hand he collected them and taught them meditation whenever they called upon him to play. There are several miracles associated with his childhood.According to one instance,when people got anxious over the delay in his return from the jungle where he had gone, a search party was organized. It found him, to its great surprise,immersed in deep meditation surrounded by wild animals of all sorts such as elephants, tigers, and leopards. All were sitting at his feet motionless, perfectly silent, with eyes closed, enamored by his mystical powers and in service of their master.

With Nanaki

In 1558, when he was seven, Guru Nanak Dev left for his first Udasi (long preaching journey as a renunciate). Babaji was placed in the care of Nanaki,elder sister of guru Nanak. "Sri Chand" visited Pakhoke and Talwandi also to meet his grandparents. Though he was a child, his face was glowing with friendliness and his wide knowledge, sharp intelligence, and spiritual achievements at such a tender age made him popular everywhere. The Nawabs at these places especially paid homage, as they did to Guru Nanak. When Guru Nanak returned from his first Udasi, he found his son, a lad of fifteen, very firm in his principles and fully devoted to meditation. Guru Nanak, during his brief stay at Sultanpur and before leaving for the second Udasi, gave maximum time to him and blessed him with NAAM as his first disciple. On return from the second Udasi, Guru Nanak advised him to study Vedas and other Shastras to continue his religious education, even though both sets of grandparents wanted him to enter business, in accordance with the family tradition.

Education in Kashmir

"Sri Chand" was in Sirinagar for two and a half years in the famous school of Pandit Purshotam Das Kaul. He was the best student and surprised everybody with his intelligence, maturity, and perspicacity. For example, when his teacher was challenged to a debate by a well-known and proud Brahmin of Kashi, Pandit Som Nath Tripathi, Babaji stepped in place of his teacher and in no time demolished the arguments of Pandit Som Nath Tripathi, who felt so nervous that he left in a huff.

Aarta

His soul had now started to merge with God. While meditating with complete devotion, he saw the whole universe, Supreme Akal Purkh, in reverence to Guru Nanak Dev Ji. From that vision he composed "Aarta" in praise of his father and Guru. Thus, when Guru Nanak returned from his third Udasi, he was greeted with candlelights and showered with flowers and saffron and welcomed by his son with recitation of divine hymns in his honor.

Let us sing the praises of Nanak, King of kings,

Emperor of both worlds.
::The whole cosmos is His temple::Congregations sing sweet songs in His praise.::Millions of goddesses burn holy lamps in His honour::Millions of gods sing psalms in His praise.Millions wash His lotus feet
The moon and sun illuminate Him with their radiance.
Masses of flowers are offering Him fragrance.
The True Master, the True Light, He is merciful to the poor.
::The King of the Winds fans Him::While saints and sages meditate on His holiness.::He is universally accepted as the perfect Guru::The entire cosmos vibrates with his celestial song.Bells ring out the tone -ONKAR-
Continuously illluminating the heavens.
He is one with God, Whose Name is Truth,
In Nanak's Name saints find their support.
::Siri Chand, Nanak's son, declares,::"Nanak is unattainable, unfathomable, unshakeable, and pure.::Whoever sings Emperor Nanak's praises::Resides in heaven and achieves complete salvation.Oh kind Master, protect those who seek your shelter
Oh Nanak! You are the saviour; we are just your children.

ee also

* Bedi

References

* M A Macauliffe, The Sikh Religion, Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors(1909)

External links

* [http://www.sgpc.net/historical-gurdwaras/arjandev.asp Historical Gurdwaras of Punjab dedicated to Guru Arjan Sahib] from SGPC, Sri Amritsar
* [http://www.sikhs.org/guru4.htm Guru Ram Das (1534-1581)] from www.sikhs.org
* [http://www.sikh-heritage.co.uk/personalities/baba%20srichand/babasrichand.htm Baba Sri Chand]
* [http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/sikhism/udas.html Udasis]
* [http://www.sikhnet.com/1999/anand25.html Baba Sri Chand]