Baba Sri Chand Ji

Sri Chand (1494–1629) 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 170 , 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 spiritual king 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 accepted his 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 message throughout the subcontinent from Sindh to Gilgit Valley and from Kandahar to Kabul.

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

Born on Bhadon Sudi 9 of Samat1551(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."

With Nanaki Ji

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, the 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. 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 Srinagar 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 get their radiance from Him.
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 accepted in the cosmos as the perfect Guru

The entire cosmos vibrates with his celestial song.

Bells ring out the tone -ONKAR-
Continuously illuminating 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.

Guru Granth Sahib about Sri Chand

In Guru Granth Sahib, On Page No. 967, in Bani Ramkali Ki Vaar, it is clearly Mentioned that Sri Chand became rebelious and did not walk on Guru Nanak's Path and adopted himself as a Yogi. Sri Chand put earings in his ears and started a new order called Udasi in opposition o Sikh Panth. Following are extracts of Balwand/Satta hymns from Guru Granth Sahib.

ਸਚੁ ਜਿ ਗੁਰਿ ਫੁਰਮਾਇਆ ਕਿਉ ਏਦੂ ਬੋਲਹੁ ਹਟੀਐ ॥
The Guru gave the True Command; why should we hesitate to proclaim this?

ਪੁਤ੍ਰੀ ਕਉਲੁ ਨ ਪਾਲਿਓ ਕਰਿ ਪੀਰਹੁ ਕੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਮੁਰਟੀਐ ॥
His sons did obey His Word ਦਿਲਿ ਖੋਟੈ ਆਕੀ ਫਿਰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਬੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਭਾਰੁ ਉਚਾਇਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਛਟੀਐ ॥
Those who donot follow guru path; evil-hearted ones became rebellious; they carry loads of sin on their backs.

ਜਿਨਿ ਆਖੀ ਸੋਈ ਕਰੇ ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਤੀ ਤਿਨੈ ਥਟੀਐ ॥
Whatever the Guru said, Lehna did, and so he was installed on the throne.

ਕਉਣੁ ਹਾਰੇ ਕਿਨਿ ਉਵਟੀਐ ॥੨॥
Who has lost, and who has won? ||2||

ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੋ ਮੰਨਣਾ ਕੋ ਸਾਲੁ ਜਿਵਾਹੇ ਸਾਲੀ ॥
He who did the work, is accepted as Guru; so which is better - the thistle or the rice?