Varan Bhai Gurdas ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ | |
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Information | |
Religion | Sikhism |
Author | Bhai Gurdas |
Period | Circa late 16th century |
Chapters | 40 vaars |
Part of a series on |
Sikh scriptures |
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Guru Granth Sahib |
Dasam Granth |
Sarbloh Granth |
Varan Bhai Gurdas |
Varan Bhai Gurdas (Gurmukhi: ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ vārāṁ bhā'ī guradāsa; meaning "ballads of Bhai Gurdas"), also known as Varan Gyan Ratnavali (Punjabi: ਵਾਰ ਗਿਆਨ ਰਤਨਾਵਲੀ, romanized: Vāra gi'āna ratanāvalī, lit. 'ballads of gems of knowledge'),[1] is the name given to the 40 vars (a form of Punjabi poetry) which is traditionally attributed to Bhai Gurdas.[2][3]
3. Vars of Bhai Gurdas (1551-1636): Bhai Gurdas, a contemporary of Guru Arjan and Guru Hargobind, was the son of Bhai Ishar Das Bhalla (one of Guru Amar Das's cousins) and Mai Jivani. The entire text of the sacred volume (Guru Granth Sahib) was inscribed by Bhai Gurdas, the nephew of Guru Amar Das under the direction and supervision of Guru Arjun. The thirty-nine Vars (heroic odes or ballads) of Bhai Gurdas, written fifty to seventy years after the demise of Guru Nanak, only briefly mention some of the events of the Guru's life; the rest is all eulogy (writing in praise of someone). Var 1 contains information on Guru Nanak. When Bhai Gurdas was composing his Vars, many people who personally knew the Guru were alive, particularly Baba Buddha who, was well known to the author, as well. Unfortunately, Bhai Gurdas did not avail of his knowledge. Nevertheless, whatever reference he makes in the Vars must be taken to be authentic.