The Life and Ideals of Guru Gobind Singh (An Old and Rare Book)

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This work on the life and ideals of Guru Gobind Singh is a singular contribution on the subject, and is based on the original sources. The complete life of the Guru has been presented through two sources viz. Bachittar Natak an autobiography of the Guru upto AD 1696 and Sri Gur Sobha by the court-poet Sainapat, who completed his work in AD 1711, three years after the passing away of the Guru. The ideals of the Guru are revealed through the anecdotes of his life given in Sau Sakhi and Parchian Sewa Das, through the injunctions, Rahat Namas recorded by Bhai Prehlad Singh, Bhai Nand Lal, Bhai Desa Singh, Bhai Chaupa Singh and Bhai Daya Singh, and through the poetic compositions of the great preceptor which include Jap Sahib, Chaupai, Ten Sawayyas, Shabad Hazare, Zafar Nama and Fateh Nama. These works have been rendered into English by the author himself. Thus this book brings forth the personality of the Guru through his own sayings and reveals him as a great reformer, litterateur, spiritual leader and an unparalleled warrior.

Dr. Surindar Singh Kohli, was professor and head of the department of Punjabi, Punjab University, Chandigarh. He has not only made a significant contribution in the field of comparative literature, but has also done a distinct service in the realm of comparative religion in general and Sikh studies in particular, through his works including A Critical Study of the Adi Granth, Outlines of Sikh Thought, Philosophy of Guru Nanak, Travels of Guru Nanak, Sikh Ethics and The Sword and the Spirit. He is an authority on Sikh scriptures and has made their thorough and critical study in a dispassionate and scholarly manner. His works are marked by clarity, brevity and profound scholarship.

This work on the Life and Ideals of Guru Gobind Singh is a work of different kind from several earlier endeavours on the subject. This work is directly based on Original Sources, which have been translated by the author. The work has been divided into four parts. The first part contains the life of the Guru. After a general survey of his life, his own autobiography has been translated, which forms part of the Bachittar N atak from Section II to Section XIII. It covers his previous life immediately before his birth in this world and also his life as Guru Gobind Singh up to AD 1696. The re­maining period of his life upto his death in AD 1708 is covered by the biography of his court-poet Sainapat entitled Sri Gur Sobha, which is considered an authentic work on his life. In order to give a glimpse of this work, a brief description of each chapter has been appended.

The second part includes thirty-seven anecdotes from the life of the Guru, which have been translated from the old Sikh Chroni­cles namely Sau Sakhi and Parchian Bhai Sewa Dass. These Chronicles not only depict the significant incidents from the life of the Guru, but also present the ideals preached by him. The third part contains the injunctions of the Guru for the Sikhs, which have been translated from the Rahatnamas. The injunctions constitute the discipline ordained by the Guru. The fourth part contains an introductory note about the poetic works of the Guru alongwith the translation of the prominent compositions of the Guru. These compositions include the Sikh Prayers and the Epistles of Victory of historical importance.

Thus this work is a!singular contribution of its own kind depict­ing the Life and Ideals of Guru Gobind Singh, the founder of the Khalsa, basing them on Original Sources. I am confident that it wiJI be received warmly by the Sikhs throughout the world.

**Contents and Sample Pages**